Cuba
In 1959 Bonsal became the first United States Ambassador to return to Cuba after the Cuban revolution and reportedly attempted to find a working arrangement with the leader of the new Cuban government, Fidel Castro. Bonsal admitted that "animosity was inevitable", but he was hopeful that "at some point we can get down to a reasoned dialogue". Castro was critical of the arrival of Bonsal in the Cuban press comparing him to a colonial Viceroy, and dialogue was not easily forthcoming. On September 4, 1959, Bonsal met with Castro to express "serious concern at the treatment being given American private interests in Cuba both agriculture and utilities." Castro responded by saying he “admires Americans, especially tourists, for whom he is planning great things.”
Bonsal's reconcillatory approach was also poorly received by leading members of the United States Congress, who felt his methods were an appeasement of communism. He was withdrawn after serving barely a year in office. Formal diplomatic relations between the two countries were severed shortly after, and current US diplomatic representation in Cuba is handled by the United States Interests Section in Havana which remains part of the embassy of Switzerland.
Read more about this topic: Philip Bonsal
Famous quotes containing the word cuba:
“Bernstein: “Girls delightful in Cuba stop. Could send you prose poems about scenery but don’t feel right spending your money stop. There is no war in Cuba. Signed Wheeler.” Any answer?
Charles Foster Kane: Yes—Dear Wheeler, You provide the prose poems, I’ll provide the war.”
—Orson Welles (1915–1985)
“Education is a necessity, it helps to understand life. Like that compagnero in Cuba who talked about politics, back when they were on strike. He knew many things, that hijo de puta, and he unraveled the most confusing situations in a marvelous way. You could see each point in front of you on the line of his reasoning like rinsed laundry set up to dry; he explained things to you so clearly that you could grasp it like a good hunk of bread with your hand.”
—Jacques Roumain (1907–1945)
“Warmest climes but nurse the cruelest fangs: the tiger of Bengal crouches in spiced groves of ceaseless verdure. Skies the most effulgent but basket the deadliest thunders: gorgeous Cuba knows tornadoes that never swept tame northern lands.”
—Herman Melville (1819–1891)