Exclusive: Cuba has freed all 53 prisoners as agreed in U.S. deal - U.S. officials

Hatuey · Jan 12, 2015

WASHINGTON/HAVANA (Reuters) - Cuba has released all 53 prisoners it had promised to free, senior U.S. officials said, a major step toward détente with Washington.
The release of the remaining prisoners sets a positive tone for historic talks next week aimed at normalizing relations after decades of hostility, the officials said.
They described the Cuban government’s release over the weekend of the last detainees on the list as a milestone but said they would keep pressing Havana to free more people the United States considers political prisoners.

Terrible news for the anti-Obama lemmings like Cruz and Rubio. Without the isolation of Cuba, they don't have much of a stick if they decide to run in the 2016 election. I mean, who'd want to be the guy running on the failures of a 50 year strategy that have only hurt Cubans? The solution is clear. Open talks with the Cuban people like Richard Nixon did with China, and show that the US is not the evil boogieman that these regimes paint us to be.

clownboy · Jan 12, 2015

Re: Exclusive: Cuba has freed all 53 prisoners as agreed in U.S. deal - U.S. official

Hatuey said:
Exclusive: Cuba has freed all 53 prisoners as agreed in U.S. deal - U.S. officials

[/FONT][/COLOR]
Terrible news for the anti-Obama lemmings like Cruz and Rubio. Without the isolation of Cuba, they don't have much of a stick if they decide to run in the 2016 election. I mean, who'd want to be the guy running on the failures of a 50 year strategy that have only hurt Cubans? The solution is clear. Open talks with the Cuban people like Richard Nixon did with China, and show that the US is not the evil boogieman that these regimes paint us to be.[/FONT][/COLOR]

Hyperbole much? Comparing Cuba to China, there aren't LOLs enough. Look, Cuba has nothing for us and until they change their act we should have nothing for them. Why are you so eager to have us get in bed with dictators when there is absolutely no upside for us?

Hatuey · Jan 12, 2015

Re: Exclusive: Cuba has freed all 53 prisoners as agreed in U.S. deal - U.S. official

clownboy said:
Hyperbole much? Comparing Cuba to China, there aren't LOLs enough.

You're right, the Chinese were an entirely different culture, who killed millions, and imprisoned millions more. Cuba has done no such thing and for all intents and purposes are hardly all that different than the millions of hispanics living in the US. I mean, if you speak to US Conservative, they speak Spanish and eat beans, but that hardly makes a case for ignoring them and allowing the tyranny in Cuba to go unopposed. It should be far easier to hold a discussion with them and get them to rethink their positions. As these results have shown, that approach is working.

Why are you so eager to have us get in bed with dictators when there is absolutely no upside for us?

If you're going to start off with a hilariously false misrepresentation of my statements already, there's no point discussing you. Besides, they wouldn't be the first "dictators" we get in bed with for the sake of opening them up to values like freedom and democracy.

Thrilla · Jan 12, 2015

Re: Exclusive: Cuba has freed all 53 prisoners as agreed in U.S. deal - U.S. official

Hatuey said:
Exclusive: Cuba has freed all 53 prisoners as agreed in U.S. deal - U.S. officials

[/FONT][/COLOR]
Terrible news for the anti-Obama lemmings like Cruz and Rubio. Without the isolation of Cuba, they don't have much of a stick if they decide to run in the 2016 election. I mean, who'd want to be the guy running on the failures of a 50 year strategy that have only hurt Cubans? The solution is clear. Open talks with the Cuban people like Richard Nixon did with China, and show that the US is not the evil boogieman that these regimes paint us to be.[/FONT][/COLOR]

there are no plans to open up talks with the Cuban people, nor is it likely we'll be allowed to..... we'll simply be talking to Castro... the regime.

