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Don’t expect immediate changes |
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Tuesday, 11 November 2008 |
MISSOURI – The Caribbean and Cuba in particular, should not expect immediate changes in United States foreign policy even after Tuesday’s Presidential elections, an internationally acclaimed political pollster has suggested.
John Zogby, founder of Zogby International, told the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) that while attitudes toward Cuba may be changing, the winner (Obama) would most likely focus his attention on more domestic issues in the short-term, particularly finding ways to pull the country out of the current recession.
While the US embargo on Castro-led government in Cuba may be an issue of great importance for the Caribbean in this election, Zogby said it would not get too much attention from the new president just yet.
"There is a growing consensus in this country that the Cuba embargo is a mistake. But the problem is the consensus doesn't always make policy, intensity makes policy.
“So long as there is a very high intensity that opposes the Castro regime, you're not likely to get change," he said after addressing the St. Louis Regional Chamber and Growth Association at a luncheon at the Chase Park Plaza Hotel in St. Louis last Thursday.
"Also, does somebody want to stir up the hornet's nest early in the administration when there are so many other priorities to attend to?"
A national survey by Zogby, released earlier this month, showed that 60 percent of Americans believe Washington should change its policy towards Cuba.
Early last week, the United Nations General Assembly voted overwhelmingly in favor of a resolution to bring an end to the economic and trade blockade which has been in place for decades. It was the 17th consecutive year that the body backed such a resolution.
The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) also made a clear statement on the issue. Speaking on behalf of 15-member grouping, Guyana's Chargé d'affaires to the UN, George Talbot, noted that Cuba was an "integral part of the Pan-Caribbean process" and CARICOM therefore viewed the embargo as "not just as a punitive act against Cuba, but as an impediment to our shared regional development".
Barack Obama (nor John McCain) has given any signal that he will remove, adjust or even review the embargo. Obama, however, says he will ease up on restrictions such as the travel ban and limit on remittances.
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