KillCastro - A war blog: Cubans go underground to read KillCastro

Cubans go underground to read KillCastro

The latest messages from Cuba have been scarce. Few and far between.
In a reversal of progress, typical of a hardcore communist hostage-taking state, internet access has been suspended to many "enterprises" or "companies". They have been asigned an intranet, which host only a small group of goverment approved and sanctioned sites, including CNN and the BBC in Spanish (no surprises here), and which provides for a controlled and monitored e-mail service, which is resident in that intranet and from which one receives messages after a suspicious delay.
Certain companies are keeping internet access, but they have been reversed to an hourly plan -hourly plan, as in ten hours a week- and the users have to submit a log to their bosses of all visited sites, including duration of visits, motives to visit the site, and in some cases, sample print-outs.
Not that anybody is going to submit a screen shot of KillCastro anytime soon, but the idiotic technocommies in charge maybe hope for that.
My prediction: our friendly Cuban readers will very soon hack into the sites and addresses asigned to the Communist Party, the Armed Forces, and the Communist Youth to read KillCastro. Which will be poetic justice, imagine the "monitors" revising the log of a communist honcho, and noticing that the guy "has spent time" reading us and downloading our counter-revolutionary graphics and copying our anti-kasstro materials.

2 Comments:

killcastro said...

My news from Kuba is that communications at all levels are severely curtailed. On my monthly called to my relatives this past weekend we were cut off 3 times. At one point I screamed out loud - "OYE TU EL QUE ESTA ESCUCHANDO ESTAMOS HABLANDO DE COSAS DE FAMILIA Y NO DE POLITICA"
My little "TURBA" has been cut off from all internet connections and those who stil have internet connections ( as do certain artists and sciences) can only communicate via email within the .CU domain.
This was pretty much to be expected and we owe this to the progress in Internet technology , (believe it or not)
The protocol we all use to communicate through internet is changing rapidly behind the curtains. When we see the fact that we can now nail down an IP address to within a town ( and soon to within a few square blocks) we in the USA are delighted because it help us combat SPAM and PHISHING and other nastiest that permeate the "cloud" . In a country like Kuba these advances are used to curtail access by tracking down illegal or spoofed connections. This is not a question that KaSStro technology "mavens" are THAT good , just means that the software they are stealing from the USA *IS* that good. So we shall see a decline in Internet connections from Kuba unless the interest section has a rather OBVIOUS brain fart and becomes an ISP itself as a Wi-Fi provider
With a new technology called BROADBAND MARITIME a ship can be anchored right of Kuba's territorial waters, get a microwave signal from the USIS beam it up to a satellite and serve as censorship free ISP to all Cubans (at least in La Habana)
I tell you that would be a LOT cheaper that the TV-Radio Marti thing and it would be a real time two way communication tool to hurt KaSStro where it hurts him the most , his propaganda machine.

ANYONE AT THE USIS LISTENING ??????

Tuesday, February 28, 2006 1:58:44 PM

KillCastro - A war blog: Cubans go underground to read KillCastro

The Prague Post Online - Pluck and luck save smuggled photos

Pluck and luck save smuggled photos

Banned images taken by Czech beauty queen to go on display in Prague

By Sarah Schaschek
and Jeffrey White
Staff Writers, The Prague Post
February 15, 2006

Helena Houdová

Cuban police were intent on preventing these less-than-flattering images of the country's impoverished and regimented people from leaving the island.

As a supermodel and 1999's Miss Czech Republic, Helena Houdová has been on the receiving end of a camera's attention. But the 26-year-old now finds herself on the other side of the lens.

After an unpleasant arrest in Cuba Jan. 23 — during which she and a friend were kept under guard for almost 12 hours — Houdová is planning an exhibition featuring many of the photographs of Havana slums and health institutions that led to her detainment. It is set to open Feb. 22 at Langhans Gallery.

While Cuba's communist regime would have visitors associate Havana with palm-lined avenues and beach-front restaurants, Houdová 's photos tell a different story: that of the plight of local AIDS patients in prisons and sanitariums, and the lives of the poor in shantytowns on the city's outskirts.

Houdová smuggled the photos out of Cuba by hiding the digital memory chip on which they were stored in her bra.

Everything had started well for Houdová and her friend, Mariana Kroftová, 26, when they arrived in Cuba on Jan. 19. They came with a purpose: to find out whether Houdová 's charity, the Sunflower Foundation, could assist local children and those afflicted with AIDS. The humanitarian organization People in Need had put them in contact with two people in Havana: a man living with HIV, and the wife of a prominent doctor and dissident. Houdová and Kroftová met with them and explained that they wanted to see institutions and outlying neighborhoods. The man and woman acted as guides.

Among other sites, Houdová and Kroftová toured a sanitarium filled with suffering AIDS patients. In an interview with The Prague Post, Kroftová said the facility was "desperate."

"These were HIV-positive people, and they have no other choice but to be there because they are not allowed to work if they are HIV-positive," she said. "The government puts them into these places which are so hidden, so far away, and the conditions are just terrible there."

It was late on a Monday afternoon when Houdová and Kroftová were confronted by a member of the Revolutionary Committee, who yelled at them for taking pictures and summoned a member of the secret police, who escorted them to a nearby police station.

There they sat as the police confiscated Kroftová's film and examined Houdová's digital camera. At some point she slipped the camera's memory chip into her shirt and told police that she had erased the pictures.

Hours passed. Eventually the two women were taken to the immigration police, where they faced tougher questions. They stonewalled investigators, Kroftová says, pretending not to understand the questions being asked. At about 3 a.m., authorities presented the two with papers to sign, asking them to name their guides and admit to participating in "counterrevolutionary activities." They both refused. Sometime later, less-complicated documents appeared, requiring the two to pledge not to engage in counterrevolutionary activities like taking pictures.

Houdová and Kroftová were let go, but ordered to remain at the same hotel for the remainder of their trip. The two took walks and were followed. They were monitored inside the hotel as well.

Views of the arrest differed among Cuban and Czech authorities afterward.

"The girls were arrested because they deliberately waged a campaign against Cuba in cooperation with Cuban dissidents," Aymee Hernandez, Cuba's chargé d'affaires in Prague, told reporters.

The Czech Foreign Affairs Ministry considered the explanation unsatisfactory. "The Cuban police clearly violated international law," spokesman Richard Krpač said.

—Kristína Mikulová contributed to this report.

The writers can be reached at tempo@praguepost.com

The Prague Post Online

Opositor cubano excarcelado dice que fue advertido por un tribunal

Opositor cubano excarcelado dice que fue advertido por un tribunal

28 de Febrero de 2006, 02:41pm ET
LA HABANA, Feb 28 (AFP) -

El disidente cubano Oscar Espinosa Chepe, excarcelado por motivos de salud en noviembre de 2004, dijo que fue advertido este martes por un tribunal de La Habana, el cual observará de ahora en adelante su "actividad social".

"Me dijeron que estarían atentos a mi actividad social y que los factores políticos de mi barrio (comités 'de defensa de la revolución', militantes del Partido Comunista y miembros de otras organizaciones) me iban a observar", dijo el economista y periodista opositor de 65 años a la AFP.

Según el informe de esos factores, podría ser revocada su licencia extrapenal, así como si mejora de sus enfermedades crónicas, trastornos hepáticos y de hipertensión.

"Dejé por escrito en la planilla que llené en el tribunal que considero injustas estas medidas y para nada legales", dijo el disidente.








Chepe, condenado a 20 años de cárcel junto a otros 74 opositores en la primavera de 2003, admitió no obstante que la jueza Sandra Méndez, del municipio Playa (oeste de La Habana) "fue muy profesional (...), correcta y agradable" con él.

Tras su salida de prisión Chepe ha seguido -junto a su esposa Miriam Leiva- escribiendo artículos, análisis y dando declaraciones a la prensa extranjera, en actividades que gobierno de Fidel Castro considera subversivas.

"Hace más de un año que salí y temo que sea revocada la licencia extrapenal, porque la batalla ideológica del gobierno se ha quedado sin discurso. Esta actitud se inscribe en este marco represivo que hay en Cuba", dijo.

Varios diplomáticos extranjeros de la Unión Europea, Holanda y Canadá lo acompañaron al tribunal, mientras que otros lo llamaron por teléfono, añadió.

