Cuba Study Group Calls for Relaxing Embargo
HAVANA TIMES — The Cubaencuentro website revealed a press release on Thursday from the Cuba Study Group, asking the US government to “relax the embargo” on Cuba by repealing of the Helms-Burton Act.
Entitled “Restoring Executive Authority Over US Policy Toward Cuba,” the document considers that such laws “deny the US the flexibility to respond quickly and strategically to changing events in Cuba as they occur.”
The paper proposes a series of immediate measures that the executive can take with its authority over licensing concessions to secure and expand the free flow of information and resources on the island.
The statement maintains that the Helms-Burton Act has failed to secure international sanctions and that it has proven itself unsuccessful in promoting change on the island.
Cuba has already implemented some reforms (ending the exit permit requirements and the emigration reforms).
Other changes are likely coming such as relaxing the information blockade through such measures as gradually opening up internet access to ordinary Cubans. Also expect the ridiculous restrictions preventing elite athletes from pursuing their dreams abroad to end.
Ending the remaining travel restrictions on ordinary Americans visiting Cuba would be a good next step for the US.
I agree with his point but please read Griffin’s comment and then mine.
Well said Griffin. Saladrigas blithely mentioned that US interests would benefit as well. He did not mention that he is that interest. Here is the $64,000 question: If Obama warms relations with Cuba, does that move Florida towards or away from the Democratic party? Without measurable concessions that improve democracy in Cuba, Florida becomes a red state.
Actually, in the paper mentioned above, the CSG is not calling for the repeal of Helms-Burton, which they recognize would be a long and complicated process. Or at least not immediately. What they are calling for is a handful of measures that President Obama can implement via executive orders to relax some of the trade & travel restrictions.
These steps could be implemented quickly. However, the Cuban govt will have to help by giving Obama something in exchange such as an improvement in human rights conditions in Cuba. Failing that, Obama won’t burn his political capital for nothing.
From the paper above:
‘“We must shift the focus of our policy away from obsessing with hurting
the Cuban regime and toward obsessing with helping the Cuban people.
It’s what Cuban civil society leaders have been asking us to do for
years and what proved to work in Eastern Europe. Let’s empower the Cuban
people with the tools, resources and capital necessary to develop a
robust civil society that can foster and sustain long-lasting change,”
stated Saladrigas.’
Couldn’t agree more.
Is not just relaxing, he is calling for the repeal of the Helms-Burton act. You may or may not be right regarding his nefarious motivations, but the point is whether you agree or not with is point and why:
“This failed policy has only isolated the United States from Cuba and continues to provide the Cuban leadership with a reliable excuse for its economic blunders and human rights abuses. Worst of all, it is now stifling an emerging class of private entrepreneurs and democracy advocates whose rise represents the best hope for a free and open society in Cuba in over 50 years,
We must shift the focus of our policy away from obsessing with hurting the Cuban regime and toward obsessing with helping the Cuban people. It’s what Cuban civil society leaders have been asking us to do for years and what proved to work in Eastern Europe. Let’s empower the Cuban people with the tools, resources and capital necessary to develop a robust civil society that can foster and sustain long-lasting change,”
The Cuba Study Group call for ‘relaxing’ the embargo has less to do with increasing the economic well-being of Cubans and more to do with making it easier for exiles like Carlos Saladrigas, one of the directors of the group, to have earlier and easier access to doing business with Cuba. Beware of the wolf in sheep’s clothing.