End The Cuban Embargo !

A delegation from the Congressional Black Caucus went to Cuba this week and met with both of the Castro brothers (Fidel and Raul). They were very warmly received. In fact, Fidel Castro wrote in the Cuban newspaper Granma, "I value the gesture of this legislative group. The aura of [the Rev. Martin] Luther King is accompanying them. Our press has given broad coverage of their visit. They are exceptional witnesses to the respect that U.S. citizens visiting our homeland always receive."

Speaking for the congressional group, Rep. Barbara Lee (D-California) said, "Our purpose was to see if there were preconditions on the Cuban side. We heard that there were no preconditions. And, in fact, we wanted to find out if they were interested. We have to remember that every country in Latin America, 15 countries, have normal relations with Cuba. ... We're the country which is isolated."

Finally, we have some people from both countries talking sense. It is time we had serious talks with the island nation, with an eye toward normalizing relations between Cuba and the United States. But there should be no preconditions from either side.

In the past, the United States has always had a set of rather onerous preconditions to talks with Cuba. Basically, we wanted Castro to give up power and let us determine what kind of government Cuba should have. Those kind of preconditions were guaranteed to prevent any talks, and that's really what we wanted. We didn't want talks -- we wanted surrender.

The truth is that what kind of government Cuba has, or who runs the Cuban government, is none of our business. We would not let them dictate our government or leaders, so what makes us think we have the right to do that to them?

Cuba is a tiny nation and poses no real danger to the United States. There is no reason why we should treat them as an enemy. A normalization of relations would be a positive benefit to both countries. It is time to do it.

Hopefully, President Obama will listen to the members of the Congressional Black Congress and start talks with Cuba. Fifty years of a failed embargo has only hurt both countries. But in addition to no preconditions, we must show Cuba a little respect and treat her as an equal -- a country that has the right to determine its own destiny.

Cuba is no longer an American possession, and we must stop treating her as though she were (or should be).