Cuba offers 19 ways Obama can loosen US embargo

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Associated Press

Cuba offers 19 ways Obama can loosen US embargo
Updated: September 16, 2010, 1:25 PM

HAVANA (AP) - Cuba is offering a series of small but specific steps the administration of President Barack Obama can take to soften the United States' 48-year-old trade embargo, including expanding flights and establishing ferry service between both countries and dropping bank bans that keep U.S. credit cards from working on the island.

The 19 suggestions are a new - and perhaps conciliatory addition - to the communist government's annual report criticizing Washington's trade sanctions. Cuba produces the report every year ahead of an annual United Nations vote in which the world overwhelmingly condemns the embargo.

The 56-page report acknowledges that Obama cannot scrap the full embargo without approval from Congress, but uses pages 4 through 7 to discuss steps his administration can take unilaterally.

Among them are doing away with rules that prohibit Cuban-Americans and other authorized U.S. visitors from carrying home Cuban gifts - such as the island's famous rum and cigars - and dropping restrictions that limit such travelers from spending more than $179 per day on lodging, food and transportation. Also included is a suggestion that Obama increase "people-to-people" exchanges with Cuba, expanding opportunities for American students, educators and researchers.

Read more: http://www.buffalonews.com/business/24-hour-business-news/article192260.ece

[Judi Lynn]

1. Cuba Says U.S. Embargo Has Toughened Under Obama

Cuba Says U.S. Embargo Has Toughened Under Obama
By REUTERS
Published: September 15, 2010

HAVANA (Reuters) - The U.S. trade embargo against Cuba has gotten tougher under U.S. President Barack Obama, not more lenient as many had expected when he took office, a top Cuban official said on Wednesday.

Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez, in the Cuban government's annual update on the 48-year-old embargo, said the United States is levying bigger fines, applying sanctions more firmly and pursuing embargo-busting financial transactions more vigorously under Obama.

"The embargo policy in the last two years, which is to say under the government of President Obama, has not changed at all," Rodriguez said in a press conference. "In some aspects, it has even hardened."

In terms of U.S. policy toward Cuba, Obama had performed "below expectations that had been created in the international community and American public opinion," Rodriguez said.

More:
http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2010/09/15/world/international-us-cuba-usa-embargo.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss

[Rage for Order]

2. I can offer one:

Lift it entirely. It's a relic of a bygone era

:shrug:

[pjt7]

3. good post

it's time.

[Jkid]

4. They can't

If Obama actually does it, the Cuban-Americans will accuse him of being a socialist.

It's the fear of being labeled a socialist that prevents politicians in the US to do any real action.

[L0oniX]

5. He's already being accused of that ...so what n/t

[Billy Burnett]

7. It is not a relic of a bygone era. It is as current as ever.

Actually more so than ever since the US vs People United ruling. Now there are virtually no limits on the amounts of money that can be spent on campaigns.

The continuation of the sanctions has little to do with Cuba (except for it's existence as a campaign plank).

It is almost entirely an issue used in US politics as a campaign fund raising mechanism (since the private funding of political campaigns is how US political campaigns are funded).

No sanctions on Cuba means no anti sanctions fundraising from interested parties.

Raising the "threat" of lifting sanctions produces more vigorous fundraising for the pro sanctions factions.

Both sides of the issue (a mix of Ds and Rs) benefit on the campaign fundraising front by maintaining the status quo.

The continuation of the widely unpopular sanctions on Cuba (and mechanisms used to keep it) is evidence of the lack of true democratic process in the USA - one of the most important topics in and about the USA, imo.

[Vidar]

6. Hopefully, he'll listen after the elections are over, but I wouln't hold my breath.