CUBA 1
(EV images 10’00’00-10’0030)
On Saturday, 2nd December 2006, a military parade marked the 50th anniversary of the Cuban revolution and Fidel Castro’s official birthday in Havana. Castro himself was unable to appear. It seems that the highest power in the country has been permanently transferred to Raúl Castro.
Changes in the leadership will not bring about any changes of the political system, assures an influential member of the Cuban Parliament.
100% (10’00’35-10’01’09)
José Luis Toledo
Chairman of Legal Committee
Cuba’s National Assembly
I don’t think there will be any change.
Everything will continue as usual.
Five years ago we reformed
the constitution.
In a national referendum
at that time -
more than 95 % of the population
signed a wish -
to retain the socialist system -
and the achievements
of the Revolution as irrevocable.
(EV images 10’01’09-10’01’17)
Raúl Castro carries the authority of a revolutionary soldier. His dominating position is secured by leadership of the Communist Party and supreme command of the army. Even the Ministry of the Interior is controlled by the army.
100% (10’01’25-10’01’38)
Timo Seppänen / Havana
The Ministry of the Interior
has a very strong position in Cuba.
It is responsible for internal security -
and in charge of all the different
police forces.
And policemen abound,
especially in Havana.
Police officers are in a privileged position in Cuba. Their salary is 2.5 times that of medical doctors. Distinguished military officers may have an opportunity to strike it rich in business. Most state-owned companies are owned by the army or managed by military officers.
100% (10’02’02-10’02’27)
Juan Triana
Economist
National Institute for Economic Research
Why is that?
-It’s a tradition in Cuba.
It has been that way for ages.
Even Che Guevara founded
a number of companies
while he was still fighting
in the mountains.
The tradition has stuck.
The daily life of Cuban citizens is strictly controlled by the establishment. The Government is assisted by a unique organization of citizens.
100% (10’02’37-10’02’57)
Timo Seppänen / Havana
Every residential quarter in Cuba -
has a Committee for the Defence
of the Revolution, or CDR.
They maintain registers of all
the people of Cuba.
The main purpose is to ensure
that no one or nothing -
will put the achievements
of the Revolution at risk.
100% (10’02’57-10’03’07)
Ruben Pérez
Deputy Manager
Committees for the Defence of the Revolution
We have more than 135,000
neighbourhood committees -
and more than 17,000 CDR areas.
More than 8,345,000 members
have joined the organization.
The “Cederists” are responsible for a number of service tasks. Recently, volunteers have been busy day and night spraying pesticides against mosquitoes that spread dengue fever. But the main role of committees for the defence of the Revolution, as defined by Fidel Castro, is something very different.
100% (10’03’34-10’03’47)
Ruben Pérez
Deputy Manager
Committees for the Defence of the Revolution
With the help of the organization -
we know who is who,
who moves with whom
and does what,
and how people are affected
by the flunkeys of imperialism.
”Ideas are the weapons of CDR”, as the slogan goes. Other weapons include warnings, which local bosses issue to citizens deemed as asocial.
You can get a notice if you do not work for the state or if you are active in an independent trade union. But you may get into other kind of trouble as well.
100% (10’04’16-10’04’32)
Luis Duartes Martinez
Secretary General
Cuba’s Independent Workers Labour Union (USTIC)
I have been given five warnings
for being dangerous.
And I was fired from my job
because of political activity.
A citizen who fails to change his or her behaviour despite CDR’s warnings, will be severely punished.
100% (10’04’40-10’05’00)
Ruben Pérez
Deputy Manager
Committees for the Defence of the Revolution
For that we have a separate system:
sector chiefs of the police,
investigating judges and
a preventive commission.
But this involves other
types of action,
legal processes against
dangerous persons -
because of asocial behaviour.
A sentence for dangerousness is very common in Cuba. It may be up to four years in prison, though Cuban legislation does not actually define dangerousness as a crime.
100% (10’05’11-10’05’29)
José Luis Toledo
Chairman of Legal Committee
Cuba’s National Assembly
This involves people susceptible
to crime.
People who manifest their antisocial
attitudes by their behaviour -
endangering the whole society.
A Cuban identity card looks like this. Black people, in particular, have to show their papers every little while. Police officers are particularly interested in the address written on the back of the card.
