Last weekend’s Summit of the Americas underscored the reality — historic enmity yet rife with 21st century potential – that is the United States relationship with the rest of the Western Hemisphere, especially Latin America. Cuba, of course, was an issue, even if it wasn’t on the agenda. And the Obama-Chavez exchanges made headlines and wire photos.
Both Cuba and Chavez also provided more ammo for the usual suspects making the usual Sunday talk-show rounds, who don’t see merit in the American president taking something other than an arrogant, unilateralist approach to certain sovereign countries.
Almost lost amid the bombastic, partisan sniping (such as Sen. Lindsey Graham’s “Put up or shut up” decree to Cuba) are two developments well worth watching. Cuban President Raul Castro has indicated that “all issues” (including political prisoners) would be on whatever table he might share with the American president. He also conceded that, indeed, Cuba might been “wrong” in the past on some things. This doesn’t, of course, mean a market economy, free press and Jeffersonian democracy are imminent, but it’s a positive sign.
As for Venezuelan President Chavez, he has indicated plans to appoint an ambassador to Washington. Last year both the U.S. and Venezuela expelled each other’s ambassadors. But, no, he didn’t request an autographed copy of “The Audacity of Hope.”
President Richard Nixon, the consummate anti-Communist, talked with Chairman Mao, and history has affirmed it as an appropriately pragmatic move. But Obama shouldn’t deign to shake hands, act cordial or even sit down with adversaries who aren’t even mass murderers?