No giving in to dissident 'blackmail': Cuba

[Judi Lynn]

No giving in to dissident 'blackmail': Cuba
April 05 2010 at 08:29AM Get IOL on your
By Jeff Franks

Cuban President Raul Castro rejected US and European pressure over political prisoners on Sunday and said Guillermo Farinas, on a hunger strike for 40 days, and his supporters would be responsible if the prominent Cuban dissident dies.

Castro's comments - his most extensive yet on recent dissident activities on the island - signalled that Cuban authorities will not budge politically to prevent the death of Farinas, who they view as an instrument of US and European efforts to topple Cuba's communist system.

"Everything possible is being done to save his life, but if he does not change his self-destructive attitude, he will be responsible, together with his backers, for the outcome we don't want," Castro said in a speech to a Union of Communist Youth convention.

"More than a half century of permanent combat has taught our people that vacillation is synonymous with defeat," he said.

"We will never give in to blackmail, by any country or any group of countries no matter how powerful they are, no matter what happens," Castro added.

More:
http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=3&art_id=nw20100405065744862C660152

[flamingdem]

1. I find myself agreeing fully with Raul on this, they cannot placate the interests

lined up against them even if they would like to prevent Farinas death.

There are other ways to make change.

Give me a break with the hyperventilating because a little change from the USA - the lifting of travel restrictions - would create good will and subsequent change in Cuba.

I am disgusted with the latest US policy vibes towards Cuba ... and especially the cozy fundraiser for Obama with the Estefans in Miami.

I support Obama but he has Cuba so wrong, but it's not that critical so they toss it around like a football....

It's dirty money in my opinion. Maybe Posada Carilles will show up at the fundraiser.

[protocol rv]

2. There are other ways to make change

So what ways are there? The won't allow a free media, they don't have real elections (what they have is a sham), they jail Cubans who propose changing the system, and they aren't signaling any real changes whatsoever even though it's evident the people expect it.

The argument about "giving in to the Europeans and Yankees" is bogus. It's the same coverup they've always used to avoid giving in to the will of the Cuban people, who evidently want change.

Remember, this is a government which has been designated a human rights violator by Human Rights Watch, the Interamerican Human Rights Commission, and the UN's Secretary general. What else do you want to hear before you stop the unethical support for such a regime?

[flamingdem]

3. I agree with Mika Protocol knows nada about Cuba other than Right Wing talking points, snore nt