Reply #16: his official stand on Cuba, from his web site [View All]

f. Trade with Cuba

The Trade Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancements Act (TSRA) that passed in 2000 and allowed food and medicine exports to Cuba through third-country financing resulted in a $165 million increase in revenue for farmers in 2002. Lifting further sanctions and allowing the direct sale of food to Cuba could mean as much a $1.25 billion in added sales annually according to a Texas A&M study. We cannot reward Castro for his recent human rights abuses, but I believe that we will further the cause of democracy in Cuba with the eventual lifting of trade sanctions. As president I will:

--Move towards the eventual lifting of the trade embargo with Cuba in order to open a new market to American farmers and to push forward the forces of Democracy in Cuba
--Make clear that Cuba will not be rewarded for continued human rights violations

http://www.deanforamerica.com/site/PageServer?pagename=policy_policy_agriculture_summary

It sounds like he is still formulating his policy re Cuba. At least he talks about the "eventual lifting" of the embargo. I'm disappointed that he, like Clinton, doesn't just take a stand against the embargo, outright, but I will take a wait and see attitude. Can't get EVERYthing with any candidate.

I believe he is amenable to hearing what the public thinks. I have e-mailed his campaign on several occasions, even provided links to discussions on DU, and later his speeches sometimes reflected points that I made. I am e-mailing him asking that he take a firmer stand on definitely lifting the embargo, as a gesture of true compassion for the Cuban people and, further, to end that pandering to the little population of disgruntled Cubans in Miami who still can't get over it after 40 years.