In Brussels
Despite scepticism from some member nations, in particular the Czech Republic and Sweden, it seems the European Union has agreed to lift its (largely symbolic) sanctions against the Castro regime.
You may recall that the sanctions were imposed in 2003 following the regime’s crack-down on dissidents.
According to reports from Brussels, the EU seems to think that the semi-retirement of Fidel Castro and the fact that Cubans can now buy mobiles phones (but no toasters until 2010!), is reason enough to restore full diplomatic relations with Havana.
"We see encouraging signs in Cuba and I think that we should show the population in Cuba that we are ready to work with them," the EU’s commissioner for external relations, Benita Ferrero-Waldne, told reporters.
Well, that's her view ... as the Swedish foreign minister said before the vote, the “reforms” introduced by Raul Castro since taking over officially from his brother earlier this year are at best cosmetic.
Perhaps I am missing something here, but "giving" Cubans the "right" to window-shop for outrageously over-priced DVDs or to enter the lobbies of hotels once reserved for tourists hardly amount to major political change.
You may recall that the sanctions were imposed in 2003 following the regime’s crack-down on dissidents.
According to reports from Brussels, the EU seems to think that the semi-retirement of Fidel Castro and the fact that Cubans can now buy mobiles phones (but no toasters until 2010!), is reason enough to restore full diplomatic relations with Havana.
"We see encouraging signs in Cuba and I think that we should show the population in Cuba that we are ready to work with them," the EU’s commissioner for external relations, Benita Ferrero-Waldne, told reporters.
Well, that's her view ... as the Swedish foreign minister said before the vote, the “reforms” introduced by Raul Castro since taking over officially from his brother earlier this year are at best cosmetic.
Perhaps I am missing something here, but "giving" Cubans the "right" to window-shop for outrageously over-priced DVDs or to enter the lobbies of hotels once reserved for tourists hardly amount to major political change.
posted by Luis M Garcia at 9:51 am
2 Comments:
it is not major change.. but the point is that cuba is a soverign nation..EU or USA can't impose its will on a nation. Iraq shows us this.
The sovereign people in Cuba are the castro brothers. Everybody else has to live at their whim. That's not sovereignty. Sovereignty implies a legitimate form of government which exists with the consent of the people. What Iraq proves is that non-Iraqi outsiders don't want Iraqis to enjoy such a form of government.
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