Cuba in the Cross fire

The US is improving its relations with Cuba and really sucking up them, Russia needs to improve its relations with Cuba and have more influence in Cuba because the US is back to its dirty tricks(they will try to destabilize Cuba). Russia needs to up its realtions wit Latin America.


http://rt.com/op-edge/215475-cuba-usa-relations-obama-castro/

i smell a possible orange revolution , this time in cuba

I hope the cubans are not going to be fooled that easily, this reminds me of the days when Gaddafi was hugging and hanging around with the US puppets in Europe... next thing happened, he was dead and his country completely destroyed and transformed into a jihadist scum incubator! Those american bastards only want Cuba as a colony again like it was before 1959.
Por el amor de dios tengo cuidado muchachos!

We are jumping the gun a bit aren't we?

This is Obama just talking... you think he is going to get this through a congress that really hates him?

Well i perhaps may be too melodramatic above, but still, doesn't this smells exactly like the Libya business? And personally i don't believe Obama is in charge over there (or any other presidents), but dark back stage interests. The president is just a figurehead, a PR face.
We'll see, but if this goes forward i'm expecting a Libya-2 here unfortunately.

I suspect the fact that Obama suggested it will kill it in the republican dominated congress before it even gets started.

Even if it doesn't this is really an attempt at a sugar revolution more than anything else, with former land owners in the US will want to sue the Cuban government for lost assets and revenue making closer ties problematic...

Cuba Releases Some of the 53 ‘Political Prisoners’ on US List

The US State Department has confirmed that Cuba had released some of the 53 people who the US considers political prisoners.

MOSCOW, January 7 (Sputnik) – Cuba has released some of the 53 people who the US considers to be political prisoners, who are currently incarcerated in the country, according to an AFP report.

“They have already released some of the prisoners," the agency quotes State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki as telling reporters. “Obviously we would like to see this completed in the near future."

Psaki however has so far refused to identify the prisoners or say how many people have been freed.

One reason the prisoners' identities were not being disclosed was because "we don't want to put an even bigger target on their back as political dissidents," Reuters quotes White House spokesman Josh Earnest as telling the reporters.

The move comes as part of last month’s historic US-Cuban rapprochement deal. US President Barack Obama has already ordered his administration to initiate steps to normalize relations between the countries.

He also wants to eventually persuade Congress to lift the 54-year-old US trade embargo on Havana, which he has described as “self-defeating.”

As part of the deal, Washington has presented a “carefully put together” list of 53 political prisoners which the United States would like to see freed by Havana, Psaki said.

“We've been very careful about discussing these prisoners in this process, because we’re not looking to put a bigger target on Cuban political dissidents," AFP quotes her as saying. “We're looking to get them released, and this is the process that we think will be most effective."

Florida Senator Marco Rubio, a Cuban-American Republican who is a leading congressional opponent of Obama's policy shift, has urged Obama to cancel upcoming talks with Havana — at least until all the prisoners are released, according to Reuters.

Psaki stressed, however, that the talks were not contingent on the release of all the prisoners, says AFP.

While the prisoner release was important, “having a dialogue, opening up access to be able to communicate, to organize, those are all steps we feel are important," the agency quotes her as saying.

An exact date for the Havana talks has not been set yet.

How about US releasing political prisoners...ohh wait land of friiiee with highest inprisoned rate and political oppossition prosecutors.

George1 wrote:Cuba Releases Some of the 53 ‘Political Prisoners’ on US List

The US State Department has confirmed that Cuba had released some of the 53 people who the US considers political prisoners.

MOSCOW, January 7 (Sputnik) – Cuba has released some of the 53 people who the US considers to be political prisoners, who are currently incarcerated in the country, according to an AFP report.

“They have already released some of the prisoners," the agency quotes State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki as telling reporters. “Obviously we would like to see this completed in the near future."

Psaki however has so far refused to identify the prisoners or say how many people have been freed.

One reason the prisoners' identities were not being disclosed was because "we don't want to put an even bigger target on their back as political dissidents," Reuters quotes White House spokesman Josh Earnest as telling the reporters.

The move comes as part of last month’s historic US-Cuban rapprochement deal. US President Barack Obama has already ordered his administration to initiate steps to normalize relations between the countries.

He also wants to eventually persuade Congress to lift the 54-year-old US trade embargo on Havana, which he has described as “self-defeating.”

As part of the deal, Washington has presented a “carefully put together” list of 53 political prisoners which the United States would like to see freed by Havana, Psaki said.

