Fidel Castro retires

Castro has been around forever, and he was always one President I thought would never retire...until now:

I wonder if embargoes against Cuba will now be lifted...that place is still a bit of a "1960's time warp" as even friends have confirmed after visiting there. due to import embargoes.

 

Cuban cigars all round then

http://bestsmileys.com/smoking/3.gif

 

Yeah Legit Cuban cigars is the probably the first thing that comes to mind

Will be interesting to see what the new Administration will be like and what changes will come about. The people there have suffered long under Castro's regime with poor living conditions, and an escalation of crime lords.

 

Well saw Bush on TV this am offering support, boy he never misses an opening. Spreading himself (us with him) thin offering money and support all over the world while we're in a recession.
I heard his brother (Castro's) would be stepping in.

 

Yeah, Fidel has had stomach ops causing him to have his brother stand in since 2006. News had stated the son would replace him (disappointing for the people) and a further update now states Cuba's National Assembly, is expected to nominate Castro's brother.

So, it appears there won't be any changes (ie not towards democratic free and fair elections)...feel sorry for the people there, because now I reckon embargoes will continue, makes it tough surviving there.

 

My understanding was that Bush's offer of support would only have applied if there was transition of government policies, brought about by "fair and free elections", which won't happen with Fidel remaining "influential as first secretary of the ruling Communist Party."

 

Nope, that's unlikely because it's only the person changing, not the (illegal) regime, or its policies. Like M.A. said, he's probably dying anyway. Been very sick for some time now. It won't make any difference for the better, in my assessment, because it will just be another family member taking over, who will be just as bad, if not worse. As said, Fidel will still be pulling the political strings, to be sure.

As for buying Cuban cigars. Bought them many a time in Aust. It's just America that can't legally get them, A.F.A.I.K., anyway. Got some been sitting in my desk drawer for ages, actually, LoL.

 

Why does the US still have a base there? I could never understand that considering the embargo!:confused

 

That is a odd situation, huh? Got me, will have to look up that one.

 

I heard long ago, (perhaps during the Clinton admin) they were considering lifting the embargoes even without a change in leadership.

Many people visit the country from here just have to get there via Europe.

 

Found this

Guantánamo Bay

This article is about the body of water. For the U.S.-operated military prison, see Guantanamo Bay detention camp. For the U.S. Naval base, see Guantanamo Bay Naval Base. For other titular locales and uses, see Guantanamo (disambiguation).

Aerial view of Guantánaate U.S. Naval Boundaries.Guantánamo Bay (Spanish: Bahía de Guantánamo) is a bay located in Guantánamo Province at the south-eastern end of Cuba (19°54′N, 75°9′W). It is the largest harbor on the south side of the island and is surrounded by steep hills creating an enclave cut off from its immediate hinterland.

The United States assumed territorial control over Guantánamo Bay under the 1903 Cuban-American Treaty, which granted the United States a perpetual lease of the area without the Cuban Government reacting. The current Cuban government considers the U.S. presence in Guantánamo illegal, arguing that the Cuban-American Treaty violates Article 52 of the 1969 Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties, which declares a treaty void if its conclusion has been procured by the threat or use of force in violation of international law. However, Article 4 of the same document states that Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties shall not be retroactively applied to any treaties made before itself.[1]

The southern portion of the bay is surrounded by the Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, established in 1898. For the past several years the base has hosted a detainment camp for suspected militant combatants from both Afghanistan and Iraq, or from previously secret prisons in Europe that were revealed in 2006.

Bush made a comment before they have no right to trial or legal counsil because they are not US citizens. (my statement)

 

Fortunately, I have the feeling his brother won't last long anyway, he's what, 74? So it won't be long before he dies as well.

 

I think the word communist still evokes thoughts of Hitler like leaders in most. The Cuban missile crisis back in 62' ? was a stand off between Kennedy and Castro because Russia was shipping missiles to Cuba, like 90 miles off the coast of Florida.
It was scary, The radio stations were telling us to fill water jugs, store up canned foods, medical needs. I thought for sure we were dead, had two babies at that time also.
Castro backed down, thank god and it's been this way ever since, even after Russia gave up communism.
Stubborn I guess on both sides. Hopefully it will end.

 

Yes, you're right as far as no changes according to the news. Shame that Cuba will remain the same when the number of people wanting change are on the increase.

