Cuba supporters in Canada launch hurricane relief fund

HAVANA, Cuba, September 15 (acn) The French Revolutionary Communist
League (LCR) reaffirmed its solidarity with Cuba after the
devastation caused by the passing of Hurricanes Gustav and Ike in a
period of less than two weeks.

LCR leader Olivier Besancenot met with a Cuban delegation that
participated this year’s L´ Humanité newspaper celebrations in Paris.
Besancenot highlighted the island’s excellent preparation and
discipline when facing hurricanes. He reaffirmed his organization’s
solidarity with the Cuban people and their demand to lift the
criminal blockade imposed by the US on Cuba for more than four
decades, reported Prensa Latina news agency.

The US blockade prevents Cuba from purchasing essential items from
their nearby neighbour to the north to alleviate the damages suffered
by the victims of these hurricanes, noted the LCR.

Cuban News Agency
www.cubanews.ain.cu
ainnews@ain.cu

Preliminary Assessment of the Impact of
Hurricanes Gustav and Ike

       
       
Cuba was hit in the past few weeks by two major hurricanes that have caused widespread destruction and human misery. This is perhaps the worst natural disaster in the past half-century.       

Damage Reports:

• Over 320,000 houses were damaged by the hurricanes. (1)

• 50% of houses in Holguin have been irreparably damaged (2), 80% of houses in Banes have been destroyed. (3) In Nuevitas, Camaguey, at least 15% of the hotels were damaged. (4)

• 70% of the agricultural production in Villa Clara was destroyed. (5)

• Over 2 million Cubans have been displaced by the storms. (6)

• The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported estimates of damage between $3-$4 billion USD. (7)

• Cuba’s health care infrastructure is severely damaged: in Isla de la Juventud, the general hospital, “Héroes de Baire,” which serves 87,000 people, is not functional. “Comandante Pinares,” a hospital in the municipality of San Cristobal, serving 200,000 people, has been severely damaged. (8)

• In Isla de la Juventud, “4,500 posts are reported down, 530 transformers damaged, 5,000 street lights destroyed and 38,700 electrical isolators and 800 tons worth of conductors are beyond repair.” (9) In Pinar del Rio, 55 km of the primary and secondary electrical network were severely damaged. (10)

• In Pinar del Rio, over 25,900 metric tons of agricultural crops were lost, and another 1,184 damaged. 13,070 hectares of root vegetables, 2,931 hectares of grains, and 543 hectares of fruits and 3,306 tobacco houses have been destroyed. (11)

Outlook:

The next few weeks are critical for the Cuban government as to how it is going to react to meet the basic food, shelter and health needs of the Cuban people. It is also the first real test of General Raul Castro’s administration in a crisis situation. Raul has failed to appear in public, delegating the role of spokespersons to first Vice President Ramon Machado Ventura and second Vice President Carlos Lage. Whether this reflects Raul's management style or an inability to confront the Cubans in difficult situations or a personal crisis is too early to tell. Given the widespread disillusionment with his administration prior to the hurricanes, his current behavior is not likely to inspire support or gratitude from the Cubans. If the Raul Castro regime is unable to address the basic needs within a short time, levels of frustration and despair will continue to grow.

The intermediate term outlook for economic recovery is dismal. The hyper-bureaucratic and highly centralized nature of Cuba’s decision making process, together with the lack of resources, present formidable barriers to effective recovery efforts. Major reconstruction efforts will take a long time and they may not be totally successful.

In the short term, Cuba’s productive capabilities have been severely affected including significant damage in some key sectors (e.g., agriculture, tobacco, and tourism) further limiting the country’s purchasing power in international markets. In particular, tourism may suffer as foreign visitors curtail their travel plans given Cuba's uncertain situation. Additionally, labor productivity and discipline will decline further as Cuban workers focus on resolving (resolver) their more pressing shelter and subsistence needs. Activity in the informal economy and black markets will increase as well as corruption, especially as foreign aid arrives and is distributed by military and party bureaucrats.

Even if the Cuban government is able to avoid the short term worst case scenarios of a potential health crises and sustained widespread food shortages, the critical housing shortage and infrastructure reconstruction needs will go largely unmet. Cash strapped, with its credit lines exhausted, and with a reputation for not paying its debts, the Cuban government will not be able to mobilize the enormous financial resources necessary for the reconstruction effort needed. As it has done in the past, it will have to rely on low quality “temporary” repairs rather than reconstruction. Although aid is arriving from the U.S., Russia, Spain, and others, only the promised massive support from the Chavez administration could improve this bleak scenario.

Given this dreary outlook for long term recovery and the government’s inability to meet its citizens’ basic needs, important questions arise regarding the possibility of increased discontent, repression, and particularly the potential for a mass exodus if Cubans see escape from the island as their only option for an improved life. In short, the devastation caused by Hurricanes Gustav and Ike on top of Cuba’s abysmal sociopolitical and economic conditions could result in increased and prolonged instability.

