Dear Editor:
I am writing this letter in response to the proposed United States’ supported visit by President Jimmy Carter to Cuba for a meeting with dictator Fidel Castro.
I normally don’t write about this issue because I choose not to be part of the host of “politicians” who use the Cuban people for their own political advantage. This can be easily said for local, state and mainly Presidential candidates who all talk a good game on the issue as a campaign topic but once elected find every excuse not to take action against Cuba.
My feelings on Cuba are simple in this respect: Castro should have been and must be removed at all costs.
The United States has sat idly by witnessing 43 years of dictator Castro’s ruination of Cuba. This is a travesty of democracy, a tragedy for the Cuban people, and a black eye for the United States. It seems odd to say, at least for me, that the United States is liberating countries throughout the world, which I fully support, but continues to allow Castro to remain in power in Cuba, just 90 miles off our Florida coast.
It is a sad commentary on our foreign policy. Fidel Castro is a ruthless tyrant who took pleasure in the events of September 11th. Why does the United States allow millions of Cubans to be denied their basic human rights, rights we take granted? They are denied food and clothing, while we can go into any supermarket or department store and buy whatever we want.
When you speak to Cubans in our city they are still so passionate about their native country, even those who have been in the United States for 40 years. But, they love the United States. They have brought with them their work ethic and their family values and they have worked hard and invested in our community, helping it to prosper.
It was the Cubans who saved Bergenline Avenue when it was turning into a ghost town. They have added so much to our economy, our culture, and to our way of life and we should always be grateful to them.
Over the years, there have been dozens of incidents of atrocity by Castro against his own people. The United States could have found these incidents a golden opportunity to rid the world of Fidel Castro and his human rights atrocities. It puzzles me why we, as a free democracy and liberator of the world, never took action against him.
Is it capital interests? Is it because Cuba has no oil? Maybe I am naive when it comes to foreign relations, but I m not naive when it comes to the treatment of human life and Cubans who have suffered crimes against humanity for over four decades. When “Brothers to the Rescue’s” plane was shot down on Castro’s orders the United States didn’t lift a finger. Even at this point, if the United States acts, it’s much too little, too late.
Nothing good can come out of Carter’s trip. Are we that naive to even think Castro will change? To even consider this fantasy is foolish. President Carter’s trip only gives Castro something he cannot earn –legitimacy. It puts Castro in the limelight, making him a symbol for all of the communist regimes throughout the world. History has taught us that you cannot negotiate with communists. They only understand decisive action.
Anyone who believes this is just a fight for the Cubans is wrong. This is a fight for democracy and for righting a wrong. We must elect national leaders who have zero tolerance for Castro and other communists. We must end the games played by so many who use the emotions of the Cuban people for a vote.
I can only continue to support those efforts to see Cuba free in the immediate future.
Brian P. Stack
Mayor