Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2009
| Subscribe to Newser's RSS feeds RSS | Follow Newser on Twitter Twitter


 OPINION 
5

RFK Wanted to Lift Cuba Travel Ban, Too

Obama should quash 'inconsistent' rule, says former AG's daughter

Share

(Newser) – Blocking Americans from traveling to Cuba is "inconsistent with traditional American liberties," according to the US attorney general. Eric Holder in 2009? Nope: Bobby Kennedy in 1963—who opposed prosecuting students who went to Havana and unsuccessfully pushed the Johnson White House to lift the ban. As daughter Kathleen Kennedy Townsend writes in the Washington Post, that travel prohibition is even more indefensible today than it was in the 1960s.

Barack Obama and his administration have taken an important first step in lifting restrictions for Cuban Americans. But 64% of Americans support free travel for all to the island, and lifting the ban would not only help advance democracy in Cuba, it would benefit relations with the whole of Latin America. "This is the time to normalize relations with Havana," writes Kennedy Townsend, "and take Cuba off the hemispheric agenda for good."

Boys play handball in a park in Old Havana, Wednesday, April 22, 2009.
Boys play handball in a park in Old Havana, Wednesday, April 22, 2009.   (AP Photo/Javier Galeano)
An employee of the Defense of the Revolution Committee reads an issue of Cuban newspaper Granma next to an image of Cuba's leader Fidel Castro in Havana, Wednesday, April 22, 2009.
An employee of the Defense of the Revolution Committee reads an issue of Cuban newspaper Granma next to an image of Cuba's leader Fidel Castro in Havana, Wednesday, April 22, 2009.   (AP Photo/Javier Galeano)
Robert Kennedy, who served as attorney general from 1961 to 1964, advocated a lifting of the travel ban to Cuba.
Robert Kennedy, who served as attorney general from 1961 to 1964, advocated a lifting of the travel ban to Cuba.   (Getty Images)
Robert Kennedy, who served as attorney general from 1961 to 1964, advocated a lifting of the travel ban to Cuba.
Robert Kennedy, who served as attorney general from 1961 to 1964, advocated a lifting of the travel ban to Cuba.   (Getty Images)
Barack Obama, left, looks on during the installation ceremony for Attorney General Eric Holder as the 82nd attorney general of the United States, Friday, March 27, 2009, in Washington.
Barack Obama, left, looks on during the installation ceremony for Attorney General Eric Holder as the 82nd attorney general of the United States, Friday, March 27, 2009, in Washington.   (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Cuba's President Raul Castro reviews the honor guard during a visit by Dominican Republic's President Leonel Fernandez, unseen, in Havana, Tuesday, March 3, 2009.
Cuba's President Raul Castro reviews the honor guard during a visit by Dominican Republic's President Leonel Fernandez, unseen, in Havana, Tuesday, March 3, 2009.   (AP Photo/Javier Galeano)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

The goal is not only the advancement of democracy in Cuba, but, as Robert Kennedy believed, a policy consistent with the sanctity of traditional liberties and
the values of a free society—our own. - Kathleen Kennedy Townsend

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
OFF THE GRID
11.24.09
Murdoch and Microsoft: The Mice Are Trying to Roar
11.23.09
Books Are Bad for You
5 comments
VIEWING:
 
Fondue
Apr 23, 09 9:26 AM CDT
YES WE CAN Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
0
ClingingToHope
Apr 23, 09 11:42 AM CDT
Lifting the Cuba travel ban, etc., will only help keep the dictators in power. Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
0
IN RESPONSE:
northeast
Apr 23, 09 12:55 PM CDT
Exposing Cuba to increased free trade will aid communism? You want to walk me through that one?
Vote up! Vote down!
0
SPH
Apr 23, 09 1:12 PM CDT
There seems to be an assumption that Cuba would allow Americans to travel freely...I'm not sure that is valid.... Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
0
Lula
Apr 24, 09 10:48 AM CDT
We have free trade with China, which is communiest, why not Cuba Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
0
LEAVE A
COMMENT Comment Policy
Facebook ConnectPost this comment to Facebook?

After connecting you will have the option to post your comment on your Facebook profile.

 

Related Newser Stories

11 Stories

 Travel to Cuba 
 Soars Under Obama 

State Department relaxes interpretation of the law

Oct 5, 09 1:55 PM CDT
(Newser) - Travel between the US and Cuba has soared this year, thanks to the Obama administration. The president hasn’t officially changed any policies regarding Cuba, but permission to travel in or out is suddenly a lot easier to come by, applicants tell the Miami Herald. Joan Brown Campbell, Elian... More »

MORE ABOUT:
travel • State Department • Cuba • travel ban • Cuban Americans

US Wants Informal Chat
on Cuba Ties

Casual discussions could pave road to 'open relationship'

Apr 27, 09 8:58 AM CDT
(Newser) - The US is inching toward loosening relations with Cuba on the heels of President Obama’s Latin American trip, the New York Times reports. Cuban diplomats are set to meet informally with US officials to “test the waters,” an administration official said, mulling future talks over migration, drug... More »

MORE ABOUT:
Latin America • diplomacy • Cuba • United States • Raul Castro • Obama administration • President Obama

Obama, Castro Say They're Ready to Talk

Cuban-American relations look set to be best in 50 years

Apr 17, 09 5:32 AM CDT
(Newser) - An unusually direct exchange between Barack Obama and Raul Castro is moving Cuban-American relations towards their warmest since the Eisenhower administration, the AP reports. After Obama said yesterday that it was up to Cuba to take the next step, Castro swiftly replied that Cuba is "willing to discuss everything—... More »

MORE ABOUT:
Cuba • Raul Castro • Obama administration • President Obama

11 Stories


Opinion  •  Politics  •  World 
TwitterFollow @NewserOpinion on Twitter

 
Cuba • travel ban • Kathleen Kennedy Townsend • Robert F. Kennedy • Obama administration

from our news partners