Commerce Secretary in Cuba Praises Socialist Youths' Pledge to Fidel Castro
By Penny Starr | October 12, 2015 | 2:51 PM EDT
On a trip to Cuba last week, U.S. Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker
praised a socialist youth group practicing to demonstrate its allegiance
to Fidel Castro, saying they would be happy and make their parents proud
with such a display.
"In a plaza not far away, the secretary stumbled on what looked like a
group of young school children," National Public Radio reporter Scott
Horsely said on Weekend Edition Saturday. "They were wearing red and
white uniforms and lined up in formation."
"The kids were actually members of the Pioneros, a kind of socialist
scout troop," Horsley said. "They were practicing for a ceremony the
next day, in which they'd each be awarded a red scarf, pledging their
allegiance to [Jose] Marti and Fidel."
Horsley said the children were chanting, "For country and socialism
we're always ready."
"It was a little odd watching the U.S. commerce secretary smiling at
these miniature Marxists, but Pritzker gamely urged the kids to pay
attention to their instructor and have fun," Horsley said.
"It will make you very happy, and it will make your parents very proud,"
Pritzker said.
Pritzker was in Cuba as part of the ongoing effort by the Obama
administration to normalize relations with the communist country. In
addition to trade talks, NPR reported Pritzker toured Old Havana where
she met the children.
"This shift in policy is rooted in a fundamental desire to improve the
lives of people in both of our nations," Pritzker said in a speech in
Havana on Oct. 7.
"We want to help all Cubans plug into the global economy and enjoy a
higher standard of living, while also giving the people of the United
States an opportunity to learn about Cuba and develop relationships with
the people of an island that is only 90 miles away from our shores."
Source: Commerce Secretary in Cuba Praises Socialist Youths' Pledge to
Fidel Castro -
http://cnsnews.com/blog/penny-starr/commerce-secretary-cuba-praises-socialist-youths-pledge-fidel-castro
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