Candidates on the issues: Cuba

[Osolomia]

The Associated Press
Thursday, January 29, 2004

The Associated Press chooses an issue three times a week and asks the presidential candidates a question about it. Today's question and responses:

CUBA: What conditions, if any, would Cuba have to meet for you to favor dropping the embargo?

Democrats:

Wesley Clark: "I want to help bring democracy to the Cuban people, the only people in the Western Hemisphere who don't have democratic freedoms. That said, I will not take steps that reward Fidel Castro. In general, embargoes have not succeeded in bringing democracy. It was engagement and penetration that helped the peoples of Eastern Europe gain their freedom. If elected, I would work this problem with the leaders of the region, work it hard. As president, I would look at the circumstances at the time and then act."

Howard Dean: "The U.S. should move toward the eventual lifting of the trade embargo with Cuba. But Castro must not be rewarded for continued human rights violations. Before I will consider lifting the embargo, Castro must demonstrate a firmer commitment to human rights and take steps that promote the freedom that Cubans have so long been denied."

Sen. John Edwards: "The goal of our policy in Cuba must be the promotion of democracy and human rights. I support sanctions that target Fidel Castro's regime but help the innocent Cuban people, allowing trade for food and medical supplies that help ease the horrible burdens they suffer. Full sanctions should not be lifted until Castro and his brutal regime are gone. At the same time, along with our allies, we must increase our support and assistance for dissidents and democracy advocates inside Cuba who are struggling to be free."

Sen. John Kerry: "I am not prepared to lay down conditions at this time for lifting the embargo, because I believe that we need a major review of U.S. policy toward Cuba. That review must be conducted with other countries in the region, with Cuban Americans, and, to the best of our abilities, those in Cuba who are fighting for greater political liberties."

Rep. Dennis Kucinich: "I strongly favor ending the embargo on Cuba. Our policy toward Cuba has created misery for the Cuban people and has harmed our own national interests. My administration will work to normalize relations with Cuba. This will include normal bilateral trade with Cuba. Farm communities throughout the U.S. are being denied a natural market in Cuba, and Americans are being denied products from Cuba. It will also restore the freedom to travel to Cuba. Our government's travel ban violates our own Constitution, which guarantees freedom of movement. As president I will work to repeal the Cuban Adjustment Act, which has encouraged smuggling and put lives at risk and has reinforced arbitrary and unequal immigration policies. I will pursue national security cooperation, rather than confrontation, with our Caribbean neighbor to the south. Lincoln said, 'The only way to eliminate an enemy is to make him your friend."'

More...
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/news/archive/2004/01/29/politics1416EST0638.DTL

[goforit]

1. Boy....Kerry shares Bush's policy..............Skull n Bone all the way!

You just do the dido of Bush, Kerry!!!

Whatever!!!

[Freddie Stubbs]

38. It's also the same policy of Clinton and Jimmy Carter

Were they in Skull and Bones also?

[Judi Lynn]

39. Jimmy Carter LIFTED the travel ban

(snip)

• In 1977, President Jimmy Carter lifted the currency controls, recognizing them as a de facto ban on travel.
  
  
  
• In 1982, the Reagan administration re-imposed the currency-cum-travel ban.

(snip)
http://ciponline.org/cuba/travel/travelbanhome.htm

(snip) WASHINGTON, Oct 14 (AFP) - Nobel Peace laureate Jimmy Carter Monday slammed the Bush administration's Cuba policy, urging Washington to lift its 40-year embargo against the communist-ruled island.

"I think that there is no doubt that the overwhelming portion of American people now do want to see a reconciliation with Cuba, an end to the restraints on travel and an end to the economic embargo," Carter said in an interview released Monday with Sky Radio, which produces programs for six US airlines.
(snip)

http://www.cubacentral.com/article.asp?ID=14

Bill Clinton did open the door slightly:

(snip) The Cuban people are hungry for news from the outside world, particularly from the United States. No matter their politics, Cubans are a cultured, curious people who believe that the island is inextricably tied to its neighbor to the north. They are eager to talk to Americans in their streets. Some argue that the best way to promote positive openings in a society is to interact with it. This was the idea behind the Clinton administration's Cuba travel policy of "people to people" contacts. (snip)

http://ciponline.org/cuba/travel/travelbanhome.htm

On edit:

It just occurred to me that some people may not understand what the "currency controls" in the first snippet indicates.

The travel ban is not literally a ban on actual travel to Cuba. Some brainstroke got the idea they could simply refuse to allow American citizens the ability to spend any American money or any other money if they DO arrive in Cuba. This means, of course, no staying in hotels, no dinners, no buying a drink, a smoke, a taxi, a shoe shine, or a kick in the pants. NOTHING is allowed to pass from one Cuban to an American and vice versa.

When Jimmy Carter lifted the "currency controls" it was exactly the same as lifting the travel ban.

I guess they can feel truly sanctimonious enough when they can seek refuge in their goddawful "Well, we don't forbid travel to Cuba at ALL!" BFD!

[Judi Lynn]

40. E xcellent Cuba travel talking points, for anyone who's interested

http://www.wola.org/cuba/travel_talking_points.htm

[Freddie Stubbs]

44. But Carter never lifted the trade embargo when he was President

and Clinton never changed any of the policy.

[Judi Lynn]

48. A lot of crabby gusanos in Miami would beg to differ with you on Clinton

They have WILDLY dispised Bill Clinton over his lack of pampering their nasty whims, and cravings for revenge.

(snip) During the Clinton administration, travel regulations were eased in hopes that greater contacts between Cubans and Americans could help bring democratic change. As travel to Cuba increased, Cuban-American groups accused Clinton of doing little to enforce the embargo.

"Our sense was that under the previous administration, (Treasury) was certainly not encouraged, and maybe actively discouraged, from enforcing the law; and that under this administration, they've been told or allowed to do their jobs,'' said Dennis Hays of the anti-Castro Cuban American National Foundation.(snip)

http://64.21.33.164/CNews/y01/ago01/15e6.htm
By the way, we don't hear much from grub Dennis Hays these days. Apparently he wasn't serving the CANF well enough, since we haven't invaded Cuba, at great cost of life, yet.

[Osolomia]

50. The Clinton Doctrine on Cuba

Clinton had the power to do what Carter did his first week in office: lift the travel ban, but he didn't.

The 1996 Helms-Burton Act "codified" the trade embargo and an amendment to an agricultural bill in 2000 "codified" the travel ban, in other words the language became law that only an act of Congress could lift, until then the embargo and travel ban were under presidential decree. Since then,

snip/...

In January 1999, a year after the historic visit to Cuba of Pope John Paul II and his request that the "world open up to Cuba," President Clinton announced new U.S. measures to reach out to the Cuban people--to ease their plight and help them prepare for a democratic future. As the President said, the measures "demonstrate the United States' compassion for the Cuban people, our strong interest in building bonds between citizens of our nations, and our determination to provide the Cuban people with hope in their struggle."

In announcing additional measures in furtherance of this policy, Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright stressed that "our goal is to encourage the development in Cuba of peaceful, civic activities that are independent of the government and that will help the Cuban people prepare for the day when their country is once again free." Secretary Albright outlined the following measures authorized by President Clinton and in consultation with the Congress to reach out to the Cuban people:

Expansion of remittances by allowing any U.S. resident (not only those with families in Cuba) to send limited funds to individual Cuban families as well as to organizations independent of the government.

Expansion of people-to-people contact through two-way exchanges among academics, athletes, scientists and others, including streamlining the approval process for such visits.

Authorization of the sale of food and agricultural inputs to independent non-government entities, including religious groups and Cuba's emerging private sector, such as family restaurants and private farmers.

Authorization of charter passenger flights to cities in Cuba other than Havana and from some cities in the United States other than Miami in order to facilitate family reunification for persons living outside those cities.

While announcing these measures, Secretary Albright also reiterated that these steps are neither designed nor expected to alter our relations with the Cuban Government. But taken together, they constitute a major advance in our effort to reach out to the Cuban people. They should help all Cubans to understand that the United States is on their side in the search for economic choice and prosperity, in the quest for freedom of religion, expression and thought, and in the desire to fulfill Jose Marti's dream of a Cuba where all may participate freely in the political life of their country.

http://www.state.gov/www/regions/wha/cuba/people.html

Cuba: Increased People-To-People Contacts
Fact Sheet released by the Bureau of Inter-American Affairs
U.S. Department of State, January 5, 1999

U.S. Policy

On January 5, 1999 the President announced his decision to expand people-to-people contacts.

