Sunday, April 19, 2009

Obama remarks in Trinidad

Excerpts from President Obama’s press conference at the end of the Trinidad summit:

“Over the past few days, we’ve seen potential positive signs in the nature of the relationship between the United States, Cuba and Venezuela. But as I’ve said before, the test for all of us is not simply words, but also deeds. I do believe that the signals sent so far provide at least an opportunity for frank dialogue on a range of issues, including critical areas of democracy and human rights throughout the hemisphere.

“One thing that I thought was interesting – and I knew this in a more abstract way but it was interesting in very specific terms – hearing from these leaders who when they spoke about Cuba talked very specifically about the thousands of doctors from Cuba that are dispersed all throughout the region, and upon which many of these countries heavily depend. And it's a reminder for us in the United States that if our only interaction with many of these countries is drug interdiction, if our only interaction is military, then we may not be developing the connections that can, over time, increase our influence and have – have a beneficial effect when we need to try to move policies that are of concern to us forward in the region.

“Look, what I said and what I think my entire administration has acknowledged is, is that the policy that we’ve had in place for 50 years hasn't worked the way we want it to. The Cuban people are not free. And that's our lodestone, our North Star, when it comes to our policy in Cuba.

“It is my belief that we’re not going to change that policy overnight, and the steps that we took I think were constructive in sending a signal that we’d like to see a transformation. But I am persuaded that it is important to send a signal that issues of political prisoners, freedom of speech, freedom of religion, democracy – that those continue to be important, that they're not simply something to be brushed aside.

“Now, I think that as a starting point, it’s important for us not to think that completely ignoring Cuba is somehow going to change policy, and the fact that you had Raul Castro say he’s willing to have his government discuss with ours not just issues of lifting the embargo, but issues of human rights, political prisoners, that’s a sign of progress.

“And so we’re going to explore and see if we can make some further steps. There are some things that the Cuban government could do. They could release political prisoners. They could reduce charges on remittances to match up with the policies that we have put in place to allow Cuban American families to send remittances. It turns out that Cuba charges an awful lot, they take a lot off the top. That would be an example of cooperation where both governments are working to help Cuban families and raise standards of living in Cuba.

“So there are going to be some ways that the Cuban government I think can send some signals that they're serious about pursuing change. And I'm hopeful that over time the overwhelming trend in the hemisphere will occur in Cuba, as well. And I think that all of the governments here were encouraged by the fact that we had taken some first steps. Many of them want us to go further, but they at least see that we are not dug in into policies that were formulated before I was born.”

17 comments:

Anonymous said...

Obama doesn't seem to be aware of the billions in U.S. trade, investment, and development and humanitarian assistance to the region while Cuba sends a few hundred doctors. well, we elected the ignoramus....

Anonymous said...

You mean a few thousands.. like a couple of dozens of thousands. Besides US aid always come with strings attached, isn it?

Anonymous said...

STAND FIRM, CUBAN REVOLUTIONARIES!!! Do not lower your vigilance and be tricked by the crafty Yanqui agressors.

For example, Obama's offer to have U.S. corporations offer unlimited internet access. This is a TRICK to subvert the Revolution! Never forget companero Ramiro Valdes's wise comment that the so-called "Worldwide" Web is a wild colt which must be controlled! I say: bring back El Caballo to make sure the fumbler and ideological weakling Raul does not betray the Revolution.

Anonymous said...

why is OB tying everything to 'democratization'... while a nice goal its bulls**t. Do we do same with vietnam?, China? middle eastern countries?

what about Afgan. and marital rape? should we embargo Saudia Arabia b/c you can buy 9 year old girls and marry them?

Cuba is tame compared to other countries.

Anonymous said...

but usa never had control over those other countries (except for war in vietnam)
usa simply wants cuba back under its influence and that's why they shout and scream about democracy etc for cuba; while doing absolutely nothing about it with their friends in saudia arabia
it is the hypocrisy of american foreign policy: if you're our friend we'll overlook the most horrific crimes and human rights abuses; if you're our enemy the slightest thing wrong we'll condemn you forever. it looks like things may be changing and negotiation may take over from confrontation. normalize relations, then lets see what happens.

Anonymous said...

what the heck is so important about Cuba you left-wing nuts that the United States in 2009 is so obsessed about "controlling" it. Seems we have enough challenges on our plate without needing to "control" Cuba. Stop living in the last century.

