The statement accuses the Interests Section of doing illegal training and establishing illegal internet connections and networks.
State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland told reporters in Washington that "We are absolutely guilty of those charges. The U.S. Interests Section in Havana does regularly offer free courses in using the Internet to Cubans who want to sign up. We also have computers available for Cubans to use. Obviously this wouldn't be necessary if the Cuban government didn't restrict access to the Internet and prevent its own citizens from getting technology training."
This activity has been going on for some time -- my question is "why publish this statement now?" Does it signal a coming crackdown on the Interests Section? Is it an attempt to influence the U. S. election somehow?
Let us know if you have any knowledge of the Interests Section classes and Internet access. Are the classes political as Cuba claims? Do they only offer access to anti-government activists?
The regime's complaints about the Interest Section giving Cubans access to the Web is old news. I believe the Granma complaint about this was issued now because the regime is worried about other embassies doing the same thing, thereby allowing relatively large numbers of Cubans to obtain uncensored information.
ReplyDeleteThe article is a signal to the international "militant Left" to mobilize to prevent more foreign embassys in Havana from copying the despised Empire.
Do any other embassies provide Internet access to the public?
ReplyDeleteThere is a theory explained here (http://www.cubanet.org/articulos/gobierno-cubano-reafirma-diferendo-con-obama/) in spanish that I agree with. Basically it states that the Cuban government needs an excuse to show that Obama's government is still an enemy.
ReplyDeleteAccording to this post (http://www.diariodecuba.com/derechos-humanos/14219-policia-dice-periodista-que-videos-sobre-golpizas-carecen-de-interes-publico) it seems the embassy of Czechoslovakia provides a similar "service".
ReplyDeleteThanks for the link on the Czech Embassy -- it was embedded in sad news.
ReplyDeleteHi Larry, some news for you: The Cuban government will now allow some kind of "cooperative companies" for programmers, translators and accounting professionals. This new "companies" could potentially import and export goods, and acquire communication services (internet maybe?) from ETECSA. Let's see how this goes once it actually starts working.
ReplyDeleteThis is the link of the news: http://www.juventudrebelde.cu/cuba/2012-12-15/se-buscan-socios/
Hi, MG.
ReplyDeleteI am traveling at the moment, but will check it out when I return on the 24th. Thanks for the link and have a happy Christmas and New Year!
Larry