INTERNATIONAL WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 2016 US, Cuba no longer enemies, but not exactly friends HAVANA: A year after restoring diplomatic ties, the communist island, urged the regime to safeguard return its naval base at Guantanamo Bay, end poli- directions. Cubans, fearing an end to their preferen- United States and Cuba are far from fully normaliz- human rights and famously let his hand go limp cies that fast-track Cuban immigrants for US citizen- tial treatment in the US immigration system, are ing their troubled relationship, which remains when Castro tried to raise it in a victory salute at the ship and pay it billions of dollars in reparations. flocking there in larger numbers: Arrivals increased haunted by Cold War ghosts despite cautious ongo- end of a testy joint press conference. A month later, But despite the lingering tension, there are visible 78 percent last year, to more than 43,000, according ing talks. In a reconciliation that was long unthink- Cuba’s communist party held a congress where it changes on the ground. Cruise ships now sail from to the Pew Research Center. American visitors to able, the two countries restored ties on July 20, defied calls for greater opening, at which Castro con- Miami to Havana. Travelers can stay at the Four Cuba have meanwhile surged 84 percent, despite 2015, 54 years after severing them in the aftermath demned what he called external pressure “to end Points by Sheraton, recently opened by American the ban on tourism under the embargo. of the Cuban Revolution. The moment was marked the revolution.” hotel group Starwood. And regular commercial In the United States, the question is how the by the reopening of Cuba’s embassy in Washington, His predecessor, older brother and revolutionary flights between the two countries are due to begin November presidential election will impact the nas- followed by the official reopening of the US embassy comrade Fidel Castro lambasted Obama’s visit, in the coming months. “It’s a very young process,” cent thaw. Both the Democratic and Republican par- in Havana four weeks later. telling Cubans not to be taken in by the US presi- said Arboleya. But it started from “total divorce,” he ties’ presumptive nominees, Hillary Clinton and But don’t confuse diplomatic relations with dent’s “syrupy words” and recalling the island’s long added. The former British ambassador to Cuba, Paul Donald Trump, have voiced support for the rap- friendship, cautioned former Cuban diplomat Jesus enmity with “the empire,” including Washington’s Hare, said both sides remain “wary” of each other. prochement, though Trump said the US should have Arboleya. “Cuba and the United States have never backing for the failed invasion of Cuba at the Bay of “They know that every sign of ‘normality’ will be made a “better deal”. In Cuba, the question is how been friends and probably never will be,” he said. The Pigs in 1961. interpreted as a kind of ideological surrender,” he long it will take for reconciliation to boost an econo- restored relationship is more like a “coexistence of said. “So they want to keep relations low-key and my left adrift by the collapse of the Soviet Union and opposites,” he told AFP. US President Barack Obama’s Cruise Ships, Hotels neither friendly nor antagonistic. Discussions on more recently the foundering of key backer awkward visit in March to his Cuban counterpart, The main outstanding grudge is the financial and transport, the environment, security, etc will contin- Venezuela. For Cubans, “the outcome has been a Raul Castro, sealed the rapprochement they trade embargo the US has imposed on Cuba since ue to be the low-risk strategy.” mixed bag,” said Michael Shifter, head of the Inter- announced in December 2014, but underlined the 1962. Obama has used executive power to chip American Dialogue research center. “This process huge gulf still separating the countries despite the away at it, but has failed to persuade a Congress ‘Mixed Bag’ has only served to reveal how deep Cuba’s political mere 160 km between them. controlled by his Republican opponents to scrap it At a human level, the rapprochement has sent and economic problems go, and how complicated Obama called for democratic reforms on the entirely. Cuba is also demanding the United States hordes of people across the Florida Straits in both they will be to fix,” he said. — AFP Republicans attending - and avoiding - Trump convention Bushes conspicuous by their absence

