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Council
on Foreign Relations Urges Preparation for Post-Castro Era
November 29, 2000
Washington Post
A story in the Washington Post said the Council on Foreign Relations
is urging the next US President to prepare for the post-Castro era in
Cuba. The Council released a report urging a lifting of US travel restrictions
to Cuba, increased commercial ties, and ties with Cuba's military.
U.N.,
Cuba Urge U.S. To End Embargo
November
10, 2000
Washington Post
The Washington Post reported that on November 9, the United Nations
voted overwhelmingly in favor of a non-binding resolution urging the
U.S. to lift its embargo against Cuba. The resolution also criticized
a U.S. law that discourages foreign companies from investing in Cuba.
Deal
Reached to Allow Food Sales to Cuba
October 6, 2000
Washington Post
The Washington Post reported that House and Senate leaders struck a
deal that will allow increased food and medicine sales to Cuba, Iran,
Sudan, Libya and North Korea. The deal, reached as part of the agricultural
appropriations bill, represents a significant easing of the U.S. trade
embargo against Cuba, the Post reported.
New
Realism Wins the Day as Senate Passes Trade Bill
20 September
New York Times
The Senate's overwhelming vote to give permanent trade benefits to China
ended a clash between America's global economic interests and the notion
that the United States could use the annual threat of trade sanctions
to change Beijing's behavior.
House Dems Get
High Marks On Trade
8 September
Congress Daily
A story in Congress Daily reported that congressional Democrats scored
well in USA-Engage's annual report card, which evaluates members' voting
record on trade and engagement issues. "More than half the Democrats
who gained perfect scores were New Democrats such as Rep. James Moran
of Virginia and Calvin Dooley of California," the story said. It also
noted that both Republicans and Democrats would have scored higher but
for their opposition to amendments that would have increased trade with
Cuba.
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U.S. Papers to Set Up Havana Bureaus
8 September
Washington Post
A story in the Washington Post said that Cuba will allow two U.S. papers
to set up bureaus in Havana. The papers are the Dallas Morning News
and the Chicago Tribune. State Department officials said the news does
not alter U.S. policy toward Cuba.
Coming to Our
Senses on Cuba
4 August
Chicago Tribune
An editorial in the Chicago Tribune said the recent vote in the House
to allow food and medicine sales to Cuba and to increase tourism there
is a significant step in the right direction. "[B]usinessmen and farmers
see trade opportunities in a new relationship with Cuba. Human rights
and other groups see a chance to ease the wretched plight of the Cuban
people and, by adopting a policy of engagement, to weaken the dictatorial
hand of Cuban dictator Fidel Castro."
Washington
Ballet to Dance in Cuba This Fall
3 August
Washington Post
A story in the Washington Post by Sarah Kaufman said that the Washington
Ballet will perform in Cuba this October, and will be the first U.S.
ballet troupe to perform at Havana's International Ballet Festival.
The performance marks another example of the increasing people-to-people
contacts between the U.S. and Cuba. "We feel like we're at the beginning
of this crack in the wall, in terms of the political situation in Cuba,"
said Washington Ballet Executive Director Martin Cohen, who added that
he sees the trip as "a dialogue between exceptional artists."
Cuba
Embargo Sows Division in Republican Ranks
1 August
Reuters
A story by Anthony Boadle of Reuters said the question of whether to
lift the U.S. embargo on Cuba is being hotly debated at the Republican
convention in Philadelphia. While many Republicans favor lifting the
embargo immediately, Reuters reports that the Republican platform says
that U.S. policy toward Cuba will change only after Cuba takes significant
steps toward democratic and human rights. "Softening the embargo has
won increasing adherents among Republican legislators from farm states,
where farmers hurt by low prices are eager to get into the Cuban market.
But the party stuck to the embargo in its platform for the Nov. 7 election."
Why Big U.S.
Cities Strive to Establish Cuban Sisters
1 August
Wall Street Journal
A story in the Wall Street Journal by Matt Moffett says U.S. cities
are competing with each other to establish links between themselves
and Cuban cities. Becoming "sister cities" is a way for U.S. cities
to prepare for the eventual opening of Cuba to trade and travel. In
addition to Philadelphia, PA and Oakland, CA, "[t]he movement has picked
up momentum in American heartland cities including Madison, Pittsburgh
and Bloomington, Ind. Madison has sent Camaguey antibiotics and other
medical supplies worth $50,000."
