Thread: Mexico Restructures Cuban Debt

Mexico Restructures Cuban Debt
Associated Press 02.18.08, 7:29 PM ET

MEXICO CITY - Mexico has agreed to restructure US$400 million (euro273 million) in Cuban debt in an effort to boost trade between the two nations, Mexico's export development bank said

Cuba stopped payments on the defaulted debt in 2002, undermining bilateral trade, which fell from US$435 million (euro300 million) in the 1990s to US$200 million (euro140 million) in 2007, Mexico's export development bank, Bancomext, said in a news release Sunday.

The restructuring will help the countries "restore their historical levels of economic collaboration" the bank said, as Mexico seeks to reduce reliance on the U.S., its main trading partner.

The deal, signed Sunday in Havana, may also help to improve diplomatic ties between the two nations, which chilled when the government of then-President Vicente Fox backed a U.N. Human Rights resolution condemning Cuba.

Cuba accused Mexico of pandering to the United States and the two nations temporarily withdrew their ambassadors in 2004.

President Felipe Calderon, who took office in December 2006, has said he wants to improve relations with Cuba.

http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2008/02/ ... 67121.html

Calderon keeping company with Iran, Cuba and the United States--not good. Playing all against each other?

Mexican President is connecting with foreign governments that are enemies of the United States of America--Cuba and Iran.
We give Mexico money and technology and they have loaned money to Cuba in the past. Will Mexico give Cuba our technology too?
Will Mexico lend money and our technology to Iran too?

*December, 2007 met with former Iranian President Mohamed Khatami.
*Febuary, 2008 Restores ties with Cuba and agreed to restructure US$400 million (euro273 million) in Cuban debt in an effort to boost trade between the two nations, to promote Mexico's export development bank said .

*Febuary, 2008 Caldron's 5 day visit to illegal and legal immigrants, Mexican-American citizens, consulates, pro-immigration groups and US officials in the U.S. to promote amnesty, an open border, private investiment in Mexico, pressue for the 1,4 billin drug package to Mexico and to meddle in U.S. elections and domestic policies.

Iran-Mexico meeting deepens ties to Islam
President Calderon welcomes Khatami in effort to bypass confrontational West
December, 2007

In a little notice meeting reflecting growing ties between South America and the Islamic world, Mexican President Felipe Calderon welcomed former Iranian President Mohamed Khatami to Mexico City.
The two leaders met Wednesday at Los Pinos, Mexico's official presidential residence, to discuss deepening cultural bonds with the Islamic world in the face of Western notions of a "clash of civilizations.

http://www.alipac.us/ftopict-93486-iran ... sit+mexico


U.S. State Department Warning on Iran
IRAN
January 03, 2008

The Department of State continues to warn U.S. citizens to carefully consider the risks of travel to Iran. Dual national Iranian-American citizens may encounter difficulty in departing Iran. This Travel Warning supersedes the Travel Warning for Iran issued May 31, 2007. ....

......The U.S. government does not have diplomatic or consular relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran and therefore cannot provide protection or routine consular services to American citizens in Iran. The Swiss government, acting through its Embassy in Tehran, serves as protecting power for U.S. interests in Iran. Neither U.S. passports nor visas to the United States are issued in Tehran. The Iranian Government does not recognize dual citizenship and generally does not permit the Swiss to provide protective services for U.S. citizens who are also Iranian nationals. U.S. citizens of Iranian origin who are considered by Iran to be Iranian citizens have been detained and harassed by Iranian authorities. Former Muslims who have converted to other religions, as well as persons who encourage Muslims to convert, are subject to arrest and prosecution.

The U.S. government does not have diplomatic or consular relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran and therefore cannot provide protection or routine consular services to American citizens in Iran. The Swiss government, acting through its Embassy in Tehran, serves as protecting power for U.S. interests in Iran. Neither U.S. passports nor visas to the United States are issued in Tehran. The Iranian Government does not recognize dual citizenship and generally does not permit the Swiss to provide protective services for U.S. citizens who are also Iranian nationals. U.S. citizens of Iranian origin who are considered by Iran to be Iranian citizens have been detained and harassed by Iranian authorities. Former Muslims who have converted to other religions, as well as persons who encourage Muslims to convert, are subject to arrest and prosecution.

