http://antonyloewenstein.com/blog/2008/03/29/raul-opens-the-market/ Thu, 28 Aug 2008 18:28:16 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 http://antonyloewenstein.com/blog/2008/03/29/raul-opens-the-market/#comment-399564 Tim Anderson Sat, 29 Mar 2008 09:11:42 +0000 http://antonyloewenstein.com/blog/2008/03/29/raul-opens-the-market/#comment-399564 Anthony's comment demonstrates how dangerous it is to adopt one's opinions on Cuba from US agency reports - the Cuban government has not been "lifting restrictions" on phones or computers (or toasters or TVs, as some US sources claim) but rather moving them into the realm of affordability - nor is this a change of policy, 'post-Fidel' - it reflects strong economic growth in Cuba in the last three years, and renewed attention to consumer goods - since the investment in a new power grid and some major power saving measures (2006-07) Cuba has now largely overcome its power problems, that made them price power-hungry appliances out of consumer reach. Anthony’s comment demonstrates how dangerous it is to adopt one’s opinions on Cuba from US agency reports - the Cuban government has not been “lifting restrictions” on phones or computers (or toasters or TVs, as some US sources claim) but rather moving them into the realm of affordability - nor is this a change of policy, ‘post-Fidel’ - it reflects strong economic growth in Cuba in the last three years, and renewed attention to consumer goods - since the investment in a new power grid and some major power saving measures (2006-07) Cuba has now largely overcome its power problems, that made them price power-hungry appliances out of consumer reach.

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