Cuba's Reforms Ring Hollow in Miami

Cuba's Reforms Ring Hollow in Miami
El Nuevo Herald, News Report, Posted: Nov 08, 2011

MIAMI – Cuban dissidents are skeptical about the economic changes taking
place in Cuba, arguing that they are no substitute for democratic
reforms, reports El Nuevo Herald. That was the message that three Cuban
dissidents brought to Capitol Hill recently, where they discouraged the
U.S. government from making concessions to Cuba.

Normando Hernández, Regis Iglesias y José Luis García, who were among
the Group of 75 jailed in 2003 during a crackdown known as Cuba's Black
Spring, called the recent economic reforms "hollow."

Beginning Nov. 10, Cubans will be permitted to buy and sell homes
without government intervention, ending a decades-long ban regulating
the real estate market on the island. The announcement was published
last week in Cuba's official daily, Granma. The reform is part of
package of proposals initiated by Raúl Castro to boost the economy.
Castro is also proposing an increase in private enterprise and foreign
investment, as well as deep cuts to state subsidies and dismissal of
more than 1 million public employees. He has also considered decreasing
government control over private companies and expanding the legal sale
of cars.

Regis Iglesias, a Cuban exile who now lives in Spain, said that more
than buying and selling homes and cars, Cubans need elections and
respect for their freedom.

"Economic freedom does not bring liberty or democracy to people, let
alone to a country that has had 52 years of tyranny," said Miami
resident Hernández.

http://newamericamedia.org/2011/11/cubas-reforms-ring-hollow-in-miami.php