2. MIAMI HERALD -- CUBA
Veteran Cuban diplomat being sent to post in U.S.
Cuba is sending one of its top diplomats to the Interest Section in
Washington, possibly indicating that the Castro government is interested in
improved relations.
Posted on Wed, Nov. 07, 2007
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/breaking_news/story/298475.html
BY PABLO BACHELET
WASHINGTON --
In a move that underscores Cuba's belief that relations with the
United States could become more critical in the coming years, Havana
is dispatching one of its most seasoned diplomats to head its mission
in Washington, several people familiar with the posting say.
Jorge Bolaños was ambassador to five countries in Europe and Latin
America and was once Cuba's No. 2 diplomat. He comes from Mexico,
where he was seen as a healing voice in the often rocky relationship
between the two countries.
The gray-haired Bolaños, who turns 71 on Wednesday, is expected to
take over soon after the Nov. 27 send-off party for the younger and
straight-talking Dagoberto Rodríguez. The United States and Cuba do
not have formal diplomatic relations but run quasi-embassies in each
other's capitals known as Interest Sections.
''He [Bolaños] is seen as a diplomat with serious clout in Cuba, and
this would potentially be an upgrading of that position,'' said Dan
Erikson, the Cuba analyst with the Inter-American Dialogue think-tank
in Washington. ``I think this is a sign that the Cubans see this as a
very delicate moment in U.S.-Cuba relations and they want someone
that is not going to make mistakes.''
Bolaños comes as U.S.-Cuba ties have stalemated.
With Fidel Castro ailing, Cuba's interim leader, Raúl Castro, has
said he wants better ties with Washington and Havana has sent some
modest signals, like sending some fugitives back to the United
States. But President Bush has toughened sanctions and made it clear
U.S. policy will not change until Havana makes bolder moves, like
freeing political prisoners and scheduling democratic elections.
Vicki Huddleston, a former U.S. Interest Section chief in Havana,
said the appointment of such a senior diplomat is ''respectful'' but
ultimately he represents someone Raúl Castro can trust. ''Given his
age, we can assume that this is a man who is not going to shake the
palm tree,'' she said.
Rodríguez reached out to U.S. business interests and nongovernmental
groups in an unsuccessful attempt to lobby Congress to change U.S.
policy toward Cuba. Cuban diplomats say they do not expect any
changes until a new administration takes over the White House.
Bolaños, a member of the Castro urban guerrillas who fought against
the Batista government, joined the foreign ministry in 1963, becoming
ambassador to Poland eight years later. He would go on to serve as
ambassador to Czechoslovakia, Great Britain and Brazil, before
returning to Cuba in 1994 and assuming the No. 2 position at the
foreign ministry.
He was dispatched to Mexico in 2001. Relations became strained after
conservative President Vicente Fox decided in 2002 to support
resolutions condemning Cuba at the U.N. Commission on Human Rights.
In 2004, Bolaños was ejected for three months over Mexican
accusations of unauthorized communist party meetings in Mexico.
But by the end of his posting, Bolaños was widely respected by
conservative and left-wing politicians alike. More than 100 attended
his July 10 send-off at the Cuban embassy in Mexico City.
Bolaños told the gathering there were difficult moments but that he
had made ''modest but resolute'' efforts to mend ties, according to
media reports.
Veteran Cuban diplomat being sent to post in U.S.
Cuba is sending one of its top diplomats to the Interest Section in
Washington, possibly indicating that the Castro government is interested in
improved relations.
Posted on Wed, Nov. 07, 2007
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/breaking_news/story/298475.html
BY PABLO BACHELET
WASHINGTON --
In a move that underscores Cuba's belief that relations with the
United States could become more critical in the coming years, Havana
is dispatching one of its most seasoned diplomats to head its mission
in Washington, several people familiar with the posting say.
Jorge Bolaños was ambassador to five countries in Europe and Latin
America and was once Cuba's No. 2 diplomat. He comes from Mexico,
where he was seen as a healing voice in the often rocky relationship
between the two countries.
The gray-haired Bolaños, who turns 71 on Wednesday, is expected to
take over soon after the Nov. 27 send-off party for the younger and
straight-talking Dagoberto Rodríguez. The United States and Cuba do
not have formal diplomatic relations but run quasi-embassies in each
other's capitals known as Interest Sections.
''He [Bolaños] is seen as a diplomat with serious clout in Cuba, and
this would potentially be an upgrading of that position,'' said Dan
Erikson, the Cuba analyst with the Inter-American Dialogue think-tank
in Washington. ``I think this is a sign that the Cubans see this as a
very delicate moment in U.S.-Cuba relations and they want someone
that is not going to make mistakes.''
Bolaños comes as U.S.-Cuba ties have stalemated.
With Fidel Castro ailing, Cuba's interim leader, Raúl Castro, has
said he wants better ties with Washington and Havana has sent some
modest signals, like sending some fugitives back to the United
States. But President Bush has toughened sanctions and made it clear
U.S. policy will not change until Havana makes bolder moves, like
freeing political prisoners and scheduling democratic elections.
Vicki Huddleston, a former U.S. Interest Section chief in Havana,
said the appointment of such a senior diplomat is ''respectful'' but
ultimately he represents someone Raúl Castro can trust. ''Given his
age, we can assume that this is a man who is not going to shake the
palm tree,'' she said.
Rodríguez reached out to U.S. business interests and nongovernmental
groups in an unsuccessful attempt to lobby Congress to change U.S.
policy toward Cuba. Cuban diplomats say they do not expect any
changes until a new administration takes over the White House.
Bolaños, a member of the Castro urban guerrillas who fought against
the Batista government, joined the foreign ministry in 1963, becoming
ambassador to Poland eight years later. He would go on to serve as
ambassador to Czechoslovakia, Great Britain and Brazil, before
returning to Cuba in 1994 and assuming the No. 2 position at the
foreign ministry.
He was dispatched to Mexico in 2001. Relations became strained after
conservative President Vicente Fox decided in 2002 to support
resolutions condemning Cuba at the U.N. Commission on Human Rights.
In 2004, Bolaños was ejected for three months over Mexican
accusations of unauthorized communist party meetings in Mexico.
But by the end of his posting, Bolaños was widely respected by
conservative and left-wing politicians alike. More than 100 attended
his July 10 send-off at the Cuban embassy in Mexico City.
Bolaños told the gathering there were difficult moments but that he
had made ''modest but resolute'' efforts to mend ties, according to
media reports.