Periodismo Periodistas Cuba La pelea Jim Acosta-Trump

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La pelea Jim Acosta-Trump: Por qué soy “políticamente incorrecto”…. “Neutral.”

O cuando ambas partes son parte del imperialismo estadounidense.

 

PeriodismoCuba

 

A continuación, se muestra un extracto de mi libro RELACIONES CUBA-ESTADOS UNIDOS, páginas 105-07. Por favor léelo. Como se cita a continuación en el extracto del libro, “Relaciones Cuba-Estados Unidos: ¿Qué ha cambiado?”, Jim Acosta nunca planteó el tema de los presos políticos en los Estados Unidos con Obama. Desde la era de Obama, Acosta nunca había desafiado y nunca lo plantea con Trump ahora.

Acosta ni siquiera se opone al hecho de que Trump esté tratando de traer a la fuerza al periodista Julian Assange de regreso a los Estados Unidos para que se enfrente a una corte de canguro y un castigo severo, algunos dicen que hasta la pena de muerte. No tengo ninguna simpatía de mi parte por Trump, por supuesto, pero ni siquiera por CNN English y su Acosta.

 

El CNN English – Trump diferendo es una pelea DENTRO DE LOS CÍRCULOS ELITES ESTADOUIDNSES de los cuales CNN English forma parte. Tanto CNN English / Acosta como Trump tienen dobles raseros inmorales cuando se trata de presos políticos. ¿Extremo? Uno tiene que enfrentar el hecho de que CNN English es parte de la política imperialista de los Estados Unidos, ya sea liderada por Obama o Trump. Por ejemplo, cuando Cuba obtuvo una gran victoria en la ONU EN EL ÚLTIMO VOTO PARA LEVANTAR EL BLOQUEO, el CNN English, tan “liberal”, ¡NO CUBRIÓ esto en absoluto!

 

¿Qué cubrieron sobre Cuba? Poco después de la votación en la ONU, el presidente Díaz-Canel llegó a Moscú y se reunió con el presidente Putin. ESTE SÍ fue reportado por la CNN English. ¿Pero cómo? Fue otro ataque contra Cuba por atreverse a desarrollar relaciones militares y de otro tipo con Rusia. Los titulares llamativos de la CNN English en la televisión (como se ve en las fotos en mi post aquí y que NO HAY NADA QUE VER CON LA VISITA DE DÍAZ-CANEL) fueron parte de la campaña anti-Rusia de la CNN English. Y así contra Cuba.

Lea esto a continuación y saca a sus propias conclusiones o únase al debate. ¿Me equivoco?

 

 

Del mi libro páginas 105-107:

 

“Obama en Cuba: ¿cómo los ‘prisioneros políticos’ se convirtieron en titulares en los medios?

 

“Durante la visita del presidente Obama a Cuba, el tema de los ‘prisioneros políticos’ ocupó el centro de las noticias sobre las relaciones Cuba- Estados Unidos en gran parte de los principales medios internacionales durante, al menos, 24 horas. Una letanía cacofónica acerca del tema emanaba de los reporteros en los sets; daba la impresión de que “Obama en Cuba” se había igualado a ‘prisioneros políticos’. La única excepción pareció ser Telesur, radicada en Caracas, Venezuela.

 

“¿Por qué pasó esto? En referencia a las discusiones con el gobierno cubano durante la conferencia de prensa conjunta de los presidentes Raúl Castro y Barack Obama el 21 de marzo, Obama afirmó:

 

 

 

 

‘Como hacemos en cualquier lugar adonde vamos en todo el mundo, dejé claro que Estados Unidos continuará defendiendo la democracia, incluido el derecho del pueblo cubano a decidir su propio futuro. Defenderemos los derechos humanos universales, incluida la libertad de palabra, de reunión y religión.’

 

 

“El tono de los comentarios del presidente estadounidense, enmarcados en un discurso diplomático, no era abiertamente hostil ni dirigía esas acusaciones hacia el gobierno cubano. No hubo mención de prisioneros políticos. Podría decirse, como el propio Obama afirmó, que se trataba del discurso esencial de los mandatarios estadounidenses en sus relaciones con algunos países. Sin embargo, la altanería de la Casa Blanca al dar lecciones a Cuba sobre democracia y derechos humanos, como muchos colegas cubanos consideran tal discurso justificadamente, se basa exclusivamente en los conceptos estadounidenses de la democracia y los derechos humanos. Con frecuencia van dirigidas a países del Tercer Mundo de manera arbitraria y con variaciones en énfasis y prioridades, en dependencia de la afinidad de estas naciones con la política exterior de Washington.

 

“Después de las presentaciones de los dos jefes de Estado, se dio la palabra al gran número de periodistas cubanos e internacionales. OBAMA RECONOCIÓ DE INMEDIATO AL AUTOR DE LA PRIMERA PREGUNTA: JIM ACOSTA, EL CORRESPONSAL PRINCIPAL DE LA CASA BLANCA PARA LA CNN. Tal como Acosta señaló en la introducción de su pregunta dirigida a Raúl Castro, él es un cubano-americano cuyos padres emigraron de la Isla. Tal preludio, al parecer, podía servir como credencial, a los ojos del periodista, para preguntar cualquier cosa, y le permitiría hacer la siguiente interrogante a pesar de su conocimiento prácticamente nulo sobre Cuba, circunscrito de hecho a las opiniones profundamente prejuiciadas de Estados Unidos.

 

“ACOSTA DEDICÓ SU PRIMERA PREGUNTA A BARACK OBAMA Y LUEGO SE DIRIGIÓ AL PRESIDENTE CUBANO:

 

‘MI PADRE ES CUBANO Y SE FUE A ESTADOS UNIDOS CUANDO ERA MUY JOVEN. ¿VE UNA DIRECCIÓN NUEVA Y DEMOCRÁTICA PARA SU PAÍS? ¿POR QUÉ TIENE PRISIONEROS POLÍTICOS CUBANOS Y POR QUÉ NO LOS SUELTA?’

 

PeriodismoCuba

“La respuesta del presidente Castro fue la siguiente:

 

 

‘DAME LA LISTA AHORA MISMO de los presos políticos para soltarlos. Menciónala ahora. ¿Qué preso político? Dime el nombre, o los nombres, o cuando concluya la reunión me das una lista con los presos, y si hay esos presos políticos, antes de que llegue la noche van a estar sueltos’.

 

 

“La pregunta y su respuesta viajaron de inmediato alrededor del mundo convertidas en “noticia” de primera plana, centrada sobre todo en Estados Unidos en un rol protagónico dentro de Cuba.

 

 

“Obama no hizo mención de prisioneros políticos. Habría sido considerado tanto por la Casa Blanca como por el gobierno cubano una falta al protocolo y a las negociaciones e intercambio a puertas cerradas, lo cual es un rasgo positivo de las nuevas relaciones entre los dos países. DE MANERA CONVENIENTE PARA EL PRESIDENTE, el corresponsal principal de la CNN en la Casa Blanca abordó la cuestión en su lugar. EL LENGUAJE CORPORAL DE OBAMA Y SU EXPRESIÓN PARECÍAN INDICAR AGRADO ANTE LA PREGUNTA.

 

“¿Quiere esto decir que la Casa Blanca y Acosta se habían puesto de acuerdo? Obama y Acosta se conocen muy bien. El trabajo del corresponsal de la CNN no solo lo hace asistir con frecuencia a la Casa Blanca sino que, en ocasiones, acompaña al presidente en sus viajes. Teniendo en cuenta esta cercana relación, no hay necesidad de que se pongan de acuerdo explícitamente.

 

“Estos periodistas saben exactamente qué preguntar en las conferencias de prensa, y qué redactar y trasmitir a fin de no solo mantener sus puestos como corresponsales, sino también ascender hacia posicione más lucrativas y de mayor prestigio. Por ejemplo, SI ACOSTA LE HUBIERA PREGUNTADO ALGUNA VEZ AL PRESIDENTE DE ESTADOS UNIDOS —EN LAS INNUMERABLES CONFERENCIAS DE PRENSA EN LA CASA BLANCA EN RELACIÓN CON UNA ENORME VARIEDAD DE TEMAS— SOBRE LOS CENTENARES DE PRISIONEROS POLÍTICOS EN ESTADOS UNIDOS, ¿habría sido escogido siquiera para viajar a La Habana con Obama? Si Acosta hubiera tenido las agallas para cuestionar la práctica de los derechos humanos en Estados Unidos, nunca habría sido ‘seleccionado’ para su trabajo en primer lugar.”

 

PeriodismoCuba

CNN INGLÉS Y LA VISITA DE JOHN KERRY A LA HABANA

(CNN English ¿Una Víctima)

En las paginas 107-8 en mi libro escribí sobre la visita del secretario de Estado, John Kerry, a La Habana el 14 de agosto de 2015, para la ceremonia de reapertura de la embajada de Washington en La Habana y la cobertura que Jake Tapper (CNN English), uno de los presentadores de más éxito en la CNN dio al evento:

 

“Casi todos los reportes consistieron en poco más que una letanía de frases para retratar a Cuba como una ‘dictadura’ y la ‘tiranía de los hermanos Castro.’ Tal enfoque fue, por supuesto, amplificado y reiterado en otros programas de la CNN English.”

 

PRISONEROS POLITICA EN EE. UU.

 

DOS DE LOS MÁS DE 357 PRISIONEROS POLÍTICAS EN LOS EE.UU.:

 

LEONARD PELTIER

En 1977 fue declarado culpable y condenado sin pruebas a dos cadenas perpetuas consecutivas por el supuesto asesinato de dos agentes del FBI que murieron durante un tiroteo en 1975 en la reserva india de Pine Ridge, en los territorios sagrados Sioux de Dakota del Sur donde se había encontrado meses antes uranio y carbón. En ese acoso al pueblo Lakota murieron asesinadas más de 250 personas de esta nación indígena, pero a día de hoy aún no se ha investigado ningún crimen cometido por los “ayudantes” de los agentes federales que realizaron el «trabajo sucio».

Ha habido mucho debate sobre la culpabilidad de Peltier y la imparcialidad de su juicio. Aún son inclasificables más de 10.000 folios con pruebas categóricas que absolverían de inmediato al condenado. Algunas organizaciones, entre ellas Amnistía Internacional, consideran que es un preso político. Esta organización dice que “aunque no ha sido confirmado como un preso de conciencia, existe la preocupación acerca de la imparcialidad de las actuaciones que conducen a su condena y se cree que factores políticos pueden haber influido en la manera en que el caso fue procesado”. Peltier está encarcelado en una cárcel estatal en Lewisburg, Pennsylvania.

 

 

MUMIA ABU-JAMAL

Nacido con el nombre de Wesley Cook, 24 de abril de 1954 es un periodista y activista político afroamericano estadounidense, condenado a pena de muerte en 1982 por el asesinato del oficial de policía Daniel Faulkner.

 

Involucrado en el nacionalismo negro en su juventud, fue miembro del Partido Pantera Negra hasta octubre de 1970, tras lo cual se convirtió en periodista de radio y fue presidente de la Philadelphia Association of Black Journalists. El 9 de diciembre de 1981, Faulkner recibió un balazo mortal en una parada rutinaria de tráfico al hermano de Abu-Jamal, William Cook. Se encontró a Abu-Jamal en la escena del crimen, con una herida de bala de la pistola de Faulkner, y su propio revólver descargado a su lado. Fue arrestado y acusado de crimen en primer grado.

Estuvo esperando ser ejecutado entre 1982 y diciembre de 2011, siempre declarándose inocente y tras una sucesión de todas las apelaciones posibles. En marzo de 2008, un tribunal ordenó revisar la condena a muerte y el 7 de diciembre de 2011 se conmutó su pena a cadena perpetua sin libertad condicional.

