NationStates Jolt Archive

I will make to seperate main posts,
the article post and my post, please
read the two posts first before voting
in the poll, thank you.

This poll is a little diffrent, it asks would
you support an international embargo of
the real democratic nations of the worl:
The European Union, Canada, Australia,
New zeeland, Japan, Mexico and others
on Cuba under Fidel Castro.

Or do you support economic, political
and social relations, with Cuba under
Fidel Castro.

The article, Cubans Loosing Patience With Castro,
posted in the Miami Herald, on Sat July 16, 2005, a newspaper many Cuban Americans consider anti
Cuban American and Pro Castro.

Daily blackouts, ongoing financial woers and Hurricane Denis have helped fan the flames of discontent among Cubans, many of whom blame Fidel Castro for thier problems.

Record summer heat has combined with hurricanes, relentless power cuts, water shortages and crumbling housing to tax cubans' traditional patience with president Fidel Castro's government and the strains caused by the US embargo.

Ive never seen people talk this way about Fidel. That they want his head. Most of them really do not mean it. It's more like they are really frustraded with thier father, a Havana housewife said the other night sitting in her pitch-
black home in the La Lisa District.

Castro raised expectations this year when he announced a big increase in reserves, centralized control of foreign exchange and alliances with China. while oil rich Venezuela finally put an end to Cuba's 15 year crisis that followed the Soviet Union's demise.

Chronic Energy Woes

The Cuban leader, who turns 79 next month and has been in power for 46 years, said hundreds of millions were being spent to ensure the chronic energy shortage that marked the crisis would improve by the holiday months of July and August and disapear completly within a year.

Castro also increased most state salaries and pensions, announced plans to improve free healthcare strained by the absence of thousands of doctors sent to Venezuela and promised to shore up waterworks and transport and build 50,000 homes a year.

But since May, daily blackouts of six, 12, and even 18 hours have left Cubans miserable and expectations dashed, even as millions live with little in any running water due to a long drought and then suffer leaky roofs when it does rain.

Cuba's power grid simply cannot meet demand. Obsolete plants need constant maintenance and burn a sulfur ridden
local fuel that clogs and destroys equipment. Breakdowns throw the entire system into crisis.

Unsual Protests

Small, scatterd protests have taken place from one end of the island to the othe4r, unsual events in this tightly controlled society.

A few people have been putting up anti government posters and stirring people up, a nurse in the central part of the country said.

A havana resident said people were throwing bottles from his high rise apartment complex when the lights went out at night.

A rare July hurricane, Dennis, has made matters worse, killing 16 people, causing 1.4 billion in damage, destroying 15,000 homes and cutting power lines between the east and west of the country.

A recent National Housing Institute report said 500,000 new homes were needed and 43 percent of the current stock was in mediocre or poor shape, due in part to six hurricanes in less than five years that damaged or destroyed hundreds of thousands of dwelings.

Dennis multiplied the problems. We are still without water, the blackouts are just as bad, if not worse, and the storm blew away what little we managed to plant in recent weeks, said Antonio, a government supporting pensioner in drought stricken eastern Holguin Province.

Above normal June rains combined with Dennis eased the impact of the worst drought in a century. This saw two million of Cuba's 11 million citizens fetching water from trucks and turned the islands's lush green into ugly yellos and browns, forcing the government to almost double food imports that already accounted for 50 percent of the local diet.

I would edit that question to read "would you support an international embargo BY the real democratic nations" that seems to make more sense... not trying to be argumentative, just had a problem understanding the message the first time thru.

This poll is a little diffrent, it asks would
you support an international embargo of
the real democratic nations of the worl:
The European Union, Canada, Australia,
New zeeland, Japan, Mexico and others
on Cuba under Fidel Castro.

Or do you support economic, political
and social relations, with Cuba under
Fidel Castro.

The article, Cubans Loosing Patience With Castro,
posted in the Miami Herald, on Sat July 16, 2005, a newspaper many Cuban Americans consider anti
Cuban American and Pro Castro.
Two comments--one, I do not support the continued embargo by the US of Cuba. It hasn't worked for the last 40 years and there's no reason to think it will any time soon.

Second, the Miami Herald is far from a pro-Castro paper. I live in south Florida, and the Nuevo Herald is about as pro-exile community as it can be, simply because the exile community relentlessly attacks any newspaper, radio station or television station that doesn't follow their party line. To suggest they're pro-Castro is intellectually dishonest--either that or it shows your inherent bias toward the exile community.

So, you're asking would I support an embargo of the real democratic nations of the world by Cuba? Sure I would. :) Democracy stinks...

the embargo has done nothing but hurt the cuban people and strengthen castro. i do not support it.

Castro is an old man and when he dies, communism will end (thankfully) on that island and the people will be free. And by the way The Great Sixth Reich, what the hell makes you think a foul system that oppresses people and freedoms like communism does and continues to should be able to embargo anything?

So, you're asking would I support an embargo of the real democratic nations of the world by Cuba? Sure I would. :) Democracy stinks...

Yes the democratic nations of the world are trembelling with fear at the economic ruin thats going to befall them when Cuba shuts them out.

But seriously, the embargo should be replaced with a policy of trade and social engagment. The embargo has failed.

Posted in The Miami Herald on July 15-2005

Al least 11 Havana residents were detained for participating in demonstrations deemed anti-government.

A least 11 protesters who participated in demostrations in Havana commemorating a deadly 1994 tugboat sinking( where men women and children were pressure hosted into the sea)
remained in custody Thursday, according to a human rights activist on the island.

The arrests came after clashes Wednesday along the seaside Maleco'n highway between a small group of protestors and a much larger contingency of government supporters, as well as a separate, more violent incident near the Plaza de la Revolucion in central Havana.

Elizardo Sanchez, head of the Cuban Commission on Human Rights and National Reconciliation in Havana, said his organization confirmed the detention of 11 people, including two women, but have reports of as many as 20 arrests.

There are no charges against them and they remain incommunicado from family members, Sanchez told The Herald in a phone interview.

Sanchez said the repressive actions veiled as counter protests were carried out in four seperate incidents, three od them along the Maleco'n and a fourth near the Plaza de la Revolucion that involved punching and kicking by rapid response brigades.

It is a great pity that the Cuban governments's fear of its own people prompts it to attack people who were simply demanding their own human rights, Kevin Whitaker, the State department's coordinator of Cuban affaris, said Thursday on Radio Marti.

The hostile acts were similar to a verbal attack in March against the wives of some of the 75 dissidents imprisoned in 2003. About 150 members of the state run Federation of Women surrounded the wives, know as the Ladies in White, and shouted insults and slogans as the wives tried to carry out a silent protest to bring attention to their plight.

Beatriz Pedroso, wife of imprisoned dissident Julio Ce'sar Ga'lvez, said that tempers are flaming as the country continues to struggle with extended blackouts and a shortage of food, made worse by Hurricane Dennis.

Several spontaneous anti government acts, including vandalism against government buildings, have been reported across the island in recent days.

The scarcities are worse than ever. We just got rid of one hurricane, but we've been dealing with another one for more than 40 years. Pedro said by phone from Havana.

Several Cuban dissidents were allowed to return home after a night of being detained for trying to participate in a public demonstration.

Several Cuban dissidents picked up by authorities during the second attempt this month to lauch rare public protests in Havana were released without charges Saturday.

But leaders vowed to continue thier bold acts of defiance even as the fate of about a dozen detained dissidents remainde unknown, clashes with government supporters continued and police presence on the street increased.

We are going to continue to insist and we are calling for demonstrations across the island, Martha Beatriz Roque, Cuba's most prominent female opposition leader, told reporters in Havana after being released from custody Saturday. Roque, who in May led an unprecedented two day gathering of government opponents, said that while no charges were filed authorities warned that the attempted protests was viewed as a provocation.

