Cuba Policy Opportunity

Mr. President / Staff, It is an honor to contact you and my best wishes for Sen. McCain, Gov. Palin, and the Republican ticket for 2008. Also, my best wishes and prayers for you and Laura as you complete your honorable and successful terms as President of our nation. I would like to present an idea that could have lasting positive implications for the United States as a final act of your foreign policy. Currently, Hurricane Gustav is a Category 4 storm and is barreling down on the most populated part of Western Cuba. This storm could cause catastrophic damage and decimate a large number of lives on the island. I recommend that the United States officially offer humanitarian assistance to the people of Cuba. This could be accomplished in a way that does not anger the Cuban voters of south Florida, a key state and constituency that could have a major impact on the upcoming election. In order to avoid angering the Cuban-American population, an official statement could be released from the White House offering the aid in the following manner. "The United States of America is offering to extend a hand of friendship to the Cuban people. In the spirit of good faith and friendship to our southern neighbors, we are willing to render any needed assistance." By offering the aid in this manner, we explain that we are not offering assistance to the Communist government. We offer direct help to the Cuban people. Many of these people have relatives in Miami and other south Florida regions that could prove critical in the next election. Also, this opens the door to diplomatic discourse with Mr. Castro. His slight leanings toward openness are reminiscent to the reign of Mikhail Gorbachev and his policies of perestroika and glasnost. Perhaps Cuba can be brought back into the fold of responsible nations. After all, we are engaging in diplomatic relations with Libya despite their direct responsibility for Pan Am 103's destruction. Engaging in diplomatic relations with Cuba will also serve another purpose for America. Cuba is a former strong ally of the Soviet Union. Currently, Russia is controlled by PM Putin, former head of the KGB and a closet communist. Watching former allies turn toward warming relations with the US on the eve of another Cold War with Russia could help to bolster our national security by shoring up our southern defenses - i.e. ensuring the friendly relations of Cuba. It is well within our best interests to reopen diplomacy. Hurricane Gustav is the perfect opportunity. Mr. President, I am an avowed Republican and strong opponent of Communism. I grew up under Ronald Reagan, and believe that his crusade to destroy Communism was a watershed moment in history. You can continue in his legacy by helping bring another nation under Communist control to it's knees, not by an arms race but by embracing it's people in their time of need. America is great not just because of it's military might but because of it's compassion. This is the perfect opportunity to engage in a one-two punch for our nation. Assist Cuba's people, providing them with the compassion of the United States and giving their anxious relatives in Florida an inclination to vote Republican because of your actions. Help undermine the Cuban communist system by proving support from our successful democracy. Finally, by bringing a historic Russian / Soviet ally into our alliance, we secure a potential enemy on our doorstep that could be controlled from a bellicose Moscow. Sir, let us not forget the dangers of the past, the dangers of the Cuban Missile Crisis, or the dangers of an antagonistic southern neighbor.

Jason Burkos
BA History, West Chester University