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CUBA INVITES THE WORLD TO HAVANA
(This article is from the Sept. 1-15/2000 issue of People's Voice, Canada's leading communist newspaper. Articles can be reprinted free if the source is credited. Subscription rates in Canada: $25/year, or $12 low income rate; for U.S. readers - $25 US per year; other overseas readers - $25 US or $35 CDN per year. Send to: People's Voice, 706 Clark Drive, Vancouver, Canada, V5L 3J1.)
By Elspeth Gardner
IN NOVEMBER 1994, the First World Meeting of Solidarity and Friendship with Cuba was held in Havana. At the time, Cuba was suffering the economic effects of the break-up of the Soviet Union, which added to the continuing problems created by the long-term U.S. embargo. In response, there was a world-wide outpouring of humanitarian aid to Cuba in appreciation of its fine achievements in the areas of education and health care, and in recognition of its sovereign right to determine its own destiny.
The call is now out for a second such gathering. It reads, "The Cuban nation and its people through the social and mass organizations which represent them, invite all those who oppose the blockade against Cuba, whatever their ideology and belief, to the Second World Meeting of Solidarity and Friendship with Cuba, November 10-14, 2000."
It is important that Canada be well represented at this gathering.
Mario Garcia Delgado, the new Minister Counsellor at the Cuban Embassy in Ottawa, speaking on July 30 at the annual garden party of the Canadian-Cuban Friendship Association in Vancouver, emphasized the importance of friendly Canada-Cuba relations. He noted the history of continuous good diplomatic and trade relations between the two countries back to 1959, and that Canadians contribute greatly to Cuba's important tourism industry.
Canadians attending the conference in Havana will seek ways to expand that friendly relationship, along with similar-minded people from many corners of the world.
Since 1994, Cuba has resisted the U.S. blockade and maintained its political stability, undergoing a modest, yet sustained, economic recovery.
In those same years the U.S. moved to tighten its blockade. The