US seeks to normalize relations with Cuba

[sureLoss]

http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/u-s-and...ions-1.2876088

American officials say the U.S. and Cuba will start talks to normalize full diplomatic relations as part of the most significant shift in U.S. policy toward the communist island in decades.

Officials say the U.S. is also looking to open an embassy in Havana in the coming months. The moves are part of an agreement between the U.S. and Cuba that also includes the release of American Alan Gross and three Cubans jailed in Florida for spying.

Republican Sen. Marco Rubio said the agreement includes normalizing banking and trade ties with Cuba.

U.S. President Barack Obama was due to make a statement at noon ET on Cuba, the White House said, and U.S. official said Obama would announce a shift in Cuba policy. Cuban President Raul Castro was also set to make a statement at that time. CBCNews.ca will carry Obama's remarks live.

one of the last remaining remnants of the cold war

[habernac]

Wow, about time!

[Street Pharmacist]

How will we ever defeat the red threat if we acknowledge Cuba?

[Ozy_Flame]

That is huge news, for some of the younger members of this board - you might not know how significant this actually is in terms of politics and foreign relations, and world peace - we came to the proverbial brink of nuclear war with Russia via Cuba in '60s.

[Bill Bumface]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

one of the last remaining remnants of the cold war

That's the funny thing with remnants, usually they hang around in some state of remaining

[flylock shox]

About time. Cuba's going to be wildly successful as soon as this happens, and good for them.

[GP_Matt]

I read a while ago about an American who was trying to get arrested for going to Cuba so that he could fight the embargo in court. He kept travelling to Cuba and then when he came back through US immigration and they asked him where he had been he would loudly proclaim that he just came back from Cuba.

I am pretty sure he is responsible for this policy change.

[Language]

It's about time. As someone else said, as soon as relations with the U.S. normalize and cross-border trade can begin, it will be very good for Cuba, especially their tourism industry.

[Teh_Bandwagoner]

Does that mean Sebastien Shaw finally loses?

[sureLoss]

Canada played a part:

Meagan Fitzpatrick @fitzpatrick_m
BREAKING: Canada hosted talks between Cuba+US gov officials; White House thanks Canada for its role in today's major policy change #hw #cbc

Meagan Fitzpatrick @fitzpatrick_m
Canada did not participate in the US-Cuba talks, but provided the venue and support for the efforts, White House says #hw #cbc #cuba

[Huntingwhale]

I remember a post on Reddit a while back that explained exactly why the embargo was still in place. I'll just paraphrase what I remember.

Florida is a swing state. Many Cuban refugees fled Castro and resettled in Florida. They have a near universal hatred of Castro, but often forget the dictator he replaced was worse. So while a president may see the embargo as a Cold War anachronism, the political reality is doing anything about it would infuriate the Cuban electorate, enough so their party would have little chance of contesting Florida in the next election.

It's pretty sad that so many people have suffered in Cuba because of the will of so few Americans and their desire for political power. Lifting this embargo is long overdue. Although I will admit as a Canadian tourist it's nice to a place that is American-free.

When I was in Cuba last year the customs person asked me if I wanted my passport stamped since most people don't get it done so that they don't get heckled when they travel to America. But I got the stamp anyways since I like them. And low and behold when I went to California this April I got questioned about my Cuban visit. Why did I go? Who did I see? Do I still have contact with anyone there? All stupid questions and I basically told the customs guy that I don't care about your governments 50 year old cold war embargo. The guy laughed, agreed and sent me on my way. Hopefully this translates to more cashflow for Cuba. It's a beautiful country, but so poor when you step away from the tourist areas.

[Daradon]

Originally Posted by Ozy_Flame

That is huge news, for some of the younger members of this board - you might not know how significant this actually is in terms of politics and foreign relations, and world peace - we came to the proverbial brink of nuclear war with Russia via Cuba in '60s.

While it was obviously very scary when it happened, there was a bit of western propaganda surrounding the event. With information that has come out since and the perspective that comes with time, I dunno if it was ever THAT close to be honest. The closest we ever came yes, but the brink, probably not.

As for the news, I've often wondered why it took so long. I really haven't understood the US position on Cuba since the fall of the Berlin wall. Heck, they weren't even in the equation after Russia finally figured out ICBM's, which was of course, the whole reason they needed Cuba in the first place.

Originally Posted by sureLoss

http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/u-s-and...ions-1.2876088



one of the last remaining remnants of the cold war

And just in time for another one!

[FlamesAddiction]

They were our friend first!

One of the more interesting aspects of Cuban culture is how it evolved though the 20th century with minimal influence of western style commercialism.

It's probably better for everyone in the big picture if the U.S. normalizes relations with Cuba, but hopefully they can keep that uniqueness at least somewhat.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by Daradon

As for the news, I've often wondered why it took so long. I really haven't understood the US position on Cuba since the fall of the Berlin wall. Heck, they weren't even in the equation after Russia finally figured out ICBM's, which was of course, the whole reason they needed Cuba in the first place.

Because money.

One of the reasons why it took so long is because many of the people/families who lost assets when Cuba nationalized everything, are still relatively powerful in U.S. politics.

[Locke]

Thats a shame. Cuba is a really special place and I'm glad I went, but as soon as everything is cool with the US they're going to turn that place into Las Vegas x 1000.

[nik-]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Canada played a part:

Meagan Fitzpatrick @fitzpatrick_m
BREAKING: Canada hosted talks between Cuba+US gov officials; White House thanks Canada for its role in today's major policy change #hw #cbc

Meagan Fitzpatrick @fitzpatrick_m
Canada did not participate in the US-Cuba talks, but provided the venue and support for the efforts, White House says #hw #cbc #cuba

God damn pinko Canadi ...

... wait

Originally Posted by Locke

Thats a shame. Cuba is a really special place and I'm glad I went, but as soon as everything is cool with the US they're going to turn that place into Las Vegas x 1000.

Indeed. Go now if you've been wanting to go to Cuba because it's about to turn into Cancun on Spring Break.

[sureLoss]

Patrick Oppmann CNN @CNN_Oppmann
Church bells ringing in Havana. Covering history...

[Flash Walken]

One of America's national shames being addressed, finally.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by nik-

Indeed. Go now if you've been wanting to go to Cuba because it's about to turn into Cancun on Spring Break.

I've been and I was actually planning another trip in June.

[Barbecue]

Originally Posted by Huntingwhale

It's pretty sad that so many people have suffered in Cuba because of the will of so few Americans and their desire for political power. Lifting this embargo is long overdue. Although I will admit as a Canadian tourist it's nice to a place that is American-free.
.

As a Caribbean Vacationer too, part of the appeal of going to Cuba was avoiding Americans. Now that this has been lifted, it's going to be quite the opposite for the next few years with a surge of American tourists curious to see Cuba