U.S. Rep Gregory W. Meeks Statement Regarding The President’s New Cuba Policy

U.S. Rep Gregory W. Meeks Statement Regarding The President’s New Cuba Policy

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Gregory W. Meeks released the following statement regarding the release of Alan Gross, and American contractor who has been detained in Cuba for the past five years and the Administration’s new Cuba policy:

“I applaud President Obama for successfully negotiating the release of Alan Gross, an American contractor who had been detained in Cuba for the past five years, and for taking critical steps to normalize U.S.-Cuba relations. I also applaud the negotiated release of a U.S. intelligence agent who had been imprisoned in Cuba for nearly 20 years.

“This is a historic moment which will take both our countries in a new and more positive direction after over five decades of severed diplomatic relations. American policy toward Cuba since 1961 has left us out of sync with our neighbors in the region, has blocked investment and trade opportunities for U.S. businessmen and farmers, has kept families apart, and has done nothing to change Cuba’s politics. Today, that is all changing, and America is stronger for it. We will be closer to our allies in the region who have been open to Cuba while we have not.

“I have visited Cuba many times and have worked tirelessly throughout my years in Congress to foster improved relations between the United States and Cuba, and I believe the President’s actions today are good for both our countries, and our hemisphere. American businesses will benefit, U.S. citizens will be able to travel to Cuba and send remittances to their relatives, and, by re-opening an embassy in Havana, we will all be safer. Likewise, Cubans will receive new freedoms as a result of today’s negotiations, they will have greater access to the internet, and they will be less isolated from the democratic and humanitarian ideals we champion here in America and throughout the region.

“The world often looks to the United States to be a leader militarily. Today, the world can look to us as a champion of diplomacy. We have shown our neighbors in the Western Hemisphere and indeed the rest of the “world that we are committed to building new partnerships, that we are not beholden to antiquated policies, and that we are optimistic about what is possible through dialogue and diplomacy.

“I look forward to supporting continued advancements as the Obama Administration reestablishes diplomatic relations.” [End]