With visit, Obama aims to push acrimony with Cuba into past
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Tourists stand next to a sign showing President Barack Obama, right, and Cuba’s President Raul Castro next to the Cathedral in Old Havana, Cuba, Sunday, March 20, 2016, ahead of Obama’s arrival. In his historic visit to Cuba, Obama is relegating decades of American acrimony with the country further into the past and cementing a new relationship between the Cold War-era foes.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
President Barack Obama waves as he and first lady Michelle Obama exit Air Force One at the airport in Havana, Cuba, Sunday, March 20, 2016. Obama and his family are traveling to Cuba, the first U.S. president to visit the island in nearly 90 years.
HAVANA >>Stepping into history, President Barack Obama opened an extraordinary visit to Cuba on Sunday, eager to push decades of acrimony deeper into the past and forge irreversible ties with America’s former adversary.
Obama’s whirlwind trip is a crowning moment in his and Cuban President Raul Castro’s ambitious effort to restore normal relations between their countries. While deep differences persist, the economic and political relationship has changed rapidly in the 15 months since the leaders vowed a new beginning.
Air Force One touched down at Havana’s airport late Sunday afternoon after a three-hour flight from Washington. The president was joined by wife Michelle Obama and daughters Malia and Sasha on the flight, with dozens of U.S. lawmakers and business leaders arriving separately for the visit.
For more than 50 years, Cuba was an unimaginable destination for a U.S. president, as well as most American citizens. The U.S. severed diplomatic relations with Cuba in 1961 after Fidel Castro’s revolution sparked fears of communism spreading to the Western Hemisphere. Domestic politics in both countries contributed to the continued estrangement well after the Cold War ended.
The last visit to Cuba by a U.S. president came in 1928, when Calvin Coolidge arrived on the island in a battleship.
“This is an incredible thing,” said Carlos Maza, a 48-year-old refrigerator repairman from Havana. He called it “a big step forward.”
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Obama’s visit was highly anticipated in Cuba, where workers furiously cleaned up the streets in Old Havana and gave buildings a fresh coat of paint. American flags were raised alongside the Cuban colors in parts of the capital, an improbable image for those who have lived through a half-century of bitterness between the two countries.
Many Cubans were staying home in order to avoid extensive closures of main boulevards. By early afternoon the Cuban government didn’t appear to be calling out crowds of supporters to welcome Obama, as it has with other visiting dignitaries. The city’s seaside Malecon promenade was largely deserted Sunday morning except for a few cars, joggers, fishermen and pelicans.
The president’s schedule in Cuba is jam-packed, including official meetings with Raul Castro and an event with U.S. and Cuban entrepreneurs. But much of Obama’s visit was about appealing directly to the Cuban people and celebrating the island’s vibrant culture.
“I don’t think that the Cuban people are going to be bewitched by North American culture,” Gustavo Machin, Cuba’sdeputy director of U.S. affairs, told The Associated Press. “We don’t fear ties with the United States.”
Shortly after arriving, Obama planned to greet staff at the new U.S. Embassy in Havana, which was opened amid great fanfare last year. He was then joining his family on a walking tour of Old Havana, including the Havana Cathedral.
Obama was to be greeted there by Cardinal Jaime Ortega, who helped facilitate months of secret talks between U.S. and Cuban officials that led to the normalization of diplomatic relations in December 2014.
A highlight of Obama’s visit comes Tuesday when he joins Castro and a crowd of baseball-crazed Cubans for a game between the beloved national team and Major League Baseball’s Tampa Bay Rays. The president also planned a speech at the Grand Theater of Havana laying out his vision for greater freedoms and more economic opportunity in Cuba.
Two years after taking power in 2008, Castro launched economic and social reforms that appear slow-moving to many Cubans and foreigners, but are lasting and widespread within Cuban society. The changes have allowed hundreds of thousands of people to work in the private sector and have relaxed limits on cellphones, Internet and Cubans’ comfort with discussing their country’s problems in public, for example.
The Cuban government has been unyielding, however, on making changes to its single-party political system and to the strict limits on media, public speech, assembly and dissent.
Obama will spend some time talking with Cuban dissidents. The White House said such a meeting was a prerequisite for the visit. But there were no expectations that he would leave Cuba with significant pledges from the government to address Washington’s human rights concerns.
Hours before Obama’s arrival, counter-protesters and police broke up an anti-government demonstration by the Ladies in White group, with government backers shouting insults and revolutionary slogans. The women were taken into custody by female police officers and loaded onto buses. They’re typically detained briefly and then released, a scene that plays out in Havana each Sunday.
A major focus for Obama was pushing his Cuba policy to the point it will be all but impossible for the next president to reverse it.
