Archive for the ‘President Barack Obama’ Category
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.”
Ending the Cuban Embargo Would Benefit U.S. Economy – Florida Helped Most
For the first time in nearly fifty years the United States has an opportunity to normalize relations with Cuba. The inauguration of President Barack Obama offers the chance for a clean break with the policies that have separated the U.S. from our closest Caribbean neighbor.
Good for the U.S. Economy
Many U.S. business groups have been advocating the end of the embargo as well. The groups including the American Farm Bureau Federation, Business Roundtable, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, National Retail Federation and Grocery Manufacturers Association have called for an end to the embargo. Currently only certain agricultural and medical products are exempt from the embargo.
The U.S. economy will be greatly affected by ending the Cuban embargo in a very positive way. At a time when the U.S. economy needs it most, we would enter the nearby market of Cuba that has nearly 11.5 million people and nearly 43,000 square miles.
Fifty years of Communism has taken a toll on Cuba. Buildings are deteriorating to unsafe levels, roads and bridges are crumbling and access to basic goods and services have all but disappeared. The Cuban people are clamoring for change and a better life and the United States has the ability to deliver it.
Our recession battered construction industries would also benefit greatly as engineers, carpenters and skilled laborers could help the Cuban people rebuild their country. Building supply industries would start manufacturing again and natural resources would be consumed.
The European Union has already ended their embargo and recently the United Nations, in a 183-3 vote, called for an end to the embargo worldwide.
Travel industry segments such as cruise lines and airlines would prosper as tourists explored this beautiful country. Cuban Ports and airports would be rebuilt, hotels constructed, all with the help of U.S. industries.
Florida Would Benefit Most
The state of Florida may have the most to gain from ending the Cuban embargo. The southern most point of the U.S., Key West, Florida is within a hundred miles of Cuba. Florida’s ports would benefit from the large amounts of cargo that would be shipped to Cuba. The ports would also benefit as many early travelers to Cuba would opt to cruise there since hotel facilities do not yet exist to accommodate tourists bound for this new destination.
Florida businesses would also profit from a new tourist destination as close as Cuba. Tourists would demand the same quality of food, luxury and even those little bars of soap not available there on a large scale. As Cuban citizens became aware of and demanded American products, Florida based distribution companies would be available to fill the need.
Long term, Florida would benefit as International tourist used it as a gateway to Cuba. Currently many International travelers visit Cuba via Mexico and Canada. Trendy cities like Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, Tampa and Orlando would reap tourism dollars as international visitors looking for exciting destinations extended their vacations in Florida.
Good Foreign Policy
Politically, ending the Cuban embargo just makes sense, Russia is looking to Cuba to establish a Caribbean presence. Since the demise of the old Soviet Empire, Russian influence in Cuba has waned. But in December of 08, Russia sent three warships to visit the island nation. In January Raoul Castro visited Russia to seek trade and money. Be assured that Russia would like to expand their presence in the region and this is a great opportunity to do so.
Cuba also appears to have a large expanse of untapped oil resources. China and Venezuela would like to tie those resources up for themselves which would not only cut the U.S. market from the oil, but could create the opportunity for an Eco disaster for the Caribbean and Southeastern United States.
Opportunities for Cuba
By ending the Cuban embargo, President Obama has the opportunity to help both the Cuban and American people. By allowing U.S. travel to the island nation, Cubans can get a taste of the freedoms we as Americans take for granted. Cubans will be exposed to our fashion, music and technology which will stimulate a desire for freedom and personal wealth.
U.S. Travel to Cuba will also generate much needed dollars for the Caribbean Nation which was devastated by three hurricanes last year.
President Obama has another chance to make history by ending the embargo and promoting freedom, however this window of opportunity won’t be open forever.
Will President Obama Squander an Opportunity with Cuba
Will the United States squander another opportunity to allow the Cuban people to get a taste of freedom? Today Raul Castro arrived in Moscow for an eight day visit with Russian leaders to discuss increasing economic ties and the “situation in the Caribbean”.
It’s time for President Obama to act boldly and move forward in normalizing Cuban-American relations, otherwise Russia will again get a foot-hold in Cuba and maybe other nations Caribbean too.
More from Fidel Castro; Reflections of Comrade Fidel
Fidel Castro released an article called “Reflections of Comrade Fidel” in which he seems to be telling Cuban officials he’s done, do whatever you want.
According to an article by Niko Price:
The 82-year-old Cuban leader suggested his days are numbered, saying Cuban officials “shouldn’t feel bound by my occasional Reflections, my state of health or my death.”
“I have reduced the Reflections as I had planned this year, so I won’t interfere or get in the way of the (Communist) Party or government comrades in the constant decisions they must make,” he wrote.
Castro on Obama:
“The intelligent and noble face of the first black president of the United States … had transformed itself under the inspiration of Abraham Lincoln and Martin Luther King into a living symbol of the American dream,” he wrote.
Castro praised Obama as honest, writing: “No one could doubt the sincerity of his words when he affirms that he will convert his country into a model of freedom, respect for human rights in the world and the independence of other nations.”
Looks like “Change” is happening in Cuba too.
Fidel Castro Watches Obama Inauguration – Obama Orders Guantanamo Closed
Fidel Castro has emerged for a meeting with Argentine President Cristina Fernandez in which he commented on Obama after watching the Inauguration. According to Fernandez, “Castro believes in Obama”. From the Yahoo article:
“I personally did not have the slightest doubt about the honesty of Obama, the 11th president since Jan. 1, 1959, when he expresses his ideas,” Castro said he told Fernandez.
As to the health of the Bearded One:
Raul Castro said “Do you think if he were really gravely ill that I’d be smiling here?”. “Soon I’m going to take a trip to Europe. You guys think I could leave here if Fidel were really in grave condition?”
Guantanamo
As expected, Barack Obama signed three executive orders dealing with Guantanamo, detention policy options and ensuring lawful detentions.
While most people including Defense Secretary Bob Gates agree that detainees need to be removed from Guantanamo, nobody has a clear answer what should be done with those very dangerous people.
President Barack Obama – It’s a New Day
What a day it is, I just watched will.i.am at The Neighborhood Ball perform It’s a New Day. Wow, I’m truly speechless about the whole day.
One encouraging line from President Barack Obama’s Inauguration Speech, which I believe spoke to future relations with Cuba was:
To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history; but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist.
Today is a day I’ll remember forever, God Bless America.