Cuba's Sacrilegious Opposition
October 1, 2014
Erasmo Calzadilla
HAVANA TIMES — We Cubans without access to the Internet traffic
information on USB flash drives. A video showing a protest staged by the
Union Patriotica de Cuba (Cuban Patriotic Union, or UNPACU) – an
organization of the opposition that is strong in the country's east –
reached me through one of these.
From the balcony of a humble house nestled in a poor neighborhood, a
dozen dissidents yell forbidden phrases and ideas: "Down with Fidel,
Raul and communism!", "murderers!", "thugs!", "donations are not for
sale!", "one currency!", "fair salaries!", "milk for our children!",
"roofs for the people!", "freedom for political prisoners!", "Cuba for
Cubans, not tourists!", "respect for the opposition!", "no more
evictions!", "no more unemployment!", "down with the political police!",
and so on and so forth.
The neighbors begin to crowd beneath the balcony: people of all ages and
colors, humble folk who look at the spectacle with curiosity and in
silence. The occasional old man hurls an insult at the protesters and a
grandmother threatens to throw stones at them.
The police don't take long to arrive: a jeep fitted with loudspeakers
carrying furious, violent people that inspire fear. They provoke the
UNPACU protesters so they will come down and have a go at it, but the
protesters respond saying theirs is a peaceful demonstration.
An official from the Provincial Communist Party Headquarters has the
difficult task of responding to the choir of the opposition. She uses a
megaphone and shrieks but nothing meaningful comes out of her mouth:
nothing with any thought behind it, only pre-fabricated phrases, empty
slogans, revolutionary ditties. Below are some of these:
"There's no opposition here, you're just miserable scum, mercenaries
working for a foreign power, imperialist puppets. You're not a part of
this dignified and hard-working people, there'll never be room here for
you. You're no one, you're nothing, scoundrels! Your political prisoners
are paid criminals. The enemy is here today. Out with them, out with
them! Illiterates, we won't allow you to attack and offend us.
(Addressing the members of the CDR) Don't let three mercenaries on the
empire's payroll stain the honor and dignity of this community, don't
let them hold these indecent demonstrations…"
From time to time, she hands over the microphone to another woman
(supposedly from the people) who says pretty much the same things, only
in a more aggressive, personal and offensive tone.
Things end up getting quite heated: someone at street-level dares say
something in support of the demonstration, and a furious horde of people
lunges at them.
I don't know anything about UNPACU, but this video has left me with a
good impression about them. One has to be courageous to raise one's
voice like that, knowing that a crowd of fundamentalists can beat you to
a pulp, the police lock you up indefinitely and State Security make your
life hell.
This time around, at least, it was the demonstrators who maintained a
civic, restrained and intelligent attitude, before the fascist behavior
and intolerance of those who defend the system.
I know nothing about UNPACU's politics or the contents of its agenda. At
this demonstration, at least, they make the demands that anyone is
duty-bound to address to a totalitarian dictatorship.
Each of the phrases pronounced by this handful of nut-cases was like a
beam of light piercing through the fear, undermining the myth of
monolithic unity, profaning the sacred totem. People listened to them
passively, as though they witnessed some kind of artistic performance,
but something in their world was surely fractured forever.
The video ends there and I don't know how the party ended.
Source: Cuba's Sacrilegious Opposition - Havana Times.org -
http://www.havanatimes.org/?p=106461
Friday, October 3, 2014
Thursday, October 2, 2014
Cuba Says It's Likely to Increase Money Supply
Cuba Says It's Likely to Increase Money Supply
HAVANA — Oct 1, 2014, 5:30 PM ET
By ANDREA RODRIGUEZ and MICHAEL WEISSENSTEIN Associated
The planned elimination of Cuba's unusual dual-currency system will
likely mean printing more of the single currency that remains, the
country's central bank chief said in a report published Wednesday.
Elimination of the double currency was announced last year, although no
date has been set for the monetary unification.
Cubans have been watching closely for clues as to how the government
will avoid high inflation, a danger for a weak economy where many
citizens struggle to pay for daily purchases despite the widespread
subsidization of services like housing and health care.
Most Cubans earn and buy goods in local pesos worth about 4 U.S. cents
apiece. Tourism, one of the island's main sources of foreign exchange,
operates on the convertible peso, a special currency worth roughly one
U.S. dollar.
The double currency allows Cuba to theoretically split the country
between a realm of highly subsidized prices in Cuban pesos and a tourist
economy where prices more closely resemble those of U.S. or European
cities. But the system has inadvertently created a new class of
privileged Cubans with access to convertible pesos. And it has led to
economic distortions like a special exchange rate for state enterprises
that effectively subsidizes them with cheap convertible pesos.