Mumia continuó realizando en prisión su programa de radio Live from Death Row, que fue también el título de su libro editado en 1995.

 

LISTA DE PRESOS POLÍTICOS EN ESTADOS UNIDOS

Por Néstor García Iturbe en Alainet.

 

16/10/2018

 

Hoy, gracias a dos organizaciones, la National Jericho Movement y la Social Movement Prisoners, publico las listas que nos enviaron, la cuales totalizan 157 prisioneros políticos.

 

Hemos solicitado a otras organizaciones sus listados, algunas como la de los Indios Nativos Encarcelados nos han planteado que su listado es confidencial y no pueden darlo, sin embargo por sus propios comunicados conocimos que existen 200 nativos, de origen indio en cárceles estadounidenses, en cuyas acusaciones se pone de manifiesto que los mismos fueron detenidos por luchar contra el sistema, por lo que son presos políticos. ESO HACE UN TOTAL DE 357 PRISIONEROS POLÍTICOS. Si a esto le sumamos los 166 de la cárcel de Guantánamo, hace un total de 523 presos políticos. UN RECORD MUNDIAL.

 

Sabemos que esta lista está incompleta, que aún quedan muchos casos que deben incluirse en la misma.

 

 

Si alguno de nuestros lectores conoce un caso determinado, o tiene vinculación con alguna de las organizaciones que sostienen esta lucha y pueden solicitarle que nos envíen su lista, con gusto la agregamos para que todos estemos mejor informados.

 

Si usted tiene posibilidad de enviar este artículo con las listas a cualquier otra persona, tanto en Cuba como en otro país, al igual que si puede remitirla a algún organismo internacional como la Organización de Naciones Unidas u otro, considero que ayudará a la divulgación de esta violación por parte de Estados Unidos de los derechos humanos y ciudadanos y del propio espíritu de su Constitución y leyes que establecen la libertad de pensamiento y expresión, lo cual la clase en el poder, el “establishment”, pisotea diariamente.

Lo prometido es deuda, la lista de Terroristas en Estados Unidos está en camino.

 

LISTADO DE PRESOS POLÍTICOS – NATIONAL JERICHO MOVEMENT • P.O. BOX 2164 • CHESTERFIELD, VIRGINIA 23832

Abdullah, Haki Malik (s/n Michael Green) # C-56123
PO Box 3456, Corcoran, CA 93212

Abu-Jamal, Mumia #AM 8335
SCI-Mahanoy, 301 Morea Rd., Frackville, PA 17932
Birthday: April 24, 1954

Acoli, Sundiata (Squire) #39794-066
FCI Cumberland, P.O. Box 1000, Cumberland, MD 21501
Birthday: January 14, 1937

Africa, Charles Simms #AM4975
SCI Retreat, 660 State Route 11, Hunlock Creek, PA 18621
Birthday: April 7, 1956

Africa, Debbie Sims #006307
451 Fullerton Ave, Cambridge Springs, PA 16403-1238
Birthday: August 4, 1956

Africa, Delbert Orr #AM4985
SCI Dallas Drawer K, Dallas, PA 18612
Birthday: April 7

Africa, Edward Goodman #AM4974
301 Morea Road, Frackville, PA 17932
Birthday: October 21, 1949

Africa, Janet Holloway #006308
451 Fullerton Ave, Cambridge Springs, PA 16403-1238
Birthday: April 13, 1951

Africa, Janine Phillips #006309
451 Fullerton Ave, Cambridge Springs, PA 16403-1238
Birthday: April 25, 1956

Africa, Michael Davis #AM4973
SCI Graterford, Box 244, Graterford, PA 19426-0244
Birthday: October 6, 1955

Africa, William Phillips #AM4984
SCI Dallas Drawer K, Dallas, PA 18612
Birthday: May 12, 1956

Al-Amin, Jamil Abdullah # 99974-555
USP Florence ADMAX, P.O. Box 8500, Florence, CO 81226
Birthday: October 4, 1943

Azania, Zolo #4969
Indiana State Prison, 1 Park Row, Michigan City, IN 46360
Birthday: December 12, 1954

Bell, Herman #79C0262
Great Meadow Correctional Facility
11739 State Route 22, P.O. Box 51, Comstock, NY 12821-0051
Birthday: January 14, 1948

Bomani Sababu, Kojo (Grailing Brown) #39384-066
USP McCreary, P.O. Box 3000, Pine Knot, KY 42635
Bottom, Anthony Jalil #77A4283
Attica Correctional Facility, P.O. Box 149, Attica NY 14011-0149
Birthday: October 18, 1951

Bowen, Joseph AM-4272,
1 Kelley Drive, Coal Township, PA 17866-1021
Birthday: January 15, 1948

Bowers, Veronza #35316-136
USP Atlanta, P.O. Box 150160, Atlanta, GA 30315
Birthday: February 4

Burton, Fred “Muhammad” AF 3896
SCI Somerset, 1590 Walters Mill Rd, Somerset, PA 15510
Birthday: December 15, 1946

Campa, Rubén #58733-004
(envelope addessed to Rubén Campa,
letter addressed to Fernando Gonzáles)

F.C.I. Safford, P.O. Box 9000, Safford, AZ 85548
Birthday: August 18, 1963

Chubbuck, Byron Shane (Oso Blanco) #07909-051
USP Florence – High, P.O. Box 7000, Florence, CO 81226
Birthday: February 26, 1967

Conway, Marshall Eddie #116469
Jessup Correctional Institution, P.O. Box 534, Jessup, MD 20794
Birthday: April 23, 1946

Dunne, Bill #10916-086
USP Pollock, P.O. Box 2099, Pollock, LA 71467
Birthday: August 3

Fitzgerald, Romaine “Chip” #B-27527
Kern Valley State Prison, A-5-110
P.O. Box 5101, Delano, California 93216
Birthday: April 11, 1949

Ford, Patrice Lumumba #96639-011
USP Pollock, P.O. Box 2099, Pollock, LA 71467
Gilbert, David #83A6158
Auburn Correctional Facility, P.O. Box 618, Auburn, NY 13021-0618
Birthday: October 6, 1944

González Claudio, Avelino #09873-000
FCI Ashland, P.O. Box 6001, Ashland, KY 41105
Gonzalez Claudio, Norberto #09864-000
Unit G Room 15 DWWDF
950 High St. Central Fall, RI 02863
Birthday: May 27, 1945

Hammond, Jeremy #18729-424
MCC New York, 150 Park Row, New York, NY 10007
Birthday: January 1985

Hayes, Robert Seth #74-A-2280
Sullivan Correctional Facility, P.O. Box 116, Fallsburg, NY 12733-0116
Birthday: October 15, 1948

Hernández, Alvaro Luna #255735
Hughes Unit, Rt. 2, Box 4400, Gatesville, TX 76597
Birthday: May 12, 1952

Hilton, Freddie (Kamau Sadiki) #0001150688
Augusta State Medical Prison, Bldg 23A-2
3001 Gordon Highway, Grovetown, GA 30813
Birthday: February 19

Hoover, Larry #86063-024
Florence ADMAX, P.O. Box 8500, Florence, CO 81226
Birthday: November 30, 1950

Ka’bah, Abdullah Malik (aka Jeff Fort) #92298-024
USP Florence ADMAX, P.O. Box 8500, Florence, CO 81226
Birthday: February 20, 1947

 

Kambui, Sekou (William Turk) #113058
(envelope addressed to William Turk, letter to Sekou)
Bibb County Correctional Facility Unit A1-25A
565 Bibb Lane, Brent, AL 35034
Birthday: September 6, 1948

Khabir, Maumin (aka Melvin Mayes) #09891-000
MCFP Springfield, P.O. Box 4000, Springfield, MO 65801
Birthday: September 15

Koti, Mohamman Geuka 80-A-0808
Mohawk Correctional Facility,
P.O. Box 8451, Rome, New York 13440-8451
Birthday: October 11, 1926

Laaman, Jaan Karl #10372-016
USP Tucson, P.O. Box 24550, Tucson, AZ 85734
Birthday: March 21, 1948

Lake, Richard Mafundi #079972
Donaldson CF, 100 Warrior Lane, Bessemer, AL 35023-7299
Birthday: March 1, 1940

Langa, Mondo We (David Rice) #27768,
Nebraska State Penitentiary, P.O. Box 2500, Lincoln, NE 68542
Birthday: May 21, 1947

Latine, Maliki Shakur # 81-A-4469
Clinton Correctional Facility, P.O. Box 2001, Dannemora, NY 12929
López Rivera, Oscar #87651-024
FCI Terre Haute, P.O. Box 33, Terre Haute, IN 47808
Birthday: January 6, 1943

Magee, Ruchell Cinque # A92051
Calif. State Prison D-5 #113
P.O. Box 4670, Los Angeles County, Lancaster, CA 93539
Birthday: March 17

Majid, Abdul (Anthony Laborde) #83-A-0483
Elmira Correctional Facility
PO Box 500, 1879 Davis St, Elmira, New York 14902-0500
Birthday: June 25, 1949

Manning, Thomas #10373-016
FMC Butner, P.O. Box 1600, Butner, NC 27509
Birthday: June 28, 1946

 

Mason, Marie Jeanette #04672-061
FMC Carswell, P.O. Box 27137, Fort Worth, TX 76127
Birthday: January 26, 1962

McDavid, Eric #16209-097
FCI Terminal Island, P.O. Box 3007, San Pedro, CA 90731
Birthday: October 7

Odinga, Sekou #09A3775
Clinton Correctional Facility, P.O. Box 2001, Dannemora, NY 12929
Birthday: June 17, 1944

Peltier, Leonard #89637-132
USP Coleman I, P.O. Box 1033, Coleman, Fl 33521
Birthday: September 12, 1944

Pinell, Hugo “Dahariki” # A88401
SHU D3-221, P.O. Box 7500, Crescent City, CA 95531-7500
Birthday: March 10, 1945

Poindexter, Ed # 27767
Nebraska State Penitentiary, P.O. Box 2500, Lincoln, NE 68542
Birthday: November 1, 1944

Powell, Reverend Joy #07G0632
Bedford Hills CF, P.O. Box 1000, Bedford Hills, NY 10507-2499

Rodríguez, Luis V. # C33000
Kern Valley State Prison (AD_SEG),
(B1-205), P.O. Box 5102, Delano, CA 93216

Shabazz Bey, Hanif (Beaumont Gereau)
Golden Grove Prison, RR1, P.O. Box 9955, Kingshill, St. Croix, V.I. 00850
Birthday: August 16, 1950

Shakur, Mutulu #83205-012
Federal Correctional Complex, P.O. Box 3900, Adelanto, CA 92301
Birthday: August 8, 1950

Shoats, Russell Maroon #AF-3855
SCI-Mahanoy, 301 Morea Rd., Frackville, PA 17932
Birthday: August 23, 1943

Tyler, Gary # 84156
Louisiana State Penitentiary, ASH-4, Angola LA 70712

Wallace, Herman #76759
Elayn Hunt Correctional Center, CCR-B-#6,
P.O. Box 174, St Gabriel LA 70776
Birthday: October 13, 1941

Watson, Gary #098990
Unit SHU17, Delaware Correctional Center,
1181 Paddock Road, Smyrna, DE 19977

Woodfox, Albert #72148
David Wade Correctional Center, N1A
670 Bell Hill Rd., Homer, LA 71040
Birthday: February 19, 1947

 

