The Brother of Big Brother Comes Visiting

by Sir Arthur Foulkes

The Bahamas is not the only friend of the United States that has a problem with its big neighbour’s policy towards Cuba. Most of the nations in this hemisphere do not agree with the policy and neither do the Europeans. They have refused to participate in the embargo against Cuba despite American pressure.

While the US government has tried to stop its citizens from visiting Cuba, millions of Latin Americans, Canadians and Europeans have sustained Cuba’s tourism industry. Thousands of Americans have also defied their government’s ban on travel to Cuba.

Attempts by the US to enforce its laws beyond its own territory have bred resentment among its friends. A recent incident caused outrage in Mexico, America’s closest neighbour along with Canada and the Bahamas.

The hotel Maria Isabel Sheraton in Mexico City, owned by an American company, Starwood Hotels and Resorts, is at the centre of what promises to be a troublesome diplomatic and legal impasse.

According to the Associated Press, a group of Cuban officials, in Mexico for a meeting with US energy executives, were expelled from the Maria Isabel at the request of the US government. The meeting was moved to a Mexican-owned hotel but the Mexican government is threatening to prosecute, fine or even close down the Maria Isabel for discriminating against the Cubans.

Associated Press quotes Al Zapanta, president of the 2,000 member US-Mexico Chamber of Commerce: “This is kind of one of the rare moments that really brings out the ugliness of the Helms-Burton law that puts American business in a tight position.”

He was referring to the 1961 law which strengthened sanctions against Cuba but which is regarded by Mexico and Canada as infringing on their own sovereignty.

Larry Rubin, another chamber executive says, “If it goes against Mexican law, then we cannot apply it, because first we have to abide by Mexican law. ... I mean you don’t see American corporations down here breaking contracts and solving the matter in the US court system. It just doesn’t operate that way.”

Mr. Zapanta agrees that the US legislation is hurting American companies and thinks the incident will force the US Congress to deal with the issue. All of which is instructive but of small comfort to the tiny Bahamas as it is pressured on several issues by big brother, or the brother of big brother.

The case of the two Cuban dentists at the Carmichael Road Detention Centre had been simmering quietly for months before Florida Governor Jeb Bush came to the Bahamas on a high profile visit and an agenda with the fate of the two doctors at the top. The governor came at a time when Bahamians are especially concerned about their country’s sovereignty and the security of its borders.

The Bahamas is a stable and prosperous little country and a magnet for all kinds of immigrants. Some come from less fortunate circumstances looking for humble jobs and peace, and some from the developed countries seeking high-end jobs and economic opportunities.

The Bahamas has benefited tremendously over the years from the contributions of immigrants. Indeed, we can be described, like America, as an immigrant nation. But we are a small country and our ability to absorb more immigrants is severely limited.

Even the great United States is debating the erection of a wall to stem the flow of Mexican immigrants looking for jobs. It is even more important for the Bahamas as a country of only 300,000 to let the world know that our borders are closed to illegal immigrants regardless of origin and that we will not become a conduit for immigrants heading for other countries.

Everything is on the line here – our national security, our prosperity, our peace and stability, and our orderly cultural development – so we simply cannot allow the Bahamas to be swamped by a flood of immigrants from countries with comparatively huge populations.

Nevertheless, the Bahamas is a civilized, compassionate and law-abiding citizen of the international community and it is in that light and having regard to all our circumstances that we must deal with all immigrants within our borders.

There are occasions when time is on the side of productive diplomacy, and there are occasions when time is the enemy and decisive action is necessary. It would appear that this is a case where quick action or quiet diplomacy at the highest levels might have yielded the best results. It was certainly not an occasion for dithering, one way or the other.

Now the case has exploded onto the front pages of newspapers here and abroad and those who pull the strings in Florida’s Cuban-American community are threatening the Bahamas with boycotts and economic sanctions.

Matters were made worse by the unfortunate incident at the Carmichael Road Detention Centre where a Cuban-American television journalist was allegedly injured by a Bahamian guard.

We have problems with the centre, with the prison and with law enforcement but these do not justify media friends of the Cuban-American community branding us a nation of savages.

The American domestic prison system is not noted for benevolence and compassion – not to mention Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo Bay. But we still believe that the vast majority of Americans are kind and compassionate people. They should allow us the same.

The Florida Cuban-American community has wielded disproportionate power and influence in that state and in America, and some of its leaders are used to being pampered and having their own way. This, together with some bad attitudes they took with them to America, has produced a particularly obnoxious kind of arrogance.

I believe that these persons are not so much motivated by a desire to see families united but by a burning passion to embarrass their old foe, President Fidel Castro, and to make sure that the US maintains its unrealistic policies towards Cuba.

After all, these are the same people who used young Elian Gonzalez as a pawn when it was obvious to most of the world – including the US government – that by law and reason the child belonged with his father.

These are the same people who in 2003 pressured Governor Bush and got him to criticize his brother, President George Bush, for negotiating the repatriation of 12 Cubans who had hijacked a boat, an act of piracy and a high crime.

These are the same people who in 1990 used their power in Miami to snub Nelson Mandela, a citizen of the world and an icon for noble suffering, tolerance and forgiveness. Mr. Mandela had been welcomed in many other cities including New York, Detroit and Atlanta.

There are indications that many Americans are becoming concerned about their government’s failure to normalize relations with Cuba and to adopt a sensible immigration policy. The open door policy has now been changed to a curious dry-foot wet-foot policy which allows Cubans to stay in America if they touch dry land but not if they are apprehended at sea.

Just recently 15 Cubans were sent back home after they were found on a bridge in the Florida Cays. Apparently the bridge did not qualify for dry land status. But the Cuban-American political leadership can be counted on to make the most of any high profile case, such as that of the two doctors.

The government should delay no further in bringing this matter to a conclusion. In the meantime Bahamian shoppers might consider avoiding Miami and going to other cities where they will feel safe, and parents of Bahamians at school in the Miami area should do what is necessary to ensure the safety of their children.

Comments

[Camilo Pino]

Mexico finally closed the Sheraton, but Hotel Management of is defying the order with and says operations continue as normal.
This is not closed yet.