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Cuba takes one small step in consumer revolution

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Published Date: 14 March 2008
COMMUNIST Cuba has authorised the unrestricted sale of computers and DVD and video players in the first sign that the new president, Raul Castro, is moving to improve his people's access to consumer goods.
The government said electrical devices could go on sale immediately, although air conditioners will not be available until next year and toasters until 2010 due to limited power supplies.

Only foreigners and companies can buy computers in Cuba at present, while DVD players were seized at the airport until last year, when customs rules were eased.

Now Cubans will be able to buy them freely, paying for them in convertible pesos, which are worth 24 times more than the Cuban pesos that state wages are paid in.

While Cubans will be able to buy computers, access to the internet remains controlled by the government.

Many on the island now think the state will soon allow them to buy mobile phones.





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  • Last Updated: 13 March 2008 9:54 PM
  • Source: The Scotsman
  • Location: Edinburgh
 
1

American,

14/03/2008 01:37:00
At least they have a good healthcare system (michael moore said so). I am curious as to how they are going to pay for luxury electrical devices like a toaster.
2

Guga II,

Rockall 14/03/2008 04:03:34
They are hardly the only country that controls access to the Internet. People like Druginhead have to have special approval by the Chinese government to have such easy access.

No doubt the septics will try and prevent them buying computers, but the days when they could control such things are long gone.
3

Dáithí,

San Jose 14/03/2008 15:57:23
Now they can legally buy a DVD player. Wow, such freedoms!

The people's CommSoc showpiece, Cuba, once again shows what a wonderful job it has done forwarding better living standards for the people.

Maybe someday they will be allowed to buy television sets to connect the DVD players to!
4

Biker,

Ayr 14/03/2008 16:16:15
Ho ho ho how I laughed at Daithi's post.
As I said some weeks ago Cuba will probably move away from the Castro type of leadership. Now we await the stupid embargo by the US to be lifted.
5

,

14/03/2008 16:32:30
Comment Removed By Administrator
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6

Biker,

Ayr 14/03/2008 18:35:34
Daithi. Sorry pal you aint identified any truths. I dont condem the US for its crass commercialism, consumerism and fat American tourists. Far from it.
I object to embargos which cause untold hardship and suffering, even in the shorterm simply for political expediency. Also to carry it on for over 40 years just to prove the point is even more stupifying.
7

Carolyn 1,

14/03/2008 21:20:53
The majority of Cubans live in poverty and will not be able to afford the items, so its all smoke and mirrors
8

ArmchairTycoon,

Cumbernauld 14/03/2008 22:54:33
Cuba's national phone company Etesca has been running a mobile phone network since 2001, it is commonplace to Cubans talking on their mobiles in Havana, so I am not sure why this article talks about legalising the use of mobile phones when it already is legal.
9

,

14/03/2008 22:56:46
Comment Removed By Administrator
Reason:
10

Rozz Fyffe,

Scotland 15/03/2008 00:58:09
#9 if you have seen my vitriol aimed at Guga II in the past you will realise that for me to agree with him is RARE, but both Google and Yahoo and the internet in general are heavily censored in china.
11

Dáithí,

San Jose 15/03/2008 03:13:57
#10 - Rozz

>"#9 if you have seen my vitriol aimed at Guga II in the past you will realise that for me to agree with him is RARE, but both Google and Yahoo and the internet in general are heavily censored in china."

And you, like Guga, have no clue that this article is actually about Cuba.
12

Dáithí,

San Jose 15/03/2008 03:29:34
#6 - Biker

>"I object to embargos which cause untold hardship and suffering...

Why would Raoul be able to allow DVD players but Fidel couldn't - because of an embargo? What, was it lifted because Fidel is a senile old imbecile?

Nope; because the 'political expediency' that you claim to abhor is on the communist government's end, not the American end.

Clearly, the ability to allow DVD players and other consumer goods has rested with the lame, failed communist government under Fidel Castro, NOT due to any 'embargo' that the US has.

The sooner communist apologists finally can come to terms with that, the better for the Cuban people, pal.
13

Dáithí,

San Jose 15/03/2008 04:58:59
#6 - Biker

>"I object to embargos which cause untold hardship and suffering...

Biker, clear your mind of the barrage of anti-American falsehoods that you are bombarded with daily and consider:

- A nation, reeling from 'untold hardship and suffering...' (in YOUR words),

Is deciding if they should ALLOW DVD PLAYERS???

SO THEY CAN GET DVD PLAYERS IF THEY WANT???

Biker, I'm trying to give you credit for being able to see when something is wrong with a false foundation belief in the hope that you can see the conflict yourself.

How can a nation that is reeling from 'untold hardship and suffering...' even care about DVD players? Wouldn't they be more interested in their basic, core necessities since they are dealing with 'untold hardship and suffering..." ??

Biker, turn away from the 'Dark Side' - it's about time that you started questioning your core beliefs and the self-serving anti-American media that feeds you this c*ap.
14

,

15/03/2008 17:06:50
Comment Removed By Administrator
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15

Fanling,

Guangdong 16/03/2008 15:31:20
#2 Guga II,Rockall
"They are hardly the only country that controls access to the Internet. People like Druginhead have to have special approval by the Chinese government to have such easy access."

I can't speak for "people like Druginhead", but I know that I do not need to have "special approval by the Chinese government (or any other body) to have such easy access." I do find it irritating that some sites are unavailable to me for research purposes (Wiki for one), but for the most part I cope.

But this report is about Cuba, so why let your prejudice hijack it?
16

Biker,

Ayr 17/03/2008 19:34:21
Diathi. Dark side indeed. You need to look closer to your own government to see the shade my friend.
As for the purchase of consumer goods, yes I agree this is no bad thing as I have already said. Perhaps rthey will be too expensive for many of the people, but at least they have the choise to purchase or not. Preventing the import to Cuba was down to the good old US of A, their nearest BIG potential trading partner. Also worth pointing out is the fact that most of em already have one, just like the mobile phones.
However sanctmonious you come across mate,Try to consider the following. The embargo and treatment by the US was stupid and unjust.

 

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