Cuba declines to renew credentials for 3 Havana correspondents

[roody]

http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/news/world/16769160.htm

Posted on Fri, Feb. 23, 2007email thisprint thisreprint or license this


Cuba declines to renew credentials for 3 Havana correspondents
ANITA SNOW
Associated Press

HAVANA - Cuban press authorities have told the Havana correspondents for the Chicago Tribune, the BBC and a major Mexican newspaper that they can no longer report from the island.

The Chicago Tribune said correspondent Gary Marx, based in the country since 2002, was told Wednesday that his stories were too negative. His press credentials were not renewed during an annual process, and he and his family were given 90 days to leave Cuba, the newspaper said.

The Mexican newspaper El Universal said Cesar Gonzalez Calero, its Havana reporter since 2003, was told this week his credentials would not be renewed. Authorities told him his reporting was "not the most convenient for the Cuban government," the reporter said, adding he would be allowed to remain in Cuba as the husband of a Spanish journalist.

--snip--


The Chicago Tribune said Cuban officials weren't closing their office and told Marx they would accept an application from another correspondent. George de Lama, managing editor-news for the Tribune, said the paper was "disappointed and concerned" by the action.

[Kutjara]

1. Yikes. Stephen Gibbs (the BBC correspondent) is a friend of ours...

...who wrote a couple of major sections of my wife's just-published travel guide to Havana. I hope they don't ban copies of that going into the country.

[roody]

2. What is your wife's book?

[Kutjara]

3. The Time Out Guide to Havana. n/t

[Ignacio Upton]

4. Where are the Castro apologists this fine evening?

...I'm waiting.:yoiks:

[John Q. Citizen]

5. I thought Castro was dead. You mean he's not dead?

[ohio2007]

8. Fidel is taking his political dirt nap

What stories were these reportes getting the junta worried about?
what dots were they connecting?

[Hunky Dunky]

6. Ah, what's the big deal?

It's Castro's country, not yours. He owns Cuba, so he can do whatever he wants. And his people appreciate him looking after their interests, or they wouldn't have voted him back in power time after time after time after time.

[ohio2007]

9. I didn't know they held scheduled elections. Who were the people that ran against him?

any link to poll results ?

[Hunky Dunky]

10. Sure, they schedule elections.

And Castro wins all the time, because his people love him very, very much. How could Castro be in power so long if they didn't? You're relying too much on the Western media propaganda media for your disinformation, and that's exactly why Castro is letting them go, because they lie too much. (Just trying to hold the fort for the apologists. Hope I'm doing a good job)

[ohio2007]

12. Election results Link please ? otherwise

What have you been drinking?

[Hunky Dunky]

13. I'm on your side on this issue.

I just don't know where to find them sarcasm thingies. :-) Newbie-itis, I guess.

I love the Cuban people, but hate Castro. Of course, no one in their right mind could possibly defend a dictator, let alone that prick. The best thing he can do for Cuba is die and free the Cuban people of his tyranny. Plant him 6 foot under and let him fertilize the Cuban ligero crop. Then people can roll a tasty cigar and smoke it in honor of the one meaningful contribution that he is capable of making: fertilizer.

[ohio2007]

14. I use this ; /sarc

;)
I don't bother much with that "dripping sarcasm" image so I just end it like this;

/sarc

[carla]

19. Research it yourself.

http://members.allstream.net/~dchris/CubaFAQ.html
http://geography.about.com/library/cia/blccuba.htm
http://www.answers.com/topic/cuban-legislative-election-2003
http://www.answers.com/topic/national-assembly-of-people-s-power-of-cuba-1

Fidel Castro President, Communist Party leader, and original Granma revolutionary 99.01%<3>
Raúl Castro Vice-President, Defence minister, Fidel's Brother, and original Granma revolutionary 99.75%
Juan Miguel González Father of Elián González 93.34%
Dr. José Rubiera Meteorologist, and head of Cuba's hurricane defence system 96.71%
Silvio Rodríguez Domínguez Popular musician, singer and poet 94.71%
Average of all candidates Average of approval vote percentage 94.83%
Eva Esther Ribalta Castillo Candidate with lowest approval vote percentage 85.15%

