Editing 78-03-B4 (section)

=== Transcript ===
From time to time on these broadcasts I've tried to bring to your attention
reports that refute the more euphoric accounts of life in places such as communist
Red China, for instance. The latest "discovery" has been Cuba, now that our
tourists have been allowed to visit that island. We've heard the returnees tell
of meeting workers and students eager to recite the joys of life in Castro's
Cuba. And the news media, I must say, dutifully report such tributes in detail.

But, finally, comes a report of another Cuba; the Cuba the tourists never
see. The story written by Barbra Zuanich for the Los Angeles Herald Examiner
tells of eight Americans (led by independent television producer Ed Shaw)
who went to Cuba in good faith, believing that they would have official cooperation
in making a T.V. documentary on the colorful cultural elements of the island.

The team departed Los Angeles, approved by the Cuban government via the
Czechoslovakian embassy in Washington. Normally eight is not a full television
crew so everyone was doubling in brass.

Arriving in Cuba, they called officials they were supposed to count on for
cooperation. Their calls were not returned, their baggage was searched when
they left their rooms and actually they found they were more or less just members
of a tour.

They had anticipated dividing up their small force in order to get maximum
coverage of the real Cuba. But, they were not allowed to go anyplace unless
they all went, and they were watched every second. Just the same, they got their
documentary in candid camera style, hiding cameras under their coats, single
members sneaking out late at night, and so forth.

In Miss Zuanich's story she quotes our touring film producer Ed Shaw. He said
--QUOTE-- "We got a picture of loneliness. The entire island was like a giant
ghost town, There were school yards with no children, restaurants with no patrons,
few people on the street." --UNQUOTE--

They did interviews with individuals who had to wear disguises, If they were
caught they would be shot for treason (the minimum sentence would be prison for
20 years). They told of rations of eight ounces of meat every 12 days, two
pairs of underwear a year for men, water rationing and what they called --QUOTE--
"The Incredible Russian influence."--UNQUOTE-- And these Cubans begged for help
to escape.

The crew has on videotape, footage of filth, paint peeling from every building,
toilets without seats even in hotel washrooms (and with such a stench the crew
couldn't get within 20 feet of them). They used James Bond tactics to get their
tape out of Cuba and, now back in the United States, they can't rid themselves of
fear of retribution or even kidnap with their videotape the ransom.

Now, what you and I must ask is whether we'll be allowed to see the film. Will
a network put it on the air? Will a sponsor come forward to help make that
possible. 

This is Ronald Reagan.

Thanks for listening.
</TD>
<TD WIDTH="10%" ROWSPAN="2">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="TOP" HEIGHT="250">