Castro Signs Baseballs, Talks U.S. Ties

[Osolomia]

By LISA J. ADAMS
Associated Press Writer
February 9, 2004, 6:14 PM EST

HAVANA -- President Fidel Castro signed baseballs, handed out cigars and flower bouquets and discussed increased ties with the United States in a meeting Monday with two Republican legislators who want to lift a ban on U.S. travel to Cuba.

Sen. Larry Craig and U.S. Rep. Butch Otter, both of Idaho, "are pushing very hard to lift the travel restrictions," said Craig spokesman Mike Tracy, who attended the encounter with Castro at the Palace of the Revolution. The 22 other members of the trade and cultural delegation were also present, Tracy said.

Their meeting with Castro took place as the Bush administration announced it would freeze the bank accounts of companies controlled by the Cuban government or Cuban nationals that sell Americans illegal travel packages to the communist island.

Craig told reporters Saturday he thought the travel ban would be lifted by next year. He spoke after Idaho delegation members signed trade and cultural agreements with the Cuban government in front of Ernest Hemingway's former estate outside Havana.

... Idaho officials plan to return to the island to take part in a trade exhibition in April and said they hoped to invite Cuban officials to the state to participate in educational and cultural exchanges.

More...
http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/world/wire/sns-ap-castros-guests,0,2543838.story?coll=sns-ap-world-headlines

[Mika]

1. Sure are a lot of repug "Castro apologists", and more getting on board

At what point will the top Dem presidential candidates realize that a majority of Americans want to end the old policies against Cuba and normalize trade and travel relations?

Shame shame shame




Only ONE candidate for US president
openly states that he would end the
unjust policy of sanctions and embargoes
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]

2. What's the world coming to?

Senator Larry Craig, first an Idaho "Spuddy Buddy"


and now a "Castro Apologist," as Mika noted.



It's really intriguing, reading he told Fidel Castro that he expects the end of the travel ban soon.

So is it the END for Senator Larry Craig, as it was for Colorado Rep. David Skaggs, when he crossed the Miami Mafia, or is it actually the BEGINNING of a more respectable relationship with Cuba soon?

According to the article, looks like full speed ahead with Sen. Larry Craig:

(snip) Idaho officials plan to return to the island to take part in a trade exhibition in April and said they hoped to invite Cuban officials to the state to participate in educational and cultural exchanges. (snip)

It seems he must imagine the Congress will have a veto-proof majority or he wouldn't talk this way.(snip)Good Luck to Sen. and Spuddy Buddy Larry Craig.

[Osolomia]

5. Good luck to these Republicans indeed!

For those who expect better what alternative is there since evidently the Democrats prefer to keep their blinders firmly glued to their faces and cling to their hostile ignorant bigotry about their next door neighbors to this day.

[Osolomia]

3. Idaho Looks to Boost Trade with Cuba

While Dems cling to their ignorant bigotry:

February 9, 2004
Idaho Looks to Boost Trade with Cuba

Havana, Cuba -
Idaho Senator Larry Craig and Representative Butch Otter returned Monday from a three day trade mission to Cuba. Craig and other members of the Idaho delegation were talking about Idaho agriculture products. Craig expects immediate results, with orders for $10-million worth of Idaho potatoes and beans.

"It's clear they are ready to do business, so we've established a very positive relationship with them and I think that will continue. They are purchasing $350-400 billion in agricultural food products from the United States each year, and it's time Idaho got into that business," says Craig.

Earlier, Monday Craig met with Cuban president Fidel Castro. They talked about the the improving relations between the U.S. and Cuba. A couple of years ago the U.S. lifted the ban on sending agricultural products and medicine to Cuba. Craig is sponsoring legislation to lift the ban on travel to Cuba.

He says Cuba is entering a new era of cooperation with the U.S., and it's on the right track to better diplomatic relations.

More...
http://www2.kidktv.com/x18258.xml?ParentPageID=x3963&ContentID=x50650&Layout=kidk.xsl&AdGroupID=x18258

[Osolomia]

4. So there's no excuse for the ignorant bigotry of the Dems

:kick: