Dream Team of U.S. Bashers Gathers in Cuba

Sept. 11, 2006 — -- The elephant not in the room is clearly Cuban President Fidel Castro. More than 50 heads of state and a thousand journalists from around the world convene this week in Havana, Cuba, and Castro is too sick to join them.

If his stomach ailment doesn't kill him, his inability to take advantage of the world stage at his front door just might finish the job.

Just how badly he wants to leave his room in a private Havana hospital, constructed just for the aging strongman in 1999, was revealed when his aides released a formal schedule for the meeting of nonaligned movement nations and included a dinner to be hosted by Fidel Castro this Friday night.

Apparently, it was wishful thinking by someone, or an inadvertent slip, revealing what was supposed to be a surprise. Because shortly afterward a new schedule was published, eliminating Fidel's name from the hosting duties.

And then, Cuban Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque, in charge of the day-to-day arrangements of Cuba's few days in the Third World spotlight, told reporters he "could not guarantee" President Castro's appearance. And that his brother, Raul Castro, the designated replacement since the July 31 announcement of Fidel's illness, is standing by to lead the dedication.

This week's long meeting is highlighted by the arrival of a rogue's gallery of America's irritants, led by Venezuela's Hugo Chavez and Bolivia's Evo Morales, plus their sudden friend, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad -- a perfect opportunity for the kind of U.S. bashing Castro has made a specialty for 40 years. Even if he somehow manages to sit on the dais at a farewell dinner for world leaders, certainly one of his dramatic, hours-long tirades appears impossible.

Cuba's message will still be told by its foreign minister, who is ranked third in line in the new Havana-ology that has sprouted during Fidel's surgery and apparent life-threatening illness, the nature of which is considered a "state secret." But Perez Roque, the apex of the new guard at 41 years old, is not expected to deliver the roster of imperialist complaints against America nearly as effectively or entertainingly as Castro.

When asked if the nonaligned meeting was expected to be packed with United States bashing, Perez Roque insisted it's not about one country; he then ticked off a long list of criticisms of the United States, from what Cuba calls adventurism in Iraq and Afghanistan to nuclear politics in Iran and North Korea.

Cuba was given extra ammunition in its rhetorical battle with America when the Bush administration issued its updated transition plan 20 days before Castro fell ill -- a plan that offers Cuba assistance from $80 million to experts on the economy, education and free elections if Raul Castro does not take over and the Cubans ask for help.

The offers were greeted by a loud "this is not your country to transition" from most Cubans, even dissidents who have cautioned against direct American involvement in any kind of succession.

There is only one thing Cubans dislike more than their own government, and that's the one 90 miles away in southern Florida run by the Cuban exile community.

Castro has used that distrust to his advantage during the 45 days he has stepped aside. Placards and articles in the government newspaper warn against "Havaniami" -- the new city Cubans fear their exiled countrymen will try to build after Fidel.

Castro has long been the real "teflon president." Despite economic hardship and the fall of communism around the world, few of his people point to him as the problem. Instead, they castigate the bureacracy and tell each other "Fidel must not know" of conditions on the ground.

And, frankly, some conditions are getting better. Even the American CIA acknowledges a Cuban economy growth rate of 8 percent. Venezuelan oil powers cars and electric plants. Blackouts, once 12 hours long, are now much less frequent and last only minutes.

A new oil discovery of its own between Cuba and Florida looks promising and has nations from all over the world, except the United States, bidding on the chance to drill.

There are a few more eggs in the monthly "bolsa" or bag every Cuban citizen gets that's filled with essentials. Health and education in Cuba remain among Latin America's best.

Dissidents are not being arrested today. Instead, Castro's youth organizations harass them whenever they leave their homes. But the revolution continues. When it comes to free press, there is none. Opposition parties are not allowed, and while some dissent about policies is permitted, most Cubans remain reluctant to criticize or, especially, organize against Fidel himself.

The elephant may not be in the room this week, but he is still close by.