[NYTr] "Cuba's Self-Criticism" - World Media on Fidel's Column Date: Sat, 14 Jul 2007 23:42:17 -0500 (CDT) Via NY Transfer News Collective * All the News that Doesn't Fit Read Fidel Castro's July 11 column "Cuba's Self-Criticism" here: http://olm.blythe-systems.com/pipermail/nytr/Week-of-Mon-20070709/065612.html TheWest.com (Australia) - Jul 15, 2007 http://www.thewest.com.au/default.aspx?MenuID=29&ContentID=34385 Cuba plagued by inequalities: Castro HAVANA--The Cuban communist system has become plagued by "irritating inequalities and privileges" that have left the poor bitter and angry, according to President Fidel Castro. Turning a more critical eye on Cuban life than he has since falling ill and giving up power almost a year ago, the 80-year-old leader said in an essay in state-run newspapers "we are not a consumer society." But he bemoaned that some Cubans used foreign currency sent from relatives abroad or brought to the island by tourists to set up illegal sources of profit while they continued to enjoy ration cards, free housing and health care and other social services. "Not everyone receives convertible currency from abroad, something which is not illegal but which at times creates irritating inequalities and privileges in a country that does its utmost to supply vital services free of charge to the entire population," Cuba's "Maximum Leader" wrote in the essay titled ["Cuba's Self-Criticism."] "The real and visible lack of equality and the lack of pertinent information gives way to critical opinions, especially in the neediest sectors." Dr Castro's treatise dated on Tuesday was the latest in a string of Reflections of the Commander In Chief he has begun penning every few days. The US dollar was widely used in Cuba until 2004, when the Government took steps to remove it from circulation and promote the convertible peso -- which now trades at an official rate 8 per cent higher than the US dollar. A steep tax on changing dollars also was enacted. The moves sought to strengthen the island?s regular peso, which is used for state salaries and most government goods and services but is worth about 25 times less than a convertible peso. Dr Castro singled out "the juicy profits" some Cubans earn running unlicensed taxi services, which include fleets of classic American vehicles. Cuban officials concede that the island's decrepit and overcrowded transport system is on the point of collapse. Few Cubans are allowed to buy new or used cars but can own hulking Yank tanks built before Dr Castro's revolution in 1959. "Using scarce petrol for profit can compromise the independence and life of Cuba," Dr Castro wrote. "We cannot fool around with that!" Dr Castro is recuperating in an undisclosed location and has not been seen in public since announcing last July 31 that emergency intestinal surgery had forced him to cede power to a provisional Government headed by his brother Raul, 75. His "Reflections" have ranged from criticism of US-backed plans to use [of] food crops for biofuels to hints about his illness and why his recovery has taken so long. His writings appear to show he is in little hurry to resume power. *** AFP via CaribbeanNet News - Jul 12, 2007 http://www.caribbeannetnews.com/news-2508--5-5--.html Castro blames dollar for inequality in Cuba HAVANA, Cuba (AFP): President Fidel Castro in his latest newspaper article Wednesday blamed the US dollar for the emergence of inequality and wasteful spending in Cuba since the adoption of the US currency to help ease economic hardships. The adoption of the greenback in 1993 following the collapse of the Soviet Union -- along with the convertible peso, which can be exchanged into dollars -- has brought "some relief" during the so-called "Special Period" in Cuba's economy, Castro wrote in state-run newspapers. However, the US currency "at times gives rise to irritating inequalities and privileges" in a country that has prided itself in creating a model, egalitarian economic system based on Marxist principles. He especially criticized "those who, one way or another, receive convertible pesos or foreign currency and, at the same time, benefit from free social services, and food, medicine and other goods at cheap or subsidized prices." Since the adoption of the dollar, a thriving tourist industry has grown around Cuba's coastline, employing many Cubans whose access to dollars and foreign currencies make them better off than their fellow countrymen. Castro also railed against "those who consume gasoline willy-nilly," warning that Cubans still need to be thrifty and responsible. One month from his 81st birthday on August 13, Castro is still recovering from intestinal surgery a year ago that forced him to hand over power temporarily to his brother Raul. >From his hospital bed, he has been busy meeting visiting foreign dignatiaries and writing opinion pieces for the government-run press. His article Wednesday