_________________________________________________

Notes

1. Hernandez, Marta. “Más de 320,000 casas dañadas,” Granma, September 11, 2008.

2. “Holguín: Más del 50% de las viviendas ha sufrido graves daños,” Cuba Encuentro, September 10, 2008.

3. “Prepararnos para la Recuperación,” Granma, September 9, 2008.

4. Robles, Frances. “Rising waters threaten Hurricane Ike-ravaged Cuba,” Miami Herald, September 10, 2008.

5. Robles, Frances. “Rising waters threaten Hurricane Ike-ravaged Cuba,” Miami Herald, September 10, 2008.

6. Williams, Carol J. “Ike Moves into Gulf to Regain Strength,” Los Angeles Times, September 10, 2008.

7. “Los Daños de Ike y Gustav podrían sumar 4.000 millones de dólares,” Cuba Encuentro, September 10, 2008.

8. PAHO (Pan American Health Organization). “2008 Hurricane Season, Cuba Situation Report.”
http://www.paho.org/english/dd/ped/hurricanes2008.htm September 10, 2008.

9. “Cuba: Hurricane Season 2008 Emergency Appeal No. MDRCU001” ReliefWeb.

10. “Cuba: Hurricane Season 2008 Emergency Appeal No. MDRCU001” ReliefWeb.

11. “La agricultura, víctima de Gustav en Pinar del Río,” Granma, September 2, 2008.

STATEMENT BY THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

Yesterday, September 9, 2008, at 11:50 A.M., the Department of State
conveyed to the Interests Section of Cuba in Washington Note Nº 252/18
in which, after expressing its regrets for the additional damage caused
to the Cuban people by hurricane Ike, it insists in the visit to our
country of a "humanitarian assessment team" to "inspect the affected
areas".

Today, September 10, at 7:20 P.M. the Interests Section of Cuba in
Washington sent to the Department of State Note Nº 046/08, in which it
conveys its appreciation for the expressions of regret by the
Government of the United States for the damage caused in Cuba by
hurricane Ike, and reiterates that Cuba does not require the assistance
of a humanitarian assessment team as it has a sufficient number of
trained specialists to deal with this task.

The Note emphasizes
that if the Government of the United States is really willing to
cooperate with the Cuban people it is requested to allow the sale to
Cuba of indispensable material, such as materials for roofing, for
building repairs and for the re-establishment of electric networks.

Likewise, it reiterates the request that the Government of the United
States suspend the restrictions preventing U.S. companies from
providing private commercial credits to Cuba for the purchase of
foodstuffs in the United States.

The Note also calls the attention of the Department of State that the
visit to Cuba of a humanitarian assessment team is not required to
allow the sale of the aforementioned materials and to authorize private
credits for the purchase of foodstuffs.

Lastly, the Note of the Interests Section of Cuba underscores to the
Department of State that its Note Nº 252/18 insists in a request that
the Government of Cuba had already replied to in Note Nº 1886 of
September 6, 2008, of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, but, and it is
highly significant, it does not actually respond to the two concrete
requests made by the Government of Cuba to the Government of the United
States in order to cope with the damage caused by hurricane Gustav,
that it once again reiterates.

On the other hand, during the last few hours, spokespersons of the
Government of the United States have attempted to justify the refusal
by President Bush to allow the sale to Cuba of indispensable materials
and to authorize private commercial credits to purchase foodstuffs in
the U.S.

Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, affirmed categorically on Sunday,
September 7: "I don't think that (...) the lifting of the embargo would
be wise".

The Spokesman of the Department of State, Sean McCormack, insisted, on
Monday, September 8, in a press briefing, on the alleged importance
that Cuba accept an assessment team to inspect damage "in situ".
Responding to the observation of journalists that other countries have
provided assistance without demanding a previous inspection of damage
in the field, McCormack responded evasively: ""See if the Cuban
Government changes its mind about allowing us to help the Cuban people".

On his part, the Cuban American Carlos Gutiérrez, U.S. Commerce
Secretary and Co-Chairman of the commission in charge of implementing
the Bush Plan against Cuba, expressed hypocritically yesterday: "...we
reiterate our offer to allow a USAID team to travel to Cuba to assess
the situation".

This is a cynical attitude of the Government of the United States. It
attempts to suggest that it is desperate to cooperate with Cuba, and
that we are the ones refusing. It lies shamelessly.

Why does the Government of the United States insist in the pretext of
carrying out an inspection "in situ" when the information disseminated
regarding the serious effects caused by the hurricanes in Cuba is
widespread and obvious?

Why does it use the precondition of sending an inspection team,
something that no one else has done among the scores of countries that
are already generously cooperating with Cuba?

