Saturday, May 1, 2010
By John J. Metzler, United Nations correspondent, Special to The China Post
"Freedom of expression is a fundamental human right…but around the world
there are governments and those wielding power who find many ways to
obstruct it," warned U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon while
proclaiming World Press Freedom Day.
Thus when Vincente Botin, a veteran Spanish TV news reporter based in
Cuba, separately briefed U.N. correspondents, the message was all the
more poignant. Botin, whose four-year stint in Havana working for
Spain's TV Espanola, spoke of the ongoing pressures from the Cuban
dictatorship and the continuing attacks against the free press.
Botin stated that according to the media watchdog group Reporters
Without Borders, that Cuba holds the dubious distinction of jailing the
second largest number of journalists in the world today, followed only
by the People's Republic of China. He added that even as a foreign
correspondent, he is forced to walk a thin line of "self-censorship" and
"face a tricky balancing act as to what we can say." Over the past few
years, three foreign correspondents were kicked out of Cuba, and that is
why "we have to write between the lines and use metaphor to convey the
story."
Botin stated that since the communist-controlled island considers itself
in a "state of war," that press surveillance is intense. Citing
Reporters Without Borders, he stated that twenty state security agents
are assigned to monitor each foreign correspondent.
"Freedom of media is at risk anywhere the independence of thinking is
under pressure," stated a Spanish delegate at a separate U.N. committee
hearing. "All U.N. member states make their commitment to respect
fundamental freedoms, to guarantee full respect for freedom of
expression, and access to information, and to ensure the unhindered
movements of press representatives. The EU considers it of paramount
importance that these commitments are fully adhered to."
Thus I questioned Botin whether the Spanish government, which let's face
it, has a long history with Cuba dating from colonial times to the
present day, has taken a proactive stance on human rights in the
Caribbean island?
Given that the Madrid government presently also holds the presidency of
the European Union, it has all the more of a political bully pulpit to
exert positive influence over Cuba. Botin conceded that Spanish
governments both of the right, namely under Aznar, and currently Jose
Maria Zapatero's of the socialist Left have spoken of "engagement" for
the island. Yet neither right nor left governments has achieved any
positive human rights results in dealing with Fidel Castro.
Interestingly, political pressures from the European Union states have
been reserved and limited with the exception of the Czech Republic's
courageous stand.
Botin described the United Nations political position on Cuba as "immoral."
Though he does not favor the longstanding American economic embargo on
Cuba which dates from the early years of Castro's rule, Botin admitted
that what the Havana regime does not like to admit is that the USA is
the island's 5th largest trading partner and the largest exporter of
food to Cuba. This may prove an uncomfortable contradiction but it is
equally a commercial reality.
He conceded that while Raul Castro formally replaced his ailing brother
Fidel in 2008, in fact the expected reforms "never materialized."
Moreover the Communist Party of Cuba "controls all."
Dealing with the internet, Secretary-General Ban stated, "The censors
are also active in cyberspace, restricting the use of the internet and
the new media." According to Botin, the internet in Cuba plays a very
limited role; "It is one of the lowest in the world with only 9 in 1,000
people having access, which is actually lower than Togo." The numbers of
bloggers are few but naturally under surveillance.
Botin conceded the regime is a "personality driven dictatorship." In a
riveting account of his four years in Cuba, "Castro's Funerals," Botin
wrote a book as a way to "exorcise myself" from the self-censorship and
compromises made while living in Castro's state.
Secretary-General Ban stated perhaps optimistically, "This year's theme
is freedom of information; the right to know." I'm not so certain the
Castro brothers would agree.
John J. Metzler is a United Nations correspondent covering diplomatic
and defense issues. Metzler can be reached at jjmcolumn@earthlink.net
http://www.chinapost.com.tw/commentary/the-china-post/john-metzler/2010/05/01/254689/Cuba-still.htm
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