Cole converses with Castro

By Jo Zulkowsky

Sociology instructor Pat Cole is not only one of the few Americans to travel to Cuba in recent years, she is one of an even smaller group to meet Cuban President Fidel Castro.

From Oct. 24 to 29, during the time that Illinois Governor George Ryan was in Cuba, Cole attended the Third Annual International Women’s Conference at the University of Havana. On Oct. 27, one of the conference participants spotted Castro on the campus.

Photo courtesy of Pat Cole

EL PRESIDENTE: Cuban President Fidel Castro
speaks with students at the University of Havana Oct. 27.

"Some of us skipped out of the conference in order to wait and see Castro when he finished meeting with Governor Ryan," Cole said. "A few of us stood outside the building, waiting for about an hour and a half until he finally came out.

"Castro came out and began speaking with the students," she continued. "I positioned myself by the news media van and eventually Castro, along with the security guards, headed my direction. I called to Castro when he finished talking to the media, and he came over and talked to me.

"He asked me how I liked Cuba, if I was enjoying my visit, and what I thought of American agriculture. To the last question, I responded that I am for the small family farms but I dislike corporate farming. I also told him I was here for the woman’s conference."

While meeting Castro was the highlight of Cole’s trip, the opportunity to learn about the Cuban culture was significant, given the restrictions that exist on contact with Cuba.

Since there are no direct flights from the U.S., travel arrangements have to be made through Mexico or Canada. Due to the trade sanctions and the embargo the U.S. has placed on Cuban goods, the Office of National Security and the U.S. Treasury have to be informed when Americans travel there.

"But the older generation still hold the beliefs that formed during the 1960’s, the belief to a certain extent that Americans are bad."

"I was scared at first, thinking this really is a communist country, but in a week, my viewpoint changed so that with so many police, I actually began to feel safer," she said.

Cole also developed an appreciation for Cuban students, who interpreted at the conference, and for the Cuban educational system, which, she said, is superior to the American system. As one example, she said a student has to be able to speak three languages to be admitted to a Cuban college.

Once admitted, however, the education is free, although textbooks are "precious items," and pens, pencils and notebooks are luxury items.

The women’s conference, which focused on gender equality, was attended by nearly 500 people, only 24 of who were from the U.S.