Written by: Arnold August
The Canadian Parliament is about to start its next session on January 25. On January 22, Don Davies, Member of Parliament for Vancouver Kingsway (British Colombia), New Democratic Party (NDP) Health Critic tweeted: “In his last days, Donald Trump declared Cuba a “state sponsor of terrorism” without a shred of evidence. This makes a mockery of the concept and was driven by a President who was actually spurring terrorism in his own country. President Biden should reverse this travesty at once.”
The New Democratic Party (NDP) Member of Parliament for Hamilton Centre (Ontario), Matthew Green retweeted by adding: “I stand alongside my colleague and comrade @DonDavies in solidarity with Cuba.”
Background: From Reagan to Obama to Trump/Pompeo
The State Sponsor of Terrorism (SST) list was created in 1979 as part of the Export Administration Act, and according to the Washington Post, was a legal clause intended to give the Executive Branch the ability to restrict exports, arms transfers, and other commercial transactions. On March 1, 1982, the Reagan administration formally added Cuba to the list. No clear rationale was given at the time.
The 1979 SST list was created as part of existing legislation of providing it with a legal clause intended to give, let us emphasize, the Executive Branch, not the Congress, the ability to restrict exports, arms transfers, and other commercial transactions to certain countries.
On December 17, 2014 simultaneous statements were made by Raúl Castro and Barack Obama with a view to reopening embassies in the respective capitals and re-establishing diplomatic relations. However, the Cuban side insisted that it be removed from the SST list. On April 17, 2014, Obama said: “I’ve instructed Secretary Kerry to review Cuba’s designation as a State Sponsor of Terrorism. This review will be guided by the facts and the law.”
By following this formal procedure, Obama did order a review of Cuba’s presence on the list, making it part of his major policy shift announced on December 17. On April 14, 2015, the State Department reported that Obama notified the US Congress of his intent to remove Cuba from the list. The Congress had 45 days to object, which they neglected to do. In May 2015, Cuba was therefore removed and no longer a state sponsor of terrorism. Just weeks before, diplomats had met in Washington, but failed to come to an agreement about opening embassies. This was solved by removing Cuba from the SST.
Moving on to January 11, 2021, just nine days before the end of the Trump administration, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo issued a State Department directive stating that it “has designated Cuba as a State Sponsor of Terrorism.” Note, there is not even a pretence to have followed the formal procedure, as Obama had done, to remove Cuba from that spurious list.
In anticipation of the expected announcement about the SST that was circulating in Washington, on Friday January 8, 2021, Patrick Leahy (Democrat ,Vermont) and eight other Senators issued a statement indicating that Cuba should be removed and that Pompeo had designated Cuba without formal consultation and review by Congress.”
Thus, we see that Pompeo did not listen to the senators. He did not carry out any formal consultation and review by Congress.
Why wait when Cuba is being bled – again?
It seems to be an open and shut case as far as procedure is concerned. If Pompeo could unilaterally redesignate Cuba as a member of the SST list, then the Biden administration and Secretary of State Antony Blinken could do the same. As far as political motivations are concerned, everything points to swift action being taken by Biden, as he was himself Obama’s vice president when Cuba was taken off the list. Furthermore, the Democrats control both houses.
However, as mentioned in a previous article, some Obama/Biden apologists seem to be providing a pretext for Biden not to move. For example, CNN’s Fareed Zakaria, an Obama presidential endorser for 2008, and informally since then, reaching a climax for the 2020 elections in the wide anti-Trump coalition. In a barely veiled suggestion, he warned on his CNN program that it would be “awkward” for Biden to take Cuba off the list because this would play into the hands of Trump and Pompeo who would accuse Biden “that they are somehow in league with terrorists.”
Whether for the attention of Biden or CNN, one has to keep in mind that Pompeo mentions in the very second sentence of his SST designation on Cuba: “The Trump Administration has been focused from the start on denying the Castro regime the resources it uses to oppress its people at home, and countering its malign interference in Venezuela and the rest of the Western Hemisphere.” Regime change for Venezuela is a bipartisan program in Washington. Another reason for the Democrats to be stalling?
