After watching the speech in its entirety, I wanted to take a minute to explain why I think today’s speech by President Bush on the subject of Cuba is so important (Full Video Here).
First of all the venue. President Bush could have given that speech on 8th street, in the rose garden or anywhere else but he chose to give it at the State Department in front of the diplomatic corps. This is a not so subtle reminder to these career bureaucrats, many of which have their own ideas, (an issue that has dogged U.S. Cuba policy since the days of Fulgencio Batista) of who their boss is and who makes foreign policy in this country. The message is clear, the U.S. will not negotiate on the basis of fear of instability in Cuba. The U.S. stands for what is right in Cuba whether it causes instability or not. Not only that, the issue of Cuban freedom needs to be top of mind for these diplomats as they do business with their counterparts around the world.
Secondly, the amount of time dedicated to the subject. The president gave a 40 minute speech in year where there are no elections. He highlighted to the world the plight of the political prisoners in Cuba, calling some of them out by name so the world could no longer ignore them. This was something that NBC News apparently didn’t think was important when they went down to Cuba to broadcast the Today Show a few months back.
Thirdly, it was a message directed at various audiences on the island. To the dissidents and members of the political opposition he sends a message of moral support. To the members of the army and other government officials he sends a message that there is future for them in free Cuba as long as their hands aren’t bloody. In a sense he’s telling the opposition to take to the streets and the repressive forces to stand down. He also sent a message to those in leadership positions that Cuba’s fortunes can turn quickly for the better with a few basic changes. That the United States is willing to lead the construction of a new Cuba if those who espouse the old castro methods of confrontation and repression could be removed from power. He was inviting the real reformers to please stand up.
Fourthly, he clearly and concretely communicates that his policy on Cuba, the hard-line policy, is unwavering. He sends a signal to congress that any measures that weaken our country’s stance toward Cuba will be dead on arrival. Remember a new president doesn’t take office for another 15 months.
Fifth, he encourages the countries that have been friends of Cuban liberty like the Czech Republic to keep up the pressure in the international bodies like the EU and the UN. At the same time he castigates the countries that cynically do business with the regime by explaining that when the history books are written on the castro regime that they will be embarrassed and ashamed of their behavior.
Did he introduce any great new measure that will lead directly to the fall of the regime? No, not really. But he explained what needs to happen for that fall to happen. The free world needs to rally around the opposition in Cuba. Did he say anything new? Not really. Everything he said has been said on this blog and others and in other venues at some point or another. But periodically you need a reaffirmation, a charge to the old batteries.
There was a man once who gave a certain speech hundreds, if not thousands, of times. That speech was about the evils of communism and the atrocities committed in communism’s name by the former Soviet Union. The details within the speech often varied but the subtext was the same for 3 decades because that speech was the truth. And one day, that man gave that speech again but unlike the previous times he gave that speech he did it in a special place and in a special way. That speech climaxed with a single line:
Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!
You’ll remember that in 1987, with only slightly more time left in office than President Bush has now, that Reagan’s speech was not considered to be earth-shattering. Especially by his critics. The imminent end of the Soviet Union was not an event that many were forecasting. But today, that speech stands as one of Reagan’s finest moments. When he reiterated to the world what they already knew but were unwilling to recognize. That freedom must triumph over tyranny and that the United States would always stand on the side of freedom.
UPDATE: Joe Garcia and Jeff Flake would have said: “Mr. Gorbachev, would you like to buy some cement and bricks for this lovely wall?”
Seriously, if Joe Garcia were truly interested in Cuban liberty and not just being a party hack, he would have said, “I don’t agree with the policies but I agree with the President’s sentiment. The President should be applauded for reminding the world of the plight of the Cuban people.” Of course he would never come out with anything that even resembled an even-handed statement.
20 thoughts on “The importance of today’s speech – UPDATED”
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Henry, you have provided an excellent synopsis of the speech. I have just finished reading the entire text at the WH site.