As the President has said, we want to continue to find ways to support the Cuban people without strengthening the regime. Our objective, building on the visit of the Pontiff to Cuba, is to support the development of peaceful independent activity and civil society in order to help the Cuban people prepare for a transition to a free, independent, and prosperous nation.

New Measures

We wish to encourage an expansion of educational, cultural, humanitarian, religious, journalistic and athletic exchange, and other appropriate people-to-people contacts. For example, the Baltimore Orioles organization will be licensed to explore the possibility of playing exhibition games where profits would benefit Caritas-Cuba.

These people-to-people contacts will be expanded in two ways: by facilitating travel of persons from Cuba to the U.S. who qualify for visas; and by streamlining licensing procedures for qualified U.S. persons traveling to Cuba.

Travel from Cuba to the U.S.:

Qualified Cubans who are not senior members of the Cuban government or party will continue to be given visas.
The visa process will be streamlined and accelerated.

Travel to Cuba from the U.S.:

Licensing procedures will be streamlined for qualified U.S. persons traveling to Cuba.
We will also develop procedures to license multiple visits for qualified individuals and groups in the above-mentioned categories.
Travel for recreation or tourism, or travel otherwise in contravention of the embargo, continues to be prohibited.
The Departments of Treasury, Justice, and State will develop licensing procedures.

Background

Expanding educational, cultural, journalistic, athletic, religious and humanitarian exchanges to and from Cuba will facilitate people-to-people contacts, specifically supporting the development of peaceful activities in Cuba independent of the Cuban government and promoting a peaceful transition to democracy.

The revised visa procedures are not intended to expand contacts or relations between the U.S. and Cuban governments. Visa applications by senior-level Cuban officials will continue to be reviewed in Washington on a case-by-case basis.

http://www.state.gov/www/regions/wha/fs_990105_cuba_contacts.html

Present (Clinton) Policy

The fundamental goal of United States policy toward Cuba is to promote a peaceful transition to a stable, democratic form of government and respect for human rights. Our policy has two fundamental components: maintaining pressure on the Cuban Government for change through the embargo and the Libertad Act while providing humanitarian assistance to the Cuban people, and working to aid the development of civil society in the country.

Support for the Cuban people is the central theme of our policy. New measures announced by President Clinton on January 5, 1999, will increase this support without strengthening the government. These measures (broadening remittances, expanding people-to-people contacts, increasing direct flights, authorizing food sales to independent entities, and establishing direct mail service) respond to Pope John Paul II’s call to open up to Cuba.

U.S. policy also pursues a multilateral effort to press for democratic change by urging our friends and allies to actively promote a democratic transition and respect for human rights. We oppose consideration of Cuba’s return to the OAS or inclusion in the Summit of the America’s process until there is a democratic Cuban government. The U.S. has repeatedly made clear however that it is prepared to respond reciprocally if the Cuban government initiates fundamental, systematic democratic change and respect for human rights.

More on Clinton's State Dept. web site (scroll down)
http://www.state.gov/www/regions/wha/cuba/index.html

Just "promoting a peaceful transition to democracy" eh? Gee, where else have we heard that one?

[Judi Lynn]

51. I see the connection between Pope John Paul II, and Clinton's Cuba moves

Isn't it interesting that the very moment the Pope entered Havana, and our reporters and Congresspeople and assorted other Americans were there to witness the event, the MONICA LEWINSKY story broke, and all the reporters were recalled to Washington D.C. immediately?

Hence, no signifigant publicity in the U.S. on the Pope's trip to Cuba, for the speeches, conversations, etc. on that truly momentous occassion.

[Osolomia]

52. In an interview flying over the Atlantic, Pope John criticized the embargo

By the time he landed in Havana the entire US press corps had fled back to Washington and cancelled all their coverage of what would have been the first time in nearly 40 years that the US public got to see Cuba with their own eyes. The timing of Matt Drudge's leak to the press is definitely suspiscious but would easily happen again and the US public would be none the wiser or curioser.

[Judi Lynn]

58. So they were gone ALREADY when the Pope got to Havana

Now that's some adroit scheming, you can be sure. It's true that all hell broke loose at the same time.

I didn't recognize we weren't getting information from Cuba because I was completely distracted, too, just as planned, evidently.

It wasn't until I started reading the reporters were taken off the Pope's story that I realized what had happened.

The Lewinsky story definitely served them well, by God. They were playing her for months, reeling her in, letting her out, until the timing was exactly most advantageous, got the most bang for the buck.

Guess we shouldn't be surprised anymore by anything these monsters do.

[Osolomia]

59. For the record: January 21, 1998

January 21, 1998
Networks plan full Papal coverage

Broadcast and cable networks have announced extensive coverage of this week's visit to Cuba by Pope John Paul II.

ABC's Peter Jennings anchors "World News Tonight" from Havana, and "Good Morning America" news anchor Kevin Newman reports live from Cuba. "Nightline" will conclude a two-part report tomorrow, with Ted Koppel anchoring from Little Havana in Miami, heart of the Cuban exile community.

CBS' Dan Rather anchors "The CBS Evening News" from Havana. He also will report for this weekend's edition of "Saturday Morning." Jane Robelot anchors "This Morning" from Cuba, with on-site correspondents including Martha Stewart reporting on Cuban culture and cuisine.

NBC's Tom Brokaw anchors "Nightly News" from Havana while live reports are going to be "Today" and "Weekend Today" Saturday and Sunday. Friday's edition of "Dateline NBC" will feature a related report. And "Meet the Press" will originate from Cuba this Sunday.

CNN's live coverage is anchored by Chief International correspondent Christiane Amanpour and includes reports by Havana Bureau Chief Lucia Newman. There will be full coverage of the Pope's meeting with Cuban President Fidel Castro.

Fox News Channel is providing regular live reports and news updates from Cuba.

MSNBC Cable is providing daily live coverage, with anchors Ed Gordon and Soledad O'Brien. Tom Brokaw anchors Sunday's live coverage of the Pope's Mass in Havana beginning at 9 a.m.

http://www.s-t.com/daily/01-98/01-21-98/a03wn024.htm

Wednesday, January 21, 1998 Published at 22:20 GMT
Pope calls for US policy change on Cuba

The Pope has called on the United States to reconsider its economic embargo on Cuba.

He was speaking to reporters on the flight from Rome to Havana for his first visit to the Communist nation.

Asked if he had any message for the United States about the 35-year-old embargo, he replied: "To change, to change."

But a State Department spokesman in Washington implicitly rejected a call by Pope John Paul on Wednesday for Washington to "change" its economic embargo against Cuba, saying it was a U.S. law supported by both Republicans and Democrats.

"We understand and respect the Pope's views opposing the use of economic sanctions in Cuba and elsewhere.

… In a speech at the airport, the Pope said he hoped Cuba would open up to the world, and in return the world would open up to Cuba.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/49548.stm

Clinton denies affair with intern, coverup
Starr expands his investigation; his informant reportedly wore a hidden microphone
By Wolf Blitzer/CNN

January 21, 1998
Web posted at: 6:37 p.m. EST (2337 GMT)
WASHINGTON (AllPolitics) -- In a stunning twist, Whitewater investigators have expanded their inquiry to examine if President Bill Clinton had a sexual relationship with a former White House intern and then tried to get her to lie about the alleged affair. Clinton denied both allegations in interviews today.

Asked by PBS newscaster Jim Lehrer, "You had no sexual relationship with this young woman?" Clinton replied, "There is not a sexual relationship."

Clinton also said he never told anyone to say anything other than the truth.

Whitewater Independent Counsel Kenneth Starr won permission last Friday to expand his probe into the new allegations and subpoenaed the White House for supporting documents late this afternoon. White House spokesman Joe Lockhart said White House counsels were reviewing the request. "We intend to cooperate," he told reporters.

Specifically, Starr is investigating whether the president participated in a conspiracy to suborn perjury, make false statements and obstruct justice.

http://www.cnn.com/US/9801/21/clinton.starr.pm/

US TV anchors leave Cuba after Clinton sex charge
Reuters

Havana- U.S. television anchors in Cuba for Pope John Paul's historic visit to the communist island all hurriedly left Havana to cover sensational allegations that President Bill Clinton had an affair with a young White House staff intern.