However, what is more worrisome was revealed in Antony Blinken’s Senate confirmation hearing as Secretary of State on January 19, 2021. Throughout the four-hour meeting, hard-line anti-Cuba right-wingers Robert Menendez (Democratic), Marco Rubio (Republican) and other Republicans, also participated. Yet, neither the Republicans nor Blinken said anything about Cuba and SST. Strange?
The only explanation is the following. The Republicans, Democrats and Blinken in the Senate have agreed on Venezuela and all other issues such as Israel, Iran, China, Russia and even non-SST-related issues related to Cuba. However, by quietly leaving the Cuba SST controversy out of the conversation, they achieved consensus on the Biden team’s foreign policy. In other words, with overt or hidden consensus of the Republicans and Democrats, Blinken threw Cuba under the bus by not raising the Cuba SST issue. Republicans would give Blinken a pass on his confirmation as Secretary of State. Quid pro quo? In effect, on January 26, the Senate voted overwhelming in favour of Blinken by a vote of 78 to 22, with many Republicans voting in favour of him.
What does this say to Canadian deputies, members of the US Congress, and all of us together, with both governments and social organizations all over the world demanding that Cuba be taken off the list right away? Given what seems to be underhanded tactics, this is another reason to put the pressure on our respective governments to raise their voices so that Biden moves now.
At the same time, what Cuba-US expert, Peter Kornblue writes in The Nation has also to be taken into account:
“Although Biden can reverse many of Trump’s executive directives with a stroke of a pen, removing Cuba from the SST list requires a series of time-consuming, statutory steps: a formal State Department review; a presidential certification to Congress, and a 45-day waiting period during which Congress can object before Cuba can be, once again, rescinded.”
However, why give up on the demand that “what is good for the goose, is good for the gander”? If Pompeo can punish Cuba with the stroke of a pen, why cannot Biden undo it with a flick of the wrist? The addition of Cuba to that list has far-reaching effects on the economy and day-to-day life of Cubans. They and their government are already under the cruellest of stresses based on the 240 blockade measures implemented by the Trump administration in the last four years. Speaking to some Cuban colleagues over the phone, they fear far-reaching effects on trade and commerce as to what little is left of US trade with Cuba, access to the International Monetary Fund and other such institutions, as well as with other countries. Just to provide one example, it was explained that Cuba is currently carrying out about 12,000 tests per day to detect and trace Covid-19. This requires funding, which will be more difficult to obtain under the SST.
This is no times for niceties of formal procedure when it can be avoided. And it can. If Biden does not move now, he will be asked: what about that “historical struggle” against the Trump/Pompeo “fascist administration”?
http://clomida.pro/# how to buy generic clomid online
medrol 16mg for sale – buy claritin 10mg generic buy azelastine 10 ml sale
ivermectin generic: where to buy ivermectin – ivermectin 0.2mg
prednisone in india: buy prednisone online from canada – prednisone 50 mg tablet canada
[url=https://metoformin.online/]metformin 500 mg without prescription[/url]
https://stromectola.top/# ivermectin 0.1 uk
buying generic clomid prices: can i buy clomid – get cheap clomid online
minocycline topical foam: order stromectol – ivermectin
[url=http://synthroidsl.online/]synthroid rx cost[/url]
buying prednisone on line: buy prednisone 10 mg – can you buy prednisone over the counter in canada
https://amoxicillina.top/# where can you buy amoxicillin over the counter
https://prednisonea.store/# prednisone 20mg buy online
[url=http://bestmedsx.com/]the canadian pharmacy[/url]
blader door deze site
by prednisone w not prescription: prednisone 4mg tab – 10 mg prednisone tablets
order desloratadine 5mg online – brand beclamethasone cost albuterol 2mg
[url=https://olisinopril.com/]lisinopril generic drug[/url]
zithromax 1000 mg pills: buy zithromax online with mastercard – zithromax
can i order cheap clomid [url=http://clomida.pro/#]can i purchase clomid now[/url] can you get clomid pills
[url=http://prednisonekx.online/]prednisone 4 tablets daily[/url]
http://onlinepharmacyworld.shop/# international pharmacy no prescription
pharmacy without prescription: cheapest pharmacy for prescriptions – cheap pharmacy no prescription
no prescription drugs: mexico prescription drugs online – can i buy prescription drugs in canada
https://edpill.top/# erectile dysfunction medicine online
[url=https://synthroidsl.online/]synthroid 500 mcg[/url]
desloratadine uk – buy beclamethasone nasal spray ventolin canada
http://onlinepharmacyworld.shop/# no prescription needed pharmacy
This is a very good tips especially to those new to blogosphere, brief and accurate information… Thanks for sharing this one. A must read article.
