Media Advisory: Experts can comment on reopening of Cuba and U.S. relations


Wed, 12/17/2014

author

Christine Metz Howard

LAWRENCE – University of Kansas professors can provide insight into today’s historic announcement that the United States and Cuba will re-establish full diplomatic and economic relations. The U.S. will reopen an embassy in Havana, allow for visitors to return to the United States with Cuban goods and ease travel restrictions for those already allowed to visit the island.

The announcement came with Cuba’s release of U.S. contractor Alan Gross and a U.S. intelligence agent. The United States released three Cuban spies.

Scholars available to speak include:

Tamara Falicov, an associate professor and chair of film and media studies, is a scholar of Cuban cinema, culture and politics. She teaches on Cuban cinema and has led trips to Cuba for faculty and students. Along with speaking broadly about the momentous breakthrough of reopening relations with Cuba, Falicov can discuss Cuba’s Jewish communities, which worked to free Gross.

Falicov said there was hope that the Obama Administration would move beyond the outdated Cold War mentality in United States' dealings with Cuba. 

“Cuban culture is incredibly rich. It is a shame that people don’t have a lot of access to the cultural production and innovative ideas popular there,” Falicov said. “There are so many creative things there that the Cuban people have developed in terms of medical advances, innovations in conserving the environment, the arts and culture, all made with scant resources.”

To schedule an interview with Falicov, contact Christine Metz Howard at cmetzhoward@ku.edu or 785-864-8852.

Raj Bhala, associate dean for international and comparative law and Rice Distinguished Professor at the School of Law, can discuss trade, investment and financial implications of the decision. The 54-year-old trade embargo between the United States and Cuba has cost the two nations’ respective economies trillions of dollars and had far-reaching implications socially. Bhala can discuss legality of economic relations between the two nations once diplomatic ties are restored, what a new trading partnership could mean to the global economy and whether trade sanctions are effective or fair.

Bhala has a global reputation in the scholarship of international trade law, having lectured around the world and published an acclaimed two-volume treatise, “Modern GATT Law"; a leading textbook, International Trade Law, and more than three dozen articles. His latest book, “Understanding Islamic Law (Shari’a),” was published by LexisNexis. Bhala practiced international banking law at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York before entering academia and currently serves as a legal consultant to Chenerie Energy and other prominent organizations and firms. He has worked in 25 countries including Oman, Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh, Turkey and throughout India.

To schedule an interview with Bhala, contact Mike Krings at mkrings@ku.edu or 785-864-8860.

Wed, 12/17/2014

author

Christine Metz Howard

Media Contacts

Christine Metz Howard

International Affairs