Spokesmen for the three major U.S. networks -- CBS, ABC and NBC -- said anchors Dan Rather, Peter Jennings and Tom Brokaw had all left Havana to return to Washington shortly after the pope arrived to begin a five-day visit.

ABC's Ted Koppel also left. The networks mounted a huge, multi-million dollar operation to cover the Pope's unprecedented visit to Cuba and meeting with President Fidel Castro. But they packed their bags and left after news broke that Whitewater prosecutor Kenneth Starr had expanded his investigation to probe an accusation that Clinton pressured the former intern, Monica Lewinsky, 24, to deny under oath that she had a sexual relationship with Clinton.

Clinton on Wednesday denied the explosive and potentially criminal charges.

http://www.turkishdailynews.com/old_editions/01_23_98/feature.htm#f2

N E W Y O R K, Jan. 30 — Bill Blakemore barreled into Room 1117 of the Havana Libre Hotel, perspiring, full of gusto, waving a notebook.
“I’ve got the story here, it’s written, I’ve got it in my notebook,” he said.
It was 4:45 in the afternoon. Blakemore had arrived an hour earlier, the ABCNEWS correspondent on the papal plane from Rome.
He had the story: the pope’s aspirations for a freer Cuba, his comments suggesting the U.S. “change” its economic embargo of the island.
Peter Jennings eyed me, then turned to Blakemore. “Hey Bill,” he said, through a sheepish grin. “We’re leaving.”

Blakemore’s reaction—a serious stare, a dropped jaw—was probably repeated, in some form, several hundred times, in several hundred conversations, across Havana on that strange, long day.


… By now, I could ride in Koppel’s car, the ABC News offices in the Libre had thinned out, coverage plans had been scaled back—and John Paul hadn’t yet finished his first mass on Cuban soil.

… Bill Blakemore went back to Rome. We packed up our massive Havana operation and returned to New York. And the Pope, and Fidel Castro, got much less air time.

http://more.abcnews.go.com/sections/world/cuba0130_nagorski/index.html

[joshcryer]

2. Isn't Dean's response pretty fair?

What say you?

[Zhade]

4. In all actuality, Dean's response is kinda vague.

Don't get me wrong - I like a lot of what Dean says. It's just a little too conservative (in the literal, not political, sense of the word) for me.

Kucinich has by far the best ideas on this. Freeing up trade and travel helps foster change in countries on both sides, and can really open up opportunities for empowering the people. Keeping interaction shut down - a social Iron Curtain, if you will - just increases the bitterness on both sides, and does nothing to allow Cubans and Americans to inspire one another to struggle for new freedoms.

Actually, this is one reason why the Bush administration, and the elite at large, like and need the embargo in place.

[joshcryer]

8. Yeah, it's vague, but at least he's pro-lift embargo.

I personally think he could be easily persuaded to lift the embargo on Cuba. Kucinich definitely has the best answer, though.

[Osolomia]

14. The majority of Americans want the embargo lifted NOW

what's fair about Dean's minority stance?

Editorials on U.S.-Cuba Policy 2001-2003
http://www.lawg.org/countries/Cuba/editorials.htm

Senate Vote to End Travel Ban October 23, 2003
http://www.lawg.org/countries/Cuba/senate-votes.htm

House Vote to End Travel Ban September 10, 2003
http://www.lawg.org/countries/Cuba/vote-counts-flake.htm

Poll of Cuban-Americans v. non-Cuban-Americans (in Dade County) on various policies:
http://www.fiu.edu/orgs/ipor/cuba2000/3samples.htm

A recent Miami Herald poll on Cuba:
http://www.miami.com/multimedia/miami/news/archive/cubanpoll.pdf

Various polls concerning ending the embargo and establishing diplomatic ties: http://www.pollingreport.com/cuba.htm

[joshcryer]

45. "demonstrating a firmer commitment to human rights"

Could be as simple as signing a no-embargo treaty.

It's more than fair because it shows that he's willing to work in that direction, unlike the other candidates who wouldn't even do business with Castro.

Don't be silly.

[Osolomia]

47. What "human rights" does Dean have in mind?

The right of US taxpayers to finance "dissidents" in Cuba with the intent of overthrowing the government? Reeks of hypocrisy to the core imho.

[IndianaGreen]

3. Kucinich has the best answer, Kerry has the worst!

Kerry is kissing the ass of the criminal Miami Mafia, the same assholes that supported the kidnapping of Elian Gonzales by his crazy Miami uncle.

This part of Kerry's answer is particularly obnoxious:

Sen. John Kerry: "I am not prepared to lay down conditions at this time for lifting the embargo, because I believe that we need a major review of U.S. policy toward Cuba. That review must be conducted with other countries in the region, with Cuban Americans, and, to the best of our abilities, those in Cuba who are fighting for greater political liberties."

ABK all the way!

[Zhade]

5. Totally agree. Kerry, IMHO, is not to be trusted for a second.

And Edwards is really starting to creep me out. Is it just me, or is he starting to talk the way that rightwingers like Vin Weber do...?

[IndianaGreen]

6. We are on our own!

Progressives are being sold down the river by the Democratic establishment, again.

We are on our own!

[Osolomia]

15. And less free to travel than ever with support of Dem candidates

Friday, January 30, 2004

For some Americans it's harder, for some it's easier to visit Cuba
By Madeleine Marr
Knight Ridder Newspapers

Until this year, U.S. citizens could arrange legal travel to Cuba with relative ease. Those days are gone.

The "people-to-people" provision that allowed Americans to visit Cuba as part of an organized tour for educational, humanitarian or religious reasons has been tightened by the U.S. government as of Jan. 1. The result: Many tours once available to Americans are offered no longer.

... As of Jan. 1, many U.S. tour operators can no longer legally run trips to Cuba.

... Said Tom Popper, director of Insight Cuba, a nonprofit cross-cultural tour operator in New Rochelle, N.Y.: "The number of U.S. travelers that will legally travel to Cuba in 2004 will decrease drastically, almost to a trickle." Insight Cuba's license to offer such tours was not renewed for this year by the U.S. government.

... But not everyone's frothing over the new rules. For Americans born in Cuba or those who have a relative there, life's a little easier. Though they still are allowed visits only once per year, the circle of qualifying family members has been widened.

For example, a mother's cousin is now deemed "a close relative."

The administration also scrapped the requirement for a family authorized to visit "in circumstances that demonstrate humanitarian need." Now, family members can visit for any reason.

Also, the amount of cash a Cuban-American visitor may bring to the island rose from $300 to $3,000. The amount one is allowed to spend while there has been lifted entirely.

More...
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/travel/2001846547_cubarules01.html

[Judi Lynn]

7. We've heard more than we could ever want to hear from the Batistianos

who have dominated the Cuban population in Miami.

Never forget the obnoxious remarks from Cuban "exile" big enchilada, Jorge Mas Canosa:

(snip)7/1/94 7/31/94 The Miami Herald reprints an interview with Jorge Mas Canosa from the Spanish newspaper El Pais. Mas Canosa was asked by El Pais whether he believed Americans would take over Cuba if Fidel Castro fell. The Herald quoted Mas Canosa as saying, in part, "They haven't even been able to take over Miami! If we have kicked them out of here, how could they possibly take over our own country?" (MH, 7/28/94; WP, 7/28/94) (snip)

http://cuban-exile.com/doc_126-150/doc0146b.htm

We need a change from the policy set in motion by the Eisenhower administration all those years ago, in its great simplicity:

(snip) Declassified documents' now prove the obvious: the Cuban people themselves quickly became a target. A June 24, 1959, State Department memo stated that if Cuba were deprived of its sugar quota privilege in the US sugar market, "the sugar industry would promptly suffer an abrupt decline, causing widespread further unemployment. The large numbers of people thus forced out of work would begin to go hungry."

On April 6, 1960, a State Department document went even further: "Every possible means should be undertaken promptly to weaken the economic life of Cuba . . . to bring about hunger, desperation and the overthrow of government."
(snip)

http://www.thirdworldtraveler.com/Caribbean/Neocolony_StateSiege.html

[Just Me]

31. Kucinich has really been hitting all my buttons,...

,...he is more focused and articulate about common human interests and hammering on all the values that we are "supposed" to embrace.