Cuban legislative election, 2003
Cuba
Cuba_coa.png

This article is part of the series:
Politics and government of
Cuba

Insitutions

* Constitution
* National Assembly of People’s Power
o Council of State
o Council of Ministers
* Supreme Court
* Provinces
* Committees for the Defense
of the Revolution

People and organizations

* President
o Fidel Castro
* Vice President
o Raúl Castro
* Prime Minister
* Political parties
o Communist Party of Cuba
* Opposition
o Varela Project

Democracy and Human Rights

* Elections
* Human rights

Foreign Relations

* Foreign relations
o Cuba-China relations
o Cuban-Soviet relations
o Cuba-United States relations

Other countries • Politics Portal

Legislative elections were held for the National Assembly of People's Power, Cuba's national legislature, on 19 January 2003. The vote is an endorsement of pre-selected candidates rather than a choice between rivals. Half of the candidates are nominated at public meetings before gaining approval from electoral committees, while the other half are nominated by official mass organisations (such as trade unions, farmers organisations and Students' unions).

The government claims that the election represents a show of popular support, but its critics have attributed the result instead to fear or apathy on the part of those who do not support the government. They suspect that the result may reflect electoral engineering (in constituencies known to have a high proportion of voters who are more inclined to express dissatisfaction by registering blank or spoiled votes, the candidates offered tend to be highly respected local figures not associated closely with the government), the lack of independent supervision of the count or the barrage of propaganda. They also point out that the system of selection of candidates effectively excludes any truly independent voices. <1>

This I found particularly hilarious:

In the run-up to the election, U.S. President George W. Bush described the process as "a fraud and a sham" adding "If Cuba's government takes all the necessary steps to ensure that the 2003 elections are certifiably free and fair, and if Cuba also begins to adopt meaningful market-based reforms, then, and only then, will I work with the United States Congress to ease the ban on trade and travel" <2>.

Yeah, right George.:crazy:


What I have heard from family members old enough to have lived under Fulgencio Batista (US Puppet dictator 1952-1959), Cuban elections have been dirty since time immemorial. Rigging votes, intimidating opponents, violence, etc. were endemic until the current system was authorized. I don't agree with one-party rule, and I don't much care for the US system of the 2 party monopoly either. Free elections are yet to be achieved in any country because politics leads to chicanery, fraud and disenfranchisement of large groups of opposition voters.
In Chicago,under the old "boss-mayor" Richard J. Daley, entire cemeteries voted, the expression " Vote early, vote often," was a way of indicating the level of electoral corruption. Currently, US elections are not reliable measures of the popular will and the electoral college has been roundly criticized by a range of democracy advocates. George W. Bush was certainly NOT elected in 2000, he was chosen by a handful of judges. In 2004 US elections, electoral fraud is now pretty well admitted by all groups that have researched it, including Robt. Kennedy Jr.
Here in the Netherlands, we can't even choose our own mayor. Our system of apportionment often results in the exclusion of parties that have won large percentages of votes and this is true of many European countries.
Make what you will of this; I think you get my meaning.

[ohio2007]

25. "The vote is an endorsement of pre-selected candidates "....eom

[killbotfactory]

30. Candidates are pre-selected in the US by our primary system

[Mika]

31. Candidates are "pre selected" in open nominations by citizens..

.. at least 6 weeks before the elections.

Candidates are not selected by committees in secret back room deals by any party.

http://www.poptel.org.uk/cuba-solidarity/democracy.htm

This system in Cuba is based upon universal adult suffrage for all those aged 16 and over. Nobody is excluded from voting, except convicted criminals or those who have left the country. Voter turnouts have usually been in the region of 95% of those eligible .

There are direct elections to municipal, provincial and national assemblies, the latter represent Cuba's parliament.

