Posted on 01/29/2015 8:21:32 AM PST by PROCON
The good news: The discomfort over the embargo of Cuba has led to a good bargaining position in talks with the US. The bad news: Raul Castro’s the one that thinks so. Far from being grateful for the diplomatic overture from Barack Obama, Castro wants the US to pay reparations for the economic damage that Castro says the embargo caused, plus the immediate return of control over Guantanamo Bay, as the opening ante for normalizing relations:
Cuban President Raul Castro demanded on Wednesday that the United States return the U.S. base at Guantanamo Bay, lift the half-century trade embargo on Cuba and compensate his country for damages before the two nations re-establish normal relations.
Castro told a summit of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States that Cuba and the U.S. are working toward full diplomatic relations but “if these problems aren’t resolved, this diplomatic rapprochement wouldn’t make any sense.”
So much for the yearning of the Cuban people for normalcy, eh? As far as Obama’s suggestion that engagement will bring about reform in Cuba, Castro has another demand:
(Excerpt) Read more at hotair.com ...
How do we benefit from “normalcy”? The country has done just fine without Cuban cigars and Cuban casinos and Cuban rum. We need them???
Slap the embargo back on ‘em and let Raul rot!
” plus the immediate return of control over Guantanamo Bay”
I wouldn’t put it past Obama. In fact, I think this is HIS plan, not Castro’s. Empty GITMO and return it to Cuba. Treasonous.
Of course he will give GITMO to them. It was my first thought when he started publicly talking about pals with Cuba. He will apologize publicly to Japan too before he is gone.
Concur, but I don’t think he has the legal authority to do this unilaterally. I believe such action would have to be approved by the U.S. Senate.
Two words:
“No Deal”.
Then stand up, turn around, and walk away from the bargaining table.
This won’t happen, of course - but it is what SHOULD happen.
Obama will give the Castros anything they want as long as they make a Golf course available day or night
Jimmy Carter gave up the Panama canal. Obama would have no trouble giving up Gitmo.
“I believe such action would have to be approved by the U.S. Senate.”
I agree, but you never know with this beaut.
Guantanamo would be a perfect strategic asset for Russia, via Cuba. Giving it back to Cuba must NOT happen.
The black trash in the Oval Office will say yes to all these demands.
he’ll give them Gitmo and anything else they want. It will be like Christmas in Havana.
Well, Gee-Willikers! Who didn’t see THIS coming?
We’re so screwed.
Sounds like a plan... give ‘em reparations and Gitmo. If we can do that for Castro, can’t we do it for our disadvantaged citizens? /S
Smooth, Obama.
'Course, I've been praying for a fifth column to show up in the defense of America, but I'm lambasted here in FR for crying out VALKYRIE ! but not WOLVERINES !
??? What's up with THAT ???
For decades, Castro blamed the crappy state of the Cuban economy on the US embargo. Never mind that Cuba could trade with other countries.
If the US embargo is lifted, and relations normalized, what is left for the Communists to blame, except Communism itself?
Yet another sterling achievement for the State Department. Look how the world loves and respects us. Maybe they can charter up Adena Menzel to give Raul a personal rendition of Let It Go to show our friendship.
Why should some tinhorn, senile overlord be dictating terms to us? It's all upside to him, and nothing for us.
To hell with him.
Lest everyone forgets, when Castro took over with his revolution, there were many American owned businesses in Cuba that lost everything there. They were confiscated by the Commies. This talk of reparations should be that the businesses are owed big time by Castro and his regime.
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