Friday, February 6, 2009

Odds and ends

  • Reuters covers the Cuba discussion at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.

  • Editor and Publisher writes about the Herald’s plan for the day of Fidel Castro’s death. An editor discusses a “three-ring binder with every possible scenario for when Fidel dies. Calling-tree diagrams. Bank accounts. Satellite phones. Fixers. Fast boats.” Fast boats?

  • Why do Medicare fraudsters flee from Miami to Cuba? The Herald’s Myriam Marquez takes a stab at an answer.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Absolutely on the "fast boats" comment. And for good reason.

I feel it prudent to write this anonymously - also for good reason.

As a journalist who works in Cuba quite often, I can tell you that many of us believe that when the "announcement" comes, the island will be completely sealed - no one in or out. In that situation, the only way to gain entry will be via "fast boat."

About a year-and-a-half ago, when the world was absolutely certain that Castro was about to die and rumors in Havana and the outlying areas were running rampant, a group of us had made such plans - for getting out of Cuba. We were already on the island when the speculation began. Preparations were made. We would be hidden at a safe house in order to stay beyond our allotted visa time. When our coverage was done, the plan was to head out of Cuba via boat, from a location outside Havana.

The media industry is quite prepared. We've done it before in any number of nations.

"Fast boats" are simply one of many methods to accomplish the goal.

Regards,

Anonymous