Central Bank President Ernesto Medina told the state National
Information Agency that authorities were studying unspecified indicators
"that offer clues about whether the existing money supply in the general
population and the business system is correct or not."
The agency described him as saying it was logical to assume that making
Cuban pesos the sole national currency will require increasing the
amount of money in circulation and that officials are studying the
possibility of printing banknotes of higher value than those currently
available. Today's biggest Cuban peso bill, the 100, is worth about four
U.S. dollars.
Printing more money could simply mean replacing the convertible peso
supply with the equivalent value in Cuban pesos, said Pavel Vidal, a
Cuban economist and professor at the Universidad Javeriana in Cali,
Colombia. But if Cuba adds too many Cuban pesos to the system, there is
a real risk of inflation, experts said.
Reducing the supply of cheap convertible pesos for state businesses also
could force Cuba to choose between passing higher prices to consumers or
spending more money on subsidies for basic goods, a difficult measure
for a government already desperate for foreign exchange.
"Inflation is possible, but I can't say for sure because that will
depend on the policy that the state adopts when monetary unification
occurs," said Cuban economist Carmelo Mesa Lago, a professor at the
University of Pittsburgh. He said the state could relatively easily
implement price controls, but the effects of inflation may be more
easily seen in the country's new private business sector.
———
Associated Press writer Anne-Marie Garcia contributed to this report.
———
Andrea Rodríguez on Twitter: www.twitter.com/ARodriguezAP
Michael Weissenstein on Twitter: www.twitter.com/mweissenstein
Source: Cuba Says It's Likely to Increase Money Supply - ABC News -
http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/cuba-announces-details-currency-unification-25891608
HAVANA — Oct 1, 2014, 5:30 PM ET
By ANDREA RODRIGUEZ and MICHAEL WEISSENSTEIN Associated
The planned elimination of Cuba's unusual dual-currency system will
likely mean printing more of the single currency that remains, the
country's central bank chief said in a report published Wednesday.
Elimination of the double currency was announced last year, although no
date has been set for the monetary unification.
Cubans have been watching closely for clues as to how the government
will avoid high inflation, a danger for a weak economy where many
citizens struggle to pay for daily purchases despite the widespread
subsidization of services like housing and health care.
Most Cubans earn and buy goods in local pesos worth about 4 U.S. cents
apiece. Tourism, one of the island's main sources of foreign exchange,
operates on the convertible peso, a special currency worth roughly one
U.S. dollar.
The double currency allows Cuba to theoretically split the country
between a realm of highly subsidized prices in Cuban pesos and a tourist
economy where prices more closely resemble those of U.S. or European
cities. But the system has inadvertently created a new class of
privileged Cubans with access to convertible pesos. And it has led to
economic distortions like a special exchange rate for state enterprises
that effectively subsidizes them with cheap convertible pesos.
Central Bank President Ernesto Medina told the state National
Information Agency that authorities were studying unspecified indicators
"that offer clues about whether the existing money supply in the general
population and the business system is correct or not."
The agency described him as saying it was logical to assume that making
Cuban pesos the sole national currency will require increasing the
amount of money in circulation and that officials are studying the
possibility of printing banknotes of higher value than those currently
available. Today's biggest Cuban peso bill, the 100, is worth about four
U.S. dollars.
Printing more money could simply mean replacing the convertible peso
supply with the equivalent value in Cuban pesos, said Pavel Vidal, a
Cuban economist and professor at the Universidad Javeriana in Cali,
Colombia. But if Cuba adds too many Cuban pesos to the system, there is
a real risk of inflation, experts said.
Reducing the supply of cheap convertible pesos for state businesses also
could force Cuba to choose between passing higher prices to consumers or
spending more money on subsidies for basic goods, a difficult measure
for a government already desperate for foreign exchange.
"Inflation is possible, but I can't say for sure because that will
depend on the policy that the state adopts when monetary unification
occurs," said Cuban economist Carmelo Mesa Lago, a professor at the
University of Pittsburgh. He said the state could relatively easily
implement price controls, but the effects of inflation may be more
easily seen in the country's new private business sector.
———
Associated Press writer Anne-Marie Garcia contributed to this report.
