No big surprise, of course, but the Obama administration must be a little disappointed. Hilary Clinton represented the U.S. in talks with other members of the Organization of American States over whether, and under what conditions, Cuba should be re-admitted to the group. In a way, it’s merely academic: Cuba has said it’s not interested in joining the OAS, which it views as a tool of Washington. But on the other hand, the issue is a bellweather for U.S.-Cuba relations in general–just how far is Obama willing to go?–and deeply symbolic of this administration’s claimed commitment to a new era in hemispheric policy.
So why did the talks break down? Well, Mrs. Clinton explained that the U.S. was willing to support re-admission of Cuba on the condition that it embrace “democratic principles.” I suppose that means national elections–and the possible ouster of the Castro regime. It’s at once a reasonable request and yet highly demanding, asking for an entirely new Cuban state. That dog won’t hunt, especially when the left is gaining traction in Latin America with leaders like Venezuela’s Chavez, Nicaragua’s Ortega, and the soon-to-be inaugurated Mauricio Funes of El Salvador. Those leaders, and maybe the majority of the OAS, want Cuba admitted without preconditions. Stalemate.
-NF
Hat Tip: The New York Times
Like this:
Be the first to like this post.