https://onlinepharmacyworld.shop/# canadian pharmacy discount code
https://onlinepharmacyworld.shop/# canadian pharmacy world coupons
online pharmacy non prescription drugs: canada online pharmacy no prescription – online pharmacy non prescription drugs
discount ed pills [url=https://edpill.top/#]ed rx online[/url] cheap erection pills
https://onlinepharmacyworld.shop/# offshore pharmacy no prescription
medrol 8mg tablets – buy methylprednisolone 4 mg astelin 10ml sprayer
cost of ed meds: top rated ed pills – ed rx online
https://medicationnoprescription.pro/# online canadian pharmacy no prescription
https://onlinepharmacyworld.shop/# no prescription pharmacy paypal
low cost ed meds: get ed meds today – how to get ed meds online
http://medicationnoprescription.pro/# canada prescription online
no prescription medicine: prescription from canada – online pharmacy without prescription
toasterovensplus.com
実用性が高く、すぐに実践できるアドバイスが満載でした。
cheapest pharmacy to fill prescriptions without insurance [url=https://onlinepharmacyworld.shop/#]cheapest pharmacy prescription drugs[/url] no prescription required pharmacy
https://medicationnoprescription.pro/# online pharmacy without a prescription
http://onlinepharmacyworld.shop/# canadian pharmacy without prescription
http://medicationnoprescription.pro/# cheap prescription medication online
cheapest pharmacy to get prescriptions filled: online pharmacy discount code – reputable online pharmacy no prescription
http://onlinepharmacyworld.shop/# cheapest pharmacy for prescription drugs
[url=http://lisinoprilgp.com/]url lisinopril hctz prescription[/url]
https://casinvietnam.shop/# casino tr?c tuy?n vi?t nam
danh bai tr?c tuy?n [url=https://casinvietnam.com/#]casino tr?c tuy?n uy tin[/url] casino tr?c tuy?n vi?t nam
buy glyburide 5mg – buy dapagliflozin 10 mg generic order forxiga pills
Today, I went to the beach front with my kids. I found a sea shell and gave it to my 4 year old daughter and said “You can hear the ocean if you put this to your ear.” She placed the shell to her ear and screamed. There was a hermit crab inside and it pinched her ear. She never wants to go back! LoL I know this is completely off topic but I had to tell someone!
[url=http://synthroidsl.online/]synthroid online coupon[/url]
casino tr?c tuy?n vi?t nam [url=https://casinvietnam.com/#]casino tr?c tuy?n[/url] web c? b?c online uy tin
Nice post. I was checking continuously this blog and I’m impressed! Extremely useful information specifically the last part 🙂 I care for such info a lot. I was seeking this certain info for a long time. Thank you and good luck.
http://casinvietnam.shop/# casino online uy tin
[url=https://olisinopril.com/]lisinopril 5mg tab[/url]
dánh bài tr?c tuy?n: dánh bài tr?c tuy?n – game c? b?c online uy tín
ihrfuehrerschein.com
Qi Zhiyuan은 “Wang Jinyuan, 당신은 좋은 일을했지만 실제로 나에게 해를 끼쳤습니까? “라고 격렬하게 말했습니다.