"Me dijeron que estaban preocupados, me manifestaron expresiones de apoyo y solidaridad", aseguró.

El tribunal también le informó que no podía salir de La Habana sin avisar con 72 horas de antelación, ni cambiar de casa sin una autorización, explicó.

cb/mis/pz

Copyright 2006 AFP. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Opositor cubano excarcelado dice que fue advertido por un tribunal

CBS 4: Latin Builders Boycott Bahamas

Latin Builders Boycott Bahamas
Latin Builders Association Has About 750 Corporate Members
Tuesday A Channel 23 Reporter Was Beat By Jail Guards

(CBS4/AP) MIAMI Fallout from a Hispanic television reporter allegedly beat up by Bahamian guards outside a detention center could lead to a massive boycott of the island.

A local construction industry group joined Cuban-American activists Thursday in a boycott of the Bahamas to protest alleged mistreatment of migrants who pass through there on their way to the United States. The Latin Builders Association, which is comprised of about 750 corporate members, said it had suspended its annual plan to hold its fishing tournament and retreat in the Bahamas.

Earlier this week, Channel 23 reporter Mario Vallejo was beat up outside a Bahamian detention center after he was trying to file a report on a group of Cubans that were being held there after their arrival on Elbow Cay. Wednesday, exiles marched outside the Bahamian Consul in protest.

Association head Gus Gill also called on industry and community leaders that do business in the Bahamas to pressure the island's government to improve its handling of migrant detainees.

The move came days after a Florida television reporter was allegedly struck by a prison guard in the Bahamas as he interviewed seven Cuban migrants who complained of abuses at the hands of Bahaman authorities.

The Bahamas Ministry of Labor and Immigration said Wednesday the incident was under investigation. The country typically detains and then deports illegal migrants back to their native countries.

Gill said he hopes to meet with Bahamian officials about improving communications between immigrants and their families.

"I'm trying to go beyond just saying 'I'm going to boycott an event,"' Gill said. "We want to have a broader effect."

Ramon Sanchez, head of the Cuban-American activist group Democracy Movement, called for the boycott earlier this week to protest the treatment of Cuban, Haitian and other migrants who land in the Bahamas.

"The government has converted the mistreatment against the immigrants into a policy of the state to dissuade immigrants from coming to the island while they are in transit," Sanchez said before heading to a protest outside the Bahaman Consulate in Miami.

Amnesty International has reported poor treatment of immigrant detainees in the Bahamas in the past, including not providing enough food or drink, forcing detainees to sleep on the floor, failure to provide toiletries and restricted visiting and telephone access. Amnesty has also reported allegations of sexual abuse.

(© 2006 CBS Worldwide Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

NET FOR CUBA INTERNATIONAL - BAHAMAS REPORT

New Bahamas protests in Miami

By MINDELL SMALL, Guardian Senior Reporter

22 February, 2006/ The Nassau Guardian

mindell@nasguard.com

Hundreds of Cuban-American residents in Miami are expected to take part in another protest against The Bahamas on the weekend of March 4 and 5. Their aim is to expand their existing tourist boycott of The Bahamas by portraying the country as an inhumane one that does not respect human rights.

Mickey Garrote, spokesperson at Agenda Cuba told The Guardian yesterday the demonstration is planned for that Saturday and Sunday in the afternoon at the Port of Miami. He said Agenda Cuba and the Democracy Movement have chosen that location on the weekend so that protestors can display placards to people on Bahamas-bound cruise ships, telling them to avoid the country in the future.

"But this is not a protest against the Bahamian people. This is not a protest against The Bahamas. What we are asking for is The Bahamas government to humanise the situation for the detainees at the Carmichael Road Detention Centre," said Mr Garrote.

"Not just for the almost 60 Cubans that are in the Centre right, but for all the immigrants that are there. There are allegations by the detainees that there are violations of human rights."

Mr Garrotte added that protests and the boycott of The Bahamas would continue until "four conditions" are met at the Detention Centre. He said these include: better treatment of detainees at the hands of guards; better treatment of family members who visit the detainees; better food and water and better medical care. On the latter two points, Mr Garotte said Agenda Cuba is willing assist the government in sending food and medical supplies if necessary.

"But I can tell you certainly that The Bahamas government has been looking forward to continuing talks to resolve these issues, because it is in the interest of both sides," he explained.

The anti-Bahamas sentiment among many Cuban-Americans in Miami stemmed from an alleged attack of a Cuban-American reporter outside the perimeter of the Detention Centre two weeks ago.

In that Feb. 7 incident, Univisión journalist Mario Vallejo said he was attacked and badly beaten by four RBDF officers while shooting footage of Cubans inside the Centre. The incident was reportedly shown on several local television stations in South Florida, prompting Cuban-American groups the following day to demonstrate outside The Bahamas Consulate in Miami and call for a boycott of all tourist visits to The Bahamas.

"And again, the community is being urged to not travel to The Bahamas until this situation is resolved," said Mr Garrotte. "We are specifically urging those persons and entities that have economic ties with The Bahamas to, in the very near future, cease those ties."

"That's something we are strongly working on again in the hopes to accelerate a more humane treatment of detainees."

The Ministry of National Security was expected to reveal the results of an internal investigation into the Feb 7 incident last week. However, the findings of that investigation were said to be incomplete at that time, but should be complete this week.

Prime Minister Perry Christie also responded to the alleged attack saying, "Whenever there is a demonstration against our country, clearly, it is a negative and we must be assiduous in addressing the issue."

Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell said the government properly handled the alleged attack. Asked if he thought the fallout was hurting The Bahamas, he said, "I'm not going to categorise it one way or the other. It is what it is and we are working as best as we can to try and solve the issue involved."

Officials at the Detention Centre have repeatedly said that detainees are not mistreated. However, complaints of mistreatment at the facility have been reported for years. In Dec 2004, angry Cubans, who initially staged a hunger strike at the Centre, were blamed for setting afire one of the facility's four dormitories.

NET FOR CUBA INTERNATIONAL - NEWS

BlogForCuba: Families Fight for Refugees in Bahamas - BOYCOTT THE BAHAMAS

Families Fight for Refugees: "Remember Elian? Remember castro and his collaborators in the US media clamoring about keeping families together? Oh yeah, the dictator in Cuba cares about family. That's why he sends doctors overseas on missions while holding their family captive on the Island. That's why he keeps the average Cuba in such abject poverty that they work as Jinteras, selling them selves to the highest bidder. That really promotes family unity. Nothing like whoring together to enhance familial feeling. That's why Cuba has the highest suicide rate in the world, because fidel provides such a loving family environment for his slaves.

There's more, it's not enough for him to make Cubans suffer in his Island prison, he has agreements with neighboring countries tp act on his behalf, like in the Bahamas.

From the News-Press:



Ihovany Hernandez's Cuban refugee wife sits in a Bahamian prison while he rallies support to get her out.

The island's government threw Marialis Darias-Mesa, and David Gonzalez-Mejias, both dentists, into prison in April after the boat taking them and 16 other Cuban migrants stalled in Bahamian waters. They were picked up by the U.S. Coast Guard and handed over to Bahamian officials.

'She left Cuba to find freedom,' said Hernandez, who came to the U.S. two years ago an"

White House Meeting Exile Leaders

White House Meeting Exile Leaders: "If you go to the website for the Whitehouse and do an search on Cuba, you get a return of 330 links of this administrations words on Cuba . You'll find links to the President's speeches where Cuba was mentioned, memos to Congress, the Department of State, and responses to questions during press conferences.

Looking at the list of links, frankly I was really surprised to find so many instances where President Bush's attention was on Cuba. I was surprised because you'd think with all that thought focused on Cuba there would also be some corresponding action. Something Cubans could point to and say thank you Mr. President for helping us, thank you for remembering all those promises you gave us when you wanted our vote. But there isn't, there are only the words. One of President Bush's campaign promises was to end the wet foot dry foot policy.

It looks like that meeting we've all been waiting for is finally going to take place. This would be a great opportunity for President Bush to fullfill that promise. How about it Mr. President? How about some action?

From the Miami Herald:



White House 'committed' to meeting exile leaders

A White House meeting with Cuban exile leaders to discuss the wet-foot, dry-foot policy may be held within two weeks"

CUBA: todo prohibido: LANACION.com

Prohibido

"Su señora puede pasar. Usted tiene prohibido entrar en este país."

