GEORGIA GOVERNOR SONNY PERDUE LEADS 40 PLUS TRADE DELEGATION TO CUBA

By R. A. Pearson

After a three day junket to the Caribbean island nation of Cuba in early June, Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue called for freer trade between the United States and the communist nation, saying it would help the longtime foes resolve their differences. Perdue, a Republican, indicated he hoped the two countries would improve relations “very soon” so they “can join the hearts of our people in what would be the best outcome for both nations.” He added he is in favor of expanding trade between his country and Cuba.

Sonny Perdue arrived in Cuba leading some 43 lawmakers, officers, and representatives from agribusiness and the University of Georgia. According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, Georgia is the third largest among the 50 states in exports to Cuba. So far in 2010 Georgia has exported to Cuba almost 16.3 million U.S. dollars worth of food such as chicken, pork, sausages, soybean, and margarine.

Perdue’s schedule did not include a meeting with President Raul Castro or his older brother and former leader of Cuba, Fidel. The group did meet with directors of the Cuban Chamber of Commerce and leaders of the company Alimport, Cuba’s state-run food import company.

Perdue described the trip as “very successful” and hoped that he would not be criticized in Georgia for having taken the trip although no trade contracts were signed during the visit. There was no report of how many boxes of Cuban cigars were brought back to Georgia by junketeers.

The problem is the 43-person junket has come under fire from both Republican and Democratic sources, especially for the number of individuals who accompanied Governor Perdue during the trip to Cuba. With the state now issuing furloughs to state workers, even State Patrolmen. The state’s lack of revenue has forced a cutback in the number of teachers, a lowering of the number of days in the school year, and packing more and more children into Georgia’s classrooms. With all these cuts and sacrifices on the state’s plate, a 43-person trip to Cuba for a two day sit down with the Cuban Chamber of Commerce and its state-run food import company seems a little excessive to many political and even casual observers.

Of course, Perdue could be looking to aid his post-political career with the Cuba move. With his not so successful tenure as Governor, he is sure to return to his successful small business in Houston County in middle Georgia rather than continue in politics. His business enterprise concentrated on agribusiness and transportation where improved trade with Cuba would truly be an asset.

In Cuba Governor Perdue indicated, “When we go back (to Georgia) what we will say is that there are opportunities for better jobs and prosperity in the United States as a result of trade with Cuba.” However, many Georgians are asking if the money could have been better spent, or, better yet, not spent at all. Another question many Georgians are asking is, “Did Sonny just pull another fast one like he has done so many times before?”

Editor’s note: Governor Perdue also took a trip to Uruguay and Argentina for a three-day visit on June 20; this time with a smaller group. Several state agencies are expected to share the cost of the two trips which will cost the State about $100,000. Today the state is believed to be looking at a $375 million short fall from next year’s budget due to Congress’ failure to pass the extended Medicaid assistance to states. Georgia legislators counted the Medicaid assistance when they drafted the budget.