The Little Pioneer and the President
He was the first American president I shouted a slogan at. I don’t remember the precise words of the insult as almost thirty years have passed. However, I can remember the feeling of my clenched fists, my red and white uniform trembling with each scream that I launched at Jimmy Carter who — according to my kindergarten teacher — would destroy the island, the palms, the classroom desks, happiness.
And three decades later, here I am in Havana, talking with him and other familiar faces from our nascent civil society. I barely resemble that Little Pioneer buried in the hysteria of political slogans and this man I am speaking with doesn’t fit the role of the leader who was the target of my insults. Now he is a mediator, a man who doesn’t seem interested in wiping Cuba off the map, as they once assured me in primary school. So the girl who was supposed to be the “New Man” and the former commander of the armed of the forces of the United States, have met at a moment in their lives in which neither has the same position as before, in which the path of both has taken the direction of dialog; although once we could have killed each other, across some battle field.
I see him speak and wonder if he knows that I was trained to hate him. Will he be the villain of my childhood stories, the face of grotesque caricatures in the official newspapers, the man whom government propaganda blamed for all our ills? Of course he knows, and still he extends his hand to me, speaks to me, asks me a question. And so he, who was “the enemy,” offers me his kind words.
Outside the Hotel Santa Isabel where we have met, in some school in the area, another little girl repeats her slogans, squeezes her hands, shouts, focuses her mind on the face of a man whom she says she detests. Fortunately, she too will forget the words she screams at this moment, erase from her mind the slogans full of resentment they make her chant today.
________________________
P.S. I am attaching a message, accompanied by a gift, that we gave Mr. Jimmy Carter in the name of several bloggers and other Cubans.
Havana March 30, 2011
Mr. Jimmy Carter:
On behalf of several alternative bloggers and other members of Cuban civil society, we would like to give you this present. This is a small sample of the food that the self-employed are able to make from manĂ, the word Cubans use for peanuts, that dried fruit that you know so well.
For over half a century the manĂ has been one of the few products that has escaped the control of State planning. Even in the hardest days of the so-called Special Period one of the the few things we could buy on the free market produced by independent people were these cones and peanut butters that we offer to you today. There were times when the traditional cry of “peanuts, the peanut seller is here…” had to go practically underground, becoming a phrase whispered into the ears of clients.
This popular “criminal” food, within the reach of every pocket, has become the symbol of public resistance before totalitarian pretensions, a stronghold of creativity and ingenuity in the face of centralism and control. Here is the manĂ, the conqueror of difficulties, stubborn disobedient, transformed now into a symbol of union, a meeting point between your people and ours.
Abril 7th, 2011 at 21:24
don’t be fooled by this joker…he is on fidel’s side ideologically…
Abril 4th, 2011 at 12:57
I want to thank all of you for your education on all things CUBA Humberto thanks for the youtube link SALSITA . It reminded me of my childhood growing up in New York listening to my gramdmother playing Beny More albums and tellng me the stories of our family . As for Jimmy Carter he has a truly great heart but he is misguided and allways has been. Like much in the US Government today they are so preoccupied with our commercial interest all over the world that they do not see the threat coming from there southern nieghbors. Our foriegn policies have failed time and again , instead of strenghtening the AMERICAS they have weakend it. All we can hope for is a time we can be true AMERICANS north and south as one.
Abril 4th, 2011 at 10:44
I just got home from Havana where I spent a week “touring.” I missed the mani, but I did visit both a CUC shop and a PESO shop.
Abril 3rd, 2011 at 21:00
WALL STREET JOURNAL: Jimmy Carter Lobbies for Cuban Spies -Why lend legitimacy to the Castro brothers?-By MARY ANASTASIA O’GRADY
They say that Cuba is a place where time stands still and it certainly seemed that way last week when Jimmy Carter arrived in Havana to fraternize with the Castros. The image of the 86-year-old American ex-president wearing a wide smile as he disembarked from a jet to meet with the regime bigwigs was déjà vu all over again.
For more than three and a half decades the world’s most famous peanut farmer has toiled to get the island’s repressive military dictatorship more respect from the U.S. This trip was no different. Agence France Press reported that it was undertaken at “Havana’s invitation” and “aimed at improving U.S.-Cuba relations.” Fidel praised Mr. Carter as “brave and serious.”
It is obvious why the dictatorship sought out Mr. Carter. The list of individuals—no fair counting Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Kim Jong Il or Chris Dodd—who are willing to lend legitimacy to one of the 20th century’s most disastrous revolutionary experiments is shrinking fast. The former president is, as they say, useful.
We may never know why Mr. Carter agreed to be used. But we do know how he was used: On Wednesday, before he left Havana he went on Cuban television to argue for the release of the five Cuban spies known as “the wasp network,” who are now serving time in U.S. prisons. This is a new low for Mr. Carter—and not only because it demonstrates complete disregard for the American criminal justice system. The dangers that Cuban agents operating inside the U.S. present to Americans are well established. Treating their crimes lightly will only increase the nation’s exposure to serious risk.
Initially, hopes were high that Mr. Carter would be able to win the release of Alan Gross, a U.S. Agency for International Development contractor who was taken hostage by Cuba in December 2009. The 61-year-old American had apparently brought hardware to members of the island’s tiny Jewish community so that they could access the Internet. He has been sentenced to 15 years in prison.
Yet once Mr. Carter was on the ground in Havana, he announced that he was not there “to take [Mr. Gross] out of the country.” He did visit him and recommended that he be set free. That could still happen. Mr. Gross is in frail health and back home in Maryland both his mother and his daughter are fighting cancer. Rumors abound that he will be given a humanitarian pardon.
Cuba no doubt will spin an early release of Mr. Gross as evidence of its goodwill toward the world. But for now it’s hoping to get more than international kudos. One objective seems to be the exchange of its American prisoner for the “wasps.”
Gerardo Hernández, René González, Antonio Guerrero, Ramón Labañino and Fernando González Llort were all arrested by the Federal Bureau of Investigation on Sept. 12, 1998. Five others in the network were arrested the same day but accepted plea bargains in exchange for acting as witnesses for the prosecution.
The FBI had collected plenty of its own evidence. It had used the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act and court warrants to investigate the group over a period of three years. Mr. Hernández, who is serving two life sentences, was convicted of conspiracy to commit murder in the Cuban Air Force downing of two civilian aircraft flown by Cuban exiles from Florida in 1996. Four Americans died. The prosecution also showed that the “wasps” had sought to infiltrate U.S. military installations and to discover unprotected points along the Florida coast where arms and explosives could be brought into the country.
Because Cuba is so poor, its American advocates like to say that it presents no threat to U.S. national security. But this ignores Cuban espionage. In 2002 Defense Intelligence Agency analyst Ana Belen Montes, the highest ranking U.S. intelligence operative ever to be charged with spying for Cuba, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 25 years in prison. Her arrest, 10 days after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, was rushed because she had the potential to pass sensitive information about the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan to enemy agents.
Americans still don’t know how much damage Walter Kendall Myers, an analyst working in intelligence and research at the State Department, and his wife, Gwendolyn Myers, also an employee at State, inflicted on the U.S. over the 30 years that they spied for Cuba. The couple was recruited by the Cuban Mission to the United Nations in New York, a notorious hothouse of Cuban espionage.
Mr. Carter should stick to doing personal favors for his “personal friend”—those were his words for Fidel while in Havana, according to Europa Press. When a six-hour meeting with the old tyrant is followed by a Carter announcement expressing doubts about the trial that led to the conviction of spies and a promise to speak with President Obama about a pardon for them, its hard to see him as anything but a shill for Cuba’s military dictatorship.
http://online.wsj.com/article/.....62808.html
Abril 3rd, 2011 at 15:07
MIAMI HERALD:Cuba: Twilight of the regime-By CARLOS ALBERTO MONTANER
Jimmy Carter went to visit Raúl Castro. The initiative was Raúl’s. He wanted to let President Obama know that everything is negotiable, including the release of Alan Gross, an American sentenced on the island to 15 years’ imprisonment for handing out computers and communications equipment so that uninformed Cubans might have access to the Internet. For the moment, he has not freed Gross, but that will happen. It’s a matter of time.
It is not at all clear why Raúl Castro does not turn to the American diplomats who are accredited in Cuba to send his messages, but he probably doesn’t trust Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and the State Department. Accustomed as he is to making the important decisions as his brother did, he doesn’t understand the institutional functioning of the United States, nor does he realize that Cuban affairs are barely important to the White House tenant.
What does Raúl Castro want in exchange for his hostage? Basically, his objectives are two: that the White House eliminate travel restrictions on Americans so the annual number of tourists who visit the island — about two million — doubles or triples swiftly; and that Washington permanently interrupt the economic aid and distribution of electronic equipment to the Cuban opposition. In any case, that aid remains detained today by legal obstacles raised by Democratic Sen. John Kerry, chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee.
Does Raúl have anything else to offer, other than Gross’ freedom? He has little, and it’s hardly elegant: basically, it’s a change in the repressive strategy. In short, he mistreats his compatriots with less cruelty. By stages, he has freed the 75 democrats imprisoned during the so-called “black spring” of 2003, deporting most of them to Spain, and it is possible that he will continue to gradually liberate the hundred or so political prisoners who remain in prison.
