Released on: September 14, 2008, 6:12 pm

Press Release Author: lynthomas

Industry: Environment

Press Release Summary: Will the storm-ravaged Cubans, who made a gigantic public
goof on Cuban television, find their lives are threatened?



Press Release Body: "Fidel, Fidel", was the chant that rose from the storm-ravaged
people, posing before Cuban television cameras, amid the flattened rubble of their
homes, left by Hurricane Gustave. It took a few minutes before someone realized the
mistake and the chant quickly changed to "Fidel and Raul". This had to be a serious
goof, in a nation where it is extremely dangerous to be appearing to criticize the
government.

On Aug 17th Storm Fay crashed ashore near the Bay of Pigs. Two weeks later Hurricane
Gustave slammed into the western shores of Cuba, damaging at least 100,000 homes.
Industry, food production and infrastructure were all destroyed. This was followed
by Hurricane Ike, hitting the eastern side of Cuba, killing five people and damaging
a further 200,000 homes. Nearly a quarter of the population was evacuated, before
the hurricane moved out into the Gulf of Mexico.

Six months ago Fidel Castro, at 82, handed the reins of authority to his younger
brother Raul, aged 77 years old. Raul, is accompanied by an equally ancient
leadership, in Jose Ramon, also aged 77, as his Vice President and General Julio
Cassas at a young 72 years of age, as Defense Minister.

Raul Castro has not appeared in public, or addressed the nation, during the weeks a
tropical storm and two monster hurricanes ravaged Cuba. Raul sent Vice Presidents
and Army Generals to the hardest-hit areas, instead of going himself. Raul has been
seen in a few random shots only and merely spoke by phone to the officials in the
devastated areas.

Fidel may have committed many heinous acts during his time of leadership, but he
loved to leap into his jeep and race after a storm, personally viewing the damage
created and talking to the victims. Admittedly he used the occasions of natural
disasters, to make one of his prolonged speeches.

Recovering from an emergency intestinal surgery in July, Fidel has not been seen in
public since. Every few days, however, he continues to release a newspaper column,
discussing the damage caused by the storms.

It is said the Cuban government has in place, routine comprehensive storm
evacuations. These are rigorously enforced by the police and army. Yet it would seem
that many of the Cubans, left homeless through the recent rash of storms, are still
without support or food. Perhaps their long gone communist friends may return to
assist them?




Web Site: http://winaresort.com

Contact Details: Seachange Lodge
PO.Box 5101
Port Vila
VANUATU