OpEd: Greasing the wheels

[Texano78704]

This is truly ironic.

June 17, 2008
Greasing the wheels
Cuba's plans to drill for oil near Florida could hasten the end of misguided U.S. trade embargo.
Copyright 2008 Houston Chronicle

The end of the longest trade embargo in modern history, imposed by the United States on Fidel Castro's communist regime in Cuba in 1962, might finally be in sight. Not because the current administration has finally realized it didn't work, but because Cuba is planning to drill for oil 50 miles from the Florida Keys.

This would provide the impetus for the two estranged countries to come together for mutual advantage, reports Jeff Franks for Reuters, opening up a desperately needed source of oil for the United States and a multibillion-dollar business opportunity.

But getting there would first require a sea change in U.S. policy — a major easing of the embargo. Its foes say this is a distinct possibility, given the combination of economics, energy demands and environmental concerns, as well as the fact that both countries are facing new leadership. But it will not be feasible until President Bush, who has toughened the embargo and threatened to veto legislation, leaves office.

The rest is available here:
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/editorial/5842830.html