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1/21/08

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Nessuno

Nessuno

Washington, DC
May 2006

JAN 18, 2008 09:45 PM

As many of you are probably aware, Fidel Castro, 81, stepped down from power in 2006 handing the presidency to Raul Castro, his brother. This was due to health problems, which the Cuban government confirmed as non-terminal. Fidel has mostly stayed out of the spotlight and used the Granma, the national goverment owned newspaper, to write his thoughts or 'reflexiones', reflections, on current events. But it looks like he may be returning to the spotlight of world politics.


Cuban President Fidel Castro is ``impeccably healthy'' and ready to resume his role in Cuban politics, Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said after meeting the former revolutionary in Havana yesterday.



This is a vast improvement from the Fidel of only a year ago who was widely rumored to be dead due to him being secluded for so long as he recovered from his surgery.


`Lula is giving weight to the idea that Fidel will serve as an elder statesman for Cuba,'' said Jorge Pinon, a senior researcher at the Center for Hemispheric Policy at the University of Miami. ``There won't be radical changes in Cuba as long as Fidel is alive.''

The visit by Lula may signal a diversification of Cuba's political ties beyond Venezuela, where President Hugo Chavez has closely allied himself with the revolutionary leader and provided subsidized oil to the Caribbean nation's growing economy.

``I don't have the physical capacity needed to speak to you directly,'' Castro wrote in a letter to Cubans dated Jan. 14 and posted today on the Web site of Cuba's Granma newspaper. ``I do what I can: I write.''



His pieces in the Granma and Juventud Rebelde continue to be required reading for those interested in the inner workings and thoughts at the highest rungs in Cuban politics.

Some of you may remember Cuba finding a site that might yield oil.


Petroleo Brasileiro SA, Brazil's state-controlled energy company, agreed to study exploration and production projects in the waters surrounding Cuba with Cia. Cubana de Petroleo. Petrobras Chief Executive Officer Jose Sergio Gabrielli, speaking in Havana yesterday, said it's too early to tell if they'll find oil. He said Petrobras wants to enter Cuba before the competition.

``This is a very important move,'' Pinon said in a phone interview. ``Venezuela provides over 50 percent of Cuba's oil needs and that has a lot of influence on the government. If this venture is successful, then it will help Cuba free itself from dependence on Venezuela.''



The dependence on Venezuela bothers many Cuban officials since not only is oil a finite resource but the memory of the attempted coup d'etat in Venezuela as well as the many successful coups in Latin America.


Cuba's annual economic growth has exceeded 6 percent in each of the past three years even as a U.S. trade embargo put in place against the island in 1962 remains. Higher growth rates have spurred the country to buy more Brazilian goods, with Brazil's exports to the island increasing fivefold since 2002, reaching $343.8 million in 2006.



The growth isn't just impacting trade with Venezuela though. There's lot's of imports coming in and lots of new technology flooding the streets.

Source

The issue of succession is the talk of Cuba right now. Raul Castro may be relatively new to the office, but he isn't young enough to stay in office for long, nor is he the favorite for leader. The person who is rumored to be the next favorite leader is Felipe Perez Roque. Who is Felipe Perez Roque?


Felipe Ramón Pérez Roque (born March 28, 1965) is the foreign minister of the Republic of Cuba. At his appointment in 1999, he was not only the youngest member of the Cuban cabinet but also the only to be born after the Cuban Revolution in 1959.

Pérez Roque was formerly an electronics engineer and leader of student organisations who has served as Fidel Castro's chief of staff for a decade prior to his ministry. As well as being a prominent member of the Cuban Council of Ministers, Pérez Roque is also a member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba and serves on the Council of State.


Source

But most importantly, he is one of the voices of the new generations of Cubans who want to continue with the Revolution's health, school and humanitarian programs, while easing some of the hard-line anti-capitalist policies. During the 90's Cuba faced an almost incermountable crisis when the Soviet Union collapsed and all aid Cuba was receiving stopped. The world of the early 90's was a harsh one to the little island. Old friends had new problems and there were no new friends in sight. The embargo's restrictions were getting tighter than ever and severe shortages plagued day to day life.

An example one Cuban youth gave me


Look, my father made maybe 200 pesos a month. At the time an avocado was 200 pesos. A months pay, for an avocado.



He also added that


Whores were 200 pesos too! They were the only ones eating avocados. Them and their families.