Meanwhile in Washington, the State Department condemend the arrests.

We call on the Cuban government to end this deplorable repression and immediately free all of those arrested. We
urge other countries to join us in condeming these acts, said Adam Erell, a spokesman.

The protest in front of the French Embassy was called to demand the release of all political prisoners, including six
who remained jailed on public disorder charges for taking part in demonstrations on July 13 to commemorate the 1994 deadly sinking of a tugboat filled with Cubans trying to flee the island. ( in my personal opinion where men, women and children were pressure hossed into the sea.)

The six were among as many as 30 would be protestors taken into custody July 13 after clashes with a contingency of government supporters who carried out a raucous counterprotests.

Prominent dissidents Vladimiro Roca told The Herald that police presence has since been bolstered.

A large apparatus of security is roaming the streets, even in neighboorhoods where they arent usually visible, Roca
said by telephone from Havana. Police presence is heavey, especially in central and Old Havana.

As many as 26 government opponents were detained friday either at their homes or on their way to the French
Embassy, human rights activists, on the island reported. At least nine, including Roque, were allowed to return home but the whereabouts of the remainder were not known.

Since they took him at 9:30 in the moorning Friday, I know nothing, said Jorge Gomez Manzano, brother of opposition leader Rene Gomez Manzano.

Ive called everywhere and authorities keep saying they have no information, an agitated gomez told the Herald in a telephone interview from Havana. Im very worried.

Rene Gomez Manzano a lawyer, and engineer Felix Bonne a Cuban of African Decent, who also was detained Friday, are the two other leaders who joined Roque in the creation of the Assembly for the Promotion of Civil Society in Cuba.
The assembly which lists more than 300 oppostition groups as members, has labeled Fidel Castro's government as Stalinist and called for the return of democratic traditions in the communist ruled island.

The problem is the nature of the Cuban government
that will not change how it treats its own people
with Trade, tourists and political relations.

It has all these things now and hasnt changed in
46 years and counting, how much longer do we have to wait and plead with the world.

I want to make more posts but I have to go take care of some important government business right now, I will be
back later if your having fun.

I have to sent the tanks into the street and put down a
rebellion by a group of dissidents in my democratic nation.

La Habana Cuba.

I crushed the rebellion sooner than I thought.

La Habana Cuba

A new political dissident group in Cuba
has called for peaceful civil disobedience as the
only way to bring about democratic changes in Cuba.

The only reason why the embargo hasnt worked is because other nations of propped his empire up for so long, has everybody embargoed then it mighta been different.

In anyway that country will be democratic when that guy finally dies, at which point it can become the great tourist spot it used to be.

Two comments--one, I do not support the continued embargo by the US of Cuba. It hasn't worked for the last 40 years and there's no reason to think it will any time soon.

Oh come on now, ever since Eisenhower has been in the Whitehouse they have been telling us that support for the revolution in Cuba will crumble any day now... are you seriously suggesting to me that ten separate presidential administrations over a period of 46 years have been systematically lying to me?


EDIT 'revolution' not 'resolution'. Curse you, alcohol.

the embargo has done nothing but hurt the cuban people and strengthen castro. i do not support it.


How? Cuba is still a free market to a majority of the world just not to the US, you seen how 50% of the food is imported...so...again..how?

Oh come on now, ever since Eisenhower has been in the Whitehouse they have been telling us that support for the resolution in Cuba will crumble any day now... are you seriously suggesting to me that ten separate presidential administrations over a period of 46 years have been systematically lying to me?
Well, Eisenhower (more likely members of his administration , but whatever) had a real plan for taking out Castro. It was called the Bay of Pigs. Unfortunately, Kennedy was elected instead of Nixon, and, being the petty man that he was, didn’t wasn’t to got through with a Republican plan. So, he cancelled the plan, without telling the Cuban revolutionaries. The result? A lot of dead Cubans.

Well, Eisenhower (more likely members of his administration , but whatever) had a real plan for taking out Castro. It was called the Bay of Pigs. Unfortunately, Kennedy was elected instead of Nixon, and, being the petty man that he was, didn’t wasn’t to got through with a Republican plan. So, he cancelled the plan, without telling the Cuban revolutionaries. The result? A lot of dead Cubans.

and the lesson we can learn from this is what exactly? That might is right?

and the lesson we can learn from this is what exactly? That might is right?I would be against the Bay of Pigs, usually, as I am against interventionist policies. But the point is, we made a commitment and didn’t follow through to the detriment of the Cuban revolutionaries.

I would be against the Bay of Pigs, usually, as I am against interventionist policies. But the point is, we made a commitment and didn’t follow through to the detriment of the Cuban revolutionaries.

Counter-revolutionaries, you mean.

I would be against the Bay of Pigs, usually, as I am against interventionist policies. But the point is, we made a commitment and didn’t follow through to the detriment of the Cuban revolutionaries.

I may be misinterpreting you here, but not intentionally: is the 'we' meant to be read here as 'a small cabal within the white house'?

Counter-revolutionaries, you mean.
Actually they were the third revolutionaries in sixty years. So they would be counter-counter revolutionaries. :D
But seriously, I wouldn’t call them counter-revolutionaries. Castor was firmly in power.
I may be misinterpreting you here, but not intentionally: is the 'we' meant to be read here as 'a small cabal within the white house'?
Well, yes. More specifically, Eisenhower’s, cabal, which made the commitment, and Kennedy’s that pulled out.

The European Union said Sunday it remained concerned about human rights in Cuba despite the release of a top opposition leader a day earlier.

In a statement, the EU executive Commission said while it was pleased by the release of Martha Beatriz Roque, the
arrest of a number of Cuban dissidents on Friday, July 22,
nevertheless ilustrates the extreme social tension in Cuba.

It spoke of a clear hardening in the attitude of the government of Cuba, where numerous dissidents remain
in detention.

On Saturday, Roque and at least two other dissidents were
released, one day after they and more than a dozen other
opponents of the regime of President Fidel Castro were
detained in an apparent effort to quell an anti government
protest.

Cuba's human rights record has long prevented the EU from improving ties with the Caribbean island.

In January, it lifted political sanctions meant to isolate Cuba as a sign of goodwill over the release of political prisoners.

Is because of the refusal of the real democratic nations
of the world to make it an embargo.

The embargo doesn't work because Cuba is seen against others as a moderate dictatorship compared to many, many others.

Castro is an old man and when he dies, communism will end (thankfully) on that island and the people will be free. And by the way The Great Sixth Reich, what the hell makes you think a foul system that oppresses people and freedoms like communism does and continues to should be able to embargo anything?

As a joke. Wouldn't it be funny if Cuba embargoed every democracy? :)

As a joke. Wouldn't it be funny if Cuba embargoed every democracy? :)
They wouldn't stand to lose because they already are! :p

I support the embargo, and if possible we need to tighten it. Next we need to set up a navel blockade so the Cubans can't trade with other nations, deport EVERY single illegal Cuban out of America back to Cuba, and send in Delta Force to eliminate Castro and set up a pro-America puppet government in Cuba, and until this is established continue the embargo/blockade.

How? Cuba is still a free market to a majority of the world just not to the US, you seen how 50% of the food is imported...so...again..how?
The embargo provides a rallying point for Cubans against an outside 'aggressor'. This is something most countries find desirable. It keeps the attention off the shit going on at home. Hey...I sound like Manufacturing Consent:).

Anyway, I don't really pay much attention to the Miami Cubans yelling about Castro. I'm a bit more worried about governments that are actually slaughtering people.

