Fidel's comments about American Aid...

[Knowledge 6 6 6]

This happened a few days ago, and I'm pretty sure most of you watched reports of his speech. Fidel basically said he didn't want any help from America in the wake of Ivan sweeping across Cuba. "Save us the hypocrisy."

Do you think if a major natural disaster hit Cuba, it'd take longer to re-build because goods would have to come from abroad? And, how do you think the ppl would react?

[KickMcCann]

I think its a good plan that Cuba refuses aid from the US, because any aid from the US always has strings attached. Look at all the "aid" the US gives to Africa or Haiti, it hasn't done them any good. The reason being is because the "aid" is actually a loan, and the US always wants to be repaid for the loan, with a considerable amount of interest. So sure, they could accept aid from the US, but then they might be indebted millions of dollars to the US. Taking care of the matters themselves, or dealing with more respectable countries will preserve their soverignty.
And it doesn't matter where the storm hits, it will take all places a long time to rebuild, regardless if its the US or Cuba or Jamaica.

[Sabocat]

From what I read, not only did he refuse any aid from the U.S., but any country that participated in the embargo with the U.S.

[Fidelbrand]

Not taking the aid save Cuba's dignity. Fidel made the right gesture. Wooo... trade embargo! then aid without embargo, fuck that~ haha!

But i just sincerely hope that Fidel would clear up the mess in no time, he needs to put more effort in showing that without help, he can gets things back to "normal" again just as effective & effcient.

[fuerzasocialista]

I think Fidel will do just fine restoring things back to good condition....

[Kez]

he should have said "i'll only accept aid if its got no strings attached, from anyone" if lack of aid annoys Cuban people, then not only is he isolating himself from teh workers, but also socialism from the workers, which is always a bad thing.

in essence he seems to be acting in a dogmatic manner, from the little ive heard of what hes said thru the censored media we have.

[fuerzasocialista]

I have to say that the aide that was offered to Fidel was only $50,000. Now, I'm not saying that isn't a lot of money, but the US has given so MUCH more money in aide to other countries after natural disasters or in general aide. It's an insulting gesture to offer so little to Cuba while others receive so much. Not to mention the money will come with strings attached no matter what amount it is. I think the only inteliigent thing Fidel could do was refuse the money. Even I felt insulted after I heard about the offer the news. Had Cuba been a whore to the US, they would have gotten much more than that. But since they are a Socialist state, they get shit.

[Kez]

so what?

should have took the money, said US govt is a bunch of wankers, highlighted the scum hypocrisy of the amount of money, and then used the 50k to rebuild vital roads.

[refuse_resist]

Good! Castro is making the right decision in refusing aid from America.

After all, what good has the U.S. ever done for Cuba?

[Kez]

so its good that workers become more pissed off with fidel and "socialism" there?

[Severian]

There were strings attached, as usual - the aid would have had to go through "independent" group, in practice likely just another cover for aiding Cuban opposition groups. And $50,000 is insignificant compared to the scale of the damage - about $1 billion from Hurricane Charley.

An article which has more of the Cuban government's statement than I've seen elsewhere. (http://english.people.com.cn/200408/24/eng20040824_154602.html)


"Cuba will not accept supposed help from the government of a country that harms us and tries to take us under with hunger and need," the statement added, referring to long-standing restrictions on trade and travel aimed at undermining Fidel Castro's communist government.

"It's obvious the American government suffers from total amnesia. Otherwise it would be impossible to understand how it could pretend to assume the role of benefactor to the Cuban people just after once again tightening the cruel blockade,"

No other country embargoes Cuba, so clearly this refers only to the U.S. Even Israel, the only country to consistently vote at the UN in support of the embargo, trades with Cuba.

BTW, 4 Cubans were killed by Hurricane Charley, compared to 20 people in Florida. No Cubans were killed or injured by Hurricane Ivan, compared to 70 elsewhere in the Carribean.

Many reports I've seen in the big-business media attribute this last to the "almost uninhabited western tip of Cuba". But I doubt any part of Cuba is that sparsely inhabited - overall its as densely populated as China. And homes were definitely smashed flat.

A few reports, by AFP among others, admit the massive evacuations organized by the Cuban government and pro-revolution mass organizations. Over a million people were evacuated from the path of Hurricane Ivan.