He no longer sentences the dissidents to long terms. He infiltrates their ranks to learn their movements, beats them, intimidates them and detains them for brief periods. When they gather or go out on the street, he launches against them mobs directed by the political police, in what are called “acts of repudiation.” Raúl has learned that to keep society scared and in his grasp, to prevent power from slipping through his hands, those coercive measures are enough. It is not necessary to jail his adversaries. Terrifying them is enough. Fidel was exaggeratedly punitive.
But that’s not all. It is also possible that Raúl will open his economic hand a little more at the Sixth Congress of the Communist Party that will be held in April. He knows that the huge majority of Cubans wish to be able to buy and sell their homes and that there’s no reason to keep the absurd rules that prevent that.
Nor is he unaware that the wish of Cubans to freely leave or enter Cuba transcends the ideological issue: communists, anticommunists and those who are indifferent agree that the government has no right to prohibit the free movement of people. To eliminate that exit and entry permit would be extraordinarily welcome by the entire population, and he would be acclaimed without the need to make any transcendental change. Sotto voce, Cubans usually point out that Raúl Castro has no moral standing to complain that the U.S. president doesn’t allow Americans to travel to the neighboring island when he himself keeps his own people hostage.
Will there be a substantial change in U.S. policy toward Cuba after Carter’s visit? I don’t believe so. The general perception in Washington, judging from the WikiLeaks, is that the Cuban regime is in a final phase of demoralization and erosion, and it makes no sense to do anything that halts or reverses that trend. Corruption is rampant, the children of many leaders are leaving the country discreetly and the state of mind that prevails among the mid-level cadres is that of an end-of-regime. Raúl is not unaware of this but has no way to prevent it, as long as he insists in maintaining a one-party collectivist regime that demands total obedience.
On to defeat always, general
http://www.miamiherald.com/201.....egime.html
Carlos Alberto Montaner is an exiled Cuban author and journalist known for his criticism of Fidel Castro. He has been published widely in Latin American newspapers, and published fiction and non-fiction books on Latin America. Since 2004 he has had a weekly column in the Miami Herald.
Abril 3rd, 2011 at 14:49
PLEASE SIGN THE PETITITON ASKING THE RELEASE OF IMAN, THE LYBIAN WOMAN WHO WAS SEQUESTERED BY QADDAFI FORCES WHEN SHE ACCUSED THEM OF GANG RAPING HER.
Words cannot express the courage Iman showed in speaking out — and we can only imagine the terror she must be facing right now in the hands of Qaddafi’s infamous thugs. Her life is in danger, but we can help, if we act fast.
Qaddafi will ignore most international outrage, but he listened to the Turkish government when they asked him to release foreign journalists. Let’s urgently raise a massive global call to Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan to help save Iman — sign the petition and forward this email to everyone - it will be hand-delivered to the Turkish consulate in Benghazi, and through ads in Turkey, as soon as we reach 500,000 signatures:
http://www.avaaz.org/en/free_iman_al_obeidi?fp
Abril 2nd, 2011 at 21:09
@#46
Cold: involvement is a perception unless there is a form of valuation agreed upon before judgements are passed. While I belive in democracy, the version w/checks & balances nevertheless reality is that even w/checks & balances in existence abuses of power & office happen; the participation in the process at times proves the level of acceptance or disgust towards the elected individuals. Yes, while voting that representative is the right of the voter it is ture also that the “buying” of votes is more pervasive than not when voter selfishness replaces the comun good of nation.I belive tha voting is an obligation of great responsibility & value which deserves study, consideration & understanding of the issues affecting our country.
Personally I participate however participation is a matter of perception …
All been said I do very much enjoy & at time learn from you very insightful coments …
Abril 2nd, 2011 at 07:56
Humberto, the “Echale Salsa” jam was good. I enjoyed it. Thanks for the link.
Abril 2nd, 2011 at 07:50
Love Cuba: Point well take regarding Moynihan’s law. I think in the past this process has been rampant in Latin America, smothering democratic societies at every turn. I watch Argentina very closely, because it is a vast country full of possibilities and natural wealth and educated people. But nevertheless, it falters every ten to twenty years or so. On a visit I made there years ago, there were picketers slowing traffic on one of the main boulevards, I asked the cab driver why they were creating the disturbance and he suggested that that group did not really want to work and spent the time doing this. He suggested they all wanted to work in an office in a highrise somewhere and produce very little.
At first thought, one might think he was only a cab driver. But I happen to respect and give credit to the depth of the comments cab drivers make anywhere you go in the world.
Bottom line is, whether in Argentina, Cuba, or anywhere else, people have to roll up their sleeves and really work and make use of their time. As the cliche says, time is gold and the longer one sits around doing little or nothing, the exponentially less the individual or the society has. Conversely, keeping busy, as Ben Franklin said, is the mother of good luck. You’ll find opportunities you never even thought of. Thats why countries if we compare their aggregate economies, are either significantly wealthier or conversely, extremely poor with wide disparities among them. There are relatively few countries in between, unless they happen to be lucky enough to have oil or some other extremely valuable mineral asset.
Right now, the Castro dynasty is making Cuba progressively poorer and poorer the more time that goes by and the missed opportunities and production that gets wasted. To the point where one could think of Cuba as a mother, with multiple children sitting on the sidewalk waiting for passersby to drop her and her children a coin in the jar. Meantime countries like South Korea, Malaysia, etc. are getting progressively wealthier having a peaceful and stable environment and respected institutions.
Sorry for the lecture, can’t help myself this early in the morning.
Abril 2nd, 2011 at 01:02
TO ALL MY FRIENDS AND ADVERSARIES IN THE CYBERWARS! A FEW MINUTES OF TRUCE TO ENJOY ONE OF THE BEST YOUTUBE CLIPS OF CUBAN MUSIC I HAVE YET FOUND!
YOUTUBE: ECHALE SALSITA :MAESTRO CARLOS EMBALE LIVE- HOMENAJE A IGNACIO PIĂ‘EIRO (ORQ.SIERRA MAESTRA) WITH OMARA PORTUONDO WITH AN AFRO! LOVE IT!CHECK OUT THE INCRDIBLE DUELING “TRES” PLAYERS!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gx54_mZo6cQC
Abril 1st, 2011 at 23:47
all uniting we must fortify the civil society. .cubana. .cuba soon must be democratic and… please. to.enviar to Cuba. .todo what flah.disco.dvd helps to inform to the .periodico.revistas town of Cuba. .libros.memorias. .ecetera.
Abril 1st, 2011 at 17:28
OH YEAH! THIS IS A WINNER (excuse the pun)!SPEECH:”I WANT TO THANK ALL THE LITTLE PEOPLE (there are very few shorter than he) WHO MADE THIS “NOBEL PEACE PRIZE” (that’s what he and the Mummy want) POSSIBLE!
COMMITTEE TO PROTECT JOURNALISTS: Hugo Chávez, free expression prize winner-By Laureano Márquez/CPJ Guest Blogger
Just as the awardee himself anticipated (in his subconscious, after all, he is no idiot), this “freedom of expression award” stirred up disapproval and indignation across the board. Notwithstanding, no one should question the decision of Argentina’s University of La Plata. If anyone has freedom of expression in Venezuela, it’s the prize-winner: He talks and talks without limits, his discourse immune to any attempts to be reined in.
In fact, on receiving the honor, the above-mentioned even dared to say: “I haven’t closed any media outlet in Venezuela.” When one hears things like that, language becomes noise and words lose their meaning: What do “to close,” “media outlet,” and “Venezuela” mean to him? Someone that goes this far truly deserves to be recognized, if not for “freedom of expression,” then at least for “expressive audacity.”
For those who are tearing their hair out over this prize, keep in mind that there are many more to come. So that you won’t be surprised, here’s a preview:
The “International Human Rights Award” given by the University of Havana. One can expect that there he will say: “In Venezuela there is not a single political prisoner … or other political things since I am the only politician.”
The “International Award for Political Tolerance” given by the University of Tripoli … because in Venezuela “we enjoy, as never before, a climate of respect and tolerance for all political opinions, including those that are incorrect.”
The “International Prize for Citizen Security” given by the University of Northern Mexico … “for efficiency in insecurity policies and for having managed to solve a murder committed in 1830.”
The “International Award for the Promotion of Food Security” given by the University of the Congo for … “promoting agricultural activity and the production of food in general, especially in the deprived regions of Valle del Turbio and Valles de Aragua.”
CLICK THE LINK FOR ENTIRE BLOG ENTRY
http://cpj.org/blog/2011/04/hu.....winner.php
Abril 1st, 2011 at 14:59
IS WAEL TALKING ABOUT CUBA AND FIDEL? YOU COULD SUBSTITUTE THE SITUATION IN EGYPT LEADING TO THEIR “REAL REVOLUTION” FOR CUBA’S SITUATION VERY EASILY! PEOPLE WANT THE SAME THING ALL OVER THE WORLD, JUSTICE, FREEDOM AND POLITICAL PARTICIPATION.
