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? 

Comments

[PT]

NONE. A recent article described how a Cuban dissident rather remain in jail than be beaten on the streets. Releasing political prisoners and dissidents from Cuban prisons without actively guaranteeing their safety is absurd. There should be no negotiating with Cuban unless ALL criteria is met.

[PT]

WELCOME BACK, CARTER!! I MEAN...OSCAR

[a different thought]

Raul needs to tak a whole bunch of huge steps. Why should one token gesture change the U.S.'s stance? The Castros cannot be trusted, history has already established that fact. Why should we ignore history, so it can repeat itself?

If this were a court of law, this is one of those cases that has to go to trial because plea negotitations will never satisfy either side.

[Walter Lippmann]

Raul already took one very signficant step.

For the first time in 47 years, he allowed U.S. military aircraft to fly over the island. This was significant enough that the weather service publicly thanked Cuba for helping the U.S. deal with Hurricane Ernesto. Yes, Ernesto, of all names.

You've posed the question backwards.

The United States imposed the restrictions on Cuba. In order to reduce the tensions between the two countries, the one which imposed the restrictions needs to take the initiative and remove them.

The first thing which Washington should do is stop limiting the rights of Cuban-Americans to see their families on the island. Then, it should simply end the restrictions on all people from the United States who want to visit Cuba and see it for themselves.

Cuba's political system is the same as that of Vietnam and China, but there are no travel, trade or other restrictions. There is no cold war, and hasn't been for decades . It's time to normalize relations with Cuba NOW.

Thanks very much,

Walter Lippmann, CubaNews
http://www.walterlippmann.com
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CubaNews

[nonee moose]

Walter:

Please, continue pounding sand.

[nonee moose]

Walter:

Please, continue pounding sand.

[Manuel A. Tellechea]

I have always believed that the last book of the New Testament was embargoed by the Vatican and that the real ending of that compilation would have shown the eventual triumph of evil in this world; for evil is everywhere triumphant, and since this self-evident fact must signify either the truth or falseness of the Bible, I prefer to believe that it does fulfill that last and unknown prophecy for mankind.

Castro's reported recovery, or simply the fact that he has survived at all, beard intact, dozens of rounds of chemotherapy, and is actually becoming more and not less cogent (within his always limited cognation), I take as conclusive proof that evil is always on the ascendency in this world, that evil, in short, triumphs because it is meant to triumph. In such a world death is preferable to life; and the Cuban people affirm that fact every day more than any other on earth (i.e. Cuba has the world's highest suicide rate). It must therefore follow that the life of Cubans is the most wretched of all God's disinherited creatures, and has been for 47 years.

The only question that remains to be answered is, will Raul, now the devil's viceroy in Cuba, continue his brother's legacy of evil? The answer must be yes. There is nothing that Raul can do to redeem that legacy, and he has no choice but to continue it.

[Manuel A. Tellechea]

By the way, Oscar, thank-you for the bone. You arrived just in the nick of time from your subterranean mission. A little longer, and real acts of cannibalism would have transpired a la Donner party.

[Jr]

I've always had a conspiracy theory about the US-Cuba relations . Does anybody knows what happened in the lost years (first 2 years) of the new cuban govertment after january 1959 ????
Why was the US (Washington) the first place Castro went after they made the new govertment in havana , taking consideration that at that time they had a new president and he was just the first minister . Wasnt him asking maybe for the recognition and the help of the US govertment ????? . Or just a coincidence that after the failed trip to Washington he decided to go to the other best bidder the ex Soviet Union ????? . Maybe just a coincidence that after those trips started the changing process in the cuban revolution (1961), he took the whole power , the nationalization of the american companies , and the proclaim of Cuba like a Socialist State . Why they didnt decide to make Cuba the way they wanted at that time ?????
Now the embargo is just a tool for both sides to keep getting the benefits from the fight , the cuban goverment cause what other reason they are going to have if there is not enemy to fight , if there is no monster who have an embargo that put limitations to the cuban population and economy??? , what other reason they are going to give to the cuban people to keep that lie about that the United States just want to destroy what they have , or the little they have ????? . On the other side , who takes the lead on all the measures against the Cuban govertment ???? they all comes from the hard liners cuban americans descendents , mostly all of them from the Republican Party , just coincidence that everything comes out on elections years , Ley helms-Burton (1996), the Elian's problem (2000), the ban for cuban americans to travel to cuba (2004), seems to me they just traying to keep the votes from floridians making a lot of noise about making hard their position about Castro's govertment . Not really in the interest of the cuban people or in the democratization of the country .
Not talking about all the money involved if there is an opening or a lift on the Cuba's embargo , what is gonna happen to the sugar industry here is S. florida if Cuba can sell his better and cheapest sugar here in the US , whats gonna happen to Floridas tourism if we all can go the better beaches like varadero and a lot more of stuff like that ????? .
Seems to me if that u give the chance to people in Cuba to see the other side , if u open the doors to information , they will change their minds and act towars a change faster than put it them against the wall .
If anyone there have a theory better than mine , I would like to hear it , cause to me hasnt been an intelligent direction what we have been doing and we still doing now.

