Tweeting with the enemy: US Envoy In Cuba Engages Critics On And Offline

[stargazer14]

"Tribble, the No. 2 official at the U.S. mission, declined to be interviewed because he was not authorized to do so by the U.S. State Department. But he sends out up to a dozen blasts each day on everything from Cuba news to his beloved Bayern Munich soccer club.

Alejandro Cruz, one of the organizers of the tweet-up, said he was surprised by Tribble's participation. But "it was an open, free space, and anyone who wanted to speak was allowed to. I think he just wanted to impart a message of soft power, something like: 'Guys, don't worry, we're not evil, even though it seems like it because we're been blockading you for more than 50 years.'"

Last Friday, former Cuban diplomat Carlos Alzugaray wrote a letter published on Cruz's blog saying that respectful dialogue with some American diplomats can be possible and even productive.

"Opening the doors to Mr. Tribble is an intelligent, courteous and appropriate step. The response cannot be silence. ... If Mr. Tribble wants to know how we Cubans think about all trends and opinions; receiving and listening to him strengthens, not weakens us," Alzugaray wrote.

"Although there are more than enough reasons to mistrust, nothing is lost by giving him the benefit of the doubt," he concluded.

Link to story here

[alloy]

Thank you Mr. Tribble! Now if Washington will get off it's collective arses and end the stupid blockade (it's really worked hasn't it?), we could move on to better relations. The US has relations with Vietnam and China. Hmmm...they're communist also. Shouldn't we have blockaded them also?

[stargazer14]

I can understand sanctions in certain instances (not 50year old ones tho) but dialogue is always a good thing, and it is something rare these days.

I can't stand the 'oh, they are doing something we dont like so we are not going to talk to them anymore' mentality that my government has sometimes. It accomplishes nothing except wasting time, building fear, and losing lives.

So, I see this small gesture of 'tweeting' as a good thing.

[Orion21]

To the rest of the world:

Very few if anyone outside the Anti-Castro Cuban's in Miami view Cuba as an "enemy." I think if you were to talk to the average American the vast majority would express the view that the embargo has lasted too long and that it should end. Anyone with half a brain doesn't understand why our government allows travel to North Korea and China, but not Cuba.

[Dara]

To the rest of the world:

Very few if anyone outside the Anti-Castro Cuban's in Miami view Cuba as an "enemy." I think if you were to talk to the average American the vast majority would express the view that the embargo has lasted too long and that it should end. Anyone with half a brain doesn't understand why our government allows travel to North Korea and China, but not Cuba.

Isn't Florida usually a key state for the presidential elections?????

I'd imagine when Fidel inevitably passes, there may be a slow defrosting of relations with Cuba. The older Cubans in Florida are the ones who had to up sticks and leave their homes etc behind when Batista was overthrown, so obviously they don't want to see the US ease sanctions as in their eyes that would mean Fidel has won.

I did find it funny working for an American company and attending a conference in Washington where Cuba was mentioned in the same breath by the US treasury department as Iran & North Korea as a "state sponsor of terrorism"......Cuba couldn't afford to sponsor anything!

[El Presidente]

I still can't understand how good US people can have their cigars confiscated while Imperial Tobacco (through Altadis) are one of the two largest premium cigar distributors in the US...while owning 50% of HSA.

Sometimes it is not worth trying to make sense of Govt.

[pearcea1]

Isn't Florida usually a key state for the presidential elections?????

I'd imagine when Fidel inevitably passes, there may be a slow defrosting of relations with Cuba. The older Cubans in Florida are the ones who had to up sticks and leave their homes etc behind when Batista was overthrown, so obviously they don't want to see the US ease sanctions as in their eyes that would mean Fidel has won.

I did find it funny working for an American company and attending a conference in Washington where Cuba was mentioned in the same breath by the US treasury department as Iran & North Korea as a "state sponsor of terrorism"......Cuba couldn't afford to sponsor anything!