YOUTUBE: Wael Ghonim: Inside the Egyptian revolution
Wael Ghonim is the Google executive who helped jumpstart Egypt’s democratic revolution … with a Facebook page memorializing a victim of the regime’s violence. Speaking at TEDxCairo, he tells the inside story of the past two months, when everyday Egyptians showed that “the power of the people is stronger than the people in power.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWvJxasiSZ8
Abril 1st, 2011 at 14:48
Love Cuba: No I’m not an academic, but I’ll share that you are not altogether far. Like you, I feel more useful if I have the ability to travel and help materially and educate the people I know by telling them the truth, this way, they can inform and educate others. You’d be surprised how people who normally have no real news, or worse, the wrong or adulterated version of what is happening, really open up their eyes and for the first time show signs of doing some thinking.
Abril 1st, 2011 at 14:30
YOUTUBE: Niños en Escuelas de Cuba Aprenden a Usar Armas. Children en schools in Cuba learn to use weapons. WHY? So when the BIG BAD U.S.A. comes to INVADE!! The Castrofacists are all about Mind Control, but this is SICK!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7Y0S13tRyc
Abril 1st, 2011 at 13:50
Not until we loose fear of the regime is when you are really free.
Fear is what they have use to control us.
Loos fear then it follows they will loose control!
Abril 1st, 2011 at 13:44
Honestly I do still have far relatives and friends in Cuba and I am not concern that the regime will make them responsible for what I say here or in other forums. I used to use SilentVoice and Voz Silente before using my name in postings here and other places but I decide to follow the example of Yoani and many other people that do post their opinions with their real name attached to it.
I think if we all did it that way it will be better.
Freedom is also having the valor to be associated with what you really think.
How could we contribute to the freedom of Cuba without that?
Abril 1st, 2011 at 13:40
Humberto, again, you are doing a great job here, keep it up! I think we need to hire Stallone to bust Gross out of prison!
Abril 1st, 2011 at 13:39
coldinchicago
I agree
“To me that looks like a humiliating insult if I was offered to leave the island as the only option. Cubans should not be kicking out cubans not matter what.”
They should have never done this. The thing is that the Castro brothers seem to treat Cuba as their personal farm and Cubans as the slaves in the plantation.
That will make us the cimarrones! :-)
Abril 1st, 2011 at 13:20
Love Cuba, dont do it! You have a good point! In my case I have been to Cuba seen my relatives and took my cousins and their family all over the island. I think putting my name here sends the CASTROFACISTS a message that I am willing to wait till their sorry A** are out of there while making a difference outside. And FYI I dont get paid by the CIA or anyone to do this, POR LA PATRIA ONLY!
Abril 1st, 2011 at 12:59
Julio asked:
“Love Cuba what is stopping you from publishing your name here or saying what you like?”
I have to admit I’m being very paranoid, whether for good reason or not. I won’t risk not being let into Cuba, no matter how slight the chance. We’re the only lifeline for some Cuban friends, and the stakes are too high. And we have other friends that we could get into trouble or embarrass. So my fear, multiplied by millions, illustrates the success of totalitarianism.
Abril 1st, 2011 at 12:53
coldinchicago, please feel free not to answer if this question is too personal, but do you work at the university in Chicago? With your mention of nuclear power, Einstein, and Sagan, I figure you might be an academic?
Abril 1st, 2011 at 12:48
coldinchicago, I’d rather wave the white flag :) But if you’re interested in history, you can read about the US arms embargo against Israel in the 1948 war and beyond. It was only in the 1970s that the US started selling any significant amounts of arms to Israel, and only because of cold-war politics, and you’ll find that even with inflation, it’s nowhere close to the figures you think.
Which brings up the patterns of history you mentioned before. In general, the more closed the society, the less they are criticized, and the more people think everything is rosy. The more open the government the more it is criticized and the more it is seen as the devil. It’s Moynihan’s Law.
People were relatively free to criticize Machado and Batista, this allowed dissidents to organize and get him overthrown by Castro, who doesn’t allow any criticism, so is criticized much less and has a much better reputation. Allowing dissent is much more important for human progress than any other factor I think, whether we’re talking about a company, industry or country. The thing I like best about capitalism, when it works and when monopolies are not protected by the state, is not the wealth it creates, but that it allows me to dissent and vote every day. I certainly have done more for fair trade and workers rights with my dollars than Castro has done with his speeches. You won’t hear him asking about workers rights when he buys buses from China. And Cubans tell me the only charity they’ve ever received originates outside the country.
Abril 1st, 2011 at 12:13
MIAMI HERALD OUR OPINION: Cuba’s dissidents are not alone-Carter’s visit brings hope and recognition
When former President Jimmy Carter last visited Cuba, in 2002, he delivered a remarkable speech via the state-run media that criticized the Castro dictatorship and exposed listeners to the truly revolutionary idea that it’s up to the Cuban people, not the one-party regime nor any foreign government, to determine Cuba’s future.
Naturally, his visit raised hopes that this might represent an ever-so-small but significant breakthrough for democracy. Within months, Fidel Castro dashed those hopes. The Cuban “black spring” of March 2003 saw the round-up and imprisonment of 75 dissidents on flimsy, capricious charges designed to stifle any hint of political freedom or accommodation. It was a vicious blow to the aspirations of millions of Cubans and a testament to the enduringly repressive and capricious nature of the hard-line Castro regime.
Mr. Carter’s trip made sense back then, and so does his latest journey. Neither visits by a former U.S. president nor even by the pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church can change Cuba, but the visits are worthwhile.
Although he was unable to secure the release of detained American Alan Gross, which was never in the cards, Mr. Carter was able to meet with this imprisoned victim of Cuban state security and raise the issue with Cuban officials.
His meetings with Cuba’s brave band of democracy advocates also deserve commendation.
Such meetings give the dissidents the imprimatur of recognition by an individual who won the Nobel Peace Prize. It means they are not alone, that their struggle has the support of all who fight for peaceful change on behalf of political and human rights around the world. It gives the dissidents hope, something always in short supply in Cuba. It means their sacrifices are honored. It puts the government on notice that the world is watching and will condemn any punishment that comes their way from the repressive security apparatus.
This is especially important at a time when the Cuban people show signs of growing impatience with the gerontocracy that rules the island and, in particular, with Fidel Castro’s long good-bye. Change in Cuba will come at its own pace and will be determined by the will and circumstances of its own people, but it will assuredly come. Until then, those who aspire for a better Cuba deserve encouragement and support. To that end, visits like Mr. Carter’s are helpful.
What is decidedly not helpful, though, are comments by Mr. Carter favoring the release of five Cuban spies held in American prisons. The implicit quid pro quo is their release in exchange for the freedom of Mr. Gross. This would be an unqualified mistake. There is no equivalency whatsoever in these two cases. None can be acknowledged nor implied.
The Cuban spies were convicted of charges related to spying in an open trial, with their case reviewed (twice) by a federal appellate court. They had the benefit of lawyers committed to giving them the best defense possible. Contrast this with Mr. Gross, who is no one’s idea of a spy. His “crime” was to bring unregistered communications equipment onto the island for the use of marginalized groups.
For this, he was tried, convicted and sentenced to 15 years in prison by a judicial authority that works hand-in-gloved fist with the totalitarian government. That’s justice, Castro-style.
The Obama administration has made overtures to the Cuban government. But as long as Mr. Gross remains in prison, all moves toward better relations will be frozen. Only by Cuba’s actions can there be a thaw in relations.
http://www.miamiherald.com/201.....alone.html
Abril 1st, 2011 at 12:07
A MULTI NATION TASK FORCE is ready to help the CUBANS help themselves, IF NEEDED. Lo que se va FORMAR.
Abril 1st, 2011 at 10:50
Love Cuba: I respect your affinity for factual information. Also, in order to prevent any misunderstanding or usage of my words by racist elements, let me just say that some of the people I admire most are men like Karl Sagan, Albert Einstein and Marc Chagall, all Jewish. Two things though:
First, if you add up all the tanks, jet fighters, F15’s, F16’s, tanks, rocket launchers, army equipment, including anti-missile missiles, etc. etc. since the 1950’s when the U.S. started supporting Israel, I’m pretty sure the number of dollars approaches or surpasses one trillion, I’m talking 2011 dollars. One 1950’s or 60’s U.S. dollar is worth several of todays dollars. Must be consistent with figures.
Secondly, I don’t know what you mean by Israeli taxpayers. Six or seven million people could never underwrite such an uncanny amount of money.
I don’t want to be drawn into this so I’ll wave the white flag.
Abril 1st, 2011 at 10:34
Julio: I was going to ask you about that regarding the small brother - i.e. why the regime insisted that the prisoners leave the island. To me that looks like a humiliating insult if I was offered to leave the island as the only option. Cubans should not be kicking out cubans not matter what.
Also, another thing that bothers me about him is the insane and criminal repudiation squads. This is something out of a medieval witch hunt story. This is the 21st century.
Abril 1st, 2011 at 09:51
Humberto
“You forgot to mentioned that all except 12 of the political prisoners were kicked out of Cuba”
No I have not forgotten that. I think if all of them had express their desire to stay they would have stay just as those 12 that refused to abandon their country.
I agree that the Cuban regime should have not ask them to go in the first place or to make it appear like almost the only choice to be free was to go into exile.
