The messages from Cuba seem pretty clear on two fronts.
First, if you consider Raul Castro’s relatively low profile and Fidel’s many commentaries over the past week, is seem clear that in this crisis, it’s Fidel that is calling the strategic shots.
Second, while I would like to reserve some hope that U.S. government aid may contribute to the hurricane relief effort, it seems clear that Cuba is not going to accept U.S. aid. The Bush Administration dropped its requirement that a U.S. assessment team visit Cuba before any aid delivery, and it has shown a willingness to deliver aid directly to the Cuban government rather than to private entities or international agencies. The latest offer was made Friday, and includes building supplies. Nonetheless, as we learn from Fidel Castro’s September 16 commentary, Cuban national dignity and protection against U.S. espionage are the deciding factors for him.
In a September 20 commentary, Fidel complains that some U.S. government aid is being channeled through political groups that want to change Cuba’s form of government. That, in his view, taints any U.S. offer.
But even if you agree with Castro’s qualms about the Bush Administration’s offers, what to make about an apparent Cuban decision, reported by EFE, to reject aid from all but two member states (Belgium and Spain) of the European Union? The reason, EFE reports, is that Cuba maintains a policy of “not accepting direct aid from nations that have not normalized cooperation agreements” with Cuba. Amazing.
Where does all this leave Cubans in affected areas? Here’s a report from the Miami Herald, from Banes and Gibara in Holguin province, where locals are working on their own as they wait for substantial aid to arrive.
The longer-term question is whether Cuba’s relief and recovery requirements will be met effectively by relief provided by the government and international sources. Here’s hoping all the sources of aid – governments, international relief agencies, and family members working within and around the Administration’s restrictions – can succeed. In his September 20 commentary, Fidel Castro says that in addition to offers of cash and material aid that he doesn’t quantify, more than $1 billion in “loans and soft credits” have been offered by Russia, Angola, China, Vietnam, “and others.”
13 comments:
"[A]s we learn from Fidel Castro’s September 16 commentary, Cuban national dignity and protection against U.S. espionage are the deciding factors for him."
This is rather naive, Phil. Since when did anything Castro says bear any necessary relation to reality, truth or what is really on his mind?
More intriguing is a report that Fidel C., from his sickbed, is taking personal charge of some government operations (hurricane relief). Does this mean Big Bro, fed up with Raul C.'s passivity and "reforms," is on the verge of dispatching Little Bro to supervise garbage removal in Guanahacabibes?
I think it has become obvious that Fidel Castro is calling the shots in Cuba. Nothing changes. No wonder Raúl has such a low profile.
As usual, Fidel's vanity and narcissism take precedence over the welfare of the Cuban people.
-Anatasio Blanco
There is absolutely nothing stopping the US and any EU country from donating as much as they want to international aid organizations, who are already on the ground in Cuba. The US has already donated $2 million this way and can up the amount as they'd like. The US making big hay out of upping the ante for a 4th time is a big publicity stunt designed to make Cuba look like the bad guy, knowing full well Cuba's policies are based on a dignity thatn can not be bought. Why does our host - or anyone in the media - not acknowledge this reality?
because to the majority of sane people out here, it looks like a perfectly reasonable non-political offer and that Cuba is putting politics above the welfare of its people.
because to the majority of sane people out here, it looks like a perfectly reasonable non-political offer and that Cuba is putting politics above the welfare of its people.
If the US wanted to be non-political about it, it could discreetly deposit the millions in any one of the dozens of humanitarian aid organizations working right now in Cuba. Instead it grandstands about its newer, better, less political 4th offer. Shut up and just get the money to Cubans.
By the way, anyone who gave money to Catholic Relief Services as I did - using the code that was posted here and elsewhere - be careful to make sure the money actually is going to Cuba. When I got my statement in the mail, the money was intended just for general fund purposes. I called and they corrected the mistake. But I imagine I am not the only one...
As the Herald reported today, CANF is using its "aid" dollars to selectiveley give to dissidents and dissident groups on the island. The hope is that they will show it pays to be against the Government - quite literally. Dissidents will be the heroes walking around passing around $10 bills. What a stomach turning idea. If you care about the people of Cuba, give to aid organizations, not political groupings.
This "leftside" is obsessed with his self-appointed role of spokesman for Castro's fiefdom,aka "the Cuban Revolution", so called.
leftside is freaking out because the true nature of the regime is being exposed for the whole world to see.
When will the regime begin accepting the aid so many nations have put forth? When will Fidel Castro set his narcissism and stubbornness and put the people, and not his own pride first? How long must we wait? How much more misery must we endure? And finally - WHAT IS THE POINT!?
This is an absolute outrage and one would hope, that with the UN General Assembly in full swing, some leader or leaders would issue a statement urging the regime to accept the mountains of aid that have been pledged.
In short - this is insanity - absolute and utter insanity. Made all the worse by the fact that so many Cuban exiles are now being forced to break immoral U.S. laws in order to send financial aid to their loved ones in distress.
The shame and blame can certainly be spread around but the dictatorship's reaction only proves its scorn for its own people. Sick.
-Anatasio Blanco
even the Burmese junta let aid in after the country was hit by storms
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