CubaNews articles from November 2001

CubaNews archives from November 2001

Drive to ease Cuba sanctions stalls after Sept. 11 attacks.
November 1, 2001... WASHINGTON -- A congressional drive to gut the Treasury Department of its ability to enforce restrictions on travel to Cuba was derailed when its sponsors agreed to drop the issue to avoid a fight with the White House. After the Sept. 11...

Bluntly put, the Cuban economy is in trouble.
November 1, 2001... The Cuban economy is in serious trouble. Although the government has reduced its 2000 growth forecasts to 4%, the economic problems that have been growing steadily worse since the beginning of the year are becoming overwhelming and there are...

Government abandons effort to boost rice production.
November 1, 2001... HAVANA -- The Cuban government appears to have concluded that it cannot revive the ailing rice industry for the time being and instead will rely on imports for the bulk of its supplies. Rice is a staple food and Cubans consume between...

Debate over Cuba's place on terrorism list continues as US restricts diplomats' movements.
November 1, 2001... WASHINGTON -- The Sept. 11 terror attacks renewed the debate over whether Cuba belongs on a US government list of nations that harbor terrorists, alongside Iraq, Iran, Libya, Sudan, South Korea and Syria. Several Cuba activists in...

Russian decision to close listening post angers Cuba.
November 1, 2001... HAVANA -- Cuban officials have attempted to downplay a decision by Russia to close the electronic intelligence station at Lourdes even as the government has reacted angrily to the announcement. Russian officials say the decision to close...

Bush administration tries to push Reich as opponents seem to gain upper hand.(George W. Bush)(Otto Reich)
November 1, 2001... WASHINGTON -- Opposition to Otto Reich's nomination to a key State Department job seems to have gathered strength, putting the appointment in trouble. Secretary of State Colin Powell has tried to prod Democrats on the Senate Foreign...

Sharp drop in value of Cuban peso reflects growing economic problems.(Brief Article)
November 1, 2001... HAVANA -- The peso is in trouble. After three years of relative stability, Cuba's currency has experienced a sharp devaluation against the US dollar as a result of an acute cash crunch on the island and a sharp drop off in remittances from...

US airlines expand services to Cuba.(Continental Airlines Inc., United and American and Gulfstream Aerospace Corp.)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2001... HAVANA -- Most forecasters believe travel to Cuba will suffer as a result of the slowing global economy and the aftermath of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in the United States, but that is not deterring Continental Airlines and other US...

Venezuelan shipping line to serve Cuba.(Oficina Coordinadora de Apoyo Maritimo a la Armada)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2001... HAVANA -- A Venezuelan shipping company plans to begin service to Cuba, highlighting increasing ties between the two countries. Starting next year, state company Oficina Coordinadora de Apoyo Maritimo a la Armada (Ocamar), plans to add...

Commodity export markets.
November 1, 2001... Sugar and nickel prices have dropped 36% and 44%, respectively, over the last 12 months and most analysts say a prompt recovery is not likely. The declines since the start of 2001 have cost Cuba an estimated $400 million in lost revenues...

Cuba takes a hit from Hurricane Michelle; extent of damage is unknown.(Brief Article)
November 1, 2001... HAVANA -- Early reports from Cuba indicate that damage from Hurricane Michelle has been extensive, though the loss of life appears to be minimal due to extensive evacuations. The storm knocked out power and telecommunications for most of...

Fidelismo: a monthly report on Cuba's maximum leader.(Brief Article)
November 1, 2001... Longest Speech A five-hour discourse focused mostly on terrorism before a group of Latin American left-wing journalists meeting at the "Impact of Neoliberalism on the Media" conference in Havana." Quotes of the month "All this war...

Rumor of the day.(Brief Article)
November 1, 2001... HAVANA -- There are strong rumors the government will move to outlaw the use of the US dollar or will move to force holders of hard currency accounts to exchange some of their deposits for convertible pesos. Banning the dollar now would not be...