Cuba: Barking at Big Brother

Havana's Plaza de la Revolucion was alive with masses of Cubans obediently chanting slogans and cheering their bearded leader. It was the sixth anniversary of Fidel Castro's rise to power —presumably a time for triumphant muscle flexing. But this year's military parade was whittled to 30 minutes, instead of an hour, and Castro's speech was almost subdued. "Parades," said he, "are very expensive, and it is natural that in concluding the Year of the Economy we save expenses."

Since 1959, Cuba's gross national product has dwindled by 15% , the sugar crop has slipped 45%...

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