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unusually high indices in education, health,

countries have made significant strides in

and other social areas. In his magisterial early

those fields over the past 40 years, starting

history of the Cuban revolution, Hugh

from lower bases, without nearly the costs in

Thomas noted, "Cuba's standard of living

human life and rights. Granting the impor-

measured by most gauges was always higher

tance of preventive medicine, free medical

than most countries of the so-called under-

care is less valuable when routine medica-

developed world." And yet, he continued,

tions are unavailable, a reality that cannot be

since the benefits were so unevenly distrib-

blamed on the embargo. And free education

uted in the population, particularly outside

loses much of its value when courses are in

Havana, the country "certainly needed

large part regime propaganda, freedom of

reform and more than most countries."1 0

expression is curtailed, and access to reading

Policies since 1959 have taken education to

material is severely limited.

all children and laid a good foundation for

future growth when a new regime permits

The Political Reality

conditions that encourage individual and

The political conditions the embargo is

national growth. (Computer literacy is quite

intended to improve remain little changed.

a different matter since it is extremely diffi-

Real power is in the hands of Fidel Castro

cult for any unauthorized Cuban to get

and a tiny clique around him. The normal

online.) Also, Cubans generally appear to be

trappings of democracy (free speech, free-

in good health and not particularly under-

dom of association, a free press, Internet

access, and so on)1 4 are nonexistent or heavi-

nourished. But the caloric intake of the aver-

age person is relatively low, and aid agencies

ly circumscribed, and people who dare to

state that food for the needy covers only three

oppose the regime suffer frequent harass-

weeks a month.1 1 The United Nations is

ment. According to dissidents interviewed by

one of the authors in February, there were

sending $22 million to Cuba this year to help

then about 300 political prisoners in jail.

feed children and pregnant women in the

Human Rights Watch has stated that Cuba

poorest eastern provinces. But, according to

"has developed a highly effective machinery

Carlos Lage, the country's chief economist

of repression." In its 2001 report, Amnesty

and a doctor by profession, Cuba's main

problem is lack of food, not hunger.1 2 In part

International reported that there was "a seri-

ous escalation in repression during the clos-

that is because of a sustained government

ing months of 2000" and that "journalists,

effort--assisted for almost three decades by

political opponents and human rights

Soviet aid and subsidies that amounted to

defenders were subjected to severe harass-

from a quarter to a third of gross domestic

The Castro

ment," including, among other things, short-

product--to focus on preventive medicine

regime does not

term detention, house arrest, and threats.1 5

and establish general practitioner clinics in

hesitate to make

towns all over the island.

According to dissident Elizardo Sánchez in

Ambassador Vicki Huddleston, principal

an interview in February, rights conditions

life difficult for

officer of the U.S. Interest Section in Havana,

have declined every year since the Pope's visit

private entrepre-

concludes that "Cuba has done an excellent

to Cuba in January 1998, but harassment is

neurs if their suc-

job across the board on health care and edu-

now "low intensity."

cation." Secretary of State Colin Powell, while

The regime does not hesitate to make life

cess too clearly

remarking that Castro is "trapped in a time

difficult for private entrepreneurs if their suc-

challenges revolu-

warp," added that he has "done good things

cess too clearly challenges revolutionary ideals.

for his people." Castro responded that Powell

Drivers of pedicabs (three-wheeled vehicles

tionary ideals.

is the only secretary "who has dared say that

introduced from Asia during the fuel crisis

Cuba has done something good."1 3 Those

that began in the early 1990s) and youngsters

trying to hustle a few dollars on the streets by

statements notwithstanding, it must be

leading tourists to private restaurants (called

pointed out that many other Latin American

4