Independent Journalists Report on Raul's Parade

here are excerpts of two stories written in Cuba, by independent journalists, reflecting the Cuban people's response to the much-ballyhooed military parade that took place today:


José Antonio Fornaris, Cuba-Truth:

In Cuba, it seems the American embargo has no effect on the purchase of weapons by the government. A good thing would be that next December 2, new public buses should parade through the Plaza of the Revolution, which would then be put to the service of the people.

Perhaps the soldiers could carry bags of food rather than rifles, which would then be sold at affordable prices to all Cubans. Also, the parade should include scale models of new housing, which the country needs so desperately.

The government's waste in weapons purchases reaches the billions since 1959, despite the acute needs of all types which our people suffer.


Leonel Alberto Perez Belette:

One of my neighbors used to say that when someone needs to prove his strength, that means his weakness, or insecurity, is strong indeed . . . . He added that in the Soviet Union, similar parades were held, and the whole system crumbled in a matter of days without a shot being fired. It fell thus because it was propped on an economic lie and the strength of its repressive apparatus.

The actual acting president, Raul Castro, has prepared a parade with hundreds of combat vehicles, tanks, rocket launchers, other military equipment, thousands of soldiers, and even aviation. Rehearsals have been taking place over the last few days, as well as the "spontaneous" show of support by the people . . . .

The vehicles and planes taking place in the parade are, in large part, from the Soviet era, and they consume enormous quantities of fuel. They were refurbished in great detail, and the paint on them is still fresh. Thus, the cost in repairs and fuel of the parade must be in the millions of dollars. Another cost is the damage to the streets, easily seen after the tracked vehicles go by . . . .

These [expenses] are taking place in the middle of an economic crisis felt all too well in Cuban homes, even as Christmas arrives at our doors. Food prices continue to rise; the bulk of the population live by breaking the law and being creative, and a lucky few survive with dollars received from outside Cuba. In the meantime, the Castro family and their cronies waste the resources generated by the people in order to satisfy their Napoleonic dreams.