Is because of the refusal of the real democratic nations
of the world to make it an embargo.
Absolutely. I would never support the embargo, and I'm glad my country sends thousands of tourists there every year. You really want Castro out? Tempt the Cubans away from him. Open up and flood them with US goods. It'll work so fast you'll wonder why you wasted all this time on the embargoes. In fact, I would credit the US with keeping Castro in power. If they weren't 'the enemy', they would be the most likely influence on politics in that nation. Good job!

Next we need to set up a navel blockade so the Cubans can't trade with other nations, deport EVERY single illegal Cuban out of America back to Cuba, and send in Delta Force to eliminate Castro and set up a pro-America puppet government in Cuba, and until this is established continue the embargo/blockade.

On what basis do you believe you have the right to interfere in trade between, for example, the UK and Cuba?

And what exactly do the citizens of Cuba get out of this deal? Certainly it doesn't appear to be democracy or a government with their interests at heart.

Many people aren't aware that the US does trade with Cuba, primarily agricultural commodities and medical supplies. About 44% of Cuba's agricultural needs came from the US last year, and they can buy all they want.

Cuba's exports, while vital to the country, aren't very big and I question whether the US market will make any difference to them.

I don't think dropping the embargo will make a significant difference to the economic health of Cuba. What will make a difference is when significant foreign direct investment occurs. That will only happen when the government changes to make a safer environment for business. Big money won't flow to Cuba until Castro is gone, money only flows toward safe opportunity. The US has a role in this, but it can't be pinned completely on the US.

Many people aren't aware that the US does trade with Cuba, primarily agricultural commodities and medical supplies. About 44% of Cuba's agricultural needs came from the US last year, and they can buy all they want.

Cuba's exports, while vital to the country, aren't very big and I question whether the US market will make any difference to them.

I don't think dropping the embargo will make a significant difference to the economic health of Cuba. What will make a difference is when significant foreign direct investment occurs. That will only happen when the government changes to make a safer environment for business. Big money won't flow to Cuba until Castro is gone, money only flows toward safe opportunity. The US has a role in this, but it can't be pinned completely on the US.
Ah...but agriculture is much different than Coca Cola and Levi Jeans...MTV and Burger King...and the jobs created by such product production/distribution. Once the US is not the rallying point, it will become easier for influence and cultural dispersion to occur. The symbol is the blockade. Take away the symbol, and there is little to form a common front against. The rest will follow.

I'd prefer you didn't though...I like Cuba mostly yanqui free :D

Ah...but agriculture is much different than Coca Cola and Levi Jeans...MTV and Burger King...and the jobs created by such product production/distribution. Once the US is not the rallying point, it will become easier for influence and cultural dispersion to occur. The symbol is the blockade. Take away the symbol, and there is little to form a common front against. The rest will follow.

I'd prefer you didn't though...I like Cuba mostly yanqui free :D

Yes, it is possible that US cultural influence and demand for US consumer goods would put pressure on the Castro regime. We are also taken to task by some when we do that.

Personally I am against embargos because in most cases they punish individuals as well as the government. They do work, at least to some degree, but it's a cold-blooded way to look at the world. I'm glad people above my pay grade make those decisions.

Direct foreign investment is the tool, though, if there's a safe environment. Where you're talking a few million in Levi's, etc., you're talking many billions of investment money to build hotels, industry, and so forth. That's a real prize that transforms economies, but the cash requires safety - and safety means at a minimum a favorable legal system and democratic government. The perception that there are acceptable rules to play by.

Believe it or not, I can follow Sinuhue's and others
point of view, I can understand it, even though I
may not agree with it, even though I am afraid of it.
La Habana Cuba.

To those that say trade, tourists and political relations
will change the way the Cuban government treats its citizens, I would say that has not worked either.

Cuba trades with the EU, Latin America like Mexico, Japan,
Australia, New Zeeland, and even the USA, under a law passed by congress with a veto proff majority, under
the administration of President George W. Bush, but
also passed an amendment or deal made by the anti
Castro Cuban American Representatives for Cuba to pay
in advance on a pay as you buy policy with no American
loans or credits.

And about 2,000,000 million foreing tourists visit Cuba each year mostly form Europe and Latin America, where
Cuban citizens are not allowed to stay in their own nations
hotels with Dollars, Euros, or Pesos thier national currency, and cubans call it tourist aparthaid

And all this trade, tourists and political relations has
not improved the lives of the Cuban people, that they
have to ask thier foreing living relatives for everything,
nor has it changed the way the Cuban government
treats its own people.

That is what I am afraid off, the concept sounds great
like it should make sense, but not while Castro is alive
and in power.
La Habana Cuba.

But I think once Castro dies in power, it will still take
diplomatic, economic and social presures on his succesors
to change, economic , social and especially political policy
on how it treats its own citizens.

Recently the House of Representatives thanks to the Cuban American Representatives and the Cuban government's harrasment of peaceful political dissidents defeated efforts to extend American loans and credits and do away with the pay cash in advance as you buy policy, thus effectively ending the so called embargo.

There have been confirmed reports by the companys
themselves that Cuba has tried to presure the companys it has done business with to presure the congress to give them American loans and credits, and doing away with the cash in advance as you buy policy, thus effectively ending the so called embargo.

Cuban dissident and former political prisoner Owaldo Paya,
collected over 10,000 signitures on a pettion called the Varela Project, for referendum on political, economic and social reforms and a process on how to achieve it should the referendum pass, as allowed for under the Cuban Constitution.

President Fidel Castro announced a 3 day pettion drive to declare the economic, political and social system of Cuba
irrevocable, which according to the Cuban government was supported by over 99.25 percent of elegible voters,
and passed by the National Assembly 609 votes for
and 0 against, thus effectively ending Oswaldo Paya's
legal efforts at political, economic and social reforms.
In a one Party state.

the Cuban American Representatives .

Known as the Bacardi republican Mob.Ragarding your posts I only can conclude that you support that scum. Things are not perfect in Cuba, but that is the result of those guys and the US. Nice to see the Venezuala oil go to Cuba and see the Cuban doctors go to that country. You guys will never win and restore your fascist Batista way of oppression, they just don't want you guys anymore.

In March of 2003, Cuba arrested 75 political dissidents, the EU put political sanctions and withdrew a small modest amount of aid to encourage the Cuban government
on political and human rights improvement, and since then they have released about 14 or so, and have arrested and harrased over a 100 others.

Recently European Parliment members were barred and detained in Cuba for trying to attend a peaceful gathering of dissidents many of whom were harrased before the gathering to try to break them from attending.

And the only reason the Cuban government permitted the gathering to take place was because they were afraid of stronger actions by The European Union.

And the EU response was to suspend sanctions for a whole year to see if the Cuban government improves political and human right freedoms wihtout sanctions.

That does not make sense to me.

Velo, Cuba send doctors to Venezuela for free, but that is paid for by the government of Venezuela, the Cuban government pays the cuban doctor a smal amount and pockets the rest, his family in Cuba also gets a small amount.

The absence of those doctors in Cuba makes
it harder for the people of Cuba.

Venezuela sells oil to cuba at lower prices and with
preferential terms of payment, Cuba takes most of that oil
and re-exports it to make $ money, supposedly to help the Cuban people, and yet cubans are suffering 6 to 8 to
even 18 hours of blackouts daily in Cuba.

But the hotels for tourists only have not been affected
by the blackouts.

Does Castro really care about the Cuban people?

What Most Cuban Americans want is an international embargo of the real democratic nations of the world,
the European Union, Canada, Australia, New Zeeland,
Japan, USA, Mexico and other hispanic nations.

Many Cuban Americans belive that without American or
European trade Dollars or Euros and since Cuba is an island, that government would not survive a week and
would fall apart from withinn

They owe billions of Dollars to European and other governments and companys in their national currencys.

What the Cuban government wants are American loans and credits to survive as a government in power.

And it is my view that if they get it
they will pay the minimum possible
just to get by.

