Do you remember that planned Code Pink New Years trip to Cuba, here and here, that was cancelled due to a cease and desist notice from the Treasury Department? The co-sponsors of that trip, Global Exchange, are licensed by the Office of Foreign Assets Control for educational and cultural events in Cuba.
This is their mission statement:
We at Global Exchange hope to empower U.S. citizens to engage in US/Cuba foreign policy issues by organizing educational and cultural delegations to Cuba; by providing informational resources through our website and legislative actions; by sponsoring Cuba educational events; and by linking people interested in shifting U.S. foreign policy through our on-line community. We provide concrete ways to establish networks of scientists, professionals, students, organizations and regular U.S. citizens within the US and Cuba as a strategy toward the normalization of relations.
Since 1989 Global Exchange has played a leading role in the effort to normalize relations with Cuba, our neighbor. Our primary goals are:
- Get Cuba removed from the U.S. list of potential terrorist countries.
- End the U.S. embargo on Cuba.
- End travel restrictions between the U.S. and Cuba.
This is their version of la revolución:
Under such leaders as fidel castro and che guevara, among others, the Cuban Revolution burst onto the international scene on January 1, 1959--overthrowing the U.S. -supported dictator Fulgencio Batista--with a commitment to feed, clothe, house, educate, employ and provide health care for its entire population, a formerly unrealizable dream.
Who controls U.S. Cuba policy?
Until recently the only voice speaking for the large (one million) Cuban American immigrant population was the ultra conservative Cuban American National Foundation which has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for the coffers of politicians willing to support legislation is support of the embargo. The day Senator Jesse Helms addressed a luncheon vowing to sponsor the Helms Burton Act, he received a $75,000 donation, President Clinton received an initial $300,000 for supporting the Cuba Democracy Act of 1992. CANF has also been accused of illegally working within the U.S. to Assassinate fidel castro and otherwise sabotage Cuban enterprises.
Today, there are increasing numbers of more moderate voices in the Cuban American community, lobbying for an end to the embargo, although may fear for their lives and property due to the aggressive tactics often employed by their right wing opponents.
Read the whole thing here at Global Exchange.
Contact Information:
Email: ofac_feedback@do.treas.gov
Compliance Hotline (202) 622-2490
Licensing Division (202) 622-2480
Cuban Violation Hotline - OFAC Miami (305) 810-5170
OFAC Fax-on-Demand Service (202) 622-0077
The sad thing about Global Exchange is that they go around saying they are a "human rights" organization when in reality they are a communist front group. Many Cuban Americans don't know of these groups - I have been trying to warn folks for years and now with the blogs people are finally taking notice. These organizations need to be stopped but they are getting large amounts of money from left wing fund raising concerns. There is one foundation - the Reynolds foundation that only exists to give away MILLIONS to organizations dealing with communist Cuba. I say, lets go after their funding!
Posted by: Mario | 05 January 2006 at 10:00 AM
Mario, there are so many of these groups, all connected. You start following the links and you find a very thick web, woven by the hard core communists in this country and elsewhere. You are exactly right about them fronting as human rights groups. That's how they attract those useful idiots. I don't think our government understands that the goal of these groups is a takeover by ballot. You're right, they need to be stopped. Thanks
Posted by: kathleen | 05 January 2006 at 08:29 PM