(De un funcionario militar cubano al escritor argentino José Ignacio García Hamilton, en el aeropuerto de La Habana.)

El estreñimiento del régimen cubano sigue sin encontrar alivio. No se puede ni entrar ni salir y, en líneas generales, en la isla caribeña todo está prohibido por principio. Y no se dan explicaciones. A García Hamilton, por ejemplo, no le negó el acceso un comité de críticos literarios sino un funcionario anónimo que se limitaba a repetir como una máquina: "Sólo cumplo órdenes".

Para no ser menos, Estados Unidos acaba de cerrarle la puerta en la cara a la senadora boliviana Leonilda Zurita con la sospecha más bien vaga de que en el caso de ingresar podría involucrarse "en actividades que podrían poner en peligro el bienestar y la seguridad de la nación".

Fidel Castro y George Bush tienen más de diez pequeñas diferencias, pero se tocan en un punto: a los dos les encanta lo prohibido, a los dos les encanta prohibir.

Por supuesto, no son los únicos militantes de la prohibición, causa que atrapa y seduce a la humanidad desde tiempos inmemoriales. El ansia de prohibir es transversal: la gente no ve la hora de hacerse con un poco de poder para declarar que algo está prohibido. También se cruzan en un punto los piqueteros que en nombre de la ecología prohíben transitar por los puentes y los flamantes legisladores de Hamas que viven desde que ganaron con el brazo levantado, sin poderse aguantar hasta el momento de aprobar las leyes que prohíben a los palestinos el consumo de alcohol y las relaciones adulterinas.

Ante esta ola prohibicionista, ¿no sería bueno poner el acento sobre lo permitido? ¿Proclamar, por ejemplo: "Aquí se tolera, sin limitación alguna, que todo el mundo disfrute de este día de sol"? Yo, por ejemplo, conozco a una persona que ha hecho instalar en la puerta de su domicilio particular un cartel con la siguiente leyenda: "En esta casa también está permitido no fumar". Aunque no alcanzo a darme cuenta de qué quiere decir exactamente, me parece un ejemplo de tolerancia digno de ser analizado e imitado.

Hugo Caligaris

Link corto: http://www.lanacion.com.ar/784021

Prohibido | LANACION.com

El Nuevo Herald | 02/26/2006 | Señalan un aumento de los delitos económicos en Cuba

Señalan un aumento de los delitos económicos en Cuba

Agence France Presse

LA HABANA

Los delitos en la economía estatal de Cuba aumentaron en el 2005 favorecidos por el descontrol, informó ayer el diario Juventud Rebelde después de la destitución de la ministra de Comercio Interior esta semana.

Durante una asamblea de balance anual del Ministerio de Comercio Interior, de la que informó el diario este sábado, se conoció que en el 2005 ocurrieron ''45 hechos delictivos más que en el año precedente'', del que no se dan cifras, lo que elevó las pérdidas por ese concepto en 6.5 millones de pesos ($260,000).

Durante el año en estudio se realizaron 890 auditorías en las empresas de ese Ministerio, ''y más de la mitad de las entidades inspeccionadas fueron evaluadas de mal o deficiente en los controles económicos'', señaló.

''La reducción de los hechos delictivos y de corrupción, así como la erradicación de las distintas indisciplinas financieras, son las principales deficiencias que deberán resolverse'', dijo el nuevo titular de la cartera, Marino Murillo.

Murillo asumió el cargo el pasado jueves en sustitución de Bárbara Castillo Cuesta, quien ocupaba el cargo desde el 24 de enero de 1995 y fue destituida por el Consejo de Estado.

Hasta su nombramiento, Murillo se desempeñaba como viceministro primero de la propia cartera y anteriormente ocupó cargos como auditor y director económico en el Ministerio de la Industria Alimenticia y viceministro de Economía, dijo el texto.

''Este año revisaremos todos los almacenes mayoristas del país y contaremos los sacos uno por uno para evitar sorpresas desagradables como la que tuvimos. En lo adelante aumentaremos el control en todas nuestras unidades'', precisó el nuevo ministro.

Desde octubre pasado, Fidel Castro emprendió una cruzada contra el robo, el desvío de recursos, el despilfarro y el descontrol en la economía, mayoritariamente estatal, que deja cada año millones de dólares en pérdidas.

El Nuevo Herald | 02/26/2006 | Señalan un aumento de los delitos económicos en Cuba

Babalu Blog: Black Spring

Black Spring

Editor and Publisher has an article on the recent increase in the crack down on independent jounalism in Cuba by fidel castro's government:

CHICAGO (February 22, 2006) -- Almost three years after the notorious mass arrests and show trials of 75 independent journalists, librarians and others, Fidel Castro's Cuba is once more cracking down harshly on the nation's tiny independent press, free-press groups say.

In recent days, the alarm about a wave of violence, threats and official persecution against the press has been raised by such groups as the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) in New York City, the Inter American Press Association (IAPA) in Miami, and Reporters Without Borders (RSF for its initials in French) in Paris.

fidel castro's regime is always boasting about their "Battle of Ideas". Yet the battle is merely against shadows as they do not face "enemy" ideas. They just prevent them through violence from being heard in the first place.

Read the whole article here.

Posted by Val Prieto at February 25, 2006 06:53 AM | TrackBack

Babalu Blog: Black Spring

More Lies from Havana - BlogForCuba

More Lies from Havana: "At the unveiling of the ridiculous flags of mourning next to the U.S. interests section in Havana earlier this month, castro, who's been terrorizing Cubans for 47 years, claimed that terrorist acts against Cuba have claimed thousands of lives. This is nothing new, and Dr. Armando Lago, Vice President of the Free Society Project, Inc. wrote about those claims three years ago.

From the Cuba Archive:

March 18, 2003.

The Cuban government claims that more than 3,000 terrorist acts have been committed against Cuban citizens during the Castro regime’s stay in power, for over 42 years. Furthermore, it claims that “all these terrorist actions against Cuba are woven with the same thread, which leads invariably to the United States.”

Dr. Armando Lago* has been researching the loss of life during the Cuban revolutionary process for the last five years. His investigation includes victims of the Batista dictatorship and victims of anti-Castro actions. He has conducted a review of the documents publicly circulated by the Cuban government substantiating its claim of over 3,000 victims.

Following are his observations:

1. Of the 551 incidents described, 400 took place at the Bay of Pigs. This was a war/combat scenario, a military invasion against the Castro dictatorship seeking freedom for the people o"