[amp]

Yay, welcome back Oscar!
I understand old school Cuban Americans who passionately feel that exchange with a communist government, with a tyrannical government like fidel's, should be banned. However, from a more practical point of view, I feel the embargo has always brought more harm than good.
I am mostly torn by the travel embargo on Cuba. I tend to agree that an exchange of ideas can help promote change from within Cuba. If we must "negotiate" with Raul, let's open the doors to travel, or at least loosen restrictions. Let's start a Revolution.

[Manuel A. Tellechea]

"Will Raul Reform?"

Reform what? Or whom?

Himself?

Cuba?

The Party?

The System?

The Army?

Or will Raul do nothing?

Nothing seems a lot easier.

[Manuel A. Tellechea]

Fidel Castro in pajamas and a silk gold-brocaded Oriental robe.

Coupled with his Adidas leasure suit, has the Cuban people seen such splendor in casual wear in 47 years?

Cubans, who are allowed to buy one pair of underwear every two years, must really marvel at this thing called "pajamas."

To paraphrase an old Cuban song:

"Trabaja, negro, trabaja, pa' que Fidel viva de tu sudor..."

[Walter Lippmann]

Not sure when was the last time Manual A. Tellechea was in Cuba, but anyone who has the money can buy an Adidas leisure suit at the Adidas store on Neptuno, just west of Galeano. The place is constantly packed so someone must have some money.

All of Cuba's athletes travelling abroad and winning all those competitions are wearing Adidas, too. Who knows, maybe the company just gives a set to the Cuban president?

Anyone can buy pajamas in Cuba, as long as they have the money. Just like here.

Walter Lippmann

[Manny o.]

Walter,

Please dont be so naive. How is it that you know exactly what corner the addidas store is at, and yet you still believe that any "ordinary" citizen can just go in and buy one? Do you really believe the average person has money to go and buy an addidas warm up suit? The only way to buy this stuff is if you are a memeber of the right political party and are connected in some way. If the cuban people could afford or be allowed to shop at these stores, we would not be having this conversation.An really, being able to buy a warm up suit is not even the issue her. Try expressing your political opinion on the corner of Neptuno, just west of galeano and see what happens.

Sera imbesile?

[manny o.]

By the way, sorry for the misspelled words. I just woke up and have not finished my cafecito yet.

[a different thought]

Walter said, "but anyone who has the money can buy an Adidas leisure suit at the Adidas store on Neptuno, just west of Galeano. The place is constantly packed so someone must have some money" Really? If this is so true and these desired Adidas work out suits so available why is it that only Castro and party members are photographed wearing them? Come one guys, now that Oscar har resurfaced let's leave the twilight zone and operate in reality. In reality no one in Cuba has the access to one of those suits, just like they have access to little else, thanks to Castro and meglamaniacal experiaments for 40 years.

[Manuel A. Tellechea]

"Anybody who has any money can buy it." Well, there's the rub, isn't it? Castro has monopolized all the money in Cuba, which from whatever source or destination, must first flow through him, and the old sponger lets very little trickle down to his hapless people.

It's not even right to say that everybody is allowed to look at these articles from the street, for lingering too long over them will identify you are as a social misfit or malcontent and very quickly you will be written down as such with all the attendant repercussions.

In Cuba, it is not legal even to dream about possessing such emblems of consumerism. To survive in Cuba plebes must never forget their place (which is always at the back of the line).

And by the way, Lippman, I haven't been in Cuba in 47 years, and still I know more about the island that you do. You must be quite a sight on the streets of Havana with your blinkers firmly screwed to your head.

[Carlos]

Oscar, Welcome back, we missed your blogging.
I don't think the embargo should be touched unless there is major reform in Cuba. They have to prove to us that they are beginning change towards a democratic government.
Carlos

[usambcuba]

Welcome back Oscar and all. I had been away and when I returned saw nothing had been posted new in weeks. Finally, a new posting.

-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?

