By Their Words Ye Shall Know Them: the US Goal in Cuba

[Judi Lynn]

September 11, 2015
By Their Words Ye Shall Know Them: the US Goal in Cuba

by W. T. Whitney

U.S. political leaders are rethinking Cuba. Business leaders have spoken out. Public opinion favors ending hostilities, even among Cuban Americans. Foreign policy specialists hold that fixing relations with Cuba may boost the U.S. image throughout Latin America. But primarily, beating up on Cuba did not work. Or, as President Obama said on December 17, 2014, “I do not believe we can keep doing the same thing for over five decades and expect a different result.”

Official statements shed light on proposed new methods, but less is said about purpose. The question arises as to whether the ultimate U.S. goal is new or is more of the same. Obama called for “beginning to normalize relations to replace “an outdated approach.” (1) He explained that, “we can do more to support the Cuban people and promote our values through engagement.” New methods will not “bring about a transformation of Cuban society overnight. Yet through a policy of engagement, we can more effectively stand up for our values and help the Cuban people help themselves.”

Obama focused as much on the Cuban people as on their political leaders: “We are calling on Cuba to unleash the potential of 11 million Cubans by ending unnecessary restrictions on their political, social, and economic activities. In that spirit, we should not allow U.S. sanctions to add to the burden of Cuban citizens that we seek to help.” (In an offhand way he is acknowledging past grief visited upon the Cuban people.) But “today, the United States wants to be a partner in making the lives of ordinary Cubans a little bit easier, more free, more prosperous.” On July 1, 2015, while announcing that embassies would be opened, Obama noted that, “With this change, we will be able to substantially increase our contacts with the Cuban people. We’ll have more personnel at our embassy.” (2)

A press release accompanying Obama’s presentation spells out the new direction: “The U.S. efforts are aimed at promoting the independence of the Cuban people so they do not need to rely on the Cuban state. (3)

More:
http://www.counterpunch.org/2015/09/11/by-their-words-ye-shall-know-them-the-us-goal-in-cuba/

Good reads:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1016132012

[bemildred]

1. They hate the very idea of a good government that its citizens can rely on.

“The U.S. efforts are aimed at promoting the independence of the Cuban people so they do not need to rely on the Cuban state." (3)

See, we are supposed to think that is a good thing.