In what appears to be a decisive break with its liberal Democratic editorial past, the Washington Post editorial headlined “On to Havana” noted, among other things, the following:
- “In announcing the normalization of relations with Cuba last month, President Obama violated two pledges he had made: to link such a liberalization to ‘significant steps toward democracy,’ including the freeing of all political prisoners; and to consult with Cuban civil society, including pro-democracy activists, on the change.”
- “As of Wednesday, three weeks after the U.S.-Cuba accord, Cuban human rights activists had reported only five released prisoners. On Thursday, Cuban blogger Yoani Sánchez tweeted that the number had risen to 26. Meanwhile, however, the State Department was emphasizing that steps toward normalization – including the highest-level visit by a U.S. official to Cuba in a half-century – will go forward this month whether the promised prisoner release is completed or not.”
- “The Cuban Commission for Human Rights and National Reconciliation, a dissident group, reported that repression by the regime increased in December. It said at least 489 people were arrested for political reasons, including at least 70 who attempted to peacefully gather in a Havana park to talk about their hopes for the future.”
The Post’s subheadline above this editorial was: “The Obama administration will engage whether Cuba keeps its promises or not.”
The Post’s Laura Vozzella reports from Richmond, Virginia:
“Virginia has been trading with Cuba for more than a decade after restrictions were loosened to allow exports of agricultural and medical products. Now the state is Cuba’s third-largest U.S. trading partner, behind Louisiana and Georgia, with annual agricultural sales of $40 million in 2013, the last year for which data was available. …
“Four successive governors have courted Cuba, starting with now-Sen. Mark R. Warner (D). He wanted to lead a Virginia trade mission to the island when he took office in 2002. …
“Warner instead sent his commerce and trade secretary, who helped Virginia farmers sell about $800,000 in apples and soybeans to Cuba in 2003 – the first exports from Virginia to Cuba since President John F. Kennedy imposed a Cold War trade embargo in 1962. …
“‘Cuba’s long been a valued trading partner here in Virginia, and the governor believes we are poised to lead in a new era of economic relations between our country and Cuba,’ [Gov. Terry] McAuliffe spokesman Brian Coy said.”
What must the Castro prisoners of conscience thing of Virginians who engage in trade with this still-totalitarian communist government?
What does the world think about the United States government – which has for so long been one of the world’s leading beacons of freedom – continuing to be a trading partner of the Castros?
Media wishing to interview Les Kinsolving, please contact [email protected].
|
