U. S. economic sanctions against Cuba, in place for half a century, must go. For that to happen, congressional action is needed.
When President Barack Obama recently announced plans to restore diplomatic relations with Cuba, he asked Congress to remove the anti-Cuban trade embargo. He had to ask because, in 1996, the Helms-Burton Law transferred decision-making about the embargo from the executive branch to Congress.
Normalized relations with Cuba will serve Maine people. Businesses could sell technological, intellectual, agricultural, forest and marine products to Cuba. Mainers might enjoy the beaches and green outdoors of the “Pearl of the Antilles,” learn about Cuba’s history and culture, or take lessons from Cuba on environmental and agricultural sustainability, health care and education.
In Congress, four bills are being considered that would open up trade with Cuba and two that would remove travel restrictions. Yet the proposed bills have few co-sponsors.
Sen. Susan Collins backs one of the travel bills but, overall, the Maine congressional delegation is silent on the legislation. Collins, Sen. Angus King and Reps. Bruce Poliquin and Chellie Pingree show no interest in opening up trade with Cuba. Their websites show nothing about Cuba.
At home and abroad, we are told that the United States supports fairness, equal rights and international law. Most Mainers do so also. Yet U.S. treatment of Cuba, full of ethical and legal blemishes, falls short.
U.S. regulations, for example, deprive Cuba’s doctors and their patients of medicines and supplies that they need from third countries. Foreign banks, at the U.S. government’s behest, still insist that foreign donors not use dollars, the standard international currency, to pay for humanitarian aid to Cuba. And Cubans may not use dollars in paying importers for goods they need for their survival.
At issue is continuation of policies fashioned 55 years ago aimed then and now at causing human suffering. That, in turn, would lead to rebellion and overthrow of a sovereign government, according to strategists. Assistant Secretary of State Lester D. Mallory’s proposal of April 6, 1960, illustrates such thinking.
We who are appalled look now to Washington, and to our senators and representatives.
They may not be fans of Cuba’s government and a little uncomfortable with moralizing and legalizing. But that’s OK. All they need to do is recall that past maneuvers haven’t worked to accomplish U. S. purposes and then do something different.
The point of view here is that of a citizen’s appreciation of Cuba’s role internationally in providing humanitarian service and advocacy, and a former pediatrician’s admiration for Cuba’s dedication to family support, cultural development, health care and schooling for all.
Maine people who have worked for decent bi-national relations realize that a historic watershed is at hand.
The time is right for old prejudices to go and to give Cuba a break.
William T. “Tom” Whitney Jr. lives in Paris.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