I like this post, enjoyed this one appreciate it for putting up. “The universe is not hostile, nor yet is it unfriendly. It is simply indifferent.” by John Andrew Holmes.
order micronase 5mg sale – actos 15mg cost forxiga for sale online
Lainaa 90000 euroa
[url=http://valtrexbt.online/]valtrex uk over the counter[/url]
https://casinvietnam.com/# danh bai tr?c tuy?n
http://casinvietnam.shop/# web c? b?c online uy tin
[url=http://prednisonekx.online/]can i buy prednisone online[/url]
sandyterrace.com
Liu Jian은 고개를 끄덕이고 말했습니다. “폐하, 이해하십니까?”
casino tr?c tuy?n vi?t nam: web c? b?c online uy tín – choi casino tr?c tuy?n trên di?n tho?i
game c? b?c online uy tín: web c? b?c online uy tín – web c? b?c online uy tín
https://casinvietnam.com/# game c? b?c online uy tin
casino online uy tín: casino online uy tín – casino online uy tín
https://casinvietnam.shop/# web c? b?c online uy tin
order glycomet 1000mg generic – order glucophage for sale cost acarbose 50mg
dánh bài tr?c tuy?n: dánh bài tr?c tuy?n – casino tr?c tuy?n vi?t nam
https://casinvietnam.shop/# casino tr?c tuy?n
[url=http://olisinopril.online/]lisinopril 60 mg tablet[/url]
casino tr?c tuy?n uy tín: choi casino tr?c tuy?n trên di?n tho?i – casino tr?c tuy?n uy tín
https://casinvietnam.shop/# casino online uy tin
casino online uy tín: casino tr?c tuy?n – dánh bài tr?c tuy?n
https://casinvietnam.com/# web c? b?c online uy tin
game c? b?c online uy tín: choi casino tr?c tuy?n trên di?n tho?i – choi casino tr?c tuy?n trên di?n tho?i
Great ?V I should certainly pronounce, impressed with your website. I had no trouble navigating through all tabs and related information ended up being truly easy to do to access. I recently found what I hoped for before you know it at all. Quite unusual. Is likely to appreciate it for those who add forums or anything, site theme . a tones way for your client to communicate. Nice task..
https://casinvietnam.com/# danh bai tr?c tuy?n
game c? b?c online uy tín: casino tr?c tuy?n uy tín – casino tr?c tuy?n vi?t nam
continГєa leyendo esto
pill prandin 2mg – pill empagliflozin buy empagliflozin online
http://casinvietnam.com/# web c? b?c online uy tin
choi casino tr?c tuy?n trên di?n tho?i: casino tr?c tuy?n – casino tr?c tuy?n uy tín
hop over to this website
http://casinvietnam.com/# web c? b?c online uy tin
http://casinvietnam.shop/# web c? b?c online uy tin
casino tr?c tuy?n uy tín: dánh bài tr?c tuy?n – web c? b?c online uy tín
otraresacamas.com
このブログのファンになりました!素晴らしい情報源です。
choi casino tr?c tuy?n trên di?n tho?i: casino tr?c tuy?n vi?t nam – casino tr?c tuy?n uy tín
http://casinvietnam.com/# casino online uy tin
https://casinvietnam.com/# web c? b?c online uy tin
animehangover.com
Xie Qian은 오랫동안 침묵하고 옆에있는 시험관을 바라보며 “그것도 전염성이 있습니까?”
casino tr?c tuy?n vi?t nam: dánh bài tr?c tuy?n – web c? b?c online uy tín
https://casinvietnam.com/# casino tr?c tuy?n
order prandin 2mg for sale – buy repaglinide 2mg without prescription buy empagliflozin without prescription
casino tr?c tuy?n uy tín: dánh bài tr?c tuy?n – choi casino tr?c tuy?n trên di?n tho?i
[url=http://tadalafilgf.com/]cialis generic canadian[/url]
http://casinvietnam.shop/# casino tr?c tuy?n
casino tr?c tuy?n vi?t nam: casino tr?c tuy?n uy tín – casino tr?c tuy?n
https://indiaph24.store/# best india pharmacy
http://mexicoph24.life/# mexico pharmacy
[url=http://metformindi.com/]metformin for sale canada[/url]
https://canadaph24.pro/# canadian discount pharmacy
http://canadaph24.pro/# 77 canadian pharmacy
[url=https://synthroidx.com/]buy synthroid 150 mcg[/url]
https://indiaph24.store/# india pharmacy
generic glycomet 500mg – generic sitagliptin 100mg acarbose 50mg brand
http://indiaph24.store/# reputable indian online pharmacy
https://mexicoph24.life/# medicine in mexico pharmacies
http://canadaph24.pro/# canada cloud pharmacy
Nice blog here! Also your website loads up very fast! What host are you using? Can I get your affiliate link to your host? I wish my web site loaded up as quickly as yours lol
https://indiaph24.store/# india pharmacy
[url=https://medicinesaf.online/]pill pharmacy[/url]
https://indiaph24.store/# top 10 online pharmacy in india
https://canadaph24.pro/# reputable canadian pharmacy
I’ve been exploring for a little for any high quality articles or blog posts on this kind of area . Exploring in Yahoo I at last stumbled upon this website. Reading this information So i am happy to convey that I have an incredibly good uncanny feeling I discovered just what I needed. I most certainly will make certain to don’t forget this site and give it a look on a constant basis.
