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Cuba marks revolution anniversary Cuban leader warns of austerity
(about 5 hours later)
The Cuban President, Raul Castro, is due to address the nation shortly in a televised keynote speech in which he may outline further economic reforms. Cuban President Raul Castro has warned that Cubans must be prepared for the consequences of the current global economic crisis.
The speech is part of the celebrations marking the 55th anniversary of the beginning of the communist revolution. He said that developing countries had already felt the effects of rising fuel and food prices.
Mr Castro has introduced significant changes in the country since succeeding his ailing brother, Fidel, in February. The speech was part of the celebrations marking the 55th anniversary of the beginning of the communist revolution.
He recently announced a move to allow some private farming and relaxed limits on mobile phones and computers. President Castro had been expected to announce new economic policies, but in the event did not do so.
He has already introduced significant changes in the country since succeeding his ailing brother, Fidel, in February.
The president recently announced a move to allow some private farming and relaxed limits on mobile phones and computers.
'Excessive prohibitions''Excessive prohibitions'
The BBC's Michael Voss in Santiago says 26 July, known as Rebellion Day, is traditionally used to announce major policy changes. Speaking for 48 minutes, President Castro warned the crowds that the economic austerity suffered in recent years would not be helped by increases in world food prices.
"The revolution has done and will continue to do whatever is possible to continue to advance and reduce to the bare minimum the inevitable consequences of international crises to our people," he said.
"But we must explain to our people the difficulties and thus prepare them to deal with them."
Raul Castro also had a message for Cuba's ideological enemy, the United States.
"We shall continue paying special attention to defence, regardless of the results of the next presidential elections in the United States," said the president.
Since taking over from his elder brother, Raul Castro has made available more unused state land to private farmers, eased restrictions on mobile phones for ordinary citizens and allowed some workers to seek legal titles for their homes.
RAUL CASTRO'S REFORMS 2008 February - signs two human rights agreements at the UNMarch - lifts ban on Cubans staying in tourist hotelsMay - lifts ban on private ownership of mobile phonesJune - announces plans to abandon salary equalityJuly - decrees state-controlled farm land can be leased to private farmers and co-operativesRAUL CASTRO'S REFORMS 2008 February - signs two human rights agreements at the UNMarch - lifts ban on Cubans staying in tourist hotelsMay - lifts ban on private ownership of mobile phonesJune - announces plans to abandon salary equalityJuly - decrees state-controlled farm land can be leased to private farmers and co-operatives
There is anticipation here that President Castro might outline a further loosening of state economic controls, our correspondent says.
But with rising world oil and food prices there are also fears that there may also cuts to the communist country's generous welfare state, he adds.
Since taking over from his elder brother, Mr Castro has made available more unused state land to private farmers, eased restrictions on mobile phones for ordinary citizens and allowed some workers to seek legal titles for their homes.
He has also signed UN human rights accords and announced that workers can earn productivity bonuses, doing away with the egalitarian concept that everyone must earn the same.He has also signed UN human rights accords and announced that workers can earn productivity bonuses, doing away with the egalitarian concept that everyone must earn the same.
The Castro brothers led an assault on Santiago's Moncada barracks in 1958 Mr Castro delivered his speech to a crowd of some 10,000 people at the parade grounds of Santiago's historic Moncada army barracks, where he and his brother led a fruitless rebel assault exactly 55 years ago.
Most of the speculation is based on the president's promise earlier this year to remove "excessive prohibitions" in Cuban life.
Mr Castro will address a crowd of some 10,000 people at the parade grounds of Santiago's historic Moncada army barracks, where he and his brother led a fruitless rebel assault exactly 55 years ago.
Both men were jailed for the attack, but did of course eventually go on to seize power from the then Cuban leader, Fulgencio Batista, on 1 January 1959.Both men were jailed for the attack, but did of course eventually go on to seize power from the then Cuban leader, Fulgencio Batista, on 1 January 1959.
"When we attacked the Moncada, none of us dreamed of being here today," the president told the crowd.
The Rebellion Day celebrations two years ago were the last public event at which Fidel Castro was seen before he underwent emergency intestinal surgery. He has since appeared only in official videos and photographs.The Rebellion Day celebrations two years ago were the last public event at which Fidel Castro was seen before he underwent emergency intestinal surgery. He has since appeared only in official videos and photographs.