|
|
US - Cuba Relations
Archive: 2010 - 2015
Budget for Cuba programs: As clear as mud 12/12/2015 Along the
Malecon: "The short version of the story is that it doesn't appear that
lawmakers have decided how much to spend on democracy promotion programs
in fiscal 2016, which began on Oct. 1. At least I couldn't find any public
documents spelling it out. Senate and House appropriations bills have
proposed spending from $15 million to $30 million on Cuba programs in
fiscal 2016, but none of the proposals have been put into law. In June,
the House Appropriations Committee approved a bill that would had the
National Endowment for Democracy, or NED, the State Department and the
Agency for International Development sharing $30 million in Cuba democracy
funds."
Obama’s Half-Hearted Cuba Détente 11/1/2015 Consortium
News: "President Obama’s “normalization” of relations with Cuba have been
more tell than show, with much of the half-century U.S. embargo left in
place and some “relaxations” designed to coerce Cuba into “privatizing”
its economy, as Art Heitzer and Marjorie Cohn describe."
'Lejos de mejorar, la situación de bloqueo a Cuba ha empeorado' 9/30/2015 El
Mundo: entrevista con Esteban Morales - "Lo que necesitamos es que Estados
Unidos libere el dólar y las inversiones. Que dispongamos de créditos de
los bancos norteamericanos, y potenciar la actividad del turismo. No
podemos echar a andar sólo con nuestro capital. Y que se elimine la ley
Helms Burton. Si echas abajo esa ley, echas abajo el bloqueo.- "Lo que
necesitamos es que Estados Unidos libere el dólar y las inversiones. Que
dispongamos de créditos de los bancos norteamericanos, y potenciar la
actividad del turismo. No podemos echar a andar sólo con nuestro capital.
Y que se elimine la ley Helms Burton. Si echas abajo esa ley, echas abajo
el bloqueo."
Hillary Clinton Remarks At Florida International University 8/1/2015 #CubaNow: “Unfortunately,
most of the Republican candidates for President would play right into the
hard-liners’ hands. They would reverse the progress we have made and cut
the Cuban people off from direct contact with the Cuban-American community
and the free-market capitalism and democracy that you embody. That would
be a strategic error for the United States and a tragedy for the millions
of Cubans who yearn for closer ties. “They have it backwards: Engagement
is not a gift to the Castros – it’s a threat to the Castros. An American
embassy in Havana isn’t a concession – it’s a beacon. Lifting the embargo
doesn’t set back the advance of freedom – it advances freedom where it is
most desperately needed."
The Rising Wave of GOP Support For Ending the Embargo 7/30/2015 #CubaNow: "In
another sign of the rapidly changing landscape of U.S.-Cuba policy this
week, House Republican Tom Emmer of Minnesota introduced the Cuba Trade
Act of 2015, legislation that would lift the embargo on Cuba. “I
understand there's a lot of pain on both sides of this issue that goes
back many decades,” Emmer told USA Today. “But I believe this is in the
best interests of the Cuban people. This isn't about the Cuban government
— it's about people on the street looking for more opportunity and to
improve their quality of life.”"
Stonegate Bank-Cuba Agreement will reduce transaction costs 7/25/2015 OnCuba: "In
the difficult art of coming to an understanding with Cuban institutions, a
couple of elements have worked in Stonegate Banks’s favour. The most
important is probably the bank’s step forward in responding to a request
of the Department of State in early 2015, when they were looking for a
bank willing to provide services to the Cuban Interests Section in
Washington, at a time when that diplomatic mission was sort of
“untouchable”, financially speaking, in U.S. territory."
Esteban Morales: Cuba under no illusions regarding United States ties 7/22/2015 Indo-Asian
News Service: "Esteban Morales, a Cuban writer, political observer and
economist, said, “Cuba is under no illusions regarding their relations
with the US.”"Reopening embassies will simply make it easier for the two
governments to communicate formally after five decades of hostility,”
Xinhua reported quoting Morales, founder and director of the University of
Havana’s Center for Hemispheric and US Studies."
Cuban Embassy Inaugurated in Washington 7/20/2015 OnCuba: “Most of
the people were saying they wanted to see the flag,” reported OnCuba’s
special correspondent in Washington, Tahimi Arboleya. “They think that
this will mean better living conditions for Cubans who reside on the
island, which according to them is the most important.”
United States Reopens Embassy in Havana 7/20/2015 OnCuba: "The
Embassy will continue its diplomatic operations from the Embassy building
on the Malecón. Jeffrey DeLaurentis, the most senior official at the
embassy, will act as Chargé d’Affaires ad interim. According to a press
release issued today, Secretary of State John Kerry will travel to Cuba
later this summer to celebrate the re-opening of U.S. Embassy Havana and
raise the U.S. flag."
Cubans brace for the coming wave 7/18/2015 Boston Globe: “The
situation today is heightening a standing racism in Cuba,” declared Robert
Zurbano, a prominent advocate with the Casa de las Americas cultural
center in Havana. “Now, the small black businessman cannot compete with
the coffee shop or the beauty salon because he doesn’t have the capital
that those getting remittances have.”
Bloqueo entorpece reincorporación de Cuba a instituciones financieras
internacionales, asegura exsecretario de comercio 7/16/2015 Cubadebate: "El
exsecretario de Comercio de Estados Unidos, Carlos Gutiérrez, reconoció
que el bloqueo a Cuba entorpece el apoyo que la Casa Blanca pudiera dar a
su reincorporación a organismos crediticios internacionales. En
declaraciones citadas hoy por Progreso semanal y otras publicaciones, el
exfuncionario señala que la isla deberá iniciar un proceso de reinserción
en los principales organismos económicos multilaterales como el Banco
Mundial (BM), el Fondo Monetario Internacional (FMI) o el Banco
Interamericano de Desarrollo (BID)."
Why the U.S. should be wary of Cuba 7/14/2015 Stratfor: "Havana will
also likely plant listening devices in hotel rooms, taxis and rental cars
to monitor on the U.S. diplomatic mission. Operatives will take
photographs of the embassy staff as they come and go, locate employees’
homes and even plan honeypots and male raven operations, during which an
undercover agent acts like a love interest to collect intelligence. In
short, with a reopening embassy, the Cubans will have ample opportunity to
undermine U.S. national security."
Expertos rusos en política desconfían de las intenciones de EEUU en Cuba 7/7/2015 Contrainjerencia: "Según
Shmelev, Cuba se encuentra en una difícil situación económica, “así que
podemos suponer que Estados Unidos está considerando la posibilidad de
organizar una ‘revolución de colores’ en la Isla a fin de llevar al poder
a fuerzas que estén orientadas hacia Estados Unidos –una aparente alusión
a disidentes dentro del gobierno."
