The adults are still in charge.
Posted on 08/07/2006 8:29:36 AM PDT by 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."
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.
At least that's what the MSM has been telling you. Or do you know Raul?
Welcome aboard. IB4TZ.
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.
Did you join up today to post how great Cuba is? If it's so great...move there.
Alex Trebek: The answer was red. Chemeh, you are at minus seven thousand two hundred dollars...
Got a live one ping! Calling all kitties
Mee too. I'll take mustard on mine please.
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.
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.
OK but how are they going to do it when the government has all the guns?
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!
OOOoooo, you didn't plan on staying long did you?
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