This paragraph, from Florida Republican Senator Marco Rubio\’s statement about the “normalization” of relations with Cuba, not only stands as a clear, concise explanation of how idiotic and/or malevolent doing so would be at this time, but comes from someone who, as the son of Cuban refugees, knows all too well what castro\’s Cuba really is:
“ThePresident\’s decision to reward the Castro regime and begin the pathtoward the normalization of relations with Cuba is inexplicable.Cuba\’s record is clear. Just as when President Eisenhower severeddiplomatic relations with Cuba, the Castro family still controls thecountry, the economy and all levers of power. This administration\’sattempts to loosen restrictions on travel in recent years have onlyserved to benefit the regime. While business interests seeking toline their pockets, aided by the editorial page of The New YorkTimes, have begun a significant campaign to paper over the factsabout the regime in Havana, the reality is clear. Cuba, like Syria,Iran, and Sudan, remains a state sponsor of terrorism. It continuesto actively work with regimes like North Korea to illegally trafficweapons in our hemisphere in violation of several United NationsSecurity Council Resolutions. It colludes with America\’s enemies,near and far, to threaten us and everything we hold dear. But mostimportantly, the regime\’s brutal treatment of the Cuban people hascontinued unabated. Dissidents are harassed, imprisoned and evenkilled. Access to information is restricted and controlled by theregime. That is why even more than just putting U.S. nationalsecurity at risk, President Obama is letting down the Cuban people,who still yearn to be free.”
Senator Rubio goes on to tell us that, as incoming chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee\’s Western Hemisphere subcommittee, he will do everything in his power to prevent such “normalization” from taking place.
I wish him every success.
