Chronicle on Cuba - February 2004

Highlights

Domestic Affairs: The 13th International Havana Book Fair is inaugurated in Havana. Dissident organizations release new documents on the island’s situation. The Cuban Council of State appoints a new Tourism Minister. Ten Cuban officials are prosecuted under corruption allegations. Cuban scientists disapprove of cloning for reproductive purposes.

Economy: Chilean magnate Max Marambio starts to move his business focus to Chile. The National Biopreparations Center establishes a new record in the manufacture of Anti-hepatitis B vaccines. Cuba rises to eighth place among tourist preferences in the Americas. More than a third of the audits conducted on Cuban companies in 2003 uncovered irregularities. Russia presents Cuba with proposals to settle Cuba's debt to the former USSR and its outstanding debt to Russia. Cuba announces its intention to become an associate member of Mercosur trade bloc.

Exile Community: Cuban-American congressional leaders and members of exile organizations unveil a comprehensive proposal of how to proceed with a transition to democracy. Most Cuban natives living outside the island can visit their country without a visa.

Foreign Affairs: Cuba accuses the EU of “complicity” with the US, at the inauguration of the Book Fair. A French Member of Parliament asks permission to visit political prisoners. A United Nations envoy publishes a scathing report on Cuba's treatment of political dissidents in prison. First exchange of experiences organized by the International Police (INTERPOL) on the struggle against drugs in Havana. Cuban Foreign Affairs Minister tours South America. Mexican delegations visit the island. A Canadian businessman charged with violating the US embargo against Cuba is sentenced to a year's probation.

Security: Cuban military units begin their defence preparation year.

US-Cuba Relations: French Pernod Ricard and Cuban Havana Club win over US Bacardí in a long-standing dispute. Fidel Castro accuses the US government of preparing the ground for an invasion of the island, and George Bush of attempting to assassinate him. The Bush administration forbids 10 foreign companies from doing business in the United States. The US Treasury Department announces that it would impose further restrictions to remittances to the island. The top US diplomat in Havana says Cuba is fabricating a threat of invasion by the United States. President George W. Bush steps up restrictions on boats traveling between US ports and Cuba.