———
Andrea Rodríguez on Twitter: www.twitter.com/ARodriguezAP
Michael Weissenstein on Twitter: www.twitter.com/mweissenstein
Source: Cuba Says It's Likely to Increase Money Supply - ABC News -
http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/cuba-announces-details-currency-unification-25891608
Political arrests down in Cuba, opposition says
Political arrests down in Cuba, opposition says
Published October 02, 2014 EFE
Last month saw at least 411 politically motivated detentions in Cuba,
the lowest monthly total this year, the dissident Cuban Commission for
Human Rights and National Reconciliation, or CCDHRN, said Thursday.
"The trend of diminishing acts of repression of this kind, observed over
the last four months, continues," the CCDHRN said in its latest bulletin.
Arrests peaked in May at 1,120, and then began to decline, with 632
detentions of political activists in August.
Other instances of repression, such as physical attacks, harassment,
vandalism and public repudiation of dissidents, have also decreased, the
CCDHRN said.
"Despite this evident (and positive) statistical change, which might be
just temporary, CCDHRN cannot hide its skepticism about the willingness
of an almost 56-year-old regime to adopt real reforms in the economy and
the area of fundamental rights," the group said.
The bulletin highlights the case of Vladimir Morera, a political
prisoner released Sept. 28 on a one-year furlough after he mounted a
104-day hunger strike to demand his freedom.
Conversely, Interior Ministry agents prevented an opposition activist
from boarding a plane to travel to Chile in response to an invitation
from a youth organization.
Headed by dissident activist Elizardo Sanchez, CCDHRN is the only
organization in Cuba that records and makes public the number of such
incidents, while the government dismisses most of its opponents as
"counter-revolutionaries," and U.S.-paid "mercenaries." EFE
Source: Political arrests down in Cuba, opposition says | Fox News
Latino -
http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/politics/2014/10/02/political-arrests-down-in-cuba-opposition-says/
Published October 02, 2014 EFE
Last month saw at least 411 politically motivated detentions in Cuba,
the lowest monthly total this year, the dissident Cuban Commission for
Human Rights and National Reconciliation, or CCDHRN, said Thursday.
"The trend of diminishing acts of repression of this kind, observed over
the last four months, continues," the CCDHRN said in its latest bulletin.
Arrests peaked in May at 1,120, and then began to decline, with 632
detentions of political activists in August.
Other instances of repression, such as physical attacks, harassment,
vandalism and public repudiation of dissidents, have also decreased, the
CCDHRN said.
"Despite this evident (and positive) statistical change, which might be
just temporary, CCDHRN cannot hide its skepticism about the willingness
of an almost 56-year-old regime to adopt real reforms in the economy and
the area of fundamental rights," the group said.
The bulletin highlights the case of Vladimir Morera, a political
prisoner released Sept. 28 on a one-year furlough after he mounted a
104-day hunger strike to demand his freedom.
Conversely, Interior Ministry agents prevented an opposition activist
from boarding a plane to travel to Chile in response to an invitation
from a youth organization.
Headed by dissident activist Elizardo Sanchez, CCDHRN is the only
organization in Cuba that records and makes public the number of such
incidents, while the government dismisses most of its opponents as
"counter-revolutionaries," and U.S.-paid "mercenaries." EFE
Source: Political arrests down in Cuba, opposition says | Fox News
Latino -
http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/politics/2014/10/02/political-arrests-down-in-cuba-opposition-says/
Keep Cuba out of hemispheric summits
Keep Cuba out of hemispheric summits
BY MAURICIO CLAVER-CARONEMAURICIOJCC@MSN.COM
10/01/2014 6:08 PM 10/01/2014 6:08 PM
The leadership and resolve of the United States will be tested anew in
the Western Hemisphere as the Seventh Summit of the Americas approaches
in April 2015.
Cuba has already enlisted its regional cohorts — Venezuela, Bolivia,
Ecuador and Nicaragua — in efforts to undermine the key and historic
commitments to democracy made in prior gatherings of the 34
democratically elected leaders of the hemisphere's 35 nations. Cuba's
unrelenting dictatorship has been the odd man out.
The first summit was held in Miami in 1994. Next year's event will be
hosted by Panama. At the 2001 summit, held in Quebec, the 34 leaders of
the Americas' democracies historically declared:
"The maintenance and strengthening of the rule of law and strict respect
for the democratic system are, at the same time, a goal and a shared
commitment and are an essential condition of our presence at this and
future Summits."
Soon after, that declaration was enshrined in international law, under
Article 2 of the Inter-American Democratic Charter:
"The effective exercise of representative democracy is the basis for the
rule of law and of the constitutional regimes of the member states of
the Organization of American States."
No other region in the world can boast of taking such democratic
strides. Europe can match this feat, but it, too, has one remaining
dictatorship — Belarus.
Think about it: Only a decade earlier, the Americas were plagued by
infamous military dictatorships — of the left and of the right. Cuba is
the only one remaining and it wants to join the hemispheric gathering
but without making a commitment or taking a step toward democracy. It is
directing a strategy by the leaders of Venezuela, Bolivia, Ecuador and
Nicaragua, whose authoritarian ambitions are clear, to renege on the
promises of democracy and nullify the progress made.
If an exception is made to allow Cuba's dictatorship to join, then the
summit will be making exceptions tomorrow for a dictatorship in
Venezuela to retain participation, in Bolivia the next day, then
Ecuador, then Nicaragua — a veritable unleashing of authoritarian
ambitions in the hemisphere.
Ideally, this would be a moment for the Western Hemisphere's democrats
to stand up against such encroachment. Yet the region's democrats appear
to be too intimidated by Cuba's coercion and Venezuela's energy prowess
to take a bold stand of resistance.
In recent weeks, Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos returned to
Venezuela a group of student democracy activists who had sought
political refuge in Colombia; the students have now been imprisoned for
their opposition activities. Similarly, Santos has denied refuge to
young Cuban opposition activists, putting their lives at great risk.
Newly elected Panamanian President Juan Carlos Varela, who as the
summit's host controls its agenda, ironically dismisses opposition to
Cuba's inclusion as simply "political differences among governments." A
few decades ago, Varela did not regard the brutal repression of
Panamanians by Gen. Manuel Antonio Noriega's Cuban-armed Brigadas de la
Dignidad as simply "political differences among governments."
Today Panama appears to be mostly interested in recovering the nearly
$500 million it's owed by Cuba and securing the release of a prominent
Panamanian businessman the Castro regime has imprisoned (without trial)
for nearly two years.
Riven by doubts, national interests and — perhaps — fear of Russia's
thuggery, the nations of Europe were unable to challenge Russian
aggression in Ukraine until the United States stood firm. Now in our own
"backyard" and with our own national interests at stake, the United
States must stand in unequivocal defense of democracy in the Americas.
There simply is no excuse for ignoring and acquiescing in Cuba's effort
to pull the nations of the Western Hemisphere backward.
If Panama's government succumbs to Cuban blandishments that it be
included, the Obama administration must refuse to participate at any
senior level. Preserving and fulfilling the commitments made to
democracy is in the best interests of all the nations in the hemisphere.
Doing less risks dismantling democracy in the Americas.
That is not a legacy any U.S. president should want or embrace.
MAURICIO CLAVER-CARONE IS A LAW PROFESSOR IN WASHINGTON, D.C., WHO
PREVIOUSLY SERVED WITH THE TREASURY DEPARTMENT AND IS CURRENTLY DIRECTOR
OF THE U.S.-CUBA DEMOCRACY PAC.
Source: Keep Cuba out of hemispheric summits | The Miami Herald -
http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/op-ed/article2435842.html
BY MAURICIO CLAVER-CARONEMAURICIOJCC@MSN.COM
10/01/2014 6:08 PM 10/01/2014 6:08 PM
The leadership and resolve of the United States will be tested anew in
the Western Hemisphere as the Seventh Summit of the Americas approaches
in April 2015.
Cuba has already enlisted its regional cohorts — Venezuela, Bolivia,
Ecuador and Nicaragua — in efforts to undermine the key and historic
commitments to democracy made in prior gatherings of the 34
democratically elected leaders of the hemisphere's 35 nations. Cuba's
unrelenting dictatorship has been the odd man out.
The first summit was held in Miami in 1994. Next year's event will be
hosted by Panama. At the 2001 summit, held in Quebec, the 34 leaders of
the Americas' democracies historically declared:
"The maintenance and strengthening of the rule of law and strict respect
for the democratic system are, at the same time, a goal and a shared
commitment and are an essential condition of our presence at this and
future Summits."
Soon after, that declaration was enshrined in international law, under
Article 2 of the Inter-American Democratic Charter:
"The effective exercise of representative democracy is the basis for the
rule of law and of the constitutional regimes of the member states of
the Organization of American States."
No other region in the world can boast of taking such democratic
strides. Europe can match this feat, but it, too, has one remaining
dictatorship — Belarus.
Think about it: Only a decade earlier, the Americas were plagued by
infamous military dictatorships — of the left and of the right. Cuba is
the only one remaining and it wants to join the hemispheric gathering
but without making a commitment or taking a step toward democracy. It is
directing a strategy by the leaders of Venezuela, Bolivia, Ecuador and
Nicaragua, whose authoritarian ambitions are clear, to renege on the
promises of democracy and nullify the progress made.
