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January 12, 2009
Reach out to Cuba
Posted: 02:46 PM ET
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A Cuban youth passes a Havana storefront poster touting the 50th anniversary of Fidel Castro's Cuban revolution.
A Cuban youth passes a Havana storefront poster touting the 50th anniversary of Fidel Castro's Cuban revolution.

William M. LeoGrande and Peter Kornbluh
The L.A. Times

Not since Richard Nixon went to China has an intractable foreign policy issue been so ripe for resolution as U.S. relations with Cuba are today.

As with China, bilateral hostility has persisted long after the causes of the initial break have ceased to hold sway, held in place by seemingly implacable domestic opposition to normalizing relations and the policy inertia of official Washington. When Nixon broke the stalemate by announcing his impending trip in 1972, the pro-Taiwan "China lobby" proved to be a paper tiger, and the foreign policy establishment heaved a great sigh of relief that such a manifestly irrational, ineffective and anachronistic policy had finally been put to rest.

U.S. policy toward Cuba today, like policy toward China in 1972, is overdue for change. Relations broke down 50 years ago because Washington was unwilling to countenance a Latin American client state escaping the orbit of U.S. hegemony, and because Fidel Castro was determined to do just that. The Soviet Union's willingness to provide Cuba an essential safety net brought Cold War confrontation to the Western Hemisphere, escalating the U.S.-Cuba skirmish to potential Armageddon.

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4 Comments
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4 Comments
Annie Kate   January 12th, 2009 4:24 pm ET

We need to normalize relations with Cuba. We are only hurting ourselves with the continued embargo especially right now when we need every friend we can get.

Tina   January 12th, 2009 5:54 pm ET

Not attempting to improve our relationship with Cuba, is ; well tatically moronic from solely a security stand point. And closin Gitmo is the first step in that foolishness. ( Don't know about you) but I do not want any of the detainees on American soil. ( i have much stronger views on them even being allowed to still breathe). We have a defensive advantage at Gitmo. One we should keep. And opening up trade to Cuba would be an economic stimulas all of its own. We need to strengthen OUR country. And having tactical advantages are imperative to the security and saftey of our nation. Why don't we just role out the red carpet for the Russians or the Muslim factions. they can just move right into Gitmo. If we don't extend a hand to Cuba someone else will. Do we really want to play that game so close to American soil?

Tammy, Berwick. LA   January 12th, 2009 7:35 pm ET

Do we get to help the people take back their country from an oppressive regime and create the nation of grandeur Cuba once was? If not, I'm all for minding our own business and supporting Cubans who want to make a life in America as US citizens free from poverty and dictatorships.

hugh ~ california   January 12th, 2009 9:10 pm ET

The future of Cuba is up to the people of Cuba. If they want to become an ally with the United States a change of power is needed. Fidel and his followers aren't going to want to "normalize relations" with America as long as a revolutionary dictator is in charge. Change can not happen until Fidel Castro is dead and buried.

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