Jimmy Carter
The Carter Center
453 Freedom Parkway
Atlanta, GA 30307
Re: Planned Trip to Cuba
Mr. Carter:
I have always considered you a man of great integrity, therefore it was with great dismay I read the published accounts of your proposed trip to Cuba. Why Mr. Carter, in heaven's name why, would you pay a visit to Castro and further legitimize his sordid repressive government?
Mr. Castro's enormous ego demands international attention and over the years he has found many ways to capture the lime light. During the mid 90s he courted Papal favor, and from 1995 to 1998 while the arrangements and preparations for the Pope's Cuban visit were ongoing he was in the spotlight
The fawning press captured his every word and simplistic American representatives waxed poetic about the democratic changes the Papal visit would bring. It is four years later, what has changed? Nothing! Cuba is no closer to democracy today than it was in 1959 when Castro installed himself and the ruler of the island. In fact, it is probably further away, as Castro has anointed his brother Raul as his successor - so much for the democratic process!
In the succeeding years, it has become fashionable for American elected representatives to visit Cuba shilling for American Corporations. These fawning sycophants are manipulated by Castro and his American corporate cronies like Archer Daniels Midland, searching for ways to get into the American taxpayers pocket to enhance corporate profits. Castro promises trade and open markets, Archer Daniels Midland provides the merchandise. The missing ingredient is the financing, which Archer Daniels Midland is trying to supply.
Unwilling to accept the risks inherent in trading with the Castro government, Archer Daniels Midland is using its vast political influence to sway the many politicians beholden to the company via extensive campaign contributions, both hard and soft money. The disgusting scenario would culminate with a change in the current laws which then would allow US Government loans and financial guarantees for goods purchased by the Cuban government.
When Castro defaults - and he will default - on his financial obligations the American taxpayer will be left holding the bag. Money Mr. Carter, specifically American taxpayers monies, is the reason behind the disgusting parade of American elected officials paying homage to the tyrant, who routinely tramples the human rights and dignity of the Cuban people.
A cornerstone of your administration was the Camp David Peace Accord. Mr. Castro has done much to undermine that agreement and has steadfastly supported the terrorist policies of Iran. The US State Department lists Cuba and Iran as terrorist states, and Iran is linked with arms shipment to the Palestinian Authority and the Hamas terrorists conducting the current wave of suicide bombings in the Middle East.
Five short months before the cowardly attacks of September 11, Castro visited Teheran. During his visit he agreed with Ayatollah Khamenehi that Iran and Cuba can hand in hand defeat America, and swore publicly to destroy the United States.
Why sir, would you join the disgraceful parade of American elected officials like Reps. Diane Watson, Sam Farr, Mike Thompson and Bob Filner pandering to a vicious supporter of international terrorism for the sake of corporate profits. Callously insulting the memory of the brave men and women killed on 9/11, by presenting an NYPD and NYFD cap to a tyrant who has sworn to destroy the United States. Unconscionable!
This past Wednesday, you are quoted in the NY Times as saying the best way to bring about democratic changes in Cuba is: "not to punish the Cuban people themselves by imposing an embargo on them, which makes Castro seem to be a hero, because he's defending his own people against the abusive Americans."
Sir, what in God's creation would prompt you to make such a preposterous statement?
Blaming the embargo for the chronic shortages of food and medicine of the Cuban people is ludicrous. American companies, Archer Daniels Midland and its Spanish subsidiary Alfisca are a prime example, have been circumventing the embargo with impunity for years. Spain has invested hundreds of millions of dollars in the Cuban tourist industry. Mexico, Canada and other countries have been trading with Cuba for years - embargo be dammed!
The truth is the Cuban government could buy anything it desires in the world market. The problem is they do not have hard currency available and they have stiffed their creditors so many times not even the World Bank is willing to lend or guarantee loans to the Cuban government. Who in their right mind would lend to the dictator, who has openly stated poor countries have no obligation to repay their debt?
Mr. Carter as a former president of our country, you bring the prestige and legitimacy of the office every place you visit. How can you lend your prestige and legitimacy to a man who has for the past 40 years systematically oppressed and virtually enslaved the Cuban people?
May I remind you sir; your administration's outreach to Castro was thwarted by your concerns over the Cuban military presence in other countries and their involvement with terrorist entities in Latin America and throughout the world. Twenty years later, nothing has changed Mr. Carter.
You are at a crossroads Mr. Carter, which direction will you take. Will you allow yourself to be dragged into the abyss of political corruption, corporate greed, international terrorism, and human rights violation perpetrated by the Castro government?
I urge you take the high road, Mr. Carter. Maintain your integrity. Forego the trip.
Respectfully,
Oscar B. Pichardo
E- mail Qbnchzhd@aol.com
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The above is sent to you by
FOR FREEDOM & JUSTICE GROUP Cooper City, Florida
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ForFreedomandJustice