Obama calls for 'new beginning' with Cuba

[Empulse]

http://www.latimes.com/media/photo/2009-04/46360930.jpg



Reporting from Tobago, Port-Of-Spain, Trinidad, and Washington — The U.S. and Cuba built sudden momentum Friday toward easing half a century of hostility as President Obama met Havana's willingness to discuss sensitive topics, including human rights, with a declaration that he was ready for a "new beginning" in relations.

One official acknowledged that the Obama administration was caught off guard by Cuban President Raul Castro's willingness to discuss issues long considered off-limits by the communist leadership. Obama wants Cuba to make the next move, possibly by releasing political prisoners or removing restrictions on the press, the official said.

Cuba's willingness to talk does not mean it is willing to change policies. But the rhetorical exchange was the most hopeful sign in years of a thawing in relations between the two countries. The possibility of change was emphasized by a friendly greeting between Obama and Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, a longtime U.S. critic and supporter of Cuba.

Obama and Chavez were among the leaders attending the Summit of the Americas in Trinidad and Tobago, a gathering of 34 democratically elected leaders from the Western Hemisphere. The two presidents shook hands and smiled broadly at each other.

The flurry of overtures represented the latest in the diplomatic choreography since the election of Obama. The U.S. president has called for a new openness with Cuba and has begun easing restrictions on contacts with the island.


Castro responded Thursday at a meeting of leftist leaders in Venezuela.

"We are willing to discuss everything -- human rights, freedom of press, political prisoners, everything, everything, everything they want to talk about," Castro said. "We could be wrong, we admit it. We're human."

Obama, in opening remarks at the summit Friday, spoke of the relationship between the two countries.

"The United States seeks a new beginning with Cuba," Obama said. "Over the past two years, I have indicated -- and I repeat today -- that I am prepared to have my administration engage with the Cuban government on a wide range of issues -- from human rights, free speech, and democratic reform to drugs, migration and economic issues."Continues here: http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-us-cuba18-2009apr18,0,1280937.story

Part of a strategy to limit Russian influence in the backyard? True or not, it will certainly work better than isolating them.

[zad]

Just bussines, the sanctions against Cuba just alienate the relation of the USA with Latin America and Spain. The embargo cut the possibilites of USA companies to do bussines in Cuba, European and Canadian companies don´t have those limitations. Also the strong stance of last administration was not very liked by most of the cuban-americans who saw restricted their visits to Cuba.

[Tribun]

Part of a strategy to limit Russian influence in the backyard? True or not, it will certainly work better than isolating them.

x2

It's an easy strategy to limit one problem, so Obama can concentrate on other, bigger issues. nice move!

[*zeven*]

Very nice move indeed.

[budgie]

About time. The best way to end dictatorship in Cuba is to try and bring them into the fold. It won't happen overnight but it's a start.

BTW the conservatives will have fun with that pic every time they want to call Obama a commie.

[oldsoak]

Could never understand why the US kept Cuba at arms length. If the US had carried on trading, old Castro would have been history the moment the locals realised that they could have their cake and eat it.

[WarriorMonk]

dunno why it wasn't done earlier, look at Vietnam, the traitors' vision has been corrupted...

[Aerosoul]

I like the idea of opening up Cuba, I don't like the bromance going on with Chavez.
Hopefully it's a ploy.

[millertime]

BTW the conservatives will have fun with that pic every time they want to call Obama a commie.


No douche bag, we'll use it to enslave him when the states regain their rights!

[commanding]

I also wish for a "new beginning" with Cuba. I say we invade the island, enforce the Monroe doctrine, put Castro and Raul in the same cell with Pineapple face and give the people back their land. This would have immediate positive outcome, first we could buy genuine Cuban made cigars in the state again, and second we wouldn't have to worry about Raul going out and brown nosing every lunkhead dictator in south America.

[PeterRJG]

I also wish for a "new beginning" with Cuba. I say we invade the island, enforce the Monroe doctrine, put Castro and Raul in the same cell with Pineapple face and give the people back their land. This would have immediate positive outcome, first we could buy genuine Cuban made cigars in the state again, and second we wouldn't have to worry about Raul going out and brown nosing every lunkhead dictator in south America.

I think you tried that one before. Bay of Pigs in 1961.

I'm glad you see that being able to buy cigars is a positive outcome. Good to see you have your priorities right.

[socom6]

I think you tried that one before. Bay of Pigs in 1961.


No bro u should read ur history right. It was US backed Cuban dissidents who did it with CIA help planned from the Eisenhower administration, Kennedy didnt like it and withheld US combat reinforcements when things went balls up.

[Awatron]

Oh, thats funny. "We didnt do it, we just payed a bunch of guy to do it. Dont blame us."rofl

I guess those B-26s were also flown by exile cubans?

[toad]

Oh, thats funny. "We didnt do it, we just payed a bunch of guy to do it. Dont blame us."rofl

I guess those B-26s were also flown by exile cubans?


and ...."President Kennedy authorized an “air-umbrella” at dawn on April 19, which called for six unmarked American fighter planes to help defend the Brigade's B-26 aircraft flying from Nicaragua." (resulted in the loss of four American airmen on April 19)

The failure at the Bay of Pigs had a lasting impact on the Kennedy administration. The commitment to erase this blot from the historical record contributed to the November 1961 decision to establish Operation Mongoose--a plan to sabotage and destabilize the Cuban government and economy, including the possible assassination of Castro himself. More than 40 years later, relations between Castro's Cuba and the United States remain tense and tenuous at best. < JFK Presidential Library

...and yea, at least some of the crew in those 26's were Americans


JFK set the plan in motion without the will to carry it thru. It had lasting effects for decades.

