By Manuel E. Yepe

Havana, (Prensa Latina) If the Western press had paid as much attention to the changes occurring in Cuba since 1959 to date as they are about the current changes, readers around the world – and in particular, those from the United States – would understand the characteristics of the Cuban revolution and understand what is happening.

That was the private opinion of a foreign journalist who is enjoying himself referring to the current changes in Cuba which he would not have had space for in his paper previously.

The current surge of information on changes in Cuba seems the result of a combination of factors.

In the first place, there are the intentions of the mass media against the Cuban revolution – which originate in Washington and has lasted almost half a century. It tries to exploit in its favor the assumption to the Cuban presidency by Raul Castro in place of the historical leader of the revolution, Fidel Castro, to express certain alleged errors in Cuba's revolutionary process which could lend some credibility to their discredited attacks in the future.

The Cuban revolution of today began in 1959. It has been characterized by a constant search for new forms and innovative mechanisms of social mobilization. The basic purpose of these is modeling a new type of society, one more human and just, in an independent and free homeland.

During the duration of this development, the revolution has often had to correct its conduct to dodge enemy attacks or when it has not served strategic requirements, whatever the reason.

More than once, a process of correcting mistakes and incorrect tendencies as been conducted. It has been done so in a completely natural manner, as a revolutionary feature, if it is a real one.

José Mart¡, was Cuba's national hero and the main organizer of the independence struggles of the Cubans against the Spanish colonial empire during its most crucial moments. Mart¡ defended the idea that “Politics is the art of inventing a resource for each new resource of the enemy and turning those setbacks into a future; of adapting to the present moment avoiding that the adaptation is a sacrifice, or the whittling down of the ideal followed; of not stepping back to take impulse; of falling on the enemy before it has its armies in order or its battle prepared”.

Cuban revolutionaries of today, beginning with Fidel and Raul Castro are proud of being followers of Marti and putting of his ideas into practice.

After the fall of the Soviet Union and the European socialist countries, Cuba's confronted the crisis of the 90s the strategy of a “special period”.

This led to the introduction of a number of policies which significantly altered many factors of its development strategy.

The abrupt collapse of foreign exchange with what had been certain trade partners in East Europe compelled the revolution's leadership to introduce solutions it would not have previously under different circumstances.

Foreign tourism, which was seen as an important source of income only after sufficient advances in other sectors, and which required confronting with greater security the social dangers involved with that “smokeless industry”, had to be speeded-up to obtain convertible currency in the short term.

Capital investment which barely stimulated were inevitable or highly convenient and certain, was promoted more actively for the same reasons.

To alleviate the hard currency deficit it became necessary to boost income to the country through remittances by Cubans abroad to their families on the Island. For this reason, special stores were opened to sell merchandise in convertible currency which was not included among the state-subsidized articles guaranteed to the population through rationing. This systematic distribution guaranteed that basic foods for survival could be maintained through sales in the shops selling in convertible currency.

It was clear to the revolution's leadership that relying on these market solutions as emergency mechanisms to obtain the necessary capital for survival led to serious risks in terms of their political and social costs.

It was obvious that these would lead to the introduction of unprecedented income differences in the population. These had to be confronted with measures which would become unpopular and which would require later rectification or adjustment. But there was no other choice.

The prohibition of access by Cubans to foreign tourist hotels, the limitations on Cubans on having cell phones and others which have recently been lifted – as well as some that are still in effect – have been guided by the goal of reducing the impact that these privileges had in a society based on equality and solidarity, in moments of serious danger for the nation.

The temporary suspension of the free sale of certain imported electrical appliances flowed from the need, first of all, to create the electrical energy required for their use.

When the moment arrived for removing or rectifying any of these regulations, they are changed with no further ado except for those that affect the security of the nation or the welfare of the Cuban people.

All the world press information on the changes in Cuba is welcome. As is well-known, revolution is synonymous with change and the Cuban revolutionary process will undoubtedly continue producing constant changes as it has done since 1959 without ever losing direction.

(*) The author of this commentary is an attorney, political scientist, retired diplomat and former Director General of Prensa Latina. Currently teaches at the Raul Roa Higher Institute for Foreign Relations, operated by the Cuban Foreign Ministry, MINREX

PL 15-04-2008

By Circles Robinson*

Havana.(Prensa Latina) The arrival of some previously unavailable electronic items on Cuba's store shelves, together with the new access to cell phones and tourist hotels is hot news these days in the foreign press. In a constant barrage of news articles most reporters sadly bemoan the fact that Cubans lack the money to take advantage of their new "freedoms."

Cubans make around US $20 a month, but consider free health care for all a right. Most can't afford DVD players or PCs but with free education at all levels their sons or daughters can become doctors, scientists or engineers if they have the vocation.

"Cubans can now book a room in 5-star tourist hotels but who can afford it?"

chorus the foreign press in articles with titles such as: "Some Cubans can't afford new reforms" and "Changes in Cuba spark frustration and hope."