Hatuey · Jan 12, 2015

Re: Exclusive: Cuba has freed all 53 prisoners as agreed in U.S. deal - U.S. official

Thrilla said:
there are no plans to open up talks with the Cuban people, nor is it likely we'll be allowed to..... we'll simply be talking to Castro... the regime.

You're right, there won't be a literal discussion with the Cuban people. That's never actually happened between any state and the citizens of a country. However, these talks will be in Cuban newspapers and Cubans will be discussing the merits of our approach. The reality is that opening up discussions on our end shows that we're not the boogieman the Cuban government has painted us to be.

clownboy · Jan 12, 2015

Re: Exclusive: Cuba has freed all 53 prisoners as agreed in U.S. deal - U.S. official

Hatuey said:
You're right, the Chinese were an entirely different culture, who killed millions, and imprisoned millions more. Cuba has done no such thing and for all intents and purposes are hardly all that different than the millions of hispanics living in the US. I mean, if you speak to US Conservative, they speak Spanish and eat beans, but that hardly makes a case for ignoring them and allowing the tyranny in Cuba to go unopposed. It should be far easier to hold a discussion with them and get them to rethink their positions. As these results have shown, that approach is working.

Your arguments are absurd and at least you should answer what you quote as answering. The difference is China had things we need, where Cuba does not. China is a world leader, sits on the UNSC with us, Cuba, not even close.

Hatuey said:
If you're going to start off with a hilariously false misrepresentation of my statements already, there's no point discussing you. Besides, they wouldn't be the first "dictators" we get in bed with for the sake of opening them up to values like freedom and democracy.

No misinterpretation, you're all for getting in bed with Cuba while it is still under a dictatorship. You don't want to discuss it because you got busted, your argument is broken. And yes, I dare say it is the first time. We do say that in many instances throughout our history, that we are opening relations to extend freedom and democracy, but it is not true at the heart of it. Foreign relations and foreign policy are about quid pro quo.

Thrilla · Jan 12, 2015

Re: Exclusive: Cuba has freed all 53 prisoners as agreed in U.S. deal - U.S. official

Hatuey said:
You're right, there won't be a literal discussion with the Cuban people. That's never actually happened between any state and the citizens of a country. However, these talks will be in Cuban newspapers and Cubans will be discussing the merits of our approach. The reality is that opening up discussions on our end shows that we're not the boogieman the Cuban government has painted us to be.

well, one can hope it reaches the people... but i'm not so sure.
the regime controls 100% of their media, and routinely oppresses and punishes dissenters, including dissenting journalists.

so yeah, we'll see I guess.

MMC · Jan 12, 2015

Re: Exclusive: Cuba has freed all 53 prisoners as agreed in U.S. deal - U.S. official

Hatuey said:
Exclusive: Cuba has freed all 53 prisoners as agreed in U.S. deal - U.S. officials

[/FONT][/COLOR]
Terrible news for the anti-Obama lemmings like Cruz and Rubio. Without the isolation of Cuba, they don't have much of a stick if they decide to run in the 2016 election. I mean, who'd want to be the guy running on the failures of a 50 year strategy that have only hurt Cubans? The solution is clear. Open talks with the Cuban people like Richard Nixon did with China, and show that the US is not the evil boogieman that these regimes paint us to be.[/FONT][/COLOR]

Afternoon Hatuey. :2wave: From what I have read.....that can be done immediately as soon as the Castros' hold a democratic election. Do you think when it comes to this point. That Cuba has known this for the longest of time? That all it took to open up negotiations was for them to hold a Democratic Election?

j-mac · Jan 12, 2015

Re: Exclusive: Cuba has freed all 53 prisoners as agreed in U.S. deal - U.S. official

Hatuey said:
Exclusive: Cuba has freed all 53 prisoners as agreed in U.S. deal - U.S. officials

[/FONT][/COLOR]
Terrible news for the anti-Obama lemmings like Cruz and Rubio. Without the isolation of Cuba, they don't have much of a stick if they decide to run in the 2016 election. I mean, who'd want to be the guy running on the failures of a 50 year strategy that have only hurt Cubans? The solution is clear. Open talks with the Cuban people like Richard Nixon did with China, and show that the US is not the evil boogieman that these regimes paint us to be.[/FONT][/COLOR]

Eh, not so fast there buddy....