Electoral candidates are not chosen by small committees of political parties. No political party, including the Communist Party, is permitted to nominate or campaign for any given candidates.

[roody]

16. The assembly elects Fidel.

The people elect the assemblies.

[Hunky Dunky]

18. So,

are you implying that the people, through their power to elect assemblies, have therefore wanted Castro to be in power continuously these past 40+ years???

[roody]

22. MANY have. I don't know.

I plan to spend more time in Cuba, without King George's permission, to know more about how most people feel about their government.

[Hunky Dunky]

26. I'd like to know too.

It's too bad they don't have the freedom to post their honest thoughts and opinions on DU!

[John Q. Citizen]

27. Kinda like bush.

[Hunky Dunky]

28. Spot on !n/t

[carla]

17. Apologists?

I would be interested to find out what sort of articles these journalists have been publishing, before I answer your question.
Considering the quality of US and British journalism of late, the outspoken criticism of the 3 governments that rule their respective countries and the continued attempt to vilify the Cuban revolution, anything that would be said in the defense of such a decision on the part of the Cuban government seems moot. Of course, naming people with differing political philosophies "apologists" speaks volumes about the kind of journalism you support. I already understand what you are looking for, but I won't be baited. Just remember, US citizens aren't permitted to shout "Fire!" in a crowded theatre and libel laws are for those who can have their day in court. Cuban government policies don't have such protections in a land where everything they choose in defense of their revolution is considered draconian,unjustifiable and morally wrong. That said, Fidel Castro hardly cuts a more despicable profile than many of the current crop of American politicians. Throw stones? Not if I lived in your glass house, Ignacio.

[Robbien]

24. Good answer

to those people who keep wildly throwing out the term "Apologist".

:thumbsup:

[ohio2007]

7. ..."stories were too negative "... any story links by these reporters?

Stories like reporting on Castro's health ? Health workers leaving Cuba?

The truth in controlling the media.

[ohio2007]

11. Well,as it turns out, this Marx is no Karl

Our Men in Havana
August 18, 2006
Since Raul Castro took the helm in Cuba three weeks ago, the government has released next to nothing about Fidel’s condition, and denied visas to foreign journalists not already on the island. How are American news organizations coping with the information clampdown? We asked Dan Grech, Americas correspondent for American Public Media’s Marketplace, to find out.

<snip>
DAN GRECH: Ginger Thompson was kicked out after seven days. While that might be the worst a foreign reporter faces for breaking Cuba's rules, the risks are much greater for their sources. Gary Marx is the Havana correspondent for the Chicago Tribune.

GARY MARX: : Yesterday the individual I was interviewing was a guy on the street. He was selling cigarettes on the street. I'm surrounded by three or four police officers. And what do I do? Do I try to walk away? So I talk to the individual I'm interviewing. I say, well, do you want me to stay here to try to protect you? And he says, no, no, no. You know, you got to go. He says, you know, northing's going to happen to me now, but maybe tomorrow they're going to take me away.

<snip>
http://www.onthemedia.org/transcripts/2006/08/18/04


Is this only prelude to a major event in Cuba ?

Well, seems one side of the story will not be covered
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-gary-marx-jpg,1,4100392.photo?coll=chi-newsnationworld-utl&ctrack=1&cset=true

[carla]

20. I guess you missed this line?

"The Chicago Tribune said Cuban officials weren't closing their office and told Marx they would accept an application from another correspondent. George de Lama, managing editor-news for the Tribune, said the paper was "disappointed and concerned" by the action."
.......................................................................................................................................

Pres. Fidel Castro's health, is considered a state secret because of US efforts to kill him and, also because it is considered a matter of personal privacy. I imagine you've not seen the videos of him lately? Seems Fidel is willing to reassure the public about the condition of his health.

As for the defecting doctors...

http://www.examiner.com/a-543873~Defecting_Cubans_Stranded_in_Colombia.html

"Most of the doctors who reached Colombia have been waiting as long as six months for a response, according to an advocacy group in Miami and several doctors who spoke to The Associated Press. At least two have been rejected by U.S. officials.

