The New York Times on Raúl's government shakeup

From The New York Times:

In Cuba, Change Means More of the Same, With Control at the Top

By IAN URBINA

Published: April 5, 2009

HAVANA — When President Raúl Castro of Cuba began one of the biggest government shakeups in decades early last month, he explained the move simply as an attempt to streamline the government.

Conrado Hernández surreptitiously recorded conversations with two Cuban officials during parties at his ranch in Matanzas.

But the firing of a half-dozen top functionaries — including the surprising firing of two internationally prominent ministers — showed that under Mr. Castro, politics and decision-making are likely to remain as centralized and tightly controlled as they were under his brother, Fidel.

Key Quote: “Politics here is a sport whose spectators are all blind,” said a man as he swept up litter along the seaside Malecón and who, like most people interviewed, did not want to be quoted by name. “Everyone knows things are happening. No one is sure what. So you stop trying to watch.”

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