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Politics : About that Cuban boy, Elian -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: nealm who wrote (9048)	2/21/2001 5:24:02 PM
From: Lane3	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 9127

. Even Fidel can't live that long. One would think, but I wouldn't put it past him. Karen

To: nealm who wrote (9048)	2/22/2001 8:50:45 AM
From: CIMA	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 9127

Cuba officially has one of the fastest-growing economies in Latin America. But now that the economy is doing better, Castro is picking fights with old friends and trading partners, while threatening to roll back de facto dollarization in a bid to restrict remittances to the island. This is because the greatest threat to Castro's regime is not the U.S. trade embargo, but a freely traded dollar in Cuba. Analysis Cuba officially has one of the fastest-growing economies in Latin America. According to the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), Cuba's economy grew 6.2 percent in 1999 and 5.5 percent in 2000. ECLAC's data indicate the Cuban economy grew at a faster rate in 2000 than did four of the six largest economies in the region. A decade after the collapse of the Soviet Union deprived Cuba of more than $6 billion a year in subsidies, Fidel Castro has successfully kept his dictatorship afloat - while making fewer economic and political concessions than any other communist state in the world. Castro is looking for ways to eliminate the dual currency system. He understands that the real long-term threat to his regime is not the U.S. trade embargo, but a freely traded U.S. dollar. If Castro can control the circulation of hard currency, he can consolidate economic control, thereby strengthening his political grip. Castro will continue acting in ways calculated to prolong the U.S. trade embargo against Cuba because the embargo helps perpetuate his one-man regime indefinitely. ********* TO READ THE REST OF THIS ARTICLE CLICK HERE ********* stratfor.com ___________________________________________________________________ <<<<<<<<<<<<<< SUBSCRIBE TO BECOME A MEMBER TODAY!>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Stratfor.com introduces new, expanded analysis for readers seeking more insight on the entire range of global affairs. Our new site features more intelligence on more subjects, easier navigation and expanded coverage. stratfor.com <<<<<<<<<<<<<< SUBSCRIBE TO BECOME A MEMBER TODAY!>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> ___________________________________________________________________ CONTACTS AND CUSTOMER SERVICES: STRATFOR.com 504 Lavaca, Suite 1100 Austin, TX 78701 Phone: 512-583-5000 Internet: stratfor.com Email: info@stratfor.com NOTICE: While all e-mail from STRATFOR and its partners includes an opportunity to opt out of future communications, you can edit your information and preferences at any time. If you do not wish to be contacted by STRATFOR, or its approved third parties, regarding value-added benefits, products and services, please follow the instructions to "unsubscribe" provided in all e-mail messages. SIGN-UP: Get the free, daily Global Intelligence Update: stratfor.com You can stop receiving the GIU by clicking on: stratfor.com ADVERTISE: For information on advertising in the GIU or any section of the Stratfor.com website, please email us at advertising@stratfor.com ==================================================== (c) 2001 Strategic Forecasting LLC. All rights reserved.