Even with the help of President Hugo Chavez of Venezuela
and to a much lesser extend China it would be to little to late.

My personal view,
If the EU and USA were to cut off all trade Dollars and Euros, I think China would back off or at least not assist as much in order not to damage its economic and social relations with the EU and USA, unless of course it was ready to make war on the USA, but in Cuba's case it
would be to little to late.

In a nation where neighborhood comittees for the defense of the revolution keep a record of every citizens social loyalty to the revolution, if you do voluntary work or not when asked to do so, and report you to the police if you disagree with any government policy, where they keep a record at your work place if you attended a pro government march or not.

Cuba is the only nation in the world where the government
used to pay the average citizen in their national currency and forced them to buy most of thier basic need products in so called Dollar stores with Dollars or Euros sent to them by thier Cuban American and European relatives
and ration book products as well as a few other products with regular cuban Pesos their national currency.

But they have recently changed that, now they are forced to buy most of their basic need products in so called dollar stores now called Peso stores in Convertible Cuban Pesos,
and ration book products and a few other products mostly
in the black market with thier regular Pesos.

Here is an exsample of how they get Cuban Convertible Pesos, a Cuban American or European relatives sends
their relative in Cuba Dollars or Euros subject to a fee and
the Cuban government exchanges that money- gives the
Cuban relative in Cuba, Cuban Convertible Pesos.

Cuba has 2official currencys,
the regular Cuban Peso,
the Convertible Cuban Peso.

When La Yuma and I talk of these things
the concept sounds so outrageous
it must not be so, but yet it is.

The Cuban people cannot ask thier elected representatives
in the National Assembly in a one party state to change
any of these laws, if not they would have done so by now.

Every year at Geneva, Cuban American political and social organizations have to beg their hispanic brothers nation governments to condem Castro's Cuba for political and
human rights violations.

For all these reasons I have posted
like the refusal of the real democratic nations of the world
to make an effective embargo.

Most Cuban Americans feel like the world hates them,
and the real democratic nations of the world dont care.

And that they are alone against a dictatorship government
of 46 years and counting
that will not change the way it treats its own people,
with trade, tourists and political relations.
La Habana Cuba.

This is why most Cuban Americans act, think the way they do and feel the way they do.
La Habana Cuba.

Welcomes all telegrams on any subject anytime
postive or negative except join region, but may be
considering that option more and more, as I have
many nations, but I will always tell you who is
the principal one behind it.

All telegrams except join region will be answerd
without flame, or bad manners.
Thank you.
La Habana Cuba.

Castro is an old man and when he dies, communism will end (thankfully) on that island and the people will be free. And by the way The Great Sixth Reich, what the hell makes you think a foul system that oppresses people and freedoms like communism does and continues to should be able to embargo anything?

Proper COmmunism as laid down by Lenin and Marx is not oppressive and people have as many freedoms as possible. However no country has been communist by definition-they have been communist in name only. Countries such as Soviet Union, old China, CUba, Vietnam etc were socialist, not communist.

As I have many nations I am considering
the option of join region more and more,
I might answer a telegram or so with
that option but not sure yet.

My nations have received many telegrams of join region,
sometimes I wonder if they know the principal one behind it, but If I do decide to join region with one of my nations
an option I am considering more and more, I will always
tell you who is the principal one behind it.
La Habana Cuba.

I agree with better relations. You mention damage through things like hurricanes. Do you think the countries that got crushed by the Tsunami should have a revolution because their government isnt working? No, there are some things that cant be helped and they deserve aid and fair relations just as much as any other. Just because its communist doesnt mean we should isolate it. What kind of democratic face is that?

I. The release of all political prisoners inside Cuba not exile.

2. The dismantling of the Committees for the Defense of the Revolution.

3. Democratic elections with diffrent political partys
offering diffrent economic, political, and social point of view.

Like those enjoyed by the real democratic nations of the world , The European Union, Canada, Australia, New Zeeland, Japan, Mexico and others.

Castro Warns Dissidents Against Acts of Treason

Cuban President Fidel Castro, on the 52nd anniversary of the start of his revolution, sternly warned his opponents on the island to simmer down or else.

In the darkest bluntest warning to Cuban dissidents yet,
President Fidel Castro said Tuesday that acts of treason would not be tolerated and warned that attempts to destabilize would be confronted by the population, whenever traitors and mercenaries go one millimeter beyond what the revolutionary people are willing to permit.

President Castro's strong words on the 52nd anniversary of the start of his revolution came on the heals of a new roudup of more than 50 dissidents who tried to participate in two seperate protests this month.

Most of the would be protestors were released after clashes
with government supporters, but as many as 16 remained behind bars, including six charged with public disorder.

Castro, whose speech was broadcast on Cuban television and radio, specifically named the Assembly to Promote A
Civil Society in Cuba, that group's leader Martha Beatriz Roque , who was release from custody over the weekend, has publicly statted that dissidents across the island were ready to take to the streets to bring international attention to thier plight.

Castro again accused government opponents of being paid US mercenaries playing a dangerous game.

The Much publicized dissidence, or alleged opposition in
Cuba, exsists only in the fervered minds of the Cuban American mafia and the bureaucrats in the White House, Castro said to resounding applause.

He added that foreign news reports have falsely portrayed an image of crisis and chaos.

You would think that the revolution only had a few hours left. Castro sarcastically told an audience of government officials, millitary personell and other loyal followers gathered at the Karl Marx Theater in Havana.

The audience, including hundreds of Americans who arrived this week with an aid shipment, gave Castro a standing ovation.

But even as Castro tried to minimize the relevance of dissidents, the 78 year old ruler acknowledged that a lengthy drought, a crippling energy crunch and devestation from Hurricane Dennis has made life more difficult on the island, and he asked Cubans to be patient.

The population has grown increasingly weary from blackouts that lasts for hours, spoiling already depleted food supplies, small, sporadic antigovernment acts have been reported across the island.

Tuesday's gathering was to commemorate the July 26, 1953 assult led by Castro in a failed attempt to seize the Cuban army's Moncada Barracks in the Eastern city of
Santiago. The annual celebration has traditionally been a large public affair but was scalled back this year.

4. The right to Internet and Cable access for all Cubans,
a right they do not have right now.

5. The right to stay in thier own nations hotels with thier own national currency.

6. The right to be paid for their work in thier own national
currency and spend it in their own national currency.

Cuban Americans do not believe that these goals are possible, under the government of President Fidel Castro,
as Cuba already trades with the real democratic nations of the world listed above including the USA and is visited by thier tourists, and nothing has
changed.

According to the government of Cuba,

Cuba produces about 85,000 barrels of oil per day
or about 50 percent of its consumption needs of
about 170,000 barrels per year.

Venezuela exports to cuba increased in 2004 to
about 78,000 barrels per day or about 45.88 percent
of its needs, at lower prices with preferential terms of payment.

Leaving Cuba to import about 7,000 barrels of oil
per day from other sources.

085,000 per day - 31,025,000 per year - 50.00 percent
078,000 per day - 28,470,000 per year - 45.88 percent
95.88 percent sub total,
007,000 per day - 2,555,000 per year - 4.12 percent
170,000 per day - 62,050,000 per year -100.00 percent.

Cuba produces about 600,000,000 cubic meters
of natural gas per year, an amount the Cuban government
considers a triumph of the revoulution.

And re- exports a certain amount of oil to
make $ money supposedly to help the Cuban people.

So why are Cubans suffering 6 to 8 to 10 or 12 hours
of power blackouts every day while the hotels for tourists
are not affected by the power blackouts.

Does President Castro really care about the Cuban people?

Hi Habana

I have a few questions regarding Cuba and was wondering if you could answer them for me.

