In today’s Granma, the official organ of the Cuban dictatorship, another statement from the Commander in Chief (n Spanish), dated August 1 but posted on August 2,
Yo no puedo inventar noticias buenas, porque no sería ético, y si las noticias fueran malas, el único que va a sacar provecho es el enemigo. En la situación específica de Cuba, debido a los planes del imperio, mi estado de salud se convierte en un secreto de estado que no puede estar divulgándose constantemente; y los compatriotas deben comprender eso. No puedo caer en el círculo vicioso de los parámetros de salud que constantemente, a lo largo del día, se mueven.
Puedo decir que es una situación estable, pero una evolución real del estado de salud necesita el transcurso del tiempo.
Lo más que podría decir es que la situación se mantendrá estable durante muchos días, antes de poder dar un veredicto
(my translation)
I can not make up good news because it wouldn’t be ethical, and if the news was bad, the only one to benefit is the enemy. Specifically, in Cuba, because of the evil empire’s plans, the state of my health becomes a state secret that can not be constantly divulged; and the compatriots should understand that. I can’t go into the vicious cycle of health parameters that change constantly throughout the day.I can say that it’s a stable situation, but a real evolution in the state of health needs the passage of time.
The most I can say is that the situation will remain stable for many days, before one can give a veredict.
Interesting statement, indeed:
- Nowhere does one find Fidel’s name on that.
- Underneath the convoluted wording (as is usual in Granma), lies the fact that there’s no good news
- And what news there is won’t be revealed for the time being
As Mario Loyola puts it,
But there’s only one detail about Castro’s health that could possibly be a state secret: that he’s dead.
Nobody seems to know where Fidel or Raul are, and Sky news reports that
There was a small increase in police presence in poorer parts of Havana and communist neighbourhood organisations activated “rapid response groups” used to put down riots.
Interesting that they are concerned about the poorer parts of Havana when the Fidel supposedly is a-charismatic-leader-helping-the-poor-offering-free-health-care-education-adult-literacy-and-job-training-initiatives-that-help-millions-of-[insert country name here]tm.
Cuba’s parliamentary speaker, Ricardo Alarcon, claims that Fidel’s “very alive”, according to the Beeb. The Beeb also points out that
Fidel Castro has been among the world’s longest-ruling leaders, outlasting nine US presidents
Will someone tell the Beeb that’s what happens when the “leaders” are murderous tyrants, please? To add insult to injury, the Beeb article has this a box
HAVE YOUR SAY
“Whatever you say about Fidel, he has maintained a stability in Cuba that would not occur without him“
Craig, London, UK
The stability of an island prison: As Val points out,
Meanwhile the military, CDRs, Rapid Response Brigades and police have all been mobilized and stationed throughout the island under the pretense of defending the nation from a US invasion. Truth of the matter, however, is that these forces are there to prevent Cubans from taking to the streets. The government that boasts itself the winner in the Battle of Ideas seems to be worried about its people getting any ideas.
The Economist and US News & World Report discuss what Cuba would be like under (the so far missing) Raul, who is also known (not affectionately) as La China (a nickname “that refers to his supposedly Chinese looks and his alleged homosexuality”).
From Captain’s Quarters:
If anything, governments err on the side of too much reassurance, not too little. Leaving the appearance of a power vacuum creates the same amount of danger as a real power vacuum, because under these circumstances appearances probably do not lie. And power vacuums invite all sorts of responses to the need to fill them.
After almost five decades in power, the Castro regime surely knows this. So why are Cubans being forced to ask where Dear Placeholder has hidden himself? One has to wonder whether the transfer of power to Raul went as smoothly as first indicated, and whether Fidel is in any shape to enforce it.
On Tuesday I was saying this was Fidel’s Yasser moment. So far, it continues to be. Update (since I didn’t paste this from my original draft) would it mean also that it’s Raul’s, too?
Update: Elephants in Academia writes about Rumors and ripples
Update 2: Uncommon Sense: Cuba bars international press from the island. And the carnival got cancelled.
Good question
Update 3 Welcome, Best of the Web readers! Please visit often.
Cuba refused entry to more than 150 foreign journalists
A reminder: Fausta’s blog has a new address. Please update your bookmark and your blogroll.
(technorati tags Fidel Castro, Castro, Cuba)
