Hague kowtows to a grim tyrant
I used to have some time for William Hague. Not any more.
I discover that this supposedly principled Conservative recently visited Cuba, that imprisoned island, and there met members of its repellent tyranny.
A spokesman says: 'He had a three-hour meeting and lunch with Cuba's foreign minister, including a vigorous discussion on democracy and human rights. This would not have been possible had he met opposition figures on the same visit.'
Why ever not? And if not, why go at all?
(EDITOR'S NOTE: A question we repeatedly ask of U.S. Members of Congress and their staffs who do the same when they travel to Castro's Cuba.)
Cuba is one of the grimmest dictatorships on the planet. Its leading dissident, Oswaldo Paya, is a man of great principle and lives under siege.
Would the Cuban Stalinists have dared to interfere if Mr. Hague had gone to meet him, as he should have done?
Mr Hague was accompanied on this curious trip by the mysterious Lord Ashcroft, widely known as 'the man who bought the Tory Party'.
What is he getting for his millions?
It's no wonder that in March of last year -- seemingly out of nowhere -- Hague called for the immediate lifting of U.S. sanctions towards Cuba.
It was all about business.
For more on the private jets, luxury yachts and business interests behind the Cuban foray of Hague and Lord Ashcroft, click here.