Felipe Perez Roque became famous in Cuban politics for pushing for the legalization of small private restaurants in Cuba. Given the dire situation Cuba allowed for the legalization of privately owned restaurants in houses in order to throw the general population a bone, as it were.

His policies on many issues vary, but he is widely accepted in Cuba as someone who wants to open borders and diversify the economy by allowing more foreign investment and more privatization.

For those interested in reading something by him, here is a speech of his to the UN.

His speech

One last note, Bush recently stated that


The operative word in our future dealings with Cuba is not "stability." The operative word is "freedom."


Source

Bush's troubling remark had it's sting lessen when he suggested a coup d'etat from within Cuba against it's Fidel or whoever follows.

As one Cuban put it


Some people are against the revolution here. Some Cubans here would rather a different system. But you know what? They hate the US and it's embargo a hell of a lot more than most disagree with Castro. A coup by the military? They are the staunchest anti-capitalists in Cuba, led by some men who saw the brutality of a US backed regime back when Batista was in. No one trusts the US.



It's hard for me to see an internal counter-revolution anytime soon given everything I've seen.

I am not pro-Castro, but I am very much for what the Cuban revolution has achieved. I am also Cuban and believe no one should mess with my country or talk about 'regime change' but fellow Cubans.

Nessuno

Nessuno

Washington, DC
May 2006

JAN 19, 2008 05:04 PM

*bump*

Bill_the_Cat

Bill_the_Cat

Vanier, ON
May 2005

JAN 19, 2008 05:26 PM

There is an irony for Bush to be talking about a free Cuba, yet maintaining the embargo, effectively limiting Cuba's freedom of self-determination.

SockPuppet

SockPuppet

I'm lost
July 2006

JAN 19, 2008 05:33 PM

Bill_the_Cat said:
There is an irony for Bush to be talking about a free Cuba, yet maintaining the embargo, effectively limiting Cuba's freedom of self-determination.



The word you're after is "hypocrisy", I think.

Bill_the_Cat

Bill_the_Cat

Vanier, ON
May 2005

JAN 19, 2008 05:45 PM

SockPuppet said:

Bill_the_Cat said:
There is an irony for Bush to be talking about a free Cuba, yet maintaining the embargo, effectively limiting Cuba's freedom of self-determination.



The word you're after is "hypocrisy", I think.



There are a lot of appropriate words. Probably idiocy would be the most accurate, however.

Kindle

Kindle

Houston, TX
March 2006

JAN 19, 2008 05:54 PM

Bill_the_Cat said:

SockPuppet said:

Bill_the_Cat said:
There is an irony for Bush to be talking about a free Cuba, yet maintaining the embargo, effectively limiting Cuba's freedom of self-determination.



The word you're after is "hypocrisy", I think.



There are a lot of appropriate words. Probably idiocy would be the most accurate, however.


They are both right. Let's not try to kid ourselves.

Bill_the_Cat

Bill_the_Cat

Vanier, ON
May 2005

JAN 19, 2008 06:00 PM

Kindle said:

Bill_the_Cat said:

SockPuppet said:

Bill_the_Cat said:
There is an irony for Bush to be talking about a free Cuba, yet maintaining the embargo, effectively limiting Cuba's freedom of self-determination.



The word you're after is "hypocrisy", I think.



There are a lot of appropriate words. Probably idiocy would be the most accurate, however.


They are both right. Let's not try to kid ourselves.



The word you're after is "fool", I think.

Kindle

Kindle

Houston, TX
March 2006

JAN 19, 2008 06:22 PM

Bill_the_Cat said:

Kindle said:

Bill_the_Cat said:

SockPuppet said:

Bill_the_Cat said:
There is an irony for Bush to be talking about a free Cuba, yet maintaining the embargo, effectively limiting Cuba's freedom of self-determination.



The word you're after is "hypocrisy", I think.



There are a lot of appropriate words. Probably idiocy would be the most accurate, however.


They are both right. Let's not try to kid ourselves.



The word you're after is "fool", I think.


I wrote that first. I didn't want it to be used with hypocrite and idiot. Fools have some redeeming value on occasion.

SockPuppet

SockPuppet

I'm lost
July 2006

JAN 19, 2008 06:23 PM

Kindle said:

Bill_the_Cat said:

Kindle said:

Bill_the_Cat said:

SockPuppet said:

Bill_the_Cat said:
There is an irony for Bush to be talking about a free Cuba, yet maintaining the embargo, effectively limiting Cuba's freedom of self-determination.



