From the Press: A Unique Opportunity to Normalize U.S.-Cuba Ties

 The Globalist, The daily online magazine on the global economy, politics, culture and history, publishes this week July 10-16, 2010 an article by César Chelala  titled A Unique Opportunity to Normalize U.S.-Cuba Ties on the recent release by the Cuban Government of 52 political prisoners.

The following are some quotations from the article:

The Cuban government’s recent agreement to release 52 political prisoners (the first seven of whom have already arrived in Madrid) not only signals a change in that government’s traditionally inflexible policy. More importantly, it offers the opportunity for the United States to normalize relations with Cuba, writes César Chelala.

Cuba, for all its other faults and drawbacks, is in the forefront of both fields (Note: health and education) when compared to other Latin American countries. And in some areas, it is on par with the United States. This progress, however, has been hindered by an unnecessary and ineffective embargo against the country, a situation that has cost the United States materially.

There is no doubt that political pressure from the powerful Cuban exile community in Florida has been an important factor in maintaining the U.S. embargo. However, the descendants of that immigrant generation at long last have a more nuanced view of the Cuban regime. If votes in the UN General Assembly are a test, no country in the world — with the exception of the United States, Israel and the Marshall Islands — supports the embargo.

President Barack Obama has wisely eased restrictions on travel to the island by Cubans and their descendants. He should now strengthen that approach through an intense exchange of scientists, doctors, artists and ordinary citizens. The United States should take advantage of the deal on political prisoners brokered by the Catholic Church and Spain’s Foreign Ministry. An effective opening of the Obama Administration's policy toward the island ending in the normalization of relations is in the best interests of both the American and Cuban people.

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