Cubans told to shun foreigners

[Beowulf]

Cubans told to shun foreigners
By Stephen Gibbs
BBC News, Havana
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/americas/4301529.stm

More than 100,000 workers in Cuba's tourism industry have been ordered to restrict their contact with foreigners to an absolute minimum.

New regulations from the communist state's tourism ministry apply to Cubans on the island and overseas.

They form part of a series of moves by the Cuban government to tighten state control across the country.

Workers are also told to watch their foreign employers and report actions that might threaten Cuba's revolution.

The new regulations make stark reading. Everyone who works in Cuba's expanding tourism industry - from bar staff to taxi drivers - is warned to keep a safe distance from foreigners.

Workers are advised that they can attend events at the homes of non-Cubans only with advanced written permission.

Gifts received from foreigners have to be declared. Electronic goods such as video players are expected to be handed over to the ministry for common use.

Discipline

The rules have been approved by Cuba's new tourism minister, Manuel Marrero.

He is a colonel in the Cuban army and appears to have been charged with bringing discipline to the entire sector, but even he might find imposing these regulations a struggle.

Jobs in tourism are the most sought after in Cuba, precisely because they bring easy contact with foreigners and hard currency.

The rules are the latest of a series which have been passed by the Cuban government with the broad aim of recentralisation.

In the last few months, the US dollar has been removed from circulation. Private enterprise has been curbed and managers of Cuban state enterprises have been stripped of much of their autonomy.

President Fidel Castro has said that recentralisation is enabling the Cuban state to rise again, like a phoenix.

Castro is always damn paranoid now the lucky few who get to work with tourist are going to suffer harder restrictions.How come the ppl have to suffer from all restrictions and no one in the government helps them out yet tourist pump cash into Castro and his revolutionary buddies pockets.I couldn't even see a hotel's inside last time I was in Varadero because I wasn't a tourist thats some bullsh!t.Anyways I'm still waiting for ppl like Oliver Stone and Robert Redford who seem to adore Cuba to actual do something for the Cuban cause instead of kiss Castro's rear end.Just another disgruntled Cuban-American in Miami,one day it'll be nice to be able to go back to a democratic Cuba.

 

[Steeplerot]

It's not paranoia if they are out to get you. Chavez too.
Good luck to Castro getting the new economy going, he has been kicking ass latley with the euro.
Who needs a dying currency propped up by his would-be assasins and the rouge nation of the world?
The Cuba bashing is about one of the stupidest things coming out of the us corprate media nowdays. *yawn*

 

[Beowulf]

Originally posted by: Steeplerot
It's not paranoia if they are out to get you. Chavez too.
Good luck to Castro getting the new economy going, he has been kicking ass latley with the euro.

Ugh being from Cuba for 15 years I didn't see an economic system that actually worked other than to feed Castro.I don't maybe its just me but I didn't even get my medicine for my medical problems till I got to the USA.Oh and if you ever go to Cuba you'd know everyone wants Castro gone but now with the oil drilling and the oil reserves found by Varadero and Matanza it looks like the next succesor will have more money to play with so seems like repression is going to stay for sometime.Cuba bashing? I don't see anyone bash Cuba(not like it deserves) except the actual Cubans who aren't clueless about what is happening and the few refugees who made it.Hell even former revolutionary commandantes are living in Miami,FL cause they know Cuba is down the toliet.

 

[yllus]

Blah. Vacationing in Cuba... *shakes head* Don't get me wrong, the US-Cuba anatagonism has a comedic element to it, but we really oughtn't be traveling there to enrich the pockets of a dictator.

 

[Steeplerot]

Cuba is not the dump they make it out to be in the media here.
Madre (and other good bits about SA)

 

[Beowulf]

Originally posted by: yllus
Blah. Vacationing in Cuba... *shakes head* Don't get me wrong, the US-Cuba anatagonism has a comedic element to it, but we really oughtn't be traveling there to enrich the pockets of a dictator.

:thumbsup:

 

[Beowulf]

Originally posted by: Steeplerot
Cuba is not the dump they make it out to be in the media here.
Madre (and other good bits about SA)

Have you lived in Cuba come back after 15 years and lets share our memories.I find it funny anyone who hasn't lived in Cuba like me can tell me Cuba isn't a dump.

 

[Steeplerot]

Originally posted by: Beowulf

Originally posted by: Steeplerot
It's not paranoia if they are out to get you. Chavez too.
Good luck to Castro getting the new economy going, he has been kicking ass latley with the euro.

