Ros-Lehtinen: Is Repsol-Spain-Cuba another BP-Scotland-Libya?
Congressional Desk
August 27, 2010
Considers reports of new Repsol deal as two more Cuban political prisoners arrive in Spain
(WASHINGTON) – U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Ranking Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, questioned if Spain´s interest in helping the Spanish oil company Repsol to profit from doing business with the Cuban regime is behind the Spanish government´s recent actions involving the Cuban regime and relating to its policy toward Cuba. Statement by Ros-Lehtinen:
"With Spain´s Repsol already drilling for oil off the Cuban coast, I am concerned that a desire to help sweeten big-money deals between Repsol and the Cuban regime could be influencing the Spanish government´s policy toward Cuba.
"We´ve seen before how corporate considerations can lead to bad policy moves. BP has admitted that it lobbied the British government for the transfer of Lockerbie bomber Megrahi from Scotland to Libya. I think most of us would be unable to keep a straight face if someone suggested that BP´s $900 million contract to explore Libya´s oil reserves had nothing to do with the horrendous decision to release Megrahi.
"Similarly, one can´t help but wonder if Spain´s role in negotiating and facilitating the release and forced departure of a small number of Cuban prisoners of conscience, which was a superficial public relations coup for the regime, curried Spanish interests a lot of favor in Havana.
"Two more political prisoners arrived in Spain today, bringing the number of prisoners sent to Spain under this deal with the Cuban dictatorship to 25. One of the 25 said just this week that ´I think we have been freed because the regime needs to clean up its image internationally.´
"Spain came to Cuba´s aid when the regime desperately needed to ´clean up its image,´ particularly after the tragic death of Orlando Zapata Tamayo. One can´t help but wonder whether Repsol will be making a few extra bucks as a result."
Repsol began drilling off of the Cuban coast in 2004. According to news reports, Cuba has current plans to drill seven exploratory wells, at least one of which is expected to be drilled by Repsol.
(WASHINGTON) – U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Ranking Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, questioned if Spain´s interest in helping the Spanish oil company Repsol to profit from doing business with the Cuban regime is behind the Spanish government´s recent actions involving the Cuban regime and relating to its policy toward Cuba. Statement by Ros-Lehtinen:
"With Spain´s Repsol already drilling for oil off the Cuban coast, I am concerned that a desire to help sweeten big-money deals between Repsol and the Cuban regime could be influencing the Spanish government´s policy toward Cuba.
"We´ve seen before how corporate considerations can lead to bad policy moves. BP has admitted that it lobbied the British government for the transfer of Lockerbie bomber Megrahi from Scotland to Libya. I think most of us would be unable to keep a straight face if someone suggested that BP´s $900 million contract to explore Libya´s oil reserves had nothing to do with the horrendous decision to release Megrahi.
"Similarly, one can´t help but wonder if Spain´s role in negotiating and facilitating the release and forced departure of a small number of Cuban prisoners of conscience, which was a superficial public relations coup for the regime, curried Spanish interests a lot of favor in Havana.
"Two more political prisoners arrived in Spain today, bringing the number of prisoners sent to Spain under this deal with the Cuban dictatorship to 25. One of the 25 said just this week that ´I think we have been freed because the regime needs to clean up its image internationally.´
"Spain came to Cuba´s aid when the regime desperately needed to ´clean up its image,´ particularly after the tragic death of Orlando Zapata Tamayo. One can´t help but wonder whether Repsol will be making a few extra bucks as a result."
Repsol began drilling off of the Cuban coast in 2004. According to news reports, Cuba has current plans to drill seven exploratory wells, at least one of which is expected to be drilled by Repsol.
Print
Email