1. I heard that after the Cuban revolution the U.S. demanded that Castro release political prisoners and any refugees that wanted to seek asylum and put them on boats bound for Miami. Castro agreed, but also emptied out the prisons and shipped criminals to the U.S. as well. Is this true?

2. It seems from your posts that you think Castro is bad for Cuba and that many Cubans still living in Cuba agree. If this is the case, why hasn't Castro been kicked out of power?

Mu question is where does all the money go? You mention how Castro twists everything so he makes a profit and the people have nothing, but what does he do with it all?

With Saddam you knew it went to palaces and gold-plated machine guns, what does Castro have?

I think you are refering to the

1. 1980 Mariel Refugee Boat Lift, when over 125,000 Cubans
were allowed to leave Cuba by the government of Castro,
picked up in boats by thier Cuban American relatives.

Most of them were good decent people but many thousands were criminals and other bad people.

2. The Commitees for the defense of the Revolution,
who keep an eye on all who disagree with the government
and report you to the police, keep a record of your social loyalty to the revolution, if you volunteer for voluntary work when asked to, and if you attendend a pro government march or not.

There are about 2,000,000 Cuban refugees all over the world, at least 1,000,000 have relatives in Cuba, millions of Cubans are registerd with the American Intrest Section
in Cuba wanting to emigrate to the USA, because they do
not like living in Cuba, I have been trying to find out the official figures without success so far, I will keep trying.

And yet according to the Cuban government
over 98 percent of eligible Cuban voters vote and approve
of the Cuban government in one party state elections.

Why dosent the government of President Fidel Castro allow national elections with diffrent political partys
offering diffrent economic, political and social points of view?

i have to take care of some very important government business, all government offices will close for a while.
La Habana Cuba.

I would hope that when Castro dies (let's face it, he's not got that long left in him) Cuba has some sort of democratic change, without becoming explicitly capitalist (Democratic Socialism, hint, hint) and the US can end the embargo.

It does seem a bit hypocritical for the US Government to say that it opposes the communist regime when it did support the previous dictator...

La Habana can you please just write normally? It may be me but it looks like you are trying to write in Haiku and it's fucking annoying.

In anyway that country will be democratic when that guy finally dies, at which point it can become the great tourist spot it used to be.

Or, alternatively he dies and a successor rises up, or the country collapses into a banana republic.

[QUOTE]I think you are refering to the

1. 1980 Mariel Refugee Boat Lift, when over 125,000 Cubans
were allowed to leave Cuba by the government of Castro,
picked up in boats by thier Cuban American relatives.

Most of them were good decent people but many thousands were criminals and other bad people.

Do you know what happened to these criminals when they reached Miami? Were they put in U.S. jails, given U.S. citizenships or shipped back to Cuba?

Also, do you know Cuba's current prison population?

2. The Commitees for the defense of the Revolution,
who keep an eye on all who disagree with the government
and report you to the police, keep a record of your social loyalty to the revolution, if you volunteer for voluntary work when asked to, and if you attendend a pro government march or not.

What happens to people who do not do enough marching or volunteer work?

There are about 2,000,000 Cuban refugees all over the world, at least 1,000,000 have relatives in Cuba, millions of Cubans are registerd with the American Intrest Section in Cuba wanting to emigrate to the USA, because they do not like living in Cuba, I have been trying to find out the official figures without success so far, I will keep trying.

And yet according to the Cuban government
over 98 percent of eligible Cuban voters vote and approve
of the Cuban government in one party state elections.

How do Cubans register with the American Interest Section? If they do does the government make a note of it? What steps are made to prevent Cubans from leaving the island?

Castro is reported to have over 20 some houses, mansions
all over Cuba, even if he has only one mansion, he lives
eats and travels well and lives of the state, when compared to the average cuban citizen that has to ask his
Cuban and European relatives for everything.

The so called communist Cuban governing elite
are the ones' that live well and have everything,
the ones' that shop in diplomatic and tourist stores,
have computers and cable service and access to
hospitals for foreigners only, etc, etc.

Haiku writing is a form of Japanese poetry.

I am sorry if I write in Haiku style,
but on the other hand, I knew I was good
but I didnt know I was that good.

That is the first time on Nationstates,
I have ever been accused of good writing.
Lol, Cool.

I happen to be a very nice guy
even if I say so myself,
thank you for your comment.
La Habana Cuba.

Stylistically, one of the more curious loiterers on NS.
La Habana Cuba.
With the predeliction for capping off sentences with the phrase
La Habana Cuba.
Perhaps if we all wrote similarly, it might penetrate as to just how weird it looks. Shall we try it? Nah, probably not. Well, here's a small taste of what it could be like:
La Habana Dobbsworld.

I like it, it's kinda catchy.
La Habana Dobbsworld.

Thank you for recognizing that
President Fidel Castro is a dictator,
that will not change his ways of governing
with economic, political and social relations
as he has now with all the real democratic nations
of the world.

I dont have a problem with Cuba having
a democratic socialist government after Castro dies,
like the democratic European socialist nations, if
they practice democratic elections with diffrent
political partys offering diffrent economic, political
and social points of view, like those enjoyed by
the citizens of the European Union and others.

Yes the US government supported the former dictator,
but those were diffrent times and diffrent presidents.

What I find hypocritical is to support
economic, political and social relations
with a president dictator that many here realize
will not change his ways of governing with economic,
political and social relations as he has now with all
the real democratic nations of the world.

A president who has not changed his ways
of governing in 46 years and counting.

While not supporting that type of government
in our own nations of origin.

I cannot understand that.
La Habana Cuba.

Many of the criminals served or are serving time in
american jails, which many say its like a picnic
compared to Cuba. Some were sent back to Cuba.

I do not know Cuba's current prison population.

The Cuban government is the only legal employer in Cuba,
those who disagree with it, can be fired from thier jobs,
loose thier ration cards and have to turn to the extensive
illegal black market which is against the law,
face harassment from organized pro government mobs,
etc, etc, etc.

They ask for a visa to emigrate to the USA, under an agreement with President Clinton, the US provides a certain number of visas to Cubans a year, the american
coast guard, guards the coast to prevent illegal Cuban immigration and so does the Cuban government, but yet
thousands of Cubans keep leaving the coasts of Cuba on
anything that floats rafts, inner tubes and floating trucks
and taxi cars, I dont think the Cuban government does
a good job of that treaty obligation.

Other aspects of Cuban emigration are more complex
issues to go into right now.

Thank you for questions,
La Habana Cuba.

I like it, Dobbsworld.

I like it, La Habana Dobbsworld.

I do this to show that I stand by what I say,
like a signiture.

Perhaps we should all try it.
La Habana Cuba.

Thank you for your comment Dobbsworld.
La Habana Cuba.

For having misspelled Burmesia's nation name
on my post.
La Habana Cuba

[QUOTE=La Habana Cuba][QUOTE]Many of the criminals served or are serving time in
american jails, which many say its like a picnic
compared to Cuba. Some were sent back to Cuba.

Do you know how they were distinguished from Cuban refugees who were not criminals? Were there investigations or trials?

The Cuban government is the only legal employer in Cuba,

I had read that Cuba was not truly a communist government and was more of a socialist state, but what you say seems to contradict that. Could you provide me with a link so I could find out more about this aspect of Castro's government.

those who disagree with it, can be fired from thier jobs,
loose thier ration cards and have to turn to the extensive
illegal black market which is against the law,

So, although it is illegal, there is still some form of capitalism in Cuba? Are these black markets wide spread or concentrated mainly in major cities?

They ask for a visa to emigrate to the USA, under an agreement with President Clinton, the US provides a certain number of visas to Cubans a year,

How do they ask for a VISA? Your description of Cuba leaves me with the impression of an island prison where nobody has any political freedoms and police and informants are on every block. If this is the case how does someone wishing to leave the island contact the U.S. government?

the american coast guard, guards the coast to prevent illegal Cuban immigration and so does the Cuban government, but yet
thousands of Cubans keep leaving the coasts of Cuba on
anything that floats rafts, inner tubes and floating trucks
and taxi cars, I dont think the Cuban government does
a good job of that treaty obligation.

