Obama may set new policy on Cuba's aging revolution

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Reuters

Obama may set new policy on Cuba's aging revolution
Mon Dec 29, 2008 3:19pm EST

By Anthony Boadle

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Five decades after Fidel Castro toppled a U.S.-backed dictator to take power in Cuba, the Cold War rivalry with Washington could be thawing as President-elect Barack Obama looks to ease sanctions against the communist-run island.

Obama has made clear he favors relaxing restrictions on family travel and cash remittances by Cuban Americans to Cuba, which this week marks the 50th anniversary of Castro's revolution.

Obama could also reverse other steps taken by outgoing President George W. Bush to tighten sanctions on Cuba, such as the prepayment of food imports from the United States, and he is expected to restore migration talks broken off by Bush.

Experts on Cuba believe modest changes in policy will come quickly, but stop short of lifting the trade embargo first imposed in 1962 or allowing all Americans to travel to the island 90 miles off the coast of Florida.



Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/politicsNews/idUSTRE4BS3VP20081229?rpc=401&

[David__77]

1. Relations must be as equals in every respect.

Cuba should only accept relations based on mutual respect and non-interference. It's been shown that Cuba does not need the US.

[ACTION BASTARD]

2. Cuba may not need the US--but we NEED those cigars!

Cohiba, Montecristos, Partagas, oh my!

[Judi Lynn]

3. Some Republicans seem to get them easily!

http://www.guerillaimports.com.nyud.net:8090/delay.jpg

In 2004 Cuban cigar lobbyists the Cuban Cigar Association of America (CCAA) offered a "gift" of free Cubans to DNC attendee's but the Democrats rejected the offer. When the same offer was made to the 4,470 Republican delegates attending the RNC convention it was accepted and each attendee found a free Hoyo de Monterrey cigar (valued at over $25 a piece) in their hotel room. The CCAA operated in a loophole in the embargo law that allows "non commercial" imports to some specially licensed groups. Its even rumored that many of New York City's more exclusive cigar parlors held private Cuban-smoking gatherings during the convention.

http://www.guerillaimports.com/republicans-love-cubans.php

I have a good feeling they have their Cuban "exile" friends in Miami simply pick them up in person! Not that far from Cuba to Rush Limbaugh's Palm Beach House of OxyContin.

[Colobo]

5. Cuba doesn't need the US... it needs freedom and capitalism.

[Solon]

6. Why do people always stick those two, more or less mutually exclusive words together?

"freedom and capitalism", uhm, I can understand the freedom bit, but what does capitalism have to do with it?

[blindpig]

12. Those words are mutually exclusive

unless you're a capitalist.

[IndianaGreen]

9. Capitalism enslaves people!

We should topple capitalism in our own country!

[blendermax]

11. Cuba needs capitalism?

Not the kind that requires taxpayers to fork out 700 billion dollars to bailout the Wall Street parasites I hope

[Cha]

4. I so hope this is true..

'cause I think the status quo is just wrong.

[kwenu]

7. It's in our foreign policy interest to improve relations with Cuba as a counter to Russia and China.

[IndianaGreen]

10. Let's end this Cold War mentality that has harmed our people

We are republic, not an empire. Let's abide by George Washington's words to avoid foreign entanglements.

[IndianaGreen]

8. How about lifting the embargo?

And stopping American campaign of terrorism against Cuba, together with extraditing the terrorist Posada Carriles to Venezuela to face charges for blowing up jetliner.

Playing golf while the world burns is not a good photo op.