The release of all political prisoners in both countries would be a positive gesture. The Cubans should release imprisoned dissidents and political prisoners. We should pardon and release the five Cuban nationals, the "Miami 5". We should also seek information on and extradition of the numerous U.S. fugitives who are in Cuba and seek to return those incorrigible criminal Cuban aliens who languish in the penitentiary system here, return them to Cuba.

JR in the previous posting aboves raises an excellent question - what happened in those two years 1959-1961. Castro did come to the U.S. in April of 1959, seeking the return of over 400 million dollars deposited in U.S. banks stolen from the Cuban treasury by Batista and his cronies, and the extradition of Batista members accused of torture and other heinous crimes. That was denied. Relations spiraled downward from there. The Soviets saw an opening and drew Castro into their sphere. Then Bay of Pigs, Missile Crisis.
Robert McNamara, the former Defense Secretary, sheds some light on the thinking at the time in the documentary, The Fog of War. The last straw on the breakdown in relations, was the refusal to refine Soviet crude oil by the Esso, Shell, and Texaco refineries in Cuba. That triggered the formal break in diplomatic relations. The embargo came right after the expropriation of US owned assets in Cuba.

But all of this is a big leap and requires at some level, an acknowledgment, a mutuality between both countries. The community in Miami is regretfully bound and driven by hatred and vengeance. More violence and bloodshed will not rectify the violence and bloodshed in the past.

The big mistake still being made is that the embargo is somehow the linchpin to get the Cuban government to change.

How do you point out and challenge the fallacies and treachery of communism and authoritarianism?

Economic sanctions and the resulting isolation, and humiliation are poor motivators for democracy.

Based upon results, we have failed to humiliate Cuba into democracy. Why not change course? Isn't 47 years of insanity enough? And waiting for the Castros to die? When is that going to happen?

Why must Cuban Americans and their families suffer? Why must Americans be denied their right to travel if they want to go to Cuba? Why must American companies be denied the opportunity to establish direct trade and commerce with Cuba? Why must the American taxpayer endure the waste of our money for projects and policies that are failures? Why do we support embargo welfare?

You want democratic change in Cuba. Expose it and introduce it to the agents of democratic change, the American people, the Cuban American family, and American goods and services.

As I have stated many times before, our policy with Cuba is a political whore, big business for those who benefit from it - and both Castro and the Miami crowd mutually serve each other this way, unprincipled, and incongruent with precepts of foreign policy.

[nonee moose]

U-sam:

Don't whores get paid BEFORE? Well, there you go. Why buy the cow and all that...

[Manuel A. Tellechea]

usambcuba:

Yes, you are right, you have said all this before, many times; and always with a few "incongruents" thrown in to flavor the olla podrida. In the end, however, it is always unpalatable.

So the U.S. has "failed to humiliate Cuba into democracy." Well, I guess Castro hasn't humiliated Cuba by denying it democracy. Only those who want democracy for Cuba are guilty of "humiliating" Cuba.

With such convoluted reasoning, the moon may well be made of cheese.

[usambcuba]

Yes, I agree, our policy with Cuba is both rotten and unpalatable.

You must think the moon is made of cheese, because you keep repeating the same mistake and believe something different is going to happen.

Understand and accept this - We are not going to bring democracy to Cuba with an embargo. Ever. All we have brought with an embargo is misery.

Yes, the United States has failed for 47 years to humiliate Cuba into democracy. That is a fact. Time to wake up, smell the coffee, and move on to something more intelligent and humane.

I want democracy for Cuba, but it sure will not come with an embargo or our present policies with Cuba. The Republican party thanks you for your votes nonetheless.

More important than my or anyone's desire for democracy for Cuba, is what the Cuban people's desires are. They must choose their own path. Our policy is literally in the way because it is being manipulated to justify the existence of the status quo on the island. We are interfering rather than influencing. There is a distinction.

You are focused on Castro. Obsessed. But as you see, even with Castro's illness, a succession took place and the sky did not fall in Havana. You also got to experience and see just how impotent the hardline community is in affecting anything on the island. Have you had enough?

You have to change tactics. And ending the sado-masochistic policy of the embargo is one. Castro is a master chess player and knows how to manipulate everything we have done in policy to his advantage and to maintain his authority, under the banner of nationalism and sovereignty. His economic ideas are weak, they cannot stand on their own without being propped up by another country. But we do not challenge his ideas. If we engaged him, distinct from embracing him, I add, we would have the possibility of a different outcome much better than what we have now which is nothing to show for the millions spent on embargo related policies and the human suffering we add to with this insane embargo. It is a reflection of the embargo in the daily life of Cubans and Cuban Americans, for example, that a phone call to the Caribbean costs less than 25 cents a minute, but a call to Cuba, about a $1.00 a minute. And heck, if you call the U.S. from Cuba, be ready to spend $3.00 a minute. Cuban Americans and Cuban suffer this, not Castro. But our policy is a collaborator in this. We don't give Cuba access to internet communication lines that are underwater, so they have to pay millions more to access it by satellite. And then we complain Cubans do not have access to the internet, and the Cuban government says internet access is limited because of the cost.

