Cuban Defector Warns of 'Social Explosion', Blames Communism, Castro

Washington Post ^ | 8-13-02 | George Gedda

[ovrtaxt]

A former Cuban ambassador to the United Nations who recently defected said yesterday that widespread economic problems on the island could produce an uprising against President Fidel Castro and his system.

Alcibiades Hidalgo, who arrived in South Florida on July 29, said many aspects of daily life in Cuba could produce a "social explosion" at any time.

"There is lot of concern among the elite that this could occur," said Hidalgo, who also served as chief of staff to Defense Minister Raul Castro, brother of the Cuban leader.

[ovrtaxt]

Now read these recent post titles and excerpts:

Arizona Congressman Jeff Flake stood on the House Floor and said "Our government should not tell us where we can and cannot travel. It is a fundamental right of every American to travel. Every one of us ought to have the right to go to Cuba …" The House of Representatives voted in agreement.

Armey says U.S. should lift embargo against Cuba

In a vivid sign of waning support for the economic embargo on Cuba, House Majority Leader Dick Armey (R-Texas) said he believes that the United States should open trade with the Communist regime

Cuba Travel AdvisoryCastro beckons tourists, even as he tortures a blind, Christian human rights activist.

[ovrtaxt]

They're about to fall. If we open up to them now, what the hell have we been doing for the past forty years? Flush the scum first, THEN build casinos!

[goldstategop]

Yup. At the point the embargo is finally beginning to make itself felt, we are advised to give it up. The truth of the matter is Fidel knows it hurts bad. Otherwise he wouldn't have tried the stunt earlier this summer of enshrining Communism into the island's Constitution. I have a feeling that Cuba has taken as much as it can take after four decades of Communism. You just never know but at some point this year despite the regime's best efforts, it could be histoire.

[Oldeconomybuyer]

Cuban defector says economic problems could produce social explosion
Associated Press ^ | 8-12-02 | GEORGE GEDDA

Posted on 08/12/2002 5:14 PM Central

[ovrtaxt]

I hope so. I would love to invest in a free Cuba. What a beautiful land.

[ovrtaxt]

Oops, Sorry. I searched for it, but it didn't come up.

[piasa]

That's OK, I missed it and wanted to read about this guy.

[Wonder Warthog]

"One element of the unrest is what he called "skyrocketing unemployment across the country." Food is scarce, and many Cubans must get by on one meal a day, he said."

Ah, yes--just another communist/socialist paradise.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

U.S. congressmen say increased investment in Cuba unlikely in short term*** "As a member of Congress and a businessman I recognize that it is going to be difficult to see, in the short term, significant flows of investment capital into Cuba," Representative Cal Dooley, a Democrat from California, told a news conference. "But it is important that we move forward with policies that create a political and regulatory environment that is more conducive to foreign investment in Cuba." Dooley did not elaborate on the changes that Cuba would have to make.

But his comments came after reporters asked him about recent complaints from the European Union - which represents 50 percent of the island's business - about the government's cumbersome bureaucracy, security problems and high costs. Dooley also noted that there was not sufficient political support in the United States to lift sanctions the government placed on Cuba more than 40 years ago.

On July 23, the House of Representatives passed a series of measures that would lift restrictions on U.S. travel to Cuba and on the amount of money Cuban Americans can send back to relatives each year, as well as allowing the financing of agricultural products bought from the United States. But President George W. Bush has threatened to veto the bill if it passes the Senate, saying that any significant changes in U.S. policy toward the island hinged on the Cuban government making democratic reforms.

"Unfortunately, I don't think we have developed the political support in the House, in the Senate, that will prevent President Bush from vetoing those measures this year," Dooley said. "We have confidence that, in the next few years, we will continue to develop support in Congress for a policy." ***

[Oldeconomybuyer]

I first searched "Cuba" and found nothing, however "Cuban" worked. Go figure?

[ovrtaxt]

Castro sends a spy to Miami to see how the capitalist experiment is going. Upon his arrival he goes to a swanky hotel in Coconut Grove. The waiter brings him the menu and he looks it over.

After a while, the waiter returns. The spy asks, "Do you have any shriveled up, grub infested potatoes?" The waiter, aghast, says no.

"How about some tough, dry Russian beef?" Of course not, the waiter replies.

Annoyed, the spy says, "Well, what do you have?" The waiter goes through the list of daily specials: lobster, prime rib, sea scallops, the list goes on...

Finally, the Cuban spy gets up, throws down his napkin and laughs, "Oh, you Americans are so backwards! We were eating that kind of food forty years ago in Cuba!!"

[ovrtaxt]

I first searched "Cuba" and found nothing, however "Cuban" worked. Go figure?

When I think of 'Cuban' (Being from Tampa) I think of cuban sandwich. Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Castro Turns 76, Set to Outlast U.S. Sanctions - Won't Tolerate "Gorbachevs" - I believe that should read "Reagans, Thatchers or Popes."

[PGalt]

Cubans - 90 miles from FREEDOM...so close yet so far!

[bimbo]

Those calling for lifting the embargo are those who probably already have their “investments in Cuba” already lined up. With the expected infusion of $$$, both federal and private, there should be easy pickings for the insiders.

[InvisibleChurch]

Cubans dispose of worn-out leader.

[Blood of Tyrants]

It is amazing (stunning?) to watch the communists/socialists in this country react while one country after another abandons the communist/socialist system as a complete failure. They actually believe that they will be able to maintain their current standard of living while depending on the government for everything.

[Luis Gonzalez]

The socialists within our system are desperately looking for a way to prop up the fading dictator before his houes of cards falls apart.

We have to stand behind the president on this one.

[1Old Pro]

Let Castro rot in the stench he created. I hope the Cuban people have the courage to speak in unity opposing Castro who brought only pain and suffering with his revolution.

[hedgetrimmer]

Congressman Sam Farr stated in a meeting on Cuba last week that he would like to bring Cuban military personnel to the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey to "learn how not to overthrow your government". Those are his exact words.

Obviously Mr. Farr knew of this a week ago and is worried that his communist model for OUR society was going to get tarnished. So using his powers as a representative of the only democratic republic in the world, he wants to prop up a communists despot. If Castro is overthrown, Santa Cruz won't be able to finish their bid for a sister city down there!!!