"A New Chapter": After Half a Century, U.S. and Cuba Unveil Reopening of
Embassies & Restored Ties 7/2/2015 Democracy Now: "Peter Kornbluh,
director of the Cuba Documentation Project at the National Security
Archive at George Washington University. He is co-author of the book, Back
Channel to Cuba: The Hidden History of Negotiations between Washington and
Havana."
The Potential of Diplomatic Normalization 7/1/2015 Havana
Note: "President Obama has a lot of potential power to bring us closer to
the full normalization of relations."
¿Quién está detrás de Engage Cuba? 6/17/2015 El Mundo: "Se presenta
como un grupo de presión sin partido que promueve el fin del embargo
económico a la isla comunista. Pero detrás de 'Engage Cuba' se encuentran
poderosos intereses económico y financieros cuyo único objetivo es ampliar
sus negocios. Al grupo lo respaldan empresas gigantes, como la
agroindustrial Cargill, la distribuidora de productos para el hogar
Procter&Gamble y la constructora de maquinaria pesada Caterpillar, y al
frente está el abogado y cabildero James Williams, quien, al mismo tiempo,
es director del 'súper' Comité de Acción Política 'New Cuba'."
US and Cuba to reopen embassies and restore full ties in early July,
reports say US and Cuba to reopen embassies and restore full ties in early
July, reports say 6/12/2015 Guardian: "The Obama administration is
expected to announce an agreement with Cuba in early July to reopen
embassies and restore diplomatic relations severed more than five decades
ago, US sources familiar with the matter said on Friday. The two sides
hope to conclude the deal by the first week of next month, clearing the
way for secretary of state John Kerry to visit Havana soon afterwards for
a flag-raising ceremony to upgrade the US interests section to a
full-scale embassy, the sources said."
Cuba.- EU.- El gobierno de Cuba salva la vida de Reagan 6/7/2015 Tercera
Informacion: del Dr. Néstor García Iturbe
How will financial ties with Cuba change now that it’s off the terrorism
list? 5/30/2015 PBS: "CARLA ROBBINS: It means more than anything
else, that U.S. banks can have relations with Cuban banks, which will make
it much easier to follow through on the easing of financial relations that
Obama is promoting, and the Cubans said it was the biggest precondition
for reestablishing direct diplomatic relations and opening the embassies."
U.S. drops Cuba from list of state sponsors of terrorism 5/29/2015 Reuters: "The
United States formally dropped Cuba from a list of state sponsors of
terrorism on Friday, an important step toward restoring diplomatic ties
but one that will have limited effect on removing U.S. sanctions on the
Communist-ruled island."
Cuba-U.S. Expect to Announce Embassy Openings Next Week 5/29/2015 Adelante: "The
announcement is expected to come from their respective capitals, following
Friday's anticipated announcement of Cuba's removal from the list of state
sponsors of terrorism. Cuba will be formally removed from the list 45 days
after President Barack Obama announced his intention to remove the
Caribbean state, which came in mid-April."
U.S. Officially Removes Cuba From List Of State Sponsors Of Terrorism 5/29/2015 Radio
Havana
Going Way Back With Cubans, Tampa Leads Push Forward 5/2/2015 NYT: "Now
Tampa officials are even pushing to open a Cuban Consulate here —
something Miami leaders view with antipathy. In April, the Tampa City
Council approved the idea of a consulate, as has the Greater Tampa Chamber
of Commerce, a longtime advocate of strengthening ties between Cuba and
Tampa. Continue reading the main story Continue reading the main story
Continue reading the main story The Council also voted to offer Tampa as
the place where the United States and Cuba would sign any official accord.
While some of Tampa’s 80,000 Cuban-Americans disagree with rapprochement
on Cuba, most do not, officials said."
Engage Cuba Advocates Normal U.S.-Cuba Relations 4/27/2015 OnCuba: "James
Williams will be president of Engage Cuba, an advocacy group that will be
launched in May to get as many votes as possible in Congress in favour of
normalizing relations with Cuba. The organization has been described by
The Wall Street Journal as “a group of heavy-hitting political operatives”
who are “setting up a new campaign to press Congress to repeal the
long-standing trade and travel embargo with Cuba.”"
La experiencia de una cumbre 4/20/2015 Esteban Morales: "Por tanto,
no se trataba en la cumbre de conversar con gentes de ideas diferentes a
las nuestras, eso se hizo con creces en todos los foros en que la
delegación salida de Cuba participo; sino de ocupar el mismo techo con
criminales o gente que no tiene el menor pudor en fotografiarse junto a
criminales y hacerse acompañar por ellos."
Cuba’s Removal From Terrorism List 4/15/2015 Counterpunch: by Code
Pink - "It was President Ronald Reagan who put Cuba on the terrorism list.
He sought to blacklist Cuba’s support for leftist movements in Central and
South America, movements that challenged US hegemony in the region. And
after denouncing Cuba as a sponsor of terrorism, Reagan pursued his own
campaign in Central and South America—funding the extreme right,
conducting covert military actions, brokering illegal arms deals, and
attempting coup d’etats."
Cuban scholar: 'We have a common history' 4/15/2015 Daily Star,
Oneonta, NY: "On Wednesday night, Hartwick hosted scholar Gisela Arandia
of Cuba for a presentation on race, ethnicity and human rights that drew
more than 50 students and community members. With the help of a
translator, Arandia told listeners that President Barack Obama’s recent
decision to remove Cuba from a list of state sponsors of terrorism filled
her with “joy,” “wonder” and “huge emotion.”"
Barack Obama says his first meeting with Cuban president Raul Castro is a
'turning point' 4/13/2015 Independent: "In his speech to summit
leaders, Mr Castro recalled the slights against his nation and the
revolution begun by his brother, Fidel, but admitted admiration for Mr
Obama, saying he had read both his memoirs. “I have told President Obama
that I get very emotional talking about the revolution and the sanctions
that followed,” he said. “I apologise to him because President Obama had
no responsibility for this.”
Esteban Morales: El pueblo cubano aún desconfía de Estados Unidos 4/11/2015 teleSUR: "En
entrevista para teleSUR, el analista cubano Esteban Morales, expresó que
en el pueblo cubano hay muchos años acumulados de prejuicios, desconfianza
y a los ciudadanos les cuesta trabajo pensar que Estados Unidos puede
cambiar su posición con Cuba."