Anarchist Movement Prisoners
§ Mark Neiween (Migs) NATO Chicago 2012 Prisoner
§ Sebastian Senakiewicz NATO Chicago 2012 Prisoner
§ Miguel Balderos
§ Casey Brezik
§ Bill Dunne
§ Marie Mason
§ Matt Duran
§ Katherine Olejnik (KteeO)
§ Matthew “Maddy” Pfeiffer
•
The Cleveland 4
§ Brandon Baxter
§ Connor Stevens
§ Doug Wright
§ Joshua “Skelly” Stafford

NATO 3
§ Brent Betterly
§ Jared Chase
§ Brian Church

Tinley Park 5

Anti-War

§ Dr. Abdelhaleem Ashqar
§ Dr. Rafil Dhafir
§ Patrice Lumumba Ford
•
The Holy Land Five
§ Ghassan Elashi
§ Shukri Abu-Baker
§ Mufid Abdulqader
§ Abdulrahman Odeh
§ Mohammad El-Mezain

Anti-police
§ Christopher Monfort
§ Andrew Mickel

Black/New Afrikan Liberation
§ Mumia Abu-Jamal
§ Zolo Agona Azania
§ Veronza Bowers Jr.
§ Sundiata Acoli (C. Squire)
§ Jamil Abdullah Al-Amin
§ Joseph “Joe-Joe” Bowen
§ Fred “Muhammad” Burton
§ Marshall Eddie Conway
§ Romaine “Chip” Fitzgerald
§ Robert Seth Hayes
§ Freddie Hilton (Kamau Sadiki)
§ Larry Hoover
§ Sekou Kambui (W. Turk)
§ Richard Mafundi Lake
§ Maliki Latine
§ Ruchell Cinque Magee
§ Abdul Majid
§ Sekou Odinga
§ Reverend Joy Powell
§ Ronald Reed
§ Kojo Bomani Sababu
§ Dr. Mutulu Shakur
§ Russell Maroon Shoats
§ Gary Tyler
•

Angola Three
§ Herman Wallace
§ Albert Woodfox

§ Chuck Sims Africa
§ Debbie Sims Africa
§ Delbert Orr Africa
§ Edward Goodman Africa
§ Janet Holloway Africa
§ Janine Phillips Africa
§ Michael Davis Africa
§ William Phillips Africa

Nebraska 2
§ Ed Poindexter
§ Mondo We Langa (D. Rice)

New York 3
§ Herman Bell
§ Jalil Muntaqim

Green Scare/Earth Liberation
§ Eric McDavid
§ Michael Sykes
§ Steve Murphy
§ Justin Solondz
§ Fran Thompson
•
Indigenous Prisoners
§ Byron Shane “Oso Blanco” Chubbuck
§ John Graham
§ Leonard Peltier
§ Luis V. Rodriguez

Puerto Rican Prisoners of War
§ Avelino Gonzalez Claudio

§ Norberto Gonzalez Claudio

United Freedom Front
§ Jaan Karl Laaman
§ Thomas Manning

Other National Liberation
§ Lynne Stewart
§ David Gilbert
§ Alvaro Luna Hernandez
§ Hugo Pinell
§ Tsutomu Shirosaki
§ NC Almighty Latin Kings and Queens

Virgin Island 5
§ Abdul Azeez (Warren Ballentine)
§ Hanif Shabazz Bey (Beaumont Gereau)
§ Malik Smith

 

 

 

15 de octubre del 2018.
Fuente-

https://www.alainet.org/es/articulo/195950

 

 

NOAM CHOMSKY SOBRE LA PRENSA EN EE.UU.

¿LA “SELECCIÓN” NO SE HA APLICADO A JIM ACOSTA?

 

Extracto del mi libro, página 77:

PeriodismoCuba

“Noam Chomsky reveló el papel de los medios en Estados Unidos como parte del orden establecido en su obra clásica Manufacturing Consent (Construyendo el consenso). Él y su coautor escribieron que ‘los medios sirven y hacen propaganda en favor de los poderosos intereses sociales que los controlan y los financian’. Chomsky sigue exponiendo los mecanismos internos de este fenómeno al indicar que las presiones ejercidas por los círculos de poder sobre los medios ‘no se llevan a cabo normalmente mediante la intervención directa, sino mediante LA SELECCIÓN DEL PERSONAL con la mentalidad adecuada y mediante la interiorización por parte de los periodistas y editores de las prioridades y definiciones de qué tiene valor como noticia, que constituyen la política institucional.”

 

Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez en la UPEC Periodistas Cuba

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Discurso pronunciado por Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, Presidente de los Consejos de Estado y de Ministros, en la clausura del X Congreso de la Unión de Periodistas de Cuba, en el Palacio de Convenciones, el 14 de julio de 2018, “Año 60 de la Revolución”.

 

(Versiones Taquigráficas– Consejo de Estado)

 

Bueno, para empezar a cumplir los mandatos del Congreso y apoyar a Ronquillo y a la nueva dirección, antes de diciembre estoy en Twitter (Aplausos y exclamaciones).

 

Compañeros de la dirección del Partido, del Estado y el Gobierno aquí presentes;

Estimados Premios Nacionales de Periodismo;

Queridos periodistas:

 

Después de nuestros más recientes recorridos por varias provincias y de las jornadas de este Congreso, escenarios ambos que nos permiten compartir experiencias y meditaciones con la prensa nacional de un modo más cercano, he comprendido mejor por qué Fidel les pidió una vez que lo consideraran uno de ustedes.

 

Los periodistas cubanos tienen el mérito indiscutible de haber sostenido la voz de la nación en las circunstancias y las horas más adversas, con admirable lealtad, elevado sentido de responsabilidad, talento, inteligencia y contagioso entusiasmo que genera siempre interesantes propuestas.

 

No se esperaba y no se espera menos de quienes se enorgullecen de pertenecer a un gremio ennoblecido desde sus orígenes por intelectuales de la talla de José Martí, Fidel Castro y los más brillantes líderes de la Revolución, desde 1868 hasta nuestros días.

 

Hoy, tras largos y fatigosos años bajo el asedio simultáneo de las más severas carencias materiales y las inaceptables  incomprensiones de algunas de nuestras propias fuentes, es legítimo reconocer que la mayoría de ustedes ha tenido que batallar muy duro para ejercer con dignidad un oficio que demanda, no solo talento y esfuerzo, también ideales muy elevados para rechazar, en medio de grandes sacrificios económicos, las ofertas de pagos relativamente “generosos” que la lucrativa industria de las campañas contra Cuba, oportunista y cínicamente, pone a disposición de quienes tienen un precio o creen ingenuamente en el falso discurso libertario de los apologistas del mercado.

Podríamos decir que nunca fue tan retador y desafiante el panorama mediático, pero seríamos injustos con la historia de una Revolución que no ha conocido tregua en su arduo empeño de conquistar toda la justicia y que, desde el primer día, como lo recuerda la frase de Fidel que ha presidido el Congreso, entendió el papel central del periodismo en la defensa de la fortaleza sitiada.

 

¿Cómo imaginar sin la numerosa prensa clandestina y guerrillera o  sin Radio Rebelde el rápido avance del Ejército Rebelde? ¿Qué habría sido de la recién nacida Revolución sin la brillante “Operación Verdad”? ¿Acaso la guerra mediática que robó el nombre del Apóstol, trasmitiendo desde un avión, no fue vencida con tecnologías y nuevos proyectos periodísticos que revolucionaron la radio y la televisión en su momento y  hoy todavía?

 

Gracias a la comprensión de que su verdad necesita del periodismo, Cuba pudo construir un sistema de medios públicos cuya principal fortaleza son ustedes, los periodistas, más eficaces mientras más auténticos, originales y creativos al contar a la nación y al mundo la verdad que “los necesita”.

 

Lo que podemos decir ahora es que si bien la revolución de las TIC, la era de Internet y la tiranía de las empresas que se dedican al negocio de las comunicaciones, nos plantean desafíos cada vez más fuertes en nuestra condición de economía subdesarrollada, el país no se ha sometido a las reglas de su adversario ni ha cedido soberanía en nombre de la veloz modernidad.

 

Y que, por más que lluevan intentos de devolvernos al pasado de sensacionalismo y prensa privada bajo máscaras nuevas, ni los medios públicos cubanos ni sus periodistas están en venta.

 

No acuso injustamente. Apunto a la abierta guerra que se nos hace desde medios que, bajo el paraguas de mejores tiempos en las siempre frágiles relaciones con el vecino poderoso que nos desprecia, han ido escalando en el ataque a lo que nos une —el Partido— y lo que nos defiende —nuestra prensa—, descalificando continuamente a ambos y tratando de fracturar y separar lo que viene de una misma raíz y crece en un mismo tronco.

 

Aludiendo al tipo de misión que esos medios intentan cumplir con sorprendente articulación que desmiente su supuesta libertad, M. H. Lagarde, ha dibujado con ironía pero sin eufemismos, la nueva clase de líderes que se nos vende, desde esos espacios.  Recomiendo la lectura completa de “Los nuevos revolucionarios” de quienes Lagarde afirma:

 

 

“…Los nuevos revolucionarios juran y perjuran que no son asalariados del pensamiento oficial, pero aceptan becas en universidades de Estados Unidos o reciben cursos de periodismo en Holanda, donde seguro les enseñan a defender el socialismo en Cuba.  Debemos presuponer que tales cursos y becas son gratuitos.

“Los nuevos revolucionarios llaman a la desobediencia cuando más hace falta la unión. Para ellos, expertos también en política, nada tienen que ver con Cuba la persecución ‘judicial’ de los líderes de izquierda en América Latina, los intentos de golpes blandos e invasiones en Venezuela y Nicaragua.

“Los nuevos revolucionarios son democráticos y respetuosos de las opiniones contrarias, por eso quienes no compartan sus posiciones son: sumisos, corderos, obedientes, mediocres, talibanes, khmers rojos, estalinistas, oficialistas y represores.

“La principal misión, por tanto, de los nuevos revolucionarios es la de dividir algo que sin dudas, a veces, consiguen.”

 

(VER EN CONTINUACIÓN EL ARTÍCULO COMPLETO DE M. H. LAGARDE

“LOS NUEVOS REVOLUCIONARIOS”)

 

 

Sé que los documentos teóricos y los debates del Congreso, sin desconocer, olvidar o desestimar las urgencias internas, que a la postre también resultan estratégicas, han apuntado a la centralidad de esa batalla que jamás cesará, entre la lógica del capital, egoísta y excluyente, y nuestra lógica socialista y martiana, fidelista, solidaria y generosa.

 

Porque, aunque nos vendan otra versión de los hechos, la testaruda realidad está demasiado a la vista, pasando dolorosa factura a los que creyeron que el lobo era oveja.

 

Se es o no se es, desde los tiempos de Shakespeare.

 

Por supuesto, que el Congreso ha sido mucho más que ese debate central y nos alegra. En primer lugar, vale celebrar que llegamos a esta décima edición con Política de Comunicación Social, documento que define, por fin, como un derecho ciudadano y como bien público, el acceso a la información, la comunicación y el conocimiento; que otorga la mayor autoridad a los directivos de la prensa; que transversaliza a la sociedad y establece obligaciones en ese sentido para instituciones, organismos, autoridades; que defiende los valores y símbolos de la nación y ordena el respeto a la diversidad que somos. Que declara a la comunicación como recurso estratégico de la dirección del Estado y el Gobierno y define el carácter público de los servicios de radiodifusión y comunicación y reconoce solo dos tipos de propiedad para los medios de comunicación  masiva: la estatal y la social.

