Word: cuba
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Dates: during 1970-1979
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...excitement is pervasive. When Washington lifted the restrictions on travel to Cuba in March, Havana news boys hawking the stodgy daily Granma gleefully shouted, "The Yankees are coming!" At one store, the cashier closed her till when two Americans walked in and then escorted them to a storage area. She poured some glasses of piña, a local pineapple liqueur, and raised a toast: "Bienvenidos, felicidades...
Cubans like Americans-the people, as opposed to the government, a traditional socialist distinction. But Americans are especially bienvenidos now: Cuba's economy is in wretched shape. The major cause is the plunge in the world price of sugar, Cuba's chief export, from more than 50? per Ib. in late 1974 to just 7? today. The Russians are now spending nearly $4 million a day to keep Castro's economy sputtering along; that does not include military aid, estimated at $200,000 a day. Moscow also supplies almost all of Cuba's oil needs...
Withered Garden. With monthly salaries ranging from $96 for unskilled employees to $144 and up for skilled workers, Cuba's per capita income is among the highest in the Third World. Because the regime has been willing to go into debt-or simply print new money-to "pay" for social programs, Cubans spend only 3% to 4% of their salaries for housing (6% for modern apartments); education and medicine are free. But worldwide inflation has made imports so expensive that Cubans have little to buy. New rationing rules allow citizens to purchase just one ounce of coffee a week...
Dressed as usual in starched fatigues, combat boots and pistol belt, Castro expressed his admiration for American businessmen ("When they see an opportunity, they don't waste time"), but warned his visitors not to set their hopes too high. Cuba was interested in advanced technology, fertilizer and farm equipment, he said. "But I would be lying to you if I tried to make you think that tomorrow many commercial opportunities will immediately emerge." He argued that the embargo contradicts the Carter Administration's human rights policy because its purpose is to "damage a people." He added...
...talking with some of the businessmen and reporters in his office. "No problem can be solved by war or violence," Castro said. What was needed was "cooperation to solve problems that affect all countries." The executives got the clear message that Castro is very eager to normalize relations-and Cuba's No. 1 salesman sent home 50 impressed lobbyists for the cause. Said Control Data's Robert Chinn: "I wasn't applauding his ideology, I was cheering his performance. It was spectacular...