That includes highlighting new business deals by American companies, including Starwood, which finalized an agreement Saturday to renovate and run three hotels on the island. The Obama administration also gave San Francisco-based online lodging service Airbnb a special license allowing travelers from around the world to book stays in private homes in Cuba.
59 responses to “With visit, Obama aims to push acrimony with Cuba into past”
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Insignificant. Castro brothers laughing at O.
Brah, you are very wrong. While this doesn’t quite reach the level of Nixon’s overtures to China, (about which, an opera has been written) it is a big diplomacy win. The idea that we can normalize diplomatic relations with an adversary 90 miles off our shores after half a century is a really big deal. I can’t wait to read the book about the process that accomplished this.
bro…you might be right…liberals desparately need something, anything, to place on his blank legacy sheet…this might be it?
You got it. Seems like Obama is auditioning for a part in the remake of The Mouse that Roared.
What was very telling is that no one from Cuba, like Castro himself, was there to meet Obama. Castro showed up to meet the Pope, but no one came to meet the President of the United States. If that happened to me I would have just walked back on the plane and flew back to Washington.
Obama got punked. What a disgrace! How weak a President do we have? The weakest!
lol, Obama is really a moderate but I understand. Anyone not believing in right wing propaganda is a leftie. Shame we don’t have a republican as president. I sure miss the stock market going down to under 7,000 and people being laid off.
His blank legacy sheet. Sure. Another wingnut wastes space.
He is looking to a place to build his library. Nobody else wants it.
Why is it a big deal and what did we accomplish? I’ll answer for you. It’s a trivial deal (the US gaining zero politically or materially or anything for the freedom of the Cuban people). Cuba will still entertain the Russians. The Cuban people still have socialists dictators standing on their necks. Giving dictators what they want, legitimacy and tourist dollars, doesn’t sound like a win to me.
The book? Can’t wait? I’ll resolve your suspense with a book summary: We negotiated a deal, gaining nothing politically or diplomatically. Wow. What a dealmaker this Obama is! (No wonder Trump appeals to some.)
Hah! The Mouse that Roared was a great book and an even better movie with Peter Sellers. But you are mistaken. Cuba has been a bitter reminder of American Imperialism since 1895. Fulgencio Batista was an American puppet who drained Cuban resources to the enrichment of the Mafia. Cuba has a great deal to resent about US foreign policy. Can you possibly wake up and take a look at what a big deal it is to diplomatically, rather than militarily, remove the threat of a hostile neighbor? I’m guessing that you weren’t alive during the Cuban Missile Crisis. I was and was living next to Hill Air Force base. I watched the squadrons take off. I sat on our lawn with my neighbors’ kids whose Special Forces fathers were being deployed. We were 11 years old and we were talking about how unfair it was that we would probably die without having lived.
So buddy, stick a sock in it. You have no idea about which you speak.
Your comment missed the main point…”PEACE through STRENGTH”. O’s leading from behind ain’t cutting it. ps..I was around during that time.
To be clear my response is to Sock-in-it cellodad
Keon, What about PEACE THROUGH COMMON SENSE AND DIPLOMACY?
Winston sounds like some failed neo-con. Neo-cons have done nothing but damage and weaken America.
Cellodad…ask hiLIARy how did that work out.
Logic, please, from Cello and Indian Princess. What did we gain from opening relations with Cuba? Were there any security agreements? Any opening of discussions on human rights for Cuban citizens? No and No. Cuba remains a hostile neighbor. As with Iran we’ve bartered away any leverage we might have had. This is the definition of stupidity.
As to the history of the Cuban missile crisis, Castro’s subversion in support of world wide communism, the continued political persecution of Cubans, I’m pretty sure I know the history better than you two.
Your comments confirm your lack of sophistication about the subject. It is indeed no wonder Trump is succeeding- he appeals to people who don’t like to think. The U.S. in general and the repub party specifically have non-thinkers in spades. Thank you for being an illustration.
If you want to have a heart attack laugh for about 90 minutes watch, “A Night At the Opera.” By the Marx Brothers! It is based on this very topic. Dave
cellodad is spot-on. Our record in Cuba is shameful. Kennedy and Johnson tried to assassinate Castro and worked with the mafia to do it. No, Obama is right to engage and move toward more constructive relationships where both countries can prosper.
Cuba is no threat to the US, peace with America is in their own best interests. The point the other posters are making is Obama’s diplomacy agreement seems to be a very one-sided deal. Obama has provided substantial economic benefits but received little to nothing in return for either american or the cuban people. The Cuban government is in fact clowning him but he doesn’t seem to mind. Most world leaders view Obama as a weak President.
