EASY ECONOMIC STIMULUS--LIFT THE EMBARGO:

Cuba goes capitalist: Observations on private property (Graham Norwood, 04 June 2009, New Statesman)

“I can talk about cigars but I can’t talk about change,” Christina said sharply, as she showed me the Havana cigar factory where she worked. I had asked how Cuba was evolving under the leadership of Raúl Castro.

Just outside the factory gates, however, the signs of change are everywhere. The Cuban capital now boasts branches of clothing chains such as Benetton, Mango and Zara. Electrical shops sell plasma TVs, hotels advertise wifi and Cuban youths pore over mobile telephones. On every street there are scenes that would have been unimaginable two years ago.

Come July, there will be another sign of Cuba’s New Labour-style accommodation of the capitalist 21st century: wealthy foreigners will be able to buy luxury holiday homes on the island.