WASHINGTON, May 7 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President George W. Bush reiterated here on Wednesday his accusation against Cuba, saying that the country's government is making "empty gestures at reform."

    "Until there is a change of heart, and a change of compassion and a change of how the Cuban government treats its people, there is no change at all," Bush told the Council of Americas, a business group that advocates for democracy and open markets in the Western Hemisphere.

    "The regime has made empty gestures at reform ... If Cuba wants to join the community of civilized nations, then Cuban rulers must begin a process of peaceful and democratic change and the first step must be the release of all political prisoners," Bush said.

    In February, Bush reviled Cuba's new President Raul Castro as a "tyrant", and refused to have dialogue with him.

    Raul Castro, 76, was named by Cuba's parliament as president of the country to replace his ailing brother Fidel Castro after the latter announced on Feb. 19 that he would retire as Cuba's leader, after nearly 50 years in power.

    Raul Castro has vowed to bring about changes in the country to make the government more efficient and economy stronger.

    Washington has imposed restrictive measures on trade with Cuba since 1962. The Bush administration said that the decades-old U.S. embargo on Cuba will remain in place despite Cuban leader Fidel Castro's resignation.