The transformation of the German Democratic Republic (GDR or East Germany) has important lessons for Cuba as the island opens up to increased banking, agriculture and telecommunications exchange with the U.S. But there is a major difference: The GDR liberalized it's political system first, removing the fear that Soviet troops might intervene and the secret police, the Stasi, might round up dissidents.
http://www.newsweek.com/lessons-cuba...germany-296584