One long-overdue step forward. One frustrating half-step back. Such is “progress” along the Tampa-Cuba continuum.
To recap the most recent event of note: Direct, albeit limited, flights from Tampa to Havana have resumed. Most Americans who would like to visit the nearby island nation still can’t, of course, but this is good news for those in the Cuban-American community. And it numbers about 80,000 in the Tampa Bay area.
But while this step was only an incremental one, it has at least upped Tampa’s profile regarding Cuba. But then what? Arguably, you would want to take advantage of such entree. Maybe expand the number of such flights and add other Cuban cities. Develop additional business relationships that have been too long deferred.
But first things first. So, how about a polite, pro forma letter from the Tampa City Council to be conveyed by a council member to a Cuban government official acknowledging the obvious? We bring greetings. We come in friendship. We pay respect to the historic ties between Tampa and Cuba. And we celebrate this reconnection via recently commenced commercial flights. Etc. Or as City Council Vice Chairman Mary Mulhern, who initiated the letter gesture, phrased it: “Basically saying hello to Cuba.”
Apparently that was the hola from hell for City Council member Mike Suarez.
Anything official from City Council, he reasoned, was inappropriate. In fact it was tantamount to messing with foreign policy. It surely was akin to a “government to government” communication. “I don’t think at this time this is the proper way for us to present our credentials or to even say hello to the people of Cuba through this letter” explained Suarez. “I just can’t support it. … our role as City Council is not to make international policy.”
¿Cómo?
Since when does Councilman Suarez, who reminds us that he has “Cuban blood,” channel a Diaz-Balart brother? This is Tampa, where “Cuban” connotes cigar workers and Jose Marti, not Little Havana, where “Cuban” means Batista extended family and exile agenda. Too bad Suarez didn’t make clear during last November’s election that he would use protocol as a smoke screen for a counterproductive, provincial view of doing business with Cuba.
Perhaps Suarez should read–or reread–the minutes of previous meetings on this subject. Other American cities and states have taken trade missions to Cuba. Some governors have led them. Officials talk directly.
Such visits aren’t considered meddling in international affairs. It’s seen for what it is: Trying to get your state or community a piece of the action not precluded by the Cold War-era economic embargo. You also want to establish relationships. Of course you do. In any other context, this is not an issue. It’s just common sense. And good business practice. But not when it comes to too many Florida politicians and the subject of Cuba.
Objecting to a nominal City Council letter is likely seen in Havana–believe me, they know about this exercise in absurdity–as a sign of timid, parochial politics at best and as an insult at worst. You want to partner with those who can’t agree to drop you a courtesy line in gratitude and friendship?
When the embargo is lifted–and the end is near–the Cuban government will remember who was on board back when. And who was too petty or too ideological to even “risk” a formal bienvenidos, hola or gracias to an appropriate official. And who was perceived as a last-minute opportunist.
As Havana’s American soul sister, Tampa is uniquely positioned to take advantage of trade and travel opportunities between Cuba and Florida. The cultural ties date to the 19th century. But Tampa will continue to lose credibility and business to New Orleans, Houston and Galveston if it continues to be impacted and influenced by those playing the part of clueless, political rubes.
I would like to quote some of your comments:
1) This is Tampa, where “Cuban” connotes cigar workers and Jose Marti, not Little Havana, where “Cuban” means Batista extended family and exile agenda.
Dear Sir: Batista died long time ago so long ago that even his bones are already turned into ashes. The “batistianos” if there is one or two still alive they are with a foot here an the other in the cemetery. This is a very cheap way to characterize most of Cuban in Miami, the same word is used by Castro’s fellow travelers and his “amiguitos”. Is that clear.
2) We bring greetings. We come in friendship. We pay respect to the historic ties between Tampa and Cuba. And we celebrate this reconnection via recently commenced commercial flights. Etc. Or as council Vice Chairwoman Mary Mulhern, who initiated the letter gesture, phrased it: “Basically saying hello to Cuba.”
Congratulations: you are a very polite person even of those that shake hands with thieves, repressive thugs or enemies of your own country, the US.
3) “I don’t think at this time this is the proper way for us to present our credentials or to even say hello to the people of Cuba through this letter” Suarez said. “I just can’t support it. … Our role as city council is not to make international policy.”
You are right, no city or state has the authority or power to make international policy. Leave that to the White House or Ms. Clinton. Their recent failures speak for themselves. That’s what you want four your country?
4) Trying to get your state or community a piece of the action not precluded by the Cold War-era economic embargo.
Yes the “Cold War ” ended in the 90s but we have a different kind of enemies. Do you know that? An the Castros shake hands with Ahmadinejad, Ghadafi , Chavez and so on. Would you sit next to them and shake their hands?
5) When the embargo is lifted — and the end is near — the Cuban government will remember who was on board back when. And who was too petty or too ideological to even “risk” a formal bienvenidos, hola or gracias to an appropriate official. And who was perceived as a last-minute opportunist.
