‘First, do nothing useful’ seems to be Bush’s Cuba policy

Published on Tuesday, November 27, 2007 4:46 PM MST

The vigil for a new day in Cuba has for some time been focused in the wrong direction; all eyes are on Fidel Castro, as the world waits for him to die.

The fantasy goes something like this: Once the grizzled dictator is dead and buried, a new day will dawn for the Cuban people. No longer fearful of harsh reprisals, they will take to the streets of Havana to demand democracy. The spirit of freedom will blossom and the Cuban communism will be overturned in free and open elections.

Thing is, Castro has essentially been dead for 15 months. That’s how long it’s been since he was last seen publicly. The video images of him in a tracksuit still jabbing at George Bush only prove he is breathing. But governing? Not so much.

National issues
Mary Sanchez

Castro ceded power to his brother Raul in July 2006. And virtually nothing has changed in the island nation since. So when Castro’s heart stops beating, don’t expect mass demonstrations in Cuba to match the jubilation in Miami. Raul is younger and a far less intriguing personality. But all indicators are that he will continue to lead much as his revolutionary elder sibling did for nearly 50 years.

A better clue to how things could change in Cuba just might be in Washington. A changing of the guard at the White House is the one transition people can count on. Castro may hang on to life, but Bush will be packing his bags this time next year.

And so it is imperative that people begin querying the presidential candidates for their views on Cuba. Here is a debate question I’d like somebody to ask candidates: Are you the type of leader who will relentlessly cling to an embargo that has failed to produce the desired results for nearly 50 years?

If the next occupant of the White House chooses to unravel the mess the current administration has made of Cuba policy, it’s going to take a lot of diligence. For years Bush has been hell-bent on entrenching U.S./Cuba foreign policy in the failed policies of the embargo. And he appears ready to use his limited time left in office to intensify that effort.

Under the embargo, travel to Cuba is restricted. Journalists, close family members of Cubans, government officials and some educators are allowed, but only after the State Department gives its OK. Under Bush, it has done so with less and less frequency. And Cuban-Americans are being further separated from their family members on the island: They are allowed only one visit every three years, instead of an annual trip.

Now Bush administration officials are poised to severely curtail yet another legal route to visiting the island. According to advocates for more open relations with Cuba, the Office of Foreign Assets Control, part of the Treasury Department, may implement a policy change reducing travel between the United States and Cuba for performers. A letter-writing campaign, drawing the support of musician Tre’ Cool of Green Day and actors Sean Penn and Danny Glover, is underway to forestall any such policy change.

Almost everywhere else in the world communism has held sway, the Bush administration has promoted the idea of cultural exchange, allowing our scholars, students, artists and performers to interact with theirs. But Cuba somehow remains different.

Among the presidential frontrunners, Hillary Clinton oddly is bowing toward Bush’s position, implying she will be hard on dictators like Castro. She is opposed to lifting the embargo, as are Mitt Romney, Rudy Giuliani, Fred Thompson and John McCain.

Barack Obama has wisely split from the pack, noting in a recent statement, “To help advance democratic change in Cuba, we need to grant Cuban Americans the unfettered ability to visit family on the island and to send them remittances.”

The Cuba Research and Analysis Group, an organization that opposes the new restrictions on travel to Cuba, has contrasted the administration's hard line with sentiments first lady Laura Bush expressed last year while touting the State Department’s Global Cultural Initiative campaign.

“One of the best ways we can deepen our friendships with the people of all countries,” the other Bush said, “is for us to better understand each other’s cultures by enjoying each other’s literature, music, films and visual arts.”

Perhaps Laura can speak to her husband. Never mind. He’ll be gone soon.

Mary Sanchez is an opinion page columnist for The Kansas City Star.

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Comments

The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of the Sidney Herald.