[Lacrimi de Chiciură]

Kez, how do you know that people are pissed off at not getting $50,000 from the US?

[refuse_resist]

so its good that workers become more pissed off with fidel and "socialism" there?
What does refusing aid from the worlds biggest imperialist country have to do with Castro and Socialism? You think the U.S. will just hand over $50,000 without a catch?

[Lacrimi de Chiciură]

I don't get it... $50,000 is NOTHING to the U.S. Governement and the Hurricane most likely caused millions of dollars in damage

[Hate Is Art]

I agree with Kez, Idealism is pointless and gets us no where but stuck. If I said Cuba didn't need any money/help I would be lieing. Only a fool doesn't accept aid or help.

[cubist]

i find my self agreeing with kez,

losing the trust of the cuban people would ruin fidel and socialism, but ata the same time i feel fidel who has survived so far will do just fine repairing it with his "selected aid"

[Palmares]

They did pretty damn fucking well through the hurricane too.

No deaths.

[LuZhiming]

Originally posted by [email protected] 22 2004, 02:37 PM
They did pretty damn fucking well through the hurricane too.

No deaths.
Well, say what you want about that, but for the sake of honesty, one should note that the reason for this is obviously that Cuba is a more dictatorial state than say, the United States(duh). Americans don't have the sort of strong central power that Cuba does, so the state can't evacuate everyone like that. The only way for people to get out is for them to leave themselves. In Cuba it is obviously different, the people are all evacuated by the authorities in a disciplined fashion. One could offer this as an arguement for the benefits of dictatorship, but there are many cons as well all should know, which I would say outweigh the benefits.

[LuZhiming]

Originally posted by [email protected] 22 2004, 02:37 PM
They did pretty damn fucking well through the hurricane too.

No deaths.
Well, say what you want about that, but for the sake of honesty, one should note that the reason for this is obviously that Cuba is a more dictatorial state than say, the United States(duh). Americans don't have the sort of strong central power that Cuba does, so the state can't evacuate everyone like that. The only way for people to get out is for them to leave themselves. In Cuba it is obviously different, the people are all evacuated by the authorities in a disciplined fashion. One could offer this as an arguement for the benefits of dictatorship, but there are many cons as well all should know, which I would say outweigh the benefits.

[LuZhiming]

Originally posted by [email protected] 22 2004, 02:37 PM
They did pretty damn fucking well through the hurricane too.

No deaths.
Well, say what you want about that, but for the sake of honesty, one should note that the reason for this is obviously that Cuba is a more dictatorial state than say, the United States(duh). Americans don't have the sort of strong central power that Cuba does, so the state can't evacuate everyone like that. The only way for people to get out is for them to leave themselves. In Cuba it is obviously different, the people are all evacuated by the authorities in a disciplined fashion. One could offer this as an arguement for the benefits of dictatorship, but there are many cons as well all should know, which I would say outweigh the benefits.

[h&s]

You think the U.S. will just hand over $50,000 without a catch?
And you think that Cuba will give a shit about that catch? Would they even bother to abide by it?
Castro should be doing everything possible to help his people, and if that involves losing face to the US, then so be it.
I can't believe how people here have blind support for Castro's regime, when 45 years after the revolution they are still being ruled by the same dictator. Where are the soviets? Where is the worker's rule? Its non-existant, and will be for as long as Castro is alive. Cuba needs a real revolution.

[h&s]

You think the U.S. will just hand over $50,000 without a catch?
And you think that Cuba will give a shit about that catch? Would they even bother to abide by it?
Castro should be doing everything possible to help his people, and if that involves losing face to the US, then so be it.
I can't believe how people here have blind support for Castro's regime, when 45 years after the revolution they are still being ruled by the same dictator. Where are the soviets? Where is the worker's rule? Its non-existant, and will be for as long as Castro is alive. Cuba needs a real revolution.

[h&s]

You think the U.S. will just hand over $50,000 without a catch?
And you think that Cuba will give a shit about that catch? Would they even bother to abide by it?
Castro should be doing everything possible to help his people, and if that involves losing face to the US, then so be it.
I can't believe how people here have blind support for Castro's regime, when 45 years after the revolution they are still being ruled by the same dictator. Where are the soviets? Where is the worker's rule? Its non-existant, and will be for as long as Castro is alive. Cuba needs a real revolution.