I have been very impressed with him :D

[Mika]

9. All but DK are modified bush policy apologists

When one supports aspects of the Bush admin anti Cuba policy, one becomes a bush policy apologist.

Not Kucinich.

http://www.google.com/search?q=site%3Akucinich.us&q=Cuba


Sadly, only ONE candidate for
US president openly states that he
would end this unjust and insane
policy against Cuba AND Americans.

That candidate is Dennis Kucinich.

-The Democratic Presidential Candidates on Cuba-
http://www.lawg.org/pages/new%20pages/Misc/prez-candidates1.htm

[Judi Lynn]

10. Hope this Tampa firm has its bomb insurance up to date!

(snip) Friday, January 30


Tampa firm to handle shipments to Cuba
The shipments from Port Manatee are expected to start with a load of cattle in the second quarter.


By MICHAEL BRAGA

[e-mail]

Alimport, the Cuban government-controlled agency responsible for importing food and agricultural products to the island, has chosen A.R. Savage & Son as its shipping agent at both Port Manatee and the Port of Tampa.

The Tampa-based company will handle all legal export transactions for Alimport from Tampa Bay to Cuban ports.

The agreement, signed by Alimport Chief Executive Pedro Alvarez, formalizes a relationship between the two entities that dates back to January 2003.

Over that time, A.R. Savage & Son has handled five shipments for Alimport -- two shipments of cattle feed from Tampa Bay ports and three shipments of grain and chicken parts from ports in Texas, Mississippi and Virginia.
(snip)

http://www.heraldtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20040130/NEWS/401300426/1200



Tampa is, after all, the home Cuban Mafia boss Santo Trafficante chose when fleeing from Cuba after the second Cuban revolution. Although Santo Trafficante died, his bidness continues in Tampa. Quite the legacy.

http://www.geocities.com/mafiason_99/CigarCityMafia.htm

[Osolomia]

11. Public opinion on the issues: Cuba

Editorials on U.S.-Cuba Policy 2001-2003
http://www.lawg.org/countries/Cuba/editorials.htm

Senate Vote to End Travel Ban October 23, 2003
http://www.lawg.org/countries/Cuba/senate-votes.htm

House Vote to End Travel Ban September 10, 2003
http://www.lawg.org/countries/Cuba/vote-counts-flake.htm

Poll of Cuban-Americans v. non-Cuban-Americans (in Dade County) on various policies:
http://www.fiu.edu/orgs/ipor/cuba2000/3samples.htm

A recent Miami Herald poll on Cuba:
http://www.miami.com/multimedia/miami/news/archive/cubanpoll.pdf

Various polls concerning ending the embargo and establishing diplomatic ties: http://www.pollingreport.com/cuba.htm

As all the leading presidential candidates stand opposed to the majority of Americans on this issue, evidently the Democratic party's brand of freedom and democracy leaves a great deal to be desired.

[loudnclear]

12. Kucinich gave the best answer...too bad he can't the support

he and Sharpton are the only two true Dems in this race.
Kerry is a every bit the fraud that Bush is. If i have to i will vote for him but i will have to hold my nose.

[eablair3]

46. What's keeping Kucinich from getting the support?

He has the best stand on the issues imo.

Why is it that he is not getting the support?

[Dirk39]

13. Issue on the candidates: Down with the election!

"Down with the elections!

BY JESUS ARBOLEYA CERVERA

IT could be said that one of the gravest dangers facing humanity is the U.S. elections. Every day brings greater worries in terms of what could happen as a result of this vote.

In fact we live our lives from election to election, and although we don’t have the right to vote in the United States, it does matter to us who governs that country.

The Cuban case is particularly illustrative of this tendency. Every time they fall short of a certain number of votes in Florida or some candidate plans to pass the collection plate in Miami, Cuba becomes a worldwide threat. Now Cuba is supposedly responsible for the tremendous social conflicts that are ravaging Latin America and Fidel Castro is to blame for destabilizing Latin American democracies; as Roger Noriega, deputy Secretary for State for Western Hemisphere Affairs put it, is "playing with fire."

What are the motives of this apparently extemporaneous verbal offensive? First, to the recently held Americas Summit in Monterrey – at the time of writing it had not concluded – where, behind the scenes, the customary condemnation of Cuba at the UN Human Rights Commission will have been negotiated. The tactics include demonizing Cuba so that certain governments can justify their own vote and pressure others, such as Argentina, that have already expressed an intention of abstaining from the criticism.

Second, the measure is directed against Venezuela. Nowadays Cuba is not just Cuba alone. Cuba serves as an example to justify pressurizing other nations. The neoliberal democratic game has produced unwanted results for the United States. As a consequence of the economic crisis provoked by the system, some of those governments that maintained it in Latin America have collapsed and others are on the brink of doing so."
More:
http://www.granma.cu/ingles/2004/enero/juev29/5eleccy.html

Four disgusting liars and one potential immigrant?

Hello from Germany,
Dirk

[Judi Lynn]

16. Yanks Liberate Cuba!

Saturday 31 Jan 2004

Yanks Liberate Cuba!


Written by Denny Johnson





Key West, Florida - A flotilla of battleships including the U.S. Navy nuclear powered Aircraft Carrier "Admiral Grimace," 100,000 war-seasoned U.S. Marines, Air-Force bombers and a combined strike-force of thousands of "special-op" troops -- marched on and into Cuba Saturday -- liberating the Island Country from Communism for the first time since 1960.

In coordinated early morning devastating raids, B-52 Bombers flew seventeen synchronized sorties as part of "Strike & Shock" bombing runs over three major Cuban destinations: Havana, Santiago, and Guama, in an effort to soften up unfriendliness and speed the invasion of ground forces.

U.S. Army tanks and armored personal Toyotas patrolled and controlled the highway interchanges outside Havana seventeen minutes after the war was declared and victory reported on CNN. Traffic on the island was snarled, and the offensive -- as one Marine reported: " very gnarly."

"The topography is similar here in Cuba," said Lance Corporal G.I. Joseph, a veteran of the Gulf-War and the Afghan police action. "Just like over there, we've got some small problems with blowing sand and difficult coastline landings, but at least they've got beach umbrellas and cabañas here."

The combined B-52 air-raids mark the first time in U.S. history since the Vietnam War where planes based at Guantanamo Bay were required to take off fly around and land at the same place as they were dropping their 2000-lb. bombs on the place.
(snip/...)

http://www.thespoof.com/news/spoof.cfm?headline=s3i1949

DU'ers, sorry, I really couldn't help myself.

[durutti]

17. Heh...

If the U.S. thought the reaction of "liberated" Iraqis was bad, just wait 'til they see the Cubans...

[Osolomia]

23. Fidel, it's time for your close-up

By Dan Moffett, Palm Beach Post Editorial Writer
Sunday, February 1, 2004

It used to be that fringe candidates for Congress could say something reckless and outrageous without being taken seriously. Now, who knows?

Larry Klayman, the former head of the conservative watchdog group Judicial Watch, is seeking the Republican nomination for Bob Graham's Senate seat and arguing for a hard line against Cuba. Actually, he may be arguing for making Cuba the 51st state.

During a recent candidate forum, Mr. Klayman called for the United States to use its military might to overthrow Fidel Castro. "It's time to remove Castro once and for all, by force if necessary," Mr. Klayman said. "He's had a free rein for too long."

A couple of years ago, way back when the United States had a reputation for seeking diplomatic solutions to foreign-policy problems, people would have considered Mr. Klayman's proposal eccentric, or worse. Now, who knows?

... With Cuba, President Bush can use his "What Difference Does It Make" Doctrine, which defines wanting things as having things. This was bad news for Hussein, and not great news for Jimmy Carter, who it turns out is guilty of more than lusting in his heart.

It's easy to imagine Colin Powell showing off aerial photographs of Cuban banana trucks at the United Nations and talking about the likelihood that they really were mobile laboratories for biochemical agents. Condi Rice can hit the Sunday TV talk shows and talk about a "grave and gathering" danger 90 miles from our shore. Dick Cheney can hole up at an undisclosed location -- a duck blind, perhaps. Donald Rumsfeld can squint into the TV camera and talk about all the "unknown knowns -- the ones we don't know we don't know" that complicate Operation Cuban Freedom. The main actors are well-rehearsed.