One article focuses on a man named Ernesto who "makes just over $12 dollars a month" but owns a car and his home. He laments that he would have to save up a year's salary to stay a night in a fancy hotel or purchase a cell phone and line.

Cuba is recognized internationally for having exemplary social programs for a developing country but across the board low salaries keep most people's purchases to the basics.

CHOICES TO BE MADE

Cuba is not a wealthy, developed nation, and the choices the government (which controls imports) must make are dictated by a strict set of parameters regarding what is a luxury and what is a necessity. Finding a way to meet the basic needs of its 11.2 million inhabitants and have an educated, healthy population are the top priorities. Assisting other underdeveloped nations is a close second.

Those choices will never be very attractive to the mainstream foreign media because corporations and the market aren't the main actors determining where investment should be made.

The reporter didn't ask Ernesto if he would prefer a night at a hotel to the low-priced public utilities that he and his family receive year round. If he had been asked, he probably would have said he deserves both. Such an attitude has an explanation.

Cuba was never a consumer society with an abundance of products. However, journalist Orlando Oramas reminds us that with their salaries "in the 1980s Cubans could occasionally check in for a weekend at the posh Havana Libre Hotel or take a tour of the island with their families."

Times were different back then, as Oramas notes. During the 1960s, 70s and 80s Cuba exchanged its sugar at highly favorable rates for oil, manufactured goods, machinery and industrial raw materials from the Soviet Union and Socialist Bloc.

That trade system collapsed with the fall of the Soviet Union, and Cuba's economy hit rock bottom in the early 1990s. While today it is on the upturn with expanded trade with Venezuela and several other Latin American countries and China, it is clearly still in the recovery stage. President Raul Castro has announced a concerted effort to gradually restore the buying power of devalued salaries as well as providing greater incentives for increased production.

While some professionals, workers and farmers earn bonuses they could use for luxury items, most prefer to spend their money first on additional basic food and hygiene products that the state is unable to provide at the heavily subsidized neighborhood stores. Their second choice would probably be clothing or shoes. Many who receive small amounts of family remittances or tips in the tourist industry do the same.

Nonetheless, it is each person's choice whether they wish to tighten the belt in order to save up for more expense items. For now, the new opportunities will be most accessible to those families who receive sizeable amounts from relatives abroad, people working for international firms located in Cuba, as well as doctors and a smaller number of other professionals working in government-sponsored missions in other countries.

MORE SIGNIFICANT CHANGES

As the foreign reporters concentrate on Cubans' new "freedom to consume"

they miss the story on more important events gradually taking place in the lives of normal Cubans. There's no magic wand, but major government investments appear to be paying off.

Less than three years ago the country's electric generating system had virtually collapsed. Daily blackouts were commonplace, affecting normal family living and wreaking havoc at workplaces, offices and industries.

The blackouts coincided with the near collapse of the country's public transportation network. The inconvenience was the butt of constant criticism and jokes, endless frustration and discontent, as well as damaging to the economy.

Then the government announced a nationwide energy revolution. In short, the effort meant obtaining savings at homes and workplaces with more efficient lighting and appliances, combined with massive investment in a more decentralized and fuel-efficient generating strategy. Upgrading of the distribution system was another component of the plan.

The effect so far has been a giant success. So much so that in this era of US $100 a barrel oil, other countries of the region have sought Cuba's help to try and do the same.

For several years my family and I were constantly recharging a pair of battery-powered florescent lamps and buying replacement bulbs. Now, with the blackouts a thing of the past, the lamps are around only in case of hurricane winds, when the power is cut as a safety precaution.

HERE COME THE BUSES, MORE FOOD NEXT?

In 2006, Cuba's leaders began a program of major investments in new buses and trains. At this time they predicted that public transport would gradually improve over the following 3 or 4 years. Many people were skeptical since the problem had existed for nearly two decades and was getting worse.

Today, Cubans are finally seeing major improvements in their public transportation. Much of the fleet of long distance buses between provinces has been renovated and urban transport is improving fast in Havana. Similar improvements are programmed for other cities as well. In the capital, bus trips that used to take 1 1/2 to 3 hours, including the wait, often now take an hour or less. Better yet, instead of being mercilessly squashed many commuters now find their buses are only moderately crowded. Sometimes I even find myself a seat!

The much greater frequency of many of the bus routes is startling. Other parts of the capital yet to benefit will receive the same improved service once their streets are repaired and enough drivers can be trained.

Another area where large-scale change has begun is food security. There is a new, high-priority focus on farm efficiency and production to reduce costly food imports. The plan involves higher prices to private farmers, more land to those who need it and greater access to farm supplies, especially geared to benefit both family farmers and coops.

The goal is a sharp increase in harvests and livestock production in the not-too-distant future, thus increasing the supply of affordable food products and adding needed variety to the population's diet. Such an accomplishment would go way beyond electronics and hotels in improving the lives of average Cubans. We can only hope that the foreign media will stick around to report it.

*Circles Robinson's reports and commentaries from Havana can be read at: www.circlesonline.blogspot.com. He collaborates with Prensa Latina. Posted April 16, 2008

PL 16-04-2008