We have sent messages to the U.S. government in private and in public that we are willing to discuss everything, whenever they want. Human rights, press freedom, political prisoners, everything, everything, everything they want to talk about.Fidel Castro made similar overtures in a written response in a Cuban newspaper to a letter signed by 12 senior retired military officers under the direction of the New America Foundation and the National Security Network ("Fidel Castro: Soldiers with Correct Opinions," Invasor.cu, April 16, 2009 )("Cuba's Raul Castro: Let's talk," Foreign Policy, April 17, 2009).
...- the debate of ideas; we believe in our convictions and with them we have known how to defend and continue defending our homeland.Secretary of State Hillary Clinton interpreted the remarks in a manner supportive of the administrations goals, and responded positively to the Castro's remarks ("Clinton Receptive to Castro Overture to Discuss 'Everything', Foxnews.com, April 17, 2009).
A group of high-ranking retired U.S. military were urging President Barack Obama to ‘support and sign’ a law to end the prohibitions on travel to Cuba by all U.S. citizens, arguing that the embargo against the island is of no use for political purposes or for Washington’s security.
We have seen Raul Castro's comments and we welcome this overture. We are taking a very serious look at it, and we will consider how we intend to respond. We are continuing to look for productive ways forward, because we view the present policy as having failed. Engagement is a useful tool to advance our national interests.Parenthetically, I would not have referred to past U.S. policy that was maintained through many administrations, including her husband's, as failed. Although she is technically correct, it did not bring down the communist regime, it sounds like she is blaming the U.S. for Cuba's problems. Cuba's biggest problem is its brutal, nasty communist government. Instead I would have said that the policy needed to be amended with changing circumstances. I imagine that the policy objective remains unchanged, to see Cuba evolve into a democratic, market oriented society with both political and economic freedom.
Fidel Castro knows the dangers of opening trade and other relationships with the U.S. The regime seems to want someone to blame for its failures more than it wants to improve the lives of its citizens through more interactions with the U.S. As President Obama was leaving the Summit of the Americas, he asked Cuba to free political prisoners and reduce taxes on U.S. remittances. Castro responded (Fidel Castro. "Obama and the blockade," Digital Granma International, April 22, 2009)(AP. "Fidel Castro says Obama misinterpreted his brother's remarks" Los Angeles Times, April 22, 2009).
Without any doubt, the president misinterpreted Raúl’s statement.The Obama administration should be even more dynamic in offering to improve relations with Cuba; we should end the trade blockade. The more we offer, the less they will take, and the more apparent it will become that Cuba's failed economy is a product of its own policy and not the U.S. blockade. This is the worst outcome that we would achieve. If the Castro regime accepted trade it would secure friends within the government of Cuba and between citizens in both countries. Trade would result in a larger comparison between the two country's laws and institutions. It is a comparison that we cannot fail to win. Trade, even the threat of trade, and the Castro's would view it as a threat, would weaken the communist regime.
On affirming that Cuba is prepared to discuss any issue with the president of the United States, the president of Cuba stated that he has no fear of approaching any issue whatsoever. That is a demonstration of courage and confidence in the principles of the Revolution.
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Principle 7: Governments can sometimes improve market outcomes; this rule does not stand in Cuba. As mentioned in the above blog Cuba's government is the main problem with the stagnation in economic growth. The government wants to keep and control all money flowing within the city and keep the citizens oppressed. I think the US should stay away from that trap and focus all of its efforts on the well being of our US nation. This is the time to think selfishly. Principle 5: Trade can make everyone better off. Normally this statement would be true, but not for Cuba because the communist government will not allow markets to improve. The US blockade should stand, as Cuba has much bigger problems.
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