Miami's Cuban Connection

Miami Journalists Getting Paid by the U.S. Government

At least 10 South Florida journalists, including three from El Nuevo Herald, received regular payments from the U.S. government for programs on Radio Martí and TV Martí, two broadcasters aimed at undermining the communist government of Fidel Castro. The payments totaled thousands of dollars over several years.

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/15466239.htm

Cuban Press Silent

If you take a look online at the Communist Party daily newspaper in Cuba, Granma, you'll notice that it has been focusing on recalling the glory days of Fidel Castro's past, what Washington might or might not be thinking, and what other countries in the world are saying about Cuba. There is very little, if any, coverage of major events going on inside the island politically, economically or socially. Except for an interview with Raul Castro published some two weeks ago, there has been very little explanation to the Cuban people as to what the differences might be in the way Raul Castro will lead. The lack of an independent press in Cuba has again been underscored since Fidel Castro turned over power, temporarily, to his younger brother Raul.

It seems from reading the paper that the Cuban government is not ready to inform its people of any changes as they occur. Instead, the government has shown that it will spring change upon the nation at a moment's notice. Since there are no options flowing down to the people, the question is, how does the Cuban government know what, if any, changes or reforms they should undertake to improve the communist, centrally-planned economy?

Will Raul Castro Reform?

While I've been away from this blog, the topic of conversation about Cuba seems to be gravitating toward Raul Castro's declarations that he would support negotiating as long as the U.S. stops trying to undermine Cuba. This seems like a classic Catch 22. Raul is saying he is willing to negotiate. But the U.S. doesn't want to negotiate with him. They want democratic change. Raul wants the embargo lifted. But the U.S. won't lift the embargo until Cuba undertakes certain reforms, including amnesty for political prisoners and free and fair elections. It's the same standoff the two sides have had for decades.

The key question is: If Raul Castro takes just one step, such as giving amnesty to political prisoners, then what gesture of good faith negotiation will or should the U.S. take in response?