Fidel back in charge of Cuba

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Fidel back in charge of Cubaby Saskia van Reenen*
 
 26-04-2007
 
 http://www.radionetherlands.nl/currentaffairs/fid070426mc
 
 Fidel Castro appears to be taking over his presidential duties once again after a long sickness. Over the weekend, Cuba's state newspaper 'de Granma' published photos of a meeting between Mr Castro and a senior Chinese official. The authorities say Mr Castro is recovering well. The Cuban people have not seen their leader in public for months but are hoping he will be able to join in the 1 May parade.
 
 
 
 Domino playing in Havana
 
 In a square in Havana, five Cubans are playing dominoes, a favourite pastime on the island. Everyday life seems to carry on just the same. There's nothing to indicate that, following a serious bowel operation, Fidel Castro has been absent from public life for almost a year.
 
 The daily running of the government was taken over by his brother Raśl and a team of ministers, but the signs are that Fidel Castro is on the way back.
 Anniversary
 Fidel Castro will, however, still not be attending the anniversary celebrations of the 120 club, an association for elderly Cubans whose average age is about 80. The club was set up by the Cuban leader's personal doctor who wanted to do something for those of the same age as his patient and for elderly Communist Party members. People in the 120 club are happy to allow their leader the time to recover properly. He has to think about his own condition first, and then about his people.
 
 Mr Castro's long illness has led to speculation in the foreign press about how Cuba will fare without its leader. Even if he does get back into the presidential saddle this time, he won't be able to go on forever. Will his death mean the end of socialism on the island? Wiek Wildeboer, the Dutch ambassador to Cuba, believes the population is waiting in tense anticipation to see which direction the island will take.
 
 Over the last few months, they have been able to get a taste of the ideas the government has concerning the future. After the transfer of power to Raśl Castro, institutions such as the Committee for the Defence of the Revolution (CDR) and the Communist Youth Movement were brought together and told that the government would not introduce policy changes. They were called on to support this continuity. There has been no substantial change in the political establishment or in the centrally controlled economic system.
 
 
 
 Cuban people are constantly monitored
 
 The future
 Ordinary people in the street will not venture to give an opinion to someone with a microphone about what they think will happen in the future. They point out that a police officer is standing 10 metres away and that there is camera surveillance.
 
 However, one, an English teacher called Ray who gives private lessons, invites me to a friend's house to interview him. He thinks that street surveillance has increased over the last months. Ray expects protests if Castro dies:
 "The problem is that we want more democracy. People are tired of this system. We'll demonstrate because we want free elections." Ray hopes that there will be changes in Cuba within five or 10 years.
 
 Osvaldo Paya, who heads the Christian Freedom Movement hopes that a peaceful transition of power can occur, one without violent protest.
 
 Mr Paya says that, after years of Communism, Cubans will have to be educated in what democracy is. He proposes reforms and a new legal system so that Cubans can live and speak freely without fear.
 
 
 
 Dahlia Amaecual (right) of the 120 Club
 
 Signatures
 Mr Paya is collecting the signatures of people backing a referendum on democracy. The government takes absolutely no account of the call. The opposition finds it difficult even to meet.
 
 They are not just monitored by the police, but are also spied on by civil defence volunteers who check up on what people are doing on a daily basis. They tidy up the streets and keep an eye on their neighbours. People who try to sabotage the revolution have problems with their neighbours, says a civil defence representative.
 People who criticise the regime can also end up in jail. Just this week, seven dissidents were released who had served time for insulting Fidel Castro and for being suspected of endangering the state.
 
 At the 120 club, the members hope that Fidel Castro lives to a great old age just like themselves. But, with or without him, the revolution will live on. The old people say he has prepared the younger generation well for the task of government.