Feb 07
Sober reflection from the Cuban president on the pitfalls of excessive enthusiasm and the necessity to ‘do the numbers’ on ALBA plans and projects.
I am not an economist, I always ran away from numbers…(in Cuba nowadays) care is being taken to ensure that we study things, that we study feasibility carefully and don’t let ourselves get carried away with enthusiasm. I think that this way, we are actually going to move more rapidly…
Very important indeed. Pity the translation has at least two glaring errors. They really should take more care with their official translations, which should be proof-read by someone whose first language is English:
(1)”It’s true that we are broadcasting these opinions across the entire continent, you know I am an advocate of this and that in Cuba we have come together to take our gloves off and discuss things as needed, with all due respect.”
Here is the Spanish: “Es verdad que estamos emitiendo estas opiniones al continente entero, tú sabes que yo no soy partidario de eso, y que en Cuba nos reunimos para poder discutir a calzón quitado cuando sea necesario.”
“Tu sabes que yo NO soy partidario” means: “You know that I DON’T agree with this [or: go along with this, etc]”
Raul says he DOESN’T agree, with all due respect, with broadcasting the proceedings to the entire continent, and that in Cuba they have discussions behind close doors when necessary so they can speak frankly about sensitive issues.
(2)”Well, here in Venezuela I have to attack what the Comandante en Jefe here might say.”
This is the opposite of what Raul actually said. Here is the Spanish: “Pero, bueno, aquí en Venezuela tengo que acatar lo que diga el Comandante en Jefe de aquí.” ACATAR means to respect, abide by, comply with…not to “attack”.
Marce Cameron