People arriving to Havana from other parts of the country must carry a visa. It is issued for a definite period only. In the outskirts of the city there are thousands of people with no visa.
100%
Timo Seppänen / Havana
This shanty town in the outskirts
of Havana -
is one of the poorest parts
of the city.
Some of the houses have been
built with nothing else -
but cardboard and corrugated sheet.
It’s called Llega and Pon,
which means “come and put up”.
The explanation is clear.
100% (10’06’21-10’06’36)
Jorge
Why is this place called
“Llega and Pon”?
Because we come from elsewhere
and put up our dwellings here.
Where do you come from?
-From the east.
Do you all come from the east?
-Yes.
There are lots of people in the street
and it’s ten in the morning.
Why are you not at work?
100% (10’06’41-10’07’19)
Deisy
Because we are from Llega y Pon.
We have no address in Havana.
We come from the east.
Don’t you have the right to work?
Yes, but we cannot get a job
because of the address.
Are you living here illegally?
-Yes.
Don’t you have a visa?
-No.
What happens if the police
wants to see your visa?
We must go back to the east.
Could you return here later?
-Sure, but it would mean jail.
Anyone traveling to another town without a visa is guilty of a crime called disobedience. The sentence is two months in prison. The inhabitants of Llega y Pon flout the orders, though a committee for the Defence of the Revolution works even in this village.
100% (10’07’35-10’07’55)
We can be sentenced
for disobedience.
What kind of consequences
can you expect?
You can be put into jail -
for several years,
whether you are a man or
a woman with children.
MUSIC
These people defy the national leadership in another way. They are independent journalists and dissidents, who openly oppose the Government.
Oscar Mario Gonzalez was released from prison five days before our interview. His term was 16 months.
100% (10’08’16-10’08’22)
Oscar Mario González Pérez
Independent journalist
In fact it was abduction,
they had no arrest warranty.
I was arrested by four young men.
”Ladies in White” are the only group that is officially allowed to demonstrate against the Government.
100% (10’08’34-10’08’56)
Cruz Delia Aguilar Mora
Damas de blanco
The Government cannot attack
these women,
whose only weapon is a lily
they carry in their hand.
The Government cannot afford to let
the international media know -
that any of these women should be hurt
when they are only asking for -
freedom to their husbands
who have been illegally arrested.
Dolia Leal Francisco founded the organization as her husband became a political prisoner.
100% (10’09’02-10’09’15)
Dolia Leal Francisco
Founder
Damas de Blanco
Thirteen years?
-Thirteen.
For what?
-My husband heads the Liberal Party.
You are not permitted to
get organized in Cuba.
Opposition is illegal in Cuba.
The Ladies in White demand that political prisoners should be released. Some of the prisoners don’t even know why they have been arrested.
100% (10’09’24-10’09’51)
Oscar Mario González Pérez
Independent journalist
I was never convicted.
I asked why I had been arrested,
but they never told me.
Did you have a lawyer?
-Yes, but you must understand -
that in a totalitarian system
all power is held by the Government.
A lawyer is only a decoration
with no practical purpose.
Ladies in White have won the EU’s human rights award. The security police is pressing them to give up their activity. Dolia Leal says the security police have been threatening her.
100% (10’10’05-10’10’38)
Dolia Leal Francisco
Founder
Damas de Blanco
”Dolia, you know how ill Nelson is.
Everyone knows how ill he is.”
“If you continue in the Ladies in White
he will have to pay for it.”
“Whatever happens to him,
it’s inflicted by you.”
“You are causing a lot of damage
to the Revolution.”
“We have reports on you, you
are persuading other women to join.”
”Nelson will have to pay
for all of that.”
But I said he will not pay,
I will.
Political prisoners are put into jails that are as far away from their home as possible in an effort to try and prevent their communicating with their families.
100% (10’10’48-10’11’25)
Oscar Mario González Pérez
Independent journalist
I was not physically tortured,
but I felt I was tortured
psychologically.
How?
The living conditions were such.
First of all, I was completely
segregated.
I hadn’t even a radio.
I didn’t hear anything
from anything.
My family was allowed to
visit for 10 minutes a week.
But two policemen were standing
beside us all the time.