Yes Florida is a swing state meaning unlike say New York or Texas it's votes are likely to switch their votes from one political party to another based on major issues . It also has one of the largest numbers of electoral votes in the Union. Add those things in with FL having the largest number of Cuban residents in the US and no party wants to piss them off. It's one of those states you pretty much have to carry to win.

[Ryan]

I still can't understand how good US people can have their cigars confiscated while Imperial Tobacco (through Altadis) are one of the two largest premium cigar distributors in the US...while owning 50% of HSA.

Sometimes it is not worth trying to make sense of Govt.

It's like the recent Apple story regarding corporate tax. "It's not Apple if they call it something else."

Imperial should move their base to Ireland, even a room with a desk and a chair and a skewed sign on a door would do. Then they could pay 0.05% corporate tax too.

I like this guy, Pedro Camargo. Great articles on him regarding cotton and sugar. Because of him, the US now pays $150m a year to Brazil to grow cotton.

http://www.npr.org/b...31192182/cotton

and sugar, although it destroyed, at least temporarily, the Irish sugar industry.

http://www.npr.org/b...6431/how-brazil

The difference is, Europe rolled over faster than the US.

Someone like him is what Cuba or the US needs regarding the embargo.

A public representative (in either country) who does his job by simply thinking things through a little. The embargo would go away very quickly. As it stands currently, it doesn't affect people who can afford not to be affected by it. Like Imperial.

The thing is, the embargo currently suits the US government and the Cuban government (I say government not populace).

If it didn't, it would go away. It's as simple as that.

But as the saying goes, "A fool and his money are soon elected".

[tdlfoto]

To the rest of the world:

Very few if anyone outside the Anti-Castro Cuban's in Miami view Cuba as an "enemy." I think if you were to talk to the average American the vast majority would express the view that the embargo has lasted too long and that it should end. Anyone with half a brain doesn't understand why our government allows travel to North Korea and China, but not Cuba.

Since expropriation is the final challenge to capitalism, it was prudent that the US Govt swiftly punish the Cuban population for expressing thier will to determine their own future....lest that dangerous notion gain traction in nieghbouring countries or beyond. It's lasted this long, as many have pointed out, mainly due to Florida politics. And I'd argue that that is not only tragic, but a fairly grim indictement of just how far human beings have not come.

[laficion]

Andy said It right. But I have always said It ,Why make peace with others and not Cuba ,? Because It is CULTURAL, that's why .!!!!!!

There has always been a sort of ban on Cuba , Look at the History books ,and you will understand.As far as cigars, go,look at why a majority of U.S. people never liked the real Cuban Tobacco anyway ,look at the CLEAR HAVANAS & the GREEN CIGARS, for just two

reasons .And there are many.Just can't leave perfect alone. The sad part of all this Is that there will always be somthing,with or without

an embargo.Let me put It this way , they LOVE the American people ,but they don't like the American Govt.

Guy

[Orion21]

Guy,

I think it's exactly the same way for we Americans. The vast majority of us - if able to travel to Cuba - would LOVE the Cuban people for their generosity, energy, graciousness and culture. However, we have a very negative view of the Cuban government because it oppresses it's people in so many ways.

[laficion]

Guy,

I think it's exactly the same way for we Americans. The vast majority of us - if able to travel to Cuba - would LOVE the Cuban people for their generosity, energy, graciousness and culture. However, we have a very negative view of the Cuban government because it oppresses it's people in so many ways.

Spot on, mon ami.

[CanuckSARTech]

Since expropriation is the final challenge to capitalism, it was prudent that the US Govt swiftly punish the Cuban population for expressing thier will to determine their own future....lest that dangerous notion gain traction in nieghbouring countries or beyond. It's lasted this long, as many have pointed out, mainly due to Florida politics. And I'd argue that that is not only tragic, but a fairly grim indictement of just how far human beings have not come.

Ooooooh. Great observation, and well put!