CLEVELAND: Donald Trump’s elevation to Republican presidential nominee is not to everyone’s taste in a party struggling to accept the controversial outsider as the list of those attending, and avoiding, the national conven- tion makes clear. The fragile unity of the GOP is on display in Cleveland, where observers are reading the tea leaves in the choices Trump and the Republican leadership made in deter- mining who addresses the party faithful. The event is hardly the glittery showbiz spectacular of A-listers that Trump had repeat- edly hinted at, after the former reality television star derided previous conventions as “boring” and stiff. Some big Republican names are off the marquee, and their absence may impact the future direction of the party - whose divi- sions were in the spotlight Monday as anti- Trump delegates launched a revolt on the con- GUATEMALA CITY: Police officers escort the corpses of two inmates after a brawl at vention floor. the Pavon maximum security prison in Fraijanes municipality on Monday. — AFP Of the major figures coming to Cleveland for the confab, the billionaire’s wife Melania Trump drew most attention as she spoke 13 killed in Guatemala Monday night - in the longstanding tradition of potential first ladies taking the stage in prison riot efforts to humanize their husbands. But Trump is pushing the boundaries somewhat by GUATEMALA CITY: Thirteen people were killings of 15 Nicaraguans and a Dutch adding his children to the schedule as well. killed Monday in a prison riot in Guatemala, national. The bishop had investigated Daughter Tiffany and sons Eric and Donald among them an ex-soldier imprisoned for atrocities committed during Guatemala’s Trump Jr. have speaking roles, as does daugh- killing a Roman Catholic bishop almost two civil war, documenting more than 50,000 ter Ivanka Trump, who has emerged as a star in decades ago, authorities said. “Among the human rights violations - most attributed her own right and has a slot on the conven- dead is Mr (Byron) Lima,” who was convict- to the army - during the 1960-1996 tion’s final night. CLEVELAND: Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump arrives onstage on the first day ed for his role in the 1998 murder of Juan armed conflict. of the Republican National Convention on Monday at Quicken Loans Arena. — AFP Gerardi, and died during a “brawl” among Lima was serving a 20-year prison sen- Rivals-Turned-Allies inmates, Interior Minister Francisco Rivas tence handed down in 2001. Three others, Retired general Michael Flynn on Monday short list. The two Cuban-American US Cleveland, including Senator Rob Portman of told reporters. A previous toll had just two including his father, a former colonel, were backed up Trump’s call for law and order in a Senators who ran for president this year, Ted host state Ohio, and Senator Pat Toomey of dead. The clash took place inside Pavon convicted over the bishop’s murder. While country reeling from race-related violence. Cruz and Marco Rubio, address the convention Pennsylvania. Both are locked in tough re-elec- prison, just outside the capital, after serving his sentence, Lima was considered Former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani also bol- late Wednesday. tion battles in battleground states. authorities tossed a grenade at the inmate’s one of the most powerful figures inside stered Trump’s anti-terror credentials. And Several lawmakers will take the stage, includ- Among the most conspicuous absences is “security detail”. Guatemala’s prison system. In 2014, a judge three speakers focused on the deadly 2012 ing Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell John Kasich, who battled bitterly with Trump for Rivas said the deadly uprising was charged Lima with leading a criminal net- assault on the US mission in Benghazi, Libya and House Speaker Paul Ryan, whose open hesi- the nomination. Although he did appear briefly linked to Guatemalan drug lord Marvin work that effectively controlled prison life, that left four Americans dead, and how they tation about endorsing Trump earlier this year by video, Kasich’s absence is particularly awk- Montiel Marin, alias “El Taquero”, who has including arranging inmate transfers, con- felt then-secretary of state Hillary Clinton failed sparked consternation among the party faithful. ward given that he is governor of the conven- been in the same prison for the 2008 jugal visits and access to phones. — AFP to do enough to prevent the killings. Trump’s running mate Mike Pence, the governor tion’s host state Ohio. People who know Trump The speakers included John Tiegen, a veter- of Indiana and a conservative evangelical through his company dealings will address the an who fought in Benghazi, and Pat Smith, Christian, has a prime spot Wednesday night, confab in order to shed light on the tycoon’s Police across US patrol in mother of Sean Smith who died during the and former House speaker Newt Gingrich, a business acumen, including Kerry Woolard, the attack on the US consulate. Politically, the Trump friend who was considered for the VP general manager of Trump Winery in central pairs after ambush attacks Monday highlights included former Texas gov- position, also has a speaking slot. Virginia. ernor Rick Perry, himself a onetime 