I am positively comforted by 3 points that the President made, which I found them to be the 3 most important declarations he made in his entire speech:
1. -“…forgive those who have been part of the system but who do not have blood on their hands”
This is about as an ‘official’ absolution as you can get without saying so. It is directed principally to the FAR and MININT personnel. While addressing to the scope to Cuba society, since the President is offering it, it is by extension form the USA itself. It is a “green light” to proceed without fear of USA retribution.
2.-“members of the Cuban military, or the police, or officials in the government. You may have once believed in the revolution. Now you can see its failure. When Cubans rise up to demand their liberty, they — they — the liberty they deserve, you’ve got to make a choice. Will you defend a disgraced and dying order by using force against your own people? Or will you embrace your people’s desire for change? There is a place for you in the free Cuba. “
A warning to the FAR and MININT that the U.S. is watching as to who will have “blood on their hands” in the event the people rise up for freedom.
3.-“In that spirit, today I also am announcing a new initiative to develop an international multi-billion dollar Freedom Fund for Cuba.”
“…And once these freedoms are in place, the fund will be able to give Cubans — especially Cuban entrepreneurs — access to grants, and loans and debt relief to help rebuild their country.”
Also, a direct message again to those in Cuba now who currently ‘enjoy’ the fruits of the system (the FAR and MININT).
Let us hope that events accelerate in the coming months towards a free and democratic Cuba.
Absolutely great post on the president’s speech. I believe that today we have witnessed a historic moment on the road to a free Cuba. True, we have heard many of these words before, but I have never heard them spoken before in a way that challenges the castro apologists that this speech does; he used the word apartheid, he named Dr. Biscet and others, he used the term bloody hands, and reminded humanity of its responsibility. He did so not as a campaign speech, or in piece meal statements to placate disgruntled voters, but with conviction backed by the power of the presidency. I have been very critical of President Bush, but today he has my thanks and my gratitude.
I sat through the speech online and held my breath as I knew the canned “viva Cuba libre” was coming. This will accomplish nothing. To me it was a token gesture. A speech that will not be heard unless you were looking for it. A speech that will not be read unless you were looking for it. A freedom that will not happen unless there is more than speeches. I for one was highly disappointed. I saw nothing new. I am glas for the sake of the family members present that at least there was some acknowledgement of their suffering. But aside from that it was more of the same.
If there’s something I respect about you and your excellent blog is the fact that you truly practice democracy. Even though we don’t have the same points of view you don’t block and ignore mine or others. I take your analysis seriously and you make solid points. My point is based in hearing the same story. My respect and admiration for Bush are also solid. You also understand that we are united under one goal. Thanks Henry for the vacilon plugs. God Bless man!
pototo dijo
“I am glad for the sake of the family members present that at least there was some acknowledgement of their suffering. But aside from that it was more of the same.”
bien dicho pototo…Democracy and free speech are alive and well in this blog
“Joining us here are family members of political prisoners in Cuba. I’ve asked them to come because I want our fellow citizens to see the faces of those who suffer as a result of the human rights abuses on the
island some 90 miles from our shore.”
Next time someone starts talking about the “Miami Mafia”, show them the photo of Melissa Gonzalez with her tear stained cheeks.
Pototo,
I’m sorry you feel that. Some things need to be repeated and repeated again. And I think you are wrong about having to look for it. The Cuban government is already reacting negatively toward it. If this is a war of the words, a public relations battle then we can’t have a bigger then we can’t have a bigger spokesman than the President of the USA.
Henry,
I appreciate your loyalty to the President, but I feel that you are wrong in expecting this to do anything more than help our brother CA politicans in Miami for the next election cycle. I would bet that if we did a web search for the words from the president “viva Cuba libre” they would coincide with election years. As I said I am glad for the families, but wars of words never won anything.
I would bet that if we did a web search for the words from the president “viva Cuba libre” they would coincide with election years.
That’s just it — this ISN’T an election year. If he was just trying to pump up the vote for Cuban-American politicians, with his plate as full as it is, he’d be giving speeches like this next summer and fall, not right now.