Wonder if we are seeing actions today that wil be viewed as 'a good thing'....only to have adverse effects against us down the road. Uninentional consequences.

[LineDoggie]

About time. The best way to end dictatorship in Cuba is to try and bring them into the fold. It won't happen overnight but it's a start.

BTW the conservatives will have fun with that pic every time they want to call Obama a commie.Sure that would have worked with Benito and his amigo Adolf :roll: hey guys c'mon over for the BBQ

As for the Pic? why not, Lefties had a Ball with the Rumsfeld/Saddam pic for 8 years, cant whine now when the shoe is on the other foot.




But they'll try

[Mr Gently Benevolent]

I also wish for a "new beginning" with Cuba. I say we invade the island, enforce the Monroe doctrine, put Castro and Raul in the same cell with Pineapple face and give the people back their land. This would have immediate positive outcome, first we could buy genuine Cuban made cigars in the state again, and second we wouldn't have to worry about Raul going out and brown nosing every lunkhead dictator in south America.Or you can do it the easy bloodless way. Raul might be the kid brother but he is knocking on himself and if you know anything about doing business in Cuba you will know there is an army of budding capitalists over there many of them in junior positions in government. The one thing some US interests will have to wake up to is the Cubans are going to turn sour if there is a mass of yanqui carpet baggers that start invading the island. They want democracy and they want capitalism lite but they still want the same education and health care they have had for decades.

[oldsoak]

@linedoggie

- problem is its only the US holding out, the ROW hasnt been overrun by Cuban military might the way it was with Adolf. We get their rum and tobacco and they get hard currency. Now, I'd argue that Castro is probably one of the least problematic to the US in the sense he lacks the ability to do real damage ( heck - who carried out 911 ? ) and he's got one foot in the next world. Were I the US, now would be the time to open the door a little - you did it to Vietnam, and more US servicemen died fighting the North than in any spat with Cuba.

[budgie]

I also wish for a "new beginning" with Cuba. I say we invade the island, enforce the Monroe doctrine, put Castro and Raul in the same cell with Pineapple face and give the people back their land. This would have immediate positive outcome, first we could buy genuine Cuban made cigars in the state again, and second we wouldn't have to worry about Raul going out and brown nosing every lunkhead dictator in south America.


Invade? 　What century is this? Invasion was tried and failed. If it had been viable it might have been attempted again in the past 5 decades don't you think? While the rest of the world has been queitly dealing with Cuba, America has continued to pretend it is the sole decider of who gets to be a pariah state. If Obama truly seeks a change of direction it's high time.

[Brasi]

I like the idea of opening up Cuba, I don't like the bromance going on with Chavez.
Hopefully it's a ploy.

LMAO, I couldn't agree more.

[commanding]

Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, in order to assure the survival and the success of liberty.

To our sister republics south of our border, we offer a special pledge—to convert our good words into good deeds—in a new alliance for progress—to assist free men and free governments in casting off the chains of poverty. But this peaceful revolution of hope cannot become the prey of hostile powers. Let all our neighbors know that we shall join with them to oppose aggression or subversion anywhere in the Americas. And let every other power know that this Hemisphere intends to remain the master of its own house.

(from President John Kennedy's inaugral speech in case you are history challenged )

(the last time the USA invaded Cuba, the war started in May, and the peace treaty was signed in Decemeber 1898) (and the US did not annex Cuba as a territory, but allowed the country to govern itself, asking only for a coaling station at the bay of Gitmo)

[Jobu]

**** the Castros.

I'll be open to normal relations with Cuba when they get rid of these dirtbag dictators.

[SBL]

**** the Castros.

I'll be open to normal relations with Cuba when they get rid of these dirtbag dictators.
I'll bet they can be bought.

[oldsoak]

**** the Castros.

I'll be open to normal relations with Cuba when they get rid of these dirtbag dictators.

- holding the locals to ransom over their masters often gets the "Yep, what Fidel says is true, the US are trying to screw us ". Far better to get 'em into the fold and say \"come and see how bad we are and make your own mind up".

[socom6]

Or you can do it the easy bloodless way. Raul might be the kid brother but he is knocking on himself and if you know anything about doing business in Cuba you will know there is an army of budding capitalists over there many of them in junior positions in government. The one thing some US interests will have to wake up to is the Cubans are going to turn sour if the a mass of yanqui carpet baggers start invading the island. They want democracy and they want capitalism lite but they still want the same education and health care they have had for decades.

Exactly its just like that. The Cubans are going to still want their vaunted social services (education,health) free and still effective. I think Cuba can have social equity with private paid health care and education reserved for foreign expats and Cubans who want and can afford them.

Things can get really nasty if Florida Cubans and foreign capitalists run come down and start "taking over" making the local Cubans feel left out and angry. The road to freedom in Cuba must be paved by the Cubans themselves and in due time it will be achieved.