Dissidenti cubani e mistificazioni italiane - Gordiano Lupi

Dissidenti cubani e mistificazioni italiane

Jorge Olivera Castillo 25 Febbraio 2006 Oggi capita che accendo la televisione e guardo su Rai Tre un bel programma condotto da Corrado Augias che di solito mi piace e racconta cose interessanti. Peccato che ogni regola ha la sua eccezione e io ci finisco dentro fino al collo, ché oggi su Rai Tre parla a ruota libera il vecchio Gianni Minà e come al solito racconta di Cuba, il suo argomento preferito, parla di quel buon vecchio dittatore chiamato Fidel Castro, dice che lui è più buono di Somoza perché non ha mai ricevuto gli squadroni della morte. Bravo Fidel Castro, quasi quasi mi commuovo. E bravo anche Gianni Minà che come spalla del Comandante mi pare secondo solo a Oliver Stone. Il buon Minà ha appena pubblicato un libercolo dove elenca tutti gli attentati compiuti dagli Stati Uniti contro Cuba e in questo periodo lo vediamo su tutte le televisioni che propaganda menzogne. L’ho sentito anche l’altro giorno da Fazio che raccontava la solita novella di Cuba aggredita dagli statunitensi, di Bush che la vuole invadere, e dei cubani che vanno difesi insieme a tutte le conquiste rivoluzionarie. Tanto per capire ha detto le solite menate tipo a Cuba c’è una dittatura sì, va bene, ma vuoi mettere quant’è peggio il Nicaragua e poi a Cuba c’è la sanità e l’istruzione. Balle propagandistiche che possono andare bene per uno che Cuba non la conosce, ché ve li raccomando gli ospedali cubani, ma mica quelli per turisti che funzionano davvero, parlo degli ospedali per la povera gente, la vera conquista della rivoluzione. Gli ospedali cubani non sono quelli dove si ricovera Maradona a spese di Fidel Castro e nemmeno quelli dove potrebbe andare a finire Gianni Minà, se lo beccasse uno dei miei amici cubani che sono più incazzati con lui che con Fidel Castro. I dissidenti cubani che conosco sostengono che i giornalisti servili come Gianni Minà sono i peggiori nemici del processo di democratizzazione cubana. E poi parliamo dell’istruzione a Cuba e diciamo che la possiamo paragonare a quella che avevamo in Italia ai tempi del Minculpop. I libri di scuola raccontano che Fidel Castro (un dittatore) è l’erede di José Martí (un liberale vecchio stampo), scrittori come Cabrera Infante sono scomparsi dai piani di studio (Tre tristi tigri non lo ha mai scritto nessuno, forse è opera di un fascista spagnolo o di una spia della Cia), Lezama Lima per anni è stato vietato come un frocio pericoloso (sono piccolezze il fatto che fosse il più grande poeta latino americano) e Reinaldo Arenas è ancora oggi proibito, il marxismo è materia di studio e fino a qualche anno fa si doveva pure conoscere il russo… L’istruzione a Cuba è quella che lo Stato vuole che venga impartita, non esiste libertà di insegnamento e i programmi vengono rigidamente controllati dal regime. Per non parlare di tutto il resto, soprattutto della inesistente libertà di stampa. Mi fa parecchio incazzare che nello stesso giorno in cui il vecchio Minà snocciolava interminabili elenchi di persone che la pensano come lui (stile Fiorello quando lo imita), c’era un dissidente cubano che rischiava di finire ancora una volta in galera. Jorge Olivera Castillo (un giornalista-poeta che sarà pubblicato a marzo in Italia nel volume Versi tra le sbarre, edito da Il Foglio) ha lanciato un appello diretto alla comunità internazionale perché teme nuove repressioni nei suoi confronti. Castillo ha il visto di entrata per gli Stati Uniti dall’ottobre 2002, ma il regime non lo lascia partire per l’esilio con la sua famiglia. Ha una condanna a 18 anni di carcere per reati di opinione, dopo la primavera nera del 2003, e la sua unica colpa è quella di fare il giornalista per Cubanet e di dire le cose come stanno. Il 21 febbraio è stato convocato davanti al Tribunale Municipale dell’Avana Vecchia e gli è stato comunicato che non può allontanarsi dai confini di Ciudad Habana senza un’autorizzazione del Tribunale, non può assistere a manifestazioni pubbliche e non può uscire per feste organizzate. Per il momento nei suoi confronti vengono mantenuti gli arresti domiciliari per motivi di salute, ma il dissidente teme che presto dovrà tornare in carcere. Jorge Olivera Castillo ha chiesto l’attenzione dell’Unione Europea sul suo problema ed è stata subito inviata una rappresentanza tedesca, inglese e austriaca per parlare con i membri del Tribunale. «Sono colpevole soltanto di voler fare il giornalista secondo coscienza, senza sottostare alla ferrea censura ufficiale. Il carcere è il ventre di una rivoluzione che ha preso il nome di socialista, usurpandone principi e ideologie», ha detto Castillo. Ma sono tanti i dissidenti che soffrono ingiuste detenzioni nelle carceri di Cuba. Héctor Palacios è un altro uomo indipendente condannato a passare venticinque anni in carcere per reati di opinione. Fidel Castro non lo fa uscire di galera neppure per motivi di salute, nemmeno fosse un pericoloso criminale. Al regime non interessa se ha sessantaquattro anni e se la sua salute è cagionevole, pare che un giornalista indipendente rappresenti un grande pericolo per la stabilità della Rivoluzione. Le Biblioteche Indipendenti, che nascono a Cuba a rischio e pericolo dei loro fondatori, sono un altro fulcro della dissidenza che il regime vuole distruggere e che per certi commentatori italiani non esistono. Le Biblioteche Indipendenti non sono finanziate dalla Cia, ma dalla voglia di far conoscere tante verità ai cittadini cubani. Marta Beatriz Roque è una cubana coraggiosa che sta lavorando per creare un fronte democratico che si contrappone al governo, ma ogni giorno rischia la galera per reati di opinione. Oscar Mario Gonzales è un altro giornalista indipendente incarcerato per rappresaglia da parte delle autorità politiche cubane. Ha scritto una lettera alla moglie dove racconta che vive in mezzo all’umidità, alle zanzare, alle mosche e in un luogo insalubre e sporco. Tutte cose che per fortuna Amnesty Internacional denuncia e non vediamo cosa ci sia da scandalizzarsi se Cuba è in prima fila tra i paesi dove esistono violazioni ai diritti umani e alla libera espressione del pensiero. Minà si meraviglia di questa grande attenzione che viene dedicata a Cuba da chi è deputato a valutare le violazioni ai principi fondamentali della Carta dei diritti umani. Noi no, perché non abbiamo nessun interesse da difendere, se non quello di raccontare la verità di un paese che conosciamo bene, dove la parola libertà è solo un’utopia. Tutto questo non vuol certo dire che non esistono problemi simili negli Stati Uniti, nel Nicaragua, nel Brasile, in qualsiasi altro Stato del mondo. Ma stavamo parlando di Cuba, mi pare. Un paese che ha fatto una Rivoluzione per ottenere giustizia sociale, umanesimo e attenzione ai problemi del cittadino. Ho l’impressione che i primi ad aver capito come sarebbero finite le cose furono proprio Huber Matos e Carlos Franqui, rivoluzionari della Sierra Maestra che adesso sono in esilio e lanciano strali contro Fidel Castro. Huber Matos si fece anche diciotto anni di galera per aver tentato di dimettersi e di abbandonare una Rivoluzione che non condivideva più per la pericolosa deriva autoritaria che stava prendendo. Per non parlare di Montaner che dalle colonne de El Pais, insieme a Raul Rivero, raccontano tutte le nefandezze della Cuba castrista. Ecco, secondo me sarebbe opportuno che la stampa e la televisione italiana dessero ascolto anche a queste voci e non facessero parlare soltanto il portavoce di Fidel Castro in Italia, che pare accecato di fronte a tanta amicizia con il dittatore. Gordiano Lupi

TELLUS folio

Babalu Blog: Finally, (ladies in White receive Sacharov prize)

Finally

The Ladies in White finally oficially receive their Sakharov prize recognition, but dont look for this item in the Mainstream Media.

Via Cubanet:

Ladies in White receive Sakharov Peace Prize seals

HAVANA, February 22 (Shelyn Rojas / www.cubanet.org) - Members of the dissident Ladies in White, who protest the imprisonment of husbands and other relatives, received Sakharov peace prize seals last weekend.

The Ladies in White were co-winners of the 2005 peace prize awarded by the European parliament, but were unable to attend as the Cuban government refused to give them exit visas.

After attending mass on Saturday at the Cathedral, the ladies went to the home of Laura Pollán, wife of imprisoned journalist Héctor Maseda Gutiérrez, where the seals were distributed.

There was also a literary tea in honor of a book written by Cuban-American singer Gloria Estefan, which was dedicated to the ladies.