Experto califica como cínico discurso de Obama sobre Cuba en Cumbre
panameña 4/10/2015 Venezolana de Television: ""Y como refiere,
además, al foro de la sociedad civil, la expresión es más cínica
todavía…", espetó Esteban Morales, sobre Obama quien dijo estar satisfecho
por presencia de Cuba en el encuentro continental"
Fox News Latino: How a Hashtag Helped Thaw U.S.-Cuba Relations 3/25/2015 #CubaNow: "At
LabMiami, a technology business incubator located in Miami’s trendy
Wynwood neighborhood, Ric Herrero wages a national campaign using
traditional and social media that has played a significant role in thawing
frosty relations between the United States and Cuba. As executive director
of #CubaNow, Herrero is the public face of an organization backed by
prominent Cuban-American businessmen in Miami who want to end the
embargo…"
5 Things Cuba Can Do to Speed the Normalization of Relations With the
United States 3/21/2015 OnCuba: "...there a number of things Cuba can
do to move the normalization process forward without compromising its
sovereignty. The steps below flow directly out of the 18 months of secret
talks between Washington and Havana. Except for the last, they are things
to which Cuba has already agreed in principle but has not yet done."
USA prioritizes opening embassy in Cuba 3/17/2015 OnCuba: "The State
Department wants to give its Interests Section in Havana the title of
embassy ASAP. Preferably it wants it done before the Summit of the
Americas in Panama. A senior official of the State Department expressed it
in a conference call where he answered questions from the press, prior to
the third meeting in Havana between a Cuban delegation and the one headed
by Roberta Jacobson."
Chomsky on Cuba: After Decades of U.S. Meddling & "Terrorism," Restoring
Ties is Least We Could Do 3/4/2015 Cuba Si: Amy Goodman interviews
Noam Chomsky.
Cuban
Delegation on Round Two of Talks with the USA 2/28/2015 Havana
Times: "While many other issues will be on the table in future talks
(extradition treaty, Cuban Adjustment Act, the US embargo, the Guantanamo
Naval Base, human rights, property expropriations, etc.) there seems to be
agreement that the official restoring of relations and the opening of
embassies is the first order of business. This with an eye to making
considerable progress before the Summit of the Americas on April 10-11 in
Panama, when presidents Raul Castro and Barack Obama will be on the same
venue. Parralel to that, Cuba continues to press that it be taken off the
US list of countries sponsoring terrorism and the US State Department says
it is reviewing the designation to make a recommendation to Congress. The
following is the press release issued by the Cuban Delegation following
the talks on Friday."
Cuba: the Weight of a Long History 2/27/2015 CounterPunch: "During
the 1930’s and 40’s, the ambition to control Cuba’s destiny continued—if
somewhat more subtly and without troops. The U.S. sent Sumner Welles as a
special envoy to Cuba in the 1930’s to ensure that the outcome of a
populist insurrection against Gerardo Machado, then Cuba’s dictator, did
not steer the island away from U.S. tutelage. This intervention gave rise
to the U.S. support for Fulgencio Batista, which lasted until his
overthrow in 1959 by the Revolution. As our ambassador to Cuba at the
time, Earl T. Smith, asserted during a Senate hearing in 1960: “Until
Castro, the U.S. was so overwhelmingly influential in Cuba that the
American ambassador was the second most important man, sometimes even more
important than the Cuban president.”"
Josefina Vidal: El respeto fue la clave del éxito que condujo a los
anuncios del 17D 2/27/2015 CubaDebate: "La Directora General de
Estados Unidos de la Cancillería cubana trae la sonrisa fresca, la calma
con la que ha hablado unos minutos antes en el Departamento de Estado. De
pie, en el salón de la Oficina de Intereses de Cuba acondicionada como
sala de prensa -la primera vez que ocurre en muchísimos años-, contesta
ahora todas las preguntas que nos hacíamos en esta jornada, y aquellas que
surgieron al calor de la conversación con la que cierra nuestra presencia
en Washington."
Cuba-USA Try to Skirt Dead Ends 2/12/2015 OnCuba: "Some politicians
from the Cuban émigré community demand that Havana hand over fugitives
from US justice like Joanne Chesimard, aka Assata Shakur, an
African-American woman who was a Black Panther leader and is sought by US
authorities for the murder of a police officer in the 1970s. They seem to
be unaware of the fact that an extradition agreement is reciprocal and
would force the United States to deport many Cuban exiles accused of
crimes, including Luis Posada Carriles, sought for the bombing of a Cuban
commercial airliner that killed 73 people."
The Cuban economy and Obama’s new policy 2/12/2015 OnCuba: "Even
without eliminating the embargo, the announced measures could begin to
gradually benefit the Cuban economy. Some effects will be more direct and
tangible and will be appreciable in tendencies of tourism, remittances and
goods and services that arrive in Cuba from the United States, while other
effects will be more indirect, depending on what kind of signal is sent to
the international economic and financial community and the restoration of
U.S.-Cuba relations."
Castro: End US embargo, normalize Cuba relations 2/10/2015 The
Militant: "“Our U.S. counterparts should not plan on developing relations
with Cuban society as if there were no sovereign government,” he continued
to applause."
Cuba and USA Today: Miscellaneous 2/10/2015 OnCuba: "In short lines,
we present some news about the path that is taking the process of
restoration of diplomatic relations between Cuba and the United States"
US, Cuba Relations 2015: End of Cuba Embargo May Bring Lawsuits,
Competition to Miami's Tobacco Industry 2/8/2015 Latin Post
Obama’s Policy Reforms: The Congressional Counteract Begins 2/6/2015 Cuba
Central: "Ms. Soler’s answer — no, it didn’t happen that way — was not the
response Senator Rubio was looking for. But the advice that followed would
be well-taken for someone considering a run for the presidency. At another
juncture, Mr. Rubio asked the panel if they all supported a continuation
of the Helms-Burton program that gives financial assistance to dissidents
in Cuba, some of whom benefit from U.S. support and still denounce the
Obama policy. To his apparent surprise, two of the witnesses — Miriam
Leiva and Rosa María Paya — didn’t agree with him on that question
either."
Cuba cancela visita de congresistas de EEUU a la isla 2/5/2015 Café
Fuerte: "Según la información, los viajes de los congresistas fueron
pospuestos hasta al menos mediados de abril. Obama y Raúl Castro deben
encontrarse a mediados de abril en Panamá durante la Cumbre de las
Américas a la que ambos han confirmado ya su asistencia. Un portavoz de la
Oficina de Intereses de Cuba en Washington DC negó la versión de AP, y
dijo que está prevista la visita de algunas delegaciones en los próximos
días. Pero eso no es lo que creen Morán y Flake. Moran dijo que la
delegación estaba compuesta por senadores republicanos que “tienen la
mente abierta sobre cambiar la relación con Cuba” y quieren entender mejor
los asuntos que afectan al país. El senador cree posible reprogramar su
visita a la isla."