Humberto Guerro wrote on Dec 8, 2007 11:31 PM:

" May Fidel and his legacy live forever. If all of the past and present "Third World" countries had leaders as honest and as caring for their people as Fidel Castro has been, the "syndrome of dependency" and the "aspersion of failed states" -- products of Capitalism -- would be proudly erased. Walter Rodney, author of "How Europe Underdeveloped Africa" was most correct when he advised that the "underdeveloped nations" should make a total break with Imperialism/Capitalism -- the historical and current source of their backwardess. The U.S. Embargo forced Cubans to find their inner resouces: and as such they have excelled at education. medicine, sports, and altruism. "

Kenneth T. Tellis wrote on Dec 4, 2007 3:31 PM:

" Cubans must never return to the state they were in before Fidel Castro Ruz liberated his homeland from the pseudo-democracy the U.S. inflicted at the hands of satraps like Fulgencio Bastista. The embargo can can go on for ever and Cubans will still be able to survive, because they have the know-how. Just look at how the people have education, medic care, food and housing. Cubans are now healthier than at time in their history, because Fast Foods American Style are gone, and so has all the medical problems with it. Just take a good look at the U.S. and note that 60% of Americans are obese, there is a lot of sick people who cannot get medicare, because they are too poor. Medication is beyond their cost and there is human tragedy. Cubans should be thankful to Bush for giving them back their health, by his inane sanctions that help rather than hurt Cuba. Hata pronto, y a victoria siempre! "

Ernesto wrote on Dec 4, 2007 11:22 AM:

" Cuba is so beautiful and calm, that I am going to retired out there. The crime is very low, the respect is very high, talent is appreciated (I am a computer programer, so I can teach), the weather is wonderful.As for Fidel... que Dios te bendiga (God bless you), he has been ablet to resist all the threats from US, and still resisting. I am going to the island next week to spend my Xmas and new year in this beautiful island where your smile is worth more than your money (puro corazon). Que viva Cuba Libre! Fidel the world needs you, the world needs many more Cuba libres. Thank you Fidel for Cuba. The Horse will ride forever. "

Mike wrote on Dec 4, 2007 10:18 AM:

" To attribute the current Cuba/US standoff to George Bush is quite a bit shortsighted. The US embargo against Cuba has been in place since the early 1960s and not one president in the interim has endeavored to resolve the conflict. Canada's Stephen Harper takes the right approach. Canada and Cuba are trading partners and dialogue between the two nations is frequent and encouraged. It's time to end this long standing posture of bravado. It has obviously been a tremendous failure. "

JG wrote on Dec 4, 2007 9:36 AM:

" I'm a CONSERVATIVE and Cuban American. The policy we have had towards Cuba has not worked, that is a fact. We should revisit it. Also, just because their country has a diff government than we have and different values, it doesn't mean we have to be their enemy. I hate CASTRO and what he has done to CUBA, but our policy has only hurt the innocent Cuban people and has done nothing to hurt Castro or their communist gov't. "

Billy wrote on Dec 2, 2007 12:40 PM:

" Apparently ,Darin, there are "good" communists in China and "bad" communists in Cuba. Such is hypocrisy of U.S. foreign policy--or is it opportunism? "

Darin wrote on Nov 29, 2007 3:22 PM:

" The embargo is one of the stupidest policies our government supports. It's motivated by politics and ego's. North Korea has to be worse than Cuba but our government has relations with it and communist China. "

BARB wrote on Nov 29, 2007 9:32 AM:

" Richard M. DO YOUR RESEARCH BEFORE YOU LET SO MUCH GARBAGE FLOW FROM YOUR MOUTH!! THE CUBANS ARE NOT ILLEGALS, THANKS TO THE WETFOOT DRYFOOT POLICY. IF YOU WANT TO COMPLAIN ABOUT ILLEGALS GO SOMEWHERE ELSE. THIS ISN'T THE PLACE FOR YOU!! THE EMBARGO NEEDS TO BE DROPPED FOR ANY PROGRESS TO BE MADE. IF THE US WAS REALLY WORRIED ABOUT HELPING CUBA BECOME A DEMOCRACY THE EMBARGO WOULD HAVE BEEN LIFTED. THUS FAR, IT HASN'T DONE ANYTHING BUT CAUSE MANY PROBLEMS BETWEEN OUR COUNTRIES FOR 50 YEARS. MAYBE IF THE U.S WORRIED MORE ABOUT THEIR OWN ISSUES HERE AT HOME AND NOT THOSE OF OTHER COUNTRIES WE WOULD BE A BIT BETTER OFF. WHAT A GOOD QUESTION!! HOW MUCH HAS BEEN SPENT ON THE EMBARGO?? CAN SOMEONE TELL US?? WE HAVEN'T HEARD ANYTHING ABOUT THIS!! IT'S OUR TAX MONEY!! WE COULD USE THAT MONEY TO FEED, HOUSE, AND EDUCATE OUR OWN PEOPLE, OUR YOUTH THE FUTURE OF OUR COUNTRY!! THE U.S SHOULD STOP TRYING TO RUN EVERYONE ELSE'S GOVERNMENTS. MIND THEIR OWN BUSINESS, AND STOP TELLING OTHER LEADERS HOW THEY SHOULD DO THINGS. THINGS HERE ARE CHANGING RAPIDLY!! THE COMMUNIST PARTY IS AT OUR BACK DOOR AND IF THE US DOESN'T PAY CLOSER ATTENTION THERE'S GOING TO BE TROUBLE. BUSH HAS LEFT A HUGE MESS FOR THE NEXT PRESIDENT TO CLEAN UP. HIS POLICY HAS FAILED IN MANY WAYS. LOOK AT WHAT BUSH HAS DONE TO OUR COUNTRY!! HE HAS DESTROYED OUR HONOR, OUR REPUTATION. WHEN WILL IT END? IT'S TIME TO MOVE AHEAD AND MAKE NEW FRESH CHANGES. "

