Thread: FL-OPINION: U.S. wise to seek talks with Cuba on immigration

U.S. wise to seek talks with Cuba on immigration

South Florida Sun-Sentinel
May 27, 2009

President Obama's call for talks with the Cuban government on immigration issues is smart precisely because of the criticism raised by South Florida congressional representatives.

Namely, the congressional representatives have justifiably raised objections that the Cuban government has not processed exit visas for Cubans given the green light by Washington to immigrate to the United States. In refusing to do so, Havana is not complying with an immigration pact negotiated by the Clinton administration to dissuade dangerous crossings across the Florida Straits. In fact, the Castro government is undermining the goal of that agreement.

However, the better way to seek resolution of the stalemate is to re-open discussions, rather than allowing the dispute to go on endlessly. The Bush administration's approach, suspending immigration talks, certainly didn't resolve the matter, and there is little reason to continue with that tactic.

Sure, there is no guarantee talks will bring a resolution. There is little to lose by trying, nonetheless.

There are some in South Florida's Cuban-American community who worry that, in wooing Cuba, the Obama administration will give away the store with unilateral actions. So far, the administration has shown a willingness only to reach out with pragmatic steps — such as lifting senseless travel and remittance restrictions on Cuban Americans.

Beyond that, the Obama government has not shown a dispensation to act recklessly. For example, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has said the United States will not support Cuba's re-entry into the Organization of American States until the island embarks on political reforms. That is the correct stance for Washington to take at next week's OAS meeting.

The goal of U.S. policy should be to address the needs of Cuba's 11 million people, and bolster grass roots desire for reforms. That's the best way to promote democracy in Cuba, and not simply to wait for the Havana government to change on its own.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/topic/sfl ... 7594.story

I guess we don't have enough immigrants yet to suit this government eh!!!