Babalu Blog: Finally

OLA REPRESIVA / Comunicado de Jorge Olivera - CubaNet News - Noticias de Cuba / Cuba News

Comunicado de Jorge Olivera LA HABANA, Cuba - 22 de febrero (Jorge Olivera Castillo) - Como estaba previsto el martes 21 en horas de la mañana asistí a la convocatoria del Presidente del Tribunal Municipal de la Habana Vieja. Un juez de ejecución me comunicó la obligatoriedad de vincularme laboralmente en un centro decidido por la instancia judicial, donde sería chequeado por las instituciones partidistas, sindicales y por funcionarios del Tribunal. Además, a partir de ese momento se me hizo saber que no podía salir de los límites de Ciudad de La Habana sin una autorización del Tribunal, ni tampoco asistir a ningún evento, ni festejo de carácter público. Como parte del programa represivo, el funcionario me advirtió que me presentaría ante los "factores", eufemismo utilizado para calificar a los miembros de las Brigadas de Respuesta Rápida y demás dirigentes vinculados a organizaciones afines al gobierno, entre ellos los líderes de los Comités de Defensa de la Revolución, la Asociación de Combatientes de la Revolución Cubana, entre otras. De no acatar las disposiciones se practicaría la revocación de la Licencia Extrapenal por motivos de Salud otorgada, sin yo pedirla, el 6 de diciembre de 2004. Quiero acotar que desde el mes de febrero de 2005 espero por el permiso de salida de las autoridades de inmigración cubana para poder partir al exilio junto a mi familia. Desde el mes de octubre de 2002 tengo visa de entrada a Estados Unidos. Agradezco el apoyo brindado por la Unión Europea, que envío una representación al Tribunal mostrando su preocupación por esta nueva escalada. Representantes de Alemania, Gran Bretaña y Austria pudieron observar de primera mano una de las maneras de imponer el terror a un ciudadano sometido a la impunidad institucional por el hecho de disentir y ejercer el periodismo sin la férrea censura oficial. Es muy posible que tenga que regresar a la cárcel, porque continúo creyendo firmemente en la pluralidad inherente a una democracia plena. Por lo tanto, insisto en que lo que hago no constituye delito. Sólo escribo la realidad que la prensa oficial se niega a abordar. Por eso fui condenado en los sucesos de la Primavera de 2003 a 18 años de privación de libertad. Llamo a la comunidad internacional sobre esta nueva acción que evidencia la naturaleza de un gobierno que desconoce el respeto a la integridad y la dignidad del ser humano.

Esta información ha sido transmitida por teléfono, ya que el gobierno de Cuba controla el acceso a Internet. CubaNet no reclama exclusividad de sus colaboradores, y autoriza la reproducción de este material, siempre que se le reconozca como fuente.

OLA REPRESIVA / Comunicado de Jorge Olivera - CubaNet News - Noticias de Cuba / Cuba News

TWO NEW BRIGADES IN CUBA IN 2006

TWO NEW BRIGADES IN CUBA IN 2006 Thessaloniki, 22 February 2006 (17:45 UTC+2)
	Almost half a century after the Cuban Revolution, activists from around the world continue to flood in the “red island” to support the revolution of Castro, Guevara and his comrades offering volunteer work. They make up the so-called “Brigades”, the missions of volunteers comprising of young men and women who believe in building the “socialist Cuba” as envisioned by its leader Fidel Castro. The volunteer missions work both in Havana and rural areas in Cuba helping mainly with sugarcane harvest. The activists also work as field hands, help in painting schools or in the restoration of student dorms etc. They maintain that through this contribution they come closer to the people of Cuba sharing with them their experiences and becoming familiar with their customs and traditions. Brigades come to Cuba from many countries and Greece is one of them. In May and July young people from Greece will participate in two European missions and are scheduled to stay and work in special campsites in Cuba for three weeks. They will also have the opportunity to attend political debates, come into contact with movements and organizations, and participate in cultural activities and social work. Cuba supports the work of the brigades, told to ANA-MPA Cuban ambassador to Athens Hermes Herrera who pointed out that the Cuban Institute of Friendship Among the Peoples (Instituto Cubano de Amistad con des Pueblos) coordinates activities at global level while the Greek-Cuban Associations in Thessaloniki and Athens are responsible for the volunteer work coming from Greece. The brigades have an open agenda. Their content is political, cultural, ecological and will always be characterized by volunteer work in different fields, he stressed. Asked to comment on the likelihood of a visit by Cuban President Fidel Castro to Greece, after the invitation extended to him to visit the monastic community of Mount Athos, Mr. Herrera responded that it is hard to say because he does not travel often. He said that he can confirm that the Cuban President has been invited and that he would like to come close to the Greek reality.

TWO NEW BRIGADES IN CUBA IN 2006

Killkastro: VIDEO-FOX: Broken Bridge 15

Broken Bridge 15

Charlie Bravo Feb 23, 2006 - Show original item

Sean Hannity brings a compelling video of the Seven Miles Bridge 15 to the living rooms of America.
Thanks Ziva!

Broken Bridge 15: "Sean Hannity brings a compelling video of the Seven Miles Bridge 15 to the living rooms of America.
Thanks Ziva!"

KillCastro - A war blog: tinkering's verbotten!

tinkering's verbotten!

Charlie Bravo Feb 22, 2006 - Show original item
I took some time to confirm the banning of certain publications in Cuba. There are a few which one reader is not very likely to find anywhere, like those rosy glossies about celebrities, and a few dealing with subjects as alien to politics like cooking, fitness, science, hobbies, and of course, comics.
The most incredible banning, comes across as something expected, nonetheless.
Popular Mechanics is the most hatred magazine, according to the government of kasstro.
I recall when I was young that Popular Mechanics was on the top slot of preferred pre-commiedom magazines, alongside the Selections of the Readers' Digest, and all the fashion magazines published in pre-kastro times.
Popular Mechanics banned?
Of course guys! kasstro doesn't want you to learn how to build unidentified floating objets to escape his kingdom of doom, and much less how to build radios, compasses, communication devices like satellite receivers, how to build a computer at home, how to build a marine radio or anything like that... He's probably afraid that some ingenious Cuban could build a sniper rifle to wipe him off the face of Earth. They don't want Cubans to get acquaintance with American technology or to learn that the American military is not a bunch of aficionados.
Historically, entire populations have been controlled through ignorance.
This is a classical case of control through misinformation, omission of information, and deviation fron the truth. Typical kasstro, no surprises here.



KillCastro - A war blog: tinkering's verbotten!

The Real Cuba: Is this free education?

Is this free education?

On April 4, 1961 the Cuban dictator created the "Unión de Pioneros de Cuba" (Union of Pioneers of Cuba).

Almost all Cuban children, including Elian Gonzalez (above), have to become 'pioneros.' If you don't want

your child to be a pionero his chances of getting an education in Castro's Cuba are almost non existent.

Pioneros have to participate in many extra-curicular activities, like marching in front of the US Interests

Section whenever the dictator wants, or any other activities being promoted by the Castro regime.

Pioneros are also asked to denounce any counterrevolutionary activity that they see at home, or at the

homes of their friends, to their teachers. Many Cuban parents went to jail because one of their children

notified authorities that their parents were talking about the government or doing anything at home that

was considered 'illegal.'

When the pioneros participate in a government march or any other government sponsored activity, they

are given a coupon like the one above. These coupons must be given to their teachers the following day

proving that you participated. If you don't turn in your coupon and don't have a very good excuse, the

teacher will make a notation on the "Expediente Acumulativo del Estudiante" (Student Accumulative

Dossier) that each Cuban student carries from kindergarten until he graduates from high school.

The information contained in that dossier would determine if the student is later allowed to enter a college

or university. In addition to information about the student participation in all political activities, the dossier

also has information about his family including whether his parents are 'integrated' or not.

Would you consider that 'free education'? I am sure that you would not want your children to become a robot

at the order of a maniac dictator in order for him to be able to study a career.

But many foreigners who go to Cuba and are ignorant of the facts, return to their countries praising the

'excellent free education' offered by the Castro regime to all Cuban children.

For more information on this subject click here

The Real Cuba

BlogforCuba: castro is Evil

castro is Evil

When's the last time you heard these words spoken on national television?

castro's evil regime

castro's brutal dictatorship

castro's communist dictatorship is worse than prison

Cubans are starving and have nothing

Tuesday night Fox's Hannity & Colmes aired three segments that tell the truth about castro for the whole world to hear. No useful idiots sticking up for the rat bastard dictator, no lefty traitors talking about the damned "healthcare" or the "universal education". Just the truth, with everyday Cuban-American's treated with respect, no mention of Miami mafia, or any of the usual denigrating verbal tricks the MSM uses to marginalize the community. The millions of viewers who watched the show last night heard for themselves just how bad castro is. They heard about the pain of separated families and the devastating consequences of the wet foot dry foot policy.

Via Val at Babalublog, watch the videos here at Fox News.

The three segments are titled "Attorney Speaks Out", "Broken Bridge 15", and "Broken Bridge 15 Debate". Take tissue, lots of it.

My Weblog: castro is Evil

Babalu Blog: Flagler's Bridge

Flagler's Bridge (Updated)

There is a street here in Miami that bisects the city from one end to the other. It was Miami's first Main street and is named, appropriately so, after Henry Flagler who is known as the real founder of the City of Miami. It was also Mr. Flagler who spent an unprecedented millions of dollars at the turn of the century to connect mainland South Florida to the group of islands known as the Keys with a railroad. Years of planning went into it, thousands of men toiled and many adversities were lived through to make Flagler's bridge dream come true.

