Today’s print media coverage of the president’s visit to Brazil leads me to this post.
It’s time for a short history lesson. We have a generation that was born after the Bay of Pigs who probably don’t even know what is was and what it represented. As I reflect on our former WW2 adversaries, namely Japan and Germany, resulting in the loss of over 400,000 U.S. troops in that Second World War, we eventually helped rebuild those axis nations with US dollars. Since that time they have become allies of the US and represent some of our largest supporters.
A decade later, in the Korean War, we had to contend with the People’s Republic of China. China was the principle supporter of the North Korean Army KPA. President Nixon opened the door to that Nation in his 1971 visit to meet with Chairman Mao Zedong, Founder of the People’s Republic of China. Chairman Mao’s (Communist) Red Guards tortured and killed multi millions of their citizens during their Cultural Revolution. Yet today we enjoy a trade agreement with that Nation who manufacturers products that can be found in any store where we shop.
Although considerably smaller than Brazil, the Nation of Cuba, located 90 miles south of the Florida Keys, also produces sugar cane that can be used for ethanol fuel. If our goal is to reduce our dependence on imported oil than every alternate energy source should be considered. Let me remind readers that we were the aggressors, supported the attack on Fidel Castro’s Cuba back in 1961, yet the US seems to have a dual standard on relationships with Communist Nations. We spent billions during the Cold War to stay ahead of the USSR nations who have since become our friends, have massive trade with China importing over $288 billion dollars in 2006, yet continue to boycott Cuba nearly 50 years after that botched C.I.A. attack.
Question. Should we re-visit our trade and tourism relationship with Cuba?
I leave the answer to that to my Cuban friends in Miami. The answer is a resounding no.
Simple answer: YES!!!
After all the back-and-forth bellicosity of the Cold War days, it was ultimately cooperation, trade, and a little more “glasnost” on both sides that helped end the Cold War. Hopefully, the same will happen in China (though I do think we need to be a little more diplomatically assertive in urging the Chinese govt. to follow up its economic reforms with political reform). However, we continue to miss a great opportunity in Cuba.
So long as we continue to ostracize and alienate Cuba, we are giving the Cuban people a reason to look to Castro for solutions. However, Fidel won’t be around forever… And perhaps if we start opening up to Cuba, we’ll hasten Castro’s demise in the same manner that we hastened the Soviet Union’s collapse by going along with Gorbachev and opening up to them.
You brought up some good points, Larry. Now let’s see if the other “conservatives” see the same opportunities that you do.
: )
As one English statesman said, “Free Trade is God’s Diplomacy.” I say, heck yes we should renew our trade relations with Cuba. Communism has been proven to be a failed concept. Free trade will open Cuba’s exposure to what freedom offers and then you will see change. Yes, it may take Fidel dieing to really get things going, but that is only a matter of time.
Cut foreign aid to Israel, the Palestinian Authority, and everywhere else and just embrace free trade with everyone.
Freedom works!
Andy Favor
2nd Try posting. Using “Other” Did not work apparently.
As a follow up to our relationship with China, a communist nation who engages in religious persecution and human rights violations, let me report that both President’s Clinton and Bush wanted to grant them PNTR status. Permanent Normal Trade Relations was eventually approved by Pres Bush in 2001 and became effective on Jan 1, 2002.
From Cuban exiles we hear rumors of Fidel’s failing health and that his brother will take over the leadership of that Communist country if he hasn’t already done so.
No, I am not looking to buy any Cuban cigars or a ’57 Chevy with pom pom’s but recognize that we are being inconsistent in selecting our trade partners.
In Berlin, Germany 20 years ago this month former President Ronald Reagan made the following statement:
“General Secretary Gorbachev, if you seek peace, if you seek prosperity for the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, if you seek liberalization: Come here to this gate! Mr. Gorbachev, open this gate! Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!”
Perhaps it is time to take a similar step in our relationship with Cuba.
My error. The Reagan plea to Gorbachev was on June 12,1987