[NYTr] Cuban Government and the Emperor’s New Clothes

[All the News That Doesn't Fit]

Juventud Rebelde - Nov 27, 2007
http://www.juventudrebelde.co.cu/columnists/2007-11-27/cuban-government-and-the-king-s-new-clothes/

Cuban Government and the Emperor’s New Clothes

By Ricardo Ronquillo Bello

Certain Cuban public officials seem to delight in the role played by
the charlatans in Hans Christian Andersen’s famous fable “The Emperor’s
New Clothes.”

Guido and Luigi assured that they could create the softest, most
delicate cloth imaginable — although it would have the special capacity
of being invisible to any idiot or simpleton. Likewise, our
representatives are trying to present themselves as “fluent and fervent
weavers of the public’s well-being.” At the same time, they seem to
believe that they are surrounded by a society of “dummies,” people
unable to notice that these officials are performing services that are
just as invisible as the goods of the characters in the tale.

To tell the truth, the metaphor of the Danish story has been applicable
in Cuban society more than a few times. We have seen situations in
which, through common agreement, the majority decides to participate in
collective ignorance, disregarding the obvious – even when each person
individually recognizes the absurdity of the situation.

This demonstrates the impunity with which some officials can turn
essential aspirations of our society into caricatures, as well their
transforming the spirit and letter of the Constitution into pure
banality: “Power to the people; yes, that’s power,” they chant,
repeating that refrain.

This was confirmed by the president of the Commission of Constitutional
and Juridical Affairs of the National Assembly, José Luis Toledo
Santander, when interviewed about the ineffectiveness of procedures for
dealing with citizens’ complaints and concerns.

In the interchange concerning municipal assemblies across the island,
the official criticized the managerial deficiencies of some
administrative bodies, pointing out how these weaknesses are obstacles
to finding real solutions to problems. Not only do these bodies
postpone action, they also fail to take full measures or even
adequately explain problems to the community. “This is why many elected
representative complain about not getting enough support from their
administration,” said Toledo Santander.

It is necessary to add that the representatives -- especially now that
their new terms have begun -- have to move from finger pointing to heavy
lifting. After so much “whining” over the years, in some places they
have shed -- in addition to tears --their functions, their character and
have even lost respect for their office among the community.

Many complaints coming from communities and towns across the country go
without receiving response or follow-up from the public officials and
representatives at the respective levels.

Unresponsiveness exists despite the powers held by municipal assemblies
and their members, said Toledo Santander. These powers include the
supervision and control municipal service departments, the designation
and substitution of members of their Administrative Councils; the
designation and substitution of heads of management staffs and
companies providing municipal services; the design of the organization,
operation and tasks of entities charged with carrying out economic
activities, in addition to the representative’s power to grasp and
evaluate concerns of their electorate and to make pertinent decisions
in relation to these.

However -- as I pointed on another occasion -- when following the
sessions of the National Assembly, or other organs of state power,
there seems to exist overwhelming unanimity; debates are scarce -- even
when issues do not involve national defense or strategic principles or
objectives.

This happens despite indispensability of discussion and debate in
making sound and coherent decisions, especially in such complex
circumstances – those that require the greater force, authority and
prestige of revolutionary institutions.

To ignore all of this would be a lamentable example of ignorance and
half-heartedness resulting from the ploys of charlatans, like those in
the Danish fable, with the magic threads -- in this instance --having
been woven by municipal assemblies in Cuba.