Pat wrote on Nov 29, 2007 6:09 AM:

" By the way Louis, in 1959 Cuba wasn't a 3rd World country. It superceded the USA with regards to medicine. It's this statement, which puts the US in backwards mode. Richard M.- Cubans aren't illegal. Thanks to the USA, once they step on land they are considered legal. It's called the wetfoot dryfoot policy. "

CARLOS IMMANUEL LLANES SR wrote on Nov 28, 2007 5:44 PM:

" FOR MOST OF YOU; YOU CANT IMAGINE WHATS LIKE TO LIVE WITH THIS VERY INTELLIGENT BEAST. I AM CUBAN BY BIRTH , MY OWN FAMILY HELP THIS ANIMAL RISE TO POWER ON ONE TO ONE BASIS, HE PERSINALY KNOWS MY SELF AND MY OWN BROTHER'S AND SISTER'S WHO ARE CUBAN SPIES- DIPLOMATS. YET ON THE OTHER HAND I AM PROUD TO SERVED THE OVAL OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES AND THE SENATE FOR I AM A U.S ARMY DISABLE VETERAN THAT FOR MOST OF MY LIFE HAVE FOUGHT TO MAKE CUBA PART OF THE UNITED STATES . I SERVED A MIGHTY GOD OF YISRAEL GENESIS (2)2 EXODUS (31) 14 PSALM (127) 2 SEEK THE LORD JESUS CHRIST. SINCE 1765 THE U.S CONSTITUTION AND ITS FRAMES ,ADDED OVER 1500 HUNDRED BIBLE VERSES IN THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDANCE JOHN ADAMS ,JOHN HANNCOK. WWW.WALLBUILDERS.COM AS TO FIDEL CASTRO RUIZ AND RAUL ,RAMOM AND SISTER THEY CAN ALL GO HELL A.S.A.P. IF AMERICANS DON'T WAKE UP THE MISSILE CRISSIS OF THE PAST FOR IT WILL BE HERE VERY SOON.THE CUBAN GOVERMENT MUST COME DOWN. FOR OUR VERY SURVIVAL..... I AM A AMERICAN JEW WHO HAS FOUGHT THIS EVIL THEIR. LOOK AT THE NEW RUSSIA (PUTIN) AND VENESUELA (CHAVEZ) WAKE UP BEFORE IS TO LATE. I AM A DISTINGUISHED MEMBER REPUBLICAN SENATORIAL INNER CIRCLE- ROUND TABLE AND THE REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL TASK FORCE 187111644 WWW.NRSC.ORG SHALO'M 5768 CARLOS IMMANUEL LLANES SR "

Bill wrote on Nov 28, 2007 5:26 PM:

" Mary: “The biggest crime is done by the government”: When we talk about repressive government our glass house can’t stand up to the same type of scrutiny. American on SS and pension funds isn’t allowed to receive any of his money to live on, if he chose to live in Cuba. To equal one Euro it takes $1.48 USD our dollar is in the toilet and it’s our ignorant arrogance that put it their. The Bush policy has been a dismal failure. Who is the villain Fidel or George? Mary if you understood what our policy toward Cuba is you wouldn’t ask Eric why he didn’t stay there. It’s painful to hear my fellow Citizens make absurd comments about Fidel Castro when we have a President that has damage our world image, the USA no longer holders the moral high ground, how low can we go, to consider torturing people is a complete loss of honor. We were once respected as a world leader; we are now viewed as a Nation without principle. A change in our Cuban policy would be one rode back to respectability. "

