Raúl Castro of Cuba to Address Warming of Relations With U.S. at U.N.

Raúl Castro of Cuba to Address Warming of Relations With U.S. at U.N.
By AZAM AHMEDSEPT. 28, 2015


President Raúl Castro of Cuba is scheduled to address the United Nations
General Assembly on Monday. Azam Ahmed, The New York Times's bureau
chief for Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean, who recently
visited Cuba, considers what Mr. Castro might say and how it is likely
to be received.

What are Mr. Castro's priorities?
The main issues are likely to be the warming of relations with the
United States, the slow transition to a more market-driven economy and
the lifting of the American trade embargo.

The embargo could be the most difficult issue to address; lifting it
requires a decision in the United States Congress. For Mr. Castro to be
able to talk about this in New York, at the General Assembly, with an
American audience watching closely, will be a unique opportunity.

Mr. Castro will probably try to frame the lifting of the embargo as the
next crucial step for Cuba to open up to the world and to bolster its
economy.

How might Mr. Castro try to appeal to the international forum?
On the heels of a visit to Cuba by Pope Francis, Mr. Castro might do a
little grandstanding and take a few swipes at his neighbor to the north.

Mr. Castro spoke bluntly when the pope arrived in Cuba, denouncing
United States policies and lauding the Cuban state for its commitment to
equality. Again, he will have a global audience that does not often tune
in when he makes the case for his country's revolution. If he does shake
his finger at the United States, Mr. Castro is unlikely to go overboard
for fear of alienating the members of Congress who will be listening.

Will he say anything surprising?
Cuba has daunting economic problems, and the government is slowly trying
to make changes to increase revenue and lessen people's reliance on
public funds.

The state has announced layoffs in the public sector in the past, but it
is hard to know if it actually followed through.

There are persistent complaints from Cubans, and among business leaders
who are eager for new opportunities, about the slow pace of change. Mr.
Castro might address this, but he is not likely to commit to swift,
drastic moves away from Cuba's socialist system. He often cites China
and Vietnam as examples of socialist countries where business is thriving.

Source: Raúl Castro of Cuba to Address Warming of Relations With U.S. at
U.N. - The New York Times -
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/29/world/americas/raul-castro-cuba-united-nations-general-assembly.html?_r=0