We already know who are the opportunists and I think your are one of them the only thing that you can think of is money and how you are going to get it, in Havana or anywhere else. In Havana you can get a “Cuba Libre cheaper than in Tampa and the “Jineteras” are way cheaper than those in Tampa. Have you recently visit the strip clubs in Semoran or Kennedy Blvd.?
6)As Havana’s American soul sister, Tampa is uniquely positioned to take advantage of trade and travel opportunities between Cuba and Florida. The cultural ties date to the 19th century. But Tampa will continue to lose credibility and business to New Orleans, Houston and Galveston if it continues to be impacted and influenced by those playing the part of clueless, political rubes.
Run baby run or you may be late to pick up the spoils left by a tyrant or perhaps be a guest at his mortuary.
That’s all, do what you have to do, The gringo lefties of this century are the same of those that went to Cuba with the Rough Riders. Bye.
Sr. Faz:
Obviously we will not agree on this. But I can assure you that I’m not some clueless gringo leftist. But I do approach this subject with some preconceptions. I want what’s best for the United States, Florida, Tampa Bay and the Port of Tampa first.
Having said that, I’m not naive when it comes to the Castro dictatorship, and I cringe on visits to Cuba when I see true gringos in their Che shirts. They have no idea of the blood on his “iconic” hands. I also don’t want to disrespect those whose shoes I can never walk in.
But as I said, I want what’s best for the US, Fla, TB and the PoT.
The issues range from the geopolitical to the economic to the humanitarian. Would that the politically repressive, economically self-defeating Cuban system were among the more serious foreign-policy issues faced by our government. Cuba is more vendetta than threat.
I know there is another pt of view, and you have certainly represented it. And, frankly, I thank you for taking the time to express it by responding to the piece I wrote.
Buena suerte, my amigo.
Joe O’Neill
Joe: I’m sorry if I have been too harsh on you but most of gringos as you well know does not have an idea of what Fidel Castrio has done to my country and I don’t mean how many were sent to the firing squadron or were sentenced to 30 years of prison. I knew many of them because 4 yearsof my life were spent in Fidel’s prison. You know what was my label “spying for a foreign power! in a mockery court without a lawyer and even not letting me to declare in my own defense. No appeal. No justice. remember Alan Gross? That’s one jewish gringo who is suffering what thousands of cubans suffered then and . Fidel’s government has destroyed everithing that cuban people, despite the dicttatorships we suffered; the corrupted politicians done. That’s the real issue! The issue is not doing business with Cuba but doing business with a tyrant. That’s the real issue! I have been in Tampa many times, I know your city as well as the role cubans had in the XVIII century an still their descendants consider themselves as cuban even they were born in the US. Have you ever had lunch in the cuban restaurant in Kennedy and Semoran? I know well that crossing, the first thing when I arrived to Tampa was to stop theere and have a cuban coffee.
Maybe sometime we can gather there an make a toast for the after Fidel era that is coming very soon I’m working on it you know.
Truly,Mario Faz
Joe, I liked your ” UNSENT LETTER” in the 9/25 edition of the Carrollwood News.Mike Suarez needs a history lesson. We have had a Cuban embargo since about 1965. Why? What for? Cuba is our neighbor We need to send them an olive branch. US folks can go to Pakistan, Iran, Somalia and other not so friendly countries but not Cuba.? Why?
I belong to Tampa East Sertoma club . We would love to go to Cuba as a group to paint and fix up some housing for the poor folks in Cuba. (We do this kind of work in Tampa as charity). Could we chance it?
I agree, one day our officials will come to their senses and open up Cuba to all. One day we hope.
Thanks for your efforts
Bob:
Thanks for your comments.
Cuba is different — and a geopolitical disgrace — because it’s personal. (I suspect that had Vietnam been in the Caribbean 90 miles off the U.S.shore we might not have normalized relations with them either.)
The exile element in S. Fla still has inordinate clout over U.S. foreign policy on this subject. Their vendetta agenda and their PAC funds and their ability to turn a sensible Cuban position into a political liability have coerced key Florida politicians.
Notice no Fla governor has led any trade delegation there, but it’s not a problem for, say, the governors of Alabama and Georgia. That’s why classic liberal Democrats such as Debbie Wasserman Schultz and Kendrick Meek, for example, are staunchly anti-embargo (couched in terms, of course, of not “rewarding a dictator”). They know doing the right thing is the wrong political move. Political whores would not be too strong a term.
As for your agenda of good will and work, that might not fit neatly into the categories allowed for travel (from family connections to the religious, journalistic, cultural, etc.). I’d get in touch with the uber expert on this subject: Al Fox. He’s been there more than 50 times with various groups he organizes. He’s the founder of the Alliance for Responsible Cuba Policy Foundation and can be reached at [email protected].
Thanks for your interest and thanks for taking time to express it.
Regards,
Joe O’Neill