The Foreign Service Journal, January 2004

There was no open debate on the merits of the U.S. candidate, Rafael Martinez, brother of HUD Secretary Mel Martinez. But several delegates privately expressed doubts about his qualifications. He is a Cuban-born lawyer who is best known for his expertise in medical malpractice and health law. Martinez’s defeat means that the commission for the first time will not have a U.S. representative. The vote also may have reflected hemispheric dissatisfaction with America’s unbending hostility toward Cuba. Many countries oppose Wash- ington’s long-standing campaign to punish the island through a policy of economic denial. So does a majority of the U.S. Congress. Both houses approved amendments in 2003 to ease restrictions on travel to Cuba. A pres- idential veto threat doomed the effort. With its eye on the Florida vote in the November elections, the administra- tion is working on a plan to hasten a transition to democratic rule in Cuba. A spring announcement is planned. Central American Warmth Against a backdrop of generally unwelcome developments in the hemisphere in 2003, Powell’s early November trip to Central America was a pleasant surprise. Nicaraguan President Enrique Bolanos and Honduran President Ricardo Maduro both lavished praise on the United States and endorsed the U.S. notions of the requirements for good gover- nance and economic growth: open markets, free trade, transparency in government, the rule of law and rooting out corruption. Powell was also well received in Panama, where he attended ceremonies marking the country’s 100 years of indepen- dence. No region in the hemisphere has been more supportive of the U.S. effort in Iraq than Central America. Honduras and El Salvador each dis- patched 360 troops to assist the U.S.- 56 F O R E I G N S E R V I C E J O U R N A L / J A N U A R Y 2 0 0 4 korman communities arlington CORPORATE SUITES arlington, va 880 north pollard street 866.korman.4 : kormancommunities.com live better. brand new luxury high rise : fully appointed one, one bed- room dens and two bedroom corporate suites : state of the art fitness and business centers : heated outdoor lap pool : custom made mahogany furniture : fully equipped kitchens : luxury towels and linens : soft, firm or hypoallergenic pil- low selection : weekday club breakfast serving Starbucks ® Coffee : afternoon Tazo ® Tea : digital premium cable and high speed internet : 27” and 20” sony wega tv and dvd : sony cd stereo : free local phone : on-site management, maintenance, housekeeping : concierge services : walking distance to ballston common mall, ballston and virginia square metro stops