 

La UPEC y la Facultad de Comunicación de la Universidad de La Habana han sido parte activa de la elaboración de la política y de su ajuste y adecuación a los momentos actuales. Prácticamente la totalidad del gremio ha participado en discusiones fundamentales para su posterior aplicación.  Hay entusiasmo en el Congreso por las puertas que abre a preocupaciones históricas y recientes del sector, como los sistemas de gestión que otorgan mayor autonomía a los medios y su fortalecimiento, ordenamiento, renovación tecnológica. Entiendo que rabien los que no están invitados al análisis porque no son parte de la UPEC, ni de la sociedad cubana que se ganó con sacrificio y esfuerzos el derecho exclusivo a discutir cómo diseñar el futuro.

 

Y, por supuesto, no nos asombra que hayan comenzado a lanzar ríos de intriga contra el Partido y el sistema de medios del país los asalariados del pensamiento único mundial en su versión criolla o extranjera. ¿Qué esperaban? ¿Qué sugieren? ¿Acaso que entreguemos, por ejemplo, nuestras agencias de noticias a los brazos del mercado y a sus periodistas a la calle?  Pues no.  Nuestra Télam no será desangrada. El Fondo Monetario Internacional (FMI) no manda en Cuba.

 

Por las noticias que he recibido de las primeras jornadas del Congreso, ha sido este un evento exitoso, con economía de informes y planteamientos sólidos y aportadores, desde la experiencia de las bases de la organización en los medios y en la academia. Creo que esto se debe a que la UPEC no ha dejado de funcionar en estos años, ni siquiera en los más desconcertantes y duros, cuando perdieron a su líder natural y formal, al hermano Moltó, como sé que les gusta llamarlo, por el espíritu de camaradería que dejó como estilo de trabajo y su especial relación con las bases a cualquier nivel.

 

Su brillante definición de para qué sirve la UPEC, su batalla por sumar a los jóvenes a cuanta pelea tuviera Cuba y su capacidad para promover incluso el impulso a la informatización, al uso de las redes sociales y al aprovechamiento intenso de los aportes de la Facultad, dejan una ruta marcada por la que desde hoy transitará un comité nacional renovado sin quebrar la continuidad.

 

Los resúmenes de las comisiones serán un útil instrumento de trabajo para asumir los nuevos espacios mediáticos, sin temores, creativamente a la ofensiva, venciendo las ventajas tecnológicas de las plataformas colonizadoras con el talento y la creatividad que nos dio nuestra naturaleza batalladora y la herencia cultural y política que nos dejó Fidel, que nos siguen entregando Raúl y sus compañeros de la generación histórica.

 

No olvido las demandas más fuertes que ustedes nos han hecho: el salario, insuficiente y anclado en viejas resoluciones que es preciso desechar; la situación material precaria de los medios y de los periodistas, tema en el que ya comienza a verse la luz al final del túnel de nuestras eternas escaseces, al menos en provincias, donde las necesidades de los periodistas y sus medios han sido tomados en cuenta en el empleo del 1% de la contribución territorial (los ingresos locales).

 

Nadie mejor preparado que ustedes para entender que lo pendiente es mucho más que la necesidad de un gremio.  Es la necesidad de un pueblo, noble y trabajador, cuyas historias humanas, heroicas y conmovedoras están aún por contarse a plenitud. Como está por parecerse más al país que somos, el país que nuestros medios muestran. Pueden faltar recursos materiales, pero nunca puede faltar el recurso moral y la ética revolucionaria, la cual ustedes cotidianamente aportan, esa que defienden Víctor Joaquín y Aroldo.

 

¡Por defender estos valores, somos Cuba!

 

Como les he pedido considerarme uno más, siento también una elevada responsabilidad en la gran tarea que nos queda por delante a ustedes y a nosotros, el Partido, el Estado y el Gobierno para saldar nuestras numerosas deudas con la historia pasada y reciente, que es al mismo tiempo con el futuro.

 

Sí, la verdad necesita de ustedes. Y la Revolución, nos lo enseñaron Martí y Fidel, es esa verdad más grande que nosotros mismos.

 

Nos estaremos viendo en el camino hacia ese horizonte que nos debemos.

 

Muchas gracias (Ovación).

 

http://www.juventudrebelde.cu/cuba/2018-07-15/en-el-camino-hacia-ese-horizonte-que-nos-debemos

 

 

 

 

LOS “NUEVOS REVOLUCIONARIOS” DE LA INTERNET EN CUBA.

POR MANUEL HENRÍQUEZ LAGARDE

14 JULIO, 2018

Algunos de los llamados sitios “independientes” en la web cubana, esos mismos que el último Task Force del gobierno de Estados Unidos se ha propuesto promover, han parido de un tiempo acá una nueva especie de revolucionario cubano.  Estas son algunas de sus principales características:

 

-Los nuevos revolucionarios presentan como su principal credencial de revolucionarios estar en contra del bloqueo de Estados Unidos contra Cuba, como si esa posición no fuera desde hace mucho, en Washington, parte esencial del plan B para acabar con la revolucion cubana. Obama por ejemplo estaba en contra del bloqueo. ¿Será también el expresidente un nuevo revolucionario?

 

-Los nuevos revolucionarios son más fidelistas que Fidel, pero al mismo tiempo, solo ven manchas en el principal legado del líder de la Revolución: la Cuba de hoy.

 

-Los nuevos revolucionarios, críticos accérrimos del centralismo estatal, nunca crítican directamente al gobierno, sus blancos preferidos son la prensa y algunas empresas que, aunque las llaman dependientes de ese mismo gobierno, según ellos, hacen lo que les viene en gana.

 

-Aunque los nuevos revolucionarios saben que el bloqueo existe -recuerden ya dijimos que oponerse al mismo era la principal definición de su condición de revolucionario-, todas las culpas de los errores y poblemas de la Cuba de hoy son solo consecuencia de la mala dirección de un grupúsculo de burócratas. ¿Estará también Nikki Haley en la lista de esos nuevos revolucionarios?

 

-Los nuevos revolucionarios son contradictorios, como bien corresponde a un nuevo revolucionario. Se la pasan diciendo que no les dejan insertar sus nuevas ideas revolucionarias en la prensa estatal pero al mismo tiempo repiten hasta el cansancio que la prensa oficial es aburrida, siempre dice lo mismo y por tanto nadie la lee.

 

-Los nuevos revolucionarios juran y perjuran que no son asalariados del pensamiento oficial, pero aceptan becas en universidades de Estados Unidos o reciben cursos de periodismo en Holanda donde seguro les enseñan a defender el socialismo en Cuba. Debemos presuponer que tales cursos y becas son gratuitos.

 

-Los nuevos revolucionarios son expertos en economía por eso saben que el neoliberalismo es la mejor opción para solucionar los problemas de un país ba y por eso ocultan que Julio Antonio Mella era un seguidor de las ideas de Martí y fundador del Partido Comunista de Cuba y lo convierten en un rebelde sin causa, una suerte de James Dean.

 

-Los nuevos revolucionarios llaman a la desobediencia cuando más hace falta la unión. Para ellos, expertos también en política, nada tienen que ver con Cuba la persecusión “judicial” de los líderes de izquierda en América Latina, los intentos de golpes blandos e invasiones en Venezuela y Nicaragua.

 

-Los nuevos revolucionarios son democráticos y respetuosos de las opiniones contrarias, por eso quienes no compartan sus posiciones son: sumisos, corderos, obedientes, mediocres, talibanes, khmer rojos, estalinistas, oficialistas y represores.

 

-La principal misión, por tanto, de los nuevos revolucionarios es la de dividir, algo que sin dudas, a veces, consiguen.

 

https://lapupilainsomne.wordpress.com/2018/07/14/los-nuevos-revolucionarios-de-la-internet-en-cuba-por-manuel-henriquez-lagarde/

 

The Powerful American Anti-Blockade Forces: What Will Trump Do?

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By Arnold August, June 27, 2018.

 

This was one of the many themes that resulted in interest, discussion and debate during the 13-city book tour of England, Scotland and Wales from May 28 to June 13:

THE POWERFUL ANTI-BLOCKADE FORCES: WHAT WILL TRUMP DO?

Powerful bipartisan forces among politicians and business people at the national, state and municipal levels had their own movement developing on the Cuba issue long before Trump’s win. Not only do they favour Obama’s change in tactics, they also demand to go further by extending the legal possibilities for trade and travel through legislation and executive orders. Moreover, many of these individuals and associations champion the full lifting of the blockade by congress.

The above is an extract from Page 211 of the book Cuba-U.S. Relations: Obama and Beyond, by Arnold August.

 

The information and analysis from this subtitle of Chapter 5, entitled THE BLOCKADE: FROM OBAMA TO TRUMP, is proving to be correct and confirmed by events. Thus, this theme was expanded upon and updated as the talks progressed from one city to the other. It was of interest as a further stimulus to all those who are committed to fight for an end to the blockade. Positive news on the “American anti-blockade” theme of Cuba–U.S. events came to the surface so often during this short period while I was in the UK, that updates to my talk had to be regularly inserted.

 

The following is a recapitulation of all the news. While not all of it derives directly from anti-blockade forces such as described in the publication (politicians and business people), in these cases it seems that U.S. government officials feel the political and economic pressure.

 

 

June 1, three days after the May 28 London inaugural of the two-and-half week tour.

You’ve got mail: Cuba, U.S. make permanent restored postal services

 

HAVANA (Reuters) – Cuba and the United States are making the re-establishment of postal services permanent after a trial run, the state-run Cuban News Agency reported on Friday, as cooperation in some areas inches forward despite a chill in relations under the Trump administration.

 

The former Cold War foes first restored direct mail service as a pilot program in December 2015 as part of the policy of detente pursued by former U.S. President Barack Obama with then Cuban President Raul Castro.

 

Since taking office in January last year, President Donald Trump has struck a more hostile tone towards the Communist-run island and has rolled back parts of the normalization of relations, making trade and travel more difficult once more.

 

But Trump has left in place key Obama-era changes such as restored diplomatic relations, regular flights from the United States and cruise ship visits. Bilateral talks continue on cooperation in areas of mutual interest such as security.

 

“The re-establishment of this service allows to send post in direct flights between Cuba and the United States,” the Cuban Post Office said in a statement.

 

Direct mail service between the United States and Cuba was suspended since 1963. Despite the ban, letters and other mail still flowed between the United States and the island nation 90 miles (145 km) away through other countries such as Canada, Mexico and Panama.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-cuba-usa/

 

June 4

This short 2 minutes, 30 second YouTube was shown in some meetings where the technology permitted. Keep in mind that it is a report from Cuba and that Republican Jeff Flake is an important personality in US politics and an opponent of Trump, while Google first reached agreements with Cuba during the Obama administration.

Ready for some encouraging surprises? A must-view!

https://www.youtube.com/

 

 

June 7

Southwest, United, JetBlue Expanding Flights to Cuba

By Matt Kendall

 

Three major US air carriers, Southwest Airlines, JetBlue, and United airlines, are expanding their flights to Cuba, following a decision by the US Department of Transportation to allow the expansions.

 

Southwest is launching a third daily nonstop flight between Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International and Havana, effective August 8, 2018, the carrier announced in a release.

 

JetBlue is increasing its FTL-Havana flights up to three a week. The carrier will also be launching the first-ever nonstop flights between Boston and Havana in November.

 

United has already begun offering daily nonstop flights between Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport and Havana’s Jose Marti International Airport, expanding on what had been Saturday-only service.

http://www.nearshoreamericas.com

June 8

Republican group works to open $2 Billion Trade Opportunity in Cuba

 

WASHINGTON D.C.- Members of Congress joined the Cuban Ambassador to the U.S., José Ramón Cabañas Rodríguez, to discuss the benefits of fostering bilateral agricultural and economic ties between Cuba and the United States.