Cuba is no threat to the US, peace with America is in their own best interests. The real point is Obama’s diplomacy agreement seems to be a very one-sided deal. Obama has provided substantial economic benefits but received little to nothing in return for either american or cuban people. The Cuban government is in fact clowning him but he doesn’t seem to mind. Most world leaders view Obama as a weak President.
What was won? Nothing notable has changed (other than the opportunity for businesses to export more jobs abroad). The dictator is still in charge and the agreement produced nothing. Our negotiating leverage was pi$$ed away. Typical Obama.
Nope this is the beginning of the end for Castro and Co. No more excuses about Yankee imperialism keeping them down. As more Cubans travel abroad to the US they will see that what Castro has been selling is not a reality.
Funny. “As more Cubans travel abroad”. I guess you’re referring to the 10K or so Cubans who’ve escaped to Central America in hopes of getting to the US before relations and immigration policies are “normalized”.
End of the dictatorship? Right. Nothing says you’re done to a dictatorship like the influx of US investment and tourist dollars. Just look at the liberalization of Russia since the fall of the Soviet Union (Oh, well. Maybe a bad example.)
Yup, once again you are failing to take a long view. Hey, Bran, whe you wen grad. I would love to speak with your SS teachers.
Oh I’m sorry, spell check caused me to address you as “bran.” I meant “brah” but perhaps the first iteration was better. You really don’t get it do you? Now I’m a great fan of the real “Winston” the one who dragged England through the greatest test of national sovereignty that the British Isles have ever faced. I even like his watercolors. You are a pale comparison to the Winston that I like. I’m sure you’ve never been kicked out of Harrow; much less admitted.
Logic, please, from Cello and Indian Princess. What did we gain from opening relations with Cuba? Were there any security agreements? Any opening of discussions on human rights for Cuban citizens? No and No. Cuba remains a hostile neighbor. As with Iran we’ve bartered away any leverage we might have had. This is the definition of stupidity.
As to the history of the Cuban missile crisis, Castro’s subversion in support of world wide communism, the continued political persecution of Cubans, I’m pretty sure I know the history better than you two.
That will be a great tourist destination once the heavyweights come in and build–we better be prepared and diversify.
You may be right! The mainland tourist including the Canadians who have been visiting Havana will flock in droves once the infra-structure to cater to the tourist trade are put into place. Hawaii will have to look to the East for its success. Aside from that detractors or those opposing this trip by Obama has only too look at why we have boycotted Cuba so long and it seems very selfish! We trade with China and Russia and yet not this small island communist nation. Why?
Why? History.
Yup, History
cojef, to answer your question–we trade with China and Russia because they have armies in the millions and atomic bombs–Cuba, has? Remember, talk softly, but carry a big stick!!
Hey Barry, bring us back some cigars!
and perhaps, some security on our south-west borders. Don’t you guys get it? Perhaps not. You were not alive when Richard Nixon effected a rapprochement with China. It was roundly criticized too but led to a really significant advance in international trade. (see, I can say good stuff about Republicans too.)
Sorry, I meant South East but the WP site saved before I could hit “post”
Silly Rabbit – you’re implying Cuba poses a threat to the US? That’s laughable, only Russia has the means to attack the US militarily and they don’t have missiles in Cuba, nor would they risk war with the US over Cuba. Do you not remember the Cuban missile crisis?
What a great President we have.
Probably the best since George W. Bush.
Nicely done!
Of course saying “The Worst” would also be true.
which President are you talking about?
We do- history will confirm it- and how the repubs degenerated into a whiny little lot of obstructionists. Obviously alot of Fox lovers posting here- please move to a red state.
Who is the current president of Nanakuli?
The best restored and maintained vintage-automobiles! Cuban’s who own these vintage-automobiles are driving automobiles that are worth more than much of Cuba’s real-estate. Many of these automobiles can fetch a small-fortune at Mecum-Auto-Auctions in Kissimmee, Florida! Beautiful automobiles–we’d all love to own and drive, albeit only 12 miles per/gallon…
If Cuba is Unwilling to change it’s Policies? What do we get out of this Deal?The Cuban people should ,at least, abolish communism and welcome democracy. I mean ,look at their country,it seems like time has pasted them by!
..from “acrimony” to “covetousness”…
Makana
Makana
Nina Kealiiwahamana
Nina Kealiiwahamana
Palani Vaughan
Palani Vaughan
Taimane Gardner
Taimane Gardner
Kaummakaiwa Kanakaole
Kaumakaiwa Kanakaole
Pomaikai Lyman
Pomaikai Lyman
The Westin Moana Surfrider’s 115th anniversary gala, held in the historic Banyan Court ‘neath the vintage landmark banyan tree, was a time for Hawaiian souvenirs — with reflections of the past and expectations of the future.
