Couric & Co.
May 4, 2009 5:48 PM

Katie Couric's Notebook: Cuba

By
Katie Couric
Topics
Katie Couric's Notebook
(AP)
It would be one of the most dramatic foreign policy about-faces ever. A bipartisan bill in Congress would end the 47-year-old trade freeze with Cuba. It has only spotty support so far, but President Obama has already taken some baby steps: letting Cuban-Americans visit family members and send them money. But for most of us, it is still a place that is strictly off limits.

The trade embargo made sense a half century ago. During the cold war, Fidel Castro took sides with the enemy, but the Soviet Union is long gone and it's a policy that most Americans alive today can't relate to.

Now it's up to Fidel and Raoul Castro. President Obama says he wants to see democratic reforms, particularly on human rights and free speech. So, Congress will be looking for signs of change.

After almost 50 years, U.S. policy will not reverse overnight. Relations remain chilly, but for the first time in generations, a thaw is possible.

That's a page from my notebook.



Add a Comment
by petersemkiw May 10, 2009 3:09 PM EDT
You had me at "Hello".
Reply to this comment
by pilot2519j May 5, 2009 1:51 PM EDT
Katie,
Stay in the realm of your expertise. Soft news and sophomoric interviews. I know you are a happy camper with your 15 million contract in your lofty perch. Fact is that the regime in Cuba executed thousands, jailed thousands, confiscated all American properties, all Cuban properties, separated families and have ruled with an iron fist for the last 50 years. So under your rationale of lets open the floodgate is simply naive beyond stupid. If you think the hatred of cuban communist and the oppression they have instilled in the country is going to be forgotten is not going to happen. Regarding the other opinions here I respect Hubert Matos whose father fought in the revolution only to be betrayed and jailed for thirty years in Cuba. The rest that want to see that prison can go through Mexico, Jamaica, Canada, and the rest of South America and bring your dollars to help the monster that controls the nation. As a little reminder for those American with short memories remember the name Stuart Anderson, and other American executed by the Fidelistas. Que viva Cuba libre.
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by grandblancbob May 5, 2009 1:11 PM EDT
I've long never understood why we're the only country in political cahoots with Cuba. It seems to me if American's want to visit there, they should be able to do so. It's a
NEW DAY! Love your work Katie, I've long had a crush on you since The Today Show days!
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by freemktnc May 5, 2009 5:33 AM EDT
Why didn't katie interview anyone in a Cuban prison for speaking out against the dictator? She probably can't. The dictator won't allow it.
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by hubermatos May 4, 2009 10:51 PM EDT
Luis Moro I am very sorry for your family disgrace but any person who wanted to travel to Cuba has done it. There is no problem going through Mexico o any other country. Do not blame the embargo for your family suffering. I did not see my father who was in jail for 20 years and I never complained about the embargo. Obama has said that if the regimes in Cuba free political prisoners and respect human right the embargo will be lifted. President Carter said he sees no changes as long as Castro in power. Do not blame the US for the dictatorship repression.
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by VegasLove May 4, 2009 10:46 PM EDT
please show the beautiful legs & sexy shoes again toe out please! still got the 8.5 nordstrom pumps from a couple x-mas's ago love you miss Couric
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by hubermatos May 4, 2009 10:43 PM EDT
Why you did not mentioned that Fidel and Raul Castro have already answered no President Obama steps.Cuba will remain a communist country. Please do not create expectations of change in Cuba telling Americans half the information.
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by casey_abbott May 4, 2009 10:30 PM EDT
I'm not trying to make history here.
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by Luis_Moro May 4, 2009 10:27 PM EDT
Katie Couric thank you for being a voice for our generation who is simply sick and tired of the abusive us of political trust that maintains the embargo on Cuba. My mother died never seeing her family in Cuba for 40 years. My uncle died the same way. My 89 year old grandmother had to sneak into Cuba three times to see her son before he died. Much more could be said... Thank you. I look forward to seeing you in Cuba in 2009.
Luis Moro
www.EveryThingCUBA.com
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