was number 26 of the series begun March 29. *** UPI via Imedinews - Jul 12, 2007 http://www.imedinews.ge/en/news_read/51171 Cuba: Castro denounces foreign currency HAVANA, July 11 (UPI) b Cuban leader Fidel Castro says increased foreign currency in the communist island country is creating inequalities. Castro said in an essay published Wednesday in the state-run newspaper Granma that foreign currency sent by relatives abroad to some Cubans is creating unfair privileges for some. The 80-year-old Cuban leader -- who is recovering from a long-term illness -- has been publishing new essays in state-controlled media every few days. Castro turned over control of the communist island last July to his younger brother Raul after announcing he has a gastro-intestinal illness. Copyright B) 2007 by United Press International *** AP via S.Florida Sun-Sentinel - Jul 12, 2007 http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/caribbean/sfl-flacastro0712nbjul12,0,5350109.story?coll=sfla-news-caribbean Castro blasts Cubans' use of foreign money By WILL WEISSERT The Associated Press HAVANA Fidel Castro leveled his harshest criticism of Cuban society since falling ill, saying Wednesday that a flood of foreign currency has created "irritating inequalities" within the communist system. In an essay published in state newspapers, the 80-year-old Castro wrote, "We are not a consumer society," but bemoaned some Cubans who use foreign currency sent from relatives abroad to set up illegal sources of profit. This while they continue to enjoy ration cards, free housing and health care and other social services. "Not everyone receives convertible currency from abroad, something which is not illegal but which at times creates irritating inequalities and privileges in a country that does its utmost to supply vital services free of charge to the entire population," Cuba's "Maximum Leader" wrote in the treatise titled "Self-criticism of Cuba." "The real and visible lack of equality and the lack of pertinent information gives way to critical opinions, especially in the neediest sectors," he wrote in the treatise, which was the latest in a string of "Reflections of the Commander In Chief" by Castro. The U.S. dollar was widely used in Cuba until 2004, when the government took steps to remove it from circulation and promote the convertible peso b which now trades at an official rate 8 percent higher than the American greenback. The moves sought to strengthen the island's regular peso, which is used for state salaries and most government goods and services but worth about 25 times less than a convertible peso. Castro singled out "the juicy profits" some Cubans earn running unlicensed taxi services, which include fleets of classic American cars. Cuban officials concede the island's decrepit and overcrowded transportation system is on the point of collapse, but few here are allowed to buy new or used vehicles and can own only hulking U.S. jalopies built before Castro's 1959 revolution. Using scarce gasoline for profit "can compromise the independence and life of Cuba. We cannot fool around with that!" Castro wrote. *** AP via International Herald Tribune - Jul 12, 2007 http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/07/12/america/LA-GEN-Brazil-Cuba-Castro.php Son of Fidel Castro says leader is recovering, will watch Cubans in Pan American games The Associated Press RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil: Fidel Castro's son said the convalescing Cuban leader is in "good health" and plans to follow closely the performance of Cuban athletes competing in the Pan American Games. "My father is recovering. He is in good health," Dr. Antonio Castro told The Associated Press. "He is a big sports fan for whom the results of the games are just as important as they are for the people of my country." A 37-year-old orthopedist, Antonio Castro is the official doctor for the Cuban baseball team competing at the games, which start on Friday. His 80-year-old father, who is recuperating in an undisclosed location has not been seen in public since announcing almost a year ago that emergency intestinal surgery had forced him to cede power to a provisional government headed by his 75-year-old brother Raul. Antonio Castro would not say when his father was expected to return to power, saying only that "he never left and he will never leave." He said the Cuban baseball team was in excellent shape and will probably successfully defend its Pan American title. * ================================================================ .NY Transfer News Collective * A Service of Blythe Systems . Since 1985 - Information for the Rest of Us . .339 Lafayette St., New York, NY 10012 http://www.blythe.org .List Archives: https://olm.blythe-systems.com/pipermail/nytr/ .Subscribe: https://olm.blythe-systems.com/mailman/listinfo/nytr ================================================================