Hillary says U.S. is reviewing Cuba and Haiti policies

Posted By P.J. Aroon Thursday, April 16, 2009 - 2:38 PM Share

Today, Secretary Clinton will be visiting Haiti and the Dominican Republic before heading to the Summit of the Americas in Trinidad and Tobago, which starts tomorrow.

In an interview with the Miami Herald, Clinton said that U.S. policies toward both Caribbean countries is under review. Regarding Haiti, she said that the United States would continue interdicting Haitians trying to make it to Florida, but that it is reviewing its deportation policies toward Haitians already in the United States, who help their families back home by sending remittances.

On Cuba, Clinton noted that the Obama administration announced Monday that it was lifting all travel and gift restrictions on Americans who have relatives in Cuba. She indicated that the move was only the first part of a review of U.S. policy toward Cuba. She said:

Our first goal was to reverse the Draconian rules imposed by the Bush administration, which took away privileges that had been available for a long time.

(For more on U.S. travel restrictions to Cuba, check out the recent FP photo essay, "So You Want to Visit Cuba?")
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STACYX

3:40 PM ET

April 16, 2009

It's time to lift restrictions on Cuba

I understand the US wants to promote democracy, but it is absolutely hypocritical to continue to punish Cuba (and many Americans) with overly-burdensome restrictions on gifts, travel, etc. when we have no such policy towards China, whose human rights violations and political repression make Cuba's look like child's play. We can continue to put pressure on Cuba to allow more democratic reforms, but we can't single them out for these restrictions simply because some of them end up in Florida, are politically active, vote Republican and lobby for ongoing restrictions.

 

Madam Secretary is an obsessive blog about all things Hillary Clinton. From her policies to her pantsuits, Madam Secretary delivers up-to-the-minute news, analysis, and gossip about America's top diplomat.