 

U.S. Sen. John Boozman (AR), Rep. Rick Crawford (AR-1), Rep. Roger Marshall (KS-1), and Rep. Tom Emmer (MN-6) participated in the Congressional roundtable moderated by Engage Cuba on Thursday.

 

Members and the Ambassador focused on reciprocal trade between Cuba and the U.S. Cuba imports 80 percent of its food, creating an opportunity for American producers to take advantage of the country’s more than $2 billion market.

 

“With an open market to Cuba, Kansas could top $55 million in additional sales. While we are renegotiating our trade deals, we have a $2 billion market untouched right under our nose. It is time to throw support behind this mutually beneficial economic opportunity. It is through leadership in Congress, and discussions like this roundtable that we will begin to make these lasting changes,” Rep. Marshall (KS-1) said.

 

“American agricultural producers face significant commercial barriers to trade with Cuba. Lifting the ban on private banks and companies from offering credit for agricultural exports to Cuba will help level the playing field for our famers while exposing Cubans to American values and ideals,” Sen. Boozman (AR) said.

 

“For years the United States has had an estranged relationship with Cuba and for years we’ve seen no reversal in the tactics used by Cuba’s oppressive government. Trade with Cuba is a vessel that will create change in Cuba and bring economic opportunity to American farmers. Most Americans agree that it’s time to lift the embargo on Cuba and Congress needs to meet that desire by working to pass my bill, H.R. 525 and others like it,” Rep. Crawford (AR-1) said.

 

“I’m grateful to have participated in this important discussion. The time to begin renewing our relationship with our neighbors just 90 miles of the Florida coast is now. With American farmers suffering some of the lowest commodity prices we have ever seen, Congress has an opportunity to take action and make real change. The Cuba Agricultural Exports Act, sponsored by Rep. Crawford, would lift financing restrictions imposed by the embargo on agriculture exports. The result would be relief for our farmers and a first step toward redefining the American-Cuban relationship. While my bill, the Cuba Trade Act, accomplishes the ultimate goal or lifting the embargo completely, passing Rep. Crawford’s bill can, and should, happen immediately,” Rep. Emmer (MN-6) said.

http://www.wamegotimes.com

Arnold August

June 9

Cruise ship tourism on the rise

(Please note that not all the passengers are from the U.S. However, cruise ships are not banned by Trump, and there are loop-holes for American tourists to visit and spend in Cuba)

 

Cruise ship tourism is on the rise in Cuba. Last year the port of Havana received some 328,000 passengers, with 500,000 expected this 2018

Author: Julio Martínez Molina

Cruise ship tourism is on the rise in Cuba. Last year the port of Havana received some 328,000 passengers, with 500,000 expected this 2018.

 

Such figures reaffirm travelers’ confidence in Cuba as a safe and attractive tourist destination which – as of May 18, and despite the impact of Hurricane Irma, the tightening of the economic blockade imposed by the United States, and media campaigns aimed at deterring U.S. citizens from traveling to the island – had received two million international visitors.

 

The potential to develop cruise ship tourism also exists across other ports, such as Cienfuegos, a UNESCO World Heritage site, which attracts thousands of visitors every year who come to enjoy El Nicho waterfalls, the botanical gardens, or hiking excursions through the area’s breathtaking landscape.

 

Cruise ship tourism in Cienfuegos has gradually been developing over the last 20 years, with the Olympia Medina Terminal No.1, accustomed to receiving large-scale ships carrying some 1,300 passengers every week.

 

This modality not only benefits the province’s port facilities but also Cienfuegos’ historic center. For example, last year, a record 180 ships docked at the port, carrying a total 30,809 visitors. Meanwhile as of May 2018, the port had received 70 cruise ships.

 

As part of the development of this modality in Cuba, the port of Havana is scheduled to be expanded, with the creation on four new terminals by 2024.

 

A contract has been awarded to a Cuban-Turkish joint venture, responsible for administering and marketing the island’s most important port facility for a period of 15 years.

http://en.granma.cu/tourism/2018-06-12/

June 12, the second to last day of UK Tour.

Pennsylvania Leaders Launch Engage Cuba State Council

 

HARRISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA – Today (June 12) in Harrisburg, prominent leaders from across the Commonwealth launched the bipartisan Engage Cuba Pennsylvania State Council. The council will build statewide support for pro-engagement policies and urge Congress to lift trade and travel restrictions on Cuba that disadvantage Pennsylvanians and Cubans alike. Removing sanctions on Cuba could both expand opportunities for Pennsylvania businesses and empower the Cuban people. Pennsylvania is the 18th state to join Engage Cuba, a D.C.-based advocacy organization dedicated to advancing federal legislation to lift the embargo on Cuba.

 

“Removing trade restrictions on Cuba could bring new opportunities to Pennsylvania’s agriculture, manufacturing, and other top export industries while creating jobs across the Commonwealth. At a time when certain industries have become collateral damage in trade disputes, opening up additional markets is the key to strengthening Pennsylvania’s economy,” said James Williams, President of Engage Cuba. “But in order to create that boost for Pennsylvania farmers and improve the lives of the Cuban people, Congress must lift arbitrary trade and travel restrictions that prevent U.S. competition in Cuban markets. We applaud Sen. Bob Casey and Reps. Glenn Thompson (R-PA-05) and Mike Doyle (D-PA-14) for their support in advancing legislation that would begin to dismantle 56 years of failed policy.”

 

Pennsylvania has long been a pioneer of U.S.-Cuba trade and cultural exchange. In 2015, a Western Pennsylvania trade delegation, organized by the Pittsburgh-Matanzas Sister Cities Partnership and led by Congressman Mike Doyle and Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald, explored opportunities for business collaboration in Cuba. The trip followed an earlier visit by Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto and former PA Secretary of Agriculture Dennis Wolff, a founding member of the Engage Cuba State Council.

 

Pennsylvania began signing agricultural contracts with Cuba as early as 2004, but their shared history dates back even further. A 1916 settlement dubbed “Hershey, Cuba” helped Milton Hershey’s chocolate business boom. This year, Pennsylvania’s Hershey Museum debuted an exhibit featuring its Cuban counterpart. Cuba and Pennsylvania are also partners in academia and research through several of Pennsylvania’s universities, including the University of Pennsylvania and Penn State.

 

“Pennsylvania and Cuba have a rich history, and our Commonwealth has been at the forefront of building a strong U.S.-Cuba relationship. Economic and cultural exchange has been integral for both Pennsylvania and Cuba, and I am hopeful that the Engage Cuba PA State Council can serve as a catalyst for strengthening that relationship,” said Jim Cawley, former Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania. “For sectors as diverse as agriculture to industrial manufacturing, there is a wide open market in Cuba that can bolster our economy and deliver Pennsylvania products to some of the people who need them most.”

 

As a port state, Pennsylvania has a unique opportunity to export goods and services from a wide variety of industries to Cuba and expand its commercial shipping capacity out of the Port of Philadelphia. Not only would increasing exports to Cuba help Pennsylvania’s shipping industry, but also Pennsylvania’s top export industries, agriculture and industrial machinery. Cuba imports $1.8 billion in agricultural products annually and has requested $6.5 billion in FDI for industrial machinery.

 

“We are proud of the work and relationships we’ve developed with Havana over the years, but our work is far from finished,” said Dennis Wolff, former Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture. “I am honored to serve on the Engage Cuba Pennsylvania State Council to help break down barriers and finally normalize trade between the U.S. and Cuba. During my time in Cuba, I saw firsthand the demand and enthusiasm for U.S. agricultural products. Pennsylvania has a real opportunity to give a boost to our world-class dairy industry, as Cuba imports $188 million in dairy products from around the world. I hope Congress recognizes the importance of allowing our farmers to compete in Cuba and works to remove financing restrictions on U.S. commodity exports.”

 

Besides dairy, Pennsylvania is a top producer of poultry, corn, and soybeans, which are top commodity imports for Cuba. Cuba has seen a steady decline–exacerbated by last year’s hurricane–in domestic production capacity, and imports roughly 80 percent of its food.

 

“Pennsylvania commodities are of higher quality and are more affordable than much of the food that Cuba is importing from the rest of the world,” remarked Joe Scarnati, President Pro Tempore of the Pennsylvania Senate. “It is clear that Cuba and Pennsylvania should be natural trading partners, and thanks to the efforts of a long line of Pennsylvania officials, the foundation for that relationship is already in place. I am optimistic that the formation of the Engage Cuba State Council is a step in the right direction toward a positive trading relationship for both of our countries.”

 

In addition to Pennsylvania, Engage Cuba has launched state councils in 17 states, including Arkansas, Alabama, Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, New Mexico, Ohio, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia.

 

While Engage Cuba will continue to add members, the founding members of the Engage Cuba Pennsylvania State Council are listed below:

 

David Argall, Policy Committee Chair, Pennsylvania Senate
Jim Cawley, Former Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania
Deno DeCiantis, Former Director, The Pennsylvania State University Center Pittsburgh
Pam DeLissio, Pennsylvania House of Representatives
James Diamond, Former Dean, Delaware Valley University
Mike Diven, Former Representative, Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Jennifer Eckinger, Executive Director, Pennsylvania Winery Association
Jim Ferlo, Former State Senator; President, Pittsburgh-Cuba Partnership
Rich Fitzgerald, County Executive, Allegheny County
Kurt Fuchs, Government Affairs Officer, MidAtlantic Farm Credit
Vince Gasteb, VP of Government Affairs, Allegheny County Airport Authority
Jack Gombach, Manager of Public Policy Outreach, Pennsylvania Association of Realtors
Chris Heck, President, Pittsburgh Airport Area Chamber of Commerce
Jay Howes, Former Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture, Pennsylvania Association of Dairy Cooperatives
Robert Hurley, Director, Allegheny County Department of Economic Development
Dave McElhaney, Board Member, National Institute for Animal Agriculture
Mathew Meals, AgChoice Farm Credit
Tom Mehaffie, Pennsylvania House of Representatives
John Nichols, Professor Emeritus of International Affairs, The Pennsylvania State University
Donna Oberlander, GOP Caucus Secretary, Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry
Pennsylvania Farm Bureau
Guy Reschenthaler, Pennsylvania Senate
Mike Pries, County Commissioner, Dauphin County
Greg Rothman, Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Joe Scarnati, President Pro Tempore, Pennsylvania Senate
Lisa Valenti, Pittsburgh-Cuba Partnership
Elder Vogel, Pennsylvania Senate
Judy Wojanis, Former CEO, Wojanis Hydraulics
Dennis Wolff, Former Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture

https://www.engagecuba.org/press-releases/2018/

 

June 9, 2018

Translated and edited by Walter Lippmann for CubaNews

(During the course of some of UK meetings, there was discussion on the role of Google in Cuba. The following recent article confirms my view presented in response to questions):

 

Never before has the U.S. government allowed Internet access to Cuba, nor the use of under-sea cables that pass near its coasts or other facilities. Many Internet sites are banned from the island because of the 59-year economic war. However, Barack Obama approved a license for Google to enter Cuba. What were the reasons for that decision?

To help Cubans access more scientific, technical and other information to improve the Cuban economy?

Definitely not. Definitely not. Access restrictions still remain in many of these areas, the real objective was to reach Cuban youth with their distorted information, symbols, and values, as Obama himself stated:

“…we can do more to support the Cuban people and promote our values through commitment. “The changes introduced in our new policy will further enhance our goal of empowering the Cuban people. […] and provide them with new sources of information…”

Of course, Cuba must take advantage of this opening, however small it may be. [We want] to go out into the world and make our truth known, to defeat the media campaigns that overflow the network of networks with lies, such as false claims of violations of the rights of Cubans, to share Cuba’s achievements, achieved with effort and sacrifice, despite the damage caused by the criminal policies of the United States.

