US govt pursues cuban embargo in Britain

[RedRalph]

A Somerset health shop selling Cuban sugar and a London tobacconist dealing in Habanos cigars are among British businesses told by a bank to cut their ties with the island or move their accounts.

Lloyds TSB has written to customers who have dealings with Cuba saying they will have take their accounts elsewhere, apparently in the wake of threats by the US government, which operates an embargo against Cuba.

The US has said it will prosecute any businesses that have any dealings with Cuba and also have a branch in the US.

The Queenswood Natural Foods company, of Bridgwater in Somerset, started buying sugar from Cuba last year and has found it to be a popular line.

Last month, the company received a letter from Lloyds TSB saying that the bank had "recently reviewed its approach to dealing with countries and entities that are subject to government and international sanctions across the globe in order to best protect its customers, its businesses, its people and its reputation". It was no longer prepared to authorise payments from the company to buy sugar from Cuba.

Lloyds TSB has told a tobacco importer trading with the island for more than a century, dealing in the famous Habanos cigars, that it must also make alternative arrangements.

Spelling out the new policy, Phil Markey, relationship director at Lloyds TSB, is apologetic. "I would like to find a way to continue to make these payments for you - the decision however is down to a full risk assessment process within Lloyds TSB," he wrote in a letter at the end of May. "I must advise you to find alternative ways of making payments to your suppliers with Cuban connections."

The Cuban embassy was critical of the bank's move, saying the Bush administration, in continuing the US's "illegal, worldwide economic warfare against Cuba", had been increasingly resorting to pressure through business and finance.

Businesses affected are angered by the decision, but some are reluctant to go public as they try and find other banks. "It is mystifying," said one businessman. "We are able to trade with China and Vietnam but apparently not Cuba. It seems a nonsense."
Lloyds TSB declined to answer questions on its policy over Cuba and whether it had been subjected to threats of legal action in the US. "We would not disclose details of our relationships or discussions with individual customers," said a spokesman.

The Labour MP Ian Gibson, chairman of the all-party Cuba group, condemned Lloyds TSB's action. "We will be taking action against this vindictive political campaign," he said yesterday.

About this articleClose This article appeared in the Guardian on Monday June 16 2008 on p4 of the UK news section. It was last updated at 02:51 on June 16 2008.

Why exactly is Cuba singled out in this manner? when is someone in american politics going to stand up to the Miami crowd? This acheives nothing whatsoever

 

[bhsup]

Why exactly is Cuba singled out in this manner? when is someone in american politics going to stand up to the Miami crowd? This acheives nothing whatsoever

I agree it should not be singled out. We should cut all trade ties with the PRC, Vietnam, et cetera, immediately as well.

 

[Mise]

I don't understand what jurisdiction the US has over British companies operating in Britain with British bank accounts. The US gov't could certainly prosecute the US retail banking arm of Lloyds TSB if the US retail arm were found to have dealings with Cuba, but I can't fathom how it could prosecute the British retail arm for allowing its British customers to do deals with Cuba.

The government really needs to show some backbone in this, or forever allow US courts to dictate British foreign policy.

 

[RedRalph]

I agree it should not be singled out. We should cut all trade ties with the PRC, Vietnam, et cetera, immediately as well.

Is Saudi arabia included in the et cetera?

 

[bhsup]

They aren't commies.

 

[RedRalph]

They aren't commies.

No, they arent. Would you rather live there or Vietnam?

 

[bhsup]

No, they arent. Would you rather live there or Vietnam?

Not going to pick either. I'll stick with Missouri.

 

[RedRalph]

Not going to pick either. I'll stick with Missouri.

Vietnam, in other words. Nice dodge.

 

[Beaver Cleaver]

They aren't commies.

A quote from a simpleton? No?

It never cease to amaze me that there are still new generations of my fellow Americans making that statement.

 

[ArmpitofDoom]

Well, China is communist too, but it's okay to trade with them? We sure have stimulated their economy while sacrificing ours. I don't get the double standard.

 

[bhsup]

Vietnam, in other words. Nice dodge.

No, neither. Have you never noticed the decidedly anti-communist leanings of my posts here?

A quote from a simpleton? No?

It never cease to amaze me that there are still new generations of my fellow Americans making that statement.

What "new" generation would that be, Theodore? I grew up under the threat of the Soviet Union's missiles and thank God Reagan helped put that beast six feet under. I applaud our government's stance towards Cuba and just wish they would be more uniform with it.

 

[Beaver Cleaver]

No, neither. Have you never noticed the decidedly anti-communist leanings of my posts here?



What "new" generation would that be, Theodore? I grew up under the threat of the Soviet Union's missiles and thank God Reagan helped put that beast six feet under. I applaud our government's stance towards Cuba and just wish they would be more uniform with it.

Placing God's name in vain before President Reagan, and crediting him of destroying the SOviet Union is classic example how one continues to believe in the old-fashioned indoctrines that was the result by being forced-fed by blind Patriotic American Parents and their lovely school system.

How does your scales feel? Old-dinosaur.

 

[Traitorfish]

No, neither. Have you never noticed the decidedly anti-communist leanings of my posts here?

I don't believe he gave "none of the above" as a possible answer.

 

[Shaihulud]

I suppose a nation can do what it pleases, although it is so very very petty.

 

[Cato the Elder]

Well this is stupid.

All the more reason for Obama to win then. He might not be a messiah but at least he's not planning on keeping the embargo this strict.

 

[nonconformist]

VRWC, should the US cut all ties with Russia?

 

[Valka D'Ur]

It isn't only Britain they've been dictating to. Several years ago in Canada, there was an uproar when the U.S. tried to dictate whether or not a Canadian company could do business with Cuba if it also had holdings/business dealings with the U.S.

Canadians were not impressed.

 

[Pannonius]

They aren't commies.

So, anyting goes as long they aren't commies?

 

[RedRalph]

Oh yeah, sounds familliar... theyw ouldnt let some Cuban delegation stay in a hotel or somehting?

 

[nonconformist]

If anything, this is a reason to fully support the strenghtening of the EU and China, to destabilise American interests.