https://indiaph24.store/# india pharmacy
[url=http://bmtadalafil.online/]cheap tadalafil online[/url]
http://canadaph24.pro/# buy drugs from canada
https://canadaph24.pro/# canadian pharmacy reviews
credito 500 euros
http://mexicoph24.life/# reputable mexican pharmacies online
https://canadaph24.pro/# canadian pharmacy prices
https://indiaph24.store/# buy medicines online in india
https://mexicoph24.life/# purple pharmacy mexico price list
[url=http://tadalafilgf.com/]cailis[/url]
http://canadaph24.pro/# canadian pharmacy king reviews
buy semaglutide online – rybelsus medication desmopressin uk
[url=https://tadalafilstd.online/]cialis over the counter mexico[/url]
https://canadaph24.pro/# safe online pharmacies in canada
http://mexicoph24.life/# mexican border pharmacies shipping to usa
[url=https://bestmedsx.com/]pharmacy discount coupons[/url]
https://indiaph24.store/# indian pharmacy online
thewiin.com
조카는 Qi Zhiyuan의 분노에 겁을 먹고 급히 말했습니다. “예, 예, 조카가 바로 갈 것입니다.”
https://canadaph24.pro/# canadian discount pharmacy
https://indiaph24.store/# buy medicines online in india
https://canadaph24.pro/# online canadian pharmacy
thorazine 4mg
http://mexicoph24.life/# buying prescription drugs in mexico
lamisil 250mg generic – fluconazole where to buy purchase griseofulvin online cheap
[url=https://happyfamilymedicalstore.online/]canadian online pharmacy no prescription[/url]
http://canadaph24.pro/# canada rx pharmacy world
https://indiaph24.store/# pharmacy website india
https://indiaph24.store/# legitimate online pharmacies india
[url=https://synthroidx.com/]synthroid 150 mg coupon[/url]
toasterovensplus.com
興味深い視点と深い洞察を提供してくれてありがとうございます。
https://canadaph24.pro/# canadian pharmacy no scripts
https://canadaph24.pro/# canada rx pharmacy world
[url=https://tadalafilgf.com/]generic cialis online europe[/url]
http://canadaph24.pro/# canadian pharmacy 365
qiyezp.com
그녀는 깊은 궁전에 있지만 때때로 궁전 밖에서도 몇 가지를 알고 있습니다.
