Al Neuharth: Why is China OK, but Cuba 'enemy'?

USA Today ^ | February 22, 2002 | Al Neuharth, USA Today founder

[Cincinatus' Wife]

In Beijing, Bush called China our ''partner.'' Cuba officially is our ''enemy.'' Why?

Because a small number of powerful exiles in South Florida cow our politicians into keeping the crazy Cuban policy. That was designed to castrate Fidel Castro and has failed for more than 40 years.

[tm22721]

I agree, throw Walmart to the wolves.

BUMP

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Chinese load up on guns for profit and protection: Homemade arms reflect distrust of police***"Ever since then, we realized we should develop some guns to protect our basic interests," said a Yuan villager, who did not give his name. "We would not even dare go to town." Yuan farmers bought three shotguns on the black market, used them as models for manufacturing others and began building the arsenal. Villagers contributed various skills.***

[Ax]

I was stationed at the U.S. Interests Section (USINT) in Havana for four years, leaving in 1997. The "lottery" of which you speak is run by the U.S. government. Cubans may apply in writing to USINT and begin praying. I can't tell you how many Cubans stopped me on the street and asked me to hand-carry their applications in to USINT in the hopes that theirs would be bumped up to the head of the line. They also requested that I use whatever influence (nil) I had to see that their names were picked. In fact, the names were selected by the State Department in Washington.

[Yardstick]

Thanks for the ping and the info. (C's Wife: remember this old thread? Here's more info on the Cuban immigration lottery; see Ax's #363)

I don't see how the U.S. could be sponsoring the lottery, though. My understanding is that the U.S. is generally willing to receive Cuban emigrants at all times, while Cuba places severe restrictions on emigration. If this is the case, then the obstacle to emigration would be the Cuban government, not the U.S. government; so it seems to me that winning a U.S.-sponsered lottery would be useless if the Cuban government didn't want the winner to emigrate. The decision is ultimately Cuba's to make; therefore it makes more sense that the lottery would be sponsored by Cuba.

That's how it seems to me, anyway. It's really an oddball thing, isn't it? Why do you think the Cuban government would allow such a lottery? My theory is that it likes having the dollars that the emigrants send back home. But what bad PR! What an admission that all is far from well in the workers' paradise.

[Yardstick]

fyi

[dfwgator]

I'm as rabid a Castro-hated as anyone, perhaps you're right on the embargo issue. If we want to export our ideas into Cuba, what makes more sense? Radio Marti or getting our products in there?

One of the reasons that the Russians became disenchanted with Communism was that they were able to see the quality of western-made products compared to the shoddy products that were made in Communist countries.

I agree that the last thing Castro wants is the embargo to be lifted. I suspect if the US offered to unilaterally lift the embargo, Castro would do anything to place such conditions as to keep the embargo in place. Castro IS the embargo!

[GuillermoX]

I suspect if the US offered to unilaterally lift the embargo, Castro would do anything to place such conditions as to keep the embargo in place. Castro IS the embargo!

Exactly. Castro already has a set of "demands" under which the embargo has to be lifted. Screw him. Just end the embargo, period. If an American co. wishes to do business with him or anyone else in Cuba, let them take the risk and eat the loss if they incur one.

[Ax]

Cuba is a special case. In 1994, we had the "Rafter Crisis," in which thousands of Cubans took off in flimsy craft for Florida. This resulted in many Cubans being detained at sea and sent to Guatnanamo Bay; ultimately, they were allowed to go to the US.

This resulted in "The Migration Accords." One of the clauses of the Accords was the Lottery. This was done with the full compliance of the Cuban government. Once a Cuban's name was selected, the Cuban government issued an exit visa for the lucky soul.

At the time, my wife, daughter and I were living in house right on the water in the suburb of Miramar. Usually there was a heavy police presence because of the many foreigners living there. During the Crisis, we saw hide nor hair of the cops or the soldiers. The would-be immigrants came marching up 30th Street, with their families and friends, carrying their craft. We mingled with the Cubans on the beach, advising them that if they were caught at sea, they'd be repatriated. Most of them scoffed and said, "yeah, right. We'll be in Miami in six weeks." Turns out they were right.

Anyway, yardstick, that's the story of The Lottery. AX

[Yardstick]

Thanks for filling me in. I used to work with a guy who had won the lottery, and I've been curious about it ever since. The Migration Accords -- now I've got a word to Google with for even more info.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Cuba Is Different: Why the China argument" doesn't hold. *** China and later Cuba have both turned to capitalism as a last ditch effort to preserve communism. In China, it has worked. The communist dictatorship across the Pacific is stronger from 25 years of foreign engagement, but it has come at the price of a burgeoning middle class and new freedoms afforded to millions that never existed before Nixon's fateful visit. Without America's trade and investment, however, China's communist dictatorship likely would have already collapsed under its own dead weight.

Knowing that trade has facilitated the continued survival of communism in China, maybe we didn't choose the best path. But hindsight is irrelevant, because you cannot put the baby back in the womb. With China a major trading partner - and growing, a sudden fall of the regime is far from America's interests.

In Cuba, however, we have no existing economic interests, and Castro is an old man. There are a few heir apparents, but Castro's cult of personality is the glue holding the deteriorating machine together. So long as the embargo remains in place, Castro's successor, and with him communism, will fail.

[Severa]

Forgive my public high school history education (*Sarcasm Ends here* Seriously folks, class of '95 and I honestly don't remember studying anything world history wise past WWII) but could someone here explain to me how, in all these years that we've had this embargo on Cuba, has Castro stayed in power and basically thumbed his nose at us?