Obama-Castro handshake more than just a gesture
When is a handshake not just a handshake? When it happens between the presidents of Cuba and the United States, two countries whose enmity has lasted well over half a century and resisted all attempts to normalize relations.
President Obama and President Raúl Castro briefly shook hands and even smiled at each other at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg during a ceremony celebrating the life of Nelson Mandela. Although looked at with skepticism, in Cuba no one really believes is was just a casual gesture.
In a phone conversation from his home in Havana, Cuban writer and political analyst Jesús Arboleya, was guardedly optimistic and noted President Castro had repeatedly stated his willingness to negotiate with Washington.
“It was a simple gesture, but I don’t think it happened in a casual manner,” Arboleya said. “Probably nothing really big is going to happen anytime soon, but clearly there is something going on and some small but significant actions have been taking place in our relations with the United States.”
Arboleya went on to point out actions such as President Obama’s words last month in Miami: “We have to update our policies. Keep in mind that when Castro came to power, I was just born,” adding that the U.S. had to be “creative” and “thoughtful” in order to bring change to Cuba.
Also, Arboleya said, 10 days later, Secretary of State John Kerry told the Organization of American States: “We have to continue to update our policies.”
Other instances of this new approach seem pretty clear. The Obama administration increased from six months to five years the duration of visas given to Cuban visitors to the U.S. Also, talks to restore normal mail service, which had been interrupted in 2009 after Cuba imprisoned State Department contractor Alan Gross, have resumed. This week a ship full of American college students arrived in Havana and is being greeted as significant step forward in the contentious relations between the two countries.
“Even after his death Mandela continues to promote peace, civility and the reconciliation of leaders and their people,” said Arturo López-Levy, a Cuba expert and Political Science professor at the University of Denver. “But let’s not exaggerate. There is a precedent for this gesture. Remember that in 2000 then-presidents Bill Clinton and Fidel Castro shook hands at the United Nations.”
Yet, nothing captured the impact of the handshake for millions of Cubans like this tweet by the author of the blog lapupilainsomne.com: “Obama shakes hands with Raúl: May this image be the beginning of the end of U.S. aggressions against Cuba.” Even if nothing else comes out of this historic handshake, it will always be remembered as a testament to Nelson Mandela’s unique powers as a peacemaker. ”
All these things are the result of cold calculations, but in Johannesburg both presidents exchanged olive branched and elevated a prayer for peace,” said Cuban journalist Lorenzo Gonzalo. “And Obama still has two more years as President during which many things can happen.”
After the historic handshake in Johannesburg, the mood in Cuba can be defined with two words: hope and skepticism. Let’s hope Mandela’s influence works its magic on both nations.
(From the New York Daily News)
