Joint U.S.-Cuba Maneuvers Were Kept Quiet to Avoid Upsetting Cubanamericans
- Submitted by: admin
- Politics and Government
- 07 / 23 / 2009
The Obama administration scored a double win this week by releasing details of the joint military exercises that U.S. and Cuban troops have been holding quietly at the Guantanamo Bay Naval Station for years.
It is obvious that the joint maneuvers between U.S. and Cuban troops is another clear indication that President Barack Obama wants to normalize relations with the Castro government in Cuba.
Less obvious perhaps, but much more painful for conservative Cuban exiles who revered President George W. Bush and his tough Cuba policy, was news that these exercises had been ongoing for years. U.S. military officials at the base said they had been doing these joint maneuvers annually for more than a decade.
The administration said the Bush administration not only allowed the maneuvers to go on regularly, it also forbade public disclosure of the information.
Put yourself in the shoes of one of these stalwart Bush supporters and you can understand the pain this story must cause them. Here was the man who every year celebrated Cuba's Independence Day, May 20, with a ceremony at the White House. Here was a president who frequently welcomed exiles Cuban dissidents and former political prisoners to honor the sacrifice they had made on behalf of democracy in Cuba.
How many speeches promising a free Cuba did Bush deliver to those in South Florida who gave him their vote in droves? Twice they affected election results, first in the presidential election in 2000 and again in 2004.
It is easy to understand why Bush did not want these maneuvers made public. His supporters would have understood that the president's deeds did not match his words or promises.
The Obama administration has given ample evidence that it is ready to close the divide that has separated the two nations for 50 years. Yet it, too, says that it will only lift the economic embargo on the island and renew full diplomatic relations if Cuba signals it will release its political prisoners, and permit a pluralistic democratic society to exist.
Cuba has not given any evidence that it is willing to budge on any of the requirements the U.S. government wants. Still, one wonders how much more the Obama administration is doing secretly to bring about improved relations with Cuba.
Some day we will find out.
Source: Sun Sentinel
It is obvious that the joint maneuvers between U.S. and Cuban troops is another clear indication that President Barack Obama wants to normalize relations with the Castro government in Cuba.
Less obvious perhaps, but much more painful for conservative Cuban exiles who revered President George W. Bush and his tough Cuba policy, was news that these exercises had been ongoing for years. U.S. military officials at the base said they had been doing these joint maneuvers annually for more than a decade.
The administration said the Bush administration not only allowed the maneuvers to go on regularly, it also forbade public disclosure of the information.
Put yourself in the shoes of one of these stalwart Bush supporters and you can understand the pain this story must cause them. Here was the man who every year celebrated Cuba's Independence Day, May 20, with a ceremony at the White House. Here was a president who frequently welcomed exiles Cuban dissidents and former political prisoners to honor the sacrifice they had made on behalf of democracy in Cuba.
How many speeches promising a free Cuba did Bush deliver to those in South Florida who gave him their vote in droves? Twice they affected election results, first in the presidential election in 2000 and again in 2004.
It is easy to understand why Bush did not want these maneuvers made public. His supporters would have understood that the president's deeds did not match his words or promises.
The Obama administration has given ample evidence that it is ready to close the divide that has separated the two nations for 50 years. Yet it, too, says that it will only lift the economic embargo on the island and renew full diplomatic relations if Cuba signals it will release its political prisoners, and permit a pluralistic democratic society to exist.
Cuba has not given any evidence that it is willing to budge on any of the requirements the U.S. government wants. Still, one wonders how much more the Obama administration is doing secretly to bring about improved relations with Cuba.
Some day we will find out.
Source: Sun Sentinel
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