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PLAIN TALK |
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Leonard Horwin
November / December 2004
(310) 785-6600 tel.
(310) 785-6644 fax plaintalk@linkline.com http://www.leonardhorwinplaintalk.com |
Questions and Answers are cited below as
"Q" and "A"
1. Q: Why "reconsider" our policy on Cuba?
A: Because it is unfounded and impractical.
2. Q: Why this particular moment?
A: One good reason is because the U.S. policy of shunning and excluding Havana, Cuba and its dictator Fidel Castro is hardly followed by any nation anywhere.
3. Q: Why bring it up today?
A: For a multitude of reasons, but one good one is a worldwide announcement of Saturday, October 30, 2004 in the Calendar section of the Los Angeles Times p. E, illustrated by a dance photograph and explained by the words: "Alight: Alihaydée Carreño in a 'Coppelia' pas de deux, choreographed by Alicia Alonso, gala's opening night."
The article (copy attached) lets us know: "Dance Review" Havana en pointe": Alicia Alonso's festival draws dance lovers from around the globe."
4. Q: What is the significance of this?
A: That in practically every aspect of culture, trade and acceptability, Havana is in effect as much of an international city (save for the United States) as almost any other capitol, and indeed much more than many capitols!
5. Q: What is the relevant history of this subject matter?
A: Cuba, until the Second World War, was run by a mafia-type dictator, Fulgencio Batista.
Beginning about the end of the Second World War, Fulgencio Batista was overthrown by the Cubans, and the reigns of power seized by Fidel Castro.
6. Q: But we deal with many dictators, including even dealing with Soviet Russia, until it liquidated itself, in essence. Why a different policy on the Cuban dictator?
A: Largely because of the former President and former Commander of the Allied landings in Normandy, - Dwight Eisenhower, ruled as President that Cuba had no right to seize American properties in Cuba.
7. Q: But, properties are seized by dictators with whom the United States deals freely, for a variety of reasons, in many countries. Why the special emphasis on Cuba?
A: Really because behind the scenes the Mafia forces inside the United States who previously had a tremendous source of revenue out of Cuba from gambling, entertaining and related, have been pushing behind the scenes to overthrow Fidel Castro and get their properties and sources of income back.
8. Q: Does it make any sense in the United States to create a worldwide issue about the human rights issues of Fidel Castro and Cuba?
A: In sum:
(1) The time has come, - not only for reconsideration, but for a major turnover in our policy toward Cuba and Fidel Castro.
(2) This reconsideration could include negotiation over property rights. But, property rights, alone, should not be the subject of consideration.
(3) Human rights and fair treatment are much better goals.
* * *
cc: George W. Bush, President
Richard Cheney, Vice President
John Kerry, Senator & Presidential Candidate
John Edwards, Senator and VP Candidate
Colin Powell, Secretary of State
Donald Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense
Condoleezza Rice, National Security Advisor
Colonel Oliver North
Tom Ridge, Secretary of Homeland Security
John Ashcroft, U.S. Attorney General
Tony Blair, Prime Minister of Great Britain
Jack Straw, British Foreign Secretary
Newt Gingrich, Former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives
Ariel Sharon, Prime Minister of Israel
Benjamin Netanyahu, Economy Minister for the Israeli Government
Israel's "Women In Green" National Unity Coalition for Israel
Arianna Huffington, Syndicated Columnist
Oriana Fallaci, International Journalist, Interviewer and Author
Yohanan Ramati, Chairman, Jerusalem Institute for Western Defense
Gerardo Joffe, FLAME (Facts & Logic About the Middle East)
Mortimer Zuckerman, Editor in Chief - US News and World Report
Time Magazine
Washington Post - Attn: Bob Woodward
International Jerusalem Post
The Weekly Standard - Bill Kristol, Editor
The Wall Street Journal - Editorial and Op-Ed Department
The New York Times, Op-Ed Department
Los Angeles Times, Op-Ed Department
Dr. and Mrs. Jordan Phillips, Medical Books for China International
Honorable Fidel Castro, President of Cuba