The atmosphere for a normalization of the relations between the United States and Cuba is increasingly favorable. A recent survey made public by Rick Gladstone in the New York Times shows that more than half of Americans think the US should change its policies towards Cuba, and that the island state must be removed from the list of states that sponsor terrorism. They also think both countries should coordinate strategies in issues of common interest and lift the ban on travelling to Cuba for American citizens.
At the same time, powerful Cuban-American entrepreneurs have shown their willingness to invest in the island, moving away from the traditional hardline set by the historical exile of zero approaches towards the island unless it entitles a change of regime. After the statements made by Alfy Ranjul to the Washignton Post. Jorge Perez, a powerful contractor, the man behind the renovation of Miami, also expressed his willingness to help boost a greater exchange with his country of origin. To all that you should add the decision of the European Union to talk to the Cuban government to reach a political agreement.
Curiously enough, when the most influential mass media outlets in the US and the civil and economic elite claims for better relations and the need to establish full economic exchanges, basically a call to lift the US embargo, the Administration, instead of taking positive steps on this direction, claims that this measure is important to boost change in Cuba.
The US policy not only limits the freedom of its own citizens but also the fundamental rights of the Cuban community there. The fact they have kept Cuba in the list of states that sponsor terrorism, the Torricelli and Helms-Burton Act, prevent the existence of a legal framework for the basic transactions of the tiny Cuban consular representation on American soil
The Cuban interest section was prevented at the end of last year of making consular work since the only bank authorized to handle its transactions announced them they could not keep providing services to them from November 26th.
After two extensions Cuba once again doesn’t have a bank to conduct basic economic operations, therefore Cubans residing in the US states will not be able to apply for passports, or renew them, request documents or have the needed facilities to visit their relatives in Cuba. At the same time, foreigners that wish to travel to Cuba from the US will not be able to.
This is an open violation of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of April 18, 1961, and the one on Consular Relations of April 24, 1963 that requests the signing States to guarantee that the consular entities have the needed means to function.
Limiting consular services is a violation on the fundamental right of citizens to have normal relations with his country of origin. But this is only another piece of a chain of political missteps between the two nations.
Even if the political exercise comes from the differences, or political antagonism, actions cannot or should not condemn civil society to economic hardships or not having normal relations with those that chose to migrate
Under the shadow of a wearing out strategy against the Cuban government the US policy sequesters the basic rights its constitution defends. The US establishment lives an evident schizophrenia regarding Cuba, based on outdated laws while its leadership claims for immediate changes
The recent statements of political leaders as Charlie Christ demanding the end of the embargo reveal two aspects that should be highlighted: on one side they are denouncing the usefulness of a policy filled with exhausted rhetoric and on the other legitimizing the actions taken by the Cuban government with its economic reforms.
It is then in the hands of President Obama to favor a change of the US relations towards Cuba. He would then be truthful to his own words when he said ¨we must be creative in our policy towards Cuba¨
Though the decision to lift the blockade has to go through Congress, Obama can, without asking for approval, take the following steps: removing Cuba from the list of countries that sponsor terrorism, lift the travel restrictions to American citizens, increase the exchange on food and drugs, establishing diplomatic relations and free the Cuban agents serving time in the US.
It is the job of politicians to boost and favor relations between peoples. The US and Cuba are neighbors and share interests and worries. It must be a relation of equals, horizontal and based in the respect of the sovereignty and the principle of not interference that should characterize mature nations. Cubans, both sides of the Strait can’t continue be kidnapped in a policy inherited from the Cold War and that responds only to the interests of a local group without prestige of social base
The United States must find solutions for the Cuban entities in its soil operate normally, but that is not all. It is time for the Administration to stop making policy for some and starts thinking on the overwhelming majority that claims for the ceasing of the antagonism that has lasted over 50 years. Many have claimed for it.
OnCuba now reproduces the press release issued by the Cuban Interest Section in Washington DC
Press Release
The Cuban Interests Section in Washington, D.C., would like to refer to its press release of December 9, 2013, by which it informed of a new deadline given by M&T Bank for its ending of banking services to the Section and the Cuban Permanent Mission to the United Nations. March 1st, 2014 was then set as deadline for the closing of the accounts, and February 14 as the last date for deposits.
In spite of the huge efforts made, as a result of the restrictions in force, derived from the policy of economic, commercial and financial blockade by the U.S. government against Cuba, it has been impossible for the Interests Section to find a U.S.-based bank that could operate the bank accounts of the Cuban diplomatic missions.
As a result thereof, the Cuban Interests Section finds itself forced to suspend consular services as of the date of publication of this press release, until banking services are re-established. As informed last November, consular services will only be provided for humanitarian cases. The Section regrets any inconvenience this situation may cause to Cuban and U.S. citizens who may require the services of our offices, with the negative impact on family visits, academic, cultural, educational, scientific, sports and other types of exchanges between Cuba and the United States.
Washington, February 14, 2014.
Author
Jorge de Armas
