ABSTRACT
The international economic situation is perceived by the leadership as the most difficult crisis the revolution has yet faced. Consequently, the people have been informed of some of the developments, their implications, and a series of austerity measures enacted by the leadership to attempt to remedy the convertible currency shortage. The leadership continues to utilize various meetings and forums to inform the people about relevant economic happenings, problems, major policy changes, and new measures which will be applied soon thereafter. A Granma article described the economic relationship between the industrialized CMEA members and their less-developed counterparts. An agreement on general principles and conditions for economic cooperation covering the five-year period 1986–1990 was signed between the two countries. The areas of cooperation between the countries are to include mechanical engineering, electronics, metallurgy, chemical and agricultural industry, and other areas, resulting in improved production specialization and facilitating the exchange of goods.