Ugh being from Cuba for 15 years I didn't see an economic system that actually worked other than to feed Castro.I don't maybe its just me but I didn't even get my medicine for my medical problems till I got to the USA.Oh and if you ever go to Cuba you'd know everyone wants Castro gone but now with the oil drilling and the oil reserves found by Varadero and Matanza it looks like the next succesor will have more money to play with so seems like repression is going to stay for sometime.Cuba bashing? I don't see anyone bash Cuba(not like it deserves) except the actual Cubans who aren't clueless about what is happening and the few refugees who made it.Hell even former revolutionary commandantes are living in Miami,FL cause they know Cuba is down the toliet.

Yeah someone who runs away from their country becasue they don't like those in power are so great. Yeah
I can't stand bush but I am still here fighting.

What was the word my cuban friends called them....nm it's pretty derogratory.

 

[yllus]

Originally posted by: Steeplerot

Originally posted by: Beowulf

Originally posted by: Steeplerot
It's not paranoia if they are out to get you. Chavez too.
Good luck to Castro getting the new economy going, he has been kicking ass latley with the euro.

Ugh being from Cuba for 15 years I didn't see an economic system that actually worked other than to feed Castro.I don't maybe its just me but I didn't even get my medicine for my medical problems till I got to the USA.Oh and if you ever go to Cuba you'd know everyone wants Castro gone but now with the oil drilling and the oil reserves found by Varadero and Matanza it looks like the next succesor will have more money to play with so seems like repression is going to stay for sometime.Cuba bashing? I don't see anyone bash Cuba(not like it deserves) except the actual Cubans who aren't clueless about what is happening and the few refugees who made it.Hell even former revolutionary commandantes are living in Miami,FL cause they know Cuba is down the toliet.

Yeah someone who runs away from their country becasue they don't like those in power are so great. Yeah
I can't stand bush but I am still here fighting.

Yeah. And the Jews shoulda stayed in WWII Germany too. Bunch of wusses.

 

[mwtgg]

Originally posted by: Steeplerot

Originally posted by: Beowulf

Originally posted by: Steeplerot
It's not paranoia if they are out to get you. Chavez too.
Good luck to Castro getting the new economy going, he has been kicking ass latley with the euro.

Ugh being from Cuba for 15 years I didn't see an economic system that actually worked other than to feed Castro.I don't maybe its just me but I didn't even get my medicine for my medical problems till I got to the USA.Oh and if you ever go to Cuba you'd know everyone wants Castro gone but now with the oil drilling and the oil reserves found by Varadero and Matanza it looks like the next succesor will have more money to play with so seems like repression is going to stay for sometime.Cuba bashing? I don't see anyone bash Cuba(not like it deserves) except the actual Cubans who aren't clueless about what is happening and the few refugees who made it.Hell even former revolutionary commandantes are living in Miami,FL cause they know Cuba is down the toliet.

Yeah someone who runs away from their country becasue they don't like those in power are so great. Yeah
I can't stand bush but I am still here fighting.

What was the word my cuban friends called them....nm it's pretty derogratory.

Fighting? buahhahahahhahahhahahahahhahahahaa

 

[Beowulf]

Originally posted by: Steeplerot

Originally posted by: Beowulf

Originally posted by: Steeplerot
It's not paranoia if they are out to get you. Chavez too.
Good luck to Castro getting the new economy going, he has been kicking ass latley with the euro.

Ugh being from Cuba for 15 years I didn't see an economic system that actually worked other than to feed Castro.I don't maybe its just me but I didn't even get my medicine for my medical problems till I got to the USA.Oh and if you ever go to Cuba you'd know everyone wants Castro gone but now with the oil drilling and the oil reserves found by Varadero and Matanza it looks like the next succesor will have more money to play with so seems like repression is going to stay for sometime.Cuba bashing? I don't see anyone bash Cuba(not like it deserves) except the actual Cubans who aren't clueless about what is happening and the few refugees who made it.Hell even former revolutionary commandantes are living in Miami,FL cause they know Cuba is down the toliet.

Yeah someone who runs away from their country becasue they don't like those in power are so great. Yeah
I can't stand bush but I am still here fighting.

What was the word my cuban friends called them....nm it's pretty derogratory.

Run away!!!! holy sh!t I should die from ulcerative colitis and hypogonadism before I stop supporting a revolution!!!! I'm just a piece of sh!t because I rather save my health and get out of Cuba after my father was a political prisoner because I dislike a power junkie who has forcefully installed himself and not even in 4 or 8 years will he be out of the office.

