CUBA: Castro Terms Global Crisis a ‘Genetic Defect of Capitalism’

Cuban President Fidel Castro described the global financial crisis as "a genetic defect of capitalism," and compared it to the Great Depression of the 1930s.

TOURISM-CUBA: Year 2000 Target of Two Million Visitors Feasible

The fact that Cuba has already welcomed one million visitors this year boosts expectations that the government's target of two million will be met in the year 2000.

POPULATION: Migration from Cuba Is Mainly Economic, Says Study

Most people hoping to leave Cuba are motivated by economic problems and by the fact that the island's economic crisis has made it tougher for them to achieve what they would like to, according to a recent study here.

RELIGION-CUBA: Church Gradually Gaining Ground

Cuba's Church has become more visible here following Pope John Paul II's visit to Cuba in January, which enabled it to emerge from the obscurity to which it had been relegated for more than three decades.

ECONOMY-CUBA: Tightening the Belt Another Notch

A programme to upgrade public utilities will not only benefit Cubans by expanding coverage and improving services, but will also put a new crunch on already severely cash- strapped pocketbooks.