SOVIET SHOWDOWN WITH CURA — ULTIMATUM FROM COSCON
Ed. note: “e reproduce here particle from the Financial Times ol hRYr 10th, We would point out that p paper appears to have reliable sources, especially on Comecon activities, The paper has carried reports of previous Comecon discussions which have been invariably confirmed by subsequent ovents, 9.2. the Rumanian disaffection with Sovist policy,
™, 'showiown! is unofficially but reliably roported to be taking piace in Prague betwoen Cuba and the Comecon countries, lod by the Seviet Union, which have become tired of pouring huge sums of aid into the Caribbean island, all to no effect, An ultimatum is to be presented to Cuba, according to which Cuba will have to receive a powerful sconomic commission from Eastern Hurops which will reform her economy (and some of her political system), or else conse recoiving the Bactiuropenn aid which has been running at. rate of $1.6 m. a day in the past year,
"These developments have been coming out of a meeting which opened in Prague on October 7. The meeting was convened to discuss two Cuban demands for aid, Cuba asked firstly for immediate help to dosl with hurricane damage and secondly for a loan of $5000m, over 1963-65. The Comecon countriss agrecd to the first demand, and will together supply medicines, Wilding materials, tents, clothing, blankote and food to the value of $3.5n.
"But the second demand was rejectsd in terms highly unflattoring to the Cuban Government. One sfter anothar, the East Europonn delegates accused the Cubans of squandering nid in unrealistic exporioments, Criticisms covered the Cuban'Government's economic policy in both agriculture and industry. In agriculture, the Cubans were accused of confiscating small farms to form sthtee svi thout in fact heving the workers to run the latteres..
",eeelha Soviet delegate stated bluntly that Cuba could not expoct any great food subsidies from the Comecon countries, Hecmise of tha bad harvest, the Comecon countries would have to buy groin in the Vest, "and we don't earn our export dollars to drop them into the Havana sewers," The Ezechoslovak dolegate accused the Cubans of favouring Chinese policy and
Cubar ‘avourable to the Soviet lino, : "The maoting has been adjourned until the end of the month, while the Cuban experts return to Havana for consultations, “hen they return they will be presented with the ultimatum mentioned above, If the Cubarm accept
ultimatum, the commision which they will have to receive may consist of up %00 people, with extensive powers. Cuba will be made to normalise relations rolations with the U.S, and to reduce its army and militia by a third whilo making them more profossionally competent." (our emphasis ‘ivouhout)