Praise for Heineman's trade dealings with Cuba

Dear Editor,

I have family in the McCook and Cambridge vicinity. I was very pleased to listen to one of the Lincoln radio stations interview former Nebraska Governor Dave Heineman on Monday Dec. 12, asking his recollections about his first trade-mission to Cuba in the year 2005 when he met the former dictator (and President) of Cuba, the late Fidel Castro.

Heineman said that Castro knew about Heineman being an Army Ranger and that Fidel spoke for an incredible four hours. Heineman said he wasn't about to let Castro or the Cuban delegation get the better of the Nebraska delegation, so he and his entourage stood "at attention" during the whole four-hour speech. He considered it "one military man talking to another military man."

What I found fascinating is that the Cubans were wanting to buy some dry beans from Nebraska, but they offered a very low price. Heineman didn't want Nebraska farmers to lose money, so they proceeded to walk out. Then an aide to Castro finally relented and Cuba agreed to the Nebraska price.

Heineman speculated that Castro knew it would be embarrassing for Cuba to have any (any) American Governor to come home from a trade meeting only to report that the Cubans hadn't negotiated in good faith. I am pleased that former Governor Heineman stood his ground.

I just saw former Governor Heineman, in-person, just about four months ago. He looks as distinguished as ever as did his wife. I commend him on his leadership skills.

I had to chuckle when I heard Heineman say that he never saw a finer pair of freshly ironed and starched military khakis than he saw on Fidel Castro that day during the four hour tirade. He noted Castro did not stop for a break, nor any sips of water ----nothing. And that it took two language interpreters to trade-off turns at interpreting, to keep-up with the then-vigorously robust Fidel-of-yesteryear with his arms swinging and flailing with emotion.

I supported President Kennedy's trade-embargo in the beginning. Of course, agriculture and medicine were exempted, thus enabling Gov. Heineman's 2005 trip to Cuba. I am hopeful that more doors will open regarding Nebraska trading with Cuba. The Cubans shouldn't be relegated to driving 1950's-era American automobiles where spare-parts are scarce.

Even if they buy smaller American farm tractors it would be a step upward for them. I am now supportive of the trade-embargo being lifted. However, as Heineman correctly pointed-out: Currently Cuba is a cash-strapped nation. By loosening tourism, it will give Cubans that boost of income in which to hopefully buy Nebraska Ag products in the future.

Heineman feels that Raul Castro won't serve much longer and new openings may come about, then. Actually, I feel that Raul Castro is a smarter man than his brother and he may open economic doors to Nebraska even during his lifetime. Let us hope so.

Sincerely,

James A. Marples

Longview, Texas