VZCZCXYZ0008
OO RUEHWEB
DE RUEHSO #0849 2161050
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 041050Z AUG 06
FM AMCONSUL SAO PAULO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5540
INFO RHEHNSC/NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHDC IMMEDIATE
RUEHBR/AMEMBASSY BRASILIA PRIORITY 6614
RUEHRI/AMCONSUL RIO DE JANEIRO PRIORITY 7323
RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC 2526
UNCLAS SAO PAULO 000849
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE INR/R/MR; IIP/R/MR; WHA/PD
DEPT PASS USTR
USDOC 4322/MAC/OLAC/JAFEE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KMDR OPRC OIIP ETRD BR
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: WESTERN HEMISPHERE: CUBA; SAO PAULO
"Cuban Crisis"
Columnist Nelson Motta commented in liberal, largest national
circulation daily Folha de S. Paulo (8/4): "Everyone is sympathetic
with Cuba and its brave and joyful people, even among those who hate
the revolution, its leader and its bureaucrats. But no know
understands why the US doesn't allow its tourists to invade the
island, sell to Cuba everything it needs - which is almost
everything - and end this foolishness that has made Cubans suffer
for 40 years. As a result, Americans lose money and Fidel gains
power.... The 2 million exiled Cubans in Miami are the ones who
decide the elections in Florida.... Politicians flatter them and do
everything they want against Fidel. After all, when the US
Presidency is at stake, who cares about Cuba?.... This minority that
decides the destiny of two nations is dominated by a minority of old
Cuban families that for 40 years want their island back.... A shame,
if the money from American tourism and commerce were added to the
capital and competence of Cubans in Miami and the talent, education
and health of the island, in very little time, Cuba would become the
most prosperous and happy country in Latin America."
McMullen