From your own article...

"The officials, speaking to Reuters on condition of anonymity, did not say how many prisoners were released over the weekend or identify them. But the White House will provide the names of all 53 to Congress and expects lawmakers to make them public, the officials added."

So, this whole story is from some anonymous individual in the administration, who won't tell who the prisoners are, or tell us how many were released this weekend, only talk in vague terms, and promises to release the names to congress at some point....uh huh....Yeah ok....:lamo

Hatuey · Jan 12, 2015

Re: Exclusive: Cuba has freed all 53 prisoners as agreed in U.S. deal - U.S. official

Thrilla said:
well, one can hope it reaches the people... but i'm not so sure.
the regime controls 100% of their media, and routinely oppresses and punishes dissenters, including dissenting journalists.

so yeah, we'll see I guess.

As someone who has visited Cuba on many occasions (with my US passport), I can tell you right now that this will reach the ears of everyday Cubans on the street.

Hatuey · Jan 12, 2015

Re: Exclusive: Cuba has freed all 53 prisoners as agreed in U.S. deal - U.S. official

clownboy said:
Your arguments are absurd and at least you should answer what you quote as answering. The difference is China had things we need, where Cuba does not. China is a world leader, sits on the UNSC with us, Cuba, not even close.

China was far from a world leader in 1972. It was a 3rd world country where tens of millions were dying from starvation and Mao's cultural reform. We didn't "need them" anymore than we do now considering the fact that they don't really buy from us as much we buy from them. Cheap, worthless, goods at that. We don't "need" them, they "need" us.

No misinterpretation, you're all for getting in bed with Cuba while it is still under a dictatorship. You don't want to discuss it because you got busted, your argument is broken. And yes, I dare say it is the first time. We do say that in many instances throughout our history, that we are opening relations to extend freedom and democracy, but it is not true at the heart of it. Foreign relations and foreign policy are about quid pro quo.

Lmao, the laughably ridiculous statement continues. My statement was about opening up discussions with the Cuban government with the ultimate goal of showing the Cuban people a different road. If you think that is "getting in bed with a dictatorship", you're more blissfully ignorant than I originally thought.

Hatuey · Jan 12, 2015

Re: Exclusive: Cuba has freed all 53 prisoners as agreed in U.S. deal - U.S. official

MMC said:
Afternoon Hatuey. :2wave: From what I have read.....that can be done immediately as soon as the Castros' hold a democratic election. Do you think when it comes to this point. That Cuba has known this for the longest of time? That all it took to open up negotiations was for them to hold a Democratic Election?

The Chinese haven't opened up democratic elections, so I doubt that would even be a reasonable argument by the US administration at this point. Hell, the US has never held that standard for any government for us to hold talks with them (see: Hussain, Mobutu, Pinochet, Suharto, Mubarak, etc.). I think what we'll ask for primarily is more economic freedoms for the average Cuban and will counter with fewer economic restrictions on our side for the average Cuban living in the US. I think those two things will go a long way towards helping Cubans. They're definitely far more helpful than what hasn't worked for 50 years.

clownboy · Jan 12, 2015

Re: Exclusive: Cuba has freed all 53 prisoners as agreed in U.S. deal - U.S. official

Hatuey said:
China was far from a world leader in 1972. It was a 3rd world country where tens of millions were dying from starvation and Mao's cultural reform. We didn't "need them" anymore than we do now considering the fact that they don't really buy from us as much we buy from them. Cheap, worthless, goods at that. We don't "need" them, they "need" us.

