The embargo never intended to unseat Castro. It was devised in order to put pressure on the Cuban regime. The final aim was to recover monies lost when American properties were nationalized without compensation.

Mr. Obama’s changes will be counterproductive, regardless of their humanitarian aims. They satisfy a few thousands who, understandably, try to help their families in Cuba. But in doing so, they strengthen the Regime which, through its security forces, oppresses and keeps in poverty those same families. As they do with all eleven million Cubans.

The Cubans are demoralized, yes, but perhaps their deepest reason to feel that way is their understanding that they are not paying the price of liberty. As we can read in the Washington, D.C. mall, "Freedom is not free".

If American firms do business in Cuba, it́s normal that they will try, first of all, to protect their own interests. Would they like unrest? Would they encourage freedom fighters if and when they come into existence? Or will they advise people to be patient, to keep things quiet, to avoid making waves? Publicly they will insist, of course, that their main goal will be that of helping to restore democracy in Cuba. Do you remember that phrase of "adding insult to injury"?

It́s for Cubans, not for the U.S. or the OAS, to make Cuba a free country.         It́s a right Cubans have to earn.

Sincerely yours

Emilio-Adolfo Rivero

President

New Cuba Coalition

Washington, D.C.

* Now Open Cuba's Prisons

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New Cuba Coalition
P. O. Box 14077
Washington, D. C. 20044-4077
Dr. Emilio-Adolfo Rivero — President
Ernesto Díaz-Rodríguez — Vice President
e-mail: cuba@idt.net