It is the opportunity to tell the world about the terrorist acts carried out by the U.S. government, the biological warfare which affected the people and the persecution of all the foreign banks and companies that try to establish business with Cuba.

In order not to be naïve, Cubans must be aware of what lies behind Obama’s [granting of the] license and why Donald Trump maintains it, despite having taken steps to dismantle many aspects of his predecessor’s policy, including the Presidential Directive, which sought to kill the people with honey, rather than with whips.

During his presidential campaign, Donald Trump took on the reactionary and ultraconservative language embodied in the Republican Party Platform, which sets out, among other things, the following points:

“The opening of the current Obama administration to Cuba was a shameful accommodation to the demands of the tyrants. They will only strengthen that military dictatorship. […] We demand an aerial platform for Radio and TV Martí broadcasts, and the promotion of Internet access as a technological tool to strengthen the pro-democracy movement in Cuba.”

Since his arrival in the White House, Trump has delivered on his campaign for the presidency, but he has not changed the license granted to Google for Cuba. In recent days he allowed Google’s executive president, Eric Emerson Schmidt, to travel to Havana in the company of Republican Senator Jeff Flake. Their background speaks for itself.

In 1996, the RAND Corporation of the United States National Defense Research Institute conducted a study for the Defense Department entitled “Cuban Communications, Computer Networks and their Implications for U.S. Policy.

That work puts forth the need to help open up Cuba and to force the emergence of an independent civil society, for which it states:

“It is necessary to encourage Cuba’s link to the Internet, to use it to transmit balanced news and analysis, to promote its use by Cuban NGOs, universities and other audiences.

Insisting on that, in March 2005, ultra-conservative Roger Noriega, Under Secretary of State for Western Hemispheric Affairs, testified at a congressional hearing:

“The United States has relaxed licensing requirements so that, for the first time, high-speed personal computers can be delivered to civil society groups.

During an event held in 2012 at the Heritage Foundation, in conjunction with Google Ideas, a report was prepared recommending that the U.S. government create a remote WIFI network to enable Cubans to access the Internet.

In that gathering Republican Senator Marco Rubio was present. He said:

“The Cuban totalitarian system could collapse if all Cubans had free access to the Internet, because Cuba would follow the same fate as those countries that spent the Arab Spring.

The State Department announced on June 13, 2013,  proposed projects to promote democracy and human rights in Cuba, including the use of digital tools to be used, selectively and safely, by the civilian population, along with other programs to promote equality and defend the social networks of black Cubans.

Programs created for subversion in Cuba such as Zunzuneo and Conmotion, the latter designed by the Open Technology Institute at The New America Foundation, were promptly denounced.

We welcome full access to the Internet, because Cubans are sufficiently prepared to know how to differentiate between the useful and the subversive, but in the face of an enemy that has not stopped attacking for more than half a century, we must always be alert and, as José Martí said:

“Do at every moment what is necessary at every moment”

 

By Arthur González

https://walterlippmann.com/cuba-why-did-google-get-a-license-to-enter-cuba/

 

Original Source:

Cuba: ¿Por qué Google obtuvo licencia para entrar en Cuba?

 

 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATIO AND TO PROCURE THE BOOK

 

www.cubausrelations.com

 

 

 

 

March 15: Discussion and talk by Arnold August, author of Cuba-U.S. Relations.

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Panel members include:

Don Foreman, Executive Member of Canadian Network on Cuba and 35-year activist with CUPW (Canadian Union of Postal Workers), and Errol Sharpe, Publisher, Fernwood Publishing (Halifax)

“Arnold August is one of the foremost experts on Cuba and the 1959 Revolution, which continues to shake the world. In this new book, August puts forth a valuable, detailed account of U.S.–Cuba relations dating back to 1783 and continuing to the present time. August shows that this relationship has centred on the U.S.’s attempts, sometimes successfully, to dominate Cuba and exploit it as its own playground and, in the case of Guantánamo, as a maximum-security prison. As he shows, the 1959 Revolution broke the U.S. hold over Cuba, and the U.S. has tried desperately, and many times violently, to regain its control over the island. Obama opened diplomatic ties with Cuba for the first time in 50 years. August explains what this opening means for both countries, and where he sees U.S.–Cuba relations heading after the death of Fidel Castro at age 90 and the rise of U.S. President Donald Trump. For those who want a fresh and reasoned perspective on Cuba and U.S. relations — and with it a perspective very different from that which we get from the mainstream Western media — this book is a must-read.”

— Daniel Kovalik, teacher of international human rights, University of Pittsburgh, School of Law. He is Senior Associate General Counsel of the United Steelworkers, AFL-CIO (USW). He has worked for the USW since graduating from Columbia Law School in 1993. While with the USW, he has served as lead counsel on cutting-edge labor law litigation, including the landmark NLRB cases of Lamons Gasket and Specialty Health Care. He has also worked on Alien Tort Claims Act cases against The Coca-Cola Company, Drummond and Occidental Petroleum – cases arising out of egregious human rights abuses in Colombia. The Christian Science Monitor, referring to his work defending Colombian unionists under threat of assassination, recently described Mr. Kovalik as “one of the most prominent defenders of Colombian workers in the United States.” Mr. Kovalik received the David W. Mills Mentoring Fellowship from Stanford University School of Law and was the recipient of the Project Censored Award for his article exposing the unprecedented killing of trade unionists in Colombia. He has written extensively on the issue of international human rights and U.S. foreign policy for the Huffington Post and Counterpunch and has lectured throughout the world on these subjects.

Discussion will be followed by a book-signing. All the author’s royalties from sales at the event will be donated to the Canadian Network on Cuba Hurricane Irma Recovery Fund.

Endorsed by:
Canadian Network on Cuba (CNC) and the Nova Scotia Cuba Association

Thursday, March 15
7:00 pm
Halifax North Memorial Library
2295 Gottingen St., Halifax NS

CUBA-U.S. RELATIONS: WHAT ABOUT IDEAS?

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There is a lot written about Cuba–U.S. Relations. However, the cultural war (including arts/design, ideology and politics) led by the U.S. against Cuban socialist culture usually flies under the radar. Nevertheless, one will notice another important dimension by reading a recent January 5th article in the Miami Herald. It very favourably reports on an upscale (and relatively wealthy) T-shirt design private business in Havana called CLANDESTINA. It even manages to export to the U.S. Here are some excerpts from the Miami Herald piece:

“Clandestina’s T-shirt designs are fun, a bit tongue-in-cheek with a touch of political or revolutionary edginess — or maybe not — depending on how you take it. Even the name Clandestina (underground, clandestine) is slightly subversive.”

“To ‘make ethical fashion, that sometimes is a way to resist, to overcome, to reuse and to understand that there is a good side to everything,’ is the way del Río explained the Clandestina philosophy in a blog post.”

“A few of the politically ambiguous T-shirt designs offered online by Clandestina: The one in the foreground says” “‘Resist and Overcome.’”

I ASK: “RESIST AND OVERCOME” WHAT? AND WHAT IS THE IDEA?

WHAT IDEA DOES THE TERM “SUBVERSIVE” CONVEY IN CUBA”?

WHICH IDEAS DO THE WORD “CLANDESTINE” INTRODUCE INTO CUBA?

QUESTION: HOW FAR-REACHING (EVEN EXPORTING INTO THE U.S.) AND RELATIVELY WEALTHY IS THIS BUSINESS COMPARED TO ORDINARY MORE PATRIOTIC SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS. HOW DO THE LATTERS’ IDEAS AND VALUES CONTRAST WITH THOSE OF CLANDESTINA?

This example, among many others, confirms the well-documented thesis regarding the war on ideas (or cultural war) in my book CUBA–U.S. RELATIONS. This T-shirt business and its owner were explicitly promoted by Obama during his March 2016 visit to Havana. The owners graduated from the Columbia Business School’s Entrepreneurship and Competitiveness in Latin America Program.

Since the Obama pitch, and even since the Trump electoral victory, in addition to the Miami Herald this “small private business” has been promoted by:

Vogue

The New York Times

Reuters

The Guardian

WWD

Racked

The CLANDESTINA business model has thus been handed over to the Trump administration on a golden platter. Therefore, it is also an example how the basic U.S. policy of trying to subvert the Cuban Revolution under both Obama and Trump have certain features in common. Am I (and prestigious Cuban writers cited in my book such as Luis Toledo Sande, Elier Ramírez, Iroel Sánchez & others) wrong when we contend that there is indeed a cultural war in progress?

It is not a question of T-shirts, but the message.

Whether you agree or not, everyone is welcome to attend and debate.

January 23 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Busboys & Poets – 14th & V

2021 14th Street NW
Washington, DC

Further information:

The Institute for Policy Studies

http://www.ips-dc.org/events/cuba-policy-obama-trump-differences-distinctions/

Here is the full Miami Herald article:

http://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/world/americas/cuba/article193068834.html

One year ago today in Havana. Fidel Castro

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One year ago today in Havana. While in Havana to attend the funeral for Fidel Castro I was invited, as a foreign guest, by the Association of Cuban Journalists (UPEC) to attend the special meeting of Cuban journalists to recall their respective experiences with Fidel. The following was a report from Cuba on that activity:

FIDEL Sincere Memories

Tribuna de La Habana, Saturday, December 3, 2016

by Yelena Rodríguez

Translated from the original Spanish.

It was always a dream of mine to see him up close, to shake his hand, give him a hug. When I chose journalism for a career, my aspirations grew and I started dreaming of interviewing him, listening while he talked about his childhood and the guerrilla.

While I have no stories to tell of time spent by his side, nor any photographs of me with him, I can share a “recipe” given to the press by that greatest of Cuban journalists, Fidel Castro himself, a man who skillfully strode the tortuous paths of research, discussion, and argument: “To be a journalist is a vision, a conviction, a spirit pulsing through you; it springs from the authentic feeling that one is useful to the cause.”

I harbor memories of his words and teachings, and I have had the privilege to hear, from colleagues who knew him, of his humaneness, his witticisms, his extraordinary memory, and his feats as a guerrilla and a man of letters:

-Marta Rojas, laureate, José Martí National Journalism Prize: “My first encounter was when I was a university student and I saw him standing next to a car parked by my school.

“The second time I saw him, he was getting a haircut at Adolfito’s, the storied barber shop on Neptuno Street. Fidel was vying with the barber himself to be the Orthodox Party candidate for the position of municipal assembly delegate from Cayo Hueso. The contest between them turned into an alliance, and Fidel ultimately became the delegate.”

-Lesmes La Rosa, Radio Progreso journalist: “There was an official awards ceremony over which Fidel presided, and I was covering the event. At the end, they brought me over to him to show him what I’d written. ‘You’re a journalist?’ he asked.

“He read my article carefully, and when he got to the last paragraph he said: ‘Looks great, but you’ve written here that the honorees will be presented with a “replica” of the Granma. Your readers might think you’re talking about a full-sized boat. How about specifying, “a scale-model of the Granma?”’ I realized then that he was a stickler for detail, but also a man of great simplicity. ‘Yes, that works,’ I replied, and so my article found its final form.”

-Arnold August, Canadian journalist: “I was present for every stage of the Cuban elections that took place in 1997 and 1998. Based on that experience and my reading of Cuba’s history, I wrote a book to counter the disinformation that exists in the world around democracy and elections in Cuba.

“In 2000, I was invited to one of the Cuban television roundtables along with other foreign colleagues, and there we were able to see Fidel as a Cuban like any other. After the debate, Fidel came over and told me that my work was very important because it was one way in which to convey the truth about democracy and social participation in Cuba to the capitalist countries. I will always treasure that encounter as one of the greatest moments of my life.”

