“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

Another Castro apologist chimes in on Cuban embargo

Cuban Embargo, Useful Idiots Comments Off
Feb 232007

The Huffington Post–or as James Taranto of Opinion Journal calls it, the Puffington Host–published yesterday an, ahem, “interesting” piece calling for lifting the embargo against Castro’s Cuba. I’m puzzled by the title of the piece: U.S. Policy “Disserves” the Cuban People.

I say I’m puzzled because they put scare quotes around the word “disserves.” Now, does that mean, the author truly believes current U.S. policy–i.e., leaving the embargo in place–does NOT disserve the Cuban people? Well, if you read the piece, you’ll see the author–Sarah Stephens of the Center for Democracy in the Americas–believes U.S. policy does disserve the Cuban people. To which I say, you’ve got it wrong, Ms. Stephens. It is FIDEL CASTRO RUZ and his gang of criminals who are disserving, and have been disserving for 48 years, the Cuban people.

Why don’t these anti-embargo people ever address that? Here is an interesting, and telling, admission by Ms. Stephens: “…Cuba will not negotiate changes in its system….”

Therein lies the problem, Ms. Stephens. Until the cabal of gangsters, thugs and criminals known as the Cuban Communist Party relinquish power and allow true democracy (you know, that little thing that’s the middle name of the organization you head) to flourish in Cuba, we shouldn’t be handing them our money.

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Posted by Castro Death Watch at 2:41 pm

This oughtta go over well on Calle Ocho

Cuban Embargo 2 Responses »
Feb 232007

The Herald today writes a fawning piece on a new cafeteria on southwest Eight Street in Miami. Only, as the article itself states, this joint is the “anti-Versailles:”

With its own timbiriche window serving crispy croquetas and cortaditos with evaporated milk, Tinta (Y Café, the full name of the place) reflects the anti-Versailles of exile thought. An art book featuring Ernesto ”Che” Guevara on the cover sits on a book shelf — placed there by (owner Neli) Santasmarina to provoke conversation — and the Cuban hip-hop sound of Orishas thump from speakers. Couches and threads of conversations critical of U.S. policy toward Cuba greet people as they enter.

Sounds as if it’d be a great place–for San Francisco. Wonder how long it’ll stay in business at its current location?

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Posted by Castro Death Watch at 2:11 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

The Cuban Embargo

Cuban Embargo Comments Off
Feb 042007

Let me be frank (pun fully intended): I have often been ambivalent about the U.S. embargo against Cuba.

On the one hand, of course, anything we can do to hurt Castro is great, no matter how small. On the other hand, the embargo has been in place for so many years–and so has, unfortunately, Castro–so why not try something new.

But as soon as I admittedly “flip” towards dropping the embargo, along comes news like this:

Since Democrats took control of Congress last month, a raft of legislation has been introduced that would weaken or eliminate restrictions on trade, visitation and communications between the United States and Cuba’s 11 million people.

Now, correct me if I’m wrong, but… weren’t the Democrats and their ilk the very same ones who demanded we isolate South Africa completely during apartheid? But now they say we should seek “dialogue” with Castro?

Here’s a memo to you: there is NO dialogue as long as Castro is around. It’s his way or it’s his way, there is NO highway when it comes to Castro. When are you Dems going to get this?

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Posted by Castro Death Watch at 1:05 pm
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