White
House May Back Cuba Trade
24 July
Washington Post
A story in the Washington Post said the Clinton Administration may support
legislation that would allow food and medicine sales to Cuban government
entitites and would also ease U.S. travel restrictions to Cuba. The
legislation was passed by the House and Senate last week.
First Step in
Place to End Cuba Embargo
24 July
The Oklahoman
An editorial in the Oklahoman argued in favor of lifting the U.S. embargo
against Cuba, and said recent House and Senate votes are the first step
toward this goal. "It's time for American goods and visitors to flood
Cuba with the subtle messages of freedom and free markets that Americans
hold so dear. Castro uses Cuba's isolation to control his people, while
blaming the U.S. and its embargo for his mistakes. Without the embargo
he would lose his scapegoat. And the injection of capitalism from U.S.
shores might just topple Castro's communism in the process."
Elian
Opens an Opportunity to Change U.S. Policy
22 July
Detroit Free Press
An editorial
in the Detroit Free Press said that recent votes in the House and Senate
mean parts of the U.S. embargo against Cuba could fall. The Free Press
said it is in favor of easing food and medicine sales to Cuba and lifting
travel restrictions there because the embargo has failed to bring about
real change to Cuba after more than 40 years. "Four decades of trying
to undermine El Presidente Castro by isolating Cuba has only propped
him up, giving him a convenient villain to blame for all that is wrong
on his troubled island, and denying U.S. business and agriculture a
potential nearby market that is now being gobbled up by Asian and European
interests."
Momentum
Grows on Hill To Ease Sanctions on Cuba
22 July
Washington Post
"Both chambers have now taken a strong position," said Sen. Byron
L. Dorgan (D-N.D.). "It is time to end this absurdity." Dorgan's amendment
to lift the food and medicine embargo against Cuba was part of an agriculture
spending bill that the Senate approved 79 to 13 on Thursday."
House Votes To
Lift Cuban Limits
21 July
Washington Post
"Despite a pair of decisive victories in the House, supporters
of removing sanctions against U.S. food and drug sales and travel to
Cuba say they are unsure what will get through Congress this year."
Senators Visit
Castro, Urge End to Embargo
17 July
Chicago Tribune
A story in the Chicago Tribune (by Anita Snow, Associated Press), reported
on a trip three U.S. Senators took to Cuba-Max Baucus (D-Montana), Daniel
Akaka (D-Hawaii), and Pat Roberts (R-Kansas). After their trip, the
Senators called for an end to U.S. trade sanctions against Cuba and
for improved relations between the two countries. The lawmakers said
lifting the embargo would help the Cuban people and also benefit U.S.
farmers, who are looking for overseas markets.
Congressional
Mood Shifts on Cuba Trade Ban
23 May
Washington Post
"Cuba ... is the only remaining communist country in the world except
for North Korea." With this quote, Senator Lott (R-MS), an opponent
of easing Cuba sanctions, inadvertently makes the best case for increased
engagement with Cuba. Every communist country the US has actively engaged
has responded by moving toward a market economy and allowing human rights
reforms. The only two countries the US has not engaged are Cuba and
North Korea.
We
Can't Have 50 Foreign Policies
13 May
Washington Post
An Op-Ed in the Washington Post criticized another Post editorial
in favor of the Massachusetts Burma law as "ill-advised and ill-informed,
since such state laws seriously threaten the ability of our country
to develop and implement a coherent foreign policy."
Dissidents
Back China's WTO Entry
11 May
Washington Post
In order to improve the human rights situation in China, prominent Chinese
dissidents are expressing their support for China's entry into the WTO.
"American consumers are a main catalyst for better worker rights in
China," said Zhou Litai, one of China's most prominent labor lawyers
who represents dozens of maimed workers in the booming southern metropolis
of Shenzhen. "They are the ones who pressure Nike and Reebok to improve
working conditions at Hong Kong- and Taiwan-run factories here. If Nike
and Reebok go--and they could very well if [the trade status] is rejected--this
pressure evaporates. This is obvious."
Panel
Votes To Lift Cuba Sanctions
5 May
New York Times
"Farm groups that want to sell food to Cuba have initiated a new battle
in Congress over weakening the four-decades-old U.S. economic embargo
on the island nation. A House Appropriations Committee subcommittee
approved legislation Thursday that would permit exports of food and
medicine to Cuba so long as they are not subsidized by the federal government."