Cuba-US in time of changes: criteria on the Cuban side 2/5/2015 OnCuba: "Nearly
a week after Cuba and the United States began to officially dialogue in
Havana, entrepreneurs, bloggers, filmmakers and Cuban intellectuals
gathered in Washington for two days (January 27 and 28) to exchange with
US and Cuban American politicians, diplomats, journalists , businessmen
and academics, in a meeting organized by the Possible Cuba Project and the
Cuba Research Center."
EEUU preocupado por aumento de balseros; 890 cubanos se lanzaron al mar
desde octubre 2/5/2015 Café Fuerte
La nueva política hacia Cuba revitaliza a donantes anticastristas de la
Florida 2/5/2015 Café Fuerte: "Pero los nuevos documentos presentados
ante la Comisión Federal de Elecciones (FEC, la agencia independiente que
regula el financiamiento de las elecciones a nivel nacional), que cubren
el período en el que Obama anunció su nueva política, muestra que el
US-Cuba Democracy PAC, el más prominente comité de cabildeo que representa
a la comunidad anticastrista, vio un salto significativo en donaciones."
Sen. Marco Rubio Pushes Against Obama's Cuba Changes In Hearing 2/3/2015 NBC
Cuba–US
Talks and the Fate of Assata Shakur and Nehanda Abiodun 2/2/2015 Havana
Times: "Unlike Assata (whose whereabouts are unknown and is believed to be
at a secret location, owing to the US police effort to capture her), since
the 90s Nehanda has organized a series of campaigns in her home to
encourage the creation of a black and Afro-Cuban awareness movement. Her
home has become a center for cultural and socio-political projects and the
venue of Cuba’s first hip hop gatherings. She has also organized debates
on contemporary issues and African history which have seen the
participation of activists and artists, such as the Cuban rap band Anonimo
Consejo."
U.S. Editorial Says Law Favoring Cuban Arrivals Is Challenged 2/2/2015 Radio
Havana
Goodbye to Radio and TV Martí? 2/2/2015 OnCuba: "In presenting her
proposal to the Capitol, the lawmaker said that in the last three decades
stations have spent over 770 million dollars. Each year, the US government
provides thirty two million and in 2014, its activities were covered with
nearly 27 million. However, contrary to the intention of cutting costs and
budgets for Radio and TV Martí, the Office of Cuba Broadcasting (OCB) the
US government signed over 100 contracts worth almost a million dollars for
their transmissions to Island since last December 17, when the government
announced that both sides begin to renew diplomatic ties."
US Lawmakers proposed a Freedom to travel to Cuba Act 1/31/2015 OnCuba: "Eight
Democratic and Republican senators introduced this week to Congress a bill
to lift the restrictions imposed in a 2000 and 1996 on travel to Cuba by
US citizens and residents, as reported by AFP. The project, known as the
Law of Freedom to travel to Cuba, would alleviate the effects of the US
blockade against Cuba from 1962 to also allow banking transactions related
to these movements."
Take Cuba off the Terrorist List 1/29/2015 CounterPunch: by MEDEA
BENJAMIN
Free trade with Cuba 1/29/2015 Amsterdam News: by Rep Charles Rangel
- "The United States Chamber of Commerce is one of the strongest
supporters of ending the embargo, which estimates it could create 6,000
American jobs and restore $1.2 billion annually to the U.S. economy. The
economic embargo stifles an extra $250 million in potential annual exports
of fertilizer, herbicides, pesticides and tractors. Ultimately, ending the
embargo will, in addition to creating an estimated 6,000 American jobs,
generate billions of dollars in revenue."
Cuba Détente 1/28/2015 CounterPunch: by ROBERT SANDELS and NELSON P.
VALDÉS - "Until now only agricultural and some medical and educational
materials could be sold to Cuba. The new regulations allow for an increase
in the kinds of goods that Cuba can import from the United States such as
construction and agricultural tools and machinery. However, these can only
be sold to non-state sectors such as co-ops and private entrepreneurs.
Thus, certain sectors of the U.S. corporate world will be given
preferential treatment. OFAC is also giving Cuban entrepreneurs in the
private sector an advantage over the state, but the Obama administration
also wants U.S. information technology corporations to invest in Cuba’s
telecommunications infrastructure, which means selling services, software
and equipment to the Cuban government."
South Florida Democrats walk fine line on Cuba 1/26/2015 Sun
Sentinel: "South Florida's Democratic members of Congress are caught
between a rock (President Barack Obama) and a hard place (their
Cuban-American congressional colleagues) when it comes to rapidly changing
U.S. policy toward the island nation."
What
is the Real Reason Behind Obama’s New Cuba Policy? 1/21/2015 Black
Agenda Report: "Obama is reacting to occurrences that pose a significant
geopolitical challenge to American hegemony in the Western hemisphere. The
Russians and the Chinese have come knocking on America’s back door. From
July 11 to 17, 2014, Russian President Vladimir Putin traveled through a
multi nation Latin American tour ending with a summit of the BRICS nations
(Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) in Fortaleza, Brazil.
These nations are among the fastest developing economies in the world, and
their combined efforts have been posing significant geopolitical challenge
to America and its European allies all over the globe. This is
particularly the case since the 2008 economic crash."
Cuba-U.S.: Between candy and salty water 1/19/2015 Cuba Now: "This
group of aged enemies of Cuba is led by doubly small Ileana Ros-Lehtinen,
Marco Rubio and Mario Díaz-Balart. Once again, they represent the outmoded
promoters of bitter hatred against independent Havana. But they are
confronted by those who dismiss such behavior and prefer to achieve their
goal without aggressiveness."
Travel to Cuba E ases, but Airlines Will Miss Initial Rush 1/16/2015 NYT: "But
before airlines can schedule direct flights to Havana and other airports,
the two countries must still negotiate a new air service agreement. Until
that happens, travelers will have to rely on charter flights booked
through specialized travel agencies, and that is not expected to change
for the next 12 to 18 months, according to travel experts and industry
officials. The timeline could be further complicated by opposition in
Congress as well as the presidential election next year, which could delay
matters in unpredictable ways."
United States Cuba Relations: The Genie Is Out Of The Bottle 1/15/2015 US
Cuba Politics: "FACT SHEET: Treasury and Commerce Announce Regulatory
Amendments to the Cuba Sanctions"
New measures of
the United States to Cuba become effective 1/15/2015 OnCuba: "The
Obama administration made known last Thursday the entry into force of
several of the measures announced on December 17, 2014, for the easing of
relations with Cuba. Jacob Lew, US Treasury Secretary, said “these
regulations, along with those issued by the Department of Commerce, will
implement policies for relaxation of sanctions related to travel,
remittances, trade and banking.”"