The event, coordinated by entertainer Makana and staged on the actual 115th birthday (March 11) of the first lady of Waikiki — the iconic Moana Hotel — was a curious mixture of old times and manners and current styles and maneuvers.
Makana delivered a program that intended to recreate the golden days of radio, specifically the historic “Hawaii Calls” program originated by the late Webley Edwards, which beamed melodies and memories of the tropical Hawaii “live” (though actually in delayed radiocasts) in the heyday of radio. It was an era when imagination was a requirement for transportation to the idyll that was Hawaii. Via words and music, no visuals of hula or singing.
Because of licensing restrictions, the event had to reimagine the memories and delivery to “Radio Waikiki,” a last-minute name change. This mattered mostly to purists who recalled the original “Hawaii Calls,” before the era of television, when radio was a prime source of at-home entertainment, and the show was an audio beacon to lure travelers to Hawaii.
The format and execution assembled a bevy of performers initially adhering to the original Hawaiian format of the old radio show, but digressed into other rhythms and styles, which provided mixed results.
The take-away:
##Makana is a versatile singer, composer, slack key guitarist, and researcher, with ambition to spare, but he is no Edwards. He has a gift of gab, but radio is not his medium, yet he rallied with tireless energy and desire to please, enacting Webley as the fictional deejay with the fun-and-pun handle, Sunny Shores. The musical program strayed from its original course and started to include Latin rhythms and titles that within the scope of the era. And the show ran far too long, 2 ½ hours, with occasional dead spots. Still, Makana’s narrative and effort were impressive.
##The sole original “Hawaii Calls” cast member, the venerable Nina Keali‘iwahamana, remained regal in voice and delivery, still a champion of community endeavors that benefit from her presence and sheer good cheer. This, despite her recent battle with breast cancer. She brought authenticity and knowledge to the proceedings, via her stance on ancient Hawaiiana and notable on her “Makee ‘Ailana” selection, the romantic tune about the island once a popular destination within Kapiolani Park. Lamentably, she couid not deliver the vocal in her key, since Makana made it a duet at times, performing in his key.
##The guest roster also included Pomaikai Lyman, granddaughter of the late Genoa Keawe, whose “Hawaiian Souvenirs” and “Alika” offerings enchanted the audience, notably with her ability to hold that lasting “Alika” note; Palani Vaughan, the specialist in King Kalakaua-era music, was a pleasant surprise since he no longer is active on the show circuit, but his three-tune Hawaiian medley of monarchial steamships did not connect with the crowd, but he found redemption with his memorable Maui locomotive hit, “Kaa Ahi Kahului,” the “chuka chuka” sing-along charmer; Kaumakaiwa Kanaka’ole, the transgender son of Kekuhi Kanahele-Frias and the grandchild of Pualani Kanaka‘ole of the famed Big Island hula ‘ohana tracing roots to kumu Edith Kanaka‘ole, was riveting and resourceful in her foray into modern-generation Hawaiiana, complete with contemporary rhythmic flourishes, making her now and wow and clearly a representative of a generation past with her own force of the imminent future; Taimane Gardner, garnering and building her legacy as a ukulele soloist to reckon with, with strumming skills combined with choreographic turns; and while Lopaka Colon, the expressive and effervescent percussionist-son of the late great Augie Colon was masterful in solo and back-up performances, his island-pop posture was splendid, but out of synch with the celebratory Hawaiian tone; Buck Giles, who collaborated with Makana in producing the concert for the Moana milestone, distinguished himself as a steel guitar artist, too.
Clearly, the radiocast format required descriptive poetry of the Hawaii that many dreamed of visiting, at a moment in history when ship voyages were more common (and expensive) than air travel. Makana’s script included this rhapsodic vision: “They built a castle by the sea, and pictures of it called to me. I dreamt of it on winter days, of sand beneath the sun’s warm rays. But none so true did sing my tune nor beckon me with lullaby croon, than that fine voice lilting on waves of sound and sea — it fed my craves to board the Lurline for her shores and leave the cold forever more.” Such was his spoken valentine to Moana, the gracious first lady of Waikiki hotels.
For atmosphere, a vintage stage mike and an “On Air” lighted sign added to the radio feel, and a “commercial” for the hotel mentioned a room with telephone and private bath, plus an elevator, for $1.50 per night. And with tongue in cheek, Sunny Shores shored up a weather report, mentioning Guy Yagi for impact, of “50 per cent chance of sunrise tomorrow.”