If you noticed some (the 12) stayed strong in their position. They actually choose to stay in prison in Cuba rather than free and exile!
That tells you a lot about them.
I wonder how the Cuban regime will match this up with their propaganda?
Abril 1st, 2011 at 09:42
Love Cuba what is stopping you from publishing your name here or saying what you like?
Abril 1st, 2011 at 08:40
coldinchicago, you’re right, this blog is about Cuba, but I’m a stickler for the truth, no matter how minor it might seem (your last remark should read “billions” and “Israeli taxpayer” :) I will try to control myself :)
That’s the reason for my “no lies here” post, just explaining my situation. I find it frustrating and embarrassing not to sign my name here and tell the world the whole truth about Cuba. In fact, I would love to write a series of articles about Cuba, but I simply can’t write anything that could possibly identify my Cuban friends, no matter how much they want me to and are willing to put themselves at risk. For example, I have stories about their hospitals that are unbelievable (although after Mazorra some people might believe them), yet I can’t publish the details, neither here nor anywhere else. Very frustrating.
I hope one day you and I and Humberto and Alberto and trudeau and everyone else here, can meet up and make a pilgrimage to see Capablanca in a freer Havana.
Abril 1st, 2011 at 07:24
Love Cuba: I wasn’t questioning your accounting of your visit to Capa’s tomb, I just didn’t know he was buried in Havana and his tomb was so accesible. The Northwest side of Chicago is a long way from the island, lots things about Cuba seems so remote and seemingly unreachable.
Abril 1st, 2011 at 07:10
I admire Israel for its organizational skills, discipine and ability to stand up to 150 million worth of chaotic squabbling arab countries. Nevertheless, in the 21st century, one cannot unashamedly and forcefully take other people’s land no matter how much “abracadabra pata de cabra” you manage to conjure up from the incredibly distant and irrelevant past. And to do so with what amounts to trillions worth of equipment paid for courtesy of the American taxpayer.
I’ll say no more on the subject. This blog is about the Cuban debacle.
Abril 1st, 2011 at 02:42
Link to article below
http://www.theepochtimes.com/n.....53898.html
Abril 1st, 2011 at 02:42
THE EPOCH TIMES: Canada’s Dilemma With Cuba-By Nelson Taylor Sol
This month Dr. Oscar Biscet was released from a Cuban jail, a move that could mark a turning point in the country.
Detained during the “Black Spring” of March 2003, Dr. Biscet and 74 other members of the opposition movement were considered prisoners of conscience by Amnesty International, drawing international condemnation, including a common European Union stance against Castro’s regime.
Carefully planned to decapitate Cuba’s growing opposition movement at a time when the world’s attention was focused on the outset of the Iraq war, the now infamous crackdown saw dozens of journalists, librarians, and human rights activists rounded up, summarily tried, and sentenced for up to 28 years in jail.
In Cuba, as is always the case in communist countries, the flow of information is totally controlled by the government. That is more or less the case for locally based foreign media, aware that whatever is reported to their home countries, is closely scrutinized by Cuban censors. However, this time around, the charges of “agents of the USA” on which Dr. Biscet and the rest of the activists were sentenced, somehow didn’t find the usual indifference that the cause of freedom in Cuba normally faces.
Dr. Biscet, a 49-year-old medical doctor, has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize by the Prime Minister of Hungary, members of the United States Congress, members of the European Parliament, members of the British House of Lords, and members of the Parliament of Canada. Their open letters to the Norwegian Committee (Canadian MPs requested that their identities not be publicized) outlined the importance of honouring Dr. Biscet, a human rights defender of universal stature, as a way of recognizing his selfless struggle for human dignity
Dr. Biscet’s story of opposition started earlier in the 80s, but it wasn’t until 1997 that he really irked the government (see lawtonfoundation.com for further reference) by conducting a clandestine ten-month research study at the Hijas de Galicia Hospital documenting unofficial statistical data on abortion techniques.
During this study, many Cuban mothers testified that their newborn babies were killed right after birth, a common practice in hospitals throughout the island. The research study, “Rivanol: A Method to Destroy Life,” was officially delivered to the Cuban government in June 9, 1998, along with a letter addressed to Fidel Castro accusing the Cuban National Health System of genocide. Needless to say, that was the end not only of Dr. Biscet’s medical career but also his wife’s career as a nurse.
Dr. Biscet’s mere nomination [for the Nobel prize] helps to lessen the degree of ostracism the regime uses to stifle Cuban dissidents. In addition to the regular beatings and subhuman conditions suffered by Cuban prisoners of conscience, the psychological tortures inflicted upon these men and women include prolonged periods of solitary confinement, the prohibition of literature, and forced separation from their families. The main goal of this is to break their spirits. A frequent script used by interrogators and jailers is: “While you rot in here, life continues outside, and the fact is that in the so-called free world, nobody cares whether you live or die.”
By recognizing Dr. Biscet’s struggle, the opposition movement gains the legitimacy that most in the free world have exclusively granted to the regime. Through Dr. Biscet, we see a solidarity that up to now was accustomed to a world seemingly mesmerized by the charms of a despot.
Canada’s Role
Canada has consistently been a major facilitator of the Cuban regime’s survival ever since the collapse of the Soviet Union. When it comes to liquidity contribution via trade, investment, and tourism, Canada leads the world by providing the cash that the Castro family desperately needs to stay in power. This occurs regardless of which party has the most seats in Parliament.
The apparent secret bond between Canada and the regime, which is common knowledge among human rights activists in Cuba, has also damaged Canada’s reputation internationally. A Toronto Star article published on December 17, 2010, states: “Canada is one of several countries that has stopped pressuring Cuba on human rights to gain business favours from Havana, according to confidential U.S. diplomatic cables released by WikiLeaks.”
With critical events unfolding sooner rather than later, perhaps it is about time to realize that turning our backs on the people of Cuba and failing to openly denounce the ongoing human tragedy in that country will eventually backfire. Canadians should question the risks of dealing with the worst tyranny ever to take hold on the western hemisphere for two reasons: First, its practicality if the explosive socio-economic context is considered, and second, the long-term moral consequences of propping up a criminal regime in the heart of the Americas.
Nelson Taylor Sol is the Ottawa representative director of the Cuban Canadian Foundation and a Cuban expatriot.
Marzo 31st, 2011 at 21:51
Sorry Albert. Love cuba thanks for clarifying.
Marzo 31st, 2011 at 20:47
THIS LOOKS LIKE A SET UP WORKING ITS WAY TO THE TRADING OF THE “CUBAN 5″ SPIES FOR ALAN GROSS!IS REALLY HARD TO BELIEVE THAT GROSS DID NOT KNOW ABOUT WHERE THE FUNDS WERE COMING FROM.
Radio Cadena Agramonet (from Cuba)
Havana, Cuba, Mar 31.- Cuban Parliament President Ricardo Alarcon reasserted on Wednesday that US President Barack Obama should drop false charges against the Cuban Five and release them.
During the Round Table aired by Cuban radio and television, Alarcon, also a Politburo member, informed about the procedures currently used in favor of the antiterrorists, imprisoned for over 12 years now for crimes they didn’t commit.
Antonio Guerrero, Gerardo Hernandez, Ramon Labañino, Rene Gonzalez and Fernando Gonzalez were arrested on September 12, 1998, and subjected to a politicized trial in Miami, which concluded in 2001 with unjustified sentences.
MIAMI HERALD: Carter aide: Gross didn’t know he was taking US-financed equipment to Cuba- An aide to former President Jimmy Carter said Alan Gross, the U.S. contractor jailed in Cuba, did not know he was carrying equipment financed by the United States.-By Frances Robles And Juan O. Tamayo
NEW YORK — The U.S. government contractor jailed in Cuba for bringing satellite phones to Jewish groups claims he was unaware that he was carrying equipment financed by the United States, a former top aide to President Jimmy Carter said Thursday.
Former National Security Adviser Robert Pastor, who served as the White House’s point man on Cuba, accompanied Carter on his trip to Havana this week. The former president met with both the Castro brothers as well as Alan Gross, an American development worker who was sentenced to 15 years in prison after getting caught smuggling sat phones, which he claimed were to provide Internet to Jewish groups.
“We did meet with Gross. He claims not to know he was bringing equipment from the U.S. government,” Pastor told a Cuban conference audience at the Bildner Center for Western Hemisphere Studies at the City University of New York. “The facts are simply not all that clear, and this is coming from someone who has spoken to all sides of this, often.”
Carter also met with Jewish group leaders, who claimed they knew nothing about Gross or his phones, said Pastor, now a professor at American University in Washington.
Gross’ trial was closed to the media, and Pastor’s comments marked the first time anyone indicated that the long-time development worker — considered a “mercenary” by the Cuban government — was unaware of the nature of his work. Pressed for details after his speech, Pastor said he regretted “getting into that level of detail.”
“I did not speak to him. I do not feel authorized to say what he said,” Pastor said in an interview.
Gross, Pastor said, hopefully will not serve as long a term in prison as the “Cuban Five” intelligence agents imprisoned in the United States — 13 years.
