Power cuts and fewer beans for crisis-hit Cubans

Power cuts and fewer beans for crisis-hit Cubans
By Rigoberto Diaz – 3 hours ago

HAVANA (AFP) — Smaller bean rations and longer bus lines are among the
new hardships hitting Cubans in their already difficult lives as the
world economic crisis tightens its grip on the communist island.

Holding an empty palm leaf basket, 67-year-old Luisa Suarez said she was
already resigned to a recent government directive to reduce monthly rations.

"Of course it affects us, but we're used to suffering," said Suarez,
standing at a counter in an Old Havana shop with 1950s appliances and
paint peeling off the walls.

A sign in black letters, as in all stores, explained that bean and pea
rations were dropping from 30 to 20 ounces (850 to 567 grams), and that
salt rations would be practically halved.

"They told us that this was due to the difficult economic situation, but
we don't know if it will extend to other products," said the store
owner, who declined to be named.

Cubans -- whose average monthly salary is 400 pesos (17 dollars) -- can
buy a basic bag of groceries, including rice, sugar, oil and eggs, at
very low prices with their ration books. But they need to top up
supplies on the black market, or in high-priced shops that accept only
foreign currency.

"What international crisis? In Cuba we've been in crisis for 50 years,"
a 28-year-old dentist told AFP wryly, declining to be named. "I'm tired
of hearing justifications for the problems we always have."

The crisis has reduced the island's predicted economic growth from 6.0
percent to 2.5 percent, and authorities have acknowledged it will hit
key areas of the economy including tourism, nickel and tobacco exports.

The island will this year be unable to import all its necessary primary
materials, equipment and consumer items, and will have to "readjust its
enormous expenses on fuel and food," an editorial in the official Granma
newspaper said this week.

The government of 78-year-old Raul Castro will carry out "inevitable
adjustments" to the economy to face up to the crisis, it said.

These included decentralizing farming from August 1 to ease access to
food in a country which imports 80 percent of the products it consumes
and last year spent 2.5 billion dollars on food purchases.

"The crisis is knocking on our doors," said Ana Orosco, a craftswoman
selling cloth dolls on a central boulevard, who can earn up to 30
dollars per day.

"Someone with their own business makes money here, but it's really
difficult for someone on a state salary," said the 60-year-old.

Meanwhile the brakes have also been applied on a project to renovate
public transport, which began in 2004.

"It got much better for a while but now the 'guaguas' (buses) are bad
again," said a young girl studying at a sports college in the east of
the capital, declining to be named.

A positive assessment of the situation could at least be heard on the
airwaves, however.

"Take the bad luck away. We're sure the bad times won't come," rang out
the lyrics of a popular reggaeton tune.

Sweating behind the window of a Havana shop, 44-year-old Yakelin
Rodriguez was not so sure.

Under a new energy savings plan introduced this month, and amid
sweltering heat, she can only turn on air conditioning for four hours in
the afternoon.

"I'm about to die in this heat," Rodriguez said.

AFP: Power cuts and fewer beans for crisis-hit Cubans (11 June 2009)
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gAYXKe0UcQqd2l405lkcSpThxYhA