Bush: Cubans on the island will decide country's fate

AFP ^ | 08/07/06

[presidio9]

President George W. Bush said Cubans "on the island" ought to decide what kind of government and future they want before US-based exiles take up grievances like property confiscated under the communist Fidel Castro regime.

"Our desire is for the Cuban people to be able to choose their own form of government," he said.

The US leader declared that while "Cuba has the possibility of transforming itself from a tyrannical situation to a different type of society ... the people on the island of Cuba ought to decide" how that change occurs.

"Once the people of Cuba decide the form of government, then Cuban-Americans can take an interest in that country and address the issues of property confiscation. But first things first. The Cuban people need to decide the future of their country."

Bush spoke a week after Fidel Castro provisionally handed over his presidential powers to his brother, defense minister Raul Castro, as he reportedly recovered from surgery to stem intestinal bleeding.

Bush on Thursday urged Cubans to work for democratic change and pledged US support following the temporary handover of power, and on Friday Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice delivered a message to Cubans on US-funded Radio and TV Marti repeating the same themes.

Both have denied US plans to invade the island.

Successive US governments have sought unsuccessfully to oust Castro since he since he came to power in 1959, including an ill-fated invasion backed by the CIA in 1961. Cuba has been under a US economic embargo since 1961.

Bush on said he had no information about Castro's condition.

"Cuba is not a very transparent society," he said.

"The only thing I know is what has been speculated. And that is that he is very ill -- on the other hand he's going to be coming out of hospital. I don't know. Really don't know."

[Thombo2]

RE:Change in Cuba."The people on the island ought to decide."Easier said than done.Cuba is for all intents and purposes a gulag.

[BenLurkin]

The adults are still in charge.

[Sonny M]

RE:Change in Cuba."The people on the island ought to decide."Easier said than done.Cuba is for all intents and purposes a gulag.

You got it right.

Even worse, the new "warden" is even more sick, twisted and sadistic then the old one.

[presidio9]

Even worse, the new "warden" is even more sick, twisted and sadistic then the old one.

At least that's what the MSM has been telling you. Or do you know Raul?

[Sam Cree]

Welcome aboard. IB4TZ.

[sully777]

I have a number of Cuban friends and they have a lively kick in their steps this past week. I love Cubans, especially ex-pats, and hate to see the Castro Plantation turn over to the slave owner's brother.

[shield]

Chemeh
Since Aug 7, 2006

Did you join up today to post how great Cuba is? If it's so great...move there.

[sully777]

Alex Trebek: The answer was red. Chemeh, you are at minus seven thousand two hundred dollars...

Got a live one ping! Calling all kitties

[presidio9]

I love Cubans

Mee too. I'll take mustard on mine please.

[Sam Cree]

It's been widely reported that Raul is a harsher master than Fidel. True, not many of us know that first hand, but then, there is a lot we don't know first hand. We still have to make decisions based on what we do know.

IMHO, it's an open question as to whether Raul is strong enough to keep power. I think things could go either way down there, to freedom, or stay totalitarian. Probably depends on the desires of the military, of which Raul is currently the head.

[sully777]

Better Come Here Fast!


IBTZ

[presidio9]

It's been widely reported

what we do know

Note that these terms are not mutually inclusive. Sure, I've see the reports that Raul is worse than Fidel in the same sources that are generally taking the opportunity to come up for air from the "Iraq is in the midst of an unwinnable civil war" stories. I don't believe they have any idea what they are talking about either. Stirring up controversy and fear mongering is what sells papers. Nobody turns on the news to hear "another perfect day."

I have yet to hear President Bush or Condoleezza Rice or anybody I really trust express the opinion that Raul is worse than Fidel, and until I do, I'll keep my opinions to myself and so should you.

[Sprite518]

OK but how are they going to do it when the government has all the guns?

[sully777]

Chemeh writes: ok how the *BEEP* do you know that? have u talked to him? have u ever been to cuba? Cuba is not like in the movies, they have free schools and univercities so if u dont want to live in a dumpster all u have to do is get good grades in schools join the communist party (even just for the show) and live properly...its NOT that hard u know...

---

"Zotting...It's beautiful man...it's freakin beautiful"~~ Tom Cruise from the movie TAPS

[Sprite518]

Most Cubans and exiles from Communist countries tend to lean to the Conservatives.

[Uncle Slayton]

The Cuban Exiles have a stake back in their homeland and should not be denied the right to participate in the formation of a new government.

Moreover, no Cuban citizen has ever lived in a democratic state whereas the Cuban Exiles in America know how democracy works.

[Sprite518]

You have got to be kidding? I know Cubans first hand that will tell you its not like the Utopia you are claiming it to be. You must be on Crack!

[Zavien Doombringer]

OOOoooo, you didn't plan on staying long did you?

[martin_fierro]

http://www.therealcuba.com

[sully777]

Note that these terms are not mutually inclusive. Sure, I've see the reports that Raul is worse than Fidel in the same sources that are generally taking the opportunity to come up for air from the "Iraq is in the midst of an unwinnable civil war" stories. I don't believe they have any idea what they are talking about either. Stirring up controversy and fear mongering is what sells papers. Nobody turns on the news to hear "another perfect day."

