Tuesday, July 20, 2010

In the past, when the United States seemed to be in a mood to improve relations with Cuba, our island neighbor would provoke us in such a manner that froze our best intentions.

The worst of those, of course, was the shooting down of two Brothers to the Rescue airplanes 14 years ago.

Now, as the U.S. House is proposing the end to the Cuban embargo, and the Castro government, at the behest of the Roman Catholic church, is moving toward the release of political prisoners, the time may be as good as it has been since the embargo was instituted almost 48 years ago.

Even in this country, there are mixed feelings about the value of the embargo. In the long run, the decision, during the administration of John F. Kennedy, to shut off communications between the two neighbors has not proved to be successful foreign policy.

If the objective was to force the Castro government into recognizing human rights, open elections and developing a democracy, the policy has been a complete failure.

While we applaud the possibilities it presented in the early years, we believe that the time to move forward with the elimination of the embargo and re-establishment of communication and trade between the two countries began some time ago.

Let's say that, all at once and almost without notice, the United States unilaterally ends the embargo and allows unfettered travel between the two countries. At its narrowest point from Key West to Havana, is but 90 miles. No one knows the economic impact the opening of Cuba will have on the Florida Keys, but we believe it can be astronomical. Not only will it provide enormous opportunities in the tourist industry -- the Keys' main industry -- but it will eliminate the burden on families long divided by the Straits of Florida. Cultural and familial ties between Key West and Cuba date back well over a century and an open Cuba stands to benefit the people of both islands.

Will Key West and the rest of the Keys be prepared? Is there a blueprint to follow when all travelers can finally visit the Cuba they have only heard about from those who have taken advantage of the loopholes in the law, or those who have gone illegally?

The answer is probably more yes than no.

The Monroe County Tourist Development Council (TDC) has blueprinted what it believes will happen, and through its contracted advertising company has a promotion plan -- How does two nation vacation sound? -- at the ready for immediate use when the embargo evaporates. There also have been contacts between the TDC and people with similar assignments in Cuba.

There are beliefs on this side of the Straits that it will take five years for Cuba to get the proper infrastructure in place to handle the added tourism.

On this side, as we all know, there has been considerable movement, although not done properly, to reinvent Stock Island as a castoff point from one country to the other.

So, yes, many things are in place, but there's still a lot to be done.

In the meantime, the ball is in Congress' court.

And, we believe, it is time. It is time for the two countries to work together, as much as is politically possible. U.S. relations with China provide a political model for making that happen.

-- The Citizen