“We've been very careful about discussing these prisoners in this process, because we’re not looking to put a bigger target on Cuban political dissidents," AFP quotes her as saying. “We're looking to get them released, and this is the process that we think will be most effective."

Florida Senator Marco Rubio, a Cuban-American Republican who is a leading congressional opponent of Obama's policy shift, has urged Obama to cancel upcoming talks with Havana — at least until all the prisoners are released, according to Reuters.

Psaki stressed, however, that the talks were not contingent on the release of all the prisoners, says AFP.

While the prisoner release was important, “having a dialogue, opening up access to be able to communicate, to organize, those are all steps we feel are important," the agency quotes her as saying.

An exact date for the Havana talks has not been set yet.

Am I wrong to 'smell a rat' in this deal. This deal coming on the heels of NATO threatening to redeploy ground based tactical nuclear tipped cruise missiles in Europe, in all likeness Obama wants to make Cuba move away from Moscow so that Russia doesn't retaliate by stationing cruise missiles in Cuba. We can't forget the Obummer admin is applying more sanctions against Venezuela, Cuba's greatest ally in the region...something is rotten in the state of 'Denmark'.

I smell that too. They know how it worked out for them with Jupiter Nukes on Turkey the first time, now they try after decades of punishment, embargooes and assassination attempts on castro and several other cubans, they try to bring them closer to them and away from Russia... that is truelly actions from scum that are just fucking immune to irony and sarcasm.

Havana Back in Business as US Eases Sanctions

Starting January 16, US nationals will be permitted to travel to Cuba, sell telecommunications equipment, bring back souvenirs, tobacco and alcohol.

MOSCOW, January 15 (Sputnik) – The US Treasury Department has announced an overhaul of US sanctions against Cuba starting Friday, greatly easing restrictions on travel, raising remittance limits andpermitting the export of communications equipment such a cell phones and computers.

"These changes will have a direct impact in further engaging and empowering the Cuban people," Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew said in a statement. "By increasing travel, commerce, communications and private business development between the United States and Cuba, the United States can help the Cuban people determine their own future."

The regulations carry out changes in US Cuban policy announced by President Barack Obama on December 17. According to the White House, they will end an outdated approach that failed to advance American interests and create more opportunities for people of the United States and Cuba.

However, tourism and imports of general goods will still be banned. Americans will also be allowed to use credit cards in Cuba, and bring as back as much $400 in souvenirs, including up to $100 in alcohol and tobacco products. US health insurance companies will be authorized to cover health, life and travel insurance policies for travelers to Cuba.

The export of telecommunications equipment, now allowed under an exception called "Support for the Cuban People," will allow the commercial sale of computers, cell phones, televisions, memory devices, recording devices and software to Cuba.
Exports for the purposes of improving living conditions such as construction equipment are allowed under the condition that they are sold to private sector entrepreneurs under the provision.

Banks will be allowed to open accounts at Cuban financial institutions to facilitate the processing of credit and debit card transactions in Cuba. Remittance limits will be raised from $500 to $2000 every three months, with no limit for remittances for the purposes of humanitarian projects and the development of telecommunications and private business. One of the organization types listed as without a remittance limit is "independent organizations designed to promote a rapid, peaceful transition to democracy."

US nationals with family members in Cuba will be allowed to carry up to $10,000 in remittances with them to Cuba.

Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew also pointed out that Cuba has the real potential for economic growth through increased travel, commerce, communications, and private business development between the United States and Cuba.

Since 1961, the United States has kept an embargo in place against Cuba due to Cold-War antagonism between Washington and the Communist government in Havana. Marking a thaw in US-Cuban ties, President Obama announced last December he was ready to turn the page on the countries' relations.

Russian spy ship in Havana ahead of US delegation visit

First US-Cuba High Level Talks Conclude, Long Road Ahead for Normalization

MasterCard to Remove Restriction on Transactions in Cuba

MasterCard announces on its website that it will unblock US-issued credit card activities in Cuba starting March.

WASHINGTON, January 23 (Sputnik) — MasterCard will unblock US-issued credit card activities in Cuba starting March following the recent improvement in relations between Washington and Havana, the US-based international finance corporation announced on its website on Friday.

“Today, MasterCard announced it is removing the current block on U.S.-issued card transactions in Cuba as of March 1, 2015,” the company said in a statement.

MasterCard said that the decision came from the “recent guidance from the US Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control.”