In 1935, years after Henry Flagler's death and after millions of passengers had traveled between Miami and the lower keys via Flagler's railroad bridge system, major parts of the bridge were destroyed by a hurricane. After much consideration, Henry Flagler's railroad bridge was rebuilt by the government as a thoroughfare for vehicles. No train would ever make the 156 mile trip again.

Henry Flagler's seven mile bridge, a major part of original bridge system, reconstructed and used for decades as the primary and only land route between Florida's mainland and the Keys, now sits abandoned a mere 100 parallel yards or so from a newly built more modern thoroughfare.

It was Henry Flagler's Bridge that 15 Cuban refugees landed on after days at sea back in January. It was Henry's Flagler's bridge that the US Coast Guard deemed was not officially US land and consequently repatriated the refugees back to the island prison. Henry Flagler's Bridge. The same bridge built with American money and American muscle and American sweat and, even, with a cost of American lives. Henry Flagler's Bridge. By all accounts, a historical landmark. A triumph of the American entrepeneurial spirit, a testament to American know how, a product of the American work ethic.

Yet according to our government, it is not a part of America.

Last night, Hannity and Colmes highlighted the inhumane treatment of 15 souls fleeing tyranny and oppression. Family members of the 15 refugees were taken via boat to Henry Flagler's Bridge to the exact same spot where freedom became fleeting. Where the hope of 15 men and women and children was usurped over semantics.

My wife and I, our fiend Maribel and Julio Zangroniz sat in front of our living room tv last night completely transfixed. Awed almost, that a member of the MSM had finally done something to bring to light the inane absurdity of the wet-foot/dry-foot policy. Tears flowed as they most certainly will flow as you take in the following video reports from Hannity & Colmes via Fox News:

Watch the video of two Cuban family members here.

Watch the video of the attorney working to overturn the government;s ruling on the 15 here.

Watch an interview with Alina Fernandez, daughter of fidel castro here.

I truly hope this is the beginning of real coverage of one of the most un-American and inhumane policies to ever be implemented by a US government.

UPDATE: I have watched that first video a bunch of times today. When Guerrero speaks at the end and says that Cubans will keep trying to flee and then says "Some of us make it. Some of us never make. Some of us are never found." He actually pauses for a second and you can literally see the reality and the pain that he lives with daily just consume him. He then breaks down on camera, taking me along with him every time.

It is impossible to string words together to describe exactly what Guerrero is feeling at that precise moment in time. Those of you that have been separated from your families, those of you that have lost family fleeing the island, you know exactly what that feeling is.

Also: If you'd like to know more about the railroad that acccording to the US government is no longer part of the United States, I recommend "Last Train to Paradise - Henry Flagler and the Spectacular Rise and Fall of the Railroad that Crossed an Ocean" by Les Standiford - acclaimed author and my former creative writing profesor at Florida International University.

Posted by Val Prieto at February 22, 2006 07:47 AM | TrackBack

Babalu Blog: Flagler's Bridge (Updated)

Corrección y curiosidades ideológicas - CubaNet

Corrección y curiosidades ideológicas

Juan González Febles

LA HABANA, Cuba - Febrero (www.cubanet.org) - Uno de los rasgos más característicos de la vida en Cuba es el divorcio entre los intereses populares y los del estado-partido. Este desencuentro histórico es una de las principales singularidades del rejuego social cubano en las últimas cuatro décadas.

Pocos recuerdan que en los años 70, del siglo pasado, no estaba autorizado poner en el sistema de audio de las unidades de las Fuerzas Armadas y del Ministerio del Interior la música de Silvio Rodríguez y la de Pablo Milanés.

Por aquella misma época se prohibió radiar música de José Feliciano y de Julio Iglesias. Bueno es recordar que casi desde 1959 se eliminó la música en inglés. Desde el rock and roll hasta el jazz, pasando por el blue y hasta las baladas de Nat King Cole. Esto incluyó a los Beatles, los Rolling Stones y a todas las bandas de rock inglés y norteamericano en los sesenta y los setenta.

Todo esto, claro está, se sumaba a los artistas cubanos vetados por haberse marchado del país. Blanca Rosa Gil, Rolando Laserie, Orlando Vallejo, Orlando Contreras, la orquesta Fajardo y sus estrellas, Celia Cruz y un honrosísimo etcétera.

La corrección ideológica -corrección al fin- debió ser y efectivamente fue, punitiva y expedita. Cuando algo irritaba al "más alto nivel", simplemente desaparecía en un plazo inferior a las 24 horas de ser anatematizado. No importa si en público o en privado. Así de sencillo.

En esta cuerda, recordemos al fallecido "Pello el afrocán" y su ritmo "Mozambique". Pello disfrutó de una popularidad sin precedentes durante su momento en los 60. Tenía una orquesta en que predominaba la percusión cubana y los metales. Como elemento novedoso en su tiempo, incorporó a varias bailarinas a la orquesta. Estas también alcanzaron una amplia popularidad.

Un buen día, nadie sabe a ciencia cierta por qué, Pello desapareció de los escenarios y pequeñas pantallas, junto con su orquesta y sus bailarinas. No hubo información a la población, sólo rumores y especulaciones. El negro era demasiado popular.

Por aquella misma época causaban furor Los Zafiros. Se trataba de un cuarteto con la estructura y el timbre típico de agrupaciones de ese tipo, originarias de los Estados Unidos. Los Zafiros consiguieron una original síntesis de las influencias foráneas con el acervo popular autóctono y simplemente triunfaron.

Luego de algunas exitosas giras internacionales y alguna que otra declaración de alguno del grupo, con un carácter más o menos controversial, cayeron. Fue una caída dramática que implicó el aniquilamiento social e incluso físico de alguno de sus integrantes. El caso incluyó además un exilio y un regusto amargo que continúa flotando en el recuerdo de sus melodías.

Algunos actores e incluso actrices han sentido en carne propia el inmenso costo de la popularidad. Este fue el caso de Manolo Gómez, Salvador Blanco y Sergio Corrieri.

Allá por los 70, una telenovela cautivó al público. "Doña Bárbara", de Rómulo Gallegos fue adaptada para la pequeña pantalla. Los roles protagónicos fueron encomendados a la veterana Raquel Revueltas, como la Doña y a un galán poco conocido, Manolo Gómez, como Santos Luzardo.

Está de más decir que Gómez salió en un plazo muy breve de su anonimato. Con esta novela, bebió la miel de una indiscutida popularidad. Poco después lo perdió todo. En el caso intervino el finado ex ministro del Interior, José Abrantes Fernández. Dicen que se trató de un oscuro asunto de faldas.

Manolo Gómez acabó trabajando como peón caminero hasta que logró abandonar el país. Su lamentable experiencia, al igual que la película del sábado, tuvo sexo, lenguaje de adultos y escenas de violencia.

Otro ejemplo de lo mismo, lo tuvimos en Salvador Blanco. Salvador conoció el laurel del favor popular allá por los 80. Integró un equipo de jóvenes actores, encargados de la animación de un programa de participación con un alto rating. Para Bailar fue el programa que lo consagró.

Según declaró años más tarde desde su exilio en Miami, tuvo un pequeño altercado. Blanco hizo un mal cálculo sobre el peso del favor popular que disfrutaba. Afirmó en el lugar, momento y en presencia de quien no debía, ser tan popular como la primer figura política del país. Esto le costó su exitosa carrera y una temporada en prisión. ¡Cosas de mi país!

Sergio Corrieri alcanzó su climax a finales de los 70. Una serie dirigida a promover la imagen de la policía de Seguridad, le lanzó a la más delirante popularidad. Era el mimado de todas las damas. El macho por antonomasia. Interpretó a "David" el paradigma del seguroso.

Las cuatro partes de la serie "En silencio ha tenido que ser" le promovieron y a la vez promovieron al Ministerio del Interior y su Seguridad del Estado. Cuando el actor disfrutaba de esta inusual popularidad, fue "promovido". Salió de la escena hacia la burocracia. No actuó más y se convirtió en funcionario. Tuvo suerte, dirán algunos. Hoy es otro anciano atado a su rutina y temeroso de su futuro.