If an exception is made to allow Cuba's dictatorship to join, then the
summit will be making exceptions tomorrow for a dictatorship in
Venezuela to retain participation, in Bolivia the next day, then
Ecuador, then Nicaragua — a veritable unleashing of authoritarian
ambitions in the hemisphere.
Ideally, this would be a moment for the Western Hemisphere's democrats
to stand up against such encroachment. Yet the region's democrats appear
to be too intimidated by Cuba's coercion and Venezuela's energy prowess
to take a bold stand of resistance.
In recent weeks, Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos returned to
Venezuela a group of student democracy activists who had sought
political refuge in Colombia; the students have now been imprisoned for
their opposition activities. Similarly, Santos has denied refuge to
young Cuban opposition activists, putting their lives at great risk.
Newly elected Panamanian President Juan Carlos Varela, who as the
summit's host controls its agenda, ironically dismisses opposition to
Cuba's inclusion as simply "political differences among governments." A
few decades ago, Varela did not regard the brutal repression of
Panamanians by Gen. Manuel Antonio Noriega's Cuban-armed Brigadas de la
Dignidad as simply "political differences among governments."
Today Panama appears to be mostly interested in recovering the nearly
$500 million it's owed by Cuba and securing the release of a prominent
Panamanian businessman the Castro regime has imprisoned (without trial)
for nearly two years.
Riven by doubts, national interests and — perhaps — fear of Russia's
thuggery, the nations of Europe were unable to challenge Russian
aggression in Ukraine until the United States stood firm. Now in our own
"backyard" and with our own national interests at stake, the United
States must stand in unequivocal defense of democracy in the Americas.
There simply is no excuse for ignoring and acquiescing in Cuba's effort
to pull the nations of the Western Hemisphere backward.
If Panama's government succumbs to Cuban blandishments that it be
included, the Obama administration must refuse to participate at any
senior level. Preserving and fulfilling the commitments made to
democracy is in the best interests of all the nations in the hemisphere.
Doing less risks dismantling democracy in the Americas.
That is not a legacy any U.S. president should want or embrace.
MAURICIO CLAVER-CARONE IS A LAW PROFESSOR IN WASHINGTON, D.C., WHO
PREVIOUSLY SERVED WITH THE TREASURY DEPARTMENT AND IS CURRENTLY DIRECTOR
OF THE U.S.-CUBA DEMOCRACY PAC.
Source: Keep Cuba out of hemispheric summits | The Miami Herald -
http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/op-ed/article2435842.html
A Letter to Cuba’s Bishops
A Letter to Cuba's Bishops / Orlando Luis Pardo Lazo
Posted on October 1, 2014
His Excellency, Dionisio García Ibáñez
Archbishop of Santiago de Cuba and Cardinal Primate of Cuba
Your Excellency:
Last night I had the opportunity to meet you at a reception in your
honor given by Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò, the papal nuncio to Cuba.
Today I am writing to you regarding several concerns of the Center for a
Free Cuba with the hope that in your role as president of the Cuban
Conference of Catholic Bishops you might forward this letter to your
fellow bishops.
The Center for a Free Cuba is an independent organization that promotes
respect for human rights and the re-establishment of a democratic
government under the rule of law in our beloved Cuba.
The Center considers the evangelization and humanitarian work of the
Church in Cuba to be of utmost importance and has always responded to
the requests of priests and bishops who have approached us. In light of
our strong desire to continue collaborating with the Church, please
allow us to share with Your Excellency the following concerns:
1) It has been reported that there are over three thousand cases of
dengue fever in Cienfuegos. What can you tell us about the causes of
this epidemic and what steps are being taken to counter it? How can we
support the Church to help those affected?
2) As of more than two years ago, two devout Cuban Catholics have been
held prisoner without trial. They were arrested and beaten by State
Security agents as they were preparing to attend the mass celebrated in
Havana by Pope Benedict XVI in March of 2012. Sonia Garro is being held
in the Manto Negro prison. She is not in good health. Her husband, Ramón
Alejandro Muñoz, is being held in the Combinado del Este prison.
Could not the Church urge the authorities to release them, or at least
to put them on trial? We would also greatly appreciate it if the bishops
celebrated a mass on behalf of Sonia and Ramón and all other political
prisoners, as Archbishop Wenski did recently in Miami.
3) It is well known that the regime has intensified its repression of
peaceful opposition figures such as the Ladies in White. Could not the
Catholic Bishops Conference of Cuba ask the authorities to cease acts of
repudiation and the excesses of the Rapid Response Brigades for the sake
of peace and national reconciliation? Is there anything that might be
preventing this noble and urgent request?