“MasterCard will work with its U.S. issuers to support their Cuba-related activities and decisions,” the statement from the company read. “Before traveling to Cuba, U.S. cardholders should contact their bank to ensure the card will be supported on the island.”

In December 2014, US President Barack Obama announced that he was taking major steps to normalize diplomatic relations with Cuba by easing travel, trade restrictions and reopening a US embassy in Havana.

Despite the President Obama’s diplomatic move, Cuban President Raul Castro said that his country’s new dialogue with the United States, that the leader would not abandon his political ideals.

Following President Obama’s announcement a month later, the US Department of Treasury implemented revised regulations which began easing the US trade and travel policies towards Cuba.

However, Republican lawmakers including US House Speaker John Boehner, have continuously criticized President Obama’s intention to normalize relations with Havana, arguing that it would reward ‘a totalitarian regime."

Since 1961, the United States has held an embargo against Cuba, which was originally put in place as a result of 20th century Cold War antagonism between Washington and the Communist government in Havana.

US-Cuba thaw opens door to 'American Trojan horse'

Raul Castro Urges US to Return Guantanamo Bay for Restoration of Relations

Cuban President Raul Castro said that the restoration of bilateral relations with the US was not possible until the embargo was lifted and the Cuban territories in Guantanamo Bay had not been returned.

MEXICO CITY, January 28 (Sputnik) – Cuban President Raul Castro has urged the United States Wednesday to return the territories of the Guantanamo Bay that belong to Cuba and lift the trade embargo in order to improve the bilateral relations between the two countries.

"The restoration of bilateral relations will not be possible, as long as the embargo exists and the Cuban territories in Guantanamo Bay have not been returned," Castro was quoted as saying by the Venezuelan network TeleSur.

The Guantanamo Bay detention camp in Cuba was established in 2002, following the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States.

In December 2014, US President Barack Obama announced that he was intending to normalize relations with Cuba by easing travel and trade restrictions and reopening a US embassy in Havana.

On Tuesday, former Cuban leader Fidel Castro expressed his distrust toward the United States in relation to the US initiative to normalize relations.

Since 1961, the United States has held an embargo against Cuba, which was originally put in place as a result of the 20th century Cold War antagonism between Washington and the Communist government in Havana.

I suspect Cuba ultimately wants the US completely out of Guantanimo... and the US wants elections in Cuba.

I don't see either of those things happening any time soon.

I don't think the progress is going to be any less frustrating than the sanctions were...

I also don't see the congress offering any concessions without elections in Cuba.

Moscow hails normalisation of US ties as Cuba’s victory

Moscow has congratulated the Cuban people on the outstanding success of the Cuban leadership, the Cuban diplomacy



HAVANA, February 6. /TASS/. Russia believes that the normalization of relations between Havana and Washington is the political and moral victory of the Cuban people, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Vassily Nebenzya said.

"We see in this the political and moral victory of the Cuban people over the enemy, which has a much greater financial, military and economic power than them," the Russian diplomat told journalists on Thursday following two-day consultations between the representatives of the Russian Foreign Ministry and Cuba.

Havana has informed the Russian side "in detail and in confidence" about the outcome of the Cuban-US negotiations and its stance on the development of the relations’ normalization, Nebenzya told the briefing.

"We congratulated our Cuban friends on the outstanding success of the Cuban leadership, the Cuban diplomacy and all the Cuban people," the Russian diplomat said, stressing that the December 17 talks are an important step but this is "just the beginning of a very long way."

On December 17, 2014, US President Barack Obama unveiled plans to open a new chapter in the relations with Cuba. He admitted that the policy of isolation of the Freedom Island for more than five decades had not produced the desired results and said the trade embargo against Havana would be mitigated.

Washington is looking to open an embassy in Havana in the coming months and also remove a range of barriers for trips to the island and restrictions for US exporters.

Nebenzya led a delegation to Havana for consultations on bilateral and multilateral cooperation. The Russian diplomat met with Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez and Vice Chairman of the Cuban Council of Ministers Ricardo Cabrisas.

These were the first consultations between Russia and Cuba in such an extended format, Nebenzya said, adding that the Russian side believes that they were "very successful" and the positions of the two countries on major international issues almost coincide.

Both countries share a common interest in seeing a just and multipolar world order, based on "equality, adherence to international law and respect for it with the central role of the United Nations.".

http://sputniknews.com/us/20150417/1021003474.html

I said the same thing. Wonder if it will work or Cuba will cave to US?

