I appreciated your Aug. 24 editorial on Jesse Helms’ decision to not seek re-election, which accurately noted the counterproductive nature of his career. Indeed, one with Helmsian paranoia might wonder whether Sen. Helms was an inadvertent, if not willing, agent for Fidel Castro. After all, the boycott he so fervently supported and the Helms-Burton amendment for which he is best known:
– Allowed Castro to blame the United States boycott for the failings of the Cuban economy.
– Gave Castro an excuse for the suppression of civil liberties on the grounds that there was a foreign enemy actively seeking to overthrow the government.
– Gained sympathy for the Cuban “underdog” throughout Latin America.
– Won Castro support in Europe in reaction to the threat of retaliation against European businesses for their dealings in Cuba.