“A case could be made that a humanitarian gesture after 13 years in prison should be seriously considered” by the Obama administration, he said. He added that both Havana and Washington made it clear they were not interested in a prisoner swap.
Havana is worried about “future Alan Grosses” as the Obama administration has not scrapped the U.S. Agency for International Development program that funded his trip.
Gross’ wife Judy and the company that sent him, Development Alternatives Inc., could not be reached for comment late Thursday.
Carter, his wife Rosalynn and his retinue spent nearly six hours — including dinner — with the 79-year-old Raúl Castro, who replaced brother Fidel, at first temporarily and then officially, after Fidel suffered a nearly fatal health crisis in 2006.
“He is secure in his position and aware of his age and limited time to undertake reforms that he’s now convinced are needed to improve the economy,’’ Pastor said.
The reforms include a significant expansion of private businesses, profound cuts in government subsidies and other measures expected to be taken up at a congress of the ruling Communist Party that starts April 16.
Pastor is too optimistic because Castro will never surrender his political controls or his anti-Washington bent, said Jaime Suchlicki, head of the Institute for Cuban and Cuban-American Studies at the University of Miami.
“Yes he’s undertaking limited reforms, but he’s not going to dismantle communism or create a capitalist society,’’ Suchlicki said. “There will be no political opening and his government will remain repressive and anti-American.”
http://www.miamiherald.com/201.....ow-he.html
Marzo 31st, 2011 at 20:10
coldinchicago, I made the “politics is dirty” remark, so not sure if your last post was directed at me or Albert. I agree that it’s necessary to get involved, and I think everyone who posts here is getting involved in some way. I would like to see for a future Cuba 1) very strong measures guaranteeing peaceful dissent and against any form of violence and 2) a system of proportional representation. Cubans will really need to get involved in order to prevent the current cliques from shaping post-Castro Cuba. Also, despite it’s serious problems, there is a lot of democracy inherent in capitalism. Each time I choose which business to give my money too, I am voting and I use that vote responsibly. I hope Cubans get to vote that way also.
Marzo 31st, 2011 at 19:32
coldinchicago, no lies from me, except for minor liberties to disguise who I am, as I’m always afraid of causing trouble for myself, friends and loved ones. Fortunately lots of visitors go to Capablanca’s grave so it doesn’t give me away :) I’m no big chess player either, but a history buff too and Capablanca has always been a legend to me, and it really was the highlight of my visit! Since you keep making the chess as life analogy, you might want to read “How life imitates chess” by Gary Kasparov.
Marzo 31st, 2011 at 19:20
trudeau, there’s no safer and easier way to get an academic posting in America or success as a journalist, or drum up business, than to be anti-Israel, and no easier way to get blown up than be pro-Israel. Same thing for politicians around the world. The mythical power of AIPAC has a lot to do with the real and much greater power of its oil-rich enemies. I won’t ask you to trust me, just a difference of opinion :) Not that I’m a fan of the Israeli government or of the American government, far from it. I just try to look at evidence from different perspectives. For instance, getting back to Cuba, there’s a lot of talk about how powerful the right-wing Miami anti-Castro lobby is. But the evidence tells me otherwise. Even at the height of the cold war and anti-Castro saber-rattling, the Americans abandoned the Cubans at the bay of pigs. And now the embargo is in tatters and amounts to nothing anyways as the US government allows Americans to pump billions of dollars into the Cuban economy. If the anti-Castro lobby had the power the pro-Castro propagandists say they do, how could this be? And how could Castro have survived the fall of the Soviet Union?
As far as Carter goes, he started the Mujahadeen war in Afghanistan that gave us the Taliban. He ordered the Shah of Iran to step down and turned power over to the Ayatollahs. These weren’t just bad moves for Americans, they were bad for Afghanis, Iranians, and the whole world. Now he smugly supports the worst racists and fascists in the middle east. I’m sure his intentions are good, but good intentions aren’t enough to actually do good. Think of Neville Chamberlain and all the appeasers of Hitler, Stalin, Mao; most of the appeasers were people with good intentions.
Marzo 31st, 2011 at 19:13
¡Si Cuba! CULTURAL FESTIVA IN NEW YORK
From March to June, fourteen New York institutions convene to celebrate the rich artistic vitality of Cuba, presenting ¡Si Cuba!, a festival showcasing the diversity of Cuban culture from the traditional to the modern. Join us for screenings of award-winning films; lively concerts of son, rumba, hip-hop, and more by musical legends and rising stars; intimate discussions with Cuban writers, musicians, and thinkers; dance performances, from the classical to contemporary; compelling visual art exhibitions; and more as we discover the creative spirit of Cuba in forms both old and new.
http://sicuba.org/en
Marzo 31st, 2011 at 18:51
Albert: sorry that you feel that way about politics. Nothing is more beneficial to scumbag political figures than people who think along those lines, don’t vote and don’t get informed. It allows them to get into positions of power with just a few votes. Prettyu soon you’ll see mafia figures, drug traffickers and unashamedly selfserving characters. If democracy is ever to succed in Cuba, I hope everybody gets involved and votes, otherwise history will repeat itself, and we’ll be back to joining the forth rate world countries.
Marzo 31st, 2011 at 18:43
Love Cuba, did you really go to Capa’s tomb? Let me clarify, I don’t play much chess, but enjoy reading about history. And one finds plenty of analogies to learn from that could be used when formulating policy. Unfortunately, the dynasty is so full of itself, that they don’t even bother to learn history lessons and therefore keep repeating the same errors - like setting up the third dictatorship after Machado then Batista. Simplistic as they are in their thinking they thought the third on is the winner. So the colostomy monster and his cronies accomodated themselves in power.
Marzo 31st, 2011 at 17:54
EXCELLENT! TV Program “A Mano Limpia” panel discusses the Carter visit. Includes Adolfo Fernandez recently released political prisoner and an interview with our Flaca!! As intelligent as we all like to be, this panel in my opinion beat us in clarity and information. A great anecdote mentioned was how peanut products were able to sustain the Cuban population from starving in the 1990’s “Special Period”, another layer of meaning to Yoani’s present to Carter.
YOUTUBE: Pedro Sevsec- Carter en la Habana balance de una visita.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6sajOwgUrs
Pedro Ricardo Sevcec is a television reporter who works for Telemundo in the United States. He was born in Uruguay.
Sevcec in the United States has had much success as a news reporter. He was in Kuwait for the first Gulf War, and, after three weeks of military training in Virginia, he went to Iraq to cover the newest war there. On February 17, 2004, a bomb exploded in an Iraqi school where Sevcec was filming a report about the opening of the school, with no one being injured. He also survived a shooting between guerrillas and the military in El Salvador years before.
Marzo 31st, 2011 at 17:12
Love Cuba — Trust me, you do not take on Israel — or rather AIPAC — as a shortcut to success and popularity. One of Carter’s problems was that was a micromanager, but he did not have luck on his side. America will vote out anyone who can’t make sure they have cheap gas.
Marzo 31st, 2011 at 16:12
Albert, good point in your last post.
Marzo 31st, 2011 at 16:11
trudeau, I disagree that Carter called the Palestinian situation, the Cuban situation, or most other situations like it is. I think Carter just took the safest route to success and popularity. I’m no fan of Bush, Carter, or any politician. Politics is a dirty game and they all get their hands dirty. Lots to like about Carter, but I’m sure if you looked you could find positives about Bush too. Read Yoani’s post again, about how easy it create and believe a stereotype of someone :)
Marzo 31st, 2011 at 15:59
I think Jimmy carter is a victim of his perception of himself; while I belive his motives are good, he assumes to be so important as to inspire change & dialogue when in reality he lends (I am not sure he is aware of it) his “prestige” to be used by the likes of the rebolution. Perhaps is his drive to leave a legacy?
Marzo 31st, 2011 at 15:51
Perhaps I did not express myself correctly & for that I am sorry
I am for the embargo & I agree (added) w/the necesity for the USA to grow some balls. The thought of the rules as I tried to say is that the game is not a game when it involves people; it seems like the games are played in the rarified air of plush offices in either side of the line while people suffers.
While in the case of Yoani & the “silent voices” their progress is palpable & devoid of violence, on the other hand the rebolution’s is dedication of large amounts of resources proves their fear, their end is very near.
Lastly I think I’ll be correct in stating that this rebolution is not much different than others, its policies & the propaganda they use is reactionary like trying to plug holes in a leaking dike.
It is proven by the format the rebolution “talks” & how the defenders follow the same protocol in their “debating” technics, their answers are always the same: shift blame, misdirection & a flood of out of contex fact.
I can see (I’ll admit if wrong) the rebolution has no desire to talk, negociate constructibly or a wish to improve the situation yet … I think I understand: they don’t want to loose face … :-)
Marzo 31st, 2011 at 15:45
Love Cuba,
I think you are selling him short. So he wore cardigans in the White House and tried to do something about energy consumption. And he called the Islaeli occupation of the West Bank what it really is. He was just ahead of the curve. He did get the Nobel Peace Prize. All the Bushes have done is try to enrich themselves. You must know where Bush Sr. was on 9/11 ? I guess Yoani and friends knew Carter was a peanut farmer. Good gift.
