Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1exp 10/6/83; site ihuxp.UUCP Path: utzoo!linus!decvax!duke!unc!ulysses!mhuxl!cbosgd!ihnp4!ihuxp!wbpesch From: wbpesch@ihuxp.UUCP Newsgroups: net.flame Subject: Re: GRENADA: EYEWITNESS REPORT Message-ID: <506@ihuxp.UUCP> Date: Fri, 28-Oct-83 12:05:23 EST Article-I.D.: ihuxp.506 Posted: Fri Oct 28 12:05:23 1983 Date-Received: Thu, 3-Nov-83 02:21:08 EST References: <661@ihuxm.UUCP> Organization: AT&T Bell Labs, Naperville, Il Lines: 149 After seeing this, I was shocked...this just does not jive with what is coming out as the facts. I hope that you won't mind this rebuttal, for I want to clear the thoughts in my head: I went to Grenada last March for about a week. A beautiful, peaceful country, with incredibly friendly people. It reminded me of my Peace Corps days in Africa---lush forests, hills, a very African people, beautiful coast and beaches. I suppose that was the reason that the Cubans were there. They came back from Africa (read Angola and other other such places where the "Peoples Revolution" is being being fought with AK-47s), and they were just tired. So the Grenadan government made the Cubans an offer to come enjoy their tropical paradise. It would be just like Africa with a very African people. But why did they come through with forged Venezuelan visas? I spoke extensively to all sorts of folks, including American medical students, Cuban construction workers, ansd Grenadan of many walks of life. I visited farms and an agricultural co-operative, as well as the new Airport under construction. That was nice...gee, that was nice. I think it was also very nice that the Cubans brought in besides their "construction workers", "food", "medicine", and "farm equipment" to help the government of Granada. By the way, where you there on Free Election Day? Now our President has turned that country into a bloodbath, to the shame of every American of conscience. I was watching Late Night America on PBS last night. There was a representative from the former post-colonial Constitutional Government, and the Government up till last tuesday that took over in 1979 from the Constitutional Government in a Marxist (read Russian) Coup. He told interesting stories of the assassinators of Bishop playing catch with the limbs of the woman and children they had killed. These were the woman and children associated with Bishop and his supporters. I don't think it's really necessary to refute the blatent lies the Reagan administration is dishing out these days, but here's a few points to be aware of: Oh Boy, this is going to be interesting. This sounds like the same stuff the Russian Radio Commentator was talking about last night on Nightline. 1) The airport --- entirely open to visitors, even while under construction, which would hardly be the case if it was a military project. The country needs tourism. Now to get to Grenada you must first stop in Barbados, where almost invariably you must spend the night. With the airport the jets could go directly from New York Miami, London. No wonder tourist conscious Barbados Jamaica, Antigua, were jealous of the airport. What about the Cuban tourists? the Russian tourists? I am sure that the defense bunkers that are emplaced around the airfield are not that, but actually Wine Cellars for the incoming Russian and Cuban tourists. And of course potato cellars for the Vodka distillation. We want the tourists to have every courtesy of the other places that they go, such as Poland, Afghanistan, Nicarauga, and Libya. And that the airport is made for the future, when passenger planes will need runways as long as modern-day military transports and Backfire bombers need, with runways thick enough to hold heavily loaded planes. Much more heavily loaded than planes carrying tourists and those little 1 oz. Smirnoff Vodka bottles on the planned non-stops between Havana and Granada should need. 2) The students --- seemed to keep a low profile, but very much at ease with the country. Their presence brings highly desirable foreign exchange, plus the terrific bonus of hundreds of medical personnel on an island of only 100,000. The Bishop government, as well as ANY government would want friendly relations with the medical school. They liked them so much that they couldn't stand to see them leave? But then why where those pictures in the newspaper of the students kissing American Soil upon there return, thankful to be out of there? I thought they were happy in the tropical paradise of Granada. 3) The Cubans -- I met doctors, fishing experts and construction workers, all friendly, and patient with my weak Spanish. That many of them could handle a rifle is no surprise. Civilian militias are probably a healthy complement to professional armies. And I am glad that the Cuban construction worker/volunteers had that training, for otherwise the Marines would have been bored. The papers say that the Granadan army threw their weapons down and surrendered, but these Cuban construction workers fight like veteran combat troops. And will fight to the death, according to Castro. My only question is why were the Cuban construction workers fighting for Granada, but the Grenadans were not. 4) Bishop --Very popular and genuinely loved by the overwhelming majority of Grenadans. While I would not put it past the CIA to have organized his ouster, my guess is that it probably was a situation of factionalism and power hunger by certain people in the governing New Jewel Movement and the Army. I have no doubt that the new government would have soon faced the wrath of the organized and proud Grenadan people. And that is why the General of the Army and the rest of his political party killed him with all his supporters. They loved him. (By the way, did you know that the General was at one time the military attache to Cuba, and in Diplomacy, that means he was probably the head of intelligence dealings with the Cubans & Russians. He probably also was a negotiator in the agreement that brought the Cuban and Russian tourist/construction workers to Granada.) And, how proud and rebellous is one when looking at a Cuban holding an Assualt Rifle? 5) Reagan -- What he has done is basically cowardly (taking on an army of 800 soldiers -- gee whiz Ronnie, can you do it?), and stupid, but above all shows contempt for the American people. He clearly wants us to forget his blunders in Lebanon and Central America. He needs a cheap "victory" to get re-elected. The only question I have is are we, the American people, going to fall for his cheap tricks? I'm pretty confident we won't. Atleast that was a good move...we can put more soldiers there than the islands population. Lets see them revolt then? But, what is this? Why are the people rejoicing that the Marines have invaded? Why are the "people thanking God that the Americans have rescued Granada?" (quoted from newspaper reports of ham radio operators, fishermen, and the general population that were at the wrong end of the barrel.) Why are the people rejoicing when they should know that they will soon be under the wheels of American repression, and truth, and liberty. They much prefer to have an unpopular government backed up by the military might of foriegn construction workers. Comrade Berman, People's Revolutionary Committee of Construction Workers I love the smell of satire on Friday mornings with my doughnut and tea. -- Walt Pesch AT&T Western Electric