What's in these libraries, anyway?

Who are the Friends of Cuban Libraries?

A couple of short passages from the last linked article, above:

But I wonder if ALA is willing to establish the precedent that all politicians with private book collections who decide to call themselves "librarians," are therefore our "colleagues"? . . .

The charges that have been spread by Kent and his FCL have deeply offended our real colleagues, the librarians of Cuba, and our sister library association, ASCUBI. Our real colleagues are beleaguered by shortages of things as simple as paper, professional literature, computers and printers - and much of this has to do with their inability, because of the US blockade, to purchase any items from US companies (or foreign companies doing business with the US). Computers cannot be brought to Cuba from the US legally, even as a donation by licensed travelers. True "friends of Cuban libraries" would be concerned about these matters. It is time that we begin to know our real counterparts/colleagues in Cuba. It is time that we begin to have the kinds of conversations and exchanges on all subjects -- including intellectual freedom and censorship. It is US policy, not Cuban policy, which prevents us from doing so.

Sparenese, Ann. Hearing on Charges by "Friends of Cuban Libraries". Presented at ALA IRC Latin American & Caribbean Subcommittee meeting, 08 Jan 2001.

Tell me how keeping computers out of the hands of Cuban citizens promotes intellectual freedom.