El Comandante Under Capitalist Siege
The fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 prefaced the collapse of communism, as it did in the Soviet Union and in China, where it is slowly transforming into capitalism. Yet Cuba and Fidel Castro, wrapped in their own cocoon of socialism, have persevered. TEMPO's Hermien Y. Kleden recently visited Havana, where she met with Cubans of varied backgrounds and noted the unique Cuban way of life. The following is her special report.
March 5, 2002
THE bellboy gasps for breath as he pushes a mountain of baggage. Waiters at the café carry cups of coffee on trays borne on the outstretched palms of their hands, buzzing like angry flies back and forth across the shiny floor of Hotel National. Six prosperous-looking gentlemen suddenly muscle their way to the front desk, sign their names in the hotel register, and submit their passports and credit cards before being issued their room
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