4) In the [Church sponsored] periodical, Espacio Laical (Secular Space),
there have been articles about the need to encourage a "loyal
opposition." Many ask, loyal to whom or to what? To the regime or to
freedom, democracy and the full dignity of all human beings?
Clarification of this issue would be helpful so that the publication or
the Church is not seen to be branding as "disloyal" anyone not in
agreement with those who for more than half a century have held the
people of Cuba hostage.
Given our great respect for your high office, we would very much
appreciate your comments on the concerns we have outlined in this letter.
In extending this cordial and patriotic message to Your Excellency, as
well as to the other bishops of our forlorn homeland, we evoke the
memory of the historic visit of His Holiness, St. John Paul II, who
urged all of us to be "valiant in truth, bold in freedom, constant in
responsibility, generous in love, invincible in hope."
Respectfully yours,
On behalf of the Center for a Free Cuba
Guillermo Marmol, businessman and civic leader
Filiberto Agusti, Esq., attorney and legal counsel for the Center for a
Free Cuba
Dr. Néstor Carbonell Cortina, businessman, intellectual and civic leader
Ellis E. Briggs, former United States ambassador to Portugal, Panama and
Honduras
Beatriz Casals, businesswoman, intellectual and civic leader
Prof. Carlos Eire, Yale University
Dr. Sergio Díaz Briquets, international advisor
Prof. Jaime Suchlicki, University of Miami
José Sorzano, former United States ambassador to the United Nations
Prof. Enrico Mario Santí, University of Kentucky
Otto J. Reich, former United States ambassador to Venezuela
Joaquín P. Pujol, economist, former assistant director of the
International Monetary Fund and member of the Association for the Study
of the Cuban Economy
Victor J. Pujals, P.E., professional engineer and civic leader
Robert A. O'Brien, businessman, civic leader and philanthropist
Frank Calzon, executive director for the Center for a Free Cuba
[frank.calzon@cubacenter.org]
Posted to this blog:
25 September 2014
Source: A Letter to Cuba's Bishops / Orlando Luis Pardo Lazo |
Translating Cuba -
http://translatingcuba.com/a-letter-to-cubas-bishops-orlando-luis-pardo-lazo/
Posted on October 1, 2014
His Excellency, Dionisio García Ibáñez
Archbishop of Santiago de Cuba and Cardinal Primate of Cuba
Your Excellency:
Last night I had the opportunity to meet you at a reception in your
honor given by Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò, the papal nuncio to Cuba.
Today I am writing to you regarding several concerns of the Center for a
Free Cuba with the hope that in your role as president of the Cuban
Conference of Catholic Bishops you might forward this letter to your
fellow bishops.
The Center for a Free Cuba is an independent organization that promotes
respect for human rights and the re-establishment of a democratic
government under the rule of law in our beloved Cuba.
The Center considers the evangelization and humanitarian work of the
Church in Cuba to be of utmost importance and has always responded to
the requests of priests and bishops who have approached us. In light of
our strong desire to continue collaborating with the Church, please
allow us to share with Your Excellency the following concerns:
1) It has been reported that there are over three thousand cases of
dengue fever in Cienfuegos. What can you tell us about the causes of
this epidemic and what steps are being taken to counter it? How can we
support the Church to help those affected?
2) As of more than two years ago, two devout Cuban Catholics have been
held prisoner without trial. They were arrested and beaten by State
Security agents as they were preparing to attend the mass celebrated in
Havana by Pope Benedict XVI in March of 2012. Sonia Garro is being held
in the Manto Negro prison. She is not in good health. Her husband, Ramón
Alejandro Muñoz, is being held in the Combinado del Este prison.
Could not the Church urge the authorities to release them, or at least
to put them on trial? We would also greatly appreciate it if the bishops
celebrated a mass on behalf of Sonia and Ramón and all other political
prisoners, as Archbishop Wenski did recently in Miami.
3) It is well known that the regime has intensified its repression of
peaceful opposition figures such as the Ladies in White. Could not the
Catholic Bishops Conference of Cuba ask the authorities to cease acts of
repudiation and the excesses of the Rapid Response Brigades for the sake
of peace and national reconciliation? Is there anything that might be
preventing this noble and urgent request?
4) In the [Church sponsored] periodical, Espacio Laical (Secular Space),
there have been articles about the need to encourage a "loyal
opposition." Many ask, loyal to whom or to what? To the regime or to
freedom, democracy and the full dignity of all human beings?
Clarification of this issue would be helpful so that the publication or
the Church is not seen to be branding as "disloyal" anyone not in
agreement with those who for more than half a century have held the
people of Cuba hostage.