The anniversary celebration earmarked proceeds for the Bishop Museum, the Historic Hawaii Foundation and the Waikiki Aquarium, demonstrating the hotel’s commitment to become a valuable contributing member of the community with the goal to retain and reclaim the importance of things and themes Hawaiian.
For this, hotel manager Lawrence Hanson and his staff deserve hurrahs and applause. Waikiki has become overbuilt, overpopulated and divisive — know any locals who yearn to pay regular visits anymore?
Still, Hanson revealed that some longtime guests make regular pilgrimages to the Moana, to savor the hospitality and ambiance of the bygone days — and no, a stay isn’t $1.50 a night anymore. In this respect, the Moana still holds a special spot in the hearts of a declining population.
But inventive special events, like the anniversary party and the earlier February fund-raiser for ailing singing legend Jimmy Borges, attracted locals. Mount it, and they will convene.
On this note, perhaps Hanson and the Moana (still, the Westin Moana Surfrider in the current billing, including the old Surfrider wing) should possibly revive monthly or periodic shows at the Banyan Court as part of an ongoing program to perpetuate and preserve that culture of entertainment that seems to be static along Kalakaua Avenue. The grand days of showrooms in every hotel are gone, but some of the venues surely could resurrect reignite and reestablish a new generation of celebrants. Surely, Hawaiian entertainment could jump-start a cycle of locals returning to Waikiki and simultaneously encourage a new breed of a future Don Ho, Hilo Hattie, Alfred Apaka, Ohta-san and Haunani Kahalewai?
It’s got to start with the hoteliers. There’s a whole bunch of talent, but only few spots to developing acts to perform for a future generation of Hawaii visitors.
The “Moana” article was somehow “stuck” on my “paste” and was meant to send to family/friends, et al… (..although, some will interpret as some form of “Freudian-Slip”; so, I seek to clarify… (I’m far too Gestalt for that…)) Otherwise, you might enjoy the article, if you haven’t already seen and read same. This was the intended Post: “..from “acrimony” to “covetousness”…”
Interesting article.
Tell you what Fark. I like Palani Vaughn too. Come on by and I’ll make you an omelette and a cappuccino. We can talk about it.
According to Widepedia – “the United States leased ‘Guantanamo’ for original use as a coaling and naval station in 1903 (for $2,000 per year until 1934, for $4,085 per year since 1938 until now).”
Somehow, it magically was transformed into a prison harboring terrorists from the Gulf wars that Obama is thinking of closing down.
Obama’s trip to Cuba is to ultimately close GITMO and start forming relationships with the Cuban people after 50 years?
With his ObamaCare Health catastrophe, failed foreign relations with other countries, failed attempts to lead Congress (well, it was a futile attempt to herd our Do-Nothing congress) and failure to bring jobs back home.
If he wins closing GITMO and fostering relationships with Cuba, he’ll end his term holding his head high with a WIN- In spite of his many losses.
My concern is if Obama closes GITMO he’s going to have to place the prisoners somewhere. That somewhere is here in the U.S.A.
For a lease price of $4,085 per year, I’d say that’s a bargain!!!
“prisoners” should be returned to their Country of origin (even if it’s via parachute)
Farkward…forgo the parachute..
Obama plans to bring the last 100 or so detainees from Gitmo to a federal prison in Colorado. These remaining prisoners are considered the worst or the worst. The ones that can’t be released since they would return to terrorism and likely continue killing Americans. Their countries of origin have refused to take them back. Obama plans to bring them to the US where they inevitably will be able to claim rights afforded by our criminal justice system. As it stands now, they are enemy combatants with no rights. It should remain that way, any other country in the world would have executed them by now.
Oh no, Obama’s going to lecture them on having greater freedom and economic opportunity in Cuba.
I am going to Cuba in a few weeks and I am sure glad the President won’t be there then. I don’t want the people to stay home. I want to meet them. I love new cultures and new places to visit.
Sure hope he stays there with his commie buddies…
Maybe Cellodad was referring to the thousands of doctors and engineers Cuba has exported abroad. By the way, Churchill was a racist and an imperialist.
Say what you like about Churchill, but he was what Britain needed in 1940, and, he had a truer measure of Joseph Stalin and the USSR than FDR did.
How is it that tiny, impoverished Cuba is able to produce a huge surplus of well-trained primary care doctors well-respected around the world, while the US has a growing doctor shortage and a medical community that has created an unpresidented epidemic of opioid addiction and overdose deaths?
As an island nation that was forced into food self-sufficiency after the fall of the Soviet Union, Cuba has lessons for Hawaii about diversified ag and food security.