Oh and BTW look up Huber Matos and Jose Lorenzo-Fuentes and see how I come from a family of former revolutionaries.

On the fighting well how hard can it be every 4 years you choose a democrat or republican if you can't get enough votes...well keep fighting I guess

 

[BaliBabyDoc]

While I have FAR more respect for what Castro has done for Cuba compared to what Bush has done to Americans . . . I think Castro has made some terrible moves over the past few years.

The US embargo is viewed internationally for just what it is . . . bullying by a bitter superpower incapable of exerting "influence" 100 miles away. The embargo isolates the US not Cuba even with BS like Helms Burton.

Although, Cuba wasn't even close to "real" democratic reforms, it's arguable that moderates (plus the influence of foreign tourism/investment) were a significant force for change . . . albeit slow. Unfortunately, the increased belligerence by the Bush administration has produced a reflexive "hardening" of the regime.

Beowulf, if I may assume, is just another bitter ex-pat. I'm not saying he doesn't have many reasons to be bitter but such sentiments tend to cloud judgment. The future of Cuba is best served by Cubans (both within and expats) assisting in a very very gradual transition towards a state approximating the most socialist of the Western European nations. The US could help but only after we have new leadership willing to come to terms with why MANY Cubans still support "The Revolution" despite Castro's failures.

 

[BaliBabyDoc]

Depending on your age, Beowulf, it's arguable that your difficulty in getting appropriate care for UC (ulcerative colitis) and hypogonadism was the embargo . . . not Castro. Regardless, the embargo has done nothing to help the typical Cuban.

 

[nick1985]

Originally posted by: Beowulf

Originally posted by: Steeplerot
Cuba is not the dump they make it out to be in the media here.
Madre (and other good bits about SA)

Have you lived in Cuba come back after 15 years and lets share our memories.I find it funny anyone who hasn't lived in Cuba like me can tell me Cuba isn't a dump.

owned

 

[Beowulf]

Originally posted by: BaliBabyDoc
While I have FAR more respect for what Castro has done for Cuba compared to what Bush has done to Americans . . . I think Castro has made some terrible moves over the past few years.

The US embargo is viewed internationally for just what it is . . . bullying by a bitter superpower incapable of exerting "influence" 100 miles away. The embargo isolates the US not Cuba even with BS like Helms Burton.

Although, Cuba wasn't even close to "real" democratic reforms, it's arguable that moderates (plus the influence of foreign tourism/investment) were a significant force for change . . . albeit slow. Unfortunately, the increased belligerence by the Bush administration has produced a reflexive "hardening" of the regime.

Beowulf, if I may assume, is just another bitter ex-pat. I'm not saying he doesn't have many reasons to be bitter but such sentiments tend to cloud judgment. The future of Cuba is best served by Cubans (both within and expats) assisting in a very very gradual transition towards a state approximating the most socialist of the Western European nations. The US could help but only after we have new leadership willing to come to terms with why MANY Cubans still support "The Revolution" despite Castro's failures.

The US embargo doesn't work all that much especially with food still being sold to Cuba from the US.

Since 2000, when the U.S. Congress allowed an exception to the 30-year-old trade embargo imposed on Fidel Castro?s government by authorizing food sales to Cuba, the island has purchased close to $800 million in food.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7031389/

I'm not saying the embargo doesn't have its place and the Helms Burton was done by Clinton after Castro shot down "hermanos al rescate" over international water.

Bitter ex-pat is a harsh word to call someone who has suffered long years in a country he loves and has been put behind tourist in the importance category.Now the opposition tried a peaceful vote for reforms and were thrown in jail.Even 3 famous Cuban actors recently did a small movie to show the harsh realities of Cuba's act to repress any opposition to the revolution.Now the revolution is flawed in many aspects those who support it have their right but those who don't have no rights.In this great country we call America we can voice ourselves in Cuba I couldn't.

I respect everyones opinon on Cuba but to say my facts I speak of are wrong from ppl who never endured what I did is just wrong.I'm not being biased am stating what I know best.

 

[Beowulf]

Originally posted by: BaliBabyDoc
Depending on your age, Beowulf, it's arguable that your difficulty in getting appropriate care for UC (ulcerative colitis) and hypogonadism was the embargo . . . not Castro. Regardless, the embargo has done nothing to help the typical Cuban.

