U.S. will not lift Cuba restrictions over storms

After days of pressure by certain Cuban exile leaders on the Bush Administration to temporarily lift travel and money remittance restrictions to Cuba to aid storm victims, the State Department has finally delivered a response. The answer is no, the federal government will not lift restrictions that limit Cuban exiles to visiting close relatives in Cuba once every three years and sending up to $300 every three months. In a statement issued Friday, the office of the State Department spokesman had this to say in direct response to the pleas for lifting restrictions: “We do not believe that at this time it is necessary to loosen the restrictions on remittances and travel to Cuba to accomplish the objective of aiding the hurricane victims. Non-governmental organizations on the ground in Cuba are already mobilizing to provide such assistance.’’ The issue arose last week when three prominent members of the Cuban exile community, Ramon Saul Sanchez of the Democracy Movement and congressional Democratic Party candidates Raul Martinez and Joe Garcia called on President Bush to lift the restrictions. Then Democratic Party presidential candidate Barack Obama endorsed the exile appeals. A bipartisan group of congressional leaders, four Republicans and three Democrats, issued a separate statement urging the U.S. government to send aid directly to storm victims. The Republicans included the two incumbents Martinez and Garcia are challenging: Lincoln and his brother Mario Diaz-Balart. Over the weekend, the Cuban government turned down an official U.S. aid offer. (The AP photo shows Cuban fishermen  Sunday securing boats ad Hurricane Ike approached Cuba).

-- Alfonso Chardy

Comments

[Walter Lippmann]

Reflections by comrade Fidel

BESIEGED BY HURRICANES

We had hardly recovered from the emotional impact and material damages caused by the unexpectedly strong winds of hurricane Gustav on the Isla de la Juventud and Pinar del Rio, when news were received of sea floods caused by Hanna. Then, the worst news of all: that the very intense hurricane Ike, turning southwest under pressure from a strong anti-hurricane system located north of its course, would strike heavily over 625 miles throughout the national territory.

This means, in fact, that the entire country will be impacted by the three hurricanes; and some places will be hit twice.

What will happen with the bananas, fruits and vegetables in the intensive-farming areas? What will happen with the cultivation of beans and other grains? What will happen with the sugarcane and rice plantations? What will happen with the poultry, pork and milk production centers? The entire nation is now in what in military terms is defined as combat alert.

The problems raised in the reflection which defined Gustav as a nuclear strike have multiplied. The principles guiding our behavior are still the same, just that much greater efforts will be required.

The Civil Defense did not miss a second. Comrades in positions of responsibilities in both the Party and the Government have been visiting every place. The cadres should demand discipline, withhold their emotions and exercise their authority. The responsibility for information falls on our media: television, radio and printed press.

The world has admired our people’s conduct under the scourge of Gustav. As our enemies cynically rubbed their hands with glee, our friends, who are obviously not few, are determined to cooperate with our people. The seeds of solidarity planted for many years are growing everywhere. Aircrafts from Russia and other countries have been flying in from thousands of miles away with products which cannot be measured for their volume or price but for their significance. We have received donations from small states like East Timor, and messages from important friendly nations like Russia, Vietnam, China and others expressing the willingness to cooperate as much as possible with the investment programs we shall soon undertake to reestablish and develop production.

The sister Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, and its President Hugo Chavez, has adopted measures which constitute the most generous gesture of solidarity our homeland has known.

I think that despite the intensity of the blows received and of those still to come, our country is in a position to save the life of its citizens. The families shall be provided material assistance and food for as long as necessary until they recover --as soon as possible-- their capacity for food production. This assistance cannot be the same in every municipality since the damages are not the same neither is the time they will need to be back on their feet.

At this moment we are besieged by hurricanes. We should be more rational than ever and fight wastage, vagrancy and complacency. We should be absolutely honest avoiding demagoguery or compromising with weakness or opportunism. The revolutionary militants should set an example. They should give and receive confidence. They should give everything for the people, even their lives if need be.

Fidel Castro Ruz
September 7, 2008
5:29 p.m.

[Val Prieto]

Alfonso

If Im not mistaken, the remittance allowance was increased back in June to $400.

[Gabriel]

Another foolish move on our part to maintain failure when it comes to our foreign policy.

We are only hurting ourselves and our Cuban family by not lifting these restrictions.

[lilya makhmal]

Sad to say, the United States, seems to be locked into the same mind grid of the 60's. It is hard to comprehend that we want to continue those practices and lock out a relationship for an island so close to our shores. What in God's name are we afraid of?

Resembles the Democratic Party who made a big blunder when they excluded Hillary Clinton and the Republican Party grabbed the opportunity to place a female in the role of possible President of the United States.