2016 presi- Trump will touch on some cultural sensitivi- DENVER: Police departments across the times could slow for lower-priority cases, like dential candidate who had assailed Trump’s Conspicuous Absences ties Thursday when venture capitalist Peter country are ordering officers to pair up thefts, that typically require just one officer. campaign as “a toxic mix of demagoguery and But the political no-shows are even more Thiel, the cofounder of PayPal, becomes the after ambush attacks left eight officers nonsense.” prominent. Former Republican presidents first openly gay delegate to address the con- dead in Texas and Louisiana, a precaution Buddy System But he has since made peace with the pre- George H W Bush and George W Bush are skip- vention. But while 2012 Republican nominee that could slow response times to low-lev- Two-person patrols are the safest sumptive nominee, as many former rivals do ping the gathering. Romney is steering clear as Mitt Romney brought Hollywood megastar el crimes and drive up overtime for approach, but “what we’re seeing is the before they speak at the conventions. expected, after harshly criticizing Trump dur- Clint Eastwood to his convention, Trump fails already exhausted police. Los Angeles two-officer cars are responding to every- Neurosurgeon Ben Carson, another 2016 presi- ing the primaries. The 2008 nominee John to match the wattage. His celebrities include police assigned members of specialized thing, so there are fewer cars to handle dential hopeful, speaks Tuesday, as does New McCain is also staying away. That leaves Bob former “Happy Days” actor Scott Baio, “Duck crime-fighting units to back up officers the calls,” said Denver police Sgt Bryan Jersey governor and former candidate Chris Dole, 92, as the only former nominee at the Dynasty” hero Willie Robertson, and soap responding to routine calls. Baltimore O’Neill, vice president of the city’s Police Christie, who was on Trump’s vice president convention. Several lawmakers are avoiding opera star Antonio Sabato, Jr. — AFP police began sending two squad cars to Protective Association. “Our two-man cars every call received. Dispatchers in Denver are going out and working as quickly and urged officers to travel in pairs indefinitely effectively as they can, knowing that the and “keep their head on a swivel” to pro- calls are going to stack up. They don’t Activists: Trump imperils tect themselves against potential threats. want to see the citizens suffer because we Police in Fort Worth extended the order have fewer cars out there.” beyond their uniformed officers to plain- Two-officer patrols are not a fool-proof ‘critical’ race relations clothes detectives and high-ranking solution, and studies are mixed about supervisors. their effectiveness. Seven of the 51 offi- The new safety measures are some of cers killed in 2014 were in a two-officer CINCINNATI: US race relations are at a critical dates to decline an invitation to address the deaths, a federal code of conduct and an inde- the most intense since the aftermath of vehicle, according to FBI statistics. But if juncture and threaten to spiral out of control if NAACP annual convention. pendent board to investigate shootings. Donald Trump is elected president, say mem- NAACP delegates welcomed the proposal and the 9/11 attacks, said Darrel Stephens, an officer is shot, a two-person patrol usu- bers of America’s largest civil rights organiza- ‘Getting Worse’ warmly applauded Clinton’s call at their con- executive director of the Major Cities ally ensures the second officer can radio tion. “There are people out here who want to He spearheaded the movement that ques- vention for criminal justice reform, data about Chiefs of Police Association. Los Angeles and get help, said Peter Moskos, a former create a racial war and if we’re not careful we’re tioned whether America’s first black president, deaths in custody and tighter gun control. also ordered more of its helicopters to Baltimore officer who teaches law and going to fall into that,” said Moneuc Conners, Barack Obama, was born in the United States patrol the skies. Officers elsewhere were police science at John Jay College of 50, a former local NAACP chapter president and has been accused by Clinton of playing ‘More Racially Divided’ told to keep their guard up, especially Criminal Justice in New York. working two jobs in Indiana. On Sunday, a coy with white supremacists. “Caucasian peo- “We’re at a critical juncture,” said Terry Pruitt, a around police stations. It was unclear But two-officer patrols are difficult to black Iraq veteran, seemingly incensed by ple aren’t shot dead like we are,” says Oscar retired lobbyist attending the conference from when operations would return to normal. sustain for departments short on money racial bias towards African Americans, shot Arrington, a retired New York police officer Michigan. “I