Partially both most doctors are sent to other countries because there they make more and so does the government.Not that it is wrong or anything the doctors deserve to get paid.On meds they easily get testosterone from Canada but when you can't afford it you can't get it same goes for UC meds.In a country where the revolution was suppose to offer medical attention and care to everyone I got none even with my mom having a good job within the government.

The embargo was first put by JFK though after his failed attempt to help some former revolutionaries and exiles launch an assualt.It was his way of saying I fvcked up but I won't let Castro get off easily.

I did get my meds from medicaid,thanks to the state of Florida.This country is great it helped me out alot.

 

[BaliBabyDoc]

Three of my med school friends spent summers in Cuba during the late 90s. They were working with community doctors during the era where such "educational" exchanges were not curtailed by the Bush Regime. Although they all worked in separate areas of the country with different physicians, they universally enjoyed their experiences . . . from regular people to police officers.

I'm not saying your "facts" are wrong. I'm saying you don't speak for Cubans. You speak for yourself. It's a shame Castro's regime does not respect free expression but I patently reject the notion that everything Castro is evil. It has no basis in reality . . . although a whole lot of "Castro" sux. Then again everything Bush isn't evil either . . . although most of it sux.

IMHO, there was never anything for the embargo to "work" on. For over three decades, we restricted the sale of virtually everything . . . including food. Despite our best "evil" intent, Cubans (primarily with the direction of Castro) not only made do . . . they thrived . . . compared to other low GDP countries of our hemisphere. And they are an unparalleled success in the Carribbean.

As for your UC meds . . . you still need a decent doctor. The appropriate medical treatment for UC is surgery. It's one of the few GI disorders that actually has a surgical CURE as opposed to palliative treatment.

 

[Steeplerot]

Originally posted by: Beowulf

Originally posted by: Steeplerot
Cuba is not the dump they make it out to be in the media here.
Madre (and other good bits about SA)

Have you lived in Cuba come back after 15 years and lets share our memories.I find it funny anyone who hasn't lived in Cuba like me can tell me Cuba isn't a dump.

Nah, I have no interest to go to cuba I am just calling you on your BS agenda of trashing cuba.
I know many cubans and they have a very diffrent story then what you and the corprate media have (and a lot of cubans in miami). Forgive me if my firsthand accounts completely differ with the popular opinion of mainstream america that cuba is a total sh1thole. The world disagrees with you.
americans need to get off their anti-cuban trip, the cold war is over folks, wake up. :roll:

 

[Beowulf]

Originally posted by: BaliBabyDoc
Three of my med school friends spent summers in Cuba during the late 90s. They were working with community doctors during the era where such "educational" exchanges were not curtailed by the Bush Regime. Although they all worked in separate areas of the country with different physicians, they universally enjoyed their experiences . . . from regular people to police officers.

I'm not saying your "facts" are wrong. I'm saying you don't speak for Cubans. You speak for yourself. It's a shame Castro's regime does not respect free expression but I patently reject the notion that everything Castro is evil. It has no basis in reality . . . although a whole lot of "Castro" sux. Then again everything Bush isn't evil either . . . although most of it sux.

IMHO, there was never anything for the embargo to "work" on. For over three decades, we restricted the sale of virtually everything . . . including food. Despite our best "evil" intent, Cubans (primarily with the direction of Castro) not only made do . . . they thrived . . . compared to other low GDP countries of our hemisphere. And they are an unparalleled success in the Carribbean.

As for your UC meds . . . you still need a decent doctor. The appropriate medical treatment for UC is surgery. It's one of the few GI disorders that actually has a surgical CURE as opposed to palliative treatment.

You won't see any Cuban oppose any foreigners or tourist.Cuban ppl are happy ppl even when thrown in the mud we respect everyone.Personally I met tons of Italians in Cienfuegos and a few Americans at Havana especially at the University of Havana.You got to remember to the embargo never affected the money that the USSR spent to support Cuba for years.

During the collapse it was a struggle until tourism took over and also when the big boom of money coming into the island from family abroad.Castro is lucky to have Ricardo Alarcon he is the genius behind the late 80's till now.He is the only guy to every step down from his original post and not suffer a bad fate like others.Alarcon helped the whole idea of exchange students start as head of the education system in Cuba he is a bright man with ideas of improving Cuba.He has some extreme reforms which aren't happening due to it being close to a capitalist system.

Any success with Cuba of recently I give it to Alarcon the man was everyday on tv when I lived in Cuba.Now he is the number 3 guy behind Fidel and Raul thats a huge jump in hierarchy especially in Cuba.Castro has charm and ruthlesness that's what got him so far but his ideas aren't the brightest especially the sugar cane era which flopped.

