Cuba says US should lift embargo unconditionally

[Jimmy2]

By WILL WEISSERT

HAVANA -- Cuba will not make any political or policy concessions to improve relations with the U.S. - no matter how small, Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez said Wednesday, snubbing Washington's suggestions that some reforms could lead to better ties.

He told a news conference that the United States must lift its 47-year-old trade embargo without waiting for anything in return.

Rodriguez said U.S. trade sanctions have cost the island $96 billion in economic damage since they took their current form in February 1962 as part of the Trading with the Enemy Act.

"The policy is unilateral and should be lifted unilaterally," Rodriguez said.

He called President Obama "well-intentioned and intelligent" and said that his administration has adopted a "modern, less aggressive" stance toward the island.

But Rodriguez shrugged off the White House's April decision to lift restrictions on Cuban-Americans who want to visit or send money to relatives in this country, saying those changes simply undid a tightening of the embargo imposed by President George W. Bush.

"Obama was a president elected on a platform of change. Where are the changes in the blockade against Cuba?" Rodriguez asked. Cuban officials have for decades characterized American trade sanctions as a blockade.

Obama has suggested it may be time for a new era in relations with Cuba, but has also said he will not consider lifting the embargo. On Monday, he signed a measure formally extending the policy for one year.

U.S. officials have said for months that they would like to see the single-party, communist state accept some political, economic or social changes before they make further modifications to Cuba policy, but Rodriguez said it was not up to his country to appease Washington.

The foreign minister also refused to comment on suggestions by New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson that Cuba take small steps to improve relations with the U.S.

The governor, a former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, suggested during a recent visit here that Cuba reduce restrictions and fees for islanders who want to travel overseas and accept a U.S. proposal to let diplomats from both countries travel more freely in each other's territory.

Rodriguez took office after a March shake-up that ousted much of Cuba's younger leadership, including Foreign Minister and former Fidel Castro protege Felipe Perez Roque.

Officials from the U.S. and Cuba plan to meet Thursday in Havana to discuss reviving direct postal service between their countries, but Rodriguez refused to comment. Mail between the U.S. and the island has had to pass through third countries since August 1963.

"These talks are exploratory talks of a technical nature," said Gloria Berbena, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Interests Section, which Washington maintains in Cuba instead of an embassy.

"They support our efforts to further communication with the Cuban people and the administration sees this as a potential avenue to improve communication between our countries' peoples," she told The Associated Press.

Rodriguez said the embargo itself blocks such communications, as well as costing Cuba $1.2 billion a year in lost tourism revenue.

"The only country in the world where they prohibit the travel of Americans is to Cuba," he said. "Why? Are they afraid that they could learn firsthand about Cuban reality?"

[Ethernut]

Jimmy, I'm a bit afraid that opening up trade with Cuba (more specifically Cigar sales), could only result in some of the crappiest quality sticks Cuba has ever produced. I might even think it would take years for Cuba to catch up with the voracious American appetite for cigars.

This is just a concern I have, not at all based in fact of course..

[TrickNick]

Jimmy, I'm a bit afraid that opening up trade with Cuba (more specifically Cigar sales), could only result in some of the crappiest quality sticks Cuba has ever produced. I might even think it would take years for Cuba to catch up with the voracious American appetite for cigars.

This is just a concern I have, not at all based in fact of course..

I completely agree with you, but at the same time I truly feel for what those people are dealing with right now.

[thechenman]

I feel for the people of Cuba, but in all honesty...their own government should care even more. Bruno is smoking something other than cigars...that's for sure. To be honest...I would deal with the decline in the quality of cigars coming out of Cuba if it meant a significantly better quality of life for the Cuban people; however, at the same time I don't think there should be a complete lifting of the embargo without concessions. The U.S. has a longstanding view that is anti-communism. Even China needed to make certain concessions. Unfortunately, Cuba does not have the leverage or natural resources of China, and therefore will be subject to a more bullying stance coming from the U.S. That is a fact, and there is no use complaining about it...best to work with and around it. So much more progress can be made in this way. I apologize if I am off base here, but my personal feeling is that the Cuban people suffer at the hands of the Cuban government, just as the Soviets did during the Cold War and just as China did before its economic revolution int he 90s.

[peteando]

If more cigars (not necessarily lower quality, but assumed they will be as this is what happened in the late 90's/early 2000's when production spiked) is the trade off for me being able to actually go there on vacation, I'd say open it up!

[greenpimp]

Frankly the posturing is so tedious and absolutely serves no purpose except to alienate. They could offer some very very small concessions, I believe at this point, and the process would open up so quickly. While I also feel the embargo should be lifted unconditionally myself, these kind of statements only bring back the same old patterns and emotions. I truly believe Obama wants to lift the embargo, but this kind of prideful chest thumping (from both sides) only stalls a delicate process. Orgullo once again...

[TrickNick]

I feel for the people of Cuba, but in all honesty...their own government should care even more. Bruno is smoking something other than cigars...that's for sure. To be honest...I would deal with the decline in the quality of cigars coming out of Cuba if it meant a significantly better quality of life for the Cuban people; however, at the same time I don't think there should be a complete lifting of the embargo without concessions. The U.S. has a longstanding view that is anti-communism. Even China needed to make certain concessions. Unfortunately, Cuba does not have the leverage or natural resources of China, and therefore will be subject to a more bullying stance coming from the U.S. That is a fact, and there is no use complaining about it...best to work with and around it. So much more progress can be made in this way. I apologize if I am off base here, but my personal feeling is that the Cuban people suffer at the hands of the Cuban government, just as the Soviets did during the Cold War and just as China did before its economic revolution int he 90s.

I couldn't have said that better myself.

[PigFish]

I am stepping back from the "embargo" for a moment to point out a little propaganda in the article as a whole.

""a "modern, less aggressive" stance toward the island.""

It is when I read a statement like that, as though the island, or its people are the cause of the political friction that result in this type of action. The Cuban government has adopted a policy, a manifesto of anti capitalist and anti-American behavior. The American Constitution is/was at least in theory against all forms of tyranny, that would include new forms developed along the way like Communism. What do they expect? What does one government do when one threatens another, or adapts kindred relationships with the ones who do? They take aggressive postures toward each other. This is not unilateral relationship!

I am not making an argument for the embargo or against it. My theories on it are simply too wild to expand on here. I just have to point out a little bullshit when I see it. -Piggy

[Mel]

I say lift the embargo, send them Walmart and McDonalds, Cable TV and new car dealerships. We will have their ass kicked in one year. This whole embargo is not working so should be abandoned. Oh I'm sorry do they still have the nuclear missles aimed at us???