I disagree with the President on a lot of things. I agree with every word he said today about Cuba. That’s all.
“the solution is on the Cuban streets not in Crawford, Texas or DC”
fantomas oct 24, 2007
pototo,
So what then? You are now the President of the US, tell us all how it is exactly that you will fix the Cuba problem.
I can understand bitterness at previous Us administrations and to some degree this one, but to discount this despite the obvious positives is just being rancorous.
Fantomas, you are correct the solution is on the Cuban streets but who is going to take to the streets if the world isn’t going to pay attention? The president is telling Cubans that we are paying attention.
There unfortunate (or forunate depending on how you look at it) truth is that we are not in Cuba. At some point we (or in my case, my parents) made a calculation that it’s better to live in the US than to live and fight in Cuba.
I can’t expect people in Cuba to act the way I might here in the US if someone violated my rights.
Val,Henry,
I am not the President nor am capable enough to be. But my point is that there was no substance. Lots of rah rah, but that is my opinion and I would appreciate it not being belittled because I think different. What in fact is any different than this morning? Nothing.Promises of things that will happen IF something else happens. I am happy that some are pleased and I am very happy for the attention properly given to the political prisoners. But when all is said and done more was said than done. I may not have the answer, but this was not the answer. As to what i would do as President? That is a tough one. My bias as a Cuban would probably slant my decisions, but I would not stifle those Cubans who want to do something from the US. Either financially or militarily. I would not trade with the enemy as we hypocritically do with the paper embargo. I would pressure countries that we do have clout with to do more and trade less with Cuba. That would be something. Today was not. To me at least.
Yeah, yeah. I get it, I get it.
Good night.
Things has to be evaluated looking to the results. Nice speeches do not solve problems. We are in the same position (or worse) than 50 years ago. Those are the facts: Embargo failed beheading Castro’s regime and he will die happy in his warm bed.
Mr. president forgot one thing. Castros have far enough money to live the rest of their lives. Today they do not mind a couple of millions more or less. But the embargo, the hard line is killing poor people! One dollar arrived to the hands of the poor people in Cuba will solve them the dinner of tonight. This people has to survive first and things in transitions later and not in the other way around!
Gentlemen you are overestimating the influence and possibilities of dissidents inside Cuba to change the society. It will takes another 50 years for them to do it. I let you here an analysis about what I saw there in Cuba: http://www.conexioncubana.net/blogs/yoyo/?p=404
Gentlemen you are getting too enthusiastic.
If we Cuban-Americans didn’t send a single cent or travel to Cuba, and the U.S. ended the Cuban adjustment act (no visa lottery) how long do you think the regime would last?
Let’s get real. Sending money to Cuba isn’t going end the regime.
Henry,
The answer to your questioon is so easy.
You are not essential for Castros. If the Cuban american do not send a cent to Cuba, the regime will still last forever and ever with European Union money, with Drug’s money, with Chavez money…
If the Cuban american do not send a cent to Cuba, just more cubans will left behind Cuba or would die of hunger. But still Castro has enough money to survive himself and his fammily.
That’s what has been happening the last 50 years!
Sometimes I wonder how you guys could deny the reality!
Today they do not mind a couple of millions more or less. But the embargo, the hard line is killing poor people!
It might be true if the REST OF THE WORLD was also taking this hard line, but Cuba is free to trade with Europe or Canada or Mexico or Asia or whoever it wants because the rest of the world has zero qualms about doing business with a Stalinist island prison.
Their poverty is not the result of the American embargo, which still allows food and medicine. Their poverty is caused by totalitarianism based on the economic insanity of Marxism.
Lift the embargo and all you do is put millions more in the Castros’ pockets. The poor won’t see one peso.
Zhangliqun said: Lift the embargo and all you do is put millions more in the Castros’ pockets. The poor won’t see one peso.
Sure, you are right. But one million of American tourist in Havana’s streets could be letal for Castro regime and by the way, they will pay diretly to Cubans which will have indeed the dollar in their hands breaking the dependancy from the state.