It would be great if we could find a way to engage and expose the folly of his ideas without disrespecting the sovereignty of the country or adding anymore suffering to the Cuban people with our embargo.

[Manuel A. Tellechea]

usambcuba:

Yes, Castro has a fist in every pie, and telephone service is one of his most lucrative ventures. It's two cents per minute to call the Dominican Republic, not 25 cents, by the way. So what Castro rakes in my charging $1 per minute can well be imagined. But that's how Castro's corporate plutocracy is run. It has always been run that way and always will be, embargo or no embargo. You might as well offer the mafia economic inducements to reform.

Incidentally, talk to me about "succession" in Cuba when Castro is actually dead and someone with a last name other than Castro assumes power, even temporarily.

[usambcuba]

Manuel-

actually I inquired as to why these prices are set this way. Calls to and from Cuba must be routed through third countries, why? because of OUR embargo. That adds to the cost and it is passed on to the people. The Cubans charge even more as I understand it because not only due to the third party routing costs but to also compensate for lost revenue denied access from blocked accounts, from our embargo. So in the end the little guy pays. Not Castro. And no democracy in Cuba either with the embargo.
In the late nineties through the fall of 2004, Cuba used the dollar as its parallel currency. Then our government fined a Swiss bank 100 million dollars due to alleged violations of the embargo. What did Cuba do? Make the "chavito" the replacement parallel currency, ramped up its foreign exchange, and began charging up to twenty percent on currency exchanges. Who did that hurt, everyday people. Who did it help, the hardliners and Castro. Thanks to our embargo...

Two cents a minute to call the DR? Lucky for Dominican Americans with family in the DR. I know Cuban Americans who it is an ordeal to afford to have normal telephone relationships with family in Cuba due to the cost. I know for Puerto Ricans now, some companies offer unlimited calling. I do not know the cost for the non-Latino caribbean nations.

Succession, transition, whatever you want to call it, Castro ceded power, albeit temporarily and his government continues.

Our choices are to:

1) Ignore it.
2) Humiliate it.
3) Engage it.
4) Embrace it.

Option 2 has been a big zero in the results column for democracy. But the Republican party thanks you for the votes and money nonetheless.

Option 1 is not possible when 6 million Cubans have family and relatives in the United States.

Option 4 is a nonstarter since our form of government does not embrace communism. We do have diplomatic relations with communist countries.

The only plausible option is number 3, engagement, even if at a nominal level, lifting travel and some trade restrictions.
Why shouldn't we engage Cuba? Why shouldn't Cuban Americans be allowed to visit and support their families on the island as they please and see fit? Why shouldn't Americans be allowed to freely travel to Cuba? Why shouldn't American companies be allowed to trade and have commerce with Cuba?

The other option I did not list is a military option, which is also a nonstarter.
There is enough blood involved in this conflict.

[Enrique]

Raul Castro debe dar el primer paso

Se habla mucho de que puede estar ocurriendo actualmente detras de los bastidores gubernamentales en Cuba y en Estados Unidos. Sigo repitiendo que en esta encrucijada habran ganadores y perdedores en ambos lados de el estrecho floridiano.

Independientemente que pueda pasar en un futuro cercano una cosa es elemental que ocurra INMEDIATAMENTE . Con fidel en vida o muerto.

La liberacion de los 330 conocidos internamente en Cuba como " disidentes".

Cuba debe de ofrecer un anmistia para poder empezar el largo camino de una reconciliacion nacional . En adicion a esto , la ONU debe ser permitida entrar a Cuba a inspeccionar todas las carceles sin previo aviso. Se trata de comenzar una nueva era donde lo primordial es respetar los derechos humanos de las personas , no importa su situacion ni crimen cometido.

Muchos paises de Europa Oriental debieron pasar por este proceso. Vietnam es un ejemplo donde actualmente se ha producido un gesto muy significativo. La liberacion de Pham Hong Son .

Tengo la certeza que si este primer paso es dado por el gobierno de Cuba, se facilitaria el camino para continuar otras negociaciones que sean del agrado de todas las partes envueltas .

Para evitar un baño de sangre en Cuba se necesita madurez politica, sensatez, deseo de hacer las cosas bien, pero sobre todo , es necesario que se le pueda consultar al pueblo cubano de una manera independiente y sin restricciones.