So, it's your position that China was not a world power in 1972, didn't sit on the UNSC and that the US wasn't very, very interested in trade with them. All I can say to that is your are wrong and I believe history is on my side in this.

Hatuey said:
Lmao, the laughably ridiculous statement continues. My statement was about opening up discussions with the Cuban government with the ultimate goal of showing the Cuban people a different road. If you think that is "getting in bed with a dictatorship", you're more blissfully ignorant than I originally thought.

Opening up discussions and ending sanctions is indeed getting in bed with dictators in this case, and you know it. Try to run from your own arguments all you wish. Again, nothing to gain for us to motivate us to do that.

j-mac · Jan 12, 2015

Re: Exclusive: Cuba has freed all 53 prisoners as agreed in U.S. deal - U.S. official

Hatuey said:
The Chinese haven't opened up democratic elections, so I doubt that would even be a reasonable argument by the US administration at this point. Hell, the US has never held that standard for any government for us to hold talks with them (see: Hussain, Mobutu, Pinochet, Suharto, Mubarak, etc.). I think what we'll ask for primarily is more economic freedoms for the average Cuban and will counter with fewer economic restrictions on our side for the average Cuban living in the US. I think those two things will go a long way towards helping Cubans. They're definitely far more helpful than what hasn't worked for 50 years.

So, this is all about patience? And the lack of for this administration? Look, I'd love to see Cuba finally do right by its people, and let them decide how to go forward...But that isn't what is going on here....Obama needed a foreign policy win to show that he wasn't a total buffoon on the world stage, so he picked the low hanging fruit, and did something that won't work in the end because it has zero chance of congress upholding what is needed to make this happen...So in the end, all Obama got was a headline, that left some asking if he even knows why sanctions were there in the first place....

Hatuey · Jan 12, 2015

Re: Exclusive: Cuba has freed all 53 prisoners as agreed in U.S. deal - U.S. official

clownboy said:
So, it's your position that China was not a world power in 1972 and that the US wasn't very, very interested in trade with them.

Ummm, China wasn't a world power in 1972. Are you even serious?

Economic history of China (1949-present)
Cultural Revolution - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

China was practically in ruins after the Cultural Revolution. You know, if you're going to be THIS uninformed, you REALLY shouldn't be discussing the issue. China destroyed much of its culture, and it basically engaged in the 4th century metallurgy as an effort to "reform itself" economically. Really, you're putting your ignorance on this subject on FULL display.

Opening up discussions and ending sanctions is indeed getting in bed with dictators in this case, and you know it.

Utter nonsense as these sanctions actually hurt the common people far more than they hurt the dictators. Your lies don't change that.

CRUE CAB · Jan 12, 2015

Re: Exclusive: Cuba has freed all 53 prisoners as agreed in U.S. deal - U.S. official

53 less mouths to feed.

Hatuey · Jan 12, 2015

Re: Exclusive: Cuba has freed all 53 prisoners as agreed in U.S. deal - U.S. official

j-mac said:
So, this is all about patience? And the lack of for this administration? Look, I'd love to see Cuba finally do right by its people, and let them decide how to go forward...But that isn't what is going on here....Obama needed a foreign policy win to show that he wasn't a total buffoon on the world stage, so he picked the low hanging fruit, and did something that won't work in the end because it has zero chance of congress upholding what is needed to make this happen...So in the end, all Obama got was a headline, that left some asking if he even knows why sanctions were there in the first place....

Tell us, how is the average Chinese person doing after the country opened up talks with the US? Do you believe they're doing worse today? Or do you believe they were better off before 1972?

Fearandloathing · Jan 12, 2015

Re: Exclusive: Cuba has freed all 53 prisoners as agreed in U.S. deal - U.S. official

j-mac said:
So, this is all about patience? And the lack of for this administration? Look, I'd love to see Cuba finally do right by its people, and let them decide how to go forward...But that isn't what is going on here....Obama needed a foreign policy win to show that he wasn't a total buffoon on the world stage, so he picked the low hanging fruit, and did something that won't work in the end because it has zero chance of congress upholding what is needed to make this happen...So in the end, all Obama got was a headline, that left some asking if he even knows why sanctions were there in the first place....