Now on UC I was given meds for but told surgery was a final option maybe I do need a better doctor.Since it seems you know more about this send me a PM and let me know your opinion on what to do I don't want to worry about colon cancer for the rest of my life.

 

[yllus]

Originally posted by: BaliBabyDoc
Although, Cuba wasn't even close to "real" democratic reforms, it's arguable that moderates (plus the influence of foreign tourism/investment) were a significant force for change . . . albeit slow. Unfortunately, the increased belligerence by the Bush administration has produced a reflexive "hardening" of the regime.

You believe that without this perceived increase in belligerence by the Bush administration, the moderates would not have been checked by the regime? That's pretty specious and rather smacking of partisan bull. I've been reading your posts for years here and I know you're smarter than that.

 

[Beowulf]

Originally posted by: Steeplerot

Originally posted by: Beowulf

Originally posted by: Steeplerot
Cuba is not the dump they make it out to be in the media here.
Madre (and other good bits about SA)

Have you lived in Cuba come back after 15 years and lets share our memories.I find it funny anyone who hasn't lived in Cuba like me can tell me Cuba isn't a dump.

Nah, I have no interest to go to cuba I am just calling you on your BS agenda of trashing cuba.
I know many cubans and they have a very diffrent story then what you and the corprate media have (and a lot of cubans in miami). Forgive me if my firsthand accounts completely differ with the popular opinion of mainstream america that cuba is a total sh1thole. The world disagrees with you. :roll:

Just like everyone I know disagrees with you from Cuba to Miami to Europe.That's the greatest thing you can have your ideas and I can have my facts yet you wil never know the truth until you live there.Oh and if a few Cuban's think am escoria well there's a ton of escoria out there supporting the revolution.

Oh and I'm a true born Cuban from Camaguey straight up guajiro from the campos to the cities of Cienfuegos and Havana.

 

[Steeplerot]

That's fine if you think your former home is a dump then don't go back.
But sh1tting on them as they progress and you backed out already is prety lame.
keep an eye on this Ven. and Cuba are getting their sh1t together with Chinas help dumping on them
is just going to distance our neighbors even more in a crucial time.
us forigen policy of downplaying cuba as a thrid world sh1thole is outdated in a time when a new start and to let old wounds close, would serve us well, better then driving them into chinas arms.

 

[Beowulf]

Originally posted by: Steeplerot
That's fine if you think your former home is a dump then don't go back.
But sh1tting on them as they progress and you backed out already is prety lame.
keep an eye on this Ven. and Cuba are getting their sh1t together with Chinas help.

If they progress thats good I want the best for my ppl but the best for them isn't being restricted from treating other ppl like tourist and having to declare gifts from them.What is wrong with a compassionate person offering a gift to someone and in turn having to declare it to the government and have them decide it's fate.The Czech Republic has it correct when they say human rights doesn't exist in Cuba only Castro's rights.

I don't want to restrict support to my ppl I don't want to help a repressive government which kicked me when I was down.If Jose Marti saw Cuba now at days he'd be in shock to see how books are banned and ppl are being repressed.

BTW want to read a good book on Cuba from an ex-revolutionary who fought from the Sierra Maestra till Bolivia with Che its called "Memorias de un Soldado Cubano".

 

[Steeplerot]

Castros BS is no worse then the sh1t we have had to put up with over the years here.....except things have got BETTER for them. (even the life expectancy of Cubans is better then ours now)
Like I said bashing Cuba is outdated. Normalazation needs to start NOW.
"Memorias de un Soldado Cubano" Is on my list when I go return my books at SFPL :thumbsup:

 

[Beowulf]

Originally posted by: Steeplerot
Castros BS is no worse then the sh1t we have had to put up with over the years here.....except things have got BETTER for them. (even the life expectancy of Cubans is better then ours now)
Like I said bashing Cuba is outdated. Normalazation needs to start NOW.

Theres a Cuban man in Miami that is 103 years old and still smokes cigars sometimes I wonder about life expecetancy.Maybe those ppl who live long do it in hope for a better tomorrow only to see the same ol same ol.

Comparing Cuba to the US is just wrong this country chooses its leaders and they are forced to stay a term unless re-elected.To say the US is no worse then Castro is just wrong its completely better and free to whoever you want as a president.I don't hate either party if a dem wins or a repbulican wins its the ppl's vote who decided they came out in numbers for their man.