More...
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/opinion/content/auto/epaper/editions/sunday/opinion_04a18dea454cf1cd1071.html

[Red_Storm]

18. Not Surprising, DK has the best view on the issue

[Bush loves Jiang]

19. This is bullshit...

The Chinese regime is far more evil than Castro.

I'm no fan of Castro, but he is better than Batista was, and then sanctions are ridiculous.

[Judi Lynn]

20. An article shared by a D.U. reader shows U.S. watchers in Cuba

have a very clear picture of our own _pResident and his aggressive posturing regarding Cuba:

Down with the elections!

BY JESUS ARBOLEYA CERVERA

IT could be said that one of the gravest dangers facing humanity is the U.S. elections. Every day brings greater worries in terms of what could happen as a result of this vote.

In fact we live our lives from election to election, and although we don’t have the right to vote in the United States, it does matter to us who governs that country.

The Cuban case is particularly illustrative of this tendency. Every time they fall short of a certain number of votes in Florida or some candidate plans to pass the collection plate in Miami, Cuba becomes a worldwide threat. Now Cuba is supposedly responsible for the tremendous social conflicts that are ravaging Latin America and Fidel Castro is to blame for destabilizing Latin American democracies; as Roger Noriega, deputy Secretary for State for Western Hemisphere Affairs put it, is "playing with fire."
(snip/...)

http://www.granma.cu/ingles/2004/enero/juev29/5eleccy.html

On edit:
:hi: :hi: :hi:

[Osolomia]

21. A Good Place For Cuba Debate

South Florida Sun-Sentinel Editorial Board
February 1 2004

Now that the bait has been dangled in front of the candidates, perhaps the race for a U.S. Senate seat in Florida can produce a more meaningful discussion of Cuba diplomacy. Yeah, fat chance, but here's hoping.

At a debate last week, Republican Senate candidate Larry Klayman, a former Justice Department attorney, called for the forcible removal of Fidel Castro. Klayman called Castro a "master terrorist" who is a threat to U.S. security.

... U.S. diplomacy must get creative, and endorse ways to permit investment in Cuba, greater travel to the island and ways to assist organizations and individuals advocating for democratic reforms. It must recognize that Castro, who is nearly an octogenarian, will not rule forever. U.S. diplomacy must focus on the millions of people in Cuba who will decide the island's future.

Pinning Cuban foreign policy exclusively on Castro's presence and actions leads to frustration, and to diatribes like Klayman's that occlude healthy debate.

More...
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/cuba/sfl-editafcubaklaymanfeb01,0,6155043.story?coll=sfla-news-cuba

[Judi Lynn]

27. It's lovely seeing a newspaper disparage Klayman

He's such as @$$, but he's had so much license to pursue truly off-the-wall and looney-tune missions of right-wing ambition and power-grabbing.

He was deliberately trying to throw everyone off by suing for Cheney's withheld energy committee information, and trying to legitimize his efforts, but he's fallen right back into his malignant pattern.

I think he decided he might be able to capitalize on the support he fancied he had won when he tried to represent the drunken great-uncle Lázaro Gonzalez's family against Janet Reno and Doris Meisner of the INS, as they attempted to seek big bucks after they lost Elián to his own father. No doubt he believed he could parlay that Cuban "exile" vote into massive support for his political future.

What a fool. He apparently is guilty of a fabulous conceit, imagining that he can actually command their votes because he was useful to them and therefore they will blindly support him. He's going to be in for some wild surprises if he makes such quick assumptions of power. Remembe what they did to Al Gore, after he took their side in the Elián Gonzalez attempted theft.

[Osolomia]

22. Concerns over policy on Cuba linger

Sun, Feb. 01, 2004
CAMPAIGN 2004
Concerns over policy on Cuba linger
Gov. Bush campaigns for his brother in Miami-Dade as some local GOP officials remain concerned about U.S. policy toward Cuba.
BY LESLEY CLARK
Miami Herald

Gov. Jeb Bush fired up a roomful of supporters of his brother's reelection campaign Saturday in Miami, but there were signs of lingering tension over the Bush administration's Cuba policy.

Even as Bush was mobbed by the crowd for autographs and pictures, a few Cuban-American Republican legislators and local elected leaders chose to skip the morning rally and a closed-door reception with the governor, underscoring, they said privately, concern over the president's commitment to a crackdown on Fidel Castro.

The no-shows come six months after GOP legislators and local elected leaders wrote to the White House warning that the president risks losing crucial Cuban-American support unless more is done to ensure democracy in Cuba.

''The lack of turnout among Republican-elected officials at the campaign kickoff may highlight a problem among Cuban-American voters that must be addressed,'' said state Rep. David Rivera of Miami.

More...
http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/politics/7845842.htm

[Osolomia]

24. The Bush Doctrine on Cuba

with the full support of the leading Dem candidates evidently:

22 January 2004
U.S. Condemns Cuba's Imprisonment of Human Rights Advocates
http://usinfo.state.gov/xarchives/display.html?p=washfile-english&y=2004&m=January&x=20040122111702ASrelliM0.6539118&t=usinfo/wf-latest.html

January 16, 2004
U.S. Official Urges Careful Planning for Democratic Transition in Cuba
Ambassador Roger F. Noriega, Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs, Remarks at a USAID/Cuba Transition Project Seminar
http://www.state.gov/p/wha/rls/rm/28281.htm

16 January 2004
U.S. Official Examines Relief Strategies at Cuba Transition Conference
http://usinfo.state.gov/xarchives/display.html?p=washfile-english&y=2004&m=January&x=20040116155739nesnom0.3684809&t=usinfo/wf-latest.html

16 December 2003
State Department on Repression in Cuba
"The Dream Deferred: Fear and Freedom in Fidel's Cuba"
http://usinfo.state.gov/xarchives/display.html?p=washfile-english&y=2003&m=December&x=20031216161921relliMS0.5044062&t=usinfo/wf-latest.html

December 8, 2003
Commission for Assistance to a Free Cuba
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2003/12/20031208-8.html

October 15, 2003
Enforcement of U.S. Travel Restrictions to Cuba to be Enhanced
http://usinfo.state.gov/gi/Archive/2003/Oct/15-270865.html

October 10, 2003
President Bush Discusses Cuba Policy in Rose Garden Speech
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2003/10/20031010-2.html

26 September 2003
President Bush Fully Committed to Democratic Transition in Cuba
http://usinfo.state.gov/xarchives/display.html?p=washfile-english&y=2003&m=September&x=20030926124736relliMS0.2089655&t=usinfo/wf-latest.html

08 May 2003
U.S. Pledges Increased Support for "Voices of Freedom" in Cuba
http://usinfo.state.gov/regional/ar/us-cuba/03050806.htm

16 April 2003
U.S. to Continue Working Toward Peaceful Change in Cuba, Says Official
http://usinfo.state.gov/regional/ar/us-cuba/03041604.htm

17 September 2002
State Department Official Explains U.S. Position on Cuba
Says Cuba is attempting to impede U.S. war on terrorism
http://usinfo.state.gov/topical/pol/terror/02091808.htm

24 July 2002
Bush Administration Reiterates that U.S. Policy on Cuba Remains Unchanged
Voices opposition to House vote to lift restrictions on trade, travel
http://usinfo.state.gov/topical/pol/terror/02072500.htm

11 July 2002
Bush Administration Opposes Legislative Efforts to Amend Cuba Policy
http://usinfo.state.gov/topical/pol/terror/02071606.htm

05 June 2002
State Dept. Reaffirms Cuba Has Biological Warfare Research Effort
http://usinfo.state.gov/topical/pol/arms/02060502.htm

21 May 2002
Cuba Continues to Sponsor Terrorism, Says State Department Report
http://usinfo.state.gov/topical/pol/terror/02052118.htm

21 May 2002
Reich Testifies on New Initiative for Cuba Says initiative is designed to generate peaceful change in Cuba
http://usinfo.state.gov/topical/pol/terror/02052114.htm

May 20, 2002
President Bush Announces Initiative for a New Cuba
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2002/05/20020520-2.html

13 May 2002
Powell Says Cuba Has Bio Weapons Research Capacity
http://usinfo.state.gov/topical/pol/arms/02051405.htm

06 May 2002
Bolton: Libya, Syria, Cuba Need Scrutiny for Weapons Programs
Under Secretary addresses WMD threats at Heritage Foundation

07 April 2002
"The United States and Cuba," by Secretary of State Colin Powell .
http://usinfo.state.gov/topical/pol/terror/02040809.htm

Profile of the USAID Cuba Program
http://www.usaid.gov/regions/lac/cu/program_report/profile.html

Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity (Libertad) Act of 1996
To seek international sanctions against the Castro government in Cuba, to plan for support of a transition government leading to a democratically elected government in Cuba, and for other purposes.
http://usinfo.state.gov/regional/ar/us-cuba/libertad.htm

[Mika]

25. Did ya hear Dean on MTP?

He was lambasting Bush for selling the war to Americans on the wrong pretense (as in, WMD's not Saddam's brutality). He went on to say that there are plenty of brutal dictators that need to be removed - he named Mugabe and one or two others, then Tim Russert chimed in "Fidel Castro" and Dean gave a very enthusiastic "yes".