How Obama Could End The Cuban Embargo 1/12/2015 CounterPunch: "So to
undo the embargo Congress would seemingly have to repeal the Helms-Burton
Act, otherwise the President’s hands would be tied. Except in reality the
regulations the President is ordered to enforce are not valid, and should
not be legally binding on him. This is because there is no legal merit for
the regulations against Cuba, which are written based on the application
of enemy status to Cuba. But Cuba does not meet the definition of an
enemy. According to the TWEA, an “enemy” is defined as “any individual” or
“the government of any nation with which the United States is at war.” The
act specifies that the “beginning of the war” is “midnight ending the day
on which Congress has declared or shall declare war or the existence of a
state of war.”"
McCaskill to travel to Cuba, says lifting embargo would benefit Missouri
agriculture 1/7/2015 KC Star: "Sen. Claire McCaskill of Missouri
announced on Wednesday that she will take a trip to Cuba next month to
explore how farmers and other businesses in her state might benefit from
opening Cuban markets to U.S. agriculture products."
Defeating the Tyranny of Failed Ideas - How to Break the Embargo on Cuba 1/6/2015 CounterPunch: "The
normalization of relations with Cuba – a long-delayed measure – offers the
opportunity to lift the embargo on the island that so many negative
consequences has had for the Cuban people. An initial measure could be to
open the medical communication channels between American and Cuban
doctors."
NESTOR
GARCIA ITURBE / ¿Qué es lo que quiere Obama? 1/3/2015 Contringerencia: "Considero
que este párrafo, el primero de su discurso tiene dos aspectos a resaltar.
Se plantea que “están cambiando sus relaciones con el pueblo de Cuba”,
cuando el cambio es con el Gobierno de Cuba, que es el representante del
pueblo. Debemos observar si en el resto del discurso se habla del Gobierno
de Cuba. Plantea que van a poner fin a un enfoque anticuado que durante
décadas no ha podido promover los intereses de Estados Unidos. De esto se
desprende que todo lo que harán será para promover sus intereses. ¿De qué
intereses está hablando Obama?"
Spy wars: a wilderness of mirrors in U.S.-Cuba swap 1/1/2015 Miami
Herald
Look toward a brighter future with Cuba 12/31/2014 Daytona Beach News
Journal: 'Working with Cuba can help us erase an ugly and painful past,
strengthen our economy and transform Central Florida into a world-class
educational, health, culture and sports mecca, where our children will be
proud to be."
United States Cuba Relations: A Transformative 2014 and the Promise of
2015 12/31/2014 US Cuba Politics: "For this end of year posting we
interviewed Antonio C. Martinez II., Attorney, Political Consultant, and
Editor of USCubaPolitics.com to discuss the historical moments of December
2014 and what bodes next for Cuba policy in the U.S. Congress, the Obama
Administration, and the 2016 elections on the horizon:"
The Forgotten History of U.S.-Cuba Friendship 12/29/2014 Huff
Post: "Black Americans have demonstrated a special interest, extending all
the way back to Harlem Congressman Adam Clayton Powell, Jr., forcing the
Eisenhower Administration to embargo arms shipments to Batista in 1958.
Throughout the 1960s, many leaders in the civil rights and Black Power
movements visited Cuba, to see for themselves how it overcame widespread
poverty and discrimination, followed later by leading black Members of
Congress. Even in the 1990s, Fidel Castro packed out Harlem's most famous
church, Abyssinian Baptist. African Americans knew well what Mandela had
said: that the 1988 defeat of white South Africa's vaunted army by Cuban
troops backing the revolutionary Angolan government was a decisive blow
against apartheid."
Everyone in
Cuba is Talking About the Same Thing 12/29/2014 Havana
Times: "Everyone is talking about the same thing: the re-establishment of
diplomatic relations between Cuba and the United States. Though some are
optimistic and others skeptical, the truth is that the news has stirred
everybody up."
Blacks Should Support Normalizing Relations with Cuba 12/29/2014 The
Skanner: Written by Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr., NNPA Columnist
Will it be the end of USAID´s spells? 12/29/2014 OnCuba: "Curiously
Los Aldeanos didn’t need be “bought” to be critical. For years their songs
questioned the Cuban reality without mincing words, making their messages
to have enough weight in certain sectors of youth. But USAID polluted them
with their money and although they did not know where it came from, that
shadow will inevitably create doubts about the integrity of Los Aldeanos
and the honesty of their criticisms, reducing the influence of their
messages."
Barack Obama busca apoyos de la derecha 12/28/2014 Progreso
Semanal: "De ahí que dos de los lobbies más activos en favor del deshielo
sean la Cámara de Comercio de EE UU y la Federación de Oficinas Agrícolas
Americanas. La primera es el principal lobby empresarial, enfrentado a
Obama en cuestiones como la reducción de las emisiones contaminantes y la
reforma sanitaria. La segunda es el lobby rural, y su aplauso al
presidente refleja la esperanza de que la nueva etapa permita aumentar las
exportaciones de productos agrícolas. No es casualidad que sea en el Medio
Oeste, el granero de EE UU, donde la iniciativa del presidente cuente con
mayores complicidades."
The US-Cuba agreement in five major economic issues 12/27/2014 OnCuba: "Part
of Obama´s reforms will allow US telecommunications firms to start working
with Cuba to expand its communications infrastructure, which will help
Cuban economy and will set the basis for financial transactions more
sophisticated in the future."
Big changes coming to Cuba tourism with us opening 12/27/2014 Progreso
Weekly: "The new Treasury Department rules have not yet been released, but
a White House statement suggests that educational travel to Cuba will now
be covered by a “general license,” which means tour operators – and
perhaps individuals, depending on how the regulations are written – will
be able to head to Cuba and simply give the U.S. government their word
that they’re not engaging in ordinary tourism."
Why real change in Cuba won't come easy or fast 12/26/2014 LA
Times: "Republicans are also threatening to block Obama's policy by
attaching Cuba amendments to must-pass appropriations bills. That strategy
won't become available for almost a year, however, when the next
appropriations bills come up. By then, the new relationship with Cuba may
be so well established that even Republicans would be loath to turn back
the clock."
What Are
Young Cubans Saying about US-Cuba Relations? 12/26/2014 Havana
Times: "Though opinions on this differ, the truth is that the vast
majority of young people in Cuba are optimistic. The first thing many
friends and acquaintances thought was: “the island is going to fill up
with gringos!” Evidently, young people in Cuba do not feel any particular
resentment towards the people or culture of the United States. The relief
that this will mean for our depressed economy is, without a doubt,
something people anxiously await. The possibility of US investors settling
in Cuba and offering a broader scope of jobs and higher wages is something
most hope for."
