(2 of 2)
On a Reagan Administration. Some statements attributed to Mr. Reagan could be of great concern to us. We do not need a parade of warships in the Caribbean. But I've had enough experience in 21 years of political life to know that people usually take far stronger positions in a campaign than they would be likely to take when they get into office. The facts and the realities of the world are such that a pragmatic approach is best. The area needs to be bolstered economically. We look to the election of a new government as a hopeful sign in a sense because it will be starting with a fresh pair of eyes.
On Cuba. If Castro wants to be accepted in this region, then he must be able to prove his credentials by not exporting revolution or ideology. We are rather firm in our belief that he exported revolution to Grenada, and is exporting ideology to Nicaragua. We believe that Cuban expansionism will continue through its role as a proxy for the Soviet Union. The Cubans set up Jamaica as their espionage center of the Caribbean so they could have easier access to subversives on other islands, who could come here to deal with them rather than going to Havana and risking exposure. How can you normalize relations with a country acting like that?