Chronicle on Cuba - September 2009

Highlights

Domestic Affairs: The Cuban Government authorizes public Internet access at post offices across the country. The Cuban government suspends foreign telephone calls via the Internet. Vice president Juan Almeida dies. Detentions and harassment against dissidents precede Juanes’ concert in Havana. Over one million Cubans gather for a historic concert in Havana’s Revolution Square. The Government convokes Cubans to a second national debate. 

Economy: China provides Cuba 600 million dollars in loans and grants. Cuban citrus and juice production decline. The Cuban government implements a price reduction on goods sold at foreign-currency stores. Foreign suppliers and investors in Cuba are unable to repatriate hundreds of millions of dollars from local accounts.

Exile Community: A poll shows that less Cuban Americans support the embargo. Cubans in Miami watch Juanes’ Concert for Peace with conflicted feelings.

Foreign Affairs: China and Cuba exchange high-ranking visitors. Fidel Castro receives foreign visitors and publishes his points of views on foreign affairs. Dignitaries from Croacia, Cyprus, Algeria, Palestine, and Vietnam visit the island.

Security: Cuba and Russia re-launch military cooperation.

US-Cuba Relations: Talks between the US and Cuba resume direct postal service. President Barack Obama extends the US embargo on Cuba for one year. Cuba says will not make any political or policy concessions to improve relations with the US. A senior American diplomat holds high-level talks in Havana with the Cuban government