Propongo que en un futuro cercano se realize un plesbicito en el cual los 14 millones de cubanos podieramos decidir que tipo de gobierno seria la mejor opcion para el pueblo de Cuba...

Inzulza se pronuncia

Continuara....www.abajofidel.blogspot.com

[Enrique]

REVISADO DOMINGO 27 FAVOR LEER OTRA VEZ

Esto me huele muy feo. Ahora se envian mensajes subliminales ambos bandos. Para el beneplacito de pocos y la rabia de muchos en ambas partes de la laguna. Los escenarios son muy variados y complicados en estos momentos. Definitivamente no se podra complacer a todo el mundo . Habra perdedores y ganadores en este asunto.

Considero antes de todo que el primer paso debe de ser la liberacion de todos los presos politicos en las carceles cubanas, TODOS. Como un gesto de reciprocidad se le pudieran bajar las sentencias o quizas tambien considerar la extradicion a los 5 prisoneros cubanos en EEUU.

Referente a Posada Carriles ahi me reservo mi opinion pero su muerte natural ayudaria a disipar muchas interrrogantes.

Tambien creo que Cuba deberia inmediatamente acabar con la persecucion y acoso hacia los disidentes, tambien como un gesto conciliatorio deberia permitir a la Iglesia Catolica un protagonismo mayor y otorgarle a esta mayores espacios como acceso a la radio, la television, y la oportunidad de poder tener escuelas catolicas y facilidades para la construccion de iglesias.

Una vez logrado esto , entonces lo mas logico que se trate de negociar algun tipo de " nuevo estilo de gobierno" donde el Partido Comunista retiene el poder pero se abren otras areas como el comercio, la sindicalizacion, el internet, la radio y television extranjera, etc.

Raul Castro no asumiria el poder Absoluto de Cuba- El se quedaria al frente de Las Fuerzas Armadas( o se retiraria a España) y un grupo de " jovenes " compuesto por Carlos Lage, Alarcon, Roque y algun que otro militar serian los responsables de actuar como una junta de Gobierno al Estilo chino.

Ahi es que entran los Americanos y levantan el embargo totalmente. Las Compañias Norteamericanas aterrizan en Cuba y comienzan a hacer su agosto. El pueblo cubano al ver estas nuevas libertades obtenidas por muy pequeñas que sean estarian muy contentos y alegres.

Mantienen su identidad socialista, a su manera , pero obteniendo todos los beneficios de una Cuba en camino a su modernizacion , con trabajo para todos y oportunidades de obtener cosas impensables para ellos por mucho tiempo.

Esto seria un solo primer paso, no definitivo. Estoy seguro que despues de la muerte de Castro, la desaparicion de la luz publica de Raul , junto con la modernizacion de Cuba , entonces se podria pensar que un un futuro no muy lejano los mismos cubanos y los gobernantes de esa junta provisional exigan e implementen lo que todos queremos que ocurra mañana ELECCIONES DEMOCRATICAS CADA 4 0 5 AÑOS. Si no se sientan las bases para formar una especie de base democratica en Cuba, entonces debido a nuestra experiencia historica podriamos volver a caer en manos de otro dictador o un caudillo nuevo. Pensemos en esto

Todo esto es hipotetico y solo cabe en mi mente. Pensar lo contrario significaria que entonces
lo que tenemos que hacer todos los cubanos exiliados incluyendome a mi seria tomar la justicia con nuestras manos peleando y derramando la sangre dentro de Cuba.

Si se dan cuenta en mi hipotesis he dejado afuera al exilio cubano tradicional . Tal parece que la retorica comunista de 47 años ha echo mella en las nuevas generaciones de cubanos nacidos despues de la revolucion. El brainwashing es tan grande que aun explicandoles la verdad ellos siempre tendran una distancia marcada con dicho exilio y especificamente sus viejos lideres.

Cuando llegue el momento de la verdad el Gobierno Norteamericano le dara la espalda al exilio tradicional como ya estamos acostrumbrados desde Kennedy hasta Bush. Mucha retorica pero nada. Hay dos cosas que los norteamericanos quieren 1. que no haya un exodo masivo y 2. Hacer mucho dinero en Cuba.

[Dude]

Enrique - English please. Not all of us can read Spanish. What are you saying?

[another view]

David and Fidel

In response to all of your Castro blather: It is true that Castro is a despot, tyrant, egomaniac, and dictator who has taken many lives, ruined many lives, brought Cuba to its knees, outlived and out-governed ten American presidents since Eisenhower, and has been a major influence on all of us who live and work in South Florida.

