[NYTr] On Cuban TV, Fidel Inaugurates the "Little Roundtable"
 
Date: Mon, 11 Jun 2007 02:10:42 -0500 (CDT)


Via NY Transfer News Collective  *  All the News that Doesn't Fit
 
Progreso Semanal blog via Progreso Weekly - Jun 7, 2007
http://www.progresoweekly.com/index.php?progreso=ramy_blog&otherweek=1181451600

Fidel Castro inaugurates "The Little Round Table"

By Manuel Alberto Ramy

Fidel Castro on Tuesday inaugurated what he called a "Little Round
Table," a reference to the Round Table segment on national TV, whose
host, Randy Alonso, interviewed him for the program.

The interview was conducted on Monday and broadcast Tuesday in the
Round Table's usual time slot, 6:30 p.m.

By saying that "this is the first" presentation of its kind, Castro
confirmed that the TV appearances will continue, along with his
articles (he has written 13 of them) which have been published in all
newspapers nationwide. The topics of his writings have been the
environmental crisis, the production of ethanol and its human and
ecological consequences, and the increase in world hunger caused by the
rerouting of farm produce into fuel production.

Basically, the program was devoted to a conversation about Vietnam, the
outcome of the recent visit to Cuba of that country's Communist Party
Secretary General, Nong Duc Mahn.

Castro recalled that in 1973, during the war of liberation waged
successfully by the Vietnamese people against U.S. occupation, he
visited several places and was able to appreciate the heroism of the
Vietnamese people, as well as their ability to rebuild the country.
Rather than talking about the solidarity shown by Cubans, he preferred
to highlight the solidarity shown to Cuba by Vietnam.

About his talks with Nong Duc Mahn, Castro said both men had had a
wide-ranging exchange about energy. He said that Vietnam produces oil
but lacks refineries, so it has to import gasoline. He also said that
the party leader guaranteed that Vietnam would export 400,000 tons of
rice every year.

"Now I'm dressed as a soccer player," the historic leader of the Cuban
process said, alluding to the sports sweat-suit worn by Cuban athletes
that he has worn for photographs and brief videos made in recent months.

As to his health, he said -- in the clear voice he maintained during
the 40-minute presentation -- that he is eating better and his menus
are better balanced. However, he said, "there is always a threat to the
health of a human being, and because of the passing of years danger
looms. And I don't want to disappoint [others] but the things that
needed to be done have been done."

"I am doing what I need to do. [...] I have a few topics to discuss in
the next several days." From his words, I deduce that he will alternate
Little Round Tables and articles on subjects of international interest,
such as climate changes. In Castro's opinion, this and other topics he
has broached have made an impact on people. As an example, he mentioned
the demonstrations prior to the G-8 Summit, which resulted in "about
1,000 injured people, between demonstrators and policemen."

Castro did not talk about national issues.

To any observer of Cuba's reality, Fidel Castro's articles, as well as
this and his future appearances on TV, indicate, first, that his health
has improved, and, second, that his articles and this TV appearance
before the Cuban people are a way of saying bI am present.b They
signify the confirmation of his moral and historical leadership.

On the other hand, it seems clear that, at least for a while, his job
will consist of recovering physically, advising on topics that are
important to the country, and projecting his ideas about world reality.
Above all, by saying that bthe things that needed to be done have been
done,b he is confirming his renunciation to all his posts, made on July
31 of last year. Fidel Castro has prepared a transition-in-life in such
a way that he is able to interject himself into it and place
limitations on any changes that might become evident in the
not-too-distant future.

I do not wish to end without first reiterating what I wrote in my
column "From Havana" months ago. In practice, the government's
management is in the hands of RaC:l Castro, while Fidel increasingly
acts as a Chief of State and grand strategist.
       
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