Dean is a real librul rebel. NOT!



Sadly, only ONE candidate for
US president openly states that he
would end this unjust and insane
policy against Cuba AND Americans.

That candidate is Dennis Kucinich.

-The Democratic Presidential Candidates on Cuba-
http://www.lawg.org/pages/new%20pages/Misc/prez-candidates1.htm

[Judi Lynn]

26. Hi, Mika

I heard dthat, too. It was absolutely evil the way Russert was waiting for the moment he could slide that in there. True Russert slimey form.

Our right-wing propagandists NEVER sleep. They are working their nasty program all the time, pushing that agenda, REGARDLESS of the facts. Probably tell lies out loud in their sleep!

Screw those creeps. Time will eventually prove them to be the tiny, selfish bullies they are. They can't actually beat down the vast majority of the world FOREVER, no matter HOW MANY WEAPONS they have.

Commonplace ignorance and apathy are their friends. As long as anyone doesn't shake off the propaganda and start researching and THINKING for a change, it's easy for them to keep putting it over on him/her. People NEED to have those mental tools, like FACTS, to use to cut through the thick layers of lies we've been immersed in.

[Osolomia]

30. With Dems like that no wonder Bush gets away with murder

as the saying goes. And no wonder Dean's losing.

[Judi Lynn]

28. Returning dissident asks to stay in Cuba

Returning dissident asks to stay in Cuba
Copyright © 2004 Nando Media
Copyright © 2004 AP Online


By ANDREA RODRIGUEZ, Associated Press

HAVANA (January 30, 1:38 p.m. AST) - A Cuban dissident who recently returned to the communist island after years in exile asked immigration authorities on Friday to grant him permission to stay.
Eloy Gutierrez-Menoyo fought alongside Fidel Castro in the revolution. He later broke with the regime and served 22 years in prison. Since the 1980s, he has lived in exile, most recently in Miami.

Now 68 and nearly blind, Gutierrez-Menoyo returned to Cuba in August for a family vacation with his wife and three school-age sons. They returned to Miami, but he decided to stay, saying he wanted to open an office for his opposition group, Cambio Cubano.

Six months later though, he still hasn't received permission to live in Cuba permanently, although he says he has met several times with foreign ministry officials. (snip)

The government, which has not commented on his return, had no immediate response. However, Gutierrez-Menoyo said a lieutenant colonel visited him late Thursday and asked him to be patient.

The Castro government in recent years has had a respectful, but cautious relationship with Gutierrez-Menoyo, who has traveled here occasionally to visit family. He met with Castro himself in 1995.
(snip/...)

http://www.adn.com/24hour/world/story/1134852p-7900511c.html

On edit:

Here's a clip from a paper in 1966. You'll note at that time Eloy Gutierrez-Menoyo was an active leader of a violent group in Florida, who was making raids on Cuba. I believe I have read he was captured trying to blow something up:

(snip) Two of the remaining groups - the Second Front of the Escambray and RECE - feel differently. Both count anti-Castro forays by their members high on the exile agenda for this year.

Andres Nazario Sargen, of the Second Front, feels this will be the "most violent year sine the 1961 Bay of Pigs," while RECE leaders predict that actions will "start soon."

But the Second Front was hard hit by the capture of its leader, Eloy Gutierrez Menoyo, after he infiltrated into Cuba last year.
(snip)

http://www.rose-hulman.edu/~delacova/belligerence/zest.htm

He was far more than a simple "political prisoner," as portrayed by the right-wing Miami mafia. He was put in prison for an actual, bonafide reason.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Interesting plea to remove Cuba from _Bush's official U.S. enemy ("terrorist") list, signed by Menoyo:

(snip) U.S. Is Urged to Remove Cuba From List of Terror Sponsors

By Kevin Sullivan
Washington Post Foreign Service
Saturday, September 29, 2001; Page A20


HAVANA -- Arguments that Cuba should be removed from the U.S. government's
list of states that sponsor terrorism have been revived here in the wake of
the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the United States.

There is no indication the Bush administration is considering such a move,
but a statement issued this week in Washington by 16 prominent Cuban
Americans, private groups and others who advocate change in U.S. policy
toward the island urged that Cuba be taken off the list, a stand that drew
little attention in Washington but was hailed here.

The group said President Fidel Castro has vowed not to allow Cuban soil to
be used to mount terrorist attacks against the United States and quoted from
a speech last Saturday in which Castro described terrorism as "a dangerous
and ethically indefensible phenomenon, which must be eradicated."

"In this new world context dominated by the struggle against terrorism, Cuba
clearly will not be an unquestioning ally, but it need not be an enemy," the
statement said. "Indeed, given the challenges we now face, it is not in the
interests of the United States to treat it as an enemy."

The statement was signed by Albert A. Fox Jr. of the Alliance for
Responsible Cuba Policy in Washington; Kirby Jones of Americans for
Humanitarian Trade with Cuba in New York; Eloy Gutierrez Menoyo of Cambio
Cubano in Miami; Wayne Smith of the Center for International Policy in
Washington; Leon Lederman, winner of the 1988 Nobel prize in physics, and others.
(snip/...)

http://www.cambiocubano.com/usurgedtoremove.html

[Mika]

29. Great links, JudiLyn

I just love it.. Menoyo living freely in Cuba.


Where are the gusanos to respond to this? After all, the bush cuba policy apologists always say that anyone who criticizes President Fidel Castro or communism are tortured in some gulag.

[Judi Lynn]

33. Just found something else on the Miami Cuban "exile" Menoyo

who has returned to Cuba and lives there now. This is really interesting, as you find out more about Menoyo:

(snip) Knowing fully well that the ability to launch a major attack on Cuba had dissipated, large groups of exiles began a span of clandestine assaults against the Cuban government. A group of former members of Fidel Castro's army established the militant group Alpha 66. This group was created by Eloy Gutierrez-Menoyo, ex-commander of the Cuban Second National Front. Menoyo had previously headed all military operations in the Escambray region in central Cuba and occupied a high position in Castro's new government. Having fallen out of Castro's favor sometime later, Menoyo and other high ranking officers such as Andres Nazario- Sargen and Diego Medina fled from Cuba and settled in the U.S. Alpha 66 was established in March, 1963 and Antonio Veciana was named head of operations.

Throughout the 1960s, Alpha 66 claimed to have conducted hundreds of military operations against the Cuban government. Many of those exiles which participated in the Bay of Pigs invasion as members of Assault Brigade 2506 joined Alpha 66 and waged guerrilla warfare against Castro's government.

In 1969, Menoyo was captured while conducting military activities in Cuba and was imprisoned until his recent release in 1987. During that time, Andres Nazario-Sargen surfaced as head of Alpha 66 and he has remained in that position until present day.

Alpha 66 by far has been the most militant of all Cuban exile organizations and has conducted the largest amount of sabotage acts against Cuba.
(snip)

http://cuban-exile.com/doc_001-025/doc0001.html

First photo, Eloy Gutierrez-Menoyo on the right, Che Guevara on the left:

Second photo: http://images.google.com/images?q=tbn:AQPjcpk8GM4J:www.rose-hulman.edu

Menoyo during the Revolution:

Completely settled in now, apparently permanently returned to Cuba, missing from Miami!

[Osolomia]

32. For DUers who want facts not bigotry: Cuba in Focus Special tonight

Mon., Feb. 2, 7:00-9:00 pm: Cuba in Focus Special
Hosts: Sally O'Brien and Gail Walker. George W. Bush's new measures against Cuba and plans to increase prosecution of U.S. citizens who visit the island.

