Published on Monday, May 5, 2008
By Rigoberto Diaz
HAVANA, Cuba (AFP): Cubans have begun exercising their new right to buy
personal computers, although the government has not freed up access to
the Internet for the communist-ruled country's would-be consumers.
X-Ray technician Mercedes Amen on Friday was literally jumping for joy
when she shelled out almost 800 dollars for the Chinese QTECH PC, the
only model in state-run shops, at Havana's bustling Carlos III shopping
center.
"I am just over the moon, this is something I have always wanted," she
said, after snapping up the processor, monitor, keyboard and mouse.
A Cuban man carries his new computer bought in a Havana's store. From
Friday, Cubans are allowed to purchase computers for personal use,
something previously limited to state companies. AFP PHOTO
"I was really dying for the new rules to take effect, because I had a
few pesos saved up," she said, stressing that the machine would help her
professionally.
A few pesos, indeed: Cubans make an average monthly salary of about 20
dollars. So the computer would cost most people more than three years'
full earnings.
Cuba banned the sale of PCs in 2003 after years of crippling power
shortages largely prompted by the collapse of the former Soviet bloc.
Russia used to provide cut-rate oil to run Cuba's power plants, and the
end of that relationship sent Cuba into an economic free-fall from which
it has yet to recover fully.
But with Venezuelan oil coming in, thanks to Cuba's close ties to its
President Hugo Chavez, and power plants upgraded, the shortage has
eased. And allowing sales of appliances, from PCs to pressure cookers,
to undercut the black market was the first small reform move by
President Raul Castro in March.
Raul Castro, 76, in February formally took Cuba's reins from his ailing
brother Fidel, 81, who ruled the country for almost five decades. Raul,
the longtime military leader, said he would end unpopular "limitations."
Bereft of the some of the historical and charismatic heft of Fidel, many
analysts say Raul Castro is under intense pressure to deliver
improvements in Cubans standard of living.
He has since unveiled changes including allowing Cubans to take out
mobile phone contracts, to stay in tourist hotels and rent cars, treats
long reserved for foreigners here.
Computers were on sale at at least two stores in Havana Friday, although
most people resigned themselves to window shopping.
Other appliances the government said it was allowing people to buy, such
as DVDs and microwave ovens, have not made it to store shelves.
"I am just here looking. It's all I can do for now," student Alejandro
Machin, 20, told AFP, in a line that sometimes had as many as 10
customers in it.
All had heard rumors on the street as to where the government was
selling what. There was no official announcement in state media.
Machin carefully scoped out the technical specifications and
configuration on offer. "It is not exactly the latest thing on the
market, but it's not a bad system. It could be better," Machin said.
"Anyway, at that price it would take me years to be able to buy it."
"It's the first day; lots of Cubans don't even know they are on sale,
but I think sales will go up in a few days and when we have more models
to choose from," a saleswoman at the La Puntilla shop said privately.
A survey last year found that one third of Cuba's 11.2 million
population had used a PC in the previous year but only 5.2 percent of
them at home.
Some of those PCs were bought abroad on trips or in Cuba on the black
market. Others were built with components sold in hard-currency stores
or on the black market.
Domestic Internet for the public does not exist but Internet cafes do,
where Cubans can see an edited view of the Web.
"The important thing is now they are there" for sale, Machin said of
PCs, adding wistfully: "Now, you just have to get the money."
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