On the Right Side of History

MARCH 9, 2011

BY: CAPITOL HILL CUBANS

For years, Spanish companies have invested billions in the Castro regime.

Despite limited short-term returns (and the resulting high price of repression for the Cuban people), Spanish investors are betting that they'll be well-positioned for business opportunities in a post-Castro Cuba.

Meanwhile, U.S. advocates of partnering with the Castro regime argue that opportunities are currently being lost to Spain and other unscrupulous investors.

But are they?

Here's a look at the Libyan example from Turkey's English periodical, Today's Zaman:

Turkish investments in Libya, particularly of construction companies, are estimated to be between $8 billion to $13 billion. Under such circumstances Ankara is still hedging its policy towards the regime. In other words, it is not willing to cut its ties with Gaddafi and call for his departure as it famously did in the case of Hosni Mubarak of Egypt [...]

[O]ne should ask: Is Turkey right to hedge in Libya? After all, Washington did the same as long as it had American citizens on the ground. Obama raised his voice against Gaddafi only when it was safe to do so because all American citizens had been rescued. On the other hand, Turkey should also realize that sooner or later Gaddafi will have to go. It is time to recognize that the billions of dollars of Turkish investments are gone. Ankara should be on the right side of history.

The U.S. should remain on the right side of history.

As for Spain -- tough luck.