Physician Jorge Toledo, 39, and his ophthalmologist wife Leticia Viamonte were notified on Dec. 27 that their request to enter the United States under the Cuban Medical Professional Parole program was denied.

The AP obtained a copy of the letter on the decision - which can not be appealed - that was signed by Barbara Strack, chief of the refugee affairs division at the Department of Homeland Security.

A spokesman for the U.S. Embassy in Bogota said he could not comment on specific asylum cases."

38 out of thousands that have been sent overseas to fulfill their pledge of community service as payment for free medical educations. What percentage would that come to?
The truth shall set you free.

[guajira]

15. Negative Stories

Having lived in Miami for about 30 years, I heard many, many negative stories about Cuba - on a daily basis!
Finally I traveled there myself and found a country very different from the Miami and State dept. propaganda. Then I returned there several times.
I wish all Americans could visit Cuba and see for themselves what a beautiful and friendly country it is. If you love history and architecture, you will love Havana. If you tell people there they're not free - they laugh at you. They think Castro-obsessed Miami exiles are crazy. They travel to Miami and other US cities to visit relatives, and then they return to their homes in Cuba.
The ones who raft over to Miami are here for the same reason as Mexicans, Haitians, Dominicans, etc. Once they get to Miami they admit they came for economic reasons.
Is Cuba perfect? - definitely not. However, US antagonism, hostility and the very real embargo and travel ban have hurt them and Americans too.
In Miami there is a word for hating Castro - it's "la causa" - the cause. Unfortunately the MSM buys into this hatred and reports the propaganda. I hope the Chicago Tribune will send another reporter to Cuba and that Americans can get some objective views of Cuba.
I remember hoping that Lucia Newman of CNN would send back some interesting positive stories of Cuban people, but instead she took the MSM negative route.
If possible, please go to Cuba and talk to the citizens there - but go as a friend! You will be enriched by the experience.

[carla]

21. Hola, Guajira!

Sometimes it just seems a waste of time to try to educate people who believe stories without ever having attempted to find out anything for themselves. Experience has changed many peoples minds about the "poor Cuban people" who are so "unfree'...

[roody]

23. I repeat.

Go to Cuba if you want to know. Go through Mexico discreetly or go with Pastors for Peace and challenge the Empire. www.ifconews.org

[Mika]

29. Obviously, not just Miami Cuban exiles are Castro-obsessed.

Castro did this Castro did that Castro did this Castro did that Castro did this Castro did that Castro did this Castro did that Castro did this Castro did that Castro did this Castro did that Castro did this Castro did that Castro did this Castro did that Castro did this Castro did that Castro did this Castro did that Castro did this Castro did that Castro did this Castro did that Castro did this Castro did that Castro did this Castro did that Castro did this Castro did that Castro did this Castro did that Castro did this Castro did that Castro did this Castro did that Castro did this Castro did that Castro did this Castro did that Castro did this Castro did that Castro did this Castro did that Castro did this Castro did that Castro did this Castro did that Castro did this Castro did that Castro did this Castro did that Castro did this Castro did that Castro did this Castro did that Castro did this Castro did that Castro did this Castro did that Castro did this Castro did that Castro did this Castro did that Castro did this Castro did that Castro did this Castro did that Castro did this Castro did that Castro did this Castro did that Castro did this Castro did that Castro did this Castro did that Castro did this Castro did that Castro did this Castro did that Castro did this Castro did that Castro did this Castro did that Castro did this Castro did that Castro did this Castro did that Castro did this Castro did that Castro did this Castro did that Castro did this Castro did that Castro did this Castro did that Castro did this Castro did that Castro did this Castro did that Castro did this Castro did that Castro did this Castro did that Castro did this Castro did that Castro did this Castro did that Castro did this Castro did that Castro did this Castro did that Castro did this Castro did that Castro did this Castro did that Castro did this Castro did that Castro did this Castro did that Castro did this Castro did that Castro did this Castro did that Castro did this Castro did that
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