Originally published October 26, 2007 at 12:00 AM | Page modified October 26, 2007 at 2:02 AM
Bush gets rare exposure in Cuba media
In a highly unusual move, the Cuban government media Thursday published an entire page of excerpts from President Bush's speech on the island...
McClatchy Newspapers
MIAMI — In a highly unusual move, the Cuban government media Thursday published an entire page of excerpts from President Bush's speech on the island, and earlier broadcast some 15 minutes of his address on television.
The step surprised veteran Cuba watchers, who said the rare decision to let Cubans see and read Bush's withering criticism of Havana's leadership clearly signals a shift in strategy — though they're not sure in what direction.
"In the past, they would summarize speeches or quote the parts they liked that suited their purposes," human-rights activist Vladimiro Roca said by telephone from Havana. "I'll tell you this: Something is behind this. If I only knew what."
Bush gave a 30-minute address Wednesday about Cuba, his first in four years. He attacked the Castro administration and outlined ways that Washington could help if communism collapsed and freedom took its place.
Using a feed from CNN en Español, hours later the Cuban TV news program Mesa Redonda (Round Table) aired the second half of Bush's speech.
Although the Bush administration recalls that Cuba also broadcast a part of a Bush speech last year — and ran critical comments by former President Carter — it was the first time any sitting U.S. president appeared for that length of time and unedited in decades.
Thursday's Communist Party daily Granma printed about half of Bush's address in a full page under the headline "Essential Parts of Bush's Speech."
Left out: references by name to various political prisoners on the island. The line "the socialist paradise is a tropical gulag" also did not make it.
But plenty stayed in. The article included Bush's attacks on the Castro brothers, including references to rat-infested jails and a police state. The paper also published Bush's calls for freedom of the press and the right to travel abroad.
The transcript also included the parts where Bush directly addressed Cuban people, including the military.
The U.S. State Department, which hosted Bush for his speech, declined to comment on "what a government-controlled press airs or prints."
One Cuban academic said the decision to run the speech was the talk of Havana's academic circles Thursday. But he said most ordinary Cubans did not watch it: The Round Table program is so dull that hardly anyone watches it.
![]()
Some experts wondered whether the decision to air and print the speech was part of interim President Raul Castro's campaign to open the Cuban news media to criticism. Castro, in office since his brother Fidel fell ill 15 months ago, has allowed the media to run articles critical of the system, and also has convened neighborhood meetings to air complaints.
"I am not surprised, because there have been changes in the media which are definitely part of Raul Castro's decisions," Rafael Hernandez, editor of the political magazine Issues, said by phone from Havana. "The changes in the press are something that should have happened sooner."
Hernandez said the Cuban leadership also probably decided to run the speech so Cubans could see Bush and judge for themselves.
"I think U.S. policy is like any horror-movie monster," Hernandez said.
Copyright © 2007 The Seattle Times Company
UPDATE - 07:48 PM
Sources: Obama near decision on Afghanistan troops
Abortion could roil Senate health care debate
UPDATE - 08:29 PM
Investigators say Fort Hood suspect acted alone
High court looks at life sentences for juveniles
House health bill unacceptable to many in Senate

Pelosi answers questions at Swedish Medical Center
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi answers questions after addressing the media at Swedish Medical Center regarding health care.
nwjobs

Post a comment

Michelle Goodman blogs about work/life balance.
How to tell your office you're gravely ill
Post a comment
nwautos

Choosing a new sedan? Weigh the impact of your choice on your wallet and on the planet.
Post a comment
- 'Missing' SeaTac man found with new name, in new state
- Bombs, guns found at home of suspect in Officer Brenton's slaying
- Police: DNA from officer's slaying matches suspect
- How an underdog named Mike McGinn took City Hall
- 3 Cascade Mountain passes close due to snow; more rain, wind expected Sunday
- Prosecutors consider charges against suspect in police shooting
- Steve Kelley | Hasselbeck gives Seahawks' sagging season a stay of execution
- Three more fires ignite in Greenwood
- Teenage serial burglar suspected in more Camano Island burglaries
- The birth of 'Grunge,' in photos by Michael Lavine
- House health bill unacceptable to many in Senate
246 - Prosecutors prepare charges against suspect in police shooting
214 - Pelosi tours Seattle's Swedish after health-care vote
153 - Prosecutors prepare charges against suspect in police shooting
138 - Alleged shooter tied to mosque of 9/11 hijackers
135 - Obama puts heat on Senate to speed health bill
123 - Resolute Fort Hood soldiers ready for return
108 - McGinn more than doubles his lead over Mallahan
93 - Ayn Rand: goddess of the market, gateway to the American right
79 - Cutaia says replay handled properly on Austin TD
66
- For 80-year-old Maple Valley man, hoops aren't just a dream
- Plans call for Triangle to become West Seattle gateway
- 10 ways to take control of your health
- Three more fires ignite in Greenwood
- The birth of 'Grunge,' in photos by Michael Lavine
- 'Missing' SeaTac man found with new name, in new state
- Bombs, guns found at home of suspect in Officer Brenton's slaying
- Taste | Ruth Reichl still reigns as queen of America's culinary scene
- Silver Lake restaurant destroyed by fire
- Pakistani-American cafe, bar owner on verge of being Granite Falls mayor