Marzo 31st, 2011 at 15:40
trudeau, good question, Carter might win that one :) Obviously his charitable work and diplomatic know-how makes him intelligent in some important areas, but intelligence isn’t a transferable commodity and he and other “humanitarian” leaders often remind me of Neville Chamberlain.
chicago, Capablanca’s grave was a highlight of my visit to Colon:
http://www.chesshistory.com/wi.....raves.html
Marzo 31st, 2011 at 15:36
Dear Yoani Sánchez
Thank you for sharing with the us your writings about your experiences and your desire to make a greater difference in Cuba. I have enjoyed reading your blog and look forward to reading you new book Havana Real.
I also look forward to the day where more Cubans can travel as they please. I hope you have the opportunity to recieve awards in your honor in person rather than behind a screen 1000’s of miles away. You are more than welcome to visit the U.S and hopefully you can talk more about abour your experiences accomplishments and provide cultural exchanges like I did while in the Peace Corps in Jamaica.
Philip Wegert
RPCV Jamaica 06 - 08
The contents of this blog are mine personally and do not reflect any position of the U.S. government or the Peace Corps.
Marzo 31st, 2011 at 15:33
Julio,
You forgot to mentioned that all except 12 of the political prisoners were kicked out of Cuba as a condition to getting out of jail. Not only that but they nor their families are allowed back. And the others who refused to leave Cuba were released on parole, where they can be arrested at any time. LA CHINA (Raul) is the same as THE MUMMY (Fidel), he is just been forced to do things in a different way dued to the downturn of the economy and 52 year of neglect, corruption and greed on the part of the Communist Pary Elite.
Marzo 31st, 2011 at 15:07
“This is the same reason I don’t think the dynasty is really interested in opening up the country to commercial, travel and other types of exchanges. This whole debate between the old and new Miami Cubans is actually a mute issue. The dynasty pretends but does not really want to do business openly. They are selfish, greedy with power, and in some contorted, psychopathic way, think themselves essential to the existence of the country. ”
I think Raul is little different from Fidel. So far we have to recognize that he released the majority of political prisoners.
That is an unprecedented step. So I some ways you maybe right but in some others I believe Raul is different.
Marzo 31st, 2011 at 14:57
Agree with you Coldinchicago.
Marzo 31st, 2011 at 14:06
Julio, I agree with you, except I think the rules don’t really matter in this case even if they change. In fact I’d give them the queen like Capa used to do, if they wanted it. The objective is to play.
Marzo 31st, 2011 at 13:51
Albert, the reasons for the embargo no longer apply. There is no cold war. Castro cannot sable rattle while at the feet of a big power like the USSR, the country is in a shambles, the Castro’s mental agility is rapidly decaying into terminal selinity.
Now against such an opponent, why not play them if that’s what they want to do? Let people freely come and go, let businesses open and trade. Let them just do it. Why not? I’ll tell you why not: the dynasty will recoil at the thought of actually coming through and opening up trade. They’d rather pick a fight with Obama. On a certain level, they probably prefer a republican that will allow them to batten down the hatches, bunker up, and keep the people in their misery.
It’s the same reason Emanuel Lasker - the german/jewish champion - avoided playing against the best chess players of his days, by demanding unreasonable amounts of money upfront in order for him to attend a tournament. This self-serving selfish tactic allowed him to be the longest reigning world chess champion in history at over twenty five years. In fact, he knew he would lose to Capablanca who was the “de facto” world champion, so he ceded the title, without playing him.
This is the saame reason I don’t think the dynasty is really interested in opening up the country to commercial, travel and other types of exchanges. This whole debate between the old and new Miami cubans is actually a mute issue. The dynasty pretends but does not really want to do business openly. They are selfish, greedy with power, and in some contorted, psychopathic way, think themselves essential to the existance of the country.
So I ask Obama, to do it. Hold your breath and take the jump, is not a big deal. Give the regime more to worry about. Do it quickly before the republicans come back to power and give these old leeches a helping hand by isolating the island.
Marzo 31st, 2011 at 12:38
Love Cuba,
And who would you bet on if he were playing against Bush Jr ?
Marzo 31st, 2011 at 11:52
KEEP THE EMBARGO, KEEP UP the pressure. DO NOT TRADE with the CUBAN 5 as they are CUBAN AGENTS and convicted spies, unlike GROSS. CUBA has to change whether they like it or not. Enough of the population realizes the system is broke and the extent of the organized government corruption. Fidel is on his 9th hour and the chips are falling. Do not let up now and only we now need to turn up the volume. VIVA ZAPATA , VIVA YOANI,, VIVA las Damas De Blanco.
Damir the MININT rep. here, also must be hiding cause Yoanis’ WORLD FAMOUS with some serious universal recognition. CHEERS people who share cyber world. Victory is near.The USA needs to grow some balls like YOANI’s.
Marzo 31st, 2011 at 11:35
Albert changing rules is not something new it has been done all the time it is what conduces us to progress. Some people can adapt to change for some others it is difficult to handle change.
We need to change the status quo on both sides.
Marzo 31st, 2011 at 11:00
Carter seems like a nice guy and I admire some of his charitable work, but does that make him intelligent? Neville Chamberlain also seemed like a nice guy. In a game of chess, I’d bet on their opponents.
Marzo 31st, 2011 at 11:00
Carter seems like a nice guy and I admire some of his charitable work, but does that make him intelligent? Neville Chamberlain also seemed like a nice guy. In a game of chess, I’d bet on the other their opponents.
Marzo 31st, 2011 at 10:32
The only time I can see when the embargo had any effect on Cuba’s economy was during the 90s. But China, Spain, Venezuela, Iran, etc, quickly stepped in to fill the shoes of the old Soviet Empire, and at the same time, American politicians created a lot of loopholes in the trade embargo. So basically the embargo is a moral statement with very little economic effect on Cuba.
Does this mean it should be dropped? I don’t know. Would the Cuban government drop it as a propaganda tool? They could keep lying and claim any trade obstacle amounts to an embargo, they need to blame someone for the mess they created. And the brain dead around the world would continue to believe them. And the empires that compete commercially with America will continue to inflame anti-American sentiment to the maximum degree possible for their own advantage.
People also claim that the USA is inconsistent in its human rights policy. They point to China and Saudi Arabia as horrible human rights abusers, and I agree with them. But bad as it is, the American government is far more consistent than any other power in human rights foreign policy, especially in recent times. They do criticize China and Saudi Arabia and others that are supposedly pro-American. The other empires of the world have NO place for human rights in their foreign policies. And I include Cuba here, which has enthusiastically given military and propaganda support to any fascist regime that has been friendly to Cuba.
I don’t know what the effects of America policy towards Cuba is. I think the world is too complex for anyone to know with certainty. But if the embargo only hurts American business, and not Cuban, then I think it is even more commendable as a moral statement.
Marzo 31st, 2011 at 08:14
@#15
I agree on point however: every game has its rules agreed upon before the match starts, changing them while the game is ongoing is rather hard.
Sometimes I think the reasons for the embargo have been forgoten thru the years; I am in agreement as well that the people IN Cuba has to do their work, that’s why I support the dissident movement; the problem is that the progress is measured in very small units & patience at times is tried to the limit.
For example: what are the points of negociation? what is the final goal? is there a consensus between the negotiating parties? who are the parties involved?
The only things being trumpeted about are issues of ideology, the consecuences are used as excuses & everything remains the same.
So I go back to my thought & support for the work the dissidents are doing … slow & methodical in its fruit but relentless & in the long run more effective while avoiding blood spillage … for now.
Unfortunally the human condition does not change much & a penchant for violence is right under the thin skin ready to pop up.
Via Cuba libre! Thank you Yoani & the “silent voices” for your dedication!
Marzo 31st, 2011 at 07:23
I don’t always agree with the ultraconservative’s analysis of domestic and foreign affairs. In fact, their baseless logic can sound scary to the well informed. But this time I have to agree with Ileana. Unless Carter knows something I don’t know, the spies should remain where they are: in jail. Particularly the one accused of planning murder.
With 11 million people in a cage, whether many of them know it or not, the regime does not have any moral standing to demand freedom for spies. Witness what they did with Elian Gonzalez, after promising not to use him for propaganda purposes, they quickly indoctrinated and trained him to blindly bow to the colostomy bag holder, then paraded him before cameras to spite, and incite all manner of demons. They could not help themselves, kind of like the snake that promises not to bite the sheep if he’s allowed in the barn, and ends up biting the sheep after being let in. When asked why he did it: I couldn’t help it, I’m a snake.
That’s the same thing they’ll do with the spies if they’re released. They’ll brag, parade, insult and the spies will forever show their gratitude to the dynasty. Forget it, will never happen.
Marzo 31st, 2011 at 01:26
Miguel, they are trading Alan Gross for at least the main spy, forget his name. There has been speculation for a long time. It will not surprize me if they do!
Marzo 30th, 2011 at 23:56
Gracias Ileana.
Ileana Ros: Carter should have demanded freedom for 11 million Cubans, instead of 5 convicted spies
PRESS RELEASE
March 30, 2011
Ros-Lehtinen Disappointed By President Carter’s Call For The Release Of The 5 Cuban Spies & Says Former President Should Have Taken Opportunity To Demand Freedom For The 11 Million Cubans Who Live Under Dictatorial Castro Regime
Washington, DC – Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) issued the following statement after press reports indicated that during former President Jimmy Carter’s trip to Cuba he had called for the release of the 5 Cuban spies convicted by US courts of espionage, with one convicted of conspiracy to commit murder.
