On Recent Changes in Cuban Gov't. Including a Fidel Reflection

[magbana]

The note below in English is from Isacc Saney. It is followed by Fidel's reflection on the changes in the gov't. -- it's in Spanish and will try to get the english version soon.
magbana


Salutations,

There has been much speculation about the recent changes in ministerial structure and re-assignment of people within the Cuban government. Most of the monopoly media coverage is characterized by utter incoherence and distortion in their reporting.

Raul Castro stated in February 2008 and again in December 2008 that ministry changes and adjustments of state structures were one of the first priorities he was taking up, especially as Cuba faces very serious challenges. A more effective and efficient state architecture is required. A central theme of previous speeches and decisions is the issue to make sure organization is on par with the political(and economic) requirements of the national and international situation: improving the Cuban system is what is at the heart of the matter. This is necessary despite the many illusions about a kinder and gentler U.S. empire.

In the reflection posted below, Fidel Castro deals with this notion that it is "Raul's people" replacing "Fidel's people." He emphasizes: 1. He was consulted on these changes (even though he did not have to be); 2. None of the people who have been replaced were appointed or proposed by him;. 3. The two names that are most mentioned as being affected by these changes were replaced because they were seduced by "the honey of power," which "awoke in them ambitions that resulted in dubious actions."

At the end of the day, it is Cuba's decision - and Cuba's decision alone - on how their government is organized and how they implement what has been proposed in the existing organs of popular consultation. This is only the most basic element of the right of self-determination and national sovereignty.

best regards,
Isaac
_______________________________________________________________________________

Reflexiones del compañero Fidel: CAMBIOS SANOS EN EL CONSEJO DE MINISTROS

2009-03-03

Con motivo de los cambios en el seno del Ejecutivo, algunas agencias cablegráficas se rasgan las vestiduras.

Varias de ellas hablan o se hacen eco de rumores "populares" sobre la sustitución de los "hombres de Fidel" por los "hombres de Raúl".

La mayoría de los que fueron reemplazados nunca los propuse yo. Casi sin excepción llegaron a sus cargos propuestos por otros compañeros de la dirección del Partido o del Estado. No me dediqué nunca a ese oficio.

Jamás subestimé la inteligencia humana, ni la vanidad de los hombres.

Los nuevos ministros que acaban de nombrarse fueron consultados conmigo, a pesar de que ninguna norma obligaba a los que los propusieron, a esa conducta, ya que renuncié hace rato a las prerrogativas del poder. Actuaron sencillamente como revolucionarios auténticos que llevan en sí mismos la lealtad a los principios.

No se ha cometido injusticia alguna con determinados cuadros.

Ninguno de los dos mencionados por los cables como más afectados, pronunció una palabra para expresar inconformidad alguna. No era en absoluto ausencia de valor personal. La razón era otra. La miel del poder por el cual no conocieron sacrificio alguno, despertó en ellos ambiciones que los condujeron a un papel indigno. El enemigo externo se llenó de ilusiones con ellos.

No acepto que se mezcle ahora la chismografía con el Clásico de Pelota que está próximo a comenzar. Dije bien claro que nuestros atletas de béisbol eran jóvenes de primera línea y hombres de patria o muerte.

Como ya expresé otras veces regresaremos con el escudo o sobre el escudo.

Venceremos porque sabemos y podemos combinar algo que solo pueden hacer hombres libres, y sin dueños, no los jugadores profesionales.

Leonel Fernández me contaba ayer por la tarde que los excelentes peloteros profesionales dominicanos no deseaban participar en esas competencias, estarían ausentes con dolor para el pueblo que los vio nacer.

Chávez, ignora todavía por qué sus magníficos pitchers y bateadores serán derrotados por nuestros atletas.

El equipo cubano que este año medirá sus fuerzas con los mejores profesionales de Estados Unidos y Japón en las Grandes ligas, es mucho más fuerte y está mejor entrenado que el de hace tres años.

Muchos de ellos son ya veteranos a pesar de su juventud. Ninguno de los hombres que hicieron el equipo quedó en casa, excepto por razones de salud.

Asumo la total responsabilidad por el éxito o el revés. Las victorias serán de todos; la derrota no será jamás huérfana.

Patria o Muerte! iVenceremos!


Fidel Castro Ruz

Marzo 3 de 2009

11 y 32 a.m.

