U.S. Relations With Cuba

Re “Time to Look at Cuba,” editorial, Dec. 22:

We have to remember what the problem, now obscured by human rights considerations, really is: the expropriation of American assets by the Communist government. We want the assets back. How can we get them? It’s simple.

The president merely has to offer to Fidel Castro that he will lift the blockade and return to normal relations if Castro will return to us all of the expropriated assets (hotels, refineries, commercial buildings, mining companies, etc.) except for the land upon which these assets sit. As a result, Cuba would be in partnership with the American asset owners, sharing the profits. Castro saves face--Cuba owns the land, something dear to Communist hearts--we get the “improvements”; we run our businesses, as before; the Cuban people profit while we do--and the human rights problems easily take care of themselves. Would Fidel go for it? In a New York minute!

But we must hurry, because Castro is making these deals--involving U.S. assets--with others (Canadians, Spaniards, Mexicans, British, Germans) and pretty soon this solution will not be possible. Sure, the proposed situation is not ideal; but it is a workable solution that benefits both countries, turning defeat into victory for both.

OLIVER BERLINER

Beverly Hills

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It has been 34 years since the embargo against Cuba began. There was no reason for the embargo then and there is even less reason for the embargo now. The Cuban people have withstood constant pressure from the U.S. government and in particular anti-Castro Cubans in Miami. The fact that they still support their government and celebrate heroes like Che Guevara is evidence that the cruel U.S. government embargo has not worked.

The embargo should end immediately and Cuba should be allowed to trade freely with any country willing to trade with it.

BETHANY LEAL

Los Angeles

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Reading Robert Scheer’s Dec. 23 Column Left on the pope’s visit to Cuba, I wonder how many children, elderly, women and men suffering the U.S. blockade of Cuba are worth the Republican votes from Cuban exiles in Florida, whose only desire is to see their leaders govern in Havana. They couldn’t care less for human rights or socialism, for that matter. You can be sure they will never leave America to rebuild their country.

LEON SINGER

San Diego