Statement by Ros-Lehtinen:
“It deeply disappoints me that a former US President who prides himself as a committed fighter for human rights can meet with the dictators of Havana and call for the release of 5 Cuban spies who were rightly convicted in US courts.
These spies were here to report back to the regime on the activities occurring at our military installations and one was accused of conspiring in the deaths of the innocent pilots of Brothers to the Rescue, where three US citizens and one US resident were heinously shot down over international waters.
The Castro regime represses its people and it is squarely on the side of our enemies and against our interests. President Carter should know better than to appease dictators who have no interest in bringing liberty and freedom to the Cuban people and who are only interested in lengthening their 50 plus years in power.”
Marzo 30th, 2011 at 23:34
In case you miss this from the article and the news on the youtube!Who among us is a PSYCHIC? Please step up to the virtual podium please!
“Carter and most of the dissidents said they agreed to keep the details of their conversations private.”
Marzo 30th, 2011 at 21:52
From the Miami Herald article: “The Washington-based US-Cuba Democracy PAC, which favors sanctions on Cuba, said Carter “missed an opportunity to call for the freedom of the Cuban people from the brutal Castro dictatorship” during the news conference.”
In his news conference before leaving Carter did call for the freedom of the Cuban people.
The BBC report has a direct quote as follows: “My own hope is that in the future, there will be a complete freedom for all Cuban people for speech and for assembly and for travel; that all the internationally adopted standards for human rights will be enforced in Cuba,” he said.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/worl.....a-12913267
Marzo 30th, 2011 at 21:48
I agree John Bibb.
I think this is something where we can help by letting Cubans do for themselves what needs to be done.
Marzo 30th, 2011 at 21:33
YOUTUBE: CUBAN BLOGGERS AND DISSIDENTS SHOWN AFTER LEAVING AND ENTERING THE HOTEL WHERE EX-PRESIDENT JIMMY CARTER STAYED FOR MEETING WITH THEM. TELEMUNDO 51
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrcbRNkDV-Q
Marzo 30th, 2011 at 20:34
MIAMI HERALD: Carter meets with Fidel Castro and dissidents in Cuba-Human rights activist says former President Jimmy Carter’s meetings with dissidents in Cuba was a boost to victims of Castro brothers’ repression- By Juan O. Tamayo
Former President Jimmy Carter gave Cuban dissidents “a clear message of recognition and moral support’’ during meetings Wednesday with opposition figures that ranged from young blogger Yoani Sanchez to traditional activist Oscar Elias Biscet.
Carter also met with jailed U.S. government subcontractor Alan P. Gross, but told a news conference that he would not be taking Gross home when he left Cuba and that he favors ending all U.S. sanctions on the island.
The 86-year-old former president and his wife Rosalynn left Havana later Wednesday after a three-day visit in which he also met with Cuban ruler RaĂşl Castro, his brother Fidel Castro and Catholic church Cardinal Jaime Ortega.
While Carter said he went to Havana to try to improve U.S. relations, his high-profile meetings with many of Cuba’s top dissidents were unlikely to have been welcomed by the Cuban government, which regularly dismisses them as “mercenaries.”
“He wanted to leave a clear message of recognition and moral support for the many people who have been victims of the repression,” human rights activist Elizardo Sanchez Santa Cruz told El Nuevo Herald by phone from Havana.
Sanchez said he was in Carter’s first one-hour meeting with bloggers Yoani Sanchez, Claudia Cadelo and Laritza Diversent; Catholic activists Dagoberto Valdes and Oswaldo Paya,; Reinaldo Escobar, a blogger and Yoani Sanchez’ husband; and a female gay rights activist.
Yoani Sanchez said the bloggers gave the former Georgia peanut farmer some of the home-made peanut candies sold on Cuban streets, representing one of the few businesses that the communist government has never been able to control.
“This illegal (but) popular food, cheap enough for all pockets, has become a symbol of the civil resistance in the face of the totalitarian pretentions’’ of the government, said a letter from the bloggers that accompanied the box.
The second meeting was with 15 to 20 more traditional dissidents, including Biscet and nine other political prisoners freed recently after eight years in prison, as well as several members of the Ladies in White — female relatives of political prisoners.
Angel Moya, who was serving a 20-year sentence until his release in February, said he read parts of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights to Carter and then told him, “For that, we were sent to prison.”
Paya said he told the former president that Cuba needs free elections, not the Communist Party Congress next month. Carter’s staff has said he was interested in learning more about the congress, the party’s first since 1997.
Elizardo Sanchez said he had few hopes for improved Cuba-U.S. relations, noting that Carter himself tried hard to normalize relations with Havana during his 1977-1981 presidency. During those years, Fidel Castro sent more troops to Africa and unleashed the Mariel boatlift.
Carter and most of the dissidents said they agreed to keep the details of their conversations private.
A Cuban government statement noted that Raúl Castro had repeated to Carter during their six-hour meeting Tuesday Cuba’s standard offer to negotiate with Washington on the basis of equality, without prior conditions and with “absolute respect for the sovereignty and independence” of the island.
During his end-of-visit news conference, Carter repeated his opposition to all U.S. sanctions on Cuba, saying they only hurt the island’s people, said he hoped Havana would eventually respect all international agreements on human rights and called for the release of five Cuban spies held in U.S. prisons.
The former president reported he met Wednesday with Fidel Castro, who appeared well and chatted “like old friends” but offered no further details. Carter first met Fidel Castro during his visit in 2002, four years before the revolutionary leader underwent emergency surgery and gave up some of his powers.
Carter also confirmed he met Wednesday with Gross, arrested in late 2009 and sentenced to 15 years for delivering communications equipment to Jewish and other non-government groups on behalf of the U.S. Agency for International Development.
The 61-year-old from Potomac, Md. “still seems to be in good spirits, professing his innocence,’’ Carter told the news conference, and is planning to appeal his conviction.
News of the former president’s Cuba visit had sparked speculation that Castro would allow Gross to leave with Carter. The former president made it clear, however, that although he raised the Gross case with Havana officials he never expected to leave the island with Gross.
Cuban-American Sen. Robert Menendez, a New Jersey Democrat, meanwhile, wrote Carter a letter complaining that his visit to Cuba sent “the wrong message, at the wrong time, and in the wrong place.”
“Your visit suggests that the improvement of relations … is contingent upon some action by the United States, rather than acknowledging that it is Cuba’s intolerant and tyrannical actions that continue to define the future of U.S.-Cuba relations.
The Washington-based US-Cuba Democracy PAC, which favors sanctions on Cuba, said Carter “missed an opportunity to call for the freedom of the Cuban people from the brutal Castro dictatorship” during the news conference.
http://www.miamiherald.com/201.....astro.html
Marzo 30th, 2011 at 19:19
First, great work by Yoani, meeting and reporting on your meeting with Carter. Symbolism is very important in the great scheme of things. Lots of things happen under the table without anyone ever knowing. The present was ingenious and one that I’m sure greatly tickled Carter, the altruistic and selfless peanut farmer.
By the way, I agree with Julio de la Yncera. I’ve said it before, and will repeat it (not that anyone will listen) in order to beat an opponent at chess you have to sit at the table and play him, even if you hate his guts. One has to be smart about this and not go according to outdated 20th century cold war feelings, emotions and logic.
Just a side note. In the early 20th century, Jose Raul Capablanca was such a good natural born chess player that the champions of the time did not want to play him. They put incredible, almost unsurmountable conditions for them to sit at the table and play him. This seemingly unfair behavior was allowed at the time according to World Championship rules. Finally Capablance came through the back door almost to play at San Sabastian, Spain, at the invitation and insistance of Frank Marshall, an American chess champion at the time, and participated in the championship match in Spain, where he beat out his opponents and went on to be the world champion for decades.
Marzo 30th, 2011 at 19:17
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HI AGAIN JULIO DE LA YNCERA–#12, #13. The U.S.A. tried to run Castro out at the Bay of Pigs–it didn’t work. I think the Castro brothers will leave when the Army no longer supports them. Or when the worsening economic conditions finally bring them down–like the old U.S.S.R. I don’t have any workable solutions. The Cuban People will have to do the job.
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HOLA OTRA VEZ JULIO DE LA YNCERA–#12, 13. Los Estados Unidos quiso correr a Castro al Bahia de Cochinos–y no sirvio. Creo que los Hermanos Castros saldran cuando el Ejercito no les soporta. O cuando los condiciones economicos al fin causan su derroto–como en el viejo U.S.S.R. No tengo soluciones que sirven. La Gente Cubano tienan hacer el trabajo.
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John Bibb
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Marzo 30th, 2011 at 18:12
Incidentally you should notice that even that sometimes the situation have been really tense between the US and the Cuban government a direct military attack by the US to Cuba has never happen not even for any of the other US presidents during these 52 years.
I would not count the Bay of Pigs in this since that was Cubans not american.
So american foreign policy towards Cuba have been limited to embargo and isolation.
I think is time to shift.
I know many disagree.
But I think is time to try something different for connecting back with Cuba.
Connecting with the Cuban people.
Marzo 30th, 2011 at 18:05
So John what do you propose ?
Should we bomb the place out until Castro surrender or we kill him and his supporters?
Marzo 30th, 2011 at 17:31
WHAT A GLORIOUS DAY in CUBA today.
Cheers to everyone who desires a better Cuba.
Yoani and Team Yoani, will continue to the next round.
Marzo 30th, 2011 at 16:53
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HI JULIO DE LA YNCERA–#7. I think Fidel and Raul already know that they are stealing Cuban freedom! Jimmy Carter doesn’t need to tell them. I hope that the Cubans will get real freedom soon. 50 years without freedom is forever. Free Cuba now!
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HOLA JULIO DE LA YNCERA–#7. Creo que Fidel y Raul ya saben que estan robando la libertad Cubana. No es necesario que les diga Jimmy Carter. Espero que los Cubanos recibiran Libertad verdadero pronto. 50 anos sin libertad es para siempre. Cuba Libre ahora!
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John Bibb
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Marzo 30th, 2011 at 15:55
DR. OSCAR BISCET, YOANI SANCHEZ, LAS DAMAS DE BLANCO AMONG OTHERS LEAVING AND ARRIVING AT EX-PRESIDENT CARTER HOTEL WHERE THEY MET WITH HIM THIS MORNING
YOUTUBE: TVE NEWS SHOWING CUBAN DISSIDENTS AND BLOGGER LEAVING MEETING WITH CARTER
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=usJqvMp8WqM
Marzo 30th, 2011 at 15:40
Ola Yoani,
Very nice idea about the gift to President Carter. The writing in the letter was perfect.
Desde un otro isla en el Caribe,
Eric
Marzo 30th, 2011 at 14:34
John Bibb
I respectfully disagree with your opinion. It is better to talk and try to resolve disputes with diplomacy than to resort to force and to kill many. So maybe is the other way around. Maybe Carter and Obama are some of the greatest presidents this country have ever had.
As for Yoani’s words and words from the bloggers to Carter they are beautiful!
One day Cuba will shine really bright and it will be due to them and to what others like them do.
Totalitarians may put them in obscure prisons and between bars because now they have the force and the power that really belong to the people. But one day the people of Cuba will claim what rightfully belongs to them.
We have on our side truth and the desired for freedom for each and every Cuban.
Marzo 30th, 2011 at 14:24
I agree, great post. Living means changing. And what a great, symbolic gift.
Bobbie, all presidents get criticized in the States, no matter what they do. I think Carter and Obama have done and will do both bad and good, like most of the others, and I hope the result of this visit is for the good. After Carter’s last visit in 2002, Cuba sent dozens of dissidents to decades in jail, which I guess is Castro’s way of saying thank you.
By the way, any American can freely travel to Cuba by way of Canada, Europe, Latin America. You really should try it before the system changes completely. Avoid going directly from the States on one of those cultural exchange group tours, because you’ll be given a staged production of life in Cuba, and someone you think is your friend will be filing reports on you. Better go as a tourist and meet Cubans away from hotels.
Marzo 30th, 2011 at 13:32
Yoani, I just found your blog today as I was reading about President Carter’s visit. I am excited to be able to follow Generation Y and read about the Cubans who are trying to return basic human rights to the island. I so appreciate your translating them into English. I don’t know if it will happen in my life time, but, thanks to President Obama’s efforts, travel to Cuba from the U.S. will one day be possible for everyone who would love to see the beauty there and learn its history. I know you have been told differently, but both Carter and Obama get much criticism here in the states because they tell the truth and believe in trying to improve the human condition where they can. My hope is that you and your fellow bloggers will be able to carry a message that will eventually open up Cuba once more to all of us.
Marzo 30th, 2011 at 13:30
This is a great post by Yoani. I totally undestand as back in the late 70’s and early 80’s Romania’s kindergardens and schools were poluted with “anti-nucelar war” posters. Of course the culprit of this war were the american presidents: Carter and Reagan. Little was said about the USSR and its ironfist dictator. The entire Eastern Europe was flooded with hate messages directed towards USA. Fast forwarding 3 decades later, the history and the migration patterns of people from Eastern Europe proved that the socialism/communism is a corrupt failed system. Luckily for the Western World, the almighty USSR failed even with their nuclear plans. Luckily because, as history proved, Soviet dictators had no fear of wiping out tens of millions.
Marzo 30th, 2011 at 12:49
REUTERS: Carter meets Cuba dissidents, to visit jailed U.S. man
HAVANA- Former President Jimmy Carter met with leading Cuban dissidents on Wednesday and told them he expected to visit imprisoned U.S. aid contractor Alan Gross before leaving the communist-ruled island.
The meeting at the hotel in Old Havana where Carter and his wife Rosalynn have stayed during their three-day trip to Cuba included top critics of the Cuban government such as blogger Yoani Sanchez, Oswaldo Paya and Elizardo Sanchez.
Cuban leaders describe all of them as “mercenaries” working for arch-enemy the United States.
Elizardo Sanchez, head of the independent Cuban Commission on Human Rights, said Carter told them he came to Cuba with a full agenda that included the case of Gross, who is serving a 15-year prison sentence imposed this month by a Cuban court.
Carter’s objectives included “the possible release of Alan Gross,” Sanchez told reporters after the meeting.
“He said he plans to see Gross today,” he said.
Carter, 86, came to Cuba on Monday at the invitation of the Cuban government to explore ways to improve U.S.-Cuba relations. He was to hold a news conference before leaving.
Jailed contractor Gross, 61, was arrested in December 2009 while working in Cuba under a secretive U.S. program to promote political change by providing Internet access to Cubans.
Cuba views Gross’ work as part of ongoing U.S. attempts to subvert the government installed after a 1959 revolution.
He was put on trial by the government and sentenced to prison this month for “acts against the independence and territorial integrity of the state.” [ID:nN12265306]
His plight has damaged U.S.-Cuba relations, after a brief, initial warming under President Barack Obama, because Washington says he was only providing Internet to Jewish groups and committed no crime.
U.S. officials have said there will be no further rapprochement until he is freed.
RAUL CASTRO READY TO TALK WITH WASHINGTON
Carter, returning to Cuba after a groundbreaking 2002 visit, met on Tuesday with President Raul Castro, who repeated his previous offer to meet with the U.S. government and talk over “any topic”
The former U.S. president told reporters on Tuesday he had spoken with Cuban officials about Gross but was not there “to take him out of the country.”
Cuban officials had reportedly told Carter before his visit that Gross would not be leaving Cuba with him.
Carter has acted as an unofficial diplomatic trouble-shooter in the past, including last August when he secured the release of an American jailed in North Korea.
Apart from discussing Gross, the dissidents said they talked with Carter about the situation in Cuba, including their complaints about the lack of democracy and human rights.
“It was a brief, formal, affectionate meeting and it was a piece of Cuba that we gave him,” Yoani Sanchez said.
Carter, she said, heard “the perspective of each one on the reality here.”
The former president, who served from 1977 to 1981, met separately with 10 recently released political prisoners.
They had been jailed since a 2003 crackdown on opposition and were freed by Castro in a deal brokered by the Catholic Church. Unlike others released under the same agreement, they refused to leave the country and go to Spain, as the government wanted them to do.
(Additional reporting by Rosa Tania Valdes; Editing by Pascal Fletcher and Philip Barbara)
http://www.reuters.com/article.....mesticNews
Marzo 30th, 2011 at 12:16
En realidad el ex-Presidente Carter ha sido el unico Presidente que le ha dijo a Fidel la verdad. Cuando le dijo a ese hombre/dictador(Fidel) en la isla de Cuba, no vio libertad, y en esa isla la Democracia no existe.
A mi me sorprendio que el Señor Carter fuera a Cuba de nuevo, ya que yo estoy seguro que para Fidel el es una amenaza, no necesariamente personal, pero por lo le pueda decir, en una conversacion y tenga los microfonos cerca, como paso la otra ves.
Este Blog dice la VERDAD, aunque parece que John Bibb no esta de acuerdo, segun su comentario.
In reality ex-President Carter is the only President that has told Fidel that in that island there is no democracy, no liberty, and no human rights.
It was a surprise to learn that he traveled to Cuba again as he is a thorn to the Castro regime, and most probably neither of them want him to make comments like those he made on his first visit to Cuba.
He is not taking an ineffective action, he is actually working for a settlement on freeing an American that the Cuban government put in prison.
No surprise there, is there?
Marzo 30th, 2011 at 10:48
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President Jimmy Carter is the second worst president in U.S. History. Only President Barack Obama is worse. Neither one acts in our national interest. Or in the interest of Liberty. They only talk to evil governments. They take ineffective actions against evil.
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Presidente Jimmy Carter es es segundo presidente mas malo en la Historia de los Estados Unidos. Solamente el Presidente Barack Obama es peor. No actuan en nuestra interes nacional. Ni en el interes de la Libertad. No mas hablan a los gobiernos malos. Toman acciones no effectivos contra la maldad.
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John Bibb
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