Black Congressional Delegation Calls for Normalization of Relations with Cuba (298 hits)
(Taylor Media Services) A delegation composed mostly of African American members of the U.S. Congress has called on President Obama to end 50 years of hostility toward Cuba and immediately begin normalizing relations. The seven-member delegation began its visit to the communist-led island last Sunday by meeting with Cuba’s Parliament President Ricardo Alarcon and Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez.
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Speaking for the group, Congressional Black Caucus chairwoman Barbara Lee said, “Most of the members of our delegation believe we need to actually normalize relations and then the details of what that means would follow.” However, if relations are to improve, Obama will have to be pushed. The president appears ready to loosen some of the country’s more stringent anti-Cuba measures but lifting the embargo against the island would require congressional approval.
Obama meets with Latin American and Caribbean leaders in Trinidad and Tobago later this month. He will be meeting with countries which have virtually all reestablished diplomatic relations with Cuba. The only exception is El Salvador. And that country’s recently elected left-leaning President Mauricio Funes says he will reestablish relations as soon as he takes office in June.
Meanwhile, Boxer and two other members of the delegation had a surprise visit Tuesday with Fidel Castro - the ailing 82-year-old founder of the modern Cuban state. Castro reportedly asked the three what he could do to help Obama end nearly 50 years of U.S. hostility toward Cuba. http://lee.house.gov/?sectionid=57§ion...
