Leading Republican Calls for Cuba Policy Shift

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Associated Press

Leading Republican Calls for Cuba Policy Shift
4/1/2009, 7:09 p.m. EDT
Karen DeYoung
The Associated Press

(AP) — WASHINGTON — With momentum building in Congress for a change in U.S. policy toward Cuba, Sen. Richard Lugar, R-Ind., called on President Obama to appoint a special envoy to initiate direct talks with the island's communist government and to end U.S. opposition to Cuba's membership in the Organization of American States.

The 49-year-old embargo against Cuba, Lugar said in a March 30 letter to Obama, puts the United States at odds with the views of the rest of Latin America, the European Union and the United Nations and "undermines our broader security and political interests in the Western Hemisphere."

The April 17-19 Summit of the Americas in Trinidad and Tobago would present a "unique opportunity for you to build a more hospitable climate to advance U.S. interests in the region through a change in our posture regarding Cuba policy," Lugar wrote.

Lugar, the ranking Republican on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, is in the forefront of a broad movement advocating a new policy that includes the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and other business groups, a number of state governments and human rights organizations. A bipartisan majority of Congress has repeatedly voted to ease restrictions on travel and other contact with Cuba, although the measures died after threatened presidential vetoes during the Bush administration.

Read more: http://www.silive.com/newsflash/washington/index.ssf?/base/national-0/123864089543530.xml&storylist=washington

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

1. wonder what business in IN will

benefit from this?

[OmahaBlueDog]

3. Ag

If i recall, we were exporting bargeloads of grain across the Gulf of mexico under an emergency food agreement back in the late 90s.

I would think even strident anti-communists would agree, at this point, that whatever it is we're doing, it's not working to change policy or improve human rights in Cuba. Most likely, Fidel will outlive the embargo. It's time to change tactics.

[harmonicon]

7. states can already trade with Cuba

I remember when IL started doing so when I lived there about 10 years ago. The issue is not being able to sell to Cuba on credit - cash sales of grain etc. are fine.

[AlphaCentauri]

2. you know, latin america is not depending on us anymore

so lets try something new

[LuvNewcastle]

4. How about this:

We give them food and they teach us how to do universal health care.

[roody]

5. That sounds like a great deal!

[AlphaCentauri]

6. can't wait for health care reform

[tanyev]

10. What will probably happen is insurance companies will start sending patients there.

Much cheaper than flying them to India or China.

[spag68]

8. Cuba

When the first golden arches goes up in Havana, it will signal the end of the Castro rule.

[Vidar]

9. It's the right thing to do.

[Blue_Tires]

11. even republicans know there is a buck to be made

and it can benefit both our economies...

[margotb822]

12. Cuba's policies on human rights?

Are they counting Gitmo torture as Cuba's problem? Hahaha.

I realize that Cuba does have serious human rights violations, but that coming from a nation that tortured people on Cuban soil is twisted.

[Doctor_J]

13. Why did he wait until the admin said the embargo wouldn't be lifted?

:shrug: