78-03-B4
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Cuba[edit]
Transcript[edit]From time to time on these broadcasts I've tried to bring to your attention reports that refute the more euphoric accounts of life in places such as communist Red China, for instance. The latest "discovery" has been Cuba, now that our tourists have been allowed to visit that island. We've heard the returnees tell of meeting workers and students eager to recite the joys of life in Castro's Cuba. And the news media, I must say, dutifully report such tributes in detail. But, finally, comes a report of another Cuba; the Cuba the tourists never see. The story written by Barbra Zuanich for the Los Angeles Herald Examiner tells of eight Americans (led by independent television producer Ed Shaw) who went to Cuba in good faith, believing that they would have official cooperation in making a T.V. documentary on the colorful cultural elements of the island. The team departed Los Angeles, approved by the Cuban government via the Czechoslovakian embassy in Washington. Normally eight is not a full television crew so everyone was doubling in brass. Arriving in Cuba, they called officials they were supposed to count on for cooperation. Their calls were not returned, their baggage was searched when they left their rooms and actually they found they were more or less just members of a tour. They had anticipated dividing up their small force in order to get maximum coverage of the real Cuba. But, they were not allowed to go anyplace unless they all went, and they were watched every second. Just the same, they got their documentary in candid camera style, hiding cameras under their coats, single members sneaking out late at night, and so forth. In Miss Zuanich's story she quotes our touring film producer Ed Shaw. He said --QUOTE-- "We got a picture of loneliness. The entire island was like a giant ghost town, There were school yards with no children, restaurants with no patrons, few people on the street." --UNQUOTE-- They did interviews with individuals who had to wear disguises, If they were caught they would be shot for treason (the minimum sentence would be prison for 20 years). They told of rations of eight ounces of meat every 12 days, two pairs of underwear a year for men, water rationing and what they called --QUOTE-- "The Incredible Russian influence."--UNQUOTE-- And these Cubans begged for help to escape. The crew has on videotape, footage of filth, paint peeling from every building, toilets without seats even in hotel washrooms (and with such a stench the crew couldn't get within 20 feet of them). They used James Bond tactics to get their tape out of Cuba and, now back in the United States, they can't rid themselves of fear of retribution or even kidnap with their videotape the ransom. Now, what you and I must ask is whether we'll be allowed to see the film. Will a network put it on the air? Will a sponsor come forward to help make that possible. This is Ronald Reagan. Thanks for listening. |
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