As the Bush administration steps up its cold war/new world order anti-Cuba rhetoric and pushes for harsher penalties for those US citizens who travel to Cuba many, including the Cubans themselves, are wondering is Cuba next on Bush's "regime change" agenda?

Join the "Cuba In Focus" team as we examine U.S./Cuba relations and the travel restrictions. We'll speak with diplomats, attorneys, activists and others and play excerpts of speeches by Cuban foreign minister, Felipe Perez Roque and president of Cuba's National Assembly, Ricardo Alarcon. We will also present audio from the film "El Che" and read selections from a recent book about the motorcycle journeys of Che.

Listeners will hear from:
* Dagoberto Rodriguez, Chief of the US Interest Section in Washington, DC
* Ricardo Alarcon, President of Cuba's National Assembly
* author Jane Franklin, who will provide analysis about a new film on Robert McNamara and the Cuban missile crisis
* Fred Burke, one of the first U.S. citizens prosecuted for traveling to Cuba, and
* Bob Guild of Marazul Tours, as well as other Cuba solidarity activists, will join us in the studio to discuss the latest about travel to Cuba.

In addition, you'll hear excerpts from two new books written by Fidel Castro and published by Ocean Press: War, Racism and Economic Injustice: The Global Ravages of Capitalism and Cold War: Warnings for a Uni-polar World.

"Cuba in Focus" is the longest running radio program solely dedicated to progressive news and information about Cuba.

More...
http://www.wbai.org/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=1034&Itemid=42

[Osolomia]

35. Also tonight on BBC radio: America: The accidental empire?

In the second of a six-part series entitled Age of Empire, the BBC's Jonathan Marcus visits Cuba in a continuing investigation into whether the United States is an imperial power.

... I decided to explore one small aspect of US foreign policy to try to throw some light on the complexities of the policy-making process - the US embargo on trade and travel to Cuba.

Tourism is now Cuba's biggest earner of foreign currency. Most of the visitors coming here are Europeans and Canadians. There's a fair sprinkling of Americans sipping their rum cocktails. But the Bush Administration doesn't want them to be here.

For over 40 years there has been a US embargo on trade and tourism with Cuba. Some exceptions are made but by and large if Americans want to come as ordinary tourists they have to travel via another country and make sure the Cuban authorities don't stamp their passports.

It is a policy that a growing number of Americans believe is simply counter-productive. Isolation and poverty, they say, has done more to prop up Cuba's regime than communist ideology ever could.

On Capitol Hill in Washington the long-standing ban on travel to Cuba is now coming under growing pressure. And it's a political battle that tells us a lot about how US foreign policy is made and who makes it.

More...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/3451859.stm

[Judi Lynn]

36. Interesting comment on our foreign policy

(snip) "Policy-making results from the complex interplay of a huge variety of actors. Foreign policy is never made in a vacuum, people factor in what it is they think is popular, what they think is affordable what they think is sustainable politically."
(snip)

How does this work together?
(snip) Last year in both the Republican-controlled Senate and the House of Representatives resolutions were passed to lift the travel ban by large margins.

But a few weeks later the legislation was quietly dropped after President Bush made it clear that he actually wanted quite the opposite - even tighter restrictions on dealings with Cuba.

With an election looming the cynics said that Mr Bush was simply courting the votes of Cuban expatriates in Florida - a State that could be crucial in helping to determine the Presidential outcome in November.

The Cuba legislation was mixed up with other spending bills and this gave the President the leverage he needed.

Senator Richard Lugar, chairman of the powerful Senate Foreign elations Committee emphasised that this was "less a case of a foreign policy clash than the technical problems of passing legislation in a very closely divided Congress".

Senators did not want their cherished spending projects to collapse and so agreed to back down once Mr Bush insisted that he didn't want any liberalisation in dealing with Cuba.
(snip)

Pathetic. The missing ingredient appears to be feedback from the public. Looks as if the Congress won't be getting off it's duff to do any research, but they sure as hell will note it when people call or write them.

The MAJORITY of our Congresscritters voted for removing BOTH the embargo and travel ban. It happens year after year. Then Bush backs them down. If he is reelected, I'll bet you can kiss Cuba goodbye, and say hello to New Batistaville.

[Osolomia]

37. Dems had a golden opportunity handed to them on a silver platter

to lift the travel ban with bipartisan majority support. Both OFAC and Congress pleaded for public comment all last year. The links were posted on DU time and time and time again but nary a DUer gave a damn. Consequently many Dems voted AGAINST your freedom to travel otherwise it could have been veto proof.

Considering that all the leading 2004 Democratic presidential contenders are AGAINST your freedom to travel despite the will of the overwhelming majority, blaming the problem on Bush is most hypocritical imho.

[Mika]

41. Thanks, Osolo. I just heard the last 3/4 hour

Cuba in Focus is a good show. I caught some of Jane Franklin and the Fred Burke interview the last few minutes of the show. BTW, I heard the host thank my new friend Prof. Soffia Elijah for her contribution. Yeaaah.

Thanks for the heads up. :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[Osolomia]

42. Goes to show that information is available to those who look and listen

There's no excuse for the extent of ignorant bigotry among Dems towards our neighbors, no excuse whatsoever in this internet age.

The embargo and travel ban were described as a national disgrace years ago, the Dem presidential candidates support for it in 2004 is downright revolting and begs an explanation that holds water for two seconds.

[Suspicious]

34. As I suspected

before even reading the candidates' responses, Kucinich is the only candidate who gave an answer I agree with.

On edit: I don't necessarily disagree with Sharpton's response, but he did not address the issue in any detail.

[Osolomia]

43. 2004 Iowa Democratic Caucus Resolution in Support of an End to the Embargo

Anyone know what became of this?

2004 Iowa Democratic Caucus Resolution in Support of an End to the Embargo Against Cuba

This is a draft resolution that a number of Iowa activists are planning to introduce at the caucuses on January 19th.

WHEREAS, the relationship between the United States and Cuba has long been marked by tension and confrontation, and further heightening this hostility is the 40-year-old trade embargo by the United States against the island nation, the longest standing embargo in modern history; and

WHEREAS the embargo has done nothing to improve human rights or democracy in Cuba, and the United States has little hope of positively influencing Cuba in these areas without a dialogue between the two governments; and

WHEREAS, the embargo has hurt the Cuban people, by contributing to food shortages and a general decline in health at various points over the past decade; and

WHEREAS, the United States trade, financial, and travel restrictions against Cuba hinder Iowa's export of agricultural and food products, prohibit Iowa's export of manufactured goods including those related to agricultural production, and hinder Iowa's ability to import pharmaceuticals for the treatment of illnesses experienced by Iowans; and

WHEREAS, the restrictions on agricultural products that can be sold to Cuba and the bureaucratic barriers to traveling to Cuba to market products, negotiate sales and ship products, inhibit U.S. farmers and agribusiness from fully benefiting from the trade possibilities with Cuba, prevent many small agribusinesses from trading with Cuba and continue to divert sales to competitors in other countries; and

WHEREAS, Iowa has sold over $30 million worth of food and agricultural products to Cuba since the restrictions on the sale of such products were eased in September 2001; and

WHEREAS, Cuba spends nearly $1 billion annually purchasing food from overseas, and this amount is expected to grow as Cuba recovers from the severe economic recession it has endured during the last decade following the withdrawal of subsidies from the former Soviet Union, and with an end to the embargo, it is estimated Cuba would spend the majority of this amount on exports from the United States; and

WHEREAS, a 2001 Texas A&M University study estimates that the value of food exports from Iowa to Cuba would be in excess of $70.8 million if the embargo were to end, accounting for an additional $160 million in economic output and a gain of more than 1,900 Iowa jobs, and the study found that Iowa ranks third among states that would benefit from increased trade with Cuba; and

WHEREAS, Cuba is a world leader in the development of biotechnology in agriculture and pharmaceuticals, including the development of a meningitis B vaccine that has virtually eliminated the disease in Cuba, and such products could provide protection for Americans against diseases that continue to threaten large populations around the world and could provide future avenues of cooperation in the life sciences between Iowa colleges and universities and private companies; and

WHEREAS, unrestricted travel to Cuba would increase the amount of Cuba resources available for purchasing U.S. agricultural products and travel by Americans to Cuba would increase the demand there for U.S. products, including higher quality U.S. food products; and

WHEREAS, current United States policy toward Cuba violates the basic human right of Iowans to travel freely; and

WHEREAS, the travel ban limits opportunities to promote cultural understanding and exchange between Cubans and Americans and impedes improved relations between the two countries; and

WHEREAS, bipartisan majorities of both chambers of the U.S. Congress have repeatedly voted in favor of easing the embargo against Cuba;

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE IOWA DEMOCRATIC PARTY, that the Party respectfully calls upon the Congress of the United States to act to remove all trade, financial, and travel restrictions relating to Cuba, and specifically that the Iowa Congressional Delegation work to end the embargo; the Party also calls upon the Iowa State Legislature to adopt a resolution calling for an end to the embargo; the Party also calls upon all 2004 Democratic Presidential Candidates to adopt a position in support of an end to the embargo.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the President of the Iowa Democratic Party shall forward copes of this resolution to all the Democratic Presidential Candidates and the members of Iowa’s congressional delegation.

http://www.lawg.org/tools/influencing/cubaresolution.htm

[Judi Lynn]

49. Now that's clear enough for me to understand. Very complete.

Iowa is NOT the only state to express these beliefs, either, is it?

