BAD COP #2 Makes Statement: Sen. Lugar "Cuba Should Not Be Allowed to Rejoin OAS"

[magbana]

AMERICAN CHRONICLE: Lugar: Cuba Should Not Be Allowed To Rejoin OAS
Posted by: "Walter Lippmann" [e-mail] walterlx
Sat May 23, 2009 9:10 am (PDT)


Cuba Should Not Be Allowed To Rejoin The Organization Of American States (OAS) Outright, Lugar Says
Congressional Desk May 23, 2009

http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/view/103548

U.S. Sen. Dick Lugar, Ranking Republican on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, supported Secretary of State Hillary Clinton´s comments on Wednesday that Cuba should not be allowed to rejoin the Organization of American States (OAS) until it makes political reforms, releases political prisoners and respects human rights.

"As we all know, there is growing momentum within the region in favor of reincorporating Cuba as a member of the OAS. There is also growing momentum within the United States to define a new relationship with Cuba," Lugar said.

"Even those of us who feel that U.S. policy should be improved and want significant policy change in favor of direct dialogue believe that such change has to be deliberate and incremental. In this regard, at the June 2-3 General Assembly meeting of the OAS in San Pedro de Sula, Honduras, it would be a grave mistake to suspend or repeal outright the 1962 resolution that suspended Cuba´s membership.

"As I stated in a March 30 letter to President Obama, it is too early to allow Cuba back into the OAS outright. It is not in America´s interest regarding our ongoing efforts with Cuba and it´s not in the interest of the OAS. Cuba´s unconditional reentry would raise serious concerns about the organization´s commitment to promote and defend democracy, as codified in the Inter-American Democratic Charter. To push too hard and too fast would raise questions in the public mind about the OAS´s effectiveness and would risk legitimizing the questionable practices of some in the region.

"Nevertheless, it is in the United States´ interest to acknowledge the views of others in the region at the Honduras meeting next month. There should be a way to harmonize the desire of many of our Latin American allies to reintegrate Cuba into the Inter-American system with the United States´ interest in reforming our policy towards Cuba and building an equal partnership with all the nations of the Americas," Lugar said.

"A constructive start would be for Secretary Clinton to support a process of talks with OAS Member States on how to proceed. These talks should be comprehensive, open to the public and include discussion of all topics, including human rights and democracy, as well as the criteria and requisite steps for Cuba´s reinstatement. In doing so, the Secretary would be recognizing the need to engage the region on Cuba while strengthening the OAS´ credibility as a defender of democracy in the region."