July 24, 2008
BBC report from Cuba
As I mentioned earlier, the BBC broadcast a program from Cuba earlier today. You can listen to it by clicking here. The Cuba report begins about 33 minutes into the program.
A few notes.
Toward the beginning of her report, the journalist Claire Bolderson talks with a gentleman named Juan Jacomino, who she only describes a "Havana resident." A simple Google research reveals that a Juan Jacomino is an official Cuban "journalist". In 2003 he was described programming director of the English language service of Radio Havana. He's been recently associated with ESTI Prensa. Jacomino has done previous interviews with the BBC and NPR. Bottom line is that Jacomino is a lackey of the regime and Bolderson didn't mention it.
Secondly she interviews "deputy foreign minister" Dagoberto Rodriguez who of course denies that Cuba has any political prisoners. They are all spies, you see. Bolderson lets Rodriguez get away with the accusation that the U.S., through the embargo, is engaging in a "genocidal policy" that uses "food and medicine as a tool for promoting political changes". She did not challenge him or correct the record. Food and Medicine are currently exempt from the trade embargo as long as Cuba pays cash up front. The impression listeners got is that the U.S. is starving Cuba when the U.S. is actually Cuba's largest food supplier to the tune of about $500 million annually.
She also talks to other Cubans which all say that they simply want improvements in their financial situations but that they are "happy" with the political system. One of them is a "travel agent" the other is a "contemporary artist." Both speak English. The artist explains that he's been to London and didn't like the number of closed circuit TVs that watch the city streets as if to say that Democracy is not all that it's cracked up to be. Another regime lackey.
Bolderson did go an speak with dissident Miriam Leiva who was very clear in explaining that despite all the hoopla about economic changes there really have been no meaningful economic reforms to date, only the lifting of "some absurd restrictions." Leiva explains what Babalu readers know well, that the regime is cracking down on dissent but using more subtle methods. She also adds that the embargo is not to blame for Cuba's economic mess. Despite the fact the Leiva knows the embargo isn't to blame she argues the familiar argument that it has given fidel a propaganda tool. My question is if she's smart enough to know the truth then why can't others understand it also. Why isn't she telling that truth. I never understood who we are trying to convince of this truth and why we need to convince them.
And lastly Bolderson interviews the Cuban Crown Princess mariela castro, daughter of raul the munificent. mariela starts speaking in a gibberish that could only come from the mouth of a Cuban communist.
All in all, a terrible report that does the BBCs listeners a great disservice. But better than Matt Lauer's Today Show propaganda stunt last year.
Posted by Henry Louis Gomez at July 24, 2008 01:02 AM
Comments
Did you really expect and honest interview..C'mon BBC is as bad as CNN.
Posted by: readytoshoot ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.babalublog.com/nav-commenters.gif)
at July 24, 2008 07:09 AM
It's beyond me how this impoverished, third-world Caribbean country lead by a scumbag caudillo-would-be-communist, petty dictator [who in reality is an extremist right-winged fascist with communist trappings] is able to control the press from power countries like the United States and Great Britain, and continues to call the shots even while its "leader" is in his deathbed. I mean, obviously, these news agencies are shilling for the tyranny, but the question is why?? Are they fifth columnists? Are they genuine believers? Are they spies for the regime? Are they true believers and really fooled [can anyone be that naive]? Are the news agencies in reality so afraid of being kicked out of Cuba? Can't they all form a united front against Cuba? We all know that the tyranny is horrified of bad press and that in the past they've had to behaved a bit more in order to avoid bad press, so these agencies have a lot of unused power in their hands. What a complete and utter dereliction of responsibility! What a crying, pathetic shame. How amoral can they be?
Posted by: Ray at July 24, 2008 07:11 AM
Ray,
"...but the question is why??"
One simple answer.
The Left's infatuation with ANYONE, ANYTHING that promotes "ANTI-AMERICANISM", which the CASTROS began promoting since JAN 1, 1959.
I was there. In 1959 my catholic grade school in Matanzas was graffiti-spray-painted in red ink by M-26-7 with the words "CUBA SI YANKI NO".
Posted by: LaConchita at July 24, 2008 09:17 AM
Yep. Shit still stinks, even if it's British.
Posted by: asombra at July 24, 2008 10:19 AM
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