I read that the U.S. has a policy that enables Cuban refugees to enter the U.S. and apply for refugee status only if they enter the U.S. via Mexico. Is this correct? Do you think the coast guard would be better serving the interests of democracy and freedom if they were to search for Cubans in order to aid their defections as opposed to returning them back to Cuba?

Thank you for questions,
La Habana Cuba.

Thank you for your answers, I know some of the other posters find your style of posting unorthodox, but it makes little difference to me so long as the content is accurate.

Thank you for your kind words,
I am reading your post carefully to
answer your questions as best I can,
please give me some time.
La Habana Cuba

I have to close all government offices,
I must keep control of the government budget,
these highly well paid $ incompetent, greedy, corrupted
government officials are costing me a fortune$.

I stay out of this thread because
frankly,
it hurts to read La Habana's posts.

¿Porqué estás escribiendo
así? No necesitas un titulo
cada vez, y tus frases se
parecen cortadas. ¡Me dan
rabiaaaa
aaaa
a!

Sinuhue

I feel like when I post my views they sound
so outrageous that is very hard to believe them,
and I can understand that.

I am very surprized that no nation
has challenged me on any of my posts,
and I wonder Why?

Usually I get attacked as spreading
anti Castro views with no substance.

Bregar is a Puerto Rican hispanic word
which loosely translated means
we can talk, chat, get along.

I like to give my posts a subject name,
but I do not need to give my signiture at the end,
sorry I dont understand the part about my phrases
sounding short and cut.

You say it hurts you to read my posts,
is it because what I say is the way things really are,
or because what I say is not the way things really are?

I am surprized that you have not challenged me
on any of my posts on Cuba.

You, La Yuma and I probably know more
about Cuba than most others.

You have taken vacations in Cuba and
know alot about Cuba.

All government offices will close for the nigt,
I must keep control of the government budget,
these highly well paid $ incompetent, greedy, corupt
government officials are costing me a fortune $.

President of La Habana Cuba

Bregar is a Puerto Rican hispanic word
which loosely translated means
we can talk, chat, get along.

I like to give my posts a subject name,
but I do not need to give my signiture at the end,
sorry I dont understand the part about my phrases
sounding short and cut.

You say it hurts you to read my posts,
is it because what I say is the way things really are,
or because what I say is not the way things really are?

I am surprized that you have not challenged me
on any of my posts on Cuba.

You, La Yuma and I probably know more
about Cuba than most others.

You have taken vacations in Cuba and
know alot about Cuba.
When I say your sentences are cortadas, I mean that they aren't formatted normally. They are cut in the middle instead of using the normal formatting the rest of us do (see the difference between how your posts look, and how mine look?).

I don't challenge you on the Cuba issue, because I don't really think it serves any purpose. You know my views. And I know yours. Neither of us is going to convince the other:).

I feel like when I post my views they sound
so outrageous that is very hard to believe them,
and I can understand that.

I am very surprized that no nation
has challenged me on any of my posts,
and I wonder Why?

Usually I get attacked as spreading
anti Castro views with no substance.

I don't think anyone here suspects that your posts have no substance, but I am interested in learning more about the basis for your opinions and hope that, as an authority on Cuba, you eventually answer my questions.

I will eventually answer your questions.

The results of the poll convince me more than ever
that the feelings of most Cuban Americans that
they are alone in the world, and that the real
democratic nations of the world dont care are right,
even though they maybe wrong in that feeling.

I would appreciate some posts on this sub subject,
thank you.

My point over and over is Castro trades with all these nations now and has not changed any of his ways of governing in over 46 years.

I still think his successors will need economic, political
and social presures from the European Union and USA
to change things.

I see something similar like what happend in Nicaragua after
the Sandinistas gave up power under presure and a referumdum, happening in Cuba after Castro, where his
successors now the privileged class will become the
new rich capitalist and may still be able to
control the government if presures by the above nations
are not put in place.

I have to go now and sent the tanks out on the streets
to put down a rebellion of dissidents in my democratic nation, good night.

President of La Habana Cuba

More Cuban migrants, 1,524 have been stopped at sea by the U.S. Coast Guard so far this year than during any of the last 10 years.

The U.S. Coast Guard has intercepted 1,524 Cuban migrants at sea so far this year, more than the total for any single year since more than 37,000 migrants rode the waves to South Florida in the 1994 rafter exodus.

U.S. officials are not worried. They say the increase in the number of Cuban migrants stopped at sea is relatively small, only 25 more people so far during all of last year.

Last year's figure of 1,499 was the largest yearlong tally since 1994.

The trend suggests that the 2005 total will be considerably
higher by year's end than for 2004.

"We have seen an increase in Cuban migrants this year, but there is no indication of a mass migration said Coast Guard spokesman Petty Officer Ryan Doss. It's up, but it's still a low number."

Figures for Cuban migrant interdictions compiled in fiscal year format Oct 1 to Sept 30 appear impressive: 2,027 so far this fiscal year compared to 1,225 in fiscal year 2004. By July 29 of the year, 1,086 Cuban migrants had been intercepted.

Cubans stopped at sea are generally returned home by the Coast Guard, a result of a U.S. accord following the rafter exodus. Some Cuban migrants stopped at sea are taken to the U.S. naval base of Guantanamo Bay Cuba for resettlement in third countries.

Cubans who evade Coast Guard interdiction and reach U.S.
shores are generally allowed to stay in the United States.

Figures listing the number of Cuban migrant landings in South Florida this year were not immediately available.

More than 150 Cuban migrants landed in the Florida Keys during July, according to Border Patrol records released July 27,2005.

Figures compiled by the Border Patrol for fisical year 2004 show a total of 955 Cuban migrants landed in South Florida, compared to 1,072 in fiscal year 2003.

Some Cuban smugglers may have shifted tactis, transporting migrants to the west coast of Florida
then traditional drop off points along the east coast.

Nineteen migrants possibly smuggled from Cuba landed July 26 on Sanibel Island on the Gulf Coast.

While Cuban migrant interdiction is up, the number of migrants from other countries stopped growing.

For exsample 847 Haitians have been intercepted so far this year, compared to 3,078 last year.

The President of La Habana Cuba
will visit the Republic of Miami
for a 3 day visit from Sunday Aug 08,2005
through Aug 10,2005.

Where he will meet with his old friend
President Ricky Rodriguez of the Republic of Miami
and other high government officials.

He will attend a private dinner party
with close family relatives, President
Ricky Rodriguez is also expected to attend.

The President is expected to return Tueday night
or some time Wednesday, so he will not be able
to tend to this site to answer questions
during that time, thank you.

La Habana Cuba

1. In what ways is the government of Cuba a good government?

2. What ways is the government of Cuba a bad government?

3. What would you change in the government of Cuba?,

4. What laws would you change in the government of Cuba?

I will eventually answer your questions.

I will be grateful when you do.

The results of the poll convince me more than ever
that the feelings of most Cuban Americans that
they are alone in the world, and that the real
democratic nations of the world dont care are right,
even though they maybe wrong in that feeling.

I would appreciate some posts on this sub subject,
thank you.

I think if exhiled Cubans are truly upset about what is going on in Cuba they should make this disattisfaction known to the governments in the countries in which they live. If, as you say, Cubans living in Cuba are truly under a repressive dictatorship then a movement to remove Castro must come from outside. However if Cubans living in Cuba were in opposition to Castro's reign, why didn't they assist the invading militias in "the Bay of Pigs"?

My point over and over is Castro trades with all these nations now and has not changed any of his ways of governing in over 46 years.