Source:

http://www.tribuna.cu/especiales/evocacion-sincera

TeleSur/Arnold August. 1 Year Later, Fidel’s Thinking on Cuba-U.S. Relations Still Principal Guide

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1 Year Later, Fidel’s Thinking on Cuba-U.S. Relations Still Principal Guide

By Arnold August, November 25, 2017

On Dec. 17, 2014, the world witnessed the simultaneous surprise announcements by presidents Raul Castro and Barack Obama to re-establish diplomatic relations between Cuba and the United States after more than five decades. However, the fallacy was floated that this decision represented a step toward “normalization.” On that day, Obama claimed that the move was intended to “begin to normalize relations between our two countries.” Nevertheless, as historic as this decision was regarding the reopening of the respective embassies, it did not at all mean that the path was in fact toward normalization. It was nothing of the sort.

In fact, “normalization” contradicts the very logic behind the announcement (referred to as 17D by the Cubans). Obama indicated that the United States considered its Cuba policy a failure because it did not achieve U.S. goals, among others, of bringing “democracy” to Cuba or of nudging Cuba toward an “open economy” (market economy or capitalism). Nor did the policy succeed – indeed, it backfired – in its objective of isolating Cuba from the rest of Latin America. Consequently, the United States was forced to change its tactics to achieve the same historic goal of bringing the changes to Cuba and increasing its dwindling influence in what it considers to be “its backyard.”

Thus, despite Obama’s assertion, there was no basis at all for believing that a process of normalization was being undertaken. Furthermore, one can refer to a few examples that puncture holes in the star-spangled bubble. First is the ongoing U.S. blockade, which Obama only slightly amended (despite his wide-ranging executive powers, which would have availed him to do far more) while voluntarily imposing a record number of fines on international organizations, financial and otherwise, for trading with Cuba. This, of course, tightened the effect of the blockade.

Second, despite his executive powers to do so (and the Democratic Congressional majority in his first term), he did not close the prison in Guantanamo or return the territory to Cuba. Third, his administration practically outdid all his predecessors in the allotment of funds for CIA-backed subversive “democracy promotion” programs in Cuba. On this point, recently released documents indicate that a massive amount of U.S. CIA-backed funding took place in the years 2014–2016. This, it must be recalled, took place while the Obama administration was negotiating diplomatic ties with Cuba and even after the publicly announced new Cuba policy. Thus, many Cuban authorities and commentators were asking what kind of normalization this was.

Yet, flying in the face of reality, the illusion of “normalization” persisted. Moreover, in early 2016, as Obama was planning his trip to Cuba for March to crown his signature foreign policy legacy, this daydream was enhanced from staid black-and-white to color.

Moreover, during Obama’s actual visit to Havana, the Cuba-U.S. policy fostering the figment of the imagination of “normalization” went even further, turning itself into a high-definition Hollywood blockbuster. Hitting a fever pitch, it was stage-managed to the hilt through the Hollywood-type projection of U.S. imperialism’s new image in the form of Obama and his entourage. During those three days in March, nothing looked more “normal” in the international arena than Cuba-U.S. relations! For some, it consisted of a barely veiled euphoria.

Thus, “normalization” became even further entrenched by some as a fait accompli. By design, seduction replaced open aggression to achieve the five-decade-long elusive goal of breaking down Cuba’s will to bring the archipelago into the realm of U.S. interests. “Aggression” and “seduction” are closely related not only literally but also politically, as they are two sides of the same coin.

Nevertheless, given the high level of political consciousness among the vast majority of Cubans, they were not mesmerized by a pied piper in the form of Obama. Not everyone fell for this. Steeped in Cuban leader Fidel Castro’s ideas, Cuban revolutionaries in the government and the press immediately took up the sword in the form of the pen and the spoken word to deconstruct the Obama narrative. Cuba was abuzz. Nevertheless, it was Fidel himself who dealt a devastating blow to the U.S. daydream of seduction as the new tactic to replace open aggression.

Who can forget the Comandante’s now legendary ironic reflection titled, “Brother Obama,” wherein he ripped apart the Obama narrative? In essence, Obama wanted to win over Cubans (for the first time from the advantageous position of the U.S. operating from within Cuba) to the idea that their future is tied to U.S. benevolence. As Obama said on 17D, “Some of you have looked to us as a source of hope, and we will continue to shine a light of freedom.” This misconception of potential “common values” and interests facilitates the false notion that diplomatic relations combined with a few cosmetic measures lead to “normalization.”

Obama’s evangelical overture to Cubans encompassed the appeal to “leave the past behind. It is time for us to look forward to the future together” -,” as he said in Havana in March 2016, to build the myth of easy compatibility between the two systems. A slide toward mutual conformity could only mean that Cuba would give up its principles. Would the U.S. give up its political and economic system to identify with Cuba and thus facilitate “normalization?”

Fidel’s “Brother Obama” is but one example of many warnings of the U.S. goal to subvert the revolution by changing tactics. This Fidelista idea has been repeated in many forms since 1959. For example, several decades ago, he said, “Even if one day the relations between socialist Cuba and the empire would improve, that empire would not cease to crush the Cuban Revolution.”

To take just one more example, only a month after 17D, Fidel wrote a missive to university students: “I do not trust the policy of the United States, nor have I exchanged one word with them, though this does not in any way signify a rejection of a peaceful solution to conflicts or threats of war.”

Fidel’s thinking can be encapsulated into: yes to the diplomatic relations that Fidel pursued since 1959; but no to trusting the U.S. long-term goal hidden by the normalization mirage ad infinitum.

Fidel passed away a year ago on Nov. 25, 2016, only a few weeks after Trump’s unexpected victory in U.S. elections. The new U.S. administration ushered in a change from Obama’s seductive policy toward a hostile, aggressive narrative coupled with corresponding measures to tighten the blockade while maintaining diplomatic relations as the main feature of the Obama opening.

In the context of the Trump Cuba policy, the tenets of the “normalization” myth – emboldened by the virtual across-the-board majority opposition in the United States and abroad to the Trump Cuba policy – have doubled-down in promoting the myth of “normalization” under Obama. Taking advantage of the fact that Obama looks so immaculate compared with Trump on Cuba, who would dare to argue that Obama did not desire the “normalization” for which he took the first step? Who can shut their eyes to the Obama policy being short-circuited by Trump? Equating Obama with “normalization” is so “politically correct” in some academic circles to the extent that any dissenting commentator is supposed to be intimidated by this hoped-for hegemonic opinion on Cuba-U.S. relations.

Is Fidel’s resistance to the “normalization” narrative as a non-existent silver lining of the cloud no longer valid? Are his crystal-clear ideas on the empire’s opportunistic use of tactical changes to reach the same elusive goals of domination no longer applicable?

Cuba-U.S. relations will never be the same as they were before 17D irrespective of who occupies the White House. U.S. ideological and political incursions into Cuba’s socialist culture, while still relatively marginal, take on new dimensions with fresh devotees. For example, serious observers cannot help but notice among some youth and some self-employed private sector workers the existence of preconceived positive views about U.S. society, culture and even its political system. Consider this as a litmus as to the view that U.S. cultural inroads transcend presidential mandates: Has the proliferation in Havana streets of U.S. flags worn as clothing diminished since the election of Trump and his aggressive rhetoric? No. In fact, this trend’s steady increase shows no sign of let up even though Trump is head of the empire and its visible face along with the flag. The new president is riding on the coattails of the Obama legacy consisting of irruption into Cuban socialist culture.

As a final thought on these days as we acknowledge the validity of Fidel’s thinking: What will happen if the Democrats win back presidential power in 2020? If this trend that currently creates illusions about “normalization” (and its corollary of a political and economic system for Cuba that bears more of a stark resemblance to the U.S. than the Cuban Revolution) continues, what will happen in November 2020? Cuba’s socialist and political system will be the target of an unprecedented and coordinated ideological and political offensive based on the daydream-come-true of “normalization.”

Fidel’s thinking on Cuba-U.S. relations is not only valid today but represents a life-and-death struggle to conserve and expand the Cuban Revolution. Fidel’s ideas constitute the most important point of reference today – and tomorrow – on Cuba-U.S. relations for all of us who are committed to defending the Cuban Revolution.

Not only do his ideas frame the content as the solid and irreplaceable guide, but just as important is the form with which Fidel delivered his thoughts. He courageously stated and wrote what he thought – with precision timing in his delivery – to defend the Cuban Revolution. This was his only criterion.

Fidel’s ideas and his heroic attitude in declaring them are, one year after his passing, more valid than ever. His example stands out not only for Cubans but for revolutionaries around the globe.

SOURCE TELESUR:

https://www.telesurtv.net/english/opinion/1-Year-Later-Fidels-Thinking-on-Cuba-US-Relations-Still-Principal-Guide-20171122-0015.html

LA JIRIBILLA/Arnold August. La acción y el pensamiento de Fidel hoy enfrentan huracanes

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Por Arnold August, Canadá, LA JIRIBILLA.

25 de noviembre del 2017

Fidel siempre se mantenía cercano al terreno y ánimo de su gente durante todos los huracanes.
Foto: Cubadebate

El 22 de octubre de 2017, alrededor de las 11:30 pm, llego de Canadá al Aeropuerto Internacional José Martí, en La Habana, donde me está esperando René González Barrientos, presidente del Instituto de Historia de Cuba. Ha venido a recogerme a pesar de haberle pedido que no lo hiciera, dadas sus importantes responsabilidades en la organización del II Simposio Internacional La Revolución Cubana: génesis y desarrollo histórico. René insiste en que, en mi calidad de invitado, es su responsabilidad hacerlo. Solos, en un coche y sin conductor, halamos mi pesado equipaje cargado con libros para hacer una presentación en la capital cubana. Nos dirigimos hacia el modesto pero muy acogedor Hotelito del Partido Comunista de Cuba.

Es mi primera visita a Cuba después del devastador huracán Irma. Después de indagar acerca de su salud y la de su esposa y familia, le pregunto acerca de la situación en Cuba después de Irma. Lo que sigue es el equivalente a un discurso magistral adaptado a las circunstancias, mientras conduce un coche en La Habana a altas horas de la noche.

René señala de forma entusiasta y descriptiva cómo Cuba se recupera del huracán, cual consecuencia de la acción y pensamiento de Fidel para enfrentarlos, como si uno hubiese estado presente en cada uno de los enormes esfuerzos de recuperación durante los numerosos huracanes que se han abalanzado sobre el archipiélago desde 1959. Varios son los aspectos acerca de cómo Fidel confrontaba los “golpes de los fenómenos naturales” (haciendo quizás referencia al golpe de Estado de Batista, derrocado durante la Revolución Cubana).

Una de esas características es la estrategia, inspirada por Fidel, de mantener reservas para enfrentar las incursiones militares o naturales en Cuba, sin dejar ningún cabo suelto. El destacado historiador y anfitrión lleva como audiencia tan sólo a una persona ávida de esta experiencia en el tiempo y el espacio, confiando en la política de su país, como bien lo hace él mientras conduce, con frecuencia, en condiciones difíciles.

Desde los primeros huracanes que sacudieron violentamente las palmas −y mucho más después del Triunfo de la Revolución− Fidel elaboró su pensamiento con un doble enfoque: salvar vidas y mantener informada a la gente. Así, hablando metafóricamente, la Palma Real, árbol nacional de Cuba, se mantiene fuerte a pesar de las repetidas agresiones.

Llegamos al Hotelito. René insiste en tomar el tiempo necesario para asegurarse que el huésped sea bien recibido y acomodado, sin dejar pasar ningún detalle.