En Cuba, desde siempre fue tabú ser antipático o pesado como solemos decir por acá. Desde 1959, se incorporó -como riesgo adicional- ser demasiado popular.

Este trabajo no pretende explicar las razones de las muchas sinrazones. Eso le corresponde a los explicadores y justificadores oficiales. Sólo hacemos una pequeña relación de algunos de los objetos de corrección ideológica más significativos.

Ser demasiado popular trajo -y aín trae- aciagas consecuencias. Desde Dios -fue muy popular- hasta el último oricha. Desde las melenas hasta la minifalda. Todo les molestó y les molesta, en mayor o menor proporción. Que lo digan Jorgito Martínez y Gloria Torres, Pedro Luis Ferrer o el rockero Gorki. No cambian ni lo harán nunca. De esto, doy fe.

SOCIEDAD / Corrección y curiosidades ideológicas - CubaNet News - Noticias de Cuba / Cuba News

Los derechos se ejercen pese a todo y por sobre todo: Oscar Mario González - CubaNet

"Los derechos se ejercen pese a todo y por sobre todo": Oscar Mario González LA HABANA, Cuba - 21 de febrero (Roberto Santana Rodríguez / www.cubanet.org) - "Yo no era ajeno al inminente peligro que se cernía sobre mí, y esperaba cualquier represalia por parte de las autoridades policíacas de mi país. Así me lo había hecho saber la Seguridad del Estado cuando en múltiples ocasiones me habían conminado a abandonar el periodismo independiente", señala el periodista independiente Oscar Mario González, en carta a su esposa, Mirtha Wong. Oscar Mario González es miembro del Grupo de Trabajo Decoro. Fue detenido el 22 de julio de 2005 mientras compraba pan en un establecimiento del municipio Playa, donde reside. Se encuentra en limbo penal, pues no se le han formulado cargos ni se le ha celebrado juicio. Se ha distinguido en sus años de trabajo en la prensa independiente cubana por escribir interesantes crónicas que reflejan la realidad de lo que sucede a diario en Cuba. A continuación el texto íntegro de la carta: "Lunes, 6 de febrero de 2006 "Prisión 1580, La Habana "Vida mía: "Parece que ha pasado mucho tiempo desde que se inició esta larga ausencia que ya sobrepasa los seis meses. Entonces ninguno de los dos pensábamos que pudiera ser tan angustiosa y prolongada. El tiempo tiene una enorme relatividad cuando pasa en la subjetividad humana; y así, veinte años pueden no ser nada mientras que seis meses nos pueden resultar largos y agobiantes. "Yo no era ajeno al inminente peligro que se cernía sobre mí, y esperaba cualquier represalia por parte de las autoridades policíacas de mi país. Así me lo había hecho saber la Seguridad del Estado cuando en múltiples ocasiones me habían conminado a abandonar el periodismo independiente. "Yo, en cambio, persistía en mis propósitos, tal y como lo han venido haciendo mis colegas periodistas durante largos años, haciendo propio aquello de que los derechos se ejercen pese a todo y por sobre todo. "Mas nunca pensé que la crueldad del régimen se ensañara de tal modo en mi persona como para confinarme en los principales calabozos de la capital del país durante 180 días; sumiéndome con ello en el terrible mundo de las mazmorras inhóspitas, saturadas de humedad y en medio de letrinas desbordadas donde se incuban moscas y cucarachas. Porque la prisión donde ahora me encuentro tiene la precaria ventaja de algún movimiento corporal, permitiendo además ver el sol y contemplar con todos sus tonos de azul. "El calabozo, sin embargo encadena el cuerpo como preludio de un estrangulamiento espiritual que quiebra la voluntad y anula las esperanzas hasta convertir al hombre en un objeto inanimado. Por todo ello y por otras mil razones, tan ciertas como inefables, no pensé que el régimen pudiera confinarme en las fétidas mazmorras durante seis meses, teniendo en cuenta mi edad y mi frágil salud. Pero lo hizo, convenciéndome una vez más de que en lo tocante a crueldad el totalitarismo sobrepasa toda expectativa y todo pronóstico. "Pero aún en los peores momentos, desde lo profundo y oscuro de la celda; cuando la noche parecía eternizarse y en los escasos minutos de la visita semanal, siempre conté con tu presencia. Tu figura ocultaba la acritud de una existencia calamitosa y al contemplarte se disipaba mi angustia. "Entonces supe del valor del tiempo. Conocí de su fugacidad y de lo inútil que resulta para el hombre retenerlo o retardarlo cuando se erige en portador de dicha y felicidad. Frente a ti se extinguían las cadenas del sufrimiento y parecía como si el solo goce de tu encuentro justificara la agonía del cautiverio. "Nunca me faltó la luz de tu mirada como faro conductor de puerto seguro; siempre me sentí cobijado bajo el cielo amoroso de tus ojos. Tu amor, la convicción de mi inocencia, la bondad de mis ideas y el decisivo favor de Dios hicieron inútiles las intenciones evidentes de doblegarme y reducirme a un adefesio desprovisto de voluntad. Los adversarios no pudieron danzar jubilosos sobre mis despojos. En ello tuvo que ver tu perseverancia y tu resolución. "Hoy la realidad que envuelve mi existencia tiene un acento menos dramático. Mis nuevos carceleros son tan déspotas como los de siempre, las rejas que me atan tienen igual rigidez e indiferencia. Convivo con los mismos microbios e insectos como inseparables compañeros en este triste bregar. Pero hoy el espacio en que me muevo no se reduce a dos metros cuadrados de una celda y sobre mi cuerpo bate la brisa mañanera y resplandece el brillo dorado de los crepúsculos. Ello ensancha el aroma de tu recuerdo potenciado en cada uno de nuestros breves encuentros. Tu imagen permanece en mí sin necesidad de evocación. Como fragancia de esas flores del campo en cuya humildad y sencillez se esconde el secreto de la dicha. "No sé cuándo volveremos a estar juntos, pero ninguna separación hará menos real tu presencia en mi espíritu. Algún día nos encontraremos con la mutua alegría ensanchada por esta triste ausencia. Mientras tanto sigamos queriéndonos con la añoranza de la distancia, que Dios siempre tiene reservado un lugar especial en su corazón para los seres que se aman de verdad. "Tuyo por siempre: Mario".

Esta información ha sido transmitida por teléfono, ya que el gobierno de Cuba controla el acceso a Internet. CubaNet no reclama exclusividad de sus colaboradores, y autoriza la reproducción de este material, siempre que se le reconozca como fuente.

DESDE LA CARCEL / "Los derechos se ejercen pese a todo y por sobre todo": Oscar Mario González - CubaNet News - Noticias de Cuba / Cuba News

Publius Pundit - MARTHA BEATRIZ ROQUE IS PRISONER IN HER OWN HOME

MARTHA BEATRIZ ROQUE IS PRISONER IN HER OWN HOME

The prominent Cuban dissident Martha Beatriz Roque, leader of the Assembly to Promote the Civil Society, is harassed by Castroite mobs led by the State Security on a daily basis. She was released from prison back in 2004 for health problems, yet since months she is again a prisoner; the only difference is that now she’s prisoner at her own house!

Agents of the Castroite terrorist police and mobs are denying her to leave the house and if she does, they’ll kill her.

As she spoke at Radio Martì from her house in Santo Suarez neighborhood, Havana, a big ‘repudiation act’ was taking place against her and one of the fascists had a rottweiler threatening to incite this dog against Martha.

This Cuban Patriot is held prisoner at her own house and that is not at all different than being in jail at the Manto Negro prison (where she was kept when she was arrested).

Publius Pundit - Blogging the democratic revolution

Cubanology, Debunking the Che Myth

"Debunking the Che Myth"

By Claudia Fanelli 2/19/2006

Che Guevara, I shudder when I hear his name. I am repulsed when I see a shirt with his face on it. And when I hear that Hollywood is making yet ANOTHER movie about him, well, I get downright nauseous. I just cannot get my mind around why so many people, especially Americans, have chosen to believe that this coward is a hero when in fact he was a mass murderer, a poor excuse for a warrior and a lousy businessman. Recently, however, it has occurred to me that the majority of the people who sport these t-shirts don’t have a clue about who Guevara was. Those who think they do know have bought into the myth of a man who fought for his beliefs, wanted to help the poor and died trying to bring justice to the less fortunate. I consider it my duty to enlighten the ignorant and debunk these myths.