Cuba Will Not Renounce Its Ideas 12/26/2014 CounterPunch: by Raul
Castro
Marco, Ted and Bob: Fishes out of water 12/26/2014 Progreso
Weekly: "History has passed judgment on them and has tossed them
overboard. Like fishes out of water, Rubio, Cruz, Menéndez and others like
them can do nothing but gasp desperately for breath to keep from dying."
How travel to Cuba might change 12/24/2014 Boston Globe: "What is the
hotel room/accommodation situation in Cuba now? “There is a lot, but at
the high end, there are only a couple of good properties,” Diaz said.
“People don’t go to Cuba for the luxury — they go for the music, culture,
and arts scene.” But if Cuba opens up to US tourists and their penchant
for luxury accommodations, “you’re going to see American hoteliers doing
their best to find potential properties in Cuba,” Loucks said."
Cuba Won’t Hand Over Assata Shakur 12/23/2014 The Root: "Vidal
pointed out that the U.S. has also sheltered wanted Cuban citizens. “We’ve
reminded the U.S. government that in its country they’ve given shelter to
dozens and dozens of Cuban citizens,” she said. “Some of them accused of
horrible crimes, some accused of terrorism, murder and kidnapping, and in
every case, the U.S. government has decided to welcome them.”"
New poll: Majority U.S. support for change in Cuba policy 12/23/2014 Progreso
Weekly: "Even republicans, who not long ago were against the measures, now
support allowing trade and travel. “In 2009, 36 percent of Republicans
said the United States should end the trade embargo and 40 percent favored
an end to travel restrictions,” reported Clement. But those numbers have
skyrocketed in favor with 57 percent now supporting trade with Cuba and 64
percent supporting travel between the countries. “Republicans continue to
split on establishing diplomatic relations with Cuba overall, with 49
percent supporting and 47 percent opposing the idea — a similar split to
2009,” said Clement."
Despite Warming Relations, Cuba Will Not Hand Over Assata Shakur 12/23/2014 Vibe: "Josefina
Vidal, head of Cuba's North American Affairs told the Associated Press the
country has no plans of giving Shakur up despite warming relations between
the two nations who were once at odds for nearly half a century. "Every
nation has sovereign and legitimate rights to grant political asylum to
people it considers to have been persecuted. ...That’s a legitimate
right,” Vidal said. “We’ve explained to the U.S. government in the past
that there are some people living in Cuba to whom Cuba has legitimately
granted political asylum. There’s no extradition treaty in effect between
Cuba and the U.S.,” she added."
Cuba: America's most wanted woman Assata Shakur will not be extradited 12/23/2014 AP: "“We’ve
explained to the US government in the past that there are some people
living in Cuba to whom Cuba has legitimately granted political asylum,”
Vidal said, noting also that the two countries have no extradition treaty
in effect. Vidal’s comments in a Monday interview were the clearest sign
yet that Cuba has no intention of extraditing Assata Shakur – formerly
known as Joanne Chesimard – following a historic detente announced by last
week by President Barack Obama and Raúl Castro of Cuba."
The Geopolitics of U.S.-Cuba Relations 12/23/2014 Stratfor: "Cuba was
the key. In the hands of a hostile foreign power, it was as effective a
plug to the Mississippi as taking New Orleans. The weakness of the
Spaniards frightened the Americans. Any powerful European power — the
British or, after 1871, the Germans — could easily knock the Spaniards out
of Cuba. And the United States, lacking a powerful navy, would not be able
to cope. Seizing Cuba became an imperative of U.S. strategy."
Reflections from Former Chief of U.S. Interests Section 12/23/2014 CIP
Americas: by Wayne S Smith - "As the announcement of restored relations
came through Wednesday morning, there was utter joy and elation among the
Cuban people in the streets, there were cheers and applause – this is what
they have been waiting for, too. This change came at a critical moment.
The Obama administration had to come to it or risk a further deterioration
of relations with the rest of the hemisphere. There were questions in
Latin America about our relations with Cuba and what that said about our
policy in the hemisphere. Now those questions have been set aside and we
can move forward to focus on improved relations with all."
TV Martí Blew Its Coverage of Historic U.S.-Cuba Moment 12/22/2014 Miami
New Times: "Yet when the biggest Cuban-American story in a half-century
broke -- Barack Obama and Raúl Castro's announcement that they'd move to
normalize diplomatic relations -- the Miami-based network was caught in
utter disarray, employees tell New Times, exposing the systemic
disorganization and poor leadership that have blighted the network for
years."
Historic Turn on Cuba. Professors Ruth Behar and María Isabel Alfonso in
Radio Bilingüe. 12/22/2014 Café por Cuba
America's Cuba 12/22/2014 CounterPunch: "In the United States, events
like the Bay of Pigs invasion are typically portrayed as reactions to
Cuban instigation, but the chronology belies this framing. In fact, the
causality runs in almost exactly the opposite direction: US hostility
wasn’t a response to Cuba’s Communist ties; Cuba’s Communist ties were a
response to US hostility."
Cuba says it has a right to grant asylum to US fugitives 12/22/2014 AP: "Obama’s
announcement included a very general list of reforms and left a series of
open questions about how far the U.S. could go to create deeper economic
ties with Cuba. The Commerce and Treasury departments are expected to
begin publishing details of the new measures in coming weeks, changes that
will include relaxation of the stringent rules governing American travel
to Cuba."
Christie Wants Obama to Push Cuba to Return New Jersey Trooper’s Killer 12/21/2014 NYT: "Mr.
Christie asked that she be returned to New Jersey before any further
consideration is given to restoring diplomatic relations."
What the Cuba embargo teaches us about economic sanctions 12/21/2014 News,
Australia: "There are cases when sanctions are effective, but
circumstances are important. Sanctions like the Cuba embargo, which aimed
to foment a revolution or topple a regime, aren’t successful very often.
“When they do have a better track record is when you’re asking for more
tangible concessions,” Daniel Drezner, a political scientist at Tufts,
prolific foreign-policy blogger, and author of The Sanctions Paradox, told
me. He points to the US sanctions on Iran, which have clearly played a
role in pushing Tehran to the nuclear negotiating table, and are likely
more effective because it’s “clear [the Obama administration] isn’t
looking for regime change.”"