The "Paper of Record" is Pure Propaganda

...The same issue of the New York Times treats us to a report by the inimitable Thomas Friedman, earnestly relaying the words of President Obama presenting what Friedman labels “the Obama Doctrine” – every President has to have a Doctrine. The profound Doctrine is “’engagement,’ combined with meeting core strategic needs.

The President illustrated with a crucial case: “You take a country like Cuba. For us to test the possibility that engagement leads to a better outcome for the Cuban people, there aren’t that many risks for us. It’s a tiny little country. It’s not one that threatens our core security interests, and so [there’s no reason not] to test the proposition. And if it turns out that it doesn’t lead to better outcomes, we can adjust our policies.”...It is a move undertaken in order to “more effectively empower the Cuban people,” the hero explained, our earlier efforts to bring them freedom and democracy having failed to achieve our noble goals. The earlier efforts included a crushing embargo condemned by the entire world (Israel excepted) and a brutal terrorist war. The latter is as usual wiped out of history, apart from failed attempts to assassinate Castro, a very minor feature, acceptable because it can be dismissed with scorn as ridiculous CIA shenanigans. Turning to the declassified internal record, we learn that these crimes were undertaken because of Cuba’s “successful defiance” of US policy going back to the Monroe Doctrine, which declared Washington’s intent to rule the hemisphere....

US drops Cuba from list of terrorism sponsors

George1 wrote:US drops Cuba from list of terrorism sponsors

Seriously if irony would be lethal the entire so called 1st world countries would explode with the force of thousand suns.

George1 wrote:US drops Cuba from list of terrorism sponsors

The US is the biggest exporter of terrorism ever.

1) Saudi Arabia is a US vassal state that exports Wahabbi terror.

2) The US arms Wahabbi groups such as ISIS to enable the US to achieve its geopolitical goals, for
example to undermine Iran and install US friendly regimes in Syria and Iraq (they actually failed in
Iraq when the Iran aligned Shi'ite majority took over). Iran is the main counterbalance to Saudi
influence in the middle east and outside it (e.g. in Canada).

3) The US installed the butcher regime in Kiev which is pursuing a war of terror against the people
of the Donbas.

4) The US dropped two nuclear bombs on civilians in Japan "to win WWII". That was an act
of pure terror. They could have dropped the bombs on Japanese forces or other assets. If
the Japanese would not surrender or sue for peace, then they could have some excuse to
ratchet up the attacks. But directly targeting civilians is a war crime.

kvs wrote:

George1 wrote:US drops Cuba from list of terrorism sponsors

The US is the biggest exporter of terrorism ever.

1) Saudi Arabia is a US vassal state that exports Wahabbi terror.

2) The US arms Wahabbi groups such as ISIS to enable the US to achieve its geopolitical goals, for
example to undermine Iran and install US friendly regimes in Syria and Iraq (they actually failed in
Iraq when the Iran aligned Shi'ite majority took over).   Iran is the main counterbalance to Saudi
influence in the middle east and outside it (e.g. in Canada).

3) The US installed the butcher regime in Kiev which is pursuing a war of terror against the people
of the Donbas.

4) The US dropped two nuclear bombs on civilians in Japan "to win WWII".  That was an act
of pure terror.  They could have dropped the bombs on Japanese forces or other assets.  If
the Japanese would not surrender or sue for peace, then they could have some excuse to
ratchet up the attacks.   But directly targeting civilians is a war crime.

Will this forum EVER understand that international politics is about interests and not about vassals, puppets etc.?

1) Saudi Arabia is not a US "vassal". They're allied with US only because it suits their interests. Once they realize that alliance with America no longer suits their interest, they'll abandon this alliance in no time. And their treatment of Americans is far from perfect in spite of alliance - Americans in KSA clearly DON"T enjoy the same freedoms as Saudis in the United States.

2)Expanding one's sphere of influence and fighting influence of other powers is what every major power did since the dawn of civilization. You don't like it? Great. Swallow it and move on.

3)I don't disagree with that. But your accusations are like blaming dogs for barking

4) Nobody in America celebrates these bombings. US society as a whole is ashamed of what their ancestors did.


The United States of America is no more immoral than Russia, China, India, Iran or any major/regional power that exists today or in the recent past (USSR). It's simply the strongest player on the board so it's transgressions are more visible. Does it mean that other powers don't want to behave in the same way? Nope - it means they are too weak.