Sir, – How refreshing to read the words of a Cuban farmer in Lorna Siggins’s excellent Irishwoman’s Diary (August 6th): “We have no interest in selling ourselves off to anyone, not even the highest bidder”. Maybe that is why they are not embroiled in endless recessions, bailouts, and ever- increasing cuts in public services? It could also be why class size is capped at 16 students, hospitals are treating more, not fewer, patients, wages are rising and why Cuba is rated by WWF as the only country developing sustainably. And, after achieving all that, they owe not one red cent to the IMF. –