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I Want Cuba: Obama attends the Fifth Annual Summit of the Americas
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I Want…Cuba
Obama attend the Fifth Annual Summit of the Americas
By Bob Ecker
Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago:
Barack Obama is today attending the Fifth Annual Summit of the Americas being held in the island nation of Trinidad and Tobago, in the capital, Port of Spain. This 34 nation group represents the 34 democratic nations within the Americas, and each country’s leader will gather to discuss important regional issues such as: Human Rights, Health and Children’s welfare, Justice, Indigenous People, Education, Trade and Finance, Agriculture and Hemispheric Security.
However, another issue will be hotly debated – Cuba. Since 1962, the United States has kept up an economic blockade of Cuba, which includes a near total travel ban. This cold war relic has to go – it has no business in our modern, global society. The various leaders at this years’ summit will be pressuring Barack Obama to finally work toward rescinding the US Cuban embargo. It’s true that Cuba has been run by the repressive Fidel Castro for all these years – now his brother Raul, and they are Communists. But I ask, in 2009 - so what? Does this really matter anymore? And Americans are allowed to freely travel to China and Vietnam, other repressive communist nations.
I spoke with Christopher Baker, a noted journalist/author, photographer and one of the foremost Cuba experts in the US. “The stars may be aligning; last week’s announcement was good practice for the big day.”
Baker is referring to the recent announcement by Barack Obama that did in fact relax some of the rules permitting Cuban Americans to visit their relatives in Cuba. This crack in the old ban was a marked departure from the intransigent Bush era policy. (The real reasons have nothing to do with Castro and everything to do with currying favor with Florida’s fervent politicians and voters) Christopher Baker is pleased by this small move and hoping for more. “Now, Cuban American can visit their families at home - and bring needed money and things to their relatives.”
Perhaps this is the time for real change. The travel ban, which makes no sense, must be lifted entirely. Why should we be restricted to where we can and cannot travel, especially when Cuba is so close? Personally I want to visit Cuba which I’ve always heard was fun, exotic, beautiful and full of kind people. Over 2.3 million international travelers enjoyed Cuba last year, the majority being Canadian plus many folks from the UK and Europe. Right now, the only Americans allowed to visit are Academicians, some artists, the occasional journalist, some close relatives, and various agricultural and drug companies. We should all have this right.
Fortunately, there are currently House and Senate bills moving through Congress that stipulate lifting all restrictions on travel to Cuba, and normalizing relations with the country. A recent CNN poll showed 71% of Americans are in favor of re-establishing relations with Cuba. Even big named Republicans, like Senator Richard Lugar are in favor. Floridian right wing groups, who were the greatest impediment to normalization, are finally softening their positions, while many older Castro haters are simply dying out. “The 50 year embargo has been an abject failure,” said Christopher Baker. “It was totally useless and hypocritical.” Baker has visited Cuba more than 30 times.
If we’re lucky, Barack Obama will at least further a cautious inching forward on this cold war relic, ultimately relegating it to the ugly scrap heap of history. The time is right. How about next year in Havana?
c. Bob Ecker
For more information see:
All Photos Copyright Christopher P. Baker
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