http://canadaph24.pro/# canadian pharmacy store
buy rybelsus 14mg generic – order semaglutide 14 mg sale DDAVP without prescription
http://canadaph24.pro/# canadian drug pharmacy
https://indiaph24.store/# india pharmacy mail order
[url=https://drugstorepp.online/]indian pharmacy[/url]
https://indiaph24.store/# indianpharmacy com
https://canadaph24.pro/# canadian drug pharmacy
[url=http://lisinoprilos.online/]zestoretic 20 mg[/url]
[url=http://valtrexbt.online/]valtrex cost canada[/url]
brand nizoral 200mg – ketoconazole canada sporanox online order
http://mexicoph24.life/# mexico pharmacy
http://canadaph24.pro/# reliable canadian pharmacy
[url=http://happyfamilystorerx.online/]cheapest pharmacy prescription drugs[/url]
LГҐn 300000 kr
https://canadaph24.pro/# pharmacies in canada that ship to the us
[url=https://happyfamilystorerx.online/]all in one pharmacy[/url]
[url=http://synthroidx.online/]synthroid 0.075mg tab[/url]
buy generic famvir 500mg – zovirax 800mg ca valaciclovir pills
http://indiaph24.store/# best online pharmacy india
http://indiaph24.store/# cheapest online pharmacy india
https://canadaph24.pro/# canadian pharmacy near me
https://mexicoph24.life/# mexican border pharmacies shipping to usa
[url=https://bmtadalafil.online/]tadalafil generic south africa[/url]
medicine in mexico pharmacies [url=https://mexicoph24.life/#]cheapest mexico drugs[/url] mexican online pharmacies prescription drugs
[url=http://ezithromycin.online/]azithromycin over the counter uk[/url]
http://mexicoph24.life/# pharmacies in mexico that ship to usa
cougarsbkjersey.com
素晴らしい記事でした!とても感動しました。
order generic lanoxin 250mg – purchase labetalol online cheap lasix 100mg oral
https://finasteride.store/# order cheap propecia prices
lisinopril tabs 10mg: zestoretic tabs – lisinopril 5 mg prices
Prestito di 9500 euro
buy generic famciclovir 250mg – order famvir 500mg without prescription valcivir 1000mg canada
tamoxifen and bone density [url=http://nolvadex.life/#]tamoxifen estrogen[/url] where to get nolvadex
http://finasteride.store/# generic propecia without dr prescription
cost generic propecia tablets [url=http://finasteride.store/#]buying cheap propecia without a prescription[/url] buying propecia online
https://finasteride.store/# get generic propecia
buy cytotec pills online cheap [url=http://cytotec.club/#]Misoprostol 200 mg buy online[/url] buy cytotec online fast delivery
http://ciprofloxacin.tech/# cipro ciprofloxacin
where can i buy cipro online [url=http://ciprofloxacin.tech/#]ciprofloxacin generic[/url] buy cipro online without prescription
lisinopril over the counter: lisinopril 420 1g – order lisinopril online us
https://nolvadex.life/# tamoxifen adverse effects
buy cheap propecia pill [url=https://finasteride.store/#]propecia price[/url] cost cheap propecia online
https://finasteride.store/# buying cheap propecia without dr prescription
buy propecia without rx: propecia buy – cost of generic propecia without insurance
http://lisinopril.network/# prinivil
tamoxifen lawsuit [url=https://nolvadex.life/#]tamoxifen benefits[/url] tamoxifen skin changes
tamoxifen for breast cancer prevention [url=https://nolvadex.life/#]common side effects of tamoxifen[/url] tamoxifen benefits
http://nolvadex.life/# tamoxifen 20 mg tablet
[url=http://oprednisone.com/]60 mg of prednisone[/url]
tamoxifen endometrium [url=http://nolvadex.life/#]tamoxifen cyp2d6[/url] tamoxifen hip pain
order metoprolol 100mg sale – order olmesartan 10mg generic buy nifedipine pills
https://ciprofloxacin.tech/# ciprofloxacin mail online
https://ciprofloxacin.tech/# cipro
where can i buy cipro online [url=http://ciprofloxacin.tech/#]buy cipro online[/url] cipro 500mg best prices
hydrochlorothiazide 25mg tablet – order amlodipine 10mg online buy zebeta 10mg for sale
https://lisinopril.network/# lisinopril 10 mg tablet price
buy cipro cheap [url=http://ciprofloxacin.tech/#]ciprofloxacin 500mg buy online[/url] п»їcipro generic
http://finasteride.store/# buy cheap propecia without insurance
lithium carbonate online kaufen
buy cipro: buy cipro cheap – antibiotics cipro
[url=http://medicinesaf.online/]cheapest pharmacy for prescriptions without insurance[/url]
[url=https://synthroidsl.online/]how to buy synthroid[/url]
https://finasteride.store/# cheap propecia pills
raloxifene vs tamoxifen [url=http://nolvadex.life/#]how to prevent hair loss while on tamoxifen[/url] tamoxifen hot flashes
microzide 25 mg pill – hydrochlorothiazide 25mg generic bisoprolol online order
cytotec pills buy online: Cytotec 200mcg price – cytotec online