Cuban Government Chooses A Path Of Controversy Rather Than Peace
The original article appeared as Cuba Jeopardizes Normalization, Publishes Wiki Leaks by Tim Paynter on Technorati
Published: December 27, 2010 at 7:47 am
Anna Ardin made several trips to Cuba and has written articles opposing the Cuban regime. She made claims of rape against the founder of Wiki Leaks, though she has not been willing to proceed with her prosecution as of last reports. Some suggest the allegation are a hoax in an effort to hunt down the man who violated the secrets of US diplomats and damaged our relationships with other countries.
It is unfortunate the island nation of Cuba has decided to continue a path of sparring with the US rather than allow old resentments to die. The Castro's continue to associate with rebel countries which are hostile to the United States, like Hugo Chavez and Venezuela. Clearly, their neighbor only 100 miles to the West could provide significant benefits and assistance in the growth of Cuba. However, so long as the regime sides with countries bent on destroying the Western world, Cuba will have a hard time fitting in with main stream life. The following article was published in technorati and outlines a continued slap at the US. The indication is, Cuba will take each chance it gets to cause harm to the US as the opportunities present themselves. Hence, normalizing relations with this rebel country remains a high risk.
Despite recent reforms in Cuba which encourage normalization of trade relations between Cuba and the United States, the communist island nation continues to take hostile actions against US national security.
After Fidel Castro launched a small boat full of insurgents from Tuxpan, Mexico, in his final assault to take control of the island nation of Cuba, relations with the U.S. have been strained. The failed CIA invasion of the Bay of Pigs, the Cuban missile crisis which nearly brought an end to the world as we know it and a trade embargo that continues to this day, contribute to frigid relations.
However, Cuba, desperate for outside currency, has launched a series of reforms which suggest the country is moving in a more civil direction. Moves towards privatization were recently announced by Raul Castro, who has taken the reigns from his brother Fidel.
A new entrepreneurial, if not capitalistic, economy is being encouraged. The Cuban government seeks to create a new private sector to help replace jobs lost in a series of massive government layoffs. Political prisoners who criticized the government are being released from Cuban prisons after being silenced for years, although 11 still marked their eighth Christmas in prison this year.
The Cuban administration seeks to establish Cuba as a first class tourist destination. In a recent agreement, Cuba agreed to cut the taxes it charges on Western Union money transfers sent to the island nation, thus causing an immediate rise in transfers over the 2010 holiday season, says the Buenos Aires Herald. The Cuban government continually seeks the dropping of the trade embargo, and the international community agrees. Clearly, these moves are a positive step forward in the argument for normalization of relations with Cuba.
Yet, Cuban leadership insists on shooting itself in the foot each time it has a chance to join the international community. Recently, the country took a nasty swipe at the U.S, reminding conservatives why relations should stay in the deepfreeze. The Cuban government is broadcasting loud and clear that it will cause whatever harm it can to US interests as the opportunities present themselves.
The most recent Cuban action underscoring a hostile attitude towards the U.S. is the decision to translate and publish 2000 of the Wiki Leaks documents says the BBC. The first 62 documents have already been translated. In some diplomatic communications, U.S. diplomats describe Cuban opposition groups as disorganized and not likely to ever run the country. More, they were described as "out of touch" with ordinary people, says the BBC.
Thousands of pages of diplomatic information which is mostly embarrassing to the U.S. were posted on Wiki Leaks. In some circumstances, the information may actually put US operatives lives at risk or jeopardize undercover operations. One of those operatives may have been the victim of sex crimes by Wiki Leaks founder, Julian Assange. Anna Ardin of Sweeden made various trips to Cuba between 2002 and 2006, says the Miami Herald. Ardin has written for a Cuba dissident publication and been associated with a political movement which encourages anti-Semitic remarks.
Even if the actions of the Cuban government do not pose significant security threats to the U.S., since the information is available elsewhere, it is a reminder the Castro's wish to cause harm to the U.S. even as they seek normalization of relations.
Sooner or later the US is bound to drop the trade and tourist embargo which plagues Cuba. The Cuban government could help their own cause by refusing to fuel the fire against the CIA and US diplomatic corp they deeply resent.
Cuba’s anti-US attitude is regrettable. There is a great deal each country could gain from the other. There are developing opportunities for tourism in Cuba and the Island nation would benefit from the robust type of economy that China has. None of these options remain open while the two countries remain at loggerheads.
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