Time
to Devise 'Smarter' Sanctions
28 April
International Herald Tribune
Reginald Dale of the International Herald Tribune called for the
reevaluation of sanctions policies in the wake of a new study showing
their historical inefficacy. "[S]anctions have never removed a dictator
and ... they are actually less likely to work against authoritarian
regimes than against democracies, where opposition to the regime can
be more easily aroused ... Sanctions have never succeeded in forcing
a country to act against what it considers to be its national security
interest; and arms embargoes, the measures most frequently imposed by
the Security Council, have always failed."
Americans of Two Minds on Sanctions, a Poll Finds
23 April
New York Times
According to a poll previewed in the New York Times, Americans who are
well-informed about international affairs prefer diplomacy over sanctions
for dealing with troublesome foreign countries. "Embargoes, they say,
not only isolate the nations at which they are aimed but also hurt American
business."
U.S.
Lauds Iran's Seizure Of Smuggled Iraqi Oil
6 April
Washington Post
In an example of the benefits of the heightened engagement with Iran,
the Iranian navy yesterday cooperated with international efforts by
impounding an illegal shipment of Iraqi oil. Earlier this year, before
the Administration's outreach, Iran had been accused of assisting Iraqi
smuggling efforts.
Is
the West too Quick to Sanction?
3 April
Christian Science Monitor
In its lead article,
The Christian Science Monitor declared that "sanction fatigue is setting
in." Because the US has been too quick to resort to their use, sanctions
are losing their effectiveness and appeal globally. "For [President
Clinton] sanctions have all but replaced diplomacy. He has called the
US 'sanctions happy,' and long with Congress, he has been responsible
for imposing more than half of the 125 or so cases of sanctions ever
imposed by the US."
Easing
U.S. Sanctions Against Iran Will Bolster the Reform Efforts There
31 March 2000
Post Tribune
Another US newspaper has expressed its support of the Adminstration's
recent move to ease sanctions against Iran. In an editorial, the Gary,
IN Post Tribune writes: "U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright’s
announcement lifting the ban on non-oil exports and promises of increased
efforts to return assets frozen since the 1979 revolution, are a welcome
development that will bolster the reform movement led by Iran President
Mohammad Khatami."
Capitalist
Tool: Lobbyists Becoming Web-wise
22 March
Washington Times
In an
article in the Washington Times, USA Engage's "multifaceted crusade"
combining traditional lobbying efforts with a non-traditional internet
strategy was credited as highly effective in directing the debate on
sanctions: "[I]t is clear public opinion, at least on Capitol Hill,
has already shifted. Many legislators have come to regard unilateral
sanctions skeptically. In many foreign policy circles, the notion that
the United States is suffering from a proliferation of unilateral sanctions
is gospel." The USA Engage web site (www.usaengage.org) was also praised
as "a sophisticated site with resources for journalists, for congressional
staff and for small- and medium- sized businesses nationwide to lobby
their congressmen in their districts."
U.S.
May Lift Sanctions on 3 Iranian Exports
7 March
Los Angeles Times
"In what would be a groundbreaking initiative to spur rapprochement
with Iran, the Clinton administration is close to a decision to lift
economic sanctions on Iranian carpets, caviar and pistachios, U.S. officials
said Monday. The gesture, one of several now being considered, would
follow the sweeping election victory last month by Iranian reformers,
ending two decades of domination by conservatives in Iran's parliament."
Representative
Gilman Calls for OPEC Sanctions
2 March
Washington Times
In a curious development, Representative Gilman is threatening to cut
off military aid to our OPEC allies in order to force them to reduce
the price of oil. US military aid to some of these threatened countries,
Saudi Arabia and Indonesia for example, plays a very important part
in the United States’ security policy goals.
Senate
Puts Condition on Space Station Aid
25 February
Washington Post
Yeterday, the Senate passed a greatly pared down version of a bill that
would have required the President to sanction countries that aid Iran's
missile program. The White House had threatened to veto the bill saying
that the broad sanctions complicated international arms nonproliferation
efforts. The amended bill gives the President waiver authority and discretion
in applying narrowly targeted sanctions.
Iran's
Reformers Weigh U.S. Ties
23 February
Washington Post
The overwhelming
victory by reformers in the recent Iranian elections has created an
opportunity for the United States and Iran to rebuild relations. The
leader of the Iranian reform coalition stated that the new parliament
"will consider a policy of détente" with the United States, and the
Clinton administration is looking for ways to engage with Iran.
Sanctions
'May Have Aided Hijack'
16 February
BBC
In a BBC report, a senior official of the International Air Transport
Association said the recent hijack of a Afghanistan airplane could have
been prevented if UN sanctions hadn't kept the airports in Afghanistan
from receiving the security equipment they'd requested. While USA Engage
does not oppose multilateral sanctions, this case highlights the fact
that sanctions almost exclusively hurt the most helpless while rarely
affecting the targeted rulers.
