China is attempting to turn Cuba into a Chinese client state. This geostrategic move will become tantamount to the Soviet's placement of missiles in Cuba in 1962. by James Luko
(centrist)
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
The Red Dragon takes another wide step of not only flexing its muscles in Asia, but now wishes to supplant Russias and (former USSRs) forward base presence 90 miles from the United States- CUBA.
Cuba is China's biggest trade partner in the Caribbean region, while China is Cuba's second-largest trade partner after Venezuela. Over the past decade, bilateral trade increased from $440 million in 2001 to $1.83 billion in 2010. [1]
In 2006 China and Cuba discussed offshore oil deals and now China's National Petroleum Corporation is a major player in Cuban infrastructure improvements. [ibid]
In 2008, none other than China's President himself, Hu JinTao visited Cuba with a sweet package of loans, grants and trade deals.
If Cuba becomes a 'client' state of China, it will be a source of leverage against America whenever the U.S. Pressures China on Tibet and Taiwan. Soon we will witness the newly constructed blue-water navy of China cruising Cuba's coast in protection of their trade routes and supply of natural resources.
In 2003 it was reported that Chinese personnel were operating at least TWO (2) intelligence signal sations in Cuba since at least 1999 ! [2]
This month, June 2011, the Vice President of China made an important visit, extending more financial aid, interest-free, as well as related health projects to be paid for by China. A client state in the making ! [3]
The best way to counter the Chinese in Cuba is to reverse Americas 50 year old, ineffective and obsolete policy of isolationism and boycott of Cuba.
The Chinese threat in Cuba should be the catalyst for the US to establish open and normalized relations, with economic incentives to re-Americanize Cuba, return of American investments and security agreements. Checking the Chinese move in Cuba early on is vital to preventing a strategic Chinese foothold 90 miles from Florida.
Allowing China to replace Russia in Cuba would be a strategic disaster. China is dangling financial assistance and investments in order to establish a beachhead close to the shores of America. This is a counter-response to Americas continued military presence in Asia, continued support of Taiwan and recent increased American aid to the Philippines in its spat with China over sovereignty of the Spratly Islands.
The Cuban people wish to return to the American fold and re-establish the traditional relationship with the Cuban anchor in Florida- namely the almost 900,000 Cubans living in Florida alone! [4]
Re-establishing normal relations with Cuba is a win-win situation and we should not allow inflexibility in our foreign policy to stand in the way. The road is clear, Soviet and then Russian domination in Cuba was a massive violation of the Monroe Doctrine and a geostrategic mistake of Kennedy not to forcibly remove Castro at the time. It is then no question that allowing the Chinese to supplant the Russians, (who now have a weak presence in Cuba in any case) needs to be stopped. In conjunction with the LUKO DOCTRINE (containing global Chinese expansion) [5] America needs to take the OFFENSIVE for a good DEFENSE of our close perimeter security- CUBA.
The views expressed
in this article are those of James Luko only and
do not represent the views of Nolan Chart, LLC or its affiliates.
James Luko is solely responsible for the contents
of this article and is not an employee or otherwise affiliated
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Posted By: Reflections
Date: July 20, 2011 10:16:45 AM
You make some very good points in your article, specifically the necessity of getting rid of the embargo.
I have worked as a missionary in Cuba for many years now (just came back last Thursday) and have many close Cuban friends. The problem has always been a lack of respect for Cuba and its leadership from the U.S. Cuba after the triumph of the revolution was eager and willing to work with the US, but was rudely rebuffed: Fidel Castro was left cooling his heels for hours outside of your President Eisenhower's office.
The Bay of Pigs invasion, supported by the U.S government, was a disastrous mistake.
After that, who can blame Fidel for running to the Russians for support?? The most powerful country in the world wants to interfere in another sovereign nation and bring it to its knees. It was America's rejection and aggression that pushed the move to Communism, which, incidentally, Fidel had vehemently opposed through all his early years.
The rest of the world looks on and shakes its head as the US continues to bully its tiny neighbour through the embargo -- which effectively functions as a blockade! (No ships entering Cuban ports may enter US ports for a period of six months afterwards: think of the implications!!) No product containing Cuban sugar may be marketed to the US. Imagine the implications for a global market...
Every country wants and needs friends. the Chinese have been good friends to Cuba, and the Cuban population appreciates it. America has zero influence there because all
Cubans recognize that the US wants to destroy their systems, of which they are rightly proud. (Compare US incarceration rates with Cuban rates, for instance; or immunization rates; or child mortality rates, or educational rates, or crime rates...)
Now that Fidel, who is still greatly loved and revered by many, has retired, Cuban people feel the need to take responsibility for their own government. Particularly such things as freedom of the press -- which perversely, has been stunted simply because of America's aggressive intentions, and its attempts to infiltrate groups in Cuba by financing dissent. This produces mistrust in their society, and a great deal of paranoia... or can we call it paranoia, when the U.S.' openly stated (and well financed) goal is to bring down the Cuban government??? Seems more like reality to me.
Nevertheless, most Cubans recognize that the Miami Cubans, the old guard that had raped the land and robbed its people under Batista, and then fled, are the ones frothing at the mouth and holding the American administration hostage with the power of their vote. They do not blame the American people, just the US government and their former Cuban countrymen who are so driven by hate, that the misery caused by the embargo to the average Cuban is of no importance to them.
In the end, I fully agree with you in that, if the US wants to reduce Chinese influence
in Cuba, it must remove these impediments and extend the hand of friendship to Cuba.
America has so much to offer: in many ways (but not in all ways), its society has been a glowing example to the rest of the world as to what is possible. Americans generally are good people, likable people, with generous hearts. Cubans too are good and likable people with generous hearts. Cuba will be a good friend to America if America's intentions towards it turn to good. Hope that happens sooner rather than later.