I hope it's just a matter of time 'til they all get organized, Osolomia.

From their resolution:

(snip) NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE IOWA DEMOCRATIC PARTY, that the Party respectfully calls upon the Congress of the United States to act to remove all trade, financial, and travel restrictions relating to Cuba, and specifically that the Iowa Congressional Delegation work to end the embargo; the Party also calls upon the Iowa State Legislature to adopt a resolution calling for an end to the embargo; the Party also calls upon all 2004 Democratic Presidential Candidates to adopt a position in support of an end to the embargo.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the President of the Iowa Democratic Party shall forward copes of this resolution to all the Democratic Presidential Candidates and the members of Iowa’s congressional delegation. (snip/)

Thanks for posting this information. Iowa is joined by many other states in this position, as well.

[Osolomia]

53. Dems political activists better wake up and get organized fast!

For example:

Janury 18, 2004
Tightest Iowa race in 32 years

snip/...

Mrs. Michalski recalled meeting Mr. Edwards at an event early in the campaigns, and she asked him about his position on the existing U.S. ban on trade with Cuba. She said he told her he didn't want to answer that question, and that, she said, cost him any chance of gaining her support.

http://washingtontimes.com/national/20040117-115100-6417r.htm

[Judi Lynn]

54. Interesting to read he didn't WANT to answer

It's politically hot with some people, apparently they don't want to take a stand, and have some of the right-wing lunatics trying to pin a "commie" label on them.

What a bunch of bullies these murderous right-wingnuts are. If you don't agree with them, they DON'T respect your right to differ. Nope, they want to try to DESTROY you for your efforts.

Some respect for your "freedoms," I'd say.

This was interesting, from the article:

"I think that a few months into his campaign, he would have answered that question," she said. "I think they're better when they leave Iowa than when they got here."

Well, I'd sure as hell like to hear what he says when he finally DOES agree to share a peek at his "opinion" on the embargo/travel ban.

He shouldn't be so afraid to take a stand. Already a majority in the Senate wants to clean up our act with Cuba, and dismiss the embargo and travel ban. I'll bet if he just takes a stand, he'd be glad he did. He shouldn't let the bomb-tossing or bomber-hiring bullies keep him quivering in his boots on this important issue.

[Osolomia]

55. Kerry and Edwards were conveniently absent for the historic Senate vote

But Lieberman and Graham found the time to be there to vote AGAINST your freedom to travel

Senate Vote to End Travel Ban October 23, 2003
http://www.lawg.org/countries/Cuba/senate-votes.htm

Avoiding the issue out of fear of what the right wing lunatics might say doesn't do the Dems credibility much good.

[Judi Lynn]

56. Looking for Lieberman and Graham in google found this interesting article

(snip) Last August, Americas Watch and the Fund for Free Expression issued a report about abuse of human rights in Miami, documenting a campaign of intimidation and terror and criticizing U.S. Government "encouragement, primarily through funding, of groups that have been closely identified with efforts to restrict freedom of expression." The "principal example," says the report, is money granted to such groups as the Cuban American National Foundation, led by Jorge Mas Canosa.

Why do Democratic political leaders like Bradley, Graham, Torricelli and even the President do the bidding of this man? Some people answer that Mas is a multimillionaire power broker whose organization donates hundreds of thousands of dollars to politicians. For example, in April 1992, with his Presidential campaign grasping for money, Governor Clinton, in what The Boston Globe called "a Faustian bargain," attended a CANF-sponsored fund-raiser in Miami's Little Havana and announced to cheers, "I have read the Torricelli-Graham bill and I like it." He also declared that the Bush Administration "has missed a big opportunity to put the hammer down on Fidel Castro and Cuba." Clinton was rewarded with $125,000 and received an additional $150,000 at another CANF-sponsored event the same day in Coral Gables. Just before a key vote on the bill last September, Presidential candidate Clinton issued a press statement urging Congress to vote for it. Clinton's fee of $275,000 was cheap, merely half the $550,000 given by Cuban Americans to President Bush on October 23, the day he went to south Florida to sign the Cuban Democracy Act into law.

But there's more to this story than greed. Mas is just another in a long line of nefarious characters enlisted by Washington to overthrow Fidel Castro. In 1960, while Mas was a mere underling in the CIA plan for the Bay of Pigs invasion, the Eisenhower Administration was recruiting assassins from the top of organized crime to kill Prime Minister Castro. Evidently figuring that crime bosses were its best bet since they had lost Havana to revolutionaries and would be eager to resurrect the Playground of the Western World there, the U.S. Government hired Sam Giancana, John Roselli and Santo Trafficante Jr. to plot assassination upon assassination. (snip)

Two politicians changing their colors for the Miami mafia:

(snip) In November 1988, Democratic Senator Claiborne Pell of Rhode Island, chair of the Senate committee, and Torricelli, chair of the House subcommittee on Western Hemisphere Affairs, separately visited Cuba. Upon his return, Pell called for "a more rational and normalized relationship with Cuba," and promoted dialogue. But in 1990, facing a tough re-election campaign, Pell met with CANF members and came out in support of tightening the trade embargo.

He specifically endorsed a proposal by Senator Mack to outlaw trade with Cuba by subsidiaries of U.S. companies operating in third countries (now part of the Cuban Democracy Act).

For his part, Torricelli told reporters after returning from Cuba that "living standards are not high, but the homelessness, hunger and disease that is witnessed in much of Latin America does not appear evident." Yet, by 1991, Torricelli was working with Mas to overthrow the Cuban Government. (snip)

http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/JBFranklins/canf.htm



Ex-aide to Jesse Helms, _Bush's lib'rul fighter, Roger Noriega

[Judi Lynn]

57. Interesting material in that article

(snip) I suspect many Cubans of my generation feel the same way--though they may remain silent for fear of retribution from CANF. And that is a tragedy." (snip)

A guy, Armando Valladares, former political prisoner and whopper meister extraordinaire, they used for a propaganda story, turned his back on them (Cuban American National Foundation in Miami):
(snip) "Please do not use my name as a member of the committee for any reception or activity affiliated to the Cuban American National Foundation." (snip)

(snip) Mas is a master of pulling strings, a puppeteer who parlays money into influence and influence into money and power. In a current money-raising, power-grabbing gambit, he is collecting $25,000 each from businesspeople who want to be on the first ship to Havana "after the fall of Castro." Backers include the huge investment banking company of Lazard Freres headed by Felix Rohatyn (a major contributor to the Clinton Presidential campaign), Citibank, Bell South, General Cigar, Hyatt Hotels, and the Royal Caribbean Cruise Line, all looking forward to "returning democracy to Cuba."

When did Cuba have this democracy which can be returned? In 1898, when the United States intervened in the Cuban War of Independence to turn Cuba into a neo-colony? In 1901, when a U.S.-arranged election was won by a counterpart Mas often cites, Tomás Estrada Palma, who soon had to call for U.S. military intervention? In 1952, when the United States supported a coup by General Fulgencio Batista just in time to stop elections?

A right-wing multimillionaire at the head of Cuba's government would of course please U.S. financiers. But on the island,

few--even among the dissidents--want Jorge Mas Canosa for president. It was, after all, the reign of men like Mas that drove the Cuban people to revolution. (snip/)

http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/JBFranklins/canf.htm