Our goal was to discuss possible exchange programs and learn as much as possible about current life in Cuba. Several members of our delegation, who had been in Cuba in the '80s and early '90s, noted how much Cuba's new openness to foreign investment and tourism had brightened the appearance and atmosphere in Havana. Tourists from Canada, Europe and even the U.S. were conspicuous and spending freely. Cuba remains poor. Most sidewalks and many buildings are in disrepair, and consumer goods generally are available only to tourists.
Heavy pollution casts a shroud over Havana.
Yet there was also evidence of new construction, building renovation and modern buses for public transportation. Alarcon emphasized that the most important Cuban condition to normalization was an acknowledgement of Cuba's sovereignty, which would assure that the island is not to be treated as if it were part of the United States. Though our discussions were open and cordial, we did not agree on the meaning of human rights, the importance of a free press in relation to the government, or on what constitutes good journalism. Nor did we agree on which country was most responsible for the chronic conflict that has afflicted the citizens of both countries for more than 40 years. We did agree that there is no rational basis for the United States to continue to impose an embargo against Cuba.