High-ranking Cuban official to address Hispanic journalists forum in Fort Lauderdale

High-ranking Cuban official to address Hispanic journalists forum in
Fort Lauderdale
By Madeline Baró Diaz
Miami Bureau

June 14, 2006

When the National Association of Hispanic Journalists kicks off its
annual convention in Fort Lauderdale tonight, journalists will gather
for a "conversation" with a high-ranking official of Fidel Castro's
government.

By including Cuban National Assembly President Ricardo Alarcón via
satellite in its opening session at the Broward Center for the
Performing Arts, the journalists' group could spark controversy in South
Florida. Some Cuban-Americans bristle at the thought of a Castro
representative participating in a forum on U.S. soil, even if the
official is speaking from Havana.

"He's not an appropriate speaker for that venue," said Pembroke Pines
resident Ileana Shafer, who was born in Cuba. "He's a key figure in a
country that suppresses freedom of the press."

Shafer said she would have liked to see Cuba's dissident journalists
participate in the journalists' gathering, held through Saturday at the
Broward County Convention Center.

The Cuban American National Foundation has said it welcomes Alarcón's
participation. The group, which calls itself the largest Cuban
organization in exile, said journalists should ask Alarcón questions
about his government's restrictions on free speech and a free press, and
its jailing of journalists.

As president of Cuba's National Assembly, Alarcón is in line to succeed
Castro. Although Castro's brother, Raul, is his official successor, Cuba
watchers also often name Alarcón as one of those who might take the
reins of power after Fidel Castro's death.

Alarcón has been Cuba's point person with the United States for decades,
said Richard Nuccio, special adviser to the Clinton administration on Cuba.

During the event, "A Conversation with Ricardo Alarcón," Cuban-born New
York Times contributor Mirta Ojito will interview Alarcón, who also will
answer written questions from the audience.

"I am sure he will be, as he often is, extremely impressive, articulate,
anticipating any attack or criticism," Nuccio said. "He's a master in
these kinds of appearances."

Nuccio said, however, that Alarcón's appearance is "taking advantage of
our freedoms by someone who does not permit those kinds of freedoms to
be exercised within Cuba."

Alarcón, who often speaks for Cuba to the international press, has made
controversial statements in the past.

In a 2003 interview with ABC's George Stephanopoulos, he said Gov. Jeb
Bush was urging President Bush to invade Cuba.

The next year, Alarcón repeated his claims of plans for a Cuban invasion
after the United States tightened restrictions on travel and remittances
to Cuba. He said the United States planned "to crush the Cuban nation
and proclaims its intentions with insulting arrogance."

Miguel Saavedra, head of the anti-Castro group Vigilia Mambisa, said
Alarcón's comments at the convention would be full of "lies and stupidity."

"This is going to be a waste of time," he said.

Saavedra also said he worries Alarcón's comments might go unchallenged.

But Ninoska Pérez Castellón, of the Cuban Liberty Council, said
Alarcón's appearance would only be controversial if the NAHJ session
turns into a forum for Alarcón to make unchecked statements.

Pérez recalled confronting Alarcón years ago at a National Press Club in
Washington, D.C. She said when she challenged him about his comments on
freedom of expression in Cuba, citing the example of a jailed
independent journalist, Alarcón denied that the journalist was in jail.
But Pérez had brought the journalist's wife to confront Alarcón.

"If I wouldn't have known [his wife] or the case, I could have just sat
there and taken his reply," Pérez said. "No participation is
controversial if you ask the right questions."

In Havana, Alarcón adviser Miguel Alvarez said he wouldn't comment on
criticism of Alarcon's appearance at the conference.

Staff Writer Ian Katz contributed to this report from Havana.

Madeline Baró Diaz can be reached at mbaro@sun-sentinel.com or 305-810-5007.

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