c h a n g e - Obama Lifts Some Restrictions on Cuba

[spanone]

President Obama is lifting some restrictions on Cuban Americans' contact with Cuba and allowing U.S. telecom companies to operate there, opening up the communist island nation to more cellular and satellite service, White House press secretary Robert Gibbs announced at his regular news briefing today.

The decision does not lift the trade embargo on Cuba but eases the prohibitions that have restricted Cuban Americans from visiting their relatives and has limited what they can send back home.

It also allows companies to establish fiber-optic and satellite links between the United States and Cuba and will permit U.S. companies to be licensed for roaming agreements in Cuba.

Communications of those kinds have been prohibited under tough rules put in place by George W. Bush's administration to pressure for democratic change in the island nation.

But under the new policy promoted by Obama, satellite radio companies and television providers will also be able to enter into transactions necessary to provide service to Cuban citizens.

It will also provide an exception to the trade embargo to allow personal cell phones, computes and satellite receivers to be sent to Cuba.

"All who embrace core democratic values long for a Cuba that respects the basic human, political and economic rights of all of its citizens," Gibbs said. "President Obama believes the measure he has taken today, will help make that goal a reality."

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/44/2009/04/13/obama_to_lift_cuba_travel_rest.html?hpid=topnews

[Tangerine LaBamba]

1. Excellent ..........

Obama works in small steps, and before you know it, things have changed. I love his style.

Good...................

[spanone]

2. i agree....good

[WHEN CRABS ROAR]

3. Lets not go to fast, it's only been 50 years now.

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

4. What about cigars?

[lpbk2713]

7. Order them through Verizon.

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:




:sarcasm:

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

8. I can get them, I just wish it wasn't illegal.

[bridgit]

5. Creatively targeted changes and improvements to relations I like it!

[corruptmewithpower]

6. Looks like It's be a very depressing place to visit.

On top of rationing, the average wage at the end of 2005 was 334 regular pesos per month ($16.70 per month) and average monthly pension was $9.<41>

Cubans can not change jobs, change residence inside Cuba, or leave the country without government permission.<42>

In communications and publishing sector, Cubans can not access the Internet without government permission.<42> Cubans can not watch or listen to independent, private, or foreign broadcasts.<42> Cubans can not read books, magazines or newspapers, unless approved/published by the government.<42> Cubans can not receive publications from abroad or from visitors.<42>

Until a 2009 announcement, Cubans were prohibited from using hotels or restaurants meant for tourists.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economy_of_Cuba

[Sebass1271]

9. Cubans can't do anything.. they are not free and don't live in

a democratic society... I am glad President Obama lifted travel and remittance to Cubans.. However, I am a little afraid that this opening could strenghten the cuban regime. I hope President Obama canceled cuban's charge on these remittance..

While I agree Cubans should decide their own fate by being facilitated with money and some technology items, noo money should be given to the cuban government by any means whatsoever.

[corruptmewithpower]

10. I just feel so sorry for them.

I wish they could come over here and panhandle or something, that'd be a huge step up. I don't have much, but they'd sure get whatever I had in my pocket.

[Sebass1271]

11. Cubans are not

free.. i don't know when you guys will get it.. at least in this country, we have the right to vote every four years.. they don't. Such a regime that inhibits basic human rights and freedoms is an offense to the human dignity of its people.

How Americans have used (or abused) our freedom to impose our selfish stand on other nations shouldn't be the standard for determining whether the Cuban people should be given their fair chance. IT is time to change. It has been more than 50 years. We must demand something from this country if we are going to give them what Castro is always seeking for, MONEY and power to continue oppresing the cuban people.

President Obama did today what President Clinton did in 1993, small steps that provided no consequences or change in communist Cuba. Castro didn't change anything then, and i am sure that if he is not pressured, won't change anything now.

PRESIDENT OBAMA MUST MAKE SOME CONSESSIONS.. RELEASE THE POLITICAL PRISONERS NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[corruptmewithpower]

12. I wish you would explain that last line. It didn't make sense to me.