Cuban communists approve economic reforms

Yahoo ^ | 4/18/11 | Jeff Franks - Reuters

[NormsRevenge]

HAVANA (Reuters) – Cuba's Communist Party approved landmark economic reforms on Monday and voted for new leaders in a key party congress to chart Cuba's future, state-run media reported.

The Caribbean island's highest political body was to select new first and second secretaries, its Central Committee and powerful Political Bureau, .. results were not immediately disclosed.

The reforms represent the biggest changes to Cuba's Soviet-style economy in decades and are aimed at securing the future of socialism in one of the world's last communist states.

The congress' approval had been widely expected because some of the reforms are already in place.

The major changes include slashing government jobs, cutting subsidies, encouraging more private initiative and reducing state spending.

While President Raul Castro wants to ease the grip of the state over the economy, delegates made clear it would not disappear. They endorsed a planned economy and the country's principal means of production remaining in state hands.

In the party leadership vote, President Castro was expected to replace older brother Fidel Castro as first secretary, but the other posts will be closely watched for up-and-coming new party bosses to replace aging leaders.

The leadership issue has overshadowed the reforms, since Raul Castro said in a speech on Saturday the government was considering limiting future leaders, including himself, to two- five-year terms.

After taking power in the 1959 revolution he led, Fidel Castro, 84, ruled for 49 years before resigning the presidency in 2008. Raul Castro, 79, was his defense minister for all that time and replaced him as president.

A number of others in the leadership are in their 70s and 80s. ..

Fidel Castro chimed in with his support in a front page column in Communist party newspaper Granma, saying he had listened in on Sunday's meetings and was impressed.

[sr4402]

Yahoo loves Socialism. Lamestream Media.

[NormsRevenge]

Cuban cavalry march at Revolution Square in Havana, during the military parade to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Bay of Pigs and the beginning of the Cuban Communist Party 6th Congress. President Raul Castro, whose brother Fidel led Cuba for almost five decades, opened a Communist Party Congress Saturday proposing term limits of a maximum 10 years for top leadership spots. (AFP/Adalberto Roque)

[dfwgator]

Fidel is still the boss, don’t let appearances fool you.

[The Bronze Titan]

The Communist Mafia in Cuba is only recycling itself. The TWO MAFIA GODFATHERS are still in absolute total control.

[Jack Hammer]

‘The reforms represent the biggest changes to Cuba’s Soviet-style economy in decades and are aimed at securing the future of socialism in one of the world’s last communist states.’

Hmmm... sorta like what Obama’s doing here.

[dynachrome]

"Yes, comrades, our new 5 Year Plan will provide a rice cooker for evey family and raise the chocolate ration from 35 grams/week to 25 grams/week!"

(chocolate quote/misquote from "1984")

[AwesomePossum]

They are going to try a limited China model.........a few get to be capitalists........the rest will be slave labor..........

8:}

[BenLurkin]

Castro needs to be Saddamed.

[UCFRoadWarrior]

Well....gosh darn...lets get some Free Trade going over there....dem darn Cubes are no longer Communist /sarc