We could only talk about
family matters.
Dissidents are not watched only by the secret police. Even neighbours working for the CDR watch them day and night.
100%
Ruben Pérez
Deputy Manager
Committees for the Defence of the Revolution
The Cuban people will not allow
anyone to betray the Revolution -
or the principles of the Revolution.
100% (10’11’48-10’12’25)
Amarilis Cortina Rey
Independent journalist
I was never arrested or put to jail.
But I have been like a prisoner
in my own neighbourhood.
My home, family and friends
are being watched.
All my visitors
will be disturbed afterwards.
They are asked what they know
about me and my doings.
I’m afraid to visit anyone,
because I don’t like to complicate
anyone’s life by my presence.
Sharing knowledge is the most important activity of dissidents. Independent libraries help in doing this. There are about 150 home libraries like this one.
100% (10’12’37-10’12’51)
Omayda Padrón Azcuy
Independent library worker
We provide information to people
who come here to get it.
Information on any subject,
because the Government
censors literature.
Independent libraries distribute books by writers such as Vaclav Havel. But there are also children’s books.
100% (10’13’01-10’13’29)
Omayda Padrón Azcuy
Independent library worker
There are many books that
children cannot get in Cuba.
Even children’s books are censored
by the Government.
The school offers a certain doctrine only.
Teachers obey the Government’s orders
as to what you can read.
It’s propaganda.
-Yes, propaganda at school.
The United States Interest Section Office in Havana works in this building. The Cuban Government claims dissidents work on orders from this office. True or not, some of the dissidents use the services of this U.S. office, including the Internet, which is not available for them in Cuba.
100% (10’13’51-10’14’11)
Amarilis Cortina Rey
Independent journalist
I don’t even have a decent typewriter.
My machine dates back to 1930.
I’m not familiar with the Internet world.
But I can use my e-mail
thanks to the U.S. Interest Office.
They have computers,
and I can use my e-mail there.
The Cuban establishment dismisses opposition as an unimportant tinkering with no kind of future perspective.
100% (10’14’20-10’14’59)
José Luis Toledo
Chairman of Legal Committee
Cuba’s National Assembly
There is a group of people in Cuba
who are paid by the USA -
for creating an image of the existence
of an anti-government movement.
But it’s only a tiny group -
with no significance at all
in Cuban society.
And they are not representing any
changing winds in Cuba.
The Cuban elite proclaims: We are just fine. Despite the downplaying of the role of dissidents, the leadership has been oppressing the opposition systematically. But after Fidel Castro fell ill, the situation has changed a little.
100% (10’15’15-10’16’10)
Heriberto Portales
President
Orthodox Party of the Cuban People
Oppression has abated a little.
-Why?
Fewer sentences are being given -
and you see less arbitrary arrests.
There are also fewer reports
of visits -
by representatives of
the political establishment.
Why has the level of oppression
of the opposition abated?
It’s possible that new political forces
are entering the stage.
Either they are going to draw up
a different political agenda -
or they are analyzing the situation
to return to former practices.
Even the people in the opposition are on their toes, unwilling to provoke the leadership. No one in Cuba seems to believe in any rapid changes in the country’s political life.
100% (10’16’22-10’16’38)
Rafael Calderón Agüero
I don’t believe there will be
any change.
There are others who can lead
the country.
Not at the moment.
It’s very difficult to think
about any change.
100% (10’16’38-10’17’42)
Heriberto Portales
President
Orthodox Party of the Cuban People
I don’t have any illusions about
Fidel Castro’s death leading -
to major democratic changes,
at least not in the sense this is
understood elsewhere in the world.
Economic changes may be ahead
à la China or Vietnam,
but there will hardly be
a multiparty system,
democratic dialogue or
freedom of expression.
It’s difficult to imagine free press,
that would not be controlled by
the interests of a certain person or a group.
I think it’s something that may still
have to wait on the horizon.
Why does it seem impossible?
Because the generation that created
this system is still in power.
