Barack Obama urged Cuba to embrace the free market in a landmark speech in Havana that championed economic liberty rather than political reform as the key to unleashing the potential of its people.
Ignoring calls to echo Ronald Reagan’s famous “tear down this wall” speech in Berlin, Obama drew another leaf from
the cold war playbook and focused instead on the role of capitalism in transforming society from within. “Many suggested that I came here to Cuba to tear something down, but I am appealing to the young people to lift something up,” Obama told a handpicked audience of 1,000 in the Havana theatre that hosted the last US
president to speak in the country, 88 years ago.
Although calling for free elections and an end to the detention of dissidents,
Obama’s trip has focused heavily on the growth of small business in Cuba as a
sign of internal momentum for change that can circumvent political stalemate.
“We have a clear example of what the Cuban people can build – it’s called Miami,” he said in Tuesday’s televised
speech. “Being self-employed is not about becoming more like America, it’s about being more like yourself.
“What changes come will depend on the Cuban people, we will not impose our political or economic system upon you. But having removed the shadow from our relationship, I must speak honestly about the things we believe,” added Obama. The speech, watched by the Cuban president, Raúl Castro, and many government officials as well as US-invited guests, was received politely, with most applause reserved
for Obama’s call on Congress to fully end the trade embargo.
“It is time to lift the embargo, but even if we lifted it tomorrow, Cubans would not realise their potential without more freedom to open a business.”
Source: TheGaurdian
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