Via CBS News:

Rafael Hernandez is the editor of Temas magazine, a Cuban political journal and outlet for critical public debate, as well as a forum where writers broach previously taboo subjects, like the prevalence of domestic violence in Cuba or the fact of racial discrimination.

When Raul Castro took over as Cuba’s President in February, he began to amend some of the out-of date policies established by his brother Fidel, and also made it clear more changes were coming. These measures also became fodder for debate in Temas.

Unlike Cuba’s rigid state-controlled media that doesn’t allow for any genuine public discussion of these changes (especially since true debate would have to include the voices of suppressed dissidents), Temas, an officially tolerated publication with non-governmental funding, has been cautiously publishing articles that explore Cuba’s political options.

Raul Castro’s master-plan for Cuba’s future will be revealed at the Communist Party Congress scheduled for sometime late in 2009. (The last one was held almost a decade ago, before Fidel Castro grew too ill to lead.)

[...]

“One of the ghosts that is haunting Cuban politics is the fate of Eastern Europe. We must avoid that outcome here. That’s why policy implementation and political reforms are so slow - because the political leadership doesn’t want to let things get out of control.”

To read the rest of the article, click here.

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