Why the U.S. Must Help Cuba

[Popol Vuh]

Source: Foreign Policy In Focus

Russia sent large amounts of aid to Cuba. Colombian President Álvaro Uribe quickly dispatched food and construction materials, and poor nations in the region, including Honduras and the Dominican Republic, sent supplies. Even tiny East Timor and Grand Cayman pledged humanitarian assistance. All provided aid without conditions in this time of immense need.

Aid Roadblocks

In contrast, the U.S. government responded slowly and put up significant roadblocks to aid. Instead, Washington agreed to allow some licensed nongovernmental organizations to each send Cuba up to $10 million in humanitarian aid until December. But these efforts by charities won't suffice to stem the likely massive migration of Cubans over the coming months.

-snip-

A week later Cuba's leaders, facing this post-storm crisis, sought creative ways for the U.S. government to provide assistance. They suggested Washington sell Cuba materials to reconstruct damaged parts of the island. Furthermore, Havana accepted the idea that this breach of Cuba's trade embargo would be limited. But the Bush administration has thus far refused to consider temporarily dropping the current restrictions that prohibit assistance to Cuba.


Read more: http://www.fpif.org/fpiftxt/5615

[LynnTheDem]

1. America; biggest bully on the block.

Smallest heart and mind.

















Just like The Decider of America; George W. bUsh.

[manray11]

2. Another vile crime...

This subject should be high on the list even at DU... This nonsense has to be confronted, discussed and highlighted. Katrina came to mind instantly when I saw the headline, Bush evacuated (saved) not one man, woman or child (i believe he was birthday partying in Arizona with McCain at the time).

[spag68]

3. Cuba

I'm only surprised that they don't realize that their own ex patriots are the ones that have pressured the government here for the last 50 or so years. I am old enough to have heard from my mom and her friends how much they loved Havana. I myself was in Gitmo when it was a paradise for sailors, cheap drinks, bowling alleys, sports of all kinds, just a great place.I lived in MIami for 7 years 2 of them on SW22 St. and really liked the cuban culture, except for the unrelenting hatred for Fidel< probably deserved>. Now that new generations of Cubans have grown up as citizens, maybe we can make some progress toward having another beautiful Island near us to visit. It really won't take much, a couple McDonalds, some farm assistance, some free enterprise, and actually TALKING to Politicians and leaders there, could happen almost overnight. It is stupid to have this island 90 miles from Key West and not do business with them. If we don't someone else will, whoops, that would be everyone else in the world.