As time passes and new details emerge on the cost of the Obama administration's Cuba policy in action does not match up with the rhetoric of putting human rights first. Snubbing dissidents from attending the official opening of the embassy set a terrible precedent, but now independent journalist Iván García is reporting how the U.S. government blocked independent Cuban journalists from covering the visit of the Secretary of State. It now appears that the treatment meted out to Rosa María Payá on July 20 at the State Department was not an error but the new policy in action: dissidents not welcome.
Iván García, Havana, 10 August 2015 — The Embassy of the United States in Havana, the
State Department, and the administration of Barack Obama, have
intentionally mapped out a strategy to prevent independent Cuban
journalists from covering the visit of John Kerry and the official
reopening of the diplomatic headquarters on Friday, August 14.
Four-days before the historic event, no independent journalist, dissident, or human rights activist has been invited to participate in the ceremony, or Kerry's press conference.
According to a diplomatic source, after July 20th, the process changed for obtaining a credential to cover events or press conferences of politicians, business, or American organizations visiting the island.
Before that date, when Lynn W. Roche was head of the Section of Press and Culture, I could get credentials in record time. I was able to cover the visit of Roberta Jacobson, congressmen, senators, businessmen, and officials from the State Department, among others.
Now, according to this source, accreditation must be obtained at the International Press Center of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, located at 23rd and O, in Havana's Vedado. A rather crude strategy designed to get rid of independent journalists.
The worst part is not the disrespect or indifference. The government of the United States has the sovereign right to invite to its events those people it deems convenient.
But out of respect, at least have the courtesy to speak face-to-face with independent journalists and inform them of the new policy. Don’t beat around the bush.
The government of the United States, which is not stupid, knows that for 54 years Cuba has been ruled by a military autocracy that prohibits political opposition and independent journalism.
Leaving press accreditation to the regime for events that the United States puts on in Cuba is like putting a child molester in charge of a Boy Scout camp.
After the unsuccessful attempt, I again called on the Embassy of the United States to
request an appointment with an official who could tell me why an
independent journalist cannot be accredited to the August 14 event.
But no one would take my call. December 17th marked a new era between Cuba and the United States. That day at noon, Barack Obama promised to empower the Cuban people and to promote respect for human rights on the island.
Pure demagoguery. The government that claims to promote democratic values, shamelessly tramples the spirit and letter of its Constitution, where the right to inform is sacred.
The olive-green autocracy has a rule that it will not take part in any event with Cuban dissidents, whom it considers “mercenaries and employees of the U.S. government.”
 |
| Kerry in Havana, Cuba: Independent Cuban journalists persona non grata |
Four-days before the historic event, no independent journalist, dissident, or human rights activist has been invited to participate in the ceremony, or Kerry's press conference.
Since July 22nd I have made a dozen calls to the
U.S. Public Affairs Office in Havana to request a press credential that would
allow me to cover the event for Diario las Americas, El Periodico de
Catalunya, and Webstringers LCC, a Washington-based media communications
company, and I have not received a response from any official.
According to a diplomatic source, after July 20th, the process changed for obtaining a credential to cover events or press conferences of politicians, business, or American organizations visiting the island.
Before that date, when Lynn W. Roche was head of the Section of Press and Culture, I could get credentials in record time. I was able to cover the visit of Roberta Jacobson, congressmen, senators, businessmen, and officials from the State Department, among others.
Now, according to this source, accreditation must be obtained at the International Press Center of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, located at 23rd and O, in Havana's Vedado. A rather crude strategy designed to get rid of independent journalists.
The worst part is not the disrespect or indifference. The government of the United States has the sovereign right to invite to its events those people it deems convenient.
But out of respect, at least have the courtesy to speak face-to-face with independent journalists and inform them of the new policy. Don’t beat around the bush.
The government of the United States, which is not stupid, knows that for 54 years Cuba has been ruled by a military autocracy that prohibits political opposition and independent journalism.
Leaving press accreditation to the regime for events that the United States puts on in Cuba is like putting a child molester in charge of a Boy Scout camp.
With a letter from Maria Gomez Torres,
director of content for Webstringers, I personally went to the
International Press Center. The official who vetted me, after reading
the letter, looked through her papers and said with mock surprise, “Mr.
García, you do not appear as an accredited journalist in Cuba.”
“And how can I be accredited?” I asked her. “You must have an operating license and a permit from the Center,” she replied. “Fine. Can you handle that for me?” “No, because you do not qualify,” she replied with a tone of mystery.
“Why don’t I qualify, since I’ve collaborated with newspapers in Spain and the United States since 2009?” I inquired. “Our Center reserves the right to give permission to reporters as we see fit,” snapped the bureaucrat.
But no one would take my call. December 17th marked a new era between Cuba and the United States. That day at noon, Barack Obama promised to empower the Cuban people and to promote respect for human rights on the island.
Pure demagoguery. The government that claims to promote democratic values, shamelessly tramples the spirit and letter of its Constitution, where the right to inform is sacred.
The government of the United States is trying not to tarnish its
August 14th gala, knowing that if it accredits independent journalists
and invites dissidents, then officials of the regime will not attend.
The olive-green autocracy has a rule that it will not take part in any event with Cuban dissidents, whom it considers “mercenaries and employees of the U.S. government.”
This time, the Obama administration is going to pander to them.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment