tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5851163370258594999.post2071604791367852539..comments2023-11-16T03:57:05.158-05:00Comments on The Cuban Triangle: EU sanctions lifted (Updated)Phil Petershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06724525896667349935noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5851163370258594999.post-67354356622237901902008-06-23T22:08:00.000-04:002008-06-23T22:08:00.000-04:00It seems to me that the strategy of political bloc...It seems to me that the strategy of political blocks such as the EU is to pursue their economic interests. Don't most of these countries, and the EU as a whole, stand to profit from increased economic cooperation with Cuba as the island moves into the next era? We know Spain has been very involved over the last 10+ years, and they were clearly leading the charge. The U.S. makes me laugh when the government follows an ideological line in 2008. We (U.S.) are not going to gain any influence or achieve anything positive by standing on the sidelines while the EU divies up Cuba's resources. <BR/>The U.S. must re-think Cuba policy; I have to say I think the fresh face of Obama is appropriate.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5851163370258594999.post-13634062647095668882008-06-23T12:03:00.000-04:002008-06-23T12:03:00.000-04:00The Spanish do not see Cubans as human beings but ...The Spanish do not see Cubans as human beings but as colonial vassals. They only care about protecting their business interests in Cuba. They know they can't compete with the US on a level playing field so they are going to cut their deal with the capos in Havana. The problem for them is when the capos are gone...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5851163370258594999.post-27915031151647576512008-06-22T15:09:00.000-04:002008-06-22T15:09:00.000-04:00Mr. Cardinal,Did you expect the Europeans to behav...Mr. Cardinal,<BR/>Did you expect the Europeans to behave otherwise? They still can see taht a Stalinist (Raul) is a Stalinist no matter how much the Euorpean Community wants to ignore it! <BR/>And on top of this, Castro I refers to them as a bunch of hipocrites! <BR/>What angers me the most, is that these so called Progressive Socialists such as Zapatero in Spain, would never tolerate to live in a regime like that on their own soil, but is Ok for Cubans to have one. <BR/>The Czechs are more sympathetic. Why? Is very simple. They have live through the ordeal of the communnist system and they know what is like inside.Sharpshooterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02392128808186050440noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5851163370258594999.post-15319234340153563802008-06-21T08:09:00.000-04:002008-06-21T08:09:00.000-04:00In case anyone missed the news the Cuban Gov't cel...In case anyone missed the news the Cuban Gov't celebrated the lifting of EU sanctions by arresting 7 dissidents...Congrats!theCardinalhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02516626925971733209noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5851163370258594999.post-42359056046541790252008-06-21T07:21:00.000-04:002008-06-21T07:21:00.000-04:00no it is not surprising. I never expected much fr...no it is not surprising. I never expected much from the EUnuchs but I thought they would keep their word. These sanctions were symbolic but they were put in place because 70+ dissidents were jailed. I hoped but never thought that they would be lifted with the release of the 55 remaining jailed dissidents. It's not asking for much, that's all they had to ask for, but they couldn't even do that.<BR/><BR/>I understand that there have been some changes and they are welcome but you have to keep your eye on the ball and focus on what you asked for. <BR/><BR/>I always thought that Cuba would hold the prisoners for a bit and let them go in some sham bs deal but apparently that wont be the case - they really want to keep them locked up.theCardinalhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02516626925971733209noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5851163370258594999.post-46662699944521768872008-06-20T18:50:00.000-04:002008-06-20T18:50:00.000-04:00you're right Cardinal. It's a disgusting betrayal...you're right Cardinal. It's a disgusting betrayal of the Cuban people, but it's not surprising and in fact adds a refreshing clarity to the situation -- who's for the Cuban people and who's for the regime.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5851163370258594999.post-74887862817153938712008-06-20T16:11:00.000-04:002008-06-20T16:11:00.000-04:00the EU could give a rat's behind about the disside...the EU could give a rat's behind about the dissidents - if not for the Czechs the they would be totally forgotten. Nothing is going to change for the positive with this. there will probably be a meeting or two for show but that's it. political prisoners will stay in prison, the media will remain state controlled and the as long as Hugo keeps giving support the market will still be tight.<BR/><BR/>I know the US takes it too far but I think the EU is just as bad in openly sanctioning and accommodating the regime. They are disgusting sycophants.theCardinalhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02516626925971733209noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5851163370258594999.post-90607999698426806352008-06-20T09:02:00.000-04:002008-06-20T09:02:00.000-04:00"over dinner" huh?any idea what was on the menu Ph..."over dinner" huh?<BR/><BR/>any idea what was on the menu Phil?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5851163370258594999.post-72223238089118265912008-06-20T05:23:00.000-04:002008-06-20T05:23:00.000-04:00I am all for lifting the embargo on the US side bu...I am all for lifting the embargo on the US side but I'm still challenge anyone on this site to a friendly wager. The EU "conditions" for keeping the sanctions off are - "the release of all political prisoners; access for Cubans to the Internet; and a double-track approach for all EU delegations arriving in Cuba, allowing them to meet both opposition figures and members of the Cuban government."<BR/><BR/>I know that all three will not be met. I'm pretty certain that two won't be and I have a hunch that if any of these are accepted by the Cuban gov't the letter but not the spirit will be adhered to., i.e., allowing "access" to internet but with Chinese like firewalls.<BR/><BR/>Anyone want to bet that changes nothing in Cuba except make the regime happy? Go for it.theCardinalhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02516626925971733209noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5851163370258594999.post-69647482859151733852008-06-19T20:56:00.000-04:002008-06-19T20:56:00.000-04:00yeeeeee!! its a victory for freedom and for the cu...yeeeeee!! its a victory for freedom and for the cuban people. Thank you Europe.!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com