Flag Flying Over Cuban Embassy Is a Welcome Sign - Former Cuba Diplomat

Former Cuba Diplomat: Flag Flying Over Cuban Embassy Is a Welcome Sign
Wayne Smith July 21, 2015

The two countries are now on a more cooperative, constructive basis than
they have been in half a century

I was an officer in the U.S. Embassy in Havana when the U.S. broke
relations with Cuba on Jan. 3, 1961. Fidel Castro had come to power in
January 1959, and many of us had hoped our two governments could work
out a viable relationship. But as Cuba turned increasingly toward the
Soviet Union, relations soured dramatically, and the break in relations,
when it came, was something we all expected.

There was little contact between the two countries over the next 16
years—at least not peaceful contact. There was, of course, the Bay of
Pigs, various terrorist operations, and a flow of refugees leaving the
country. But then came President Jimmy Carter, who wanted to move toward
improving relations. Thus, in 1977, the U.S. approved the opening of
interests sections in the old embassy buildings in Havana and Washington
to facilitate dialogue between the two countries.

I returned to Havana as chief of our section in 1979, hopeful of
advancing that dialogue. But while Carter wanted dialogue, others in his
administration did not, and so little was achieved. Then, with the
election of President Ronald Reagan, all hope of improving relations
went out the window. Over the next years, the U.S. tried to isolate
Cuba, not to improve relations with it.

I therefore left the Foreign Service and became a professor and then a
senior fellow at the Center for International Policy, where I continued
to work for dialogue and a more sensible policy toward Cuba. U.S.
efforts to isolate Cuba were protracted but ultimately not successful.
As the effort began, Mexico was the only Latin American country to
maintain diplomatic and trade relations with Cuba. But as the years went
by, the whole complexion of the situation changed.

There had been a time when Cuba seemed to pose a threat to its
neighbors. But over the years, that passed, and Cuba stressed its wish
for friendly ties. Country after country changed course and moved to
establish relations. By 2014, it was the U.S., not Cuba, that seemed
isolated. It was now the only country in the hemisphere that did not
have relations with the island—somewhat of an embarrassment.

Fortunately, President Barack Obama saw the need for change. On Dec. 17,
2014, he and Cuban President Raul Castro announced that the two
countries would move to establish diplomatic relations. I was in Havana
at the time and saw the enthusiastic approval of the Cuban people.
Clearly, they want better relations. Polls indicate the American people
do, as well.

On July 20, before a huge and joyous crowd, the flag went up at the
Cuban embassy in Washington, and the American embassy opened in Havana
(with the flag-raising ceremony to come later).

And so, the two countries now have formal diplomatic relations and an
increased dialogue. But much remains to be done to improve relations.
The U.S. embargo remains in place and can only be removed by Congress.
The two countries have claims against one another that will require
intensive and complicated negotiations to settle. And the U.S. wants to
see Cuba move toward a more open society. Nonetheless, a start has been
made, and the two countries are now on a more cooperative, constructive
basis than they have been in half a century. Good.

Wayne Smith is a senior fellow at the Center for International Policy.

Source: Former Cuba Diplomat: Flag Flying Over Cuban Embassy Is a
Welcome Sign | TIME - http://time.com/3966057/cuban-embassy-reopening/