U.S. embargo against Cuba is imprudent (Rep. Michael Honda)

[subsuelo]

U.S. embargo against Cuba is imprudent (Rep. Michael Honda)
By Rep. Michael Honda (D-Calif.) - 05/04/10 10:26 AM ET
Although it’s infamous for socialism, cigars and salsa, few people know that Cuba was recently the United States’ largest rice export market, is the fifth-largest export market in Latin America for U.S. farm exports and holds $20 billion in trade with America over a three-year term. Our economy could benefit mightily from better relations, yet we alienate this potential ally.

When I traveled to Cuba on a Congressional delegation recently, it became clear that the embargo is imprudent politically, economically and socially. Everyone we met with — U.S. and Cuban government officials, trade organizations, journalists, cultural attachés, foreign diplomats and rural farmers — confirmed this point.

Politically, now that Latin America stands beside Cuba — as evidenced by diplomatic reinstatements with holdouts El Salvador and Costa Rica, and the reintegration of Cuba into the Organization for American States and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States — the U.S. risks ruinous relations with countries that see the blockade as backward. The U.S. is already marginalized: CLACS explicitly bars U.S. participation.

The impact of this Latin tack toward insularity is not insignificant. Consider grandstanding by Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who rebuffed Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton’s efforts to bring Brazil on Iran sanctions while courting Cuba’s leadership. Lula, capitalizing on Cuba’s appetite for growth, proposed investments in industrial, agriculture and infrastructure projects, including ports and hotels, and an agreement with Brazil’s oil company.

We will see more of this. The Cubans are seeking suitors. Like the Bank of the South, Latin America’s attempt to wean countries off U.S. institutions like the World Bank, the longer we keep Cuba at arm’s length, the more likely Brazil and others will take our place.

The longer we keep Cuba listed as a state sponsor of terrorism, an allegation roundly criticized by diplomats, the more we risk the credibility of our national security regime and reputation in the region.

Economically, the case for cooperation is even clearer. Despite the trade embargo, there is some engagement. Cuba continues to rely on U.S. agriculture. Since 2002, we have been Cuba’s largest supplier of food and agricultural products, with Cuba purchasing more than $3.2 billion in products since 2001.

more: http://thehill.com/blogs/congress-blog/foreign-policy/95861-us-embargo-against-cuba-is-imprudent-rep-michael-honda">The Hill's Congress Blog

[flamingdem]

1. The smart people want to open trade, the dinosaurs are waiting for ... something nt

[Judi Lynn]

2. So glad to see Congressman Honda's statement. Here's a GREAT quote:

Cuba is not the enemy. She may frustrate American proclivity for democracy promotion, but her behavior is nothing near as nefarious as that of certain U.S. allies elsewhere.

What a shame more Congressmen don't take the initiative, as Honda did and go there in person and investigate. The ones who do come back with a much better grasp of things.

Thanks for taking the time to post this. It should earn Congressman Honda respect and gratitude from Democrats.

[Judi Lynn]

3. Recommending. #2.

:kick: :kick: :kick: :kick:

[protocol rv]

4. There's no need for "cooperation"

it's just a simple issue: lift the embargo, and there's no need to cooperate. Let Americans go to Cuba if they want to. And let the Cuban government pay cash for what they buy from the US. It seems to be a fair deal for everyone, and the US might as well benefit from the terrible performance of Cuban agriculture under the communist regime. As long as the Cubans can make money with the tourist trade, they should have money to pay for the food they can't grow.

And because the tourist industry in Cuba is really run by multinationals, the Cubans will realize they're getting shafted big time by the communists: the regime will be shown to be nothing but a dinosaur in cahoots with foreign profiteers, sucking Cuba's bodily fluids. :evilgrin:

[Name removed]

5. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Judi Lynn]

6. I commend your superb imagery selection. Exactly perfect in tone and quality, n/t

[Mika]

8. The mods don't agree, it seems. LOL

I guess that the reality of foreign hotel/tourism resort companies operating in the rest of the Caribbean is simply too shocking to comprehend.
:wow:

The difference in Cuba is that by Cuban trade laws Cuba owns a majority share in these foreign hotel/tourism resort ventures, because Cuba mandates that they be joint ventures - and there is no shortage of takers and bidders, including many US firms that would like to participate in these ventures but are banned by US law.

Some posters here seem to have a hard time grasping this fact, because it has been pointed out numerous times in this very forum.

:hi:

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[Judi Lynn]

9. That method works very well, and it's easy to see. Amazing results, as well. n/t

[flamingdem]

7. great photo! nt