This Cuba
obsession
Former US President Jimmy Carter was in Cuba last week to help erase one of the last remaining chapters from the cold war saga. While in Havana, Carter met Cuban leader Fidel Castro and offered him a hand of friendship on behalf of the American people. He also urged Washington to take the first step towards ending the crippling trade embargo against Cuba. Carter called for an end to "the destructive state of belligerence of 42 years" between the world's most powerful nation and the tiny island republic off its south-eastern coast.
For over four decades, the US has tried everything in its power to destabilize Cuba and overthrow its populist strongman Fidel Castro. The Cuban people have endured all kinds of economic hardships because of the US embargo and yet remain unbowed by the pressure from their powerful neighbour. Carter has the support of 40 members of the US Congress who have formed the Cuban Working Group to campaign against the trade embargo and travel restrictions.
However, the Bush administration has not only dismissed pleas for a thaw in relations but is all set to announce a new set of anti-Cuba measures. It is likely to continue with the policy of imposing massive fines on US citizens visiting Cuba, keep tight curbs on trade, and increase funding for anti-Castro groups and a television channel beaming propaganda to the island from Florida.
One member of the Bush administration went a step further recently and suggested that Cuba, along with Libya and Syria, should be put on the list of countries comprising the so-called axis of evil. According to this view, Cuba is developing weapons of mass destruction that could be used against the US. As against this, Jimmy Carter has given Cuba a clean chit and argued that the tiny island does not in any way constitute a threat to the mighty US. However, given the jingoistic mood in the White House these days, it is unlikely that voices of reason such as Carter's will be heeded.
Former US President Jimmy Carter was in Cuba last week to help erase one of the last remaining chapters from the cold war saga. While in Havana, Carter met Cuban leader Fidel Castro and offered him a hand of friendship on behalf of the American people. He also urged Washington to take the first step towards ending the crippling trade embargo against Cuba. Carter called for an end to "the destructive state of belligerence of 42 years" between the world's most powerful nation and the tiny island republic off its south-eastern coast.
For over four decades, the US has tried everything in its power to destabilize Cuba and overthrow its populist strongman Fidel Castro. The Cuban people have endured all kinds of economic hardships because of the US embargo and yet remain unbowed by the pressure from their powerful neighbour. Carter has the support of 40 members of the US Congress who have formed the Cuban Working Group to campaign against the trade embargo and travel restrictions.
However, the Bush administration has not only dismissed pleas for a thaw in relations but is all set to announce a new set of anti-Cuba measures. It is likely to continue with the policy of imposing massive fines on US citizens visiting Cuba, keep tight curbs on trade, and increase funding for anti-Castro groups and a television channel beaming propaganda to the island from Florida.
One member of the Bush administration went a step further recently and suggested that Cuba, along with Libya and Syria, should be put on the list of countries comprising the so-called axis of evil. According to this view, Cuba is developing weapons of mass destruction that could be used against the US. As against this, Jimmy Carter has given Cuba a clean chit and argued that the tiny island does not in any way constitute a threat to the mighty US. However, given the jingoistic mood in the White House these days, it is unlikely that voices of reason such as Carter's will be heeded.
