Latest changes in Cuba 'interesting', says US commander
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| Published on Wednesday, April 16, 2008 |
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WASHINGTON, USA (AFP): The head of the US Southern Command, Admiral James Stavridis, told lawmakers Tuesday the changes in Cuba under President Raul Castro were "interesting," but that only time would tell if they were real or "cosmetic."
"I think it is too early to tell as yet, but it is interesting that Raul is opening some of the economic freedoms such as cellphones, access to tourist hotels, property rights," he told a congressional panel looking into his command's budget.
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Admiral James Stavridis.
AFP PHOTO |
"We need to watch to see if this is a sincere change or just cosmetic," he added.
Stavridis was questioned on the reforms Raul Castro, 76, has introduced in Cuba since he took over as president from his ailing brother Fidel, 81, in late February.
Raul Castro recently lifted a series of bans on Cubans renting cars and hotel rooms and purchasing goods such as pressure cookers, DVD's, electric bikes and cell phones.
He is also considering agriculture reforms that include opening up the sector to greater foreign investment and closing down farming cooperatives that have proven to be inefficient.
Cuba watchers say there is likely a short-term political benefit of allowing greater economic openness, though they also warn that too many reforms by Cuba's centrally-controlled, one-party regime could build pressure for more change than the government is prepared to allow. | | | | Reads : 150 | | | |
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