It is true that hundreds of thousands of Cubans voted with their feet against Castro and his so-called revolution. They left their own country in fear, anger, despair, and hope for a better life. In the classic capitalism novel by Ayn Rand, Atlas Shrugged, entrepreneurs and industrialists also walked away from a government that did not appreciate them and wished to oppress them. There is the quote that states, "He was guilty of nothing, except that he earned his own fortune and never forgot that it was his."

Castro has also been the impetus of a multimillion-dollar industry known as Miami-Cuban media and politics. How often do local newspapers, magazines, and radio and TV stations report about Cuba and Castro each day? How often are Cuba and Castro mentioned in speeches and interviews by Republican U.S. Reps. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Lincoln Diaz-Balart, and Mario Diaz-Balart? Just like U.S. Sen. Joe McCarthy did in the late 1950s, all of them owe their existence, reason for getting up in the morning, celebrity, and years of a most generous income to the fact that Castro is evil incarnate. They have taken the opportunity to continually fan the fires of discord with the local population of Cuban exiles to "let them eat cake" (or pastelitos). They prolong the stubborn, stalemated, uncompromising fight between Us Good Cubans versus Them Bad Cubans. It seems they all simply wish to continue to stoke the fire even though the policy of an embargo and a very flawed and reprehensible wet-foot/dry-foot law has not been successful in these 47 years. They preach the same old stale sermon of let's continue to hold our course, even if the course has proven time and again to be a total failure.

Be careful what you wish for, because someday it might come true. Cubans wished for an alternative to the dictator Batista, Yugoslavians wanted to get rid of Tito, Haitians wanted to get rid of Papa Doc, American's wanted to get rid of the Democrats and replace them with George W. and his pals — and many folks wanted to get rid of the tyrant Saddam Hussein, and look what a mess that has turned out to be!

What will they all do when there is no more Castro to play the part of Goliath to their role of David? Will they finally retire or just find another Goliath?

Harry Emilio Gottlieb

[another view]

All Quiet On The Exile Front

By Alejandro Armengol

Messrs. politicians and community leaders in exiledom: You have been left out of the future of Cuba. Don't blame the Havana regime or even your "beloved president," George W. Bush. The responsibility is yours alone. Too many years living with your backs turned to the Cuban reality.

The country you can't even imagine, the nation that for years has been transforming for better and for worse, does not need you. There will be a place for professionals and investors of every kind, many of them residents of this city, but it would be best if those who for many long years have devoted themselves to living from anti-Castroism do not even dream of going to Havana with their démodé aspirations, their old-fashioned rhetoric and that perennial habit of pumping up piffle disguised as important events.

Don't deny that you had opportunities to change, but your arrogance and contempt kept you from understanding that it is impossible to return to the past. What can you say now? Everywhere -- in Havana, Washington, Caracas, even Beijing -- the chips are being cast, yet you have been told to not even rise, to remain seated and obedient, watching how others fix the situation in Cuba -- or scramble it even more.

Exile radio will continue to encourage rumors and to devote its space to feeding the hatred, revenge and illusions of those who while away their lives with fables and clumsy dreams. The old terrorists will continue to wait for death, unpunished by justice but frustrated in their plans. The politicians will pursue new triumphs at the polls without bothering to change their speeches. Exile organizations won't relent in their compulsion to organize a luncheon or a press conference every so often.

For now, those who make a lot more than enough for their daily bread from these endeavors don't have to worry. The situation on the island will need some time before it really begins to change. But every day it becomes more evident that, for the first time in many years, things are moving in that direction.

The difference is that the clock can start ticking at any moment in Havana, while in Miami its hands remain anchored, bogged down by dust and rust.

Author, poet and journalist Alejandro Armengol was born in Cuba and has lived in the United States since 1983. He writes a weekly column in El Nuevo Herald.

[Manuel A. Tellechea]

When, oh when, will "Another View" speak with her own voice rather than through any number of media proxies. I did not expect such artificiality from this Canadian professor and author, who is credited with editing several Oxford anthologies of literature as well as a coffee table book which celebrates Castro's 47-year tyranny in words and pictures.

[another view]

Why Does Washington Avoid Exchanges of Ideas with Cuba?
By Angel Rodriguez Alvarez
AIN Special Service
September 6, 2006

Washington's policy towards Cuba must have aseptic aims of avoiding
the contamination of American scientists, artists, writers,
journalists and others with the infective influence of the island.

There could not be any other reason for the increasing number of
White House prohibitions to stop or limit the free exchange of ideas
with the island in the fields of science, arts and people-to-people
exchanges in general.