I still think his successors will need economic, political
and social presures from the European Union and USA
to change things.

At first I was confused as to how Castro could remain in power for so long, while the U.S. has assisted in toppling the leaderships of other dictators and democratically elected officials over the decades. But after reading some of your posts I'm beginning to suspect that the U.S. doesn't see Castro as a threat and that the only reason for the embargo is to pacify Cuban exhiles living in Miami.

I see something similar like what happend in Nicaragua after
the Sandinistas gave up power under presure and a referumdum, happening in Cuba after Castro, where his
successors now the privileged class will become the
new rich capitalist and may still be able to
control the government if presures by the above nations
are not put in place.

Daniel Ortega's government was democratically elected. The Sandanista government was plagued by the Contra militias who were supplied by the U.S.

In order to fund the Contra's the U.S. resorted to using drug dealers as couriers, using drug money to finance the theatre of operations and dealing weapons to governments that harboured terrorists. Are you suggesting the U.S. use similar tactics to secure "freedom" in Cuba?

While I don't like Castro's ideas, I can't deny what he has done for Cuba. Under Fulgencio Batista, Cubans were just rats, there to entertain us when we visited the US playground. With him there, at least his people have realized the freedoms of being a soveirgn nation.

However, like I said, I don't agree with his Communist & Socialist ideas and if there were a way to replace him with somebody that was not neccessarily a supporter of a Republic or Democracy, but somebody who had Cuba's best interests at heart, then I'd be all for another Bay of Pigs attack. Although this time, with some real support.

The President of La Habana Cuba
just got back Tuesday night from
his family reunion and
official state visit to
The Republic of Miami.

Where he met with his old friend
President Ricky Rodriguez and
other high government officials.

And signed a new and improved
free trade agreement to increase
exports and imports from both nations,
strengthened investment laws, reaffirmed
thier mutual defense treaty, and agreed
to share national intelligence on
international terrorists while coordinating
thier efforts in this fight.

The treaty is expected to pass
La Habana Cuba's Parliment
and the Republic of Miami's Parliment
easily.

So now the President will be able to
dedicate more time to this thread
and make the following posts.

La Habana Cuba's Ministry of Information.

Oye Oye
Superior Gamer

[QUOTE=La Habana Cuba][QUOTE=La Habana Cuba]
Quote:
Many of the criminals served or are serving time in
american jails, which many say its like a picnic
compared to Cuba. Some were sent back to Cuba.

Do you know how they were distinguished from Cuban refugees
who were not criminals? Were there investigations or trials?

Answer; In some or all cases the US government relied
on Cuban government information.

One thing I can tell you is, some Cubans lied
that they were criminals, gays and insane people
in the hope that Cuban authorities would let them
emigrate in the Mariel boat lift of over 125,000 Cubans.

I would think the US government interviewd these Cubans
and in the cases they did not have specific
Cuban government information those were let go.

-------------------------------------------------------------

Quote:
The Cuban government is the only legal employer in Cuba,

I had read that Cuba was not truly a communist government and
was more of a socialist state, but what you say seems to
contradict that. Could you provide me with a link so I could find
out more about this aspect of Castro's government.

Answer; The problem with Cuba is not that it is a socialist state,
the problem is that the government is a dictatorship government
that calls itself communist and outlaws all political partys
and all so called social organizations are under government control.

Like I answerd New Burmesia, I dont have a problem
with Cuba having a socialist democratic government
like the ones in Europe as long as they allow
democratic elections with diffrent political partys
offering diffrent economic, political and social points of view,
and private civil social organizations not under government control.

I have already telegramed you a link on Cuba
that offers anti Castro information, without
much anti Castro rhetoric, I think it was best
to direct you to the site on a one on one basis
than to post it on this thread, I could be wrong on that.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Quote:
those who disagree with it, can be fired from thier jobs,
loose thier ration cards and have to turn to the extensive
illegal black market which is against the law,

So, although it is illegal, there is still some form of capitalism in
Cuba? Are these black markets wide spread or concentrated
mainly in major cities?

Answer; There is an extensive illegal black market in Cuba,
the Cuban government acknowledges this in its reports
and complaints of thefts by Cuban employees
at state enterprises, most police look the other way
for a bribe, that is how most Cubans survive, and
the Cuban government to some extent condones it.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Quote:
They ask for a visa to emigrate to the USA, under an agreement with President Clinton, the US provides a certain number of visas to Cubans a year,

How do they ask for a Visa? Your description of Cuba leaves me
with the impression of an island prison where nobody has any
political freedoms and police and informants are on every block. If
this is the case how does someone wishing to leave the island
contact the US. government?

Answer: Cubans are allowed to visit the US intrest section in Havana
and apply for immigration visas or they can do it through the mail.

In my view Cuba is a police state, where there are no political freedoms
like those enjoyed in the European Union, I base my views on
President Fidel Castro's own words, statements, actions and
style of government of over 46 years in power and my posts.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Quote:
the american coast guard, guards the coast to prevent illegal Cuban immigration and so does the Cuban government, but yet
thousands of Cubans keep leaving the coasts of Cuba on
anything that floats rafts, inner tubes and floating trucks
and taxi cars, I dont think the Cuban government does
a good job of that treaty obligation.

I read that the U.S. has a policy that enables Cuban refugees to
enter the U.S. and apply for refugees status only if they enter the
U.S. via Mexico. Is this correct? Do you think the coast guard
would be better serving the intrest of democracy and freedom if
they were to search for Cubans in order to aid thier defections as
opposed to returning them to Cuba?



Answer: That is somewhat correct, under the Cuban adjustment act
because has an oppresive communist government,
any Cuban that steps foot on American soil is allowed to
apply for refugee status.

The dry foot wet foot policy started under Clinton,
and continued by Bush, allows any Cuban rafter that
steps on American soil, to stay and those that do not
to be returned under the 1994 emigration accords where
Cuba promised not to persecute those Cubans returned.

I as a native Cuban do not support
the dry foot wet foot policy.

I as a native Cuban support in principal
the Cuban adjustment act because it helps my people.
but I have to admit it is not fair to other ethnic groups.
and should be abolished.

The Cuban government for reasons I cant understand,
but I wonder on, supports the end of the
Cuban adjustment act.

I also support the cancelation of the 1994
immigration agreements, unfortunately
if Cuba is an oppresive dictatorship
like I say, Cuba must explode from withinn.

The emigration provides an
escape valve for the Cuban government.

We were wrong to go into exile,
like it was with the hispanic mentality of the times,
we should have stayed and provided a
civil disobedience opposition.

Posted on Sat, Aug. 06, 2005



M O R E N E W S F R O M
• Cuba
• Central America
• World News



CUBA


Dissident meeting usurped

A press meeting called by Cuban dissidents was broken up without violence by government supporters in what may be Havana's newest strategy in dealing with coverage in the media.

BY ANITA SNOW

Associated Press


HAVANA - Government supporters commandeered a news media gathering called by dissidents Friday morning, using impassioned speeches and shouts of ''Viva Fidel Castro!'' to draw journalists' attention away from their opponents.

The rapid, nonviolent breakup of the morning gathering outside the European Union's mission in Havana marked a new strategy in the government's recent handling of the international media's coverage of public appearances by dissidents.

While three pro-Castro militants loudly complained on camera to international reporters about the dissidents, referring to them as mercenaries and worms, the opposition leaders who called the media out quietly slipped away.

The whole event lasted less than a half-hour.

''Well, we believe in democracy and that people can think differently,'' well-known dissident leader Martha Beatriz Roque told reporters before she and two other opposition leaders left the area while cameras and microphones focused increasingly on the government supporters who showed up to complain.

''We are really tired of these sellouts supported by the United States,'' said Lázaro Enrique Suarez, who described himself as a civilian government worker who happened to be in the area when the crowd formed outside the mission.

