******************** POSTING RULES & NOTES ******************** #1 YOU MUST clip all extraneous text when replying to a message. #2 This mail-list, like most, is publicly & permanently archived. #3 Subscribe and post under an alias if #2 is a concern. *****************************************************************
President Barack Obama confirmed on July 1 that the US will reopen its embassy in Havana. This announcement came after the both Obama and Raul Castro had confirmed US and Cuba would and restore full diplomatic relations. Secretary of State John Kerry will travel to Havana for the opening, and, at the same time, Cuban officials affirmed the country will reopen its embassy in Washington on July 20, 2015. The presidents Speaking at the Rose Garden, Obama declared that “A year ago, it might’ve seemed impossible that the United States would once again be raising our flag - the stars and stripes - over an embassy in Havana.” Cuba’s president Raul Castro said in a formal letter, “Cuba is encouraged by the intention of both countries to develop respectful and cooperative relations between our two peoples and governments.” The role of big business As always, business interests are behind the scenes of these diplomatic agreements. Even though eliminating the full embargo would require a vote from Congress, many US corporations are pushing for the opening of business opportunities in Cuba. A few weeks ago, the launch of Engage Cuba, a bipartisan coalition, financed by companies like Cargill, Procter & Gamble and Caterpillar, was announced at a Washington pub. At the event was Roberta Jacobson, a top diplomatic official from the administration who leads Obama’s negotiation team with Cuba. Political talks may be hard and complicated, but businesses are clearly in the fast lane. Read Cuba: Times of a "thaw" with imperialism http://leftvoice.org/Cuba-Times-of-a-thaw-with-imperialism?var_mode=calcul _________________________________________________________ Full posting guidelines at: http://www.marxmail.org/sub.htm Set your options at: http://lists.csbs.utah.edu/options/marxism/archive%40mail-archive.com