Given our great respect for your high office, we would very much
appreciate your comments on the concerns we have outlined in this letter.
In extending this cordial and patriotic message to Your Excellency, as
well as to the other bishops of our forlorn homeland, we evoke the
memory of the historic visit of His Holiness, St. John Paul II, who
urged all of us to be "valiant in truth, bold in freedom, constant in
responsibility, generous in love, invincible in hope."
Respectfully yours,
On behalf of the Center for a Free Cuba
Guillermo Marmol, businessman and civic leader
Filiberto Agusti, Esq., attorney and legal counsel for the Center for a
Free Cuba
Dr. Néstor Carbonell Cortina, businessman, intellectual and civic leader
Ellis E. Briggs, former United States ambassador to Portugal, Panama and
Honduras
Beatriz Casals, businesswoman, intellectual and civic leader
Prof. Carlos Eire, Yale University
Dr. Sergio Díaz Briquets, international advisor
Prof. Jaime Suchlicki, University of Miami
José Sorzano, former United States ambassador to the United Nations
Prof. Enrico Mario Santí, University of Kentucky
Otto J. Reich, former United States ambassador to Venezuela
Joaquín P. Pujol, economist, former assistant director of the
International Monetary Fund and member of the Association for the Study
of the Cuban Economy
Victor J. Pujals, P.E., professional engineer and civic leader
Robert A. O'Brien, businessman, civic leader and philanthropist
Frank Calzon, executive director for the Center for a Free Cuba
[frank.calzon@cubacenter.org]
Posted to this blog:
25 September 2014
Source: A Letter to Cuba's Bishops / Orlando Luis Pardo Lazo |
Translating Cuba -
http://translatingcuba.com/a-letter-to-cubas-bishops-orlando-luis-pardo-lazo/
The number of foreigners living in Cuba has dropped dramatically
The number of foreigners living in Cuba has dropped dramatically / 14ymedio
Posted on September 30, 2014
14ymedio, Havana, 30 September 2014 – The National Statistics Office
recorded a sharp drop in the number of foreign residents in Cuba, which
in 2012 represented only 0.05 percent of the population. The figure is
well below the 15 percent share of the foreign population based on the
Island during the 1970s.
These data are included in the census conducted in 2012, which also
points to a growing trend of population shift to Cuba's cities,
especially toward Havana. Of those who migrate internally in Cuba, 46.1
percent are men.
A note in the newspaper Granma notes that people who move to Havana Come
primarily from the provinces of Holguín, Granma, Santiago de Cuba and
Guantanamo. Proportionally Havana is also the province with the largest
number of native residents who do not emigrate—followed by Mayabeque,
Matanzas and Artemis, while Guantánamo keeps the smallest number of its
natives followed by Pinar del Rio and Cienfuegos.
The search for better pay as well as better opportunities to improve
one's condition and for recreations were the main reasons that sparked
internal migration.
Source: The number of foreigners living in Cuba has dropped dramatically
/ 14ymedio | Translating Cuba -
http://translatingcuba.com/the-number-of-foreigners-living-in-cuba-has-dropped-dramatically-14ymedio/
Posted on September 30, 2014
14ymedio, Havana, 30 September 2014 – The National Statistics Office
recorded a sharp drop in the number of foreign residents in Cuba, which
in 2012 represented only 0.05 percent of the population. The figure is
well below the 15 percent share of the foreign population based on the
Island during the 1970s.
These data are included in the census conducted in 2012, which also
points to a growing trend of population shift to Cuba's cities,
especially toward Havana. Of those who migrate internally in Cuba, 46.1
percent are men.
A note in the newspaper Granma notes that people who move to Havana Come
primarily from the provinces of Holguín, Granma, Santiago de Cuba and
Guantanamo. Proportionally Havana is also the province with the largest
number of native residents who do not emigrate—followed by Mayabeque,
Matanzas and Artemis, while Guantánamo keeps the smallest number of its
natives followed by Pinar del Rio and Cienfuegos.
The search for better pay as well as better opportunities to improve
one's condition and for recreations were the main reasons that sparked
internal migration.
Source: The number of foreigners living in Cuba has dropped dramatically
/ 14ymedio | Translating Cuba -
http://translatingcuba.com/the-number-of-foreigners-living-in-cuba-has-dropped-dramatically-14ymedio/
Wednesday, October 1, 2014
“Cuba greatly appreciates foreign companies,” according to Tokmakjian
"Cuba greatly appreciates foreign companies," according to Tokmakjian /
14ymedio
Posted on October 1, 2014
In 2010 the Canadian businessman stressed his full confidence in the
Island's authorities in an interview with Excelencias del Motor magazine.
