Adiós, Mr. Carter; come back soon
By Aurelio Pedroso
It was just like in those small towns that one visits during a road trip. Upon entering, a friendly greeting; on the way out, a fond farewell wishing the traveler a happy trip and speedy return.
That’s how I see the just-ended stay of Jimmy Carter on the island, the most important American politician to have visited us in this half century of so many confrontations that have left us gray-haired and some of us even bald.
The thirty-ninth president of the United States did not go right through, however, but stopped to look closely at the land and its rainbow of people. So much so, that he even cataloged his meeting with Fidel Castro as one between “old friends” and gained the impression that “he was in good health.”
Prior to departure, and during a press conference lasting about 40 minutes, Carter pulled the trigger of criticism and fired both barrels at the Helms-Burton Act, the blockade of the island, the current ban on U.S. citizens wishing to travel to Cuba, and the freezing of funds for humanitarian aid, which Washington is currently restricting.
And during that barrage he also disagreed with the inclusion of Cuba among the nations that sponsor terrorism, and with the policy of Cuban-American congressmen who aim to choke the island without considering that those who are hurt are the Cuban people.
With equal emphasis, he expects the Cuban authorities to respect human rights: “I hope that in the future there will be complete freedom, according to the applicable human rights standards.”
The visitor and his entourage took good advantage of their three nights in Havana. They came to do what they had to, and their agenda was full, since they even held working meetings with the ambassadors of Spain and Colombia. From now on, we must wait for the results because some results are bound to emerge.
I must admit to readers that I erred when I assumed that there would not be even the smallest meeting with oppositionists, and I confess that when I found out that they would be heard separately in the hotel, I recalled the story of the drunkard Pedro Navajas, who shouted on a street corner in Panama – for all the world to hear – that “life catches you by surprise.”
I read on the Internet that the oppositionists asked Carter for help for their respective causes.
And although the official account that appeared today in the daily Granma did not add any adjective to the word “meeting,” that peculiar welcome by Raúl, in polite English, was a tip to any analyst, expert or not, that there would not be much stress on the hand-to-hand, face-to-face encounter.
Many observers must have noticed that when Mrs. Rosalynn Carter praised the Palace, the President’s reply was that “I use it little. Fidel used it more.”
For my part, I continue to insist that Gross’ days in Cuba are numbered. While Carter publicly denied that his intention was to take Gross back with him, he kept to himself the knowledge that he intended to get him a return ticket later on, after the court hears Gross’ appeal and grants him a humanitarian pardon. Incidentally, Gross professed his innocence to his visitor.
“I hope that Gross will be released and that The Five return to Cuba,” the former president said.
I’m not interested in how many guayaberas the visitor wore in the Havana heat because fortunately Progreso Weekly is not a gossip magazine. But I am glad that he didn’t wear that typical shirt decorated with flowers or nautical motifs that so many tourists sport. Carter seems to be a different type of person.
The visit is memorable, and although Carter didn’t stress it during the press conference, he could be a fair mediator in the longstanding U.S.-Cuba conflict. Hopefully, President Obama will give due regard to the travel report that in about two days Carter will put in his hands in the White House.
Happy trails and come back soon.