Suarez and two other men formed the core of the pro-Castro militants, who were later joined by five or six others, including several who displayed a red, white and blue Cuban flag.

Roque called international journalists late Thursday about the Friday morning event, described as a meeting between European Commission representatives and relatives of dissidents imprisoned in a recent pair of public protests.

The majority of the prisoners' relatives, as well as Roque and fellow dissident leaders Felix Bonne and Angel Polanco, were not allowed inside the mission. Roque said just five relatives of two of the prisoners were let in.

The EU mission released a declaration later in the day saying the meeting with relatives of political prisoners was not of a political nature, and was canceled once officials saw what was taking place outside.

Cuban authorities were enraged by the two earlier public protests and the news coverage of them. In both cases, they were broken up by government supporters in much more aggressive ways, with shouting, shoving, the surrounding of dissidents' homes and some arrests. Nevertheless, no injuries were reported in either event.

President Castro referred to the protests during his Rebellion Day speech last week, defending counter-protests. Castro said supporters will respond likewise ``as long as traitors and mercenaries go one millimeter beyond what the revolutionary people . . . are willing to permit.''


email this print this

I dont need more proof than post 88,
that President Fidel Castro of Cuba does not want
to change his way of government.

That his designated successors, chiefly his own
brother General Raul Castro second head of the
armed forces will need some kind of political presure
from the European Union and the USA to change things
especially the political system.

Most Cuban Americans, advocate
a cancellation of the 1994 US, Cuba emigration agreement,
an international embargo of the real democratic nations
of the world, the European Union, Canada, Australia, New Zeeland, Japan, Mexico and others on the government of
Cuba.

Most Cuban Americans believe the government would
fall from withinn in about a week.

Since Cuba is an island nation, the US would not even
have to invade, as their is no soviet Union or Soviet bloc
around anymore, at the very most a naval blockade
nothing goes out, nothing goes in.

Then let the million or two Cuban Americans and European relatives that have millions of relatives on
the island and many send their relatives foreing currency
money, and call and send letters to thier relatives because
they care about them, embrace their brothers and sisters
on the island, before any americans set foot on Cuba,
and the diffrence will be awesome.

The dismantling of the Commitees of the Defense
of the Revolution, that keep an eye on every citizen
and a record of your social loyalty to the revolution,
if you did voluntary work or not when asked to,
if you participated in a pro government march or not.

National democratic elections under international supervision with diffrent political partys offering
diffrent economic, political and social points of view
like those rights enjoyed by the European Union citizens.

The right to stay in their own nations hotels with
foreing or thier national currency.

The right to be paid in their own national currency
and be able to spend it in their own national currency.

The right to own a personal home computer,
and have a site like Nationstates wherer they can
argue, discuss, debate and share thier diffrent political,
economic and social views.

The right to form independent civil social organizations
not under government control.

The right to own cable and satelite dishes.

Most Cuban Americans do not believe
these goals to be possible under the present
President of Cuba Fidel Castro.

Perhaps with his successors but under
some form of international presures
to change things, especially
the political process.

I dont view the Cuban problem
as a political problem, I view it as
a bad and a good.

I gurantee if that were to happen
you would see 10,000 boats of
Cuban Americans going to Cuba
with food and supplies to help
thier relatives on the island.

Cuba's new crackdown

OUR OPINION: TELL REGIME: POLITICAL PRISONERS ARE NOT FORGOTTEN

The Miami Herald

Friday Aug 5th / 2005



Once again, Cuba is detaining dissidents and charging them with crimes that don't exist in any free country on Earth.

Some might tire of hearing the same old news, as if jailing people for peacefully criticizing an abusive government is normal. We tire of the dictator who continues to violate the human rights of Cubans and yet is courted like a rock star in parts of this region.

René Gómez Manzano, Oscar Mario González and Julio César López deserve better. The three prominent Cuban dissidents were arrested before they even had a chance to make it to a pro-democracy protest. Now they are being prosecuted under the same law used to punish 75 peaceful dissidents with lengthy prison terms in 2003.

Media throughout the world took notice of that crackdown, and calls to release the political prisoners rained down on the Cuban regime. Last year, the regime released 14 of those 75 prisoners, and the European Union rewarded it by lifting sanctions it had imposed because of the crackdown. The regime, though, hasn't changed its stripes.

Now Messrs. Gómez, González and López are among the 15 activists detained in connection with two peaceful protests in July. Their charges allege that they were involved in causing a ''public disorder.'' In reality, pro-government mobs were the ones beating on the dissidents.

Mr. Gómez already has served three years in prison for co-writing The Homeland Belongs to Us All, a critique of Cuba's one-party rule. Mr. González is a respected independent journalist. Mr. López is a pro-democracy militant with an independent library. Their ideas are dangerous only to a regime built on repression and lies.

Is there a Miami after Castro's downfall?



by Manuel Cereijo



This is a question in the minds of many people. There are all kinds of predictions about how many Cuban-Americans will be returning to Cuba once the Castro regime is over and a democratic and capitalistic Cuba is born again. The downfall of the regime is now very close.



Actually, is very difficult to make such predictions because it depends on such factors as when it happens, how it happens, and the psychological and emotional impact on the Miami Cuban population. However, there is no question that a substantial amount of persons will return to Cuba. Another substantial amount will do business in Cuba as well as in the USA.



Possibly, there will be a floating population between Cuba and Florida, and between US and Cuba, via Miami, where native Americans and Cuban Americans will go back and forth as tourists, businessmen, visitors, and this flow will create a more dynamic economy in Miami.



The economic recuperation of Cuba should be fast and it will bring an extraordinary growth in the economy, not only of South Florida, but the State as a whole. All activities related to the economic development of Cuba will be related to import/export, services, manufacturing, construction, technology transfer, and tourism. The USA-mainly Florida-and Cuba will develop a mutual and beneficial economic relationship.



Also, based on the declining production and deterioration of existing industries in Cuba, a new industrial environment will be developed that will restructure existing manufacturing companies, attract new manufacturing companies, and stimulate the creation of new companies. Cuba, because of its geography, and its strategic geographical location, will be effective in developing and establishing high tech companies, especially those that manufactures products of high cost and small size and weight.



The types of information and assistance needed are likely to vary also. However, the assistance will have to come from Florida, not only on parts, raw materials, and equipment, but also on technology transfer. Our Institutions of higher education will play a vital role in the future of Cuba. In the new Cuba there must be the ability of adapting to change, in acquiring new knowledge, in accommodating technology, and in adjusting to new management process.





When success is achieved, Cuba should move into those areas of specialization in which she can do best. Of course, the USA will maintain an absolute lead in overall technology, and therefore Cuba will depend on technology transfer from Florida in order to sustain economic growth and global competitiveness.



The transfer of technology from Florida to Cuba’s economic activities would be in a form essentially noncompetitive with activities in Florida and, further, will complement Florida activities. In such cases, these transfers will benefit Cuba, the private firms, and the Florida economy at large.



The establishment of an effective and competitive manufacturing process that implements the development of complex high technology products will have to be done in close cooperation with the technical organizations in Florida. Perhaps, for very complex products and processes only after the first manufacturing plant is successful in the USA, should the plant be established in Cuba.



The entire infrastructure of Cuba will have to be totally revamped and constructed. Electrical energy, telecommunications, housing, transportation, water and sanitation, health related industries. Where are the expertise and the resources? They are in Miami, and in Florida in general.



Yes, definitive there will be a Miami-and Florida-after Castro. In fact, there will be an even more successful and ebullient Miami, and Florida, with a completely restructured economy; different from the existing one, but larger and better.



The fall of Castro, which is close, will be fortunate, not only for Cuba, but also for Florida, and the United States.