And yet, Cuba HAS done what it said it would do according to the agreement in Ottawa, a act the American right seems to consider irrelevant. And while they also rant on about certain human rights abuses, the US trades openly with South Korea and has said nothing about the salt mines in the south islands where the blind and diabled are used as slave labour.

The US also has cozy relations with Saudi Arabia who annually behead more people than ISIS. So why pick on little Cuba when on that very island the US has a military base the UN says is illegal and tortures people who have been denied due process through a Dick Cheney invented technicality. A trick Obama has continued despite promises to close Gitmo altogether.

It's time to look in the mirror instead of preaching to a people the US has been actively trying to destroy for 45 years.

MMC · Jan 12, 2015

Re: Exclusive: Cuba has freed all 53 prisoners as agreed in U.S. deal - U.S. official

Hatuey said:
The Chinese haven't opened up democratic elections, so I doubt that would even be a reasonable argument by the US administration at this point. Hell, the US has never held that standard for any government for us to hold talks with them (see: Hussain, Mobutu, Pinochet, Suharto, Mubarak, etc.). I think what we'll ask for primarily is more economic freedoms for the average Cuban and will counter with fewer economic restrictions on our side for the average Cuban living in the US. I think those two things will go a long way towards helping Cubans. They're definitely far more helpful than what hasn't worked for 50 years.

Well, that was until Clinton and Congress declared it to be that way with Helms Burton.

Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R., Fla.), a vocal critic of the Castro regime, said in a Wednesday statement that it was possible that the actions by the White House violated a number of Cuba-related laws passed previously by Congress.

“The White House attempts to normalize relationships with Cuba without the approval of Congress may be in direct violation of Helms-Burton that specifically states that all political prisoners must be released and free and fair elections must be held before establishing a diplomatic relationship,” she said.....snip~

How Congress Could Stymie Obama’s Cuba Plan - Washington Wire - WSJ

Hatuey · Jan 12, 2015

Re: Exclusive: Cuba has freed all 53 prisoners as agreed in U.S. deal - U.S. official

MMC said:
Well, that was until Clinton and Congress declared it to be that way with Helms Burton.

Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R., Fla.), a vocal critic of the Castro regime, said in a Wednesday statement that it was possible that the actions by the White House violated a number of Cuba-related laws passed previously by Congress.

“The White House attempts to normalize relationships with Cuba without the approval of Congress may be in direct violation of Helms-Burton that specifically states that all political prisoners must be released and free and fair elections must be held before establishing a diplomatic relationship,” she said.....snip~

How Congress Could Stymie Obama’s Cuba Plan - Washington Wire - WSJ

You're right, however, as it stands, the Obama administration is getting the Cuban government do exactly what is in that law and release political prisoners.

MMC · Jan 12, 2015

Re: Exclusive: Cuba has freed all 53 prisoners as agreed in U.S. deal - U.S. official

Hatuey said:
You're right, however, as it stands, the Obama administration is getting the Cuban government do exactly what is in that law and release political prisoners.

Yeah it looks that way.....but now we will have to see if Cuba. Will follow thru on the rest. But BO does have a few problems with some Democrats.

Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr. (D-9th Dist.) said he would "insist that any opening of relations comes side-by-side with an opening of the Cuban government's political system from totalitarianism to one that respects democracy, human rights, and personal freedoms.".....snip~

Hatuey · Jan 12, 2015

Re: Exclusive: Cuba has freed all 53 prisoners as agreed in U.S. deal - U.S. official

MMC said:
Yeah it looks that way.....but now we will have to see if Cuba. Will follow thru on the rest. But BO does have a few problems with some Democrats.

Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr. (D-9th Dist.) said he would "insist that any opening of relations comes side-by-side with an opening of the Cuban government's political system from totalitarianism to one that respects democracy, human rights, and personal freedoms.".....snip~

I think Congress is looking to cut Obama's balls off by not letting him what is within his executive power and discussing this matter with the country's government. I honestly don't really care about the Helms-Burton act, I find it to be one of Clinton's weakest moments as president. He should have given a middle finger to Republicans and simply said: If you don't want to be involved in diplomatic talks with Cuba? Don't be. However, if I find it beneficial to us or the Cuban people, I will.

Fearandloathing · Jan 12, 2015

Re: Exclusive: Cuba has freed all 53 prisoners as agreed in U.S. deal - U.S. official

MMC said:
Yeah it looks that way.....but now we will have to see if Cuba. Will follow thru on the rest. But BO does have a few problems with some Democrats.

Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr. (D-9th Dist.) said he would "insist that any opening of relations comes side-by-side with an opening of the Cuban government's political system from totalitarianism to one that respects democracy, human rights, and personal freedoms.".....snip~

Now why would the default be suspicion of what comes next on the day after Cuba made good on it's promise.

And, my friend, can you supply any evidence that Bill Pascrell Jr. knows **** all about Cuba? It will have to include evidence that his sorry, pampered ass has ever been on the island. Does he know the largest employment sector? Has he seen their jails, their health care system, roamed free on the island for two weeks?

Because failing any, the man is another blow hard looking for his 15 minutes of fame by wallowing in 50 year old myths.

and can anyone here name the ingredients to Cuba's unofficial official sandwich?

The truth is the USA is terrified of a little mouse who treats its criminals far better than the inmates at the ****ing Gulag on the south of the island. It's time for US poiticos to close the pie hole and do something about that concentration camp....

that's what it looks like, btw, a very modern Nazi designed concentration camp.

Hatuey · Jan 12, 2015

Re: Exclusive: Cuba has freed all 53 prisoners as agreed in U.S. deal - U.S. official

Fearandloathing said:
Now why would the default be suspicion of what comes next on the day after Cuba made good on it's promise.

And, my friend, can you supply any evidence that Bill Pascrell Jr. knows **** all about Cuba? It will have to include evidence that his sorry, pampered ass has ever been on the island. Does he know the largest employment sector? Has he seen their jails, their health care system, roamed free on the island for two weeks?

Because failing any, the man is another blow hard looking for his 15 minutes of fame by wallowing in 50 year old myths.

and can anyone here name the ingredients to Cuba's unofficial official sandwich?

The truth is the USA is terrified of a little mouse who treats its criminals far better than the inmates at the ****ing Gulag on the south of the island. It's time for US poiticos to close the pie hole and do something about that concentration camp....

that's what it looks like, btw, a very modern Nazi designed concentration camp.

I can, there are two types: Bread and sugar or bread, salt and vinegar.

Fearandloathing · Jan 12, 2015

Re: Exclusive: Cuba has freed all 53 prisoners as agreed in U.S. deal - U.S. official

Hatuey said:
I can, there are two types: Bread and sugar or bread, salt and vinegar.

wrong.

Exclusive: Cuba has freed all 53 prisoners as agreed in U.S. deal - U.S. officials

Hatuey

Rule of Two

clownboy

Hatuey

Rule of Two

Thrilla

Hatuey

Rule of Two

clownboy

Thrilla

MMC

j-mac

Hatuey

Rule of Two

Hatuey

Rule of Two

Hatuey

Rule of Two

clownboy

j-mac

Hatuey

Rule of Two

CRUE CAB

Hatuey

Rule of Two

Fearandloathing

How long is now?

MMC

Hatuey

Rule of Two

MMC

Hatuey

Rule of Two

Fearandloathing

How long is now?

Hatuey

Rule of Two

Fearandloathing

How long is now?