Obama pledges Cuba policy change

by Amy Judd | May 23, 2008 at 03:00 pm
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If elected the next US president, Barack Obama says his will seek direct diplomacy with communist Cuba.

The frontrunner for his party's nomination for the presidency was speaking to Cuban exiles in Florida.

Mr Obama said he would maintain the Cuban embargo but lift restrictions on travel and sending money to Cuba.

He also said his Republican rival John McCain's hardline stance on Cuba would not advance freedom on the island.

Mr McCain - who has already won the Republican nomination for the White House - earlier criticised Mr Obama of being too soft on Cuba.

'Clear agenda'

Mr Obama told more than 800 Cuban exiles in Miami that President George W Bush's policies towards Havana had been disastrous.

"It is time to pursue direct diplomacy, with friend and foe alike, without preconditions. There will be careful preparation. We will set a clear agenda," the Illinois senator said.

"I would be willing to lead that diplomacy at a time and place of my choosing, but only when we have an opportunity to advance the interests of the United States," added Mr Obama, who once said he would meet Cuban President Raul Castro without preconditions.

In Miami, Mr Obama also said he would overturn the restrictions which Mr Bush imposed on the right of Cuban Americans to travel to Cuba as well as their right to send money to their relatives living on the island.

But Mr Obama said he would maintain the decades-old US embargo on Cuba. Changing that policy could severely limit his chances of winning over Cuban votes, the BBC's Emilio San Pedro says.

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BigT
BigT
flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 15:34 on May 23rd, 2008

Quite frankly, if Obama lifted the ban on importing cigars from Cuba I might just vote for him. I mean, seriously, if you ever had a Montecristo #2 you might also be willing to forget about your political philosophy for an election just to get more of them.

Being serious for a second (as I try to get the faint taste of vomit from my mouth), I actually agree with Mr. Obama here. The embargo has not worked. Open the damn island up and flood it with pro-democracy propaganda and maybe some things will change. Maybe.

Rhonda J Mangus
Rhonda J Mangus
flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 16:17 on May 23rd, 2008

amyjudd, I like this story. It's good stuff.

JD Rucker
JD Rucker
flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 18:20 on May 23rd, 2008

amyjudd, I like this story. It's good stuff.

0
René

Why? Why let more US money be sent out of the country, isn't enough getting sent to Mexico? I'm sure many send money indirectly to Cuba by-way-of Mexico already.

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