Anonymous said...

well then why the hell is the embargo still on; the travel restrictions still on; helms burton and toricelli et al? the point is the US wants to bring cuba back under its influence, under its terms. it isn't the last century, it's happening now
so you're right, USA has a lot on its plate, so why not just normalize relations with cuba, end all these aggressive policies and get on with it. or would you rather just keep these hypocritical policies in place just to keep hurting the cuban people? start living in this century.

Anonymous said...

Tbe ball has been served to the Cuban government. Are they going to return the serve or are they so insecure that they can not make minor changes?

It is instructive to read Fidel Castro's last reflection. It is the good old Castro: envious, manipulative, and florid. The last sentence offers the basis for an agreement: USA would lift the embargo, and then finance Cuba's social development program around the World. As per Min.Malmierca Cuba needed US$11 billion to cover its imports last year. The question is the Cuban government is ready to sing for its supper?

Vecino de NF

Vecino de NF

Anonymous said...

in this century the whole region -- minus Cuba -- signed the InterAmerican Democratic Charter saying it is the responsibility of all to promote freedom and democracy in the Americas and laid out specifically what that meant. Why should Cuba deserve a pass?

Anonymous said...

Anonymous 10:55AM,

Because the USA are going to revert to the good old days! The question is if the Castro's want to be the USA's SOBs. (I personally would not trust the USA because the next President may have very different ideas)

Vecino de NF

Anonymous said...

you don't negotiate with the person who has the gun to your head. you tell the person put down the gun, then we'll talk. either shoot or put it down; but quit pointing it at my head.
anonimo

Anonymous said...

Anonimo,

Have you ever being mugged? There is always a third option: agree to the requests, and survive to fight another day and obtain justice. It is time for the Cubans to relax a little. They can release the political prisoners to their families in Cuba with no great loss in political and social control. The only reason they are still kept in jail is to warn the rest of the population that dissent will not be tolerated outside of the Revolution. So come on let's communicate this to Havana, and maybe we can see a normalization of relations.

Good to hear back from you!

Vecino de NF

Anonymous said...

I think Obama has play it great regarding Cuba so far.
As a Cuban who lived under Castro's regime for 30 long years, I see Obama is slowly leaving the dictator without arguments. Hopefully the Cuban people see it that way too.

Anonymous said...

the reason why the dissidents are in jail is because they violated cuban law (like the cuban five violated US law) i don't agree with either, but jail is used as a deterrent for any crime.

so you agree the united states with the gun is the criminal

cuba is responding immediately and positively, a good sign. but don't try and portray obama's letting cuban-americans go to cuba as anything less than moving back eight years before bush, or some major movement that cuba has to reciprocate with. both sides need to sit down now and start negotiations; but because america moved an inch don't expect cuba to move a mile. let them both come together and see where it leads.
it happened under carter, lets see if this will stick this time
anonimo

Anonymous said...

Anonimo,

I do not agree with your metaphor about the gun. It was your metaphor. I just took it to its logical end.

As far as your characterization of the disidents criminal culpability I am reminded of your phrase: you dance like a Cuban! I suspect that you would not agree to have the same Cuban laws apply in the USA. If it was applied, the entire Congressional Black Caucus delegation that went to Cuba, congressman Delahunt, and others would be doing hard time by now not to mention many of the posters in this blog. But I take it that you think that the current Cuban laws limiting freedom of speech, association, press, etc. are just laws in Cuba.

I would ask you, what is the step that Cuba should take to continue the process that has been started by the current USA administration?

Vecino de NF

Anonymous said...

why would the CBC be in jail?

the whole point is the US has their boot on cuba's neck; not the other way around. do you think that's the basis for equal negotiations. put down the gun you lunatic, or criminal, then we'll talk. because giving concessions under threats is not negotiating. maybe you'd surrender but the cuban position is different. non-gusano like

Anonymous said...

If Cuban laws would be in effect in the USA, the CBC would be in jail for contacting a foreign government without the explicit permission or at the direction of the USA government, and for advocating the accomodation of that foreign government's demands by the USA government. Doing that in Cuba is called treason, and punishable by prison. Here is part and parcel of the foreign policy process.

I will assume that you are calling lunatic or criminal some metaphoric figure not me because I assure you I am not pointing a gun at anyone, nor I am physically coercing anyone. I am just calmly discussing some policy points brought forward in this blog.

BTW is non-gusano like your handle?

Vecino de NF