I admit, Ché is popular. He was a murderer and a thug, but I can’t deny his popularity. Ché is cool, he’s hip, he’s trendy to the shirt-wearers. But they are clueless. As a high school teacher, I see kids wearing shirts emblazoned with Ché’s image all the time. His image is being mass-marketed all over the country. (Ironic that a man allegedly so opposed to capitalism has become one of retail’s most popular sellers.) One student I saw wearing a shirt actually does know who Guevara was and loves what he represents, at least, what the Hollywood version is. When I asked the student if he would likewise don a Hitler shirt, he looked at me as if I had two heads. “They’re both mass-murderers,” I explained. The teen waved me off as if to say “Lady, you don’t know what you’re talking about.”
(continua)
http://cubanology.com/Articles/debunking_che.htm

El Nuevo Herald - Ex espía cubano pone a México en demanda

Ex espía cubano pone a México en demanda

WILFREDO CANCIO ISLA

El Nuevo Herald

Acaba de cumplir una sanción penal de cinco años en Cuba tras ser arrestado y expulsado de México, adonde había llegado con documentación falsa para pedir refugio político.

Mientras aguardaba por el juicio, permaneció por 126 días con trato de aislamiento en una celda tapiada de Villa Marista, la sede de la Seguridad del Estado cubana, sometido a torturas sicológicas. Luego pasó un año confinado en el área especial de la prisión de Guanajay, justamente en el mismo espacio donde en 1991 había fallecido en extrañas circunstancias su anterior jefe, el ex ministro del Interior José Abrantes Fernández.

Vive con una libertad prestada, amenzado por la policía política y vigilado de forma constante con propósitos de intimidación. Los tentáculos del hostigamiento han llegado hasta su esposa, Loyda Castilla, quien arbitrariamente fue separada de su empleo el pasado septiembre, lo que dejó a la pareja sin fuentes de ingreso.

Pero Pedro Aníbal Riera Escalante, el polémico ex cónsul cubano en México, oficial retirado tras 25 años de servicio en la inteligencia castrista, está decidido a no callarse.

''No sé si alguna vez podré salir de este país, pero creo que la razón principal por la que estoy vivo y libre es por la atención que la prensa y las organizaciones de derechos humanos dieron a mi caso'', comentó Riera, de 54 años, durante una larga entrevista telefónica desde La Habana. ``Mis declaraciones pueden irritar al gobierno, pero también sirven para protegerme''.

Riera tiene escritas y ''a buen resguardo'' las dos terceras partes de un libro testimonial, contando sus experiencias como oficial de operaciones antiCIA en México y luego como paria del régimen que ayudó a cimentar en el poder. Y ha presentado una demanda contra el gobierno de México ante la Comisión Interamericana de Derechos Humanos (CIDH) de la Organización de Estados Americanos (OEA), la cual fue radicada para consideración el pasado 17 de enero.

La demanda culpa a las autoridades mexicanas por el secuestro en plena vía pública y la devolución forzosa de Riera a La Habana, el 4 de octubre del 2000, en violación de las garantías establecidas por los tratados y convenciones internacionales.

El documento identifica como responsables de los hechos denunciados al entonces presidente Ernesto Zedillo, la ex canciller Rosario Green y el ex subsecretario de Relaciones Exteriores, Héctor Mario Icaza, así como a otros altos funcionarios de México.

''Fue una extradición ilegal, pues a ningún ciudadano que solicite asilo se le puede enviar al país de donde huye'', reflexionó Riera. ``Fue una operación premeditada y palabreada entre los dos gobiernos para castigarme por motivos políticos, y todo se coordinó entre la Seguridad cubana y los agentes del CISEN [servicios de inteligencia mexicanos]''.

Riera se había desempeñado como cónsul general en México entre 1986 y 1991, pero su entrada a ese país en 1999 se produjo con documentación falsa ante la negativa de las autoridades cubanas a otorgarle un permiso para emigrar.

''México sirvió de instrumento al gobierno de Cuba y puso en riesgo mi vida, pues podía ser juzgado en Cuba por espionaje y recibir la pena de muerte'', recordó.

La acción legal se interpone contra México por ser miembro de la CIDH, cuya secretaría ejecutiva cuenta con 25 abogados y siete comisionados. Puede tomar hasta cuatro meses la decisión si la demanda tomará curso o será rechazada.

Mientras, Riera pretende que algún bufete internacional se sensibilice con su caso y lo respalde a partir de ahora, cuando necesitará mayor asesoramiento legal para hacer efectivo el procedimiento.

''El hecho de que yo presente esta demanda contra México no implica eludir, en ningún modo, las violaciones que se cometieron y cometen conmigo en Cuba'', enfatizó.

Los años del fulgor combatiente

El destino de Riera parecía fijado desde sus años juveniles. Sobrino de Aníbal y César Escalante, patriarcas del Partido Socialista Popular (PSP) -- antiguo partido comunista -- y primo del general Fabián Escalante Font, ex viceministro del Ministerio del Interior, Riera fue captado para servir al aparato de inteligencia cubana en 1969, cuando aún no había concluido el preuniversitario. Tenía entonces 18 años.

Se graduó de Ciencias Políticas en 1975 y fue escalando niveles en la Dirección General de Inteligencia (DGI) hasta alcanzar el grado de mayor.

Enviado especialmente a México para vigilar y penetrar operaciones de la Agencia Central de Inteligencia (CIA) en Centroamérica, sus contactos en la política y la vida mexicanas resultaron muy efectivos.

''Esta fue una causa esencial que determinó la colaboración de México con Cuba para repatriarme'', reconoció. ``Tenía mucha información de políticos mexicanos de alto rango que han colaborado con el régimen cubano y esto podía ser embarazoso para gente que detenta hoy posiciones clave''.

Riera admite que mucha de esta información no podrá escribirla ni publicarla estando en Cuba, por ``su alto grado de explosividad''.

Pero su estrella comenzó a declinar en 1992, a raíz de que se le señalara haber violado las órdenes internas del MININT por aceptar ayuda de ''desafectos a la revolución'' para el tratamiento médico de su esposa Martha Bosch Bermúdez, enferma de leucemia. Bosh murió en Cuba y, un año después, Riera fue licenciado como oficial por motivos políticos y separado de las filas del Partido Comunista (PCC).

Entonces comenzó la odisea de Riera. Trató de insertarse en el mundo de los negocios, respaldado por sus antiguos contactos en México, pero todos sus esfuerzos fueron congelados, desautorizados o suspendidos por el gobierno cubano.

Por esos días conoció en Cuba al ciudadano suizo Olinto Moro, un estafador internacional circulado por la Interpol, quien trataba de hacer negocios con firmas cubanas y ofrecía información a la Seguridad del Estado.

Desesperado por escapar

Cerradas todas las puertas de subsistencia, Riera optó por casarse con una amiga de su ''etapa diplomática'', la ciudadana mexicana María del Socorro Yánez, el 12 de diciembre de 1997. Riera obtiene una visa para emigrar, pero transcurre todo el 1998 sin que las autoridades cubanas le otorguen el permiso de salida.

Desesperado, en julio de 1999 adquiere un pasaporte mexicano falso bajo el nombre de Pedro Morales Estrada. Soborna con $2,000 a un funcionario de inmigración para que registre ''su entrada'' en la computadora del aeropuerto y consigue así salir rumbo a Cancún el 23 de octubre.

Pero su subrepticia presencia en México empieza a ser controlada y Riera decide abandonar la casa y pasar ''a la clandestinidad'' en México. El 21 de diciembre del 1999 contacta al primer secretario de la Embajada de Estados Unidos, Barry Thien, y pide asilo a las autoridades estadounidenses.

La espera se prolonga demasiado y Riera ve la posibilidad de pedir refugio en México el 7 de septiembre.

Un mes después de sostener varios contactos con funcionarios mexicanos, seis individuos sin identificarse lo interceptan a la salida del restaurante Sanborns, en el centro de la capital, lo obligan a subir a una camioneta y lo conducen a una estación migratoria.

En menos de 24 horas sería llevado a Cuba.

El Nuevo Herald | 02/19/2006 | Ex espía cubano pone a México en demanda