Do Cubans Really Want US Style Internet Freedom? 12/21/2014 Sujatha
Fernandez: "For all the talk about bringing Internet freedoms to Cuba,
could it be that Cubans have themselves created an alternative to the
corporate-driven World Wide Web by coming up with their own alternative
networks for consuming and sharing information? In contrast torecent
depictions of Cuba as a technological backwater, frozen in time,
deprivation has yet again spurred Cubans to new creative heights. When
considering the enormous opportunities that will be created by Obama’s
announcement of historic policies, it will be important to keep in mind
what Cubans want and need—and not what we think they do."
How Barbara Lee’s 30-year Cuba campaign paid off 12/21/2014 SF
Chronicle: "Lee and her delegation met that day for five hours with
President Raul Castro in the first face-to-face session between U.S.
lawmakers and Cuban leaders in at least five years. Both brothers, Lee
recalled, expressed hope that the newly elected President Obama would
change history and restore ties between the two countries. Last week, as
she touched down on U.S. soil from another trip to Cuba — her 21st — the
Oakland Democrat got the call: Obama was announcing a thawing of
relations, an exchange of prisoners and the freeing of American Alan
Gross, whom Lee had visited several times during his five-year Cuban
captivity."
A Chance to Breach Divide for Young in Cuba and US 12/20/2014 ABC: "For
Cubans like Martinez, it may mean that becoming a doctor won't limit her
to a meager state salary. For others, there is the hope of Internet access
and an end to the desperation that leads thousands to migrate each year.
Cuban-Americans, meanwhile, see the possibility of starting businesses in
their homeland, connecting with their roots and putting aside the
bitterness of parents and grandparents who were arrested, exiled or had
property seized in the revolution."
Castro insists Cuba won’t abandon communism despite deal with U.S. 12/20/2014 WaPo: "“This
makes it so much easier for the U.S. to relate to its allies and friends
in the region,” said Christopher Sabatini, senior director of policy at
the Americas Society and Council of the Americas."
Cuban Tourism in the Age of Détente 12/20/2014 New Yorker: "Under the
new rules, people will still have to travel for one of twelve pre-approved
purposes, but these, including educational trips, will all be covered by
general licenses. It’s unclear exactly what this will mean for
travellers—the Obama Administration has said that it will be weeks before
the details become available—but Popper and others expect that, at the
very least, it will open up travel to Cuba to more Americans."
Here's Why the #BlackLivesMatter Campaign Needs to Think About Cuba 12/19/2014 Identities.mic: "The
#BlackLivesMatter campaign might begin to redirect its attention
southward, after the U.S. agreed to "normalize" talks with Cuba in order
to re-establish diplomatic relations. The reason? Assata Shakur."
The US and Cuba: What Really Happened, What Will Change? 12/19/2014 CounterPunch: "It
isn’t full normalization. It isn’t completely free travel to Cuba that is
promised to all US citizens by our constitution. It isn’t the lifting of a
policy of economic strangulation decried universally every year at the UN.
It doesn’t allow unlimited investment in Cuba’s nascent private sector or
completely remove limits on remittances sent to family and loved ones on
the island. At least, not yet."
The “Pure Evil” Hypocrisy - Marco Rubio’s Rabid Campaign Against Cuba 12/19/2014 CounterPunch: "Rubio
called these developments “another concession to a tyranny” rather than “a
defense of every universal and inalienable right that our country was
founded on and stands for.” But, how exactly does continuing the embargo
and maintaining a supercilious, egotistically aloof distance from Cuba
sound an “American” defense of its values abroad? Rubio averred, in sum,
that “these changes…will significantly set back the hopes of freedom and
democracy for the Cuban people.” To dismiss the revolutionary successes,
though, to outright deny the bravery, the endurance, the incredible
struggle, and epic human perseverance of the Cuban people in the face of
one of history’s greatest instances of adversity reeks of disrespect and
unawareness. Ultimately, it gives voice to the pure evil of Rubio’s
anti-Cuban hypocrisy."
After US and Cuba Announce Normalized Relations, Law Enforcement Officials
Eager to Bring Assata Shakur Back to US 12/18/2014 Atlanta Black
Star: "“We view any changes in relations with Cuba as an opportunity to
bring her back to the United States to finish her sentence for the murder
of New Jersey State Trooper Werner Foerster in 1973,” Col. Rick Fuentes,
head of the state’s largest law enforcement agency, said in a statement.
“We stand by the reward money and hope that the total of two million
dollars will prompt fresh information in the light of this altered
international relationship.” Fuentes told the Los Angeles Times in a phone
interview that he has already discussed the issue with federal law
enforcement officials. “Chesimard isn’t the only fugitive down there
wanted for a violent crime, and she’s already been convicted, so it’s a
matter of bringing her back and sending her back to jail,” he said.
“There’s other people that surround her that Castro has taken a liking to
and it’s been very, very difficult in their particular cases to have
discussions to get them out.”"
Transcript: Obama’s remarks on U.S.-Cuba relations 12/18/2014 Progreso
Weekly
Speech by Cuban President Raul Castro on re-establishing U.S.-Cuba
relations 12/18/2014 Progreso Weekly
What Does Ending The Cold War With Cuba Mean For Afro-Cubans And African
Americans 12/18/2014 News One: "Listen to Martin and the “NewsOne
Now” panel featuring Rep. Charles Rangel, Roland Roebuck, Kim Brown, Lenny
McAllister and Avis Jones-DeWeever discuss the political and economic
impact the normalizing of relations with Cuba will mean for African
Americans and Afro Cubans below. Let us know if you think ending the Cold
War with Cuba was a good move."
New Jersey hopes Cuba-US relations thaw will help extradite former Black
Panther 12/18/2014 The Guardian: "“We remain ever hopeful in our
resolve to bring Joanne Chesimard to justice,” said Paul Loriquet, a
spokesperson for the New Jersey attorney general’s office. He said his
office is working closely with federal authorities to secure Shakur’s
“rightful place in a New Jersey prison”."
US-Cuban Friendship Might Mean Prison for Assata Shakur 12/18/2014 Jezebel: "Hopefully
in this time of cops shooting black men with their hands up, choking them
to death on camera and gassing those speaking out, President Obama and the
U.S. State Department can think of a better use for their diplomatic
conversations than 'Hey, let's finally imprison that woman America framed
nearly 50 year ago.'"
As U.S.-Cuba tension thaws, the fate of a fugitive is in question 12/18/2014 MSNBC: "Whether
or not Cuba decides to extradite Shakur, of course, remains to be seen.