(Song:)
The spring that arrives
is so close and so different
so humane
so silent
so brotherly
Final credits: Reporter: Timo Seppänen
Photographer: Sammeli Vartiainen
Editor: Sammeli Vartiainen
Duration: 18’10” or 18’16”
(EV images 10’00’00-10’0030)
On Saturday, 2nd December 2006, a military parade marked the 50th anniversary of the Cuban revolution and Fidel Castro’s official birthday in Havana. Castro himself was unable to appear. It seems that the highest power in the country has been permanently transferred to Raúl Castro.
Changes in the leadership will not bring about any changes of the political system, assures an influential member of the Cuban Parliament.
100% (10’00’35-10’01’09)
José Luis Toledo
Chairman of Legal Committee
Cuba’s National Assembly
I don’t think there will be any change.
Everything will continue as usual.
Five years ago we reformed
the constitution.
In a national referendum
at that time -
more than 95 % of the population
signed a wish -
to retain the socialist system -
and the achievements
of the Revolution as irrevocable.
(EV images 10’01’09-10’01’17)
Raúl Castro carries the authority of a revolutionary soldier. His dominating position is secured by leadership of the Communist Party and supreme command of the army. Even the Ministry of the Interior is controlled by the army.
100% (10’01’25-10’01’38)
Timo Seppänen / Havana
The Ministry of the Interior
has a very strong position in Cuba.
It is responsible for internal security -
and in charge of all the different
police forces.
And policemen abound,
especially in Havana.
Police officers are in a privileged position in Cuba. Their salary is 2.5 times that of medical doctors. Distinguished military officers may have an opportunity to strike it rich in business. Most state-owned companies are owned by the army or managed by military officers.
100% (10’02’02-10’02’27)
Juan Triana
Economist
National Institute for Economic Research
Why is that?
-It’s a tradition in Cuba.
It has been that way for ages.
Even Che Guevara founded
a number of companies
while he was still fighting
in the mountains.
The tradition has stuck.
The daily life of Cuban citizens is strictly controlled by the establishment. The Government is assisted by a unique organization of citizens.
100% (10’02’37-10’02’57)
Timo Seppänen / Havana
Every residential quarter in Cuba -
has a Committee for the Defence
of the Revolution, or CDR.
They maintain registers of all
the people of Cuba.
The main purpose is to ensure
that no one or nothing -
will put the achievements
of the Revolution at risk.
100% (10’02’57-10’03’07)
Ruben Pérez
Deputy Manager
Committees for the Defence of the Revolution
We have more than 135,000
neighbourhood committees -
and more than 17,000 CDR areas.
More than 8,345,000 members
have joined the organization.
The “Cederists” are responsible for a number of service tasks. Recently, volunteers have been busy day and night spraying pesticides against mosquitoes that spread dengue fever. But the main role of committees for the defence of the Revolution, as defined by Fidel Castro, is something very different.
100% (10’03’34-10’03’47)
Ruben Pérez
Deputy Manager
Committees for the Defence of the Revolution
With the help of the organization -
we know who is who,
who moves with whom
and does what,
and how people are affected
by the flunkeys of imperialism.
”Ideas are the weapons of CDR”, as the slogan goes. Other weapons include warnings, which local bosses issue to citizens deemed as asocial.
You can get a notice if you do not work for the state or if you are active in an independent trade union. But you may get into other kind of trouble as well.
100% (10’04’16-10’04’32)
Luis Duartes Martinez
Secretary General
Cuba’s Independent Workers Labour Union (USTIC)
I have been given five warnings
for being dangerous.
And I was fired from my job
because of political activity.
A citizen who fails to change his or her behaviour despite CDR’s warnings, will be severely punished.
100% (10’04’40-10’05’00)
Ruben Pérez
Deputy Manager
Committees for the Defence of the Revolution
For that we have a separate system:
sector chiefs of the police,
investigating judges and
a preventive commission.
But this involves other
types of action,
legal processes against
dangerous persons -
because of asocial behaviour.
A sentence for dangerousness is very common in Cuba. It may be up to four years in prison, though Cuban legislation does not actually define dangerousness as a crime.
100% (10’05’11-10’05’29)
José Luis Toledo
Chairman of Legal Committee
Cuba’s National Assembly
This involves people susceptible
to crime.
People who manifest their antisocial
attitudes by their behaviour -
endangering the whole society.
A Cuban identity card looks like this. Black people, in particular, have to show their papers every little while. Police officers are particularly interested in the address written on the back of the card.
