Rice: "not wise to end embargo now"

[Saddle Bronc 124]

http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D9...;show_article=1

Rice: Not wise to end Cuban economic embargo now

Sep 7 12:24 PM US/Eastern

By MATTHEW LEE

Associated Press Writer

RABAT, Morocco (AP) - The Bush administration said Sunday it sees no wisdom now in ending an economic embargo against Cuba, a longtime demand the Havana government renewed as a way to speed aid after Hurricane Gustav swamped the island.

A U.S. offer to send a disaster assessment team was declined Saturday by the Cuban Foreign Ministry, which did not mention the $100,000 in humanitarian assistance that Washington also offered through nonprofit groups.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, wrapping up a trip to North Africa, told reporters that President Bush consistently has said the U.S. would be responsive "to a Cuban regime that is prepared to release political prisoners (and) has a process to get to free and fair elections." But, she added, "we can see nothing that suggests that has come about."

With another powerful storm, Hurricane Ike, bearing down, the Cuban ministry contended that "the only correct, ethical (action) ... would be the total and definitive elimination of the harsh and cruel economic, commercial and financial blockade applied over nearly a half century against our nation."

Rice said that did not seem possible under current conditions, with Raul Castro in charge after replacing his brother, Fidel, who stepped down in February.

"What we can't do is to have the transfer of power from one dictatorial regime to another," Rice said. "That is not acceptable in a Western Hemisphere that is democratic and it is not acceptable for the Cuban people. So I don't think in the context that we see now that the lifting of the embargo would be wise."

So what about the many dictatorships and absolute monarchies on which the US has NOT imposed an embargo (such as Saudi Arabia, where Fahd kicked-bucket in 2004 to be succeeded by Abdullah)?

Currently, people of Cuban origin living in the U.S. can visit the island only once every three years and can send money only to members of their immediate families, excluding cousins, aunts and uncles.

Fidel Castro wrote this past week that recovery from Gustav could cost billions of dollars on an island where the average state salary is only about $20 per month. Gustav damaged 100,000 homes on Cuba.

[Ilya R. 0]

Condi is full of statements!

[HAL 9000 96]

An embargo that does nothing but confirm (at least the way most in Cuba see it), the continuation of the current regime in power.

That ain't stoppin others' financial plans from proceeding though.

[Emancipation 2]

pile of cow dung.. that's what I think of Condi's statements..

If there ever was a time for the US getting over herself.. now is it...

[Saddle Bronc 124]

pile of cow dung.. that's what I think of Condi's statements....

All of them since 2005, or just the more recent flubs?

[Saddle Bronc 124]

An embargo that does nothing but confirm (at least the way most in Cuba see it), the continuation of the current regime in power.

That ain't stoppin others' financial plans from proceeding though.

Yet another lesson the US can learn from its northern neighbour--no PM, not even Harper (said to be "rightwingmost PM after 1867/06/30") has ever participated in US embargo on Cuba.

(BTW, one of the deserters who sought refugee status in Canada was recently deported back to US with his family--which included a Canuck-Yank "anchor baby"!)

Edited September 8, 2008 by CherryXS