Big Change for Cubans, Not Enough for Critics

“A mayor policy change towards communist Cuba. President Obama lifting all curbs on travel and money transfers by Cuban Americans to the island for the first time in 30 years. U.S. telecommunications firms will also now be able to seek business in Cuba.” (FOX News)

Hello, I am Geraldine Cols and you are watching Newsy.com

Some see it as a big change in foreign policy towards Cuba.

But others see it as a very small change - not big enough to change relations with the communist country.

The BBC looks at why Obama’s policy did not lift the trade embargo, the biggest barrier between the U.S. and Cuba.

“Like previous American presidents, [Obama] will only consider a full lifting of the US embargo once Cuba's communist government makes significant moves such as the holding of democratic elections. Cuba's President Raul Castro has said he is prepared to negotiate with the new US administration, providing there are no preconditions.” (BBC)

Russia Today also looks at the implications of the decision to keep the trade embargo as leverage until Cuba holds democratic elections.

“It’s being advertised as a new approach to Cuba, but it is really a kind of status quo warm over. I am afraid that it is a little bit too little too late. When President Obama goes to a summit meeting with his Latin American counterparts, they are not going to be impressed by his new policy.” (Russia Today)

A New York Times article is calling this policy a crack into a door that needs to be fully open.

“The steps he took were modest, reflecting the complicated domestic politics around Cuba and the unpredictability of the Cuban response. This volatility on both sides of the Florida Straits has bedeviled every president since Kennedy, and even Mr. Obama.” (The New York Times)

France 24 explores the sentiments of Cubans still living in the island

“Now that he has made that decision, I think it is good, now fathers and brothers can come more often to visit relatives in Cuba and they can help in many ways.”

“He wants to give possibility to all Cuban who want to come and visit their families in this country. I think this is better that all those who want can visit their families.”(France 24)

Do think this is a significant change in the policy towards Cuba? Should Obama lift the trade embargo? But what do you think?

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4. Added :14-Apr-09
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