If the United States in theory is the ideal society --developed,
strong and a universal reference in all essential aspects of human
existence--, as claimed by its ideologists, why then so much fear?

It is evident that today's Cuban society, despite limitations and
problems still unresolved, offers a very different panorama from
the statements made by US officials, right wing Miami-based
Cuban-American elements and a good part of the country's mass media.
The advances on the island in the fields of education, health, social
assistance and social security and the general organization of
society, place the country in a privileged position in relation to
the majority of Latin American nations and even above broad sectors
of US society. These contrasts are so evident that even the most
unwary visitor would appreciate the differences and could prove the
lies in relation with Cuba.

In Cuba a visitor will never see children wondering the streets, nor
homelessness, nor street protests demanding better wages - much less
people tortured or "disappeared. " They will see a society without
luxuries, but without contrasts; a place where all its citizens have
equal possibilities, are guaranteed their basic needs and live with
security.

The average Cuban is hospitable, speaks out, cheerful, optimistic,
has a high level cultural development and are well informed on the
situation in the country and the world. They are capable of
evaluating the most important political, cultural and sports events.

Cuba, with over 750,000 university graduates and over 3 million
students in all levels, constitutes a point of reference in the field
of technical sciences, humanities, and the arts - qualities which
place the island in an excellent position for people-to-people
exchanges. The island's system of democracy, despite being one of the
key targets in Washington's anti-Cuban propaganda, is a model when it
comes to the participation of its citizens. People are guaranteed
involvement through Cuba's system of social and grassroots
organizations working in connection with government institutions in
support of the general public. Cubans are objective and subjective,
promoters and protagonists, and are solicitors and beneficiaries of
this complex system which, in addition, is undergoing constant
improvement.

These reasons makes today's Cuba a model that is radically differs of
that which the US attempts to portray as unique and universal. Bush
and his neo-fascist team, much more than previous administrations,
hides this reality from the American people, who are fooled each day
by the idea that the island is a diabolic and terrorist state only 90
miles away of its shores - a potential threat to their national
security. If this were true, elemental logic indicates that the most
intelligent thing to do would be to leave the US people alone, to let
them see for themselves the reality on the island without lies or
negative intentions.

[a thought...]

Another view posted: The country you can't even imagine, the nation that for years has been transforming for better and for worse, does not need you.

No, but it sure needs, and likes, our money.

Another view also posted: Everywhere -- in Havana, Washington, Caracas, even Beijing --the chips are being cast, yet you have been told to not even rise, to remain seated and obedient, watching how others fix the situation in Cuba -- or scramble it even more.

If the people in Cuba themselves didn't take the opportunity, what do you want people living over in the States to do? Where was the Cuban version of Tiananmen Square? Where were the protests and the cries for freedom from the island? The people here cannot do anything: They cannot get on boats or planes with guns and weapons and unilaterally decide they are going to invade Cuba and liberate it. It was tried once before, remember? And the beloved Kennedy pulled back the air support. So what do you suggest we do from here? I think it's ironic that you mock the exile community by saying that Cuba's future "does not need you" and in the same breath you say that we have been told to "remain seated" and, in essence, are doing nothing. Make up your mind; stop posting some other person's articles.

Another view also posted: The average Cuban is hospitable, speaks out, cheerful, optimistic,has a high level cultural development and are well informed on the
situation in the country and the world. They are capable of evaluating the most important political, cultural and sports events.

Listen, no offense....I deal with a lot of these newly-arrived "average" Cubans...where the heck do you get that they have a "high level of cultural development and are well informed on the
situation in the country and the world?" Please. They are only "well-informed" about what Granma wants them to be "well-informed" about. As far as that "high level of cultural development"...I can only guess you are hinting at "average" Cubans in the upper ranks of Castro's inner circle. The "average" Cubans I meet on an almost-daily basis barely have an elementary school education. They tell me so themselves. They were taken out of the schools to go work in the fields. How can you have any sort of cultural development when you have a 3rd grade education?

What the future of Cuba does not need is yet another leftist puppet who bows and scrapes before an antiquated system and its equally antiquated leaders. Cuba needs democracy and the reinstatement of its constitution. It does not need any more B.S. glorifying the current leadership. However, I do believe that if the B.S. that is spewed about the wonders of Castro and his regime could be bagged and spread on the fields in Cuba, no place on earth would have richer soil.

[a thought...]

Sorry, I forgot..."equal possibilities?" Yes, they are all equally poor.

And Castro isn't stupid enough to torture people right out in the open, moron. And of course no one is going to see those that have "disappeared". They have....gee, what's that word?...oh, yeah...Disappeared!

