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April 24, 2008
Cuba Libre
Ignacio Sosa has another great letter to the editor published in today's WSJ:
Things We Could Do to Help Make Cuba Libre
We do not know if Raul Castro's recent liberalization moves are the beginning, middle or end of the Cuban reform process o("The Meaning of Raul's 'Reforms,' " by Mary Anastasia O'Grady, Americas, April 21). We do know, however, that U.S. policy toward Cuba is not helping.
Cubans are openly discussing alternatives to almost 50 years of communism while the U.S. continues to block any possible interchange of people and ideas.
Why not start by lifting the travel ban to Cuba for family members as long as Cuba lifts travel restrictions for its own citizens? The latter is likely to happen anyway, so why doesn't the U.S. join the reform process?
Perhaps we can also negotiate lifting restrictions on family remittances to the island. This will have the desirous effect of making Cubans less dependent on their government and thus more likely to speak up.
Relaxing restrictions on Cuba will provide greater oxygen to those on the island demanding change. It's time to end our failed Cuba policies and help Cubans build a better society.
Ignacio Sosa
Globalis Investments LLC
Boston