I have yet to hear President Bush or Condoleezza Rice or anybody I really trust express the opinion that Raul is worse than Fidel, and until I do, I'll keep my opinions to myself and so should you.

---

I think its telling that Bush and Rice have broken silence and speak about *future democracy* and getting back stolen property AS IF Uncle Fidel has maintained room temperature for a while.

I've never before heard such cool, reassuring comments from a sitting President regarding Cuba.

[Tijeras_Slim]

You're a maricon.

[Uncle Slayton]

I like your webpage but the banner states that Cuba has gone 47 years without an Election.

Can you cite an election that took place in Cuba prior to Castro?

[wtc911]

You're still here?

[presidio9]

I've never before heard such cool, reassuring comments from a sitting President regarding Cuba.

Yeah, I'm enjoying that too. Fidel's magic is losing it's power like the White Witch in Narnia.

[sully777]

Care to enlighten post #6 on Uncle Fidel's gracious love of the PEOPLE, particularly after the communist take-over. He may not respond but it would help educate the confused.

Maybe a story or two of mass torture/executions and how the rich plantation owner managed to take over all his rival's plantations.

[wtc911]

The Cuban Exiles have a stake back in their homeland and should not be denied the right to participate in the formation of a new government.

----------------------------------------

Just ask Mas-Santos and company.

[presidio9]

Uncle Slayton

Since Aug 7, 2006

Can you cite an election that took place in Cuba prior to Castro?

What the hell is going on today.

[Sam Cree]

FWIW, living in Miami, I've been hearing those reports for many years. Doesn't make it true, but around here it's taken for common knowledge.

As for the MSM, I haven't watched it for awhile, would have expected them to support Raul as they have Fidel.

[presidio9]

FWIW, living in Miami, I've been hearing those reports for many years. Doesn't make it true, but around here it's taken for common knowledge.

If you're hearing this directly from Cuban ex-pats, that's one thing, but it would have helped if you just said so in the first place.

[wtc911]

Chemeh posts from Russia.

[Tijeras_Slim]

What the hell is going on today?

I guess we know that Raul is logged on and sober.

[Uncle Slayton]

The banner on the Website states that Cuba has not had a free election in 47 years when the fact of the matter is is that Cuba has never had a Free Election under neither Castro or Batista.

Furthermore, as you might have read in my other post I stated that due to the lack of a democratic experience among Cuban citizens that Cuban exiles should participate in the formation of a new government.

[Tijeras_Slim]

Chemeh posts from Russia.

Who let the zek log on?

[reagan_fanatic]

You are a dipshit.

[wtc911]

It's a small world after all...

[sully777]

Uncle Slayton

Since Aug 7, 2006

Can you cite an election that took place in Cuba prior to Castro?

What the hell is going on today.

---

Two zots in one thread??? Neither one seems to be answering questions.

IMO, Castro died and those-in-the-know on the Left are racing for spin control. You know he's definitely dead if the BBC starts a *Your Opinion* thread question: Life After Castro? And the only respondants ALLOWED to post are lefties from Europe that never liked the USA.

[Tijeras_Slim]

It's a small world after all...

Maybe if we buy it a Coke, it will sing in prefect harmony.

[Uncle Slayton]

Yo may want to read my other posts on this thread.

My only point is that Cuba has never been democratic.

[presidio9]

I guess we know that Raul is logged on and sober.

Who's the other knucklehead? Elian?

[wtc911]

Your point is valid.

[presidio9]

Perhaps it was in the smarmy way you posed the question. Marty is one of our most respected posters here and a friend of mine. If there's a point you'd like to make, make it newbie. But you haven't been here long enough for rhetorical questions. You gotta earn those.

[shield]

What I find interesting regarding Fidel is he had emergency surgery Saturday...why wait until Monday to announcement his surgery and that Raul was handed temporary head of the Cuban Government? Did Fidel die as you posted on another thread at 3PM July 31st.

I just heard a report on local news that Fidel will be up and again head of the Cuban Government within a week. Sounds like we've got some kinda game playing from communist Cuba.

[Tijeras_Slim]

Marty is one of our most respected posters

Oy, what am I, chopped liver? :)

[presidio9]

What did you say your name was again?

[Uncle Slayton]

I am sorry if I offended.

However, I feel strongly that Cuba can not build a democracy without including 'democrats' (those who have experience) with democracy in the process. Now very few in any Cuban citizens have participated in a democratic process.

If you look at the nations in E. Europe that were freed when the USSR fell you will find that the ones that had at least some history of democracy were able to build a more democratic system.

[Sam Cree]

He's acting like he's dead, for sure. The lack of information leads me to think he is. Still, I'm afraid of counting my chickens before they hatch.

[Tijeras_Slim]

Mom! He's picking on me again!

[Sam Cree]

How can you tell where he's posting from?