Posted on 03/10/2005 9:58:28 AM PST by Crackingham
Louisiana Governor Kathleen Blanco accomplished what she set out to do during a three-day visit to Cuba this week: bolster business ties with a burgeoning market just hours away from the Gulf state. The Louisiana state delegation signed four key agreements with Alimport, the Cuban government’s chief food importer, worth $15 million — some $5 million more than Alimport’s initial proposal to the Democratic governor. The agreement included a $2 million pledge to buy 10 thousand tons of milled rice from Louisiana Rice Mill and 160 tons of powdered milk from the AnPro Trading company. Cuba also agreed to increase shipments through the Port of New Orleans.
Blanco’s trip was only the fourth by a U.S. governor to Cuba since the 1959 revolution. It came under heavy fire from some in her state’s Cuban-American community, who said it was a propaganda boost to Fidel Castro’s communist government. Upon her arrival in Havana, Blanco tackled the detractors head-on. “We think Louisiana needs to be ... in the markets of the entire world. We believe Cuba brings value and we should not ignore any value."
Prior to the accord, the Port of New Orleans already handled more cargo destined for the island than any other U.S. port, according to Gary LeGrange, President of the American Association of Port Authorities and chief of the New Orleans facility.
Pedro Alvarez, Alimport CEO, shipped his first purchase of American farm products back in 2001 through the New Orleans facility. “It’s a very important port for Cuba.”
The Louisiana trade deal falls under a Congressional exemption to the U.S. trade embargo that allows food and medicine sales to Castro’s government. Recently, Alvarez announced that Cuba now ranks 25th among food export markets for American products.
(Excerpt) Read more at msnbc.msn.com ...
Trying to get position to secure that lucrative cigar contract when the embargo is lifted.
Lock her arse up and throw away the key.
Fidel Castro: The Number One supporter of the US Trade Embargo.
Notice how she dropped Babineaux now that's she's won the election.
For all the flak Dubya get's for his speaking skills this woman, who was a TEACHER, is the most painful speaker I've heard in a long time.
How convenient.. being as Castro just announced a couple of days ago the gifting of thousands of rice cookers to the women of 'prosperous' Cuba..
Now they can have something to put in the rice cookers.
IIRC, this is totally unconstitutional. States are forbidden from concluding agreements with foreign powers.
buying goods from communist China = good.
selling goods to communist Cuba = bad.
yep that makes sense.
Alot of these replies so far are a COMPLETE joke....you sit here and bash her (yes she sucks ut shes all weve got right now!) and you bash her for dealing with commie Cuba......and then later tonight you same people will go to Wal*Mart and buy good from COMMIE CHINA!
I can't believe it! Another arrogant woman Democrat from Louisiana! I thought Mary Landrieu had the corner on that :D
"buying goods from communist China = good.
selling goods to communist Cuba = bad.
yep that makes sense."
Good point. You tell 'em!
Governors travel to foreign countries all the time to promote trade.
But to Cuba???
Promoting is one thing, concluding agreements is another. The US has an embargo on Cuba, therefor she is in violation of the law.
The Louisiana trade deal falls under a Congressional exemption to the U.S. trade embargo that allows food and medicine sales to Castro's government. Recently, Alvarez announced that Cuba now ranks 25th among food export markets for American products.
I will never forget those several seconds of dead air she provided to David Tyree's show.
Oh, she's a demoKOOK. Nevermind. That explains sooo much.
"Promoting is one thing, concluding agreements is another. The US has an embargo on Cuba, therefor she is in violation of the law."
Nope. Look at what the trade entails. Foodstuffs are allowed.
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