TV Schedule

EU agrees to lift sanctions on Cuba

  2. merasyad
  3. related topics
The European Union on Thursday agreed to lift its diplomatic sanctions against Cuba but imposed tough conditions on the communist island to maintain sanction-free relations, officials said.

EU External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner said the bloc felt it had to encourage changes in Cuba after Raul Castro took over as the head of the country's government from his ailing brother Fidel.

"There will be very clear language also on what the Cubans still have to do ... releasing prisoners, really working on human rights questions," she told reporters at an EU summit. "There will be a sort of review to see whether indeed something will have happened."

The decision does not affect the United States' trade embargo imposed on Cuba nearly 50 years ago. The Bush administration has shown no signs of lifting it.
merasyad

26 responses // EU agrees to lift sanctions on Cuba

  • It's not surprisiing that Fidel's brother, Raul, is trying to reach out to the Western World to engage in dialogue that might lead to better trade relations in the near future...It seems this Bush administration finds it extremely difficult to even make an attempt at some kind of foreign policy...I guess their too busy elsewhere... wouldn't want that getting in the way of clearing away some brush out on the ranch in Texas...oh yeah, and there's OIL to be got in Iraq...
    PlatoTacius
  • I'm glad that the EU is reaching out and lifting diplomatic sanctions against Cuba (even though it's doing it in a somewhat "scolding" manner). My own perspective is that Cuba and most Western nations have been so diametrically entrenched for so many years, that it's going to take a really difficult process of re-learning "how to reach out" to each other.

    And Bush...well, most of us long ago became acutely aware of how hard it is for him to learn even the most rudimentary, elementary grade-level skills like...reading, spelling, arithmetic, and how to "spoken" things right.
    disembedded
  • watch this comment being used here, here and here
    For a change, someone isn't afraid of how the US will react by having a dialog with Cuba. Bravo, EU.

    And yes, that's how it worked in the past... The US threatened those who did business with Cuba because it empowered the dictatorship. Funny that we've been fine with this sort of empowerment in other countries for decades, just not in Cuba...
    jpfdeuce
    2 responses to this
  • I think this has the potential to create a positive change in Cuba if the EU uses diplomatic and economic pressure wisely. I think everything but food and medicine and remittances should be restricted and conditional on improved human rights and democratic reforms, with the eventual goal of free and fair elections and hopefully the prosecution of the Castros and other leading Communists.

    Whether a leftist or right-wing, socialist or fascist, criminal dictatorships should be held accountable for violations of human and civil rights. Democracy is not a regional thing; all people have the right to it.
    Brendan_M
  • I think it's time to forgive Cuba for what it's done and allow it to prove it can be a good country.
    J_Jammer
    4 responses to this
  • watch this comment being used here, here and here
    European Cigar enthusiasts are going to be pleased with this.
    Dmitri_Molotov
    1 response to this
  • Cuba has done more less than the US has done as of the past 10 years...
    Juas
  • Finally people are beginning to realize how little Cuba's impact as a power is in the world. The country could be such a great place as it was when my family lived there, before the days of Castro. The people need to be educated and given jobs to afford a better life, and one way to help that is allowing them to buy and sell to other countries, and let foriegn business to set up on the island. Hopefully we americans can see that and get our government to follow suit,
    alman365
  • Cheers for Cuba and the change they want! also, how in the world did a tiny country like that evade assassinations, revolts and the fury of the most powerful country in the world? They are survivors. btw, Cuban cigars are available in Europe, the embargoes were all diplomatic embargo. Cuba is a major tourist attraction in Europe..many people go there and love it. Fidel was a stubborn guy, wasn't he. I hope his brother does well.
    WorldPeaceTV
    1 response to this
  • Cuba has very little oil so bush can care less to use his own for of "Diplomacy" I just hope whoever takes his job will join the EU in this.
    gylu
  • http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/2007/01/22/what-cuba-ta...
    There's plenty we can learn from Cuba too. With the fall of the Soviet Union peak oil and the food crisis hit two decades ago.
    dearmat23
  • "...releasing prisoners, really working on human rights questions..." Are they talking about Cuba or the United States? We have a bit of work to do ourselves.
    dbocaz
  • Cuba LIbre !!
    CharlieG
  • this is brilliant brilliant news. hopefully the US will follow suit.
    saskia
  • Cuba needs it.
    cerealforeal
  • It's a shame that Cuba's government approach has to be a reason why people are scolding Cuba, as a dangerous country, and a place that isn't safe, and deserted... I'm glad things are finally working out for Cuba... becuase it truly is a magnificent country, filled with beautiful people, history, and landscapes more wonderous than you can imagine! Even though I'm Puerto Rican, I'm dying to go to Cuba, and hopefully if these relations strengthen for the better, I'll go visit, love, and give it the respect it needs!
    sonoway
  • It's about time. Maybe now the U.S. will think more about normalizing relations with a beautiful country 90 miles away.
    freejsmoke420
  • More Choice leads to more Freedom. More Sanctions less Choice.

    The newly unfrozen assets of Cuban oligarchs will not trickle down as efficiently as possible, most definitely. Diplomatic connections between certain European nations (Spain, most specifically) and Havana being retied will not alleviate the desperate situation of a stagnated society and culture. Foreign investment, a far cry from a guarantee, and if even foreseeable in Raul's new vision of Cuba (which it is not), will not affect the majority of the country directly in any way. The rations and licenses and quotas and controls that the government so earnestly believes in, to thwart the Northern Empire no less, will only operate decently smooth - no more no less. This will European Union arrangement is not the answer.

    But for all that, this is a step in the right direction, as being a part of the answer. The initial part. Political and Economic isolation are disastrous policies for all parties involved, except maybe those imposing the rules.

    With Freedom and Money comes Liberty. Liberty will lead Cuba.

    For a ridiculously eye-opening view into modern Cuban life, check out a documentary called "East of Havana," directed by Emilia Menocal and Jauretsi Saizarbitoria (cool name).

    Hip-Hop saves.
    JudahEvan

Add your response

Login/Registration is required to add a response.