States’
Rights and Foreign Policy
January/February
Foreign Affairs
In the National Foreign Trade Council's suit brought against the Commonwealth
of Massachusetts, the NFTC claims that Massachusetts' sanctions law
is unconstitutional because it directly intrudes on the exclusive power
of the national government to regulate foreign affairs. In the January/February
2000 issue of Foreign Affairs, Brannon P. Denning and Jack H. McCall
support the NFTC's claim.
Cubans Eating
Rice, But it Isn't Ours
1
February 2000
American Press
Farmers from all
over the nation are speaking out against the economic hardship that
US unilateral sanctions inflict on their farms and their families. An
editorial in the Lake Charles, LA American Press repeats what many other
farm communities are saying: "Southwest Louisiana farmers apparently
have a better perception of sanctions than the bureaucrats and elected
officials in Washington who make the decisions on such matters ... Area
farmers are acutely aware that the U.S. trade embargo against Cuba is
doing more harm to American farmers than it is to Cuba."
Containment
Alone Not the Solution of the Cuban Problem
31 January
2000
Athens Daily News/Banner Herald
An Op-Ed in the Saturday, January 29 Athens Daily News/Banner Herald
of Athens, Georgia asserts that US sanctions on Cuba have delayed the
chance for a speedy conclusion to the dispute over Elian Gonzalez: "Nearly
40 years of economic sanctions have shown, however, that the containment
alone is not the solution of the Cuban problem. Boldly lifting the sanctions
and actively taking part in Cuba's nation building would perhaps be
a shortcut to establishing friendly relations with Cuba on the basis
of trust."
Senators Call
For an End to Cuba Sanctions
28 January 28
Meet the Press
This week, both Senator Bob Kerrey (D-NE) and Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA)
called for the end to the US's sanctions regime against Cuba on NBC's
Meet the Press:
Sen.
Kerrey: "I think it's time for us to get over this embargo and end
the sanctions and try to establish a new pathway to normal relations
with Cuba."
Sen. Harkin: "I think Bob's absolutely right on that. We've got
to get over this thing we have with Cuba and normalize relations and
let our farmers start selling grain in Cuba."
Bush Pledges
No More Unilateral Sanction on Farm Exports
January 10, 2000
Associated Press
"Republican front-runner George W. Bush told the largest U.S. farm
group on Monday he would not impose any new unilateral sanctions on
farm exports-a sore point in farm country-if elected president ... 'We
are too good a people to use food as a weapon," Bush said by satellite
from New Hampshire to the American Farm Bureau Federation's annual meeting.
'In my administration, we will end this practice.' ... A campaign spokesman
said, however, that Bush would keep the embargo on Cuba in place."
Free
Trade Transforms State-run Economies and Empowered the Individual
10
January 2000
"Free Trade has transformed state-run
economies and empowered the individual in countries where the individual
has no other source of power. Free trade is the road to democratic change.
As such it is one of the most powerful tools for weakening and changing
authoritarian regimes."
-- House Speaker
Dennis Hastert's Speaker's National Security Address Before the Mid-America
Committee (Chicago, IL).
Private and Religious Aid Agencies Criticize Clinton Sudan
Policy
6 January 2000
The Washington Post
The Washington Post reports that US private and religion-based aid agencies
are criticizing the Clinton administrations policy on Sudan as "one-sided
in its hostility toward the Khartoum government and insufficiently committed
to promoting a just peace." The agencies argue that a policy of constructive
engagement with the Sudanese government is more effective in achieving
humanitarian developments.
Putin Gets Little
Sympathy U.S. Campaign Pressures May Not Help Russia Ties
5 January 2000
The Washington Post
"McCain endorsed broad economic sanctions against Russia, including
a halt to loans from the International Monetary Fund. "I'd state unequivocally
that there would be no more Export-Import [Bank] loans, that the United
States would not support any further IMF funding until this thing is
brought to some kind of reasonable conclusion," McCain said aboard his
campaign bus Monday night."
India
Lukewarm as U.S. Trims N-Test Sanctions
3 January
2000
Reuters
The United States announced it would trim the
list of Indian government agencies and private firms hit by U.S. export
curbs after New Delhi's nuclear tests in 1998. India, while welcoming
the decrease in sanctions, calls the remaining sanctions "unjustified
and counter-productive" and wants them all dropped.
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