As for embargoes, although there is limited official contact between Cuba and Australia, we do have little import and export trade with Cuba... imports are mainly crustaceans, tobacco and fruit juices. We've not expanded on trade with them because of the existence of the US legislation, which offers a disincentive to overseas businesses considering trade with both Cuba and the United States.

So not much has changed here since Cuba has been subject to a US economic, financial and trade embargo since 1962-63.

 

Actually, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development General Assembly, recently adopted a resolution on the need to end the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed by the United States against Cuba.

Australia has voted in favour of Cuba's resolution in the United Nations General Assembly calling for an end to the US embargo because Australia believes that confrontation and isolation are not productive policies in relation to Cuba.

We've also expressed concerns about the effects Castro's 45 year regime has had on its people on a human rights aspect.

 

Castro's blood boils with anti American feeling as do all his close advisor's and friends,during the Cuban missile crisis he wanted the Soviets to launch the nuclear weapons in a first strike and was totally aware that Cuba would be leveled and was prepared to accept that fate,he didn't back down.

There are two ways that people remember the Cuban missile crisis one,America stood up to communist aggression and they backed down and what really happened America agreed to move Silo's from within close proximity to the Soviets border and then tactical nuclear weapons we're removed from Cuba,for intents and purposes the soviets "won".

The world will be better off without Castro IMO.

 

There has been rising dissension in Cuba. The people are much disillusioned and tired after Fidel's 45year regime. Unfortunately they are powerless to make change...enough dissidents working towards political change would probably bring about internal strife, that may only cause more misery for Cuba's people. So the Castro Administration and regime will continue until something drastic occurs.

 

Everything ends! Nothing is forever under the moon...
Fidel is a great man, I think!
I hope he has provided his government with good succession with Raul as it very important if he wants to continue his policy...

 

Out of curiousity, whereabouts in Cuba do you live? And what type of car do you drive there?

 

I was watching something last night on history channel (may of been on a new channel called ID can't really remember) about Cuba and they were talking about the CIA has tried many times to kill Castro and have fail and even when Kennedy was in office we tried to invade Cuba and when the CIA went for it Kennedy did not send the reinforcements causing the first wave to be killed then Castro made a comment because of all that happening that Kennedy was not untouchable then on the day someone was going to kill Castro Kennedy was shot. Makes you wonder huh? there was alot more said on the show but i fell asleep..

alittle bit of info on it.
http://www.maryferrell.org/wiki/index.php/Castro_Assassination_Plots

If i find a transcript on it i will post it.

 

When Reagan was in office there was nothing to worry about because any troublemakers were taken care of quickly. We need another person like him in office

 

Everyone is entitled to their own outlook, as they are to their own political opinion, which you obviously wish to express. That's your bag...not mine. I simply go by what has been personally observed from people visiting and reports read which I have had access to.

Don't quite get reaction of your blurb on my post re whereabouts the person lives and type of car they drive in Cuba:confused My two questions are pointed towards someone who actually lives in Cuba...(which I doubt VentureAce does)...so I found your blurb strange to say the least.

FYI...I initiated this post as a news item of a person who is known longstanding and historically for embargoes and the United Nations take on embargoes...I'm not interested in getting into a personal mud slinging match...I have better things to do with my time

Cheers

LS

 

Firstly, quote me correctly...secondly, in my profession I take in cultural and economic facts, thirdly, I didn't raise this thread to get into a political mud slinging match. I'm simply not buying into your taunts - it's a waste of time and energy when I have bigger fish to fry. So, I will now reiterate what I stated in my earlier post that which you obviously chose to ignore:

I'm not interested in getting into a personal mud slinging match...I have better things to do with my time

Cheers

LS

 

Steve_East9,

If you continue to make this a personal muck flinging contest, your posts will be removed from this thread.

Thank you.

 

If you continue this, I will be forced to remove you from the forum. Please stop.

 

I am wondering just how anti-Americans are helping to create a better world. Are they funding large shipments of food, medical care, school aid, and emergency needs during disasters. Or are they just bashing America with words.
There are many things wrong with our government. That is a fact.
There are many things right about our government. That is a fact.
There is no nation in the world that spends more money trying to help countries that need it. That is also a fact
The Good outweighs the Bad, and I for one am tired of seeing America bashed by folks that don't look at the whole picture, just the small, narrow, piece that they want to see.
http://bestsmileys.com/signs4/3.gif

 

Steve when Americans are risking life and limb to get into Cuba for a better life I'll agree with you.

Tony Blair

 

Quote "A simple way to take measure of a country is to look at how many want in and how many want out." Quote

Nice quote Rikky