(original in Spanish)

Apuntes de Destaque Internacional.  Jueves 20 de agosto de 2015. Responsable: Javier González. E-mail: destaque2016 @ gmail.com (opiniones, pedidos de suscripción y remoción, sugerencias, etc.)

Obamic Diplomacy: Saigon – Havana Analogy?

1.

The US Government has just reopened its Embassy in Havana. At first sight, there would be no point in establishing an analogy between the humiliating exit from this country’s embassy in Saigon in 1973, leaving Vietnam in the hands of communists, and the reopening of the American Embassy in Havana, which many people regard as a diplomatic success.

2.

Indeed, the tragic defeat of the diplomacy of Nixon and Kissinger would be in total contrast to this alleged victory of the diplomacy of Obama and Kerry, which some people envisage in Havana, 42 years after the episode in Saigon.

3.

Let’s take one thing at a time. In Saigon, we already know who won. The key issue here is that of who came out as victors in Havana: the current American Government, the Cuban people, or the Cuban dictator himself?

4.

A brilliant article penned by Ambassador James Cason, Head of the Department for American Interests in Havana between 2002 and 2005 shows, through concrete facts, that who has benefited most from the reopening of the American Embassy in Havana is the Cuban regime  (please compare: “More tourists won’t change Cuba”, Miami Herald, 12 August 2015).

5.

Defenders of Obama’s diplomatic stance in relation to Cuba, possibly to relieve their consciences or maybe to make numb the healthy indignations, argue that the Obama Administration has obtained important concessions from the Cuban regime; and that tourism and business, encouraged by the green light of reestablishment of relations, help to promote freedom in Cuba. Ambassador Cason replies that in fact, regrettably, the United States Government “has made concessions to Havana without getting anything substantial in exchange”; that during his 38 years in the Diplomatic Service he had never seen a case where “tourists offered important support for people struggling for their freedom”; that “the companies that now do business with Cuba never pressed for reform”; and that, in general, American companies that normally do business with totalitarian regimes “tend to become defenders of these same regimes”.

6.

A recent video showing Cuban dictator Raúl Castro aiming at a bird of prey, while rubbing his hands, shows what the Castrist regime feels after the conclusion of the new stage in getting diplomatically closer to the United States Government. It is not in vain that dictator Raúl Castro rubs his hands.

7.

The apparent victories of the Obamic diplomacy against Communist Cuba, in an approximation which also has the enigmatic support of Pope Francis, helps to cover up what is in fact a terrible defeat for the freedom cause. It is in this defeat, which powerful interests try to camouflage through appearances of victory, that rests the analogy between Saigon in 1973 and Havana in 2015. That was a tragedy for the people of Vietnam, while today it is the Cuban people that bear the brunt.

8.

Those who love freedom in Europe and in the Americas now face the challenging mission of turning this situation of injustice around, through advertising. For this ultimate purpose, it would be excellent if the Cubans living in Miami could choose other famous Cuban exiles, such as the former political prisoner Armando Valladares and others who have been removed from their homeland, for them to travel permanently throughout the world, as defenders of the enslaved Cuban people. These ad hoc ambassadors could then show the truth about Cuba, with clear, simple and didactic arguments that would move people’s consciences and also remove the anaesthetic regarding the drama experienced by the Cuban people.

9.

To read the article by Ambassador Cason in Spanish, please click on:

http://www.cubdest.org/1506/c1508casones.htm

To read the article by Ambassador Cason in English, please click on:

http://www.cubdest.org/1506/c1508casonen.htm

10.

Important Notice: These brief and informal comments by Highlight International (Destaque Internacional) do not necessarily represent the views of all members of its editorial board. These comments are intended to draw attention to “politically incorrect” and often ignored issues which are nevertheless vital to society. Our aim is to encourage debate and remove anesthesia. We welcome suggestions, opinions, critiques and unsubscribe requests to destaque2016  @  gmail.com  Earlier editorials can be read on www.cubdest.org

Apuntes de Destaque Internacional.  Jueves 20 de agosto de 2015. Responsable: Javier González. E-mail: destaque2016 @ gmail.com (opiniones, pedidos de suscripción y remoción, sugerencias, etc.)