Chronicle on Cuba - September
2008
Highlights
Domestic Affairs: Hurricane Ike crosses Cuba forcing some 2,600,000 Cubans to find shelter. Opposition organizations call for unconditional international solidarity with hurricane victims and ask the Cuban government to accept any assistance offered. The Cuban Housing Institute says over 200,000 homes nationwide were damaged by the hurricanes. The Government tries to curb corruption and theft of state-owned resources amidst shortages caused by the passing of hurricanes Gustav and Ike.
Economy: Cuba's central bank tells creditors the country's foreign debt increased by $1.1 billion in 2007 to $16.5 billion. The Cuban Ministry of Finances and Prices announces an increase of 60 % on gasoline and diesel prices. The Cuban Government reports that losses from hurricanes Gustav and Ike have cost about $5 billion dollars. Cuban agriculture officials say they expect a six-month food crisis. More than 5,000 people have applied to farm idle plots. Cuba announces price freezes at all farmers markets.
Exile Community: Miami-based exile groups ask the US Government for a temporary lift of sanctions against Cuba to facilitate humanitarian aid. Consenso Cubano says the Cuban and the US governments should not politicize the relief effort to victims of the hurricanes. Humanitarian groups and scores of Cuban-Americans pressure President Bush and Congress to suspend the US embargo of Cuba to aid hurricane victims.
Foreign Affairs: Cuba reports that has received 230 offers of aid from 63 nations and institutions amounting to US$ 30.5 million. Canada provides assistance to people affected by the hurricanes. Russian Deputy Prime Minister Igor Sechin makes his second visit to Cuba in two months. The Cuban government accepts the resumption of formal political dialogue with the European Union. Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez visits Cuba before and after an international tour. Cuban First Vice-President participates at the 63 Period of Sessions of the UN General Assembly. Cuba continues its health and education collaboration programs.
Security: Russia is in talks to build a space centre in Cuba. The chief of South Africa’s National Defense Force leads a military delegation on official visit in Cuba.
US-Cuba Relations: In four occasions the US reiterates its offer to send humanitarian aid to Cuba. Fidel Castro says Cuba has too much dignity to accept aid from the US, and says the US is spreading lies for claiming that it has granted 250 million in "farm sales" to Havana. The Cuban Foreign Ministry presents its annual draft to the UN General Assembly on the US embargo against the island. |
