Havana, May 17 (Prensa Latina) In times when the U.S. Government keeps strengthening its hostile policy against Cuba, a U.S. congressman visited Havana and stated that normal relations are possible for the two countries.
‘That’s what most of the U.S. public thinks and representatives of congress too,’ democratic representative for Massachusetts James McGovern asserted during his recent visit to Havana.
McGovern, who is also the chairman of the House Rules Committee, said that he is aware of the fact that the administration of president Trump doesn’t share that opinion, as his hostile actions show. However, he said the administration’s vision lacks support in the United States.
Washington has imposed new sanctions on Cuba to exacerbate the economic, commercial and financial blockade in force for almost 60 years. Also threatening is the complete activation of Title III of the Helms-Burton Act, which seeks to prevent foreign investment in Cuba.
‘I, and many others, believe that the best option is to have good relations,’ he stressed.
According to McGovern, the U.S. Government should lift the blockade and the travel restrictions that keep Americans from traveling freely to neighboring island. He also added that the United States should cancel the Helms-Burton Act, which is aimed at a change of regime by means of the economic asphyxia.
‘I am committed to improving our relations; the outlook is favorable at the House of Representatives, where the Democrats are in majority. However, the same might not be true for the Senate, which is controlled by the Republicans and Trump would surely block any initiative in that direction; but we must keep working until we have the appropriate conditions in the future,’ he said.
According to the congressman, normal bilateral relations are part of his country’s objectives.
The opinion of the Massachusetts politician is valid, considering that even in the hostile scenario imposed by Trump, over twenty agreements on issues of common interest are being fully implemented. Those agreements were signed during the administration of Barack Obama, who in 2015 and 2016 – the last two years of his term in office – fostered rapprochement between the two nations.
Another advantage of good relations is the high number of commercial flights and cruise ships belonging to U.S. companies that have earned good income as a result of those operations.
His agenda included meetings with Cuban president Miguel Diaz-Canel and officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including General Deputy Director for U.S. Affairs Johana Tablada, in addition to a meeting with students of the Higher Institute of International Relations.
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