People arriving to Havana from other parts of the country must carry a visa. It is issued for a definite period only. In the outskirts of the city there are thousands of people with no visa.
100%
Timo Seppänen / Havana
This shanty town in the outskirts
of Havana -
is one of the poorest parts
of the city.
Some of the houses have been
built with nothing else -
but cardboard and corrugated sheet.
It’s called Llega and Pon,
which means “come and put up”.
The explanation is clear.
100% (10’06’21-10’06’36)
Jorge
Why is this place called
“Llega and Pon”?
Because we come from elsewhere
and put up our dwellings here.
Where do you come from?
-From the east.
Do you all come from the east?
-Yes.
There are lots of people in the street
and it’s ten in the morning.
Why are you not at work?
100% (10’06’41-10’07’19)
Deisy
Because we are from Llega y Pon.
We have no address in Havana.
We come from the east.
Don’t you have the right to work?
Yes, but we cannot get a job
because of the address.
Are you living here illegally?
-Yes.
Don’t you have a visa?
-No.
What happens if the police
wants to see your visa?
We must go back to the east.
Could you return here later?
-Sure, but it would mean jail.
Anyone traveling to another town without a visa is guilty of a crime called disobedience. The sentence is two months in prison. The inhabitants of Llega y Pon flout the orders, though a committee for the Defence of the Revolution works even in this village.
100% (10’07’35-10’07’55)
We can be sentenced
for disobedience.
What kind of consequences
can you expect?
You can be put into jail -
for several years,
whether you are a man or
a woman with children.
MUSIC
These people defy the national leadership in another way. They are independent journalists and dissidents, who openly oppose the Government.
Oscar Mario Gonzalez was released from prison five days before our interview. His term was 16 months.
100% (10’08’16-10’08’22)
Oscar Mario González Pérez
Independent journalist
In fact it was abduction,
they had no arrest warranty.
I was arrested by four young men.
”Ladies in White” are the only group that is officially allowed to demonstrate against the Government.
100% (10’08’34-10’08’56)
Cruz Delia Aguilar Mora
Damas de blanco
The Government cannot attack
these women,
whose only weapon is a lily
they carry in their hand.
The Government cannot afford to let
the international media know -
that any of these women should be hurt
when they are only asking for -
freedom to their husbands
who have been illegally arrested.
Dolia Leal Francisco founded the organization as her husband became a political prisoner.
100% (10’09’02-10’09’15)
Dolia Leal Francisco
Founder
Damas de Blanco
Thirteen years?
-Thirteen.
For what?
-My husband heads the Liberal Party.
You are not permitted to
get organized in Cuba.
Opposition is illegal in Cuba.
The Ladies in White demand that political prisoners should be released. Some of the prisoners don’t even know why they have been arrested.
100% (10’09’24-10’09’51)
Oscar Mario González Pérez
Independent journalist
I was never convicted.
I asked why I had been arrested,
but they never told me.
Did you have a lawyer?
-Yes, but you must understand -
that in a totalitarian system
all power is held by the Government.
A lawyer is only a decoration
with no practical purpose.
Ladies in White have won the EU’s human rights award. The security police is pressing them to give up their activity. Dolia Leal says the security police have been threatening her.
100% (10’10’05-10’10’38)
Dolia Leal Francisco
Founder
Damas de Blanco
”Dolia, you know how ill Nelson is.
Everyone knows how ill he is.”
“If you continue in the Ladies in White
he will have to pay for it.”
“Whatever happens to him,
it’s inflicted by you.”
“You are causing a lot of damage
to the Revolution.”
“We have reports on you, you
are persuading other women to join.”
”Nelson will have to pay
for all of that.”
But I said he will not pay,
I will.
Political prisoners are put into jails that are as far away from their home as possible in an effort to try and prevent their communicating with their families.
100% (10’10’48-10’11’25)
Oscar Mario González Pérez
Independent journalist
I was not physically tortured,
but I felt I was tortured
psychologically.
How?
The living conditions were such.
First of all, I was completely
segregated.
I hadn’t even a radio.
I didn’t hear anything
from anything.
My family was allowed to
visit for 10 minutes a week.
But two policemen were standing
beside us all the time.