Comecativia....

[Jr]

a thought :

i guess u only meet the worst and the most stupid people that ever came from Cuba , I was born and raised there and Im here in the States cause of my believings that goes in a very different way of those teached by the Cuban govertment , but if have never been there you should shut the hell up about what u dont know , in cuba every children have access to a free education , and if u drop school is cause u want to , not because anyone tells u so , any1 have acces to education until u get to finish high school , and even after that u can take a college degree or go to university , anyway like i say if u never been there dont believe what others say , someone said Iraq had nuclear weapons and look at the mess we have mad over there .

[Jr]

another thought :

I guess u never been in cuba neither so u also speek the BS u hear all around , for ur information , there is a lot of cubans wearing those suits there , and its true that u can buy it if u have the money to do it , of course that its not gonna be with the money that the govertment pays a regular cuban , but for christ sake , they dont survive just with what they receive from their families in the US , there is a lot of cubans in Europe who keeps helping and sending money to their families in the island , they keep receiving thousands of tourists every year , those tourist keep tipping the cubans that works on the hotels and every other places that works on that sector , so please dont be as ignorants as those who keep telling u those tales , i used to buy my clothe and my shoes when i was still living in Havana , in those same stores that sell the adidas suits and everyother stuff u find in a store , so nobody told u that they sell adidas , nikes , rebooks and all the others branchs in cuba ??????? , dude u really need a better source of information , anyway I se most of u here keep centered on the person of Fidel Castro or Raul , can u people look a little further and think about the regular cubans , the ones like u and me living that hell everyday , dont u think if give them the chance to live what we live everyday they r not gonna chose what its right for them , at least give them the chance that the communist govertment dont want to , but like them u and this govertment dont want either , cause lifting the embargo and letting the american way get into the cuban society is the smarter and intelligent way of creating the change everyones wanna see , but at least before any comment get well informed .

[Jr]

usambcuba :

I know that the reason that came to the light after that 1959 trip to washington was the money in the USA banks , but thats what they wanted us to know , like I said thats my conspiracy theory , and keep thinking they wanted the help of the american govertment , and Washington for a reason that I dont know refused to help . To me they never wanted the cubans to make it their own way , they wanted the island to take their way , and that was their biggest mistake , but i agree with u , we need a new direction in this country about how make a change in Cuba , the old ideas r not gonna make it , so make new ones , the problem is we stilla have a lot of people who dosnt know where are they standing and still want to give an opinion just based on their ignorance an stupidity or old people cubans just driven by their hate for castro who can see further thatn the point of their nose , people that think that only by violent or represive methods u can make something change , but hello ... use the brain thats not for u to carry it !!!!!

[Jr]

sorry about my english people but I only 've been here for a few years , still working on it

[a thought...]

JR wrote: but if have never been there you should shut the hell up about what u dont know , in cuba every children have access to a free education , and if u drop school is cause u want to , not because anyone tells u so ,

The person I spoke to is neither stupid or ignorant or anything else. She told me the truth: after school she was taken to work in the fields. And they were forced to stand and listen to the megalomaniac spew his venom for hours. Are you going to tell me that's not true? And, by the way, this is America; we can give our opinions here. Get used to it.

JR also posted: those tourist keep tipping the cubans that works on the hotels and every other places that works on that sector , so please dont be as ignorants as those who keep telling u those tales , i used to buy my clothe and my shoes when i was still living in Havana , in those same stores that sell the adidas suits and everyother stuff u find in a store , so nobody told u that they sell adidas , nikes , rebooks and all the others branchs in cuba ??????? , dude u really need a better source of information ,

Oh, sorry. Every time I hear about the Cubans on the island it's about the horrible conditions they are living in. I was unaware that you could buy all those brand name items over there. So, make up your mind: are you living in hell or the perfect Utopian society? I keep hearing that they need food, medicine, soap, toothbrushes, basic human necessities, etc., but you are right; I have never heard about a Cuban on the island needing Adidas warm up suits and Reebok trainers.

My humble apologies....

[Jr]

a thought :

For what I see u dont know anything about the reality on Cuba , like I said get a better source of imformation , poverty exist in almost every corner of this world , but dosnt mean that because there is poverty it dosnt exist anything more , , its true that cubans need a lot of that stuff u say but its also true that u can buy those things if u have the money to do it , havent u heard of the "tiendas recaudadoras de divisas" opened by Raul Castro after cuban govertment despenalized the dollar in the country ?????? , like i said get informed dude u just repeating what someone told u , u not saying anything cause u saw it or read it by ur self