Why does the Government of the United States refuse to allow Cuba to
purchase materials for building repairs, roofing or components the
re-establishment of electrical networks in the U.S.?

Why does if forbid U.S. companies and their subsidiaries in all
countries, to provide Cuba with private credit for the purchase of
foodstuffs, which today are essential to ensure food for the affected
population and to replace reserves in the event of new hurricanes?

These are the questions that the U.S. Government must answer.

These are the questions that the international community, that
overwhelmingly supports Cuba in its struggle against the blockade,
poses to the Government of the United States.

Cuba has not asked the Government of the United States for any gift whatsoever. Simply to be allowed to purchase.

Anything else is pure rhetoric, pretexts and justifications that no one believes.

Cuba will go forward. No hurricane, blockade or aggression will be able to prevent it.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Cuba Havana, September 10, 2008

Reflections by comrade Fidel

http://www.cuba.cu/gobierno/reflexiones/2008/ing/f160908i.html

PLAYING THE GOOD GUY ROLE AT OUR EXPENSE?

When the US administration hypocritically offered $100,000 in aid to

cope with the catastrophe caused by hurricane Gustav --after an in

situ inspection to assess the damages-- the response was that Cuba

could not accept any donation from the country blockading it. Also,

that the damages had already been assessed and that we only asked for

the ban to be lifted on the export of indispensable material and

credits associated with commercial transactions.

Some in the North shouted themselves hoarse that Cuba’s refusal was

unthinkable.

Then, a few days later, when hurricane Ike swept the country from the

Punta de Maisi to Cabo San Antonio (from east to west) the neighbors

to the North were smarter; they softened their language. They spoke

of planes ready to leave with products valued in 5 million USD and

said that an assessment would not be required since they had already

done it with their own means; what else if not espionage on our

country. This time they would put the Revolution in a spot, they

thought; if we dared refuse the offer we would be in trouble with our

people. Perhaps they believed that no one here had watched the images

brought by the United States TV networks of the UN occupation forces

distributing food to the hungry Haitians who fought over it through a

barbwire fence with the result of several injured children.

Hunger in that country is the consequence of the long and ruthless

plundering of the peoples. There, in Gonaive, our physicians have

been risking their lives caring for the population as they do in

almost every municipality of that nation. This cooperation has

continued to be provided there the same as in tens of other nations

in the world, despite the hurricanes. The new and shrewd Note

received a categorical response: “…our country cannot accept a

donation from the government that is blockading it; however, it is

willing to purchase indispensable material that the US companies

export to other markets. Therefore, it requests authorization for

such exports as well as for the credits which is the common procedure

in every commercial transaction.

“If the US administration does not wish to do this permanently,

Cuba requests authorization for at least the following six months,

particularly mindful of the damages caused by hurricanes Gustav and

Ike and the fact the most dangerous months of the hurricane season

are still to come.”

It was not an arrogant reply; it is not Cuba’s style. As can be seen

in the Note, the view was modestly expressed that it would suffice

with the lifting of the ban for a limited period of time.

On Friday 12th, the US Secretary of Commerce, Carlos Gutierrez,

dismissed the notion that the blockade could be temporarily lifted.

Obviously, the government of that powerful country is unable to

understand that our people’s dignity is priceless. The wave of

solidarity with Cuba, which comes from both big and small countries,

with resources and even without them, would no longer exist if Cuba

relinquished its dignity. Those who in our country are upset about it

are absolutely wrong. If instead of $5 million the figure were $5

billion the answer would still be the same. Not any money can pay for

the thousands of lives lost, the suffering of our people and the over

$200 billion lost to the blockade and the Yankee aggressions.

The partial official report explained to our people that in less than

ten days the country had lost over five billion dollars. It was also

explained that the estimates were made according to historic and

conventional prices rather inconsistent with reality. It should not

be forgotten that “the estimates of losses in terms of housing were

made on the basis of historic and conventional prices, and not on

their real value at international prices. Suffice it to say that in

order to build a lasting house that would put up with the strongest

winds a basic element is required which is in very short supply:

labor force. This is needed both for a temporary repair and for a

lasting construction. That labor force has to be distributed among a

number of production and services centers, some of them badly

damaged, thus the real value of a house in the world and the repay of

the corresponding investment is often greater.”

Nature dealt us a heavy blow but it is encouraging to know that our

struggle will continue steadily and restlessly.

There is no final answer to the economic crisis hitting the United

States, and consequently every other country in the world. But,

there certainly is an answer in our country to natural disasters

and to every attempt at putting a price on our dignity.

Fidel Castro Ruz

September 16, 2008

7:54 p.m.

The Consulate General of Cuba inform about the ways for donations, the following:

All transfers must be, in preference, in Euros (EUR) or Canadian Dollars (CAD).

Very important: Do not use in any case the American Dollar (USD), American banks or from another nationality in American soil or under its jurisdiction.

