June 14, 2005
Primavera Negra
Capitulate: (verb, intransitive) : to surrender often after negotiation of terms b : to cease resisting : ACQUIESCE
Because Old Europe refuses to learn from its own history:
In the showdown between Old and New Europe over Cuba, Old Europe has won - and the communist dictator in Havana, Fidel Castro, has gotten a break for at least a year.The European Union decided yesterday not to restore diplomatic sanctions it imposed on the island in 2003, affording Mr. Castro a year of "constructive dialogue" before next reconsidering whether to ban high-level diplomats' visits to Cuba, open embassies in Havana to Cuban dissidents, and take other measures that have greatly irked Cuba's strongman.
Got that? A year of "constructive dialogue" with the very same man that expelled European ambassadors, journalists and dignitaries. Dialogue with the same man that just last week usurped European businesses and moneys. Dialogue with the same man that has told nothing but bold faced lie after bold faced lie for over four decades.
In the aftermath of the crackdown, in June 2003, the E.U. responded with diplomatic sanctions on the island. Among other measures, the European Union suspended high-level diplomatic contact with Havana, and began inviting dissidents to celebrations of national holidays, where members of the opposition movement were afforded valuable access to representatives of the world's second largest economic power.The Europeans' retaliation infuriated Mr. Castro, who promptly declared a "freeze" on his relations with the continent, posing difficulties for countries with economic interests on the island. That freeze thawed in January, when Spain - under the governing hand of the Socialist prime minister, Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, and his foreign minister, Miguel Angel Moratinos - pushed the E.U. to lift the sanctions for a six-month trial period.
High-level diplomatic contact was reinstated, and dissidents were uninvited from the national holiday celebrations, with the hope that ending some of the E.U. practices bothersome to Mr. Castro would foment "constructive dialogue" with the regime in order to bring about reform.
Six months later, the E.U. has determined that even though "there was no satisfactory progress on human rights in Cuba," it remains willing "to maintain a constructive dialogue with the Cuban authorities, on a reciprocal and non-discriminatory basis ... with the aim of achieving tangible results with regard to human rights, democratization and the release of political prisoners." The E.U.'s diplomatic sanctions "remain suspended" until June 2006, when the union will next reconsider its common position.
"There was no satisfactory progress BUT let's wait some more and see if fidel castro's magnanimity shines. Besides, where else can we Europeans go for cheap whores and native-free beaches?"
Read the whole depressing thing.
H/T Lisa F.
UPDATE: Captain Ed has more.
Posted by Val Prieto at June 14, 2005 12:33 PM
Comments
Val, you are not being "moderate" and "sensible"; you are being an "extremist." Shame on you.
Posted by: George L. Moneo at June 14, 2005 12:50 PM
Reciprocal? Non-discriminatory? Ha, so fidels bank remains open for more deposits, withdrawals not allowed.
Posted by: Kathleen at June 14, 2005 01:16 PM
Is there some fund we can tap into, to purchase black bowler hats and umbrellas for these fine, appeasing European gentlemen? De rigueur attire for when they meet with kagaSStro, for "dialogue."
No doubt the Master of Munich somewhere is shrieking with delight at the ability of his olive drab-clad pupil to bamboozle these New-Age EuroPEOS.
No han aprendido nada, los cabrones
Posted by: Alberto Quiroga at June 14, 2005 04:04 PM
May I post I brilliant analysis written by Val himself over at Captain's Quarters (Val, you are too modest; you should have added this to your post):
The best thing that could have happened to fidel castro was the March 11th bombings in Madrid. That incident alone solidified castros power for at least another few years as Aznar ultimately lost the election due to the bombings.Now, for all those that want a change to our cuban policy, imagine the following:
Lifting the embargo and normalizing relations with Cuba would make it impossible to keep Cuba out of the Bretton Woods multilateral financial agencies (IMF and World Bank) then, with a minor contribution to the common fund, Castro would gain access to "drawing rights" worth billions. Since these institutions lend directly to the government and not to the private sector, the hard currency goes straight to the official coffers and will inevitably strengthen Castro's dictatorship.
Castro has managed to remain in power and oppress millions for decades without money. Imagine what it would be like if he had billions at his disposal?
Posted by: George L. Moneo at June 14, 2005 04:15 PM
You hit the bullseye!!! "Besides, where else can we Europeans go for cheap whores and native-free beaches?"
Its about time someone said it right!!!
If others don't like the truth because it hurts then move to Cuba. It will hurt worse!
Posted by: pototo at June 14, 2005 10:22 PM
After 46 years these bitches still want this great "Socialist" experiment to work. SO they can say, "See USA, I told you so he just needs some understanding you see his mother didn't breast feed him... blah blah blah" Look its just like the lefties here. The Euroes are too arrogant to admit they have been wrong for all this time and that they should have buried him back then. Just like a spoiled child once you let him get over on you your done. SO the Euros are done that all. Now of course, all of those who want to dialog with the shit will still blame us.
One day if the world wakes up and squeezes his nuts like they did to South Africa he may give up the may give up the ghost. We can only dream.
Posted by: mojoman at June 14, 2005 11:15 PM