Obama Renews Blockade Against Cuba for Another Year

[El Presidente]

Obama Renews Blockade Against Cuba for Another Year

Monday, 06 September 2010 16:21 Source: Radio Havana Cuba

http://www.solvision.co.cu/english/index.p...&Itemid=171

US President Barack Obama notified the extension of the exercise of authorities under the Trading with the Enemy Act with respect to Cuba for another year, meaning that the economic, financial and commercial blockade against Cuba will be maintained until at least September 2011.

The White House released a memorandum to Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, and the head of the Treasure Department, Timothy Geithner, signed by President Obama, continuing the exercise of the authorities until September 14, 2011.

In the text, Obama states that the continuation for a year of such legislation regarding Cuba is in the national interest of the United States.

With such stipulation, Washington confirms that the Cuban government continues to be a threat to the US security and therefore forbids American companies to do business with the island.

A report on the issue by Granma newspaper says the renewal of the regulation is something that has been repeatedly done by former US administrations and shows that Obama will maintain the same policy towards Cuba.

Granma adds that Cuba is the only country subjected to sanctions under the Trading with the Enemy Act, which dates back to 1917, after George W. Bush’s administration decided not to renew the measures with regards to the People’s Democratic Republic of Korea.

[investandprosper]

Obummer.

[bcwv]

NOBAMA

[yossie]

So, Have something been changed and Could He do something so far? lol

[rckymtn22]

The biggest worry to national security is the flood of relatives moving to the USofA ( ie: Miami). Not sure why this keeps on getting signed as there are worst "enemy" countries than Cuba out there. No problem doing business with China though, who are stealing anything of importance from the US that they can get their hands on.

[El Presidente]

This should be a non political thread (reminder).

Both sides of the divide have enforced this embargo for nigh 50 years.

[cigcars]

I think he's being forced for political and other abrasive parties' reasons to keep this stupid embargo up. I do believe he'd rather open the doors...but as we all know - other forces bigger than the President's office are really the ones in charge

[mykeuva]

Sadly, I don't think this topic is the subject of much debate these days. It seems to me it is simply an automatic bill signing, that goes something like this:

President: "what's next on the agenda?"

Aide: "continuation of the embargo on cuba, sign here."

President: "ok, next?".....

There isn't a meaningful dialogue these days on whether or not this same policy is effective, and whether or not it should be changed. Cuba is a small country that people in the US barely consider, and so nobody really cares/pays attention to the embargo.

[CanuckSARTech]

Sadly, I don't think this topic is the subject of much debate these days. It seems to me it is simply an automatic bill signing, that goes something like this:

President: "what's next on the agenda?"

Aide: "continuation of the embargo on cuba, sign here."

President: "ok, next?".....

There isn't a meaningful dialogue these days on whether or not this same policy is effective, and whether or not it should be changed. Cuba is a small country that people in the US barely consider, and so nobody really cares/pays attention to the embargo.

I do agree with this, to an extent.

I think the re-signing of this bill, and the announcement of it, is a neutral and mute point. While it is news, it's not anything to be alarmed or surprised at.

Of course, the proponents of continuing the embargo will praise it's re-signing for another year as proof positive that the rumours of it coming down are false, and will use it to buoy their supporters, etc., etc.

But, it's very neutral. Obama HAD to re-sign it. It gives him that bargaining chip for the State Department to use in negotiations with Cuba. If it's already dropped, what can they hope to get really? It's been in place for decades - it doesn't mean a thing to re-sign it. NOT renewing it would have meant something of material actually, but him doing this just means they still want more concessions/negotiations to take place before it's dropped.

My thoughts anyways - oh, to be a fly on the wall sometimes....

[PigFish]

Both sides of the divide have enforced this embargo for nigh 50 years.

... BINGO!

[BolivarSmoker]

But, it's very neutral. Obama HAD to re-sign it. It gives him that bargaining chip for the State Department to use in negotiations with Cuba. If it's already dropped, what can they hope to get really? It's been in place for decades - it doesn't mean a thing to re-sign it. NOT renewing it would have meant something of material actually, but him doing this just means they still want more concessions/negotiations to take place before it's dropped.

Without making this political, Obama or any administration for that matter doesn't care about bargaining chips or getting anything in return. It is purely political. Neither party wants to piss off the Cuban-American voters (largely residing in a KEY area of Florida, which is a KEY electoral state). Florida has played a major role in the previous couple elections and each party wants to keep the voters down there happy. Maybe its too simple of an explanation, but that is my take on what it has become nowdays.