Obama won't lift embargo on Cuba

US News

May 23, 2008, 19:45 GMT

Washington - Presidential hopeful Barack Obama said Friday he would not begin lifting the economic embargo on Cuba until the communist island began taking initiatives to end oppression and move toward free elections. Instead, Obama said he would ease it on a case by case basis if Cuba showed signs of democratic change and released the more than 200 political prisoners. 'I will maintain the embargo,' Obama told a gathering in Miami. 'It provides us with the leverage to present the regime with a clear choice.' Obama came under heavy criticism from the presumptive Republican nominee, John McCain, who accused the leading Democratic candidate of taking a soft position toward the regime dominated by the Castro brothers. But Obama stuck by his pledge to hold unconditional talks with Cuban leader Raul Castro, but only after 'careful preparation' and a 'a clear agenda' that would help ensure discussion would produce real reforms in Cuba. 'As president I would be willing to lead the diplomacy at a time and place of my choosing,' Obama said, accusing McCain of distorting his position. McCain has adopted the policy of the Bush administration, which refuses to hold talks with Cuba until democratic reforms are enacted that allow for freedom of the press, free elections and all political prisoners are released. McCain said at a campaign rally Monday in Miami, home to large Cuban American population which prefers a hardline stance on the regime, that talks with Castro would embolden the regime. 'These steps would send the worst possible signal to Cuba's dictators - there is no need to undertake fundamental reforms, they can simply wait for a unilateral change in US policy,' McCain said Tuesday. Obama said he would ease rules that restrict that amount of money Cuban-Americans are permitted to send back to their families, restrictions that were tightened by the Bush administration. Obama accused McCain of seeking to prolong a Bush administration approach toward Latin America that has harmed the image of the United States throughout the region and aided US foes like Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. 'Instead of engaging the people of the region we've acted like we can still dictate terms unilaterally,' Obama said. He said the Bush administration's 'clumsy attempts' to undermine Chavez's influence in South America has only strenghened his hand. But Obama also faulted Chavez of degrading democratic institutions in the country, and his White House would not tolerate Venezuela's alleged support for FARC rebels in Colombia. 'We will shed a light on any support that comes from, neighbouring governments,' Obama said. The United States has long suspected that Chavez has aided FARC, a group of leftist rebels which has waged a bloody civil war in Colombia and is heavily involved in the drug trade. The Colombian military carried out in airstrike in Ecuador in March against a FARC camp that successfully killed one of its top leaders, Raul Reyes. The Colombians seized Reyes laptop which reportedly contains information showing that the Chavez government has provided assistance to FARC, which stands for the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia.

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Thanks DNC...May 23rd, 2008 - 21:28:36

He is just all over the place and policies change every fricking day.

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SP4: sure he won'tMay 23rd, 2008 - 21:39:32

...after all, he did a poll...

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tamMay 24th, 2008 - 02:51:35

it is unfortunate that even obama has to somehow modify his positions for securing the miami cubans vote,while all of know that the currrent policy did more damage to this beutiful island .

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NoharmnessMay 24th, 2008 - 08:04:00

President Obama will lead us in the right direction. However, who was it that said talk is cheap? Anyway, Vice President John Kerry will endorse his good intentions.

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SP4: YepMay 24th, 2008 - 13:20:47

..he'll vote FOR Obama before he votes AGAINST him!

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WISHFUL THINKINGMay 25th, 2008 - 12:25:28

This abysmal apology and incredible joke for a Presidential candidate will not have any opportunity to lift or not lift anything, except his toothbrush.

The black jerk will never get anywhere near the White House. He`ll be lucky to leave that stupid place called Illinois who elected this clown in the first place to be a senator. The vote for McCain will be devastating, a huge landslide.

Why the hell he keeps saying what he will do or not do, is beyond belief.

It is like saying what you would do with a lottery win - absolutely pointless, since you will not win it. Sheer fantasy and Alice in Wonderland.

Please tell me, it IS a joke, is`nt it ?

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SP4: well, wishfulMay 25th, 2008 - 16:32:19

..this guy managed to, precisely, grab power when the opportunity arose, and also managed to buck what is, arguably, the toughest political machine in US History.

He now stands at the threashold of the Democratic Candidate for President of the United States.

Not a Chance??????

Hell, he's two-for-two....so I think we can file your comments under the you-don't-seem-to-have-a-clue category.

Further study: Harry Truman and 'Dewey Wins!'

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SP4May 26th, 2008 - 04:17:24

If Obuma won than it would become the Black House, NO?

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The real SP4May 26th, 2008 - 20:09:16

Obama is spelled O-B-A-M-A.... dickhead...

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freaking best president!Jan 26th, 2009 - 23:52:09

u guys know wat barack will change all thats good so go and think of wat u say

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