Es conveniente añadir que, debido a las inspecciones de Fidel en el terreno y al ánimo de su gente durante todos los huracanes, él sigue siendo una leyenda que cobra vida una vez más a través de las fotografías publicadas por Cubadebate, luego de los estragos de Irma. ¿Siguen siendo las acciones del Comandante, así como sus ideas, aún válidas como ejemplo actualmente?

Sí, su ejemplo de sacrificio en la lucha contra estos “golpes de Estado” continúa vigente y floreciendo. Durante Irma, por ejemplo, desde mi casa en Montreal, vi en la televisión cubana una excelente entrevista a un trabajador en una de las zonas más devastadas en la costa norte central de Cuba. Mientras terminaba lo peor de las operaciones de recuperación en su región, declaró naturalmente que él y su brigada de trabajadores se dirigían a La Habana ¡para apoyar los esfuerzos allí desplegados!

Aun cuando, dada su modestia, es posible que a René puedan no gustarle las siguientes palabras, hoy, al conmemorarse el primer aniversario del fallecimiento de Fidel, es oportuno afirmar que la pasión y la profundidad con la que el historiador expuso sus opiniones acerca de la tradición de lucha de Fidel contra los desastres naturales, recuerdan al mismo Fidel. La obra de René, así como muchos otros ejemplos similares en Cuba, constituye otra prueba de que el trabajo y la acción de Fidel siguen siendo válidos actualmente.

Supongo que esa es la razón por la cual los enemigos de la Revolución Cubana intentan, como lo hicieron hace un año, desacreditar −directa o indirectamente y de manera cobarde− la vigencia actual de Fidel. Sin embargo, las palmeras cubanas continúan estoicas, enfrentando la tormenta de la continua agresión dirigida por Occidente contra la cultura socialista cubana.

Arnold August, periodista y conferencista canadiense, es el autor de los libros Democracy in Cuba and the 1997–98 Elections (1999), Cuba y sus vecinos: Democracia en movimiento (2014) y Relaciones Cuba-EE.UU.: ¿Que ha cambiado? (2018). Twitter: @Arnold_August FaceBook: Arnold August

FUENTE LA JIRIBILLA

http://www.lajiribilla.cu/articulo/la-accion-y-el-pensamiento-de-fidel-hoy-enfrentan-huracanes

Che Conference, Vancouver! CUBA! Great speakers. Don’t miss them!

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Che Conference, Vancouver!

CUBA!

Great speakers. Don’t miss them!

If you live in the Vancouver area, I urge you to attend and help the organizers spread the word. If you do not live there, then please help circulate the information emerging out of the Conference.

You can catch me at the conference in these two venues.

Both at:

600 CAMPBELL AVENUE

VANCOUVER, B.C.

Sunday October 29

Time: 11h05

Keynote address on my latest book Cuba-U.S. Relations: Obama and Beyond.

The “beyond” contains my analysis of the Trump Cuba Policy

Introduction: Ricardo Alarcón, Foreword: Keith Ellis

Sunday October 29

Time: 3h05

Workshop on my second book, Cuba and It’s Neighbours: Democracy in Motion.


This is a first for me, thanks to the organizers who invited me to lead a workshop on democracy and elections in Cuba. Nothing new. However, I will be signing all three of my books at the same event:

Democracy in Cuba and the 1997-1998 Elections (1999)

Cuba and Its Neighbours: Democracy in Motion (2013)

Cuba-US Relations: Obama and Beyond (2017)

Introduction: Ricardo Alarcón, Foreword: Keith Ellis

A first. Looking forward to it.

In fact, as a result of the elections going on in Cuba at this time and a heightened interest in how the next president of the Cuban Councils of State and Ministers is to be elected in February 2018, I am seriously considering a “virtual” book launch through internet on this ground-breaking book.

There is no other recent book that deals with the entire process of Cuban elections as they are going on now, as well as how the different levels of government function after elections. It is a balanced text which opens up its pages to the opinions of Cuban revolutionary specialists, who are almost all Party members, as to how they think that the political system can be improved.

It is also used by some Cuban elected officials and civil servants in the debate on how to improve the system. In fact, Ricardo Alarcón, in his Prologue to the book, writes that it makes a valuable contribution for Cubans interested in improving its democracy by making it even more democratic.

My published analysis of the previous elections provides a blue-print of how this process is to take place at this time.

Moreover, the entire book is based on more than thirty exclusive interviews in Havana. Specialists from all walks of life share their views, now made available to the English-speaking world, many for the first time.

Thus, my second book deals with the controversial question of elections and people’s participation not as a dry sterile schematic account, but from the “inside.”

FULL INFO ON CHE CONFERENCE HERE-

http://vancouverinternationalcheconference.blogspot.ca/

Cuba-U.S. Relations, Vancouver, B.C.

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Book launch and discussion

Cuba-US Relations: Obama and Beyond

by Arnold August

Trump’s Cuba Policy

Introduction: Ricardo Alarcón, Foreword: Keith Ellis

 

Wednesday November 1st

6:30 PM

People’s Co-op Bookstore

1391 Commercial Drive

Vancouver, B.C.

 Hosted by Fernwood Publishing and People’s Co-op Bookstore

NEW on Cuba-U.S. Relations! On September 29, the US decided to withdraw 27 people from its Embassy in Havana leaving only a skeleton staff. (It was re-opened in the summer of 2015 a result of the accord reached by Presidents Raúl Castro and Barack Obama on December 17, 2014.) On October 3 at 9 AM the U.S. State Department phoned the Cuban Ambassador to Washington informing him that 15 Cuba diplomats must leave the US within seven days. On the same day, at 3 PM, the Cuban Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bruno Rodríguez held a Press Conference in Havana. He once again strongly rejected the false accusation of “sonic” attacks against US diplomats.

What is happening? What are the facts?

This will be a theme of his presentation contextualized in the book’s analysis of Trump’s Cuba policy. Listen to and discuss with Montreal author and Cuba expert Arnold August as he launches in Vancouver his third book on Cuba.

All author’s royalties from the sale of the book at this event will be donated to the CNC’s Hurricane Irma Relief & Reconstruction for Cuba Campaign

TEN ACADEMICS’ PRAISE FOR CUBA-U.S. RELATIONS AS PUBLISHED IN THE BOOK BY ARNOLD AUGUST:

READ BRIEF EXCERPTS HERE:

Any open-minded discussion about the asymmetrical Cuba–U.S. Relations should start with this highly readable, informative book.

— James D. Cockcroft, three-time Fulbright Scholar

An expert on Cuba, Arnold August offers a revealing view of the conflict between Washington and Havana and the foreign policy of the United States vis-à-vis the island.

— Salim Lamrani, Sorbonne Paris IV University

This book could not have been timelier. With Fidel Castro’s death focusing outside attention on Cuba’s future and with Trump’s election throwing U.S.–Cuban “normalization” into question, Arnold August contests the common assumptions and public rhetoric about Cuban politics and about that “normalization.”

— Antoni Kapcia, University of Nottingham

August provides the reader with a bridge across time and nations to understand the changes that have led to the “normalization” of Cuba–U.S. Relations and serves as a guide to the Trump future.

— Helen Yaffe, London School of Economics

Here at last for English-speaking readers is a full overview of U.S. relations with Cuba from Cuban points of view. The book is essential background for understanding whatever President Trump has in store.

— Cliff DuRand, Morgan State University

Arnold August is one of the foremost experts on Cuba and the 1959 Revolution, which continues to shake the world. In this new book, August puts forth a valuable, detailed account of U.S.–Cuba relations dating back to 1783 and continuing to the present time. August shows that this relationship has centred on the U.S.’s attempts, sometimes successfully, to dominate Cuba and exploit it as its own playground and, in the case of Guantánamo, as a maximum-security prison. As he shows, the 1959 Revolution broke the U.S. hold over Cuba, and the U.S. has tried desperately, and many times violently, to regain its control over the island. Obama opened diplomatic ties with Cuba for the first time in 50 years. August explains what this opening means for both countries, and where he sees U.S.–Cuba relations heading after the death of Fidel Castro at age 90 and the rise of U.S. President Donald Trump. For those who want a fresh and reasoned perspective on Cuba and U.S. relations — and with it a perspective very different from that which we get from the mainstream Western media — this book is a must-read.

— Daniel Kovalik, teacher of international human rights, University of Pittsburgh, School of Law

In his third book, August highlights the many roadblocks on the way to normalization. Unlike many mainstream “cubanologists”, who are blind to imperial arrogance, he places the onus squarely on U.S. prejudices. Regime change remains the ultimate objective under a new disguise. A cultural war has been targeting the younger generations. New Plattists [those in favour of annexation to the U.S.] are showing up. August’s deft analysis, firmly grounded in a prolonged exposure to Cuban history and debates while mapping out the possible future developments, makes for an enlightening book.

— Claude Morin, professor (retired) of Latin American history, Université de Montréal

Arnold August’s new book on Cuba dispels the propaganda and myths perpetuated by both the U.S. corporate media and the Obama administration and provides valuable insights into what we might expect from a Trump government in the post-Fidel era. August lays bare the realities of Obama’s policies toward Cuba by methodically revealing how his administration’s engagement with the island constituted a shift in tactics while retaining Washington’s decades-long objective of achieving regime change to bring the socialist nation back into the U.S. sphere of influence. It also highlights our narrow definition of democracy by challenging the repeated assertions that Cuba is a dictatorship. This book is a must-read for understanding the constantly evolving imperialist strategies of the United States, not only in Cuba, but throughout the world in the 21st century.

— Garry Leech, independent journalist and teacher of international politics, Cape Breton University

Arnold August’s bristling collection of interventions vigorously debunks U.S.-centric misrepresentations of Cuban society and of Obama’s new ‘regime change’ strategy. It also engages critically with Cuban intellectuals and bloggers fighting in the ‘Cultural War,’ challenging the Revolution’s cohesion since the 2014 ‘normalization’ process began. With its withering anti-imperialism and comradely criticism of Cuban realities, this timely book will open many eyes and raise many hackles.

— Steve Ludlam, was a senior lecturer (retired), University of Sheffield, and editorial board member, International Journal of Cuban Studies. Steve has since passed away. A great loss. We miss him.

In Cuba–U.S. Relations: Obama and Beyond, Arnold August provides an incisive analysis of the process that led to the rapprochement between the United States and Cuba under the leadership of Raúl Castro and Barack Obama, as well as further developments since. The book is a timely and valuable source of clear analysis of Cuba–U.S. relations at the dawn of the Trump era, and an indispensable tome for activists and others interested in furthering normalized relations between Cuba and the U.S. and asserting Cuba’s right to self-determination and sovereignty over all its territory.

— Pepe Ross, adjunct professor, University of Albany, State University of New York

ABOUT THE BOOK:

FERNWOOD PUBLISHING: “Against the background of the history of Cuba–U.S. interconnectedness and in light of Obama’s ini­tiative and Trump’s election, Arnold August deals with the relationship between the two countries, delving into past and current U.S. aggression against Cuba’s artistic field, ideology and politics. Based on twenty years of fieldwork in and investigation of Cuba, this book provides a unique perspective on the island’s diverse approaches to the cultural war being waged by the U.S. and illustrates the heterogeneous nature of Cuban society.”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Arnold August has an M.A. in political science from McGill University, Montreal, where he resides. His books include DEMOCRACY IN CUBA AND THE 1997-98 ELECTIONS, CUBA AND ITS NEIGHBOURS: DEMOCRACY IN MOTION (Fernwood Publishing/Zed Books, 2013), CUBA-U.S. RELATIONS: OBAMA AND BEYOND (Fernwood, 2017). An accomplished journalist, he contributes articles in English and Spanish to websites in the United States, Canada, Cuba, Latin America and Europe. Since 1997, he has spent extended periods in Cuba pursuing his intensive investigations.