14ymedio, Havana, 30 September 2014 — A year before his arrest in Havana
in September 2011, for a host of crimes (bribery, fraud, trafficking in
foreign currency, forgery, tax evasion, acts to the detriment of the
national economy), the Canadian businessman Cy Tokmakjian, sentenced
last week to 15 years in prison, made very positive statements about the
business climate in Cuba.
In an interview published in January 2010 in Excelencias del Motor
magazine, belonging to a Spanish group with representation on the
Island, the owner of the Tokmakjian Group spoke of the success of his
company and its projects after 21 years in Cuba.
At that time, the company was expanding with the opening of the
technical facilities of Wajay (Havana), Camaguey and Moa (Holguin),
which had helped increase the number of Cuban employees from 140 to 230
workers.
The Tokmakjian Group, according to its founder, intended to use Cuban
specialists for trade with the rest of Latin America, especially Panama,
Nicaragua, Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic. The businessman
introduced high-tech equipment to manufacture products in Cuba, "to
solve national problems quickly and export from this country," through
joint ventures.
"We have to maneuver carefully not to lose the investment, the support
and the confidence we have in Cuba"
Cy Tokmakjian showed no fear, faced with the ravages of the global
economic crisis. "I've been in Cuba 21 years, I know the current
situation in the country. During the years 1991 and 1992, the situation
was no better, we are 'accustomed' to working in difficult times," he
explained. "The parent company in Canada trusts Cuba and the Cubans,
which allows flexible receipts and payments; we expect Cuba will
recover; we will continue doing business. However, we have to maneuver
carefully, not to lose the investment, the support and the confidence we
have in Cuba. We are all working on this together, Canadians and
Cubans," he added.
"Cuba greatly appreciates the foreign companies that continue to work in
Cuba through difficult times. Together, Cubans and Canadians, we
maintain an ethic, a principle, and mutual assistance," he revealed.
Source: "Cuba greatly appreciates foreign companies," according to
Tokmakjian / 14ymedio | Translating Cuba -
http://translatingcuba.com/cuba-greatly-appreciates-foreign-companies-according-to-tokmakjian-14ymedio/
14ymedio
Posted on October 1, 2014
In 2010 the Canadian businessman stressed his full confidence in the
Island's authorities in an interview with Excelencias del Motor magazine.
14ymedio, Havana, 30 September 2014 — A year before his arrest in Havana
in September 2011, for a host of crimes (bribery, fraud, trafficking in
foreign currency, forgery, tax evasion, acts to the detriment of the
national economy), the Canadian businessman Cy Tokmakjian, sentenced
last week to 15 years in prison, made very positive statements about the
business climate in Cuba.
In an interview published in January 2010 in Excelencias del Motor
magazine, belonging to a Spanish group with representation on the
Island, the owner of the Tokmakjian Group spoke of the success of his
company and its projects after 21 years in Cuba.
At that time, the company was expanding with the opening of the
technical facilities of Wajay (Havana), Camaguey and Moa (Holguin),
which had helped increase the number of Cuban employees from 140 to 230
workers.
The Tokmakjian Group, according to its founder, intended to use Cuban
specialists for trade with the rest of Latin America, especially Panama,
Nicaragua, Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic. The businessman
introduced high-tech equipment to manufacture products in Cuba, "to
solve national problems quickly and export from this country," through
joint ventures.
"We have to maneuver carefully not to lose the investment, the support
and the confidence we have in Cuba"
Cy Tokmakjian showed no fear, faced with the ravages of the global
economic crisis. "I've been in Cuba 21 years, I know the current
situation in the country. During the years 1991 and 1992, the situation
was no better, we are 'accustomed' to working in difficult times," he
explained. "The parent company in Canada trusts Cuba and the Cubans,
which allows flexible receipts and payments; we expect Cuba will
recover; we will continue doing business. However, we have to maneuver
carefully, not to lose the investment, the support and the confidence we
have in Cuba. We are all working on this together, Canadians and
Cubans," he added.
"Cuba greatly appreciates the foreign companies that continue to work in
Cuba through difficult times. Together, Cubans and Canadians, we
maintain an ethic, a principle, and mutual assistance," he revealed.
Source: "Cuba greatly appreciates foreign companies," according to
Tokmakjian / 14ymedio | Translating Cuba -
http://translatingcuba.com/cuba-greatly-appreciates-foreign-companies-according-to-tokmakjian-14ymedio/
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