The Cuban government passed a resolution in January prohibiting the sale of computers to individuals and nonprofit organizations in an effort to curb access to the internet and dissident websites. This was seen as a reaction to dissidents buying computers and creating websites to share their opposing viewpoint free from government influence. While it is still possible to obtain computers through businessmen or the black market, getting a personal computer remains challenging in Cuba according to one source.

1. Cuba, Alabama: 05/25/2003 - 05/31/2003 Page 1 of 2
Cuba prohibits computer sales
by Robert Lebowitz, Digital Freedom Network
(March 26, 2002) In a new effort to curb Internet access,
the Cuban government has forbade the sale of computers
for personal use.
This past January, a resolution was passed with the
following article: "The sale of computers, offset printer
equipment, mimeographs, photocopiers…as well as their
parts, pieces, and accessories, is prohibited to associations,
foundations, civic and nonprofit societies, and natural born
citizens."
"The sale of computers...is prohibited...to natural born
citizens."
Marta Roque, leader of the Cuban Institute of Independent
Economists, surmised that the government's crackdown
was a reaction to the increased availablity of Web sites
offering Cuban dissidents an opportunity to get their
message heard.
"They knew that dissidents were buying computers and
constructing Web sites," said Roque. Since Roque does not
have access to her own site from Cuba, she sends written
material to Miami, where it is posted on her Web site.
Roque herself recently created a Web site, which was
designed to show the opposing viewpoint of life in the
Communist state, independent of government influence.
Roque's site is located at www.cubaicei.org.
A call to Cutisa, an electronics provider in Cuba, confirmed
that the outlet was no longer selling computer equipment to
the general public, but only to businesses and government.
When asked why, the salesman replied simply that it was a
government order.
However, according to Rosa Berre of Cubanet, it is still
possible to get a computer either through a businessman
selling off his old computers or else through the black
market. In fact, other illegal means of circumventing
Internet censorship have sprouted in Cuba: hackers
regularly gain access to the Web, which can normally only
be accessed through one server.
Still, according to Berre, obtaining computer equipment for
personal remains a challenge. "It's not easy," said Berre.
http://robertoreg.blogspot.com/2003_05_25_robertoreg_archive.html 5/16/2006

2. Cuba, Alabama: 05/25/2003 - 05/31/2003 Page 2 of 2
"You have to have a friend."
http://robertoreg.blogspot.com/2003_05_25_robertoreg_archive.html 5/16/2006