George wrote on Nov 28, 2007 3:38 PM:

" Hey Richard M, FYI The Cubans are some of the few immigrants within the last 50 years that are actually here legally. There are no illegal Cubans here because of the dry foot/wet foot laws relative to refuge. Do some research before you spout nonsense. "

Jose wrote on Nov 28, 2007 3:17 PM:

" It is incredible to me that people still praise Castro and the cuban system -Why cubans try to escape from the island? Get a life and deal with the reality that after 49 yrs Cuba is a disaster. The Cuban govt. can buy anything in the open mkt. Batista died 25 yrs ago -What does he has to do with the Cuba of today? -absolutely nothing-Castro is nothing more than a cruel dictator. "

Alicia wrote on Nov 28, 2007 2:37 PM:

" God bless Cuba and the Cuban people, if i could pack up and move to Cuba - i would with no hesitation. America is becoming a modern day Sodom and Gomorrah, racism is at high especially towards Latinos/Blacks, not to mention the crimes against children are out of control, what's wrong, has become right in the eyes of most Americans, and our system isn't worth speaking on. Wasn't it most of the "rich" people who fled Cuba when Castro took office? I'm fond of Castro because he has stood his ground and he is for the poor. God bless Castro! "

Judá wrote on Nov 28, 2007 1:13 PM:

" Bravo for the reporter and for the previous commentators that's all true Cuba must be for real Cubans not for the cartel from Miami if Cuban people disliked Fidel long time ago he would be changed one thing is for sure Cubans hate the American meddling in their business even amongst the so called activists like Payá "

Mary wrote on Nov 28, 2007 1:00 PM:

" Eric, if you think life in Cuba was so wonderful why didn't you stay there.? One thing is visiting as a tourist and another is to live in that country. Where did you get the idea that there is no crime in Cuba? The biggest crime is done by the government. Talk to Cubans that have left the country resently and you will not say that ever again. I think you and your family should give up all your rights as American citizens and move to that wonderful island. Make sure you exchange your dollars for Euros. "

Louis wrote on Nov 28, 2007 12:17 PM:

" Well said John R.; we all know now how corrupted and close to organised crime was Batista...he fled to Spain, a fascist state then, with money from Cuba; The white house never got outraged by Batista's behaviour...but came Castro, alphabetisation for all and medicare for all as well...quite an accomplishment for 3rd world country. I am flying to Havana tomorrow, i'll be there for three months, feeling freer in the streets of Havana than any cities in the USA...music and people singing in the streets, fiesta or not, asi esta, chao "

Richard M wrote on Nov 28, 2007 11:56 AM:

" if the cubans who came to this country illegaly want to visit tell them to stay. im sick and tired of catering to illegals. have penn and glover stay there too who needs washed up actors anyway "

Jack M. wrote on Nov 28, 2007 11:29 AM:

" It's time to get our head out of the sand. With the restrictions we place on Cuba, we just make it easier for other governments like venezuela to secure a foothold there. We should convince them to like us and want us there instead of trying to convince others not to go there. C'mon, 50 years of something that doesn't work is enough. Instead of spending our tax money on something that doesn't work, lets spend it on something that does. Just wondering, how much has this embargo cost us taxpayers in fifty years? "

John R. wrote on Nov 28, 2007 9:50 AM:

" Long Live Fidel! The U.S. has always had an obsession with purchasing, dominating or annexing Cuba. Fidel resists that; and as a consequence the American Government hates him, while professing hypocritical concern about "democracy" and "human rights" and "freedom." When Batista was in power and American capitalism held sway, where was U.S. concern about freedom, democracy and human rights? "

Margaret Manyo wrote on Nov 28, 2007 8:58 AM:

" You forgot Dennis Kuciich who is running for president. He would end the embargo and travel ban on Cuba. We don't have a Democracy here in the U.S. The Cuban people should decide for themselves what type of government they want. "

rsnlk wrote on Nov 28, 2007 7:09 AM:

" Perhaps if "artists" like Sean Penn and Danny Glover kept their commentary in the realm of the artistic, there would not be an issue with performers. "

Eric D wrote on Nov 27, 2007 7:06 PM:

" I went to Cuba a few years ago for two weeks,it was the best trip of my life! The people are the best in the world,there is no crime,and the children are able to play unsupervised in the streets without fear of harm. Read the book by Phillip Agee"in the company" That book exposes the true reason for the embargo!!! "

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