The word you're after is "hypocrisy", I think.



There are a lot of appropriate words. Probably idiocy would be the most accurate, however.


They are both right. Let's not try to kid ourselves.



The word you're after is "fool", I think.


I wrote that first. I didn't want it to be used with hypocrite and idiot. Fools have some redeeming value on occasion.



I agree.

smithers_jones

smithers_jones

I'm lost
November 2003

JAN 19, 2008 06:25 PM

The Cubans, lead by zombie Fidel, will be an unstoppable force for world revolution.

Nessuno

Nessuno

Washington, DC
May 2006

JAN 19, 2008 06:26 PM

smithers_jones said:
The Cubans, lead by zombie Fidel, will be an unstoppable force for world revolution.



The US has Cheney, if anyone is a zombified world leader, it's him.

malkav11

malkav11

Saint Paul, MN
July 2003

JAN 19, 2008 06:33 PM

I do like how Bush tacitly admitted that with him "freedom" and "stability" are incompatible.

Also, News > Submit. Seriously - this should have been a News piece.

Nessuno

Nessuno

Washington, DC
May 2006

JAN 19, 2008 06:36 PM

malkav11 said:
I do like how Bush tacitly admitted that with him "freedom" and "stability" are incompatible.

Also, News > Submit. Seriously - this should have been a News piece.



It was intended to be. How do I do that? Is it just a matter of posting 'NEWS:...'?

Kindle

Kindle

Houston, TX
March 2006

JAN 19, 2008 06:42 PM

Click on NEWS at the top and then you'll see a link that says Submit News.

Nessuno

Nessuno

Washington, DC
May 2006

JAN 19, 2008 06:44 PM

Kindle said:
Click on NEWS at the top and then you'll see a link that says Submit News.



Thanks.

Kindle

Kindle

Houston, TX
March 2006

JAN 19, 2008 06:53 PM

You're welcome.

_margot_

_margot_

Los Angeles, CA
December 2007

JAN 19, 2008 06:54 PM

Zombie Fight:

Zombie Castro v. Zombie Cheney.

Who Wins?

Kindle

Kindle

Houston, TX
March 2006

JAN 19, 2008 06:54 PM

Zombie Cheney. I hear we have a slight advantage in health care.

malkav11

malkav11

Saint Paul, MN
July 2003

JAN 19, 2008 06:54 PM

Although it probably needs a snappier title. Something like "NEWS: Zombie Fidel", perhaps.

Kindle

Kindle

Houston, TX
March 2006

JAN 19, 2008 06:56 PM

malkav11 said:
Although it probably needs a snappier title. Something like "NEWS: Zombie Fidel", perhaps.


FrankenFidel?

_margot_

_margot_

Los Angeles, CA
December 2007

JAN 19, 2008 06:57 PM

Kindle said:

malkav11 said:
Although it probably needs a snappier title. Something like "NEWS: Zombie Fidel", perhaps.


FrankenFidel?



I hate you.. I just yelped like a beat puppy. I think I scared my whole house. biggrin

Kindle

Kindle

Houston, TX
March 2006

JAN 19, 2008 06:59 PM

_Margot_ said:

Kindle said:

malkav11 said:
Although it probably needs a snappier title. Something like "NEWS: Zombie Fidel", perhaps.


FrankenFidel?



I hate you.. I just yelped like a beat puppy. I think I scared my whole house. biggrin


*snicker* biggrin

Bill_the_Cat

Bill_the_Cat

Vanier, ON
May 2005

JAN 19, 2008 07:00 PM

Kindle said:

malkav11 said:
Although it probably needs a snappier title. Something like "NEWS: Zombie Fidel", perhaps.


FrankenFidel?



I just pictured Al Franken with a Castro beard. eeek

Nessuno

Nessuno

Washington, DC
May 2006

JAN 19, 2008 07:08 PM

Kindle said:
Zombie Cheney. I hear we have a slight advantage in health care.



An advantage in a disadvantage?

In all seriousness, healthcare there rocks and it´s free, I´ve seen firsthand how Cuba´s citizens are treated,not it´s tourists, and I´ve got to say I can´t imagine the same treatment here.

Nessuno

Nessuno

Washington, DC
May 2006

JAN 19, 2008 07:13 PM

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