U.S.-Cuba Relations: New sanctions on Sudan force a re-examination of U.S. policy with Cuba
On May 30, 2007, President Bush announced new sanctions on the Sudanese government in an effort to quell the violence in Darfur. This most recent round of sanctions serves a largely symbolic purpose and will most likely have no tangible effect on ending the conflict. Some might ask why more comprehensive sanctions are not imposed on Sudan, especially when the U.S. does exercise stronger sanctions on other, possibly less deserving, countries. Cuba is one example. The recent sanctions on Sudan demand a re-examination of U.S.-Cuba relations.
Current United States policy in Cuba punishes Cuban citizens by withholding what would be an extremely beneficial relationship. The United States should begin normalizing relations with Cuba based on the following three reasons:
First, United States policy in Cuba is not consistent with its policy in other countries. Cuba is considered a state sponsor of terrorism even though the intelligence community admits that it does not have evidence that suggests that Cuba is supporting or cooperating with terrorist organizations. There is no evidence that Cuba is engaged in terrorist activities of any sort against the United States and the rest of the world. Additionally, supporting the embargo with the fact that Cuba is a state sponsor of terrorism contradicts U.S. policy in other parts of the world. Sudan, a country that shares Cuba’s title of a State Sponsor of Terrorism and is a known cooperator with and supporter of terrorist organizations, is not sanctioned with the same sort of comprehensive embargo, even in the face of the genocide in Darfur. Inconsistent rhetoric and policies abroad garners neither domestic nor international support and trust for U.S. foreign policy—two things sorely needed in the face of the now extremely unpopular war in Iraq.
Second, Fidel Castro handed over power to his brother Raul after falling ill in August of 2006. This transfer of power, albeit to another member of the Castro family, represents the most significant change in the Cuban government since Fidel himself came to power in 1959. The United States should sieze this opportunity to try and promote democratic values in Cuba before Raul’s administruation becomes as establisehd and inpenetrable as his brother’s had been for nearly fifty years.
Third, talks in early June of 2007 between Cuba and Spain emphasize that Cuba is in fact ripe for change. Spanish and Cuban “Officials ‘discussed international cooperation on human rights, the death penalty and respect for human rights and the fight against international terrorism,’ as well as technology and communications, the joint Cuban-Spanish statement said.” (AFP June 1, 2007) This new willingness to discuss previously ignored issues underlines the possibility for progress in Cuba.
These recent sanctions imposed on Sudan should remind the U.S. of its unjust treatment of Cuba, and given the recent transfer of power along with a new open-mindedness within the Cuban government to the protection of human rights, the U.S. should begin to normalize relations with Cuba in order to take advantage of this possibly fleeting opportunity.
Cat Zweig
ADA Legislative Intern
Current United States policy in Cuba punishes Cuban citizens by withholding what would be an extremely beneficial relationship. The United States should begin normalizing relations with Cuba based on the following three reasons:
First, United States policy in Cuba is not consistent with its policy in other countries. Cuba is considered a state sponsor of terrorism even though the intelligence community admits that it does not have evidence that suggests that Cuba is supporting or cooperating with terrorist organizations. There is no evidence that Cuba is engaged in terrorist activities of any sort against the United States and the rest of the world. Additionally, supporting the embargo with the fact that Cuba is a state sponsor of terrorism contradicts U.S. policy in other parts of the world. Sudan, a country that shares Cuba’s title of a State Sponsor of Terrorism and is a known cooperator with and supporter of terrorist organizations, is not sanctioned with the same sort of comprehensive embargo, even in the face of the genocide in Darfur. Inconsistent rhetoric and policies abroad garners neither domestic nor international support and trust for U.S. foreign policy—two things sorely needed in the face of the now extremely unpopular war in Iraq.
Second, Fidel Castro handed over power to his brother Raul after falling ill in August of 2006. This transfer of power, albeit to another member of the Castro family, represents the most significant change in the Cuban government since Fidel himself came to power in 1959. The United States should sieze this opportunity to try and promote democratic values in Cuba before Raul’s administruation becomes as establisehd and inpenetrable as his brother’s had been for nearly fifty years.
Third, talks in early June of 2007 between Cuba and Spain emphasize that Cuba is in fact ripe for change. Spanish and Cuban “Officials ‘discussed international cooperation on human rights, the death penalty and respect for human rights and the fight against international terrorism,’ as well as technology and communications, the joint Cuban-Spanish statement said.” (AFP June 1, 2007) This new willingness to discuss previously ignored issues underlines the possibility for progress in Cuba.
These recent sanctions imposed on Sudan should remind the U.S. of its unjust treatment of Cuba, and given the recent transfer of power along with a new open-mindedness within the Cuban government to the protection of human rights, the U.S. should begin to normalize relations with Cuba in order to take advantage of this possibly fleeting opportunity.
Cat Zweig
ADA Legislative Intern
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