Does Fidel govern or analyze?

By Manuel Alberto Ramy

Does Fidel Castro govern from the shadows or is he engaged in the analysis of global reality? This has recently been the big question for analysts, Cubanologists and journalists with different views. It is clear to everyone that the former president continues to be the leader of the Cuban process. But, according to Castro himself, what is his role and current work?

On Sunday Aug. 8, Castro gave an interview to Venezuelan journalists Vanessa Davies, Andrés Izarra, Walter Martinez and Mario Silva. In it, he touched on topics of great interest, such as the situation in the Far and Middle East, peace in Colombia, and the possible lifting of the embargo against the island after the release of five Cuban anti-terrorists imprisoned in the U.S.

After reading it carefully, I find in one of his answers the possibility of bringing to light, or finding specific clues about the much-discussed topic of his current role.

Asked by the director of the multinational TV channel Telesur whether the release of the Cuban Five imprisoned in the U.S., might lead us to “enter a new stage” and “Could it be a first step in breaking the blockade?”, Castro replied, “We? Why? I do not worry about it, I’m not into that.  What for? Only, well if they sell something, something worthwhile – but that’s not my job. What I do is talk about things and events so every one can make up his own mind.”

From his answer (underlined), would it be peculiar to infer that his current task is being a great analyst and consultant on strategic global issues? No, on the contrary, it seems to me a telling sign, not spoken lightly but intended to define his primary activity. It partly explains his reluctance to focus on issues of national reality, as well as the prudence manifested in opining publicly about matters that could affect the government’s foreign policy, as happened on July 7, at the special meeting of the National Assembly, when he elegantly avoided making judgments about the decisions made by the governments of Russia, China and the European Union on the case of Iran.

Castro’s answer (underlined by me) seems to argue that his current task is that of a great analyst and consultant for strategic issues. The affairs of the Cuban government and state, some of which are brought before him for consultation, as President Raúl Castro said, are not a priority for him, so he generally sticks to “talking about things and events so every one can make up his own mind.”

It would be extremely naive to think that his opinions do not have the strength of his historical leadership and his status as First Secretary of the Communist Party, a responsibility he still holds. The steps the government is taking are obviously put to a consensus at the highest levels in order to preserve unity. A consensus implies the existence of diverse opinions, not essentially contradictory, and in this search for a common stance, Castro’s analyses and opinions of the global reality, i.e., going from international to national, is a powerful factor when it comes to designing domestic policies.

But there is an inescapable reality: Cuba is in urgent need of the changes that are called “an actualization process,” a term most likely reached through consensus, because it does not imply ruptures – it is an update of the Cuban process. And the “actualization,” as a response to the stubborn reality, is essential in my opinion.

The interview, which was extremely interesting, reveals a Fidel Castro who, by saying that “neither empires nor revolutionaries can achieve their objectives through the use of weapons,” not only rules out that traditional method of assuming power, but also views today’s global reality from other standpoints, not only to achieve power, but also in terms of the ultimate goals: to make the Cuban process effective and viable.

Readers may agree or disagree with some or all of the ideas expressed by Fidel Castro. But I think that those who are seriously interested would like to read the full interview. I invite them to access the following Web page:

http://www.granma.cubaweb.cu/2010/08/10/nacional/artic06.html