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_920.html

U.S. State Department on Cuba
COUNTRY DESCRIPTION: Cuba is a totalitarian police state, which relies on repressive methods to maintain control. These methods, including intense physical and electronic surveillance of Cubans, are also extended to foreign travelers. Americans visiting Cuba should be aware that any encounter with a Cuban could be subject to surreptitious scrutiny by the Castro regime's secret police, the General Directorate for State Security (DGSE). Also, any interactions with average Cubans, regardless how well intentioned the American is, can subject that Cuban to harassment and/or detention, and other forms of repressive actions, by state security elements. The regime is strongly anti-American yet desperate for U.S. dollars to prop itself up. The United States does not have full diplomatic relations with Cuba, but provides consular and other services through the U.S. Interests Section in Havana. The U.S. Interests Section operates under the legal protection of the Swiss government but is not co-located with the Swiss Embassy. Read the Department of State Background Notes on Cuba for additional information.

ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS/TRAVEL TRANSACTION LIMITATIONS: The Cuban Assets Control Regulations are enforced by the U.S. Treasury Department and affect all U.S. citizens and permanent residents wherever they are located, all people and organizations physically in the United States, and all branches and subsidiaries of U.S. organizations throughout the world. The Regulations require that persons subject to U.S. jurisdiction be licensed to engage in any travel-related transactions pursuant to travel to, from, and within Cuba. Transactions related to tourist travel are not licensable. This restriction includes tourist travel to Cuba from or through a third country such as Mexico or Canada. U.S. law enforcement authorities have increased enforcement of these regulations at U.S. airports and pre-clearance facilities in third countries. Travelers who fail to comply with Department of Treasury regulations could face civil penalties and criminal prosecution upon return to the United States.
..............

The United States maintains a broad embargo against trading with Cuba, and most commercial imports from Cuba are prohibited by law. The sale of certain items, including medicine and medical supplies, and agricultural commodities have been approved for export by specific legislation. The Department of the Treasury may issue licenses on a case-by-case basis authorizing Cuba travel-related transactions directly incident to marketing, sales negotiation, accompanied delivery, and servicing of exports and re-exports that appear consistent with the licensing policy of the Department of Commerce. The sectors in which U.S. citizens may sell and service products to Cuba include agricultural commodities, medicine, and medical devices. The Treasury Department will also consider requests for specific licenses for humanitarian travel not covered by the general license, educational exchanges (of at least 10 weeks in duration), and religious activities by individuals or groups affiliated with a religious organization.

Unless otherwise exempted or authorized, any person subject to U.S. jurisdiction who engages in any travel-related transaction in Cuba violates the regulations. Failure to comply with Department of Treasury regulations may result in civil penalties and criminal prosecution upon return to the United States.

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_t ... _1097.html

This is what Mexican President Calderon has said about the The Merida Initiative.

However, Calderón appeared to reject any added conditions on a proposed $1.4 billion U.S. anti-drug aid package that had been negotiated with Washington, saying, "I cannot accept any submission or subordination."

The proposal, dubbed the Merida Initiative, is meant to give Mexico aid, training and equipment to fight drug trafficking, which Washington sees as a U.S. national security problem.

The funding still awaits approval in Congress, and some U.S. legislators have said the program may need safeguards to prevent corruption or human rights abuses by Mexican military and law enforcement personnel.

"I need that technology," Calderón said. "Give it to me. And give it to me without conditions."

http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2007 ... xico_N.htm

"The liberty of a democracy is not safe if the people tolerate the growth of private power to a point where it becomes stronger than their democratic state itself. That, in its essence, is fascism - ownership of government by an individual, by a group, or any controlling private power."
Franklin D. Roosevelt