Statistics and reality
Cuban
Radar Read Spanish Version
Statistics
and reality
A
Service by the Radio Progreso Alternativa Havana Bureau
An
article in Juventud
Rebelde
under the headline “Jobs for the Young: A Never Ending Story?”
contrasts official figures for unemployment among young people with
research finding conducted by the Young Communist Union (UJC).
According
to the newspaper, the unreality of the official figures is due to
inefficiency on the part of the Ministry of Labor and Social Security
(MTSS) and other government agencies. But the reasons that young
people are not motivated to get a regular job are many, among them
low salaries, jobs inconsistent with their degrees or qualifications
or because they do not agree with the conditions offered at work
centers. Regarding this aspect, a UJC official told the newspaper
that “90 percent of more than 146,000 not working or studying in
2006 would like to do so, but could not find acceptable offers.”
The
article blames the lack of coordination and foresight on the
part of agencies involved together with MTSS, such as the Ministries
of Education and Higher Education. Also receiving blame were a lack
of coordination among the needs of each province, qualifications of
graduates and offers by the MTSS influence young people’s
unemployment.
DNA
test of Che’s remains offers evidence
Cuban
scientists announced results of tests on the remains of Commander
Ernesto Che Guevara, including the DNA testing.
On
Monday, November 26, in a meeting at the central city of Santa Clara,
Dr. Jorge González, the Cuban doctor who headed the
multinational forensic team that found the remains of Che and his
comrade, explained that “they did not make a DNA study on Che to
identify him (but) used DNA as evidence.”
According
to González, they had elements for identification from the
start, such as “an impression of his teeth”, and “seven
fractures that were coincidental.” DNA tests then were used for
validation.
Ricardo
Leonard, an expert from the Center of Genetic Engineering and
Biotechnology, explained that since Che’s widow and children live
in Cuba, the DNA test is unquestionable.
A
few months ago in Miami, people involved in the operations that ended
in Che’s capture and assassination in Bolivia denied the
authenticity of the mythical guerrilla’s remains buried in Cuba.
They dared the Cuban government to present DNA evidence.
Cuban
authorities kept silent, but during the meeting revealed that tests
had been conducted back in October, 1997.
Cuban
GNP growth revealed
Cuban
Minister of the Economy José Luis Rodríguez predicted
that the growth of the Gross National Product for fiscal year 2007,
which ends in December, will be 10 percent. The announcement was made
during the celebration of Economist’s Day, held on November 26.
Cuba’s
economy should grow by 10 percent in 2007, the third straight year of
double-digit expansion, despite slips in the tourism sector,
according to Rodriguez.
Speaking
at a meeting of economists, Rodriguez said gross domestic product on
the communist-run island would rise by 10 percent this year,
reiterating a prediction he made in February.
Rodríguez
said that there would be no magical solutions to problems and that
complex situations must be faced, such as oil’s high prices, but he
assured that Cuba is prepared for the challenges imposed by a
convulsive world, on the brink of an economic and environmental
catastrophe.
Cuban
Viagra
Cubans
won’t have to buy smuggled Viagra at 10 CUC a pop (1 CUC = $0.82
USD), for in 2008 the local version will be sold at the country’s
pharmacies.
According
to national media, Dr. Julián Pérez, head of the Center
for the Development of Drugs, announced that sildenafil, the generic
drug sold with the brand name Viagra, will be available under the
system of control cards. Controlled drugs such as this are not over
the counter and require a medical prescription.
Although
the drug is marketed for men with erectile dysfunction, sildenafil is
also used for greater sexual potency and longer sexual relations.
The
requirement of a medical prescription could serve as a deterrent for
some, due to reluctance on the part of many Cuban men to publicly
admit a condition that smacks of unmanliness, an example of the
sexism that still survives in the country.
Delegation
of Mexican PRI visits Cuba
A
delegation of the Mexican Revolutionary Institutional Party’s (PRI)
National Executive Committee visited the island on November 21 to 24,
invited by the Cuban Communist Party (PCC).
Heading
the delegation was the PRI’s present chairman Beatriz Paredes
Rangel, who up to 1994 was the Mexican Ambassador in Havana.
According
to the Notimex news agency, Ms. Paredes met with acting president
Raúl Castro.
During
their stay, the delegation also met for talks with high officials of
the Cuban government and the PCC.
Paredes
declared to Mexican media that she was sympathetic with the
rapprochement of Mexican President Felipe Calderón’s
administration with the Cuban government.
New
piping factory
Radio
Habana Cuba (RHC) reported that the new plastic piping factory at the
eastern city of Holguín “entered its marketing stage."
According
to RHC, the first productions, some 2,000 meters of 900 millimeter
tubes was an order for the water conduit at the Nipe reservoir’s
channel in Gibara.
The
start up of this factory, the third in the country, will also serve
to increase repairs of thousands of kilometers of water works in
towns and cities.
One
of the problems affecting the Cuban population is the disrepair of
aqueducts that cause huge losses of water.
Catholics
help flood victims
In
almost every Catholic church in the country priests have made a call
to members of their congregations to donate clothing, shoes, bed
sheets, towels, money and food for their compatriots, victims of the
flooding caused by tropical storm Noel’s rains.
In
the eastern region of the country, the most damaged, losses are
calculated at half a billion dollars.
A
report on the official site of the Conference of Cuban Catholic
Bishops says that “the first donations have already been
distributed in cash and kind, a result of the collection among the
faithful from several parishes of the dioceses, religious orders and
a remittance by the Cuban chapter of Caritas.”
Although
the government has dedicated large resources for the reconstruction
of the disaster areas, all aid is important to alleviate the
suffering of thousands of victims.
