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Cuba news update

Were closely watching news reports about Cuba, Presidents Castros health, and reaction to the temporary transfer of power. Were collecting stories we find compelling and making sure that youre seeing them too.

Heres what caught our eyes today:

– In Cuba

A second statement was read on behalf of Castro on a Cuban news program Tuesday. The statement said that he was in stable condition, but did not divulge any details. Life remained generally calm, if anxious, in Cuba and no statement or appearance has yet been made by Raul Castro.

Ricardo Alarcon, President of Cubas National Assembly, was interviewed by Democracy Now! radio and NPRs “All Things Considered” today. He says that he personally met with Castro on Monday afternoon and spoke to him again yesterday. Click here to listen.

– In Miami:

Pro-embargo factions of Miamis Cuban-American community launched a civil disobedience campaign on Tuesday aimed at rousing opposition to Raul Castro within Cuba, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reported. Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart (R-FL) wore a yellow sticker with the campaigns slogan Yo no (I will not) at a press conference and elaborated on the slogan saying, I will not follow. I will not cooperate. I will not snitch on my fellow Cubans.

Link to article.

Some Cuban-Americans are taking action. Ramn Sal Snchez, leader of the Democracy Movement, said, ”We are preparing our boats and our planes to possibly send a contingency to Cuba, to unite with the internal movement, the Miami Herald reported.

Link to article.

Others urge reconciliation with Cuba now. Writing in the Miami Herald, Ana Menendez suggested a change in rhetoric: Not transition and not reparation — what should immediately concern us in Miami is rebuilding the relationships that the politics of paranoia and vengeance worked so assiduously to destroy.

Link to article.

– In Washington:

The Bush administration maintained its cold shoulder to Cuba with the Presidents spokesman saying the U.S. has no plans to reach out. Ironically, Secretary of Commerce, Carlos Gutierrez, stated that the U.S. objects to any third party stand[ing] in the way of the rights of the Cuban people to elect their government, the Associated Press reported.

On Capitol Hill, Senator John Ensign (R-NV) introduced legislation to create a Fund for A Free Cuba, according to a press release on his website. Ensign stated that, Fidel Castros reign of tyranny is coming to an end, and action must be taken to promote a free Cuban society.

Different ideas were brewing in the House of Representatives. Congressmen Jeff Flake (R-AZ) and Bill Delahunt (D-MA) said they plan to introduce legislation next month to repeal parts of Helms-Burton, a 1996 Act that tightened the embargo and prohibits the U.S. from engaging with Raul Castro. In a letter to their colleagues, the two said that, It makes no sense for the U.S. to sideline itself while other democratic countries help Cuba move toward freedom.

– Around Latin America:

The Miami Herald reported of instances of Latin Americans sympathizing with Fidel Castro, citing rallies in Chile and calls of support to Cubas embassy in Peru. Hugo Chavez, president of Venezuela, and Evo Morales, president of Bolivia, both of whom have recently grown close to Castro, expressed the most ardent support for the Cuban leader. Chavez stated, With all our heart, we hope that President Fidel Castro gets well as quickly as possible, and Morales called Castro a brother and a friend, the Herald reported.

Link to article.

– On the opinion pages:

The Wall Street Journal advocated a repeal of the Helms-Burton Act, writing that it denies the President important discretion and reduces the possibility that the U.S. could promote peaceful change through economic engagement with a post-Fidel Cuba.

The New York Times urged the President to consider an alternative approach to Cuba policy: The challenge for the Bush administration will be to make sure other voices are heard and heeded as well. Washingtons post-Castro policy must not become a pawn of Miami refugee politics.

Jake Colvin, Director of USA*Engage at the National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) suggests this approach: This moment presents a golden opportunity for the United States to demonstrate a true spirit of friendship with the Cuban people. Instead of sitting on the sidelines and staying the course, the President and Congress should look to remove some of the layers of sanctions, restrictions and bureaucracy that have accumulated against Cuba over more than four decades so that we can resurrect the type of dialogue that has been absent for too long.

We leave you with a comment from one of your fellow Cuba Central readers: The tragic truth is that more than forty seven years diplomacy has failed to establish a working relationship between Cuba and the United States. Diplomacy has failed because of the polarized attitudes involved. All Cubans have paid a huge price. If we look around we can find many examples of nations ripped apart from years of internal and external conflict coming together in a spirit of reunification setting aside personal issues for the greater good of the nation and the people. It is time we acted accordingly.

Sincerely,

The Cuba Central Team