Archive for the ‘International Support’ Category
Latin American Countries Want US to do More in Normalizing Relations with Cuba
Latin American leaders have been upset with the lack of progress since the Summit of the Americas in April. While there seems to be a more diplomatic conservation emerging, the upcoming Organization of American States conference on June 2 in Honduras may raise questions for the Administration. According to NYTimes:
A majority of the organization’s members is expected to support lifting a provision that was used to expel Cuba from the organization in 1962, citing its alliance with “the Communist bloc” that broke “the unity and solidarity of the hemisphere.”
But the Administration doesn’t agree:
Administration officials reiterated this week a long-term American determination to keep Cuba out of the organization until it demonstrated a willingness to adopt the democratic principles that are a part of the organization’s charter.
Cuba Talk Dominates Summit of the Americas
As expected, Latin-American leaders at the Summit of the Americas spoke of the US ending the embargo with Cuba. According to the Politico:
Prime Minister Barrow of Belize makes Cuba an issue, too. He calls for “the formal integration” of Cuba into the group and for the United States to lift the embargo.
Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega praised Castro and said the U.S. was punishing Cuba. “And just because of that I cannot feel comfortable attending this summit,” Ortega said. “I feel ashamed that I am attending this summit with the absence of Cuba.”
Argentine President Cristina Kirchner brought up Cuba’s expulsion from the group of leaders, calls on Obama to lift the embargo, and attacks the “Washington consensus” that has harmed the Americas.
However the leaders didn’t blame President Obama, they mostly spoke highly of the new leader. Daniel Ortega said:
“President Obama was born on August 4, 1961,” he read. “He was three-and-a-half months old.” He continued: “Obviously he doesn’t have any responsibility for that historic event.”
Outlook Improving for US-Cuba Relations
Today has been an exciting day in the thawing of US-Cuba Relations. After President Obama made the first move by removing restrictions on Cuban-American travel, Obama left the next move to Cuba. Then Raul Castro offered to put everything on the table, including press freedom, political prisoners and human rights. Then Secretary of State Clinton remarked “We welcome his comments, the overture they represent and we are taking a very serious look at how we intend to respond”.
Now at the Summit of the Americas, Obama spoke more on US-Cuba Relations. According to NYTimes.com:
“The United States seeks a new beginning with Cuba,” he said at the Summit of the Americas opening ceremony, according to his remarks released in advance by the White House. “I know there is a longer journey that must be traveled in overcoming decades of mistrust, but there are critical steps we can take toward a new day.”
President Obama Says Cuba Should Make Next Move – Raul Castro Willing to Put Everything on the Table
Before heading to the Summit of the Americas, President Obama, while in Mexico said Cuba needs to make the “next move” to help bridge the divide between the US and Cuba. Now Cuba’s Raul Castro has said he is willing to talk with the US about everything, including press freedom, political prisoners and human rights. According to the BBC:
Speaking to Latin American leaders in Venezuela, President Castro said he had sent word to the US government “in private and in public” that he is open to negotiations as long as it is “on equal terms”.
There is still no formal contact between the Cuban authorities and the US government, but this is the latest in a series of exchanges which suggest that both sides appear to be making efforts to find a way to end the 50-year stalemate.
Earlier this week, the US president announced that he was lifting restrictions on Cuban Americans visiting relatives on the island and sending money home.
Following the easing of US travel restrictions, Mr Obama said it was up to Havana to make the next move.
Cuban Travel Changes Possible as President Obama Prepares for Summit of the Americas
As President Obama prepares for his trip to Trinidad and Tobago for the Summit of the Americas, the world awaits any clues for changes in policy concerning Cuban-American travel, the embargo and the general travel to Cuba. According to AP:
(Jeffrey) Davidow and other officials say the administration is also looking seriously at calls from some lawmakers to allow all Americans to travel to Cuba, appoint a special envoy to oversee policy toward the island and possibly end U.S. opposition to Cuba’s membership in the Organization of American States.
“We are engaged in a continual evaluation of our policy and how that policy could help result in a change in Cuba that could bring about a democratic society,” Davidow said.
Obama to Announce Lessened Restrictions on Cuba before Summit of the Americas
President Barack Obama cautiously extends offerings of peace and reform of current laws and the embargo with Cuba. Such examples of early reform would consist of trade and travel restrictions being lessened, which is primarily for Cuban-American families and to take the damper off of US and Latin American relations before the Summit of the Americas. Provisions for this reform would be included in a spending bill to be voted on by members of congress within the week. Changes are suspected to be announced before the Summit meeting. This could be a quick reconciliation for the US in the Foreign Policy department.
“There is a strong likelihood that Obama will announce policy changes prior to the summit,” said Daniel Erikson, director of Caribbean programmes at the Inter-American Dialogue and author of The Cuba Wars. “Loosening travel restrictions would be the easy thing to do and defuse tensions at the summit.”
Cuba Briefs: Latin America Blast Embargo, Russian Navy Visits, Cuba Offers Prisoner Swap
Latin American leaders blasted the US embargo while welcoming Cuba into the Rio Group:
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva says he hopes Obama will end the embargo. He says it no longer makes political or economic sense.
Cuba recently extended an olive branch by offering to release jailed political dissidents:
Answering a reporter’s question about political prisoners in Cuba, Castro said he would consider releasing some as a gesture to opening talks with the new administration. But he said the U.S. would need to reciprocate by freeing the so-called “Cuban Five,” who were convicted in 2001.
As Putie-Pute continues his communist quest for influence in Cuba by sending Russian Navy Ships, the Bush administration dead-enders near their last days. Their propaganda machine feels the need one last time to spew their hate for the Cuban people by giving a litany of failures of reasons for the embargo.
Cuban Embargo in the News
It’s possible the United States government may finally change a longstanding policy against freedom to travel and do commerce with the island nation of Cuba.
Business groups are aligning to lobby President Elect Barack Obama for changes to the policy.
This is after a 185-3 vote in the UN on ending the embargo in October. Only Israel and Palau voted with the U.S.
Here at home, more Americans also support ending the embargo.
I look forward to a President Obama who will correct this injustice to both Americans and Cubans.