StrangeSox Posted December 17, 2014 Share Posted December 17, 2014 The Associated Press ✔ @AP Follow BREAKING: US officials: US to start talks with Cuba to normalize full diplomatic relations, open embassy. 8:43 AM - 17 Dec 2014 http://bigstory.ap.org/article/7f7f6bba9d9...oner-alan-gross WASHINGTON (AP) — American officials say the U.S. and Cuba will start talks to normalize full diplomatic relations as part of the most significant shift in U.S. policy toward the communist island in decades. Officials say the U.S. is also looking to open an embassy in Havana in the coming months. The moves are part of an agreement between the U.S. and Cuba that also includes the release of American Alan Gross and three Cubans jailed in Florida for spying. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Florida, said the agreement includes normalizing banking and trade ties with Cuba. That's a pretty significant foreign policy development. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southsider2k5 Posted December 17, 2014 Share Posted December 17, 2014 Once they lost Jose Abreu, they couldn't handle it anymore. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kyyle23 Posted December 17, 2014 Share Posted December 17, 2014 can you blame them? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pettie4sox Posted December 17, 2014 Share Posted December 17, 2014 That beef has been going on for far too long. Next up, IRAN! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoxFan562004 Posted December 17, 2014 Share Posted December 17, 2014 Casinos are next? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoSox05 Posted December 17, 2014 Share Posted December 17, 2014 This is long overdue. To help further relations, we should also send Luis Posada Carriles to Cuba. So he can be put on trial for terrorism. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StrangeSox Posted December 17, 2014 Author Share Posted December 17, 2014 QUOTE (SoxFan562004 @ Dec 17, 2014 -> 09:46 AM) Casinos are next? Non-American tourists around the world groan at the thought of opening up Cuba to regular US travel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LittleHurt05 Posted December 17, 2014 Share Posted December 17, 2014 I've always wanted to visit Cuba, now I need to make it happen ASAP. Once the American business interests get down there , I imagine it becoming a corporate tourist trap, losing most of its culture and charm quickly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southsider2k5 Posted December 17, 2014 Share Posted December 17, 2014 QUOTE (LittleHurt05 @ Dec 17, 2014 -> 09:49 AM) I've always wanted to visit Cuba, now I need to make it happen ASAP. Once the American business interests get down there , I imagine it becoming a corporate tourist trap, losing most of its culture and charm quickly. The quickest way to ruin it, Americanize it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clyons Posted December 17, 2014 Share Posted December 17, 2014 I don't care to analyze or debate the geo-political ramifications. All I want to know is: When can I get the Cohibas!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StrangeSox Posted December 17, 2014 Author Share Posted December 17, 2014 what will actually change: The United States will also ease travel restrictions across all 12 categories currently envisioned under limited circumstances in American law, including family visits, official visits, journalistic, professional, educational and religious activities, and public performances, officials said. Ordinary tourism, however, will remain prohibited. Mr. Obama will also allow greater banking ties and raise the level of remittances allowed to be sent to Cuban nationals to $2,000 every three months from the current limit of $500. Intermediaries forwarding remittances will no longer require a specific license from the government. American travelers will also be allowed to import up to $400 worth of goods from Cuba, including up to $100 in tobacco and alcohol products. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southsider2k5 Posted December 17, 2014 Share Posted December 17, 2014 So basically the US is going to replace the old USSR as its subsidizer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StrangeSox Posted December 17, 2014 Author Share Posted December 17, 2014 I don't see anything about direct aid in there? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southsider2k5 Posted December 17, 2014 Share Posted December 17, 2014 QUOTE (StrangeSox @ Dec 17, 2014 -> 12:18 PM) I don't see anything about direct aid in there? Direct, no. But same effect by allowing the flow of dollars into the island like that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StrangeSox Posted December 17, 2014 Author Share Posted December 17, 2014 Well then we're "subsidizing" a lot of countries that people send money back to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southsider2k5 Posted December 17, 2014 Share Posted December 17, 2014 QUOTE (StrangeSox @ Dec 17, 2014 -> 01:07 PM) Well then we're "subsidizing" a lot of countries that people send money back to. Yes we are. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StrangeSox Posted December 17, 2014 Author Share Posted December 17, 2014 Consider it at worst an even trade for their subsidization of our importation of goods produced with cheap labor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southsider2k5 Posted December 17, 2014 Share Posted December 17, 2014 QUOTE (StrangeSox @ Dec 17, 2014 -> 02:00 PM) Consider it at worst an even trade for their subsidization of our importation of goods produced with cheap labor. I consider it a great way to collapse communism. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StrangeSox Posted December 17, 2014 Author Share Posted December 17, 2014 The embargo was propping up Castro more than it was hurting him. He could blame any failures and shortcomings on those capitalist pigs in Washington! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmags Posted December 18, 2014 Share Posted December 18, 2014 Glad this is ending. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hi8is Posted December 18, 2014 Share Posted December 18, 2014 Pretty amazing news to see walking down an airport terminal in flordia. I was like... "Um... So I gurss I could go to Cuba now." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Balta1701 Posted December 18, 2014 Share Posted December 18, 2014 QUOTE (hi8is @ Dec 18, 2014 -> 06:40 AM) Pretty amazing news to see walking down an airport terminal in flordia. I was like... "Um... So I gurss I could go to Cuba now." I believe I read that there still will not be direct flights allowed any time soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cabiness42 Posted December 18, 2014 Share Posted December 18, 2014 I want to go to the first series the Sox play at the Havana Rays. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts