The Revolution Betrayed? Is Cuba Going to Join the World Economic System?

Wed, 2014-12-17 17:04

ikosmos

R. Castro wrote:
As Fidel promised on June 2001,when he said: “They shall return!” Gerardo, Ramon, and Antonio have arrived today to our homeland.

The enormous joy of their families and of all our people, who have relentlessly fought for this goal, is shared by hundreds of solidarity committees and groups, governments, parliaments, organizations, institutions, and personalities, who for the last sixteen years have made tireless efforts demanding their release. We convey our deepest gratitude and commitment to all of them.

President Obama’s decision deserves the respect and acknowledgement of our people.

I wish to thank and acknowledge the support of the Vatican, most particularly the support of Pope Francisco in the efforts for improving relations between Cuba and the United States. I also want to thank the Government of Canada for facilitating the high-level dialogue between the two countries.

Wed, 2014-12-17 18:26

#103

Unionist

Almost 55 years later - and JFK and all the rest of them long gone - this is such wonderful news!

The United States is not omnipotent.

Of course the Cuban people will need to be vigilant. But they have prevailed, against the most monstrous attempts at annihilation. They are an example to us all.

Wed, 2014-12-17 18:46

#104

6079_Smith_W

The funny thing is that they are thanking Canada, because all the negotiations happened here, even though no one from our govenrment attended.

I would love to hear the backroom story on that one.

Thu, 2014-12-18 04:48

#105

NDPP

I suspect this is closer to the truth of WHY NOW:

Power Moves: US-Cuba Deal Isolates and Weakens Russia

http://article.wn.com/view/2014/12/18/Power_Moves_USCuba_Deal_Isolates_A...

"20B Barrel Oil Discovery Puts Cuba in the Big League'

The Russian government-owned oil corporation Rosneft is now seeking a major oil deal with Cuba. It is in Cuba's best interests to execute the deal, and because they cannot work with American oil companies due to the longstanding embargo, Rosneft is the logical company to approach.'

'Cuba has become a pawn on the grand chessboard..."

Thu, 2014-12-18 08:14

#106

sherpa-finn

For those who don't follow through the multiple links, the article is a longer echo of the running Twitter jokes about "Better get to Cuba before .....

..... McDonald's gets there!"

---- they replace all the 57 Chevies with new Toyotas!"

---- the beaches are full of Americans!".

The simple fact is, the Cuban people are entitled to make their own way in this world as best they can, just like the rest of us. If they are pawns on a global chessboard, so be it. Aren't we all? Hasn't it been always? Internally-imposed controls and externally imposed embargos are so clearly not the way to go this century.

And I suspect thet the timing issue has a lot more to do with domestic Americam politics than imminent corporate deals. Though an encouraging word from the US oil lobby certainly would certainly not have hurt.

I checked in with colleagues in Havana yesterday and they reported that the public mood was celebratory. As in "We have won, - after all these years!".

Felicitaciones, hermanos y hermanas! (And caveat emptor.)

Thu, 2014-12-18 12:26

#107

NDPP

Obama's Cuba Decision: 'US Tries To Move Russia Allies Away - by Adrian Salbuchi

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

"Latin America countries agree that it is good news, although 54 years late. Anyway, better late than never. I think that this is yet another sign of growing US weakness, not just as a global power but throughout Latin America...

Thu, 2014-12-18 12:33

#108

Unionist

sherpa-finn wrote:

The simple fact is, the Cuban people are entitled to make their own way in this world as best they can, just like the rest of us.

Exactly.

Quote:

Felicitaciones, hermanos y hermanas! (And caveat emptor.)

Exactly.

Thu, 2014-12-18 12:48

#109

ikosmos

What's the general approach on threads that have outlived their usefulness? Do we provide links with news about winning the freedom of the Cuban 5, and what may come for Cuba in the future, on a thread referring to "the revolution betrayed" or do we start a new thread?