think we’re either at a point where “You’re on the street eight, 10, 12 and manpower, said Officer Robert dead three police officers, one of them black, attending the NAACP convention and angling we can unite this country and move forward, or hours. Remaining with that heightened Swartzwelder, president of the police in the Louisiana city of Baton Rouge. to get onto one of the committees. “It seems to continue to take steps back,” he told AFP. Neither sense of alertness for that entire time is a union in Pittsburgh, where the chief Just over 10 days ago, five police officers be getting worse instead of better because we was it just a question of law enforcement. He pretty big challenge,” Stephens said. called for fewer single-officer cars were shot dead in Dallas by a black sniper bent keep saying no more, we’re tired, it’s enough blames Republicans for not doing enough dur- “Doubling up those officers helps them patrolling neighborhoods. Most police on killing whites following two high-profile and right after that some other unarmed per- ing the Obama administration to create unity keep track of each other and helps them departments will continue to focus fatal shootings of black men at the hands of son of color is shot and killed by the police. It and help solve some of the problems. “From day feel a sense of safety.” It was unclear resources on high-crime neighborhoods, police. From the white man who killed black needs to be dealt with,” Arrington told AFP. one when you make a commitment to not sup- whether the buddy system might have in spite of manpower constraints, worshippers in Charleston to the gunman who The vast majority of Americans agree. More port the agenda of the president and to do prevented Sunday’s targeted killings of Stephens said. killed 49 people in a gay Orlando nightclub in than 80 percent think the country’s next presi- everything you can to dismantle some of his three law enforcement officers in Baton Some officers said a strain on resources June, the past year has seen a torrent of dent should place a major focus on improving vision and some of his desire, then you set up Rouge, Louisiana, or the July 7 killings of is worth it to improve officer safety during slaughter motivated by hate. race relations, which 63 percent say are “gener- the stage for war and conflict,” he said. five officers during a Dallas protest march dangerous times. The shooting of an offi- Conners says she is “praying” that pre- ally bad” according to a recent Washington “I hope with the right leadership we can with a heavy police presence. cer in Milwaukee on Sunday as he sat sumptive Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton Post/ABC News poll. NAACP president Cornell tone down some of the rhetoric and that’s why In some cities, doubling up means less alone in his police cruiser should be seen wins the Nov 8 election. “I do feel if Trump William Brooks, who has compared police I have a big struggle with Donald Trump. police visibility and geographic coverage on as proof of the buddy system’s value, said the Chump do get it, it’s going to take our shootings to lynchings, used his keynote Because how do you take back some of the the streets because putting two officers in Mike Crivello, who heads the Milwaukee’s world back,” she told AFP on the sidelines of address to urge the next president to commit statements that he’s made? How do you begin one car means other vehicles stay parked. Police Association union. “When there are the conference of the National Association to a five-point pledge to preserve black lives. “If to accept that he’s got the common will of all Some departments have compensated by two officers, obviously it’s double protec- for the Advancement of Colored People in you want our vote, if you want our support, the people and is a champion of equality?” asking officers to extend their shifts, further tion for both of them,” he said. The Cincinnati, Ohio. The New York billionaire, you’ve got to honor our pledge within the first Arrington said he was concerned by the scale straining those already on overtime from Milwaukee officer was wounded and who will be nominated Republican candidate 100 days and commit before you take office,” of support for Trump and predicted that a long nights of protests. In Denver, two offi- undergoing surgery Monday. “Had he had for president on Tuesday, has been widely he said. He demanded an end to federal mon- Trump presidency would sow discord. “He’ll cers already respond to most calls, either a partner, the other one would be watch- condemned for running a divisive campaign ey for agencies that discriminate, the forced probably fragment the country more,” he said. together or in separate cars. But response ing out,” Crivello said. — AP and is one of the rare US presidential candi- handover of internal documents, data on “It’ll be more racially divided.” — AFP