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Politics : Foreign Affairs Discussion Group -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Wharf Rat who wrote (177148)	12/5/2005 10:34:09 PM
From: Hawkmoon	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 281500

Who knows; we've had them under an embargo so long that we have more of an effect on Cuba than any leader they might have. Hard to function when you haven't got oil. Why don't we stop it, and then find out if they think they are better off? Just because we have them under an embargo doesn't mean the rest of the world does!! So that BEGS THE QUESTION.. Why is Cuba STILL suffereing economically when EVERY OTHER COUNTRY is a potential marketplace for their obviously "high quality" goods?? Or why isn't Cuba becoming a fantastic investment HOTSPOT for international capital (other than the US?) Maybe, just MAYBE.. the Cuban Government is so Fr*ckin' corrupt that it's not worthwhile investing in the current KLEPTOCRACY there.. And it certainly didn't help that for 22 years Castro FORBID any foreign investment in Cuba (that ended in 1982). Castro has been in power for 40 years now.. Even YOU must recognize that he's one of the longest reigning dictators in recent history. If he was so concerned about the "welfare" of his people with regard to the US embargo, why doesn't he step down? Sure.. it's a battle of wills and the Cuban people suffer to some extent. But that's far better than US capital being sucked into Cuba only to face expropriation and nationalization, just like he did last time. As for oil.. HELL, HE'S GOT HUGO CHAVEZ!!! There MUST be something he can sell Venezuela in exchange for oil, right?? The thing is.. Castro is responsible for the state that Cuba is currently in. He created his bed, and only in the past 10 years has he actively sought to undo the economic straight-jacket he put the country into.. It's going to take some time.. and even with increasing legal frameworks instituted to protect foreign investment, smart money is going to remain cautious until Castro cedes power via a non-violent transition. THEN.. they'll be a HUGE flow of foreign investment in Cuba.. But not until Castro is gone... Btw, here is some interesting reading related to Cuba's recent "BITs" (Bilateral Investment Treaties). findarticles.com Hawk