We could only talk about
family matters.
Dissidents are not watched only by the secret police. Even neighbours working for the CDR watch them day and night.
100%
Ruben Pérez
Deputy Manager
Committees for the Defence of the Revolution
The Cuban people will not allow
anyone to betray the Revolution -
or the principles of the Revolution.
100% (10’11’48-10’12’25)
Amarilis Cortina Rey
Independent journalist
I was never arrested or put to jail.
But I have been like a prisoner
in my own neighbourhood.
My home, family and friends
are being watched.
All my visitors
will be disturbed afterwards.
They are asked what they know
about me and my doings.
I’m afraid to visit anyone,
because I don’t like to complicate
anyone’s life by my presence.
Sharing knowledge is the most important activity of dissidents. Independent libraries help in doing this. There are about 150 home libraries like this one.
100% (10’12’37-10’12’51)
Omayda Padrón Azcuy
Independent library worker
We provide information to people
who come here to get it.
Information on any subject,
because the Government
censors literature.
Independent libraries distribute books by writers such as Vaclav Havel. But there are also children’s books.
100% (10’13’01-10’13’29)
Omayda Padrón Azcuy
Independent library worker
There are many books that
children cannot get in Cuba.
Even children’s books are censored
by the Government.
The school offers a certain doctrine only.
Teachers obey the Government’s orders
as to what you can read.
It’s propaganda.
-Yes, propaganda at school.
The United States Interest Section Office in Havana works in this building. The Cuban Government claims dissidents work on orders from this office. True or not, some of the dissidents use the services of this U.S. office, including the Internet, which is not available for them in Cuba.
100% (10’13’51-10’14’11)
Amarilis Cortina Rey
Independent journalist
I don’t even have a decent typewriter.
My machine dates back to 1930.
I’m not familiar with the Internet world.
But I can use my e-mail
thanks to the U.S. Interest Office.
They have computers,
and I can use my e-mail there.
The Cuban establishment dismisses opposition as an unimportant tinkering with no kind of future perspective.
100% (10’14’20-10’14’59)
José Luis Toledo
Chairman of Legal Committee
Cuba’s National Assembly
There is a group of people in Cuba
who are paid by the USA -
for creating an image of the existence
of an anti-government movement.
But it’s only a tiny group -
with no significance at all
in Cuban society.
And they are not representing any
changing winds in Cuba.
The Cuban elite proclaims: We are just fine. Despite the downplaying of the role of dissidents, the leadership has been oppressing the opposition systematically. But after Fidel Castro fell ill, the situation has changed a little.
100% (10’15’15-10’16’10)
Heriberto Portales
President
Orthodox Party of the Cuban People
Oppression has abated a little.
-Why?
Fewer sentences are being given -
and you see less arbitrary arrests.
There are also fewer reports
of visits -
by representatives of
the political establishment.
Why has the level of oppression
of the opposition abated?
It’s possible that new political forces
are entering the stage.
Either they are going to draw up
a different political agenda -
or they are analyzing the situation
to return to former practices.
Even the people in the opposition are on their toes, unwilling to provoke the leadership. No one in Cuba seems to believe in any rapid changes in the country’s political life.
100% (10’16’22-10’16’38)
Rafael Calderón Agüero
I don’t believe there will be
any change.
There are others who can lead
the country.
Not at the moment.
It’s very difficult to think
about any change.
100% (10’16’38-10’17’42)
Heriberto Portales
President
Orthodox Party of the Cuban People
I don’t have any illusions about
Fidel Castro’s death leading -
to major democratic changes,
at least not in the sense this is
understood elsewhere in the world.
Economic changes may be ahead
à la China or Vietnam,
but there will hardly be
a multiparty system,
democratic dialogue or
freedom of expression.
It’s difficult to imagine free press,
that would not be controlled by
the interests of a certain person or a group.
I think it’s something that may still
have to wait on the horizon.
Why does it seem impossible?
Because the generation that created
this system is still in power.
(Song:)
The spring that arrives
is so close and so different
so humane
so silent
so brotherly
Final credits: Reporter: Timo Seppänen
Photographer: Sammeli Vartiainen
Editor: Sammeli Vartiainen
Duration: 18’10” or 18’16”