The country has had an extradition treaty with the U.S. since 1904, but it
hasn’t really been enforced during the Castro reign. There’s also a clause
in the treaty that says a fugitive criminal shall not be surrendered if
the “offense in respect of which his surrender is demanded be of a
political character,” which could apply to the Shakur case, said Douglas
McNabb, an international criminal defense lawyer who specializes in
extradition. But “any state can do anything they want, even if there is an
extradition treaty,” said McNabb. “From a policy standpoint, Cuba is going
to have to make a decision.” Stephen Vladeck, an expert on national
security law at American University College of Law, echoed that sentiment,
saying “So much of extradition law Is just politics. The real question is
whether the Cuban government decides it’s in its interest to cooperate
with New Jersey through the Justice Department.”"
Sen. Rubio and Rep. Ros-Lehtinen: Change Cuba Policy or Give China Its
Money Back 12/18/2014 Daily Kos: "Sara Stephens, Director of the
Center for Democracy in the Americas, notes in Huffington Post a Story
from the Tampa Bay Times that details stances of the freedom loving,
anti-communist stalwarts of morality in Florida, Senator Marco Rubio and
Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen."
Pope Benedict Helped Free American From Cuba 12/18/2014 AP: "Pope
Francis rightly got credit for helping bring the U.S. and Cuba together
and free U.S. government subcontractor Alan Gross. But it was Francis'
predecessor, Emeritus Pope Benedict XVI, who made the first high-level
Vatican manoeuver to release Gross, spurred in part by an unlikely group
of papal lobbyists."
Warming US-Cuba Ties Will Boost Exchange Of Arts, Culture Between
Countries, Artists Say 12/18/2014 International Business Times
DeWayne Wickham: Obama action on Cuba burnishes legacy 12/17/2014 Baxter
Bulletin: ""We think the best way to bring Cuba into the 21st century is
through openness, not isolation," National Security Adviser Susan Rice
told me moments after Obama announced his decision to gut the embargo,
which can only be formally ended by a vote of Congress."
President Obama's new Cuba policy: What we heard, and what we didn't 12/17/2014 The
Havana Note: "What’s interesting about today’s announcement is what we
didn’t hear. We didn’t hear a president constrained by political
calculations. President Obama said he looks forward to an “honest and
serious” debate with Congress about lifting the embargo – a not so subtle
hint about what the debate has largely lacked so far. And while he
acknowledged the contribution to our country and the “passion” of Cuban
exiles who might not like his policy changes, the wide-ranging – and
long-awaited - moves announced today were clearly decided without a fear
of political retribution."
Se acabó el bloqueo contra Cuba 12/17/2014 Progreso Semanal: "Con
declaraciones de Raúl Castro y Barack Obama comienza hoy una nueva era en
las relaciones entre Cuba y EE.UU. El cambio ha comenzado con un gesto
humanitario que podría indicar el sentido de las políticas entre ambos
países en los próximos meses. Alan Gross ya está en EE.UU., los tres
cubanos, Gerardo, Ramón y Antonio, ya están en Cuba. Todavía queda un
camino por recorrer en el Congreso para dar marcha atrás a leyes y normas
que han impedido durante más de 50 años unas relaciones entre Cuba y
EE.UU. constructivas para ambos pueblos, pero el camino ya ha sido
señalado por los dos gobiernos. Estamos asistiendo al comienzo del fin del
bloqueo contra Cuba."
Obama
Announces New US Approach on Cuba 12/17/2014 Havana
Times: "Remittance levels will be raised from $500 to $2,000 per quarter
for general donative remittances to Cuban nationals (except to certain
officials of the government or the Communist party); and donative
remittances for humanitarian projects, support for the Cuban people, and
support for the development of private businesses in Cuba will no longer
require a specific license. Remittance forwarders will no longer require a
specific license."
Why USAID Could Never Spark a Hip Hop Revolution in Cuba 12/16/2014 Sujatha
Fernandez: "The documents secured by the AP reveal a frightening level of
manipulation of Cuban rappers by USAID. Like with ZunZuneo, the failed
Cuban twitter project also engineered by USAID, the actions of this agency
put Cubans at risk of state repression and threatened a closure of the
critical spaces that rappers had already built and defended. USAID
realizes the power of culture to provide a powerful political voice for
young people. What it doesn’t realize is that in a society shaped by
successive generations of revolutionary projects, any attempt to engineer
a U.S.-affiliated movement from above is destined to be revealed for the
farce that it is."
Obama's Historic Move 12/15/2014 Chomsky.info: "Some, to be sure,
have felt that such delicate means are not enough, for example, Nixon
cabinet member Alexander Haig, who asked the president to "just give me
the word and I'll turn that f--- island into a parking lot." His eloquence
captured vividly the long-standing frustration of US leaders about "That
infernal little Cuban republic," Theodore Roosevelt's phrase as he ranted
in fury over Cuban unwillingness to accept graciously the US invasion of
1898 to block their liberation from Spain and turn them into a virtual
colony. Surely his courageous ride up San Juan Hill had been in a noble
cause (overlooked, commonly, is that African-American battalions were
largely responsible for conquering the hill)."
Esteban
Morales on Cuba-US Relations 11/20/2014 Havana Times: "One of the
issues we have to talk about is the blockade, particularly its financial
aspect, which leads to things as absurd as the US $ 8 billion fine applied
on a French bank. Cuba could also ask for US citizens to be allowed to
travel to Cuba freely, because that would have a significant impact on the
growth of tourism. We could address the lifting of restrictions on a
number of medications we need and the US currently does not allow us to
buy. We can negotiate the rules of trade with the United States, which
today force Cuba to pay in advance and in cash. There are a number of
things we can do."
Cuba, sorprendida por las intenciones "destructivas" de Kissinger 10/7/2014 Milenio: "Néstor
García Iturbe, quien representó al gobierno de La Habana en las primeras
negociaciones entre ambos países en 1976, afirmó desconocer que el
entonces secretario de Estado de EU propuso atacar la isla."
Chinese government pays for trip by aides to Rubio, Ros-Lehtinen 8/29/2014 Tampa
Bay Times: "Top aides to Sen. Marco Rubio and Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen,
two of the most vehement anti-Communist voices in Washington, took an all
expenses paid trip to China this month courtesy of the Chinese
government."
The Confessions of Antonio Veciana 3/12/2010 Counterpunch: "Antonio
Veciana described three failed assassination plots he directed against
Fidel Castro – with the help and encouragement of the CIA. In 1960,
Maurice Bishop, aka David Atlee Phillips, had recruited Veciana for CIA
dirty trick operations in Havana. Veciana described how the Agency,
working with the Catholic Church, forged a Cuban “law” in which the
revolutionary government would substitute for parental authority. Using
this forged document, CIA agents circulated the story throughout Cuba, and
included an offer by the Catholic Church to spirit the propertied classes’
children, ages 8-19, to the United States."
|
