Cuba's Communist Party approves sweeping economic changes, elects new leadership
HAVANA (AP) - Cubans hoped to get details Tuesday of the sweeping economic changes and new leadership choices their government approved in closed-door meetings as the Communist Party held its last day of talks, to be concluded with a closing speech by President Raul Castro.
With Castro widely expected to take over from his brother Fidel as the party's first secretary, all eyes will be on the selection of his new No. 2, which could signal a possible favored successor.
Delegates approved about 300 economic proposals in a unanimous vote Monday — including a measure that apparently recommends legalizing the buying and selling of private property.
Also on the table was a proposal to eventually eliminate the monthly ration book, which provides Cubans with a basic basket of heavily subsidized food and other goods. Other measures envision providing seed capital for would-be entrepreneurs and eliminating the island's unique dual-currency system.
Among those who voted in favor was former leader Fidel Castro, who along with his brother was named a delegate to the Congress. "The economic policy (approved here) follows the principle that only socialism can preserve the victories of the revolution," said Marino Murillo, an ex-economy minister in charge of implementing the reforms.
Cubans were treated to a two-hour broadcast on state-run television late Monday of Communist Party committee members debating the finer details of the package of proposals, which have not yet been made public, although they are based on ideas that have been discussed extensively in recent months.
Delegates could be seen referencing subclauses by number and flipping through pages in front of them, as projectors juxtaposed close-ups of original and revised texts.
At one point, a committee discussing changes to agricultural laws voted on a small change in the wording of a sentence covering artificial insemination of livestock. "We need to emphasize in the guideline that we should be aiding genetic development and artificial insemination," said one delegate. "We are in agreement with the proposal," another committee member replied, before the discussion turned to ways to spur greater milk production.
The Party Congress does not have the power to enact the changes into law, but the suggestions are expected to be acted upon quickly by the National Assembly over the coming days and weeks.
Cuba's Communist Party approves sweeping economic changes, elects new leadership | Markets | Market News | Canadian Business Online
HAVANA (AP) - Cubans hoped to get details Tuesday of the sweeping economic changes and new leadership choices their government approved in closed-door meetings as the Communist Party held its last day of talks, to be concluded with a closing speech by President Raul Castro.
With Castro widely expected to take over from his brother Fidel as the party's first secretary, all eyes will be on the selection of his new No. 2, which could signal a possible favored successor.
Delegates approved about 300 economic proposals in a unanimous vote Monday — including a measure that apparently recommends legalizing the buying and selling of private property.
Also on the table was a proposal to eventually eliminate the monthly ration book, which provides Cubans with a basic basket of heavily subsidized food and other goods. Other measures envision providing seed capital for would-be entrepreneurs and eliminating the island's unique dual-currency system.
Among those who voted in favor was former leader Fidel Castro, who along with his brother was named a delegate to the Congress. "The economic policy (approved here) follows the principle that only socialism can preserve the victories of the revolution," said Marino Murillo, an ex-economy minister in charge of implementing the reforms.
Cubans were treated to a two-hour broadcast on state-run television late Monday of Communist Party committee members debating the finer details of the package of proposals, which have not yet been made public, although they are based on ideas that have been discussed extensively in recent months.
Delegates could be seen referencing subclauses by number and flipping through pages in front of them, as projectors juxtaposed close-ups of original and revised texts.
At one point, a committee discussing changes to agricultural laws voted on a small change in the wording of a sentence covering artificial insemination of livestock. "We need to emphasize in the guideline that we should be aiding genetic development and artificial insemination," said one delegate. "We are in agreement with the proposal," another committee member replied, before the discussion turned to ways to spur greater milk production.
The Party Congress does not have the power to enact the changes into law, but the suggestions are expected to be acted upon quickly by the National Assembly over the coming days and weeks.
Cuba's Communist Party approves sweeping economic changes, elects new leadership | Markets | Market News | Canadian Business Online
