Hey, I'm not going to get into any argument over this since I am doing business in Cuba and don't see any reason to stop.
Many of these foreign companies you mention (French, British, Spanish, etc.) have been in Cuba for many years and will be there for many more years no matter what happens in Cuba.
I have been to Cuba many times in the last 7 years and I have studied the complete computer print-out from the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) in Washington of all the claims filed for the so-called confiscated property in Cuba and I have had numerous contacts with that office.
What percentage of the assets of the country do YOU think are subject to claims by Cuban Americans?
Or is it your belief that ALL of the assets of the country are subject to claims by the Cuban Americans in the States?
I agree with you on one point, the Cuban Americans in Florida will invest in Cuba. As a matter of fact, they are investing right now and have been for some time. I personally know of many instances where money from Cuban Americans is being funnelled into the country by using relatives still in the country and into enterprises thru third parties.
Do you have any idea how many American citizens are in Cuba (both legally and illegally) right now? At this very moment? Walking around to the government offices and all the enterprises, trying to negotiate deals? Looking at real estate and buying condos thru third country identities? Signing option agreements for business deals with Cuban entities - option agreements that will become formal contracts when it is possible to publicly conduct that business in Cuba?
I have a pretty good idea since I have met many Americans in Cuba in the last few years - all of them after a deal of some kind. And if they can't do it directly, it is done indirectly.
I believe that investment in the country will have a positive effect on the lives of the Cubans who live there. I know that it does because I have seen it for myself. The challenge will be to have that positive effect spread to all Cubans and not just those with access to dollars - both in remittances and in jobs that allow access to dollars. Keeping in mind that the same Cuban Americans who support the embargo are the same ones who fill the planes to Cuba each day andremit over US$500 million to their relatives in Cuba each year.
I was told many years ago by someone of influence in the country that there will be no political change in the country until the economy of the country is converted from the old system to some new system where most Cubans will at least have enough food, better shelter and the ability to have a job. Only then will you have a chance for the political change.
So, if you are in favour of political change, then the goal should be a booming economy in Cuba - not a terrible one where the people suffer. For some reason, the goal of the Cuban Americans in the US seems to be to create a situation where their Cuban relatives suffer so much that they will then eventually rise up and overthrow the government.
Please explain the logic in that one. It is like shooting someone so you can take them to the hospital. |