In every transfer it must clearly stated that the beneficiary is the BANCO FINANCIERO INTERNACIONAL S. A., Havana, Cuba in any of the below accounts with the subject “Ayuda Humanitaria por daños causados por el Huracan,” for easy identification.

The banks and accounts to use are as follows:

Bank Name                                                 SWIFT Code              Account No.

In  EUR Germany

Dresdner Bank A.G.                                   DRESDEFF                 499/08089929/00/888

Commerzbank A.G.                                   COBADEFF                 400877502500 EUR

In  EUR  France

BBVA Paris                                               BBVAFRPP                FR7641189000011038055480124

Credit Mutuel                                             CMBRFR2B               118080091600020396811003

In  CAD Canada

National Bank of Canada,

Montreal                                                    BNDCCAMM             02929623600100101

Toronto Dominion Bank,

Toronto                                                     TDOMCATT              0360-01-2201925 TORONTO

Cuban Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque called admirable the wave of solidarity that large and small countries have shown, the real value of which has been their attitude and willingness to help.

In a pres conference at the Foreign Ministry headquarters, Perez Roque reported that 23 countries have already sent donations, the signification of which goes beyond their simple financial cost.

The minister assessed the work by different UN agencies, with which there is traditional close collaboration.

The head of the Cuban diplomacy explained that the worst problems are now in food production and housing, but he highlighted that nobody would be left on his/her own and the country would overcome this situation.

In this reference, the foreign minister said the damage by those hurricanes worsened the crisis originated by an international rise in food prices, but they are already working to reduce imports.

TWICE THE SAME LIE

Reading the cables will suffice.

In the reflection I wrote the day before yesterday I expressed that Cuba would not accept any donation from the government that imposes a blockade against it, and that in the Note Verbale sent to the Interest Section of the United States we had requested authorization so that the US companies could sell to us construction material.  Said Note did not make any reference whatsoever to foodstuffs.  There was an additional request for the trade in those materials to take place under normal conditions, with credits included, something that is only logical considering that for eight years our country has been paying in cash for the few commodities that the US companies are authorized to export to Cuba.

Such request was all the more justified in the face of the emergency situation that was created as a result of the passing of the hurricanes.

It was precisely George W. Bush who, after hurricane Michelle violently hit the Island on November 4, 2001, authorized the sale of agricultural products to Cuba, which included wood as a crop deriving from silviculture, which is quite developed in that nation.  He did not insist on the in situ inspection when, as it is the case now, we responded that we had already completed such inspection.

We mostly imported foodstuffs.  In a few weeks we imported 4.4 million dollars worth of goods, once all the relevant arrangements were quickly finalized.

In 2002 we purchased 173.6 million dollars worth in goods; in 2003, 327 million dollars; in 2004, 434.1 million; in 2005, 473 million; in 2006, 483.3 million; in 2007, 515.8 million, and during the first semester of the year 2008, 425 million.  As can be seen, figures increased year after year, and quite likely this year, after the devastating impact caused by two hurricanes, the country would be forced to import a much higher volume only from the United States, particularly considering that prices have significantly increased and taking into account the colossal blow dealt  to agriculture.

The government of that country informed the world’s public opinion that it had authorized the sale of foodstuffs and wood, as if this were a new decision associated to both hurricanes, Gustav and Ike.  A full and complete mockery.

What did the speaker of the State Department say?

On Sunday September 14 he declared that from the moment when hurricane Gustav started to batter Cuba, the United States authorized 250 million US dollars worth in agricultural sales to the Island, including wood.  Before that, the Secretary of Commerce of that country had refused to grant any commercial credit.

Again on September 16, the State Department declared that the United States authorized some licenses as part of the assistance after the catastrophe caused by the two hurricanes, and those agricultural licenses included “wood, an important material for reconstruction.”

In addition to the lies, what were the arguments with which they tried to justify the ban on US companies to grant credits to trade with Cuba in a normal way? “The government of the United States must abide by Congress laws”. The blockade is supposedly a Congressional law by virtue of a perfidious amendment of convenience, similar to the Platt Amendment.  The President of the United States can declare war without consulting the Congress –something unheard of in the history of that country- and can not, however, authorize a US company to trade with Cuba under normal conditions.

In the message I sent to Hugo Chávez, President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, which described some of the experiences of our Revolution, I wrote:  as a result of “the ruthless and absolute economic blockade, we would not be allowed to purchase a single kilogram of food.  This slightly changed thirty years after, due to the pressure exerted by farmers, but this policy was accompanied by leonine financial and monetary barriers”.  The Venezuelan revolutionary leader himself has disclosed part of that message.

Everything is crystal clear.

By resorting to the same lie twice, the State Department has had no qualms to deceive the world’s public opinion, and they do it in a cynical way.

Fidel Castro Ruz

September 18, 2008