Who gets paid by the US government for internal subversion in Cuba?
News from Cuba | Wednesday, 19 September 2012
The National Endowment for Democracy, a US government funded organisation has just released its 2011 report. Set up by President Ronald Reagan in 1983, the NED overtly does what the CIA did covertly for years, through its "democracy building" programmes - promoting pro-US parties, economics and policies throughout the developing world. The NED budget for Cuba includes hundreds of thousands of US taxpayers money paid to rightwing, anti-revolution groups.
Here are some of the payments for 2011 alone, with the NED description of how their money will be spent.
Afro-Cuban Alliance, Inc.
$124,466
To encourage greater discussion and academic analysis about racial issues in Cuba. Afro-Cuba Alliance will publish a quarterly journal to inform readers on the island and in the international community about racial issues in Cuba, the experience of civil rights movements, and the efforts of civil rights activists towards greater racial equality.
Center for a Free Cuba
$55,000
To provide additional humanitarian assistance to political prisoners, their families, pro-democracy and human rights activists, and victims of repression in Cuba. In addition to humanitarian assistance, the Center will provide independent, democratic [sic] activists with important material support that will permit them to carry out their work in a more effective manner.
Committee for Free Trade Unionism
$85,000
To promote inter-regional cooperation among labor unions in Latin America, Europe and the U.S. CFTU will continue to develop an international campaign to build support for independent unionists in Cuba. It will continue maintaining its website and producing a quarterly newsletter aimed at raising interest in labor and worker's rights issues in Cuba.
Cuban Democratic Directorate
$162,089
To increase the Cuban democratic movement's access to uncensored information through Radio República broadcasts. Directorio will produce and broadcast original programming aimed at providing Cubans with an independent source of commentary and analysis about events throughout Cuba and around the world.
CubaNet News Inc.
$252,000
To support independent Cuban journalists as they produce objective media content about the situation in Cuba. Cubanet will continue to present the work of independent journalists on its digital media platform at www.cubanet.org. CubaNet will also provide independent Cuban journalists with training on the use of new technologies and digital security techniques.
Grupo Internacional para la Responsabilidad Social Corporativa en Cuba
$177,628
To promote labor rights and support Cuba's independent labor movement. GIRSCC will also raise international awareness campaign regarding labor rights in Cuba
Instituto Político para la Libertad Peru
$61,727
To provide youth in Cuba with training on use of the internet and social networking media. IPL will also provide youth with training on democratic rights, access to information tools and international standards of freedom of expression.
National Democratic Institute for International Affairs
$395,000
To empower Cuban civil society by providing independent* civil society organizations with the knowledge, skills and resources necessary to contribute toward a more democratic society through technical assistance and information about other democratic transition experiences. NDI would also raise awareness about and support for Cuban-led projects for change among Cuban citizens and the international community through a weekly radio program and participation in international events.
Observatorio Cubano de Derechos Humanos [disinformation campaigns]
$67,434
To promote greater public awareness about human rights violations in Cuba. The Cuban Observatory on Human Rights, whose members are all former prisoners of conscience from Cuba, will work with counterparts on the island to document ongoing human rights abuses. It will use this information to prepare reports for the United Nations, the Organization of American States, and international media outlets.
People in Need
$160,202
To increase the free flow of information in Cuba and promote relationships between independent Cuban journalists and European media outlets. PIN will train independent Cuban journalists on new media tools. PIN will also seek to engage more Cuban youth and community journalists in independent journalism by creating grassroots, lifestyle magazines, and training grassroots leaders on how run small media enterprises.
People in Peril Association
$49,189
To encourage critical thinking and the free exchange of ideas among youth in Cuba; and to strengthen the training and pedagogical capacity of informal educators and independent librarians in Cuba. PIPA will develop an educational toolkit and train independent educators and independent librarians on how to encourage discussion among youth.
Civic Education
$50,703
To improve the capacity of independent Cuban democratic activists to advocate for greater economic freedom and equality from the government.
Rule of Law
$11,204
To provide technical assistance to Cuban citizens.
The grant listings posted here are from tthe 2011 Annual Report.