[magbana]

1. Fidel's Reflection in English

very interesting
magbana

Reflections of Fidel
Healthy changes within the Council of Ministers

*

(Taken from CubaDebate)



IN response to changes made within the executive, certain news agencies are throwing up their hands in horror.
Several of them are saying or echoing "popular" rumors about the substitution of "Fidel’s men" for "Raúl’s men."
The majority of those who have been replaced were never proposed by me. Almost without exception, they were proposed for their posts by other comrades within the leadership of the Party or the state. I never devoted myself to that task.
I have never underestimated human intelligence or the vanity of men.
I was consulted about the new ministers who have just been appointed even though there was no rule obliging those who proposed them to consult me, given that I renounced the prerogatives of power some time ago. They acted simply as genuine revolutionaries who carry within them loyalty to principles.
There has been no injustice committed against certain cadres.
Neither of the two individuals mentioned by news reports as the most affected have uttered a word to express any disagreement with the decision. It had nothing to do with an absence of personal value. It was another reason. The sweetness of power for which they had made no sacrifice awoke in them ambitions that led them to an unworthy role. The external enemy was filled with illusions about them.
I don’t accept the gossip being mixed in with the Baseball Classic that is about to commence. I stated very clearly that our baseball players were first-rate young men, men who believe in "Patria o Muerte" (Homeland or Death).
As I have stated on other occasions, we will return with the shield or on the shield.
We will win because we know how to and we can combine something that only free men can, those who have no owners, not professional players.
Leonel Fernández was telling me yesterday afternoon that some of the excellent professional Dominican ballplayers didn’t want to take part in this competition; they would be absent, which would be sad for their people, who watched them grow.
Chávez still doesn’t know why his magnificent pitchers and hitters will be defeated by our athletes.
The Cuban national team that will measure its strength this year against the best professional players from the Major Leagues in the United States and Japan is much stronger and better prepared than the one of three years ago.
Many of them are already veterans despite their youthful age. None of the players who made the team stayed behind, except for health reasons.
I assume full responsibility for success or the opposite. The victories will be for all of us; defeat will never be bereft.
Patria o Muerte! Venceremos!

*Fidel Castro Ruz*
*March 3, 2009*
*11:32 a.m.*
/ //*Translated by Granma International*/

[rabs]

2. Thanks for this and all your other posts

I started posting just recently but I have been reading your posts for a long time on this thread.

Some observations on the Spanish and English versions:

First I was puzzled by translation of "Healthy changes ..." "Cambios sanos" also can be translated as "Sensible changes" or "Just changes." Either of those make more sense in this context. Normally the word "sano" (as in healthy) refers to a living organism, as a "healthy person" or a "healthy plant, animal etc."

Then I came across the (at least to me) puzzling "miel del poder." That is undoubtably a play on words by the sly Fidel. In Spanish it is usually "El poder de la miel." As in the healing and remedy powers of honey.

Fidel turned it around into "miel de poder." While "miel" does mean honey, the word figuratively also means "dulzura," which translated is "sweetness." So the Granma translation got it right, the gringo reporters did not.

Moral: Do not put too much trust in gringo reporters who are not familar with the subtle nuances of Spanish. :hi:

[a la izquierda]

3. Interesting observation, if slightly off topic...

Non-native speakers of Spanish have a tendency to more strictly follow grammatical rules. This makes translating documents a breeze for other non-natives. But something is always lost.
I agonize over how to translate things for my dissertation. I've decided to just paraphrase, and leave the Spanish in the footnotes. The beauty of Spanish is in the Spanish...and I am not expert enough to understand the nuances of the language, as you rightly suggested.


Interestingly, Che, Fidel and Raul came up in conversation tonight at a bar. My friends and I drank mojitos and smoked Cubans at a lovely little joint called La Bodeguita del Medio, a Cuban bar in Guadalajara, MX. I will truly miss it when I leave-luckily, I never leave Guadalajara for long.
Cheers and bienvenidos a DU.

[rabs]

4. NYT blogger has chimed in on the "Honey of power"

and I found it to be artificial and mostly nonsense.


http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/03/03/fidel-castro-blogs-about-the-honey-of-power/#comment-256911

Paraphrasing is probably the best route when it gets really tough, but can you imagine paraphrasing Pablo Neruda, Garcia de Lorca, Jorge Luis Borges and innumerable others? Any resemblence would be coincidental.

Do not know Guadalajara, but hope to someday. Have heard many good things about it.

Thanks for the welcome and hoist a mojito and a cubano for me. Saludos

[a la izquierda]

6. I'm a historian, so fortunately, I'm not in the business...

of paraphrasing the great literarians (that's not even a word)...

[Judi Lynn]

5. Thanks for the writing, the translation. Very solid.

Also, thanks to rabs for the observations and insights on the subtleties missed by the corporate conjecturer.

[Bacchus39]

7. time for changes at the highest levels now n/t

s