Nava on Lifting Embargo on Cuba

* While I have come to expect U.S. policy-makers to continuously make excuses for Fidel Castro, I am nevertheless stunned by former Ambassador Julian Nava’s shortsighted perspective on the U.S. trade embargo (Commentary, June 22). With the end of the Cold War and the collapse of the Soviet Union, a new embargo has finally emerged, absent the critical $5 billion in subsidies provided by the Soviet Union. It is absurd to measure the true effects of the U.S. trade embargo while Soviet aid was subsidizing the entire Cuban economy.

Only now will the U.S. embargo have an impact and expose the complete failure of the communist revolution to improve the lives of the Cuban people. The embargo will accelerate the economy’s collapse and increase popular discontent. That was made clear last year when thousands of Cubans rioted in Havana and by the subsequent flights to sea of more than 30,000 Cubans. These are compelling indications that Castro’s grip on power is slipping.

Since 1989, Cuba’s economy has shrunk by more than half, the black market is more dynamic than the formal state-run economy and Castro’s efforts to build a vast tourism industry have seen mixed results. Therein lies the shortsightedness of Nava. When we finally have a tool available to us that will serve as a catalyst to bring about fundamental change, why resuscitate a dying communist regime with billions in trade, investment and international aid.

ARMANDO E. AZARLOZA

North Hills

* Nava missed some points. He called the 36-year-old regime “the little Cuba.” Many people see the Cuban problem as an unnecessary confrontation between Cuba and the U.S.; as a struggle between David and Goliath, a difference that can be solved doing business. What about the struggle between Castro’s repressive machinery (Goliath) and the Cuban people (David)?

Castro himself has said that Cuba “will never abandon socialism.” This means not to abandon the one-party policy nor, of course, the violations of human rights.

Can Nava explain why embargoes against South Africa and Haiti are right and against Castro wrong? We learned from experience that good relations with China and Vietnam have not improved the human rights in those countries. South African apartheid is over. Haitian military dictatorship is over.

GELLERMAN BARALT

Burbank