Bush offers condolences for Mario Chanes de Armas

Anti-Communism, Bush, Cuban Dissidents Comments Off
Mar 012007

You have the MSM picking up Granma dispatches and taking them at face value, as they ignore (or give short shrift to) this from our President:

President and Mrs. Bush Saddened by Loss of Mario Chanes de Armas

Cuban patriot Mario Chanes de Armas was a political prisoner of the Castro regime for 30 years, one of the longest sentences of any political prisoner in the world. Like so many Cubans, he sought a democratic Cuban society only to see his quest betrayed by a Castro dictatorship. Mario Chanes was one of the original plantados, Cuban political prisoners who were unyielding in their fervent desire for a free Cuba. His patriotism and strong sense of purpose are examples to all freedom-loving people. Laura joins me in sending our thoughts and prayers to his family and friends.

I don’t agree with everything the President does, but I’d like to see items like this one get picked up by at least a few media outlets. Is it too much to ask that at least a fraction of those outlets who pick up the Castro fluff pieces pick this up as well? Apparently so.

UPDATE:

Well, it looks as though someone listened to my plea:

Miami Herald
Sun-Sentinel
Boston Globe

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Posted by Castro Death Watch at 8:32 pm

“Repression in Cuba increases”

Anti-Communism, Bush, Cuban Embargo Comments Off
Feb 272007

Despite all the noise that Raul isn’t like his brother Fidel, a Castro is still a repressive tyrant. Check out this AP story on Yahoo! News:

Repression is increasing in Cuba under the control of Raul Castro, and the domination of the government by his brother, Fidel, is nearing an end, Bush administration officials said Tuesday.

“In Cuba, this year will mark the end of the long domination of that country by
Fidel Castro,” Mike McConnell, the nation’s new spy chief, told Congress.

McConnell, who did not explain his remark, told the Senate Armed Services Committee that significant positive change immediately after Fidel Castro’s death was unlikely. He said Raul Castro has had the opportunity to solidify his control in the seven months since his brother’s incapacitating illness last July.

Separately, the Bush administration official who oversees a White House effort to promote transition to democracy in Cuba said he has seen no indication that the government is getting ready to make any changes.

“What has increased is repression,” Caleb Charles McCarry said at a seminar at the American Enterprise Institute.

Security forces have stepped up harassment of dissidents and have kept closer track of reporters since Fidel Castro transferred control of Cuba’s government to his brother after undergoing intestinal surgery, the U.S. official said.

McCarry said the White House Commission for Assistance for a Free Cuba does “what it can to hasten the day when they can enjoy freedom again.”

He spoke primarily of broadcasts to Cuba and expressions of support for human rights, and said only peaceful means are used by the United States.

On the job since July 2005, McCarry dismissed any suggestion of U.S. dialogue with Cuba to prepare for transition to democracy. “The dialogue that needs to take place is between Cuban authorities and the Cuban people,” he said.

Pretty sad that Yahoo! posts the “Fidel Castro feels fine” article on their home page, then buries this story.

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Posted by Castro Death Watch at 10:49 pm

AP lets one slip through

Anti-Communism, Bush, Cuba's Economy, Cuban Embargo, Media Comments Off
Feb 222007

The Associated Press let this one slip through the cracks:

CUBA: US commerce secretary sees no softening of policy toward communist-run island

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez said Wednesday it would be a “great disservice” for the Cuban people if the United States eased economic and political ties with the island in the post-Fidel Castro era.

“Cuba is at a critical point in its history,” Gutierrez said. “The country is poised for change. The policy of the Bush administration has been to help the Cuban people achieve their freedom through democratic change.”

Gutierrez serves as co-chairman of an official commission which made recommendations for Cuba policy after Castro passes from the scene. He spoke to the Council of the Americas, a pro-business group.

Gutierrez’s speech was devoted mostly to the plight of the Cuban people under the system Castro created 48 years ago (emphasis mine).

Of course, they may have let this one slip through the cracks, but the rest of the mainstream media is downplaying this one. You can read the rest here.

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Posted by Castro Death Watch at 5:05 pm

Bush: “freedom in places like Cuba”

Bush Comments Off
Jan 242007

For the first time ever (although I’m not sure if by “ever,” the media means by any U.S. President, or by President Bush), President Bush mentioned Cuba in his State of the Union address last night:

We will continue to speak out for the cause of freedom in places like Cuba, Belarus, and Burma …

I recall hearing some applause at the mention of Cuba, most likely from Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and her colleagues Senator Mel Martinez and Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart–although I should note I don’t know for sure if they were the clappers.

The Miami Herald published an article about President Bush’s Cuba mention today.

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Posted by Castro Death Watch at 8:18 pm
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