South Florida Sun-Sentinel Editorial Board Posted October 11 2005
ISSUE: The new U.S. diplomat in Havana strikes a different tune.
A "less controversial climate" would be a nice change of pace. It's in the best interests of U.S. policy for Washington's latest man in Havana to show tact and diplomacy.
Michael Parmly settled in as chief of the U.S. Interests Section weeks ago. He brings a resume that lists several difficult diplomatic stints, including Afghanistan and Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Most refreshing is Parmly's indication, quoted above in answer to a question, that he seeks to lower the rhetorical volume between the United States and Cuba. By contrast, Parmly's predecessor, James Cason, seemed to relish being the Cuban government's Public Enemy No. 1.
During his tumultuous tenure in the Cuban capital, Cason appeared to go out of his way to antagonize the island's communist government, and to wear his vilification by the regime as a badge of honor. In particular, Cason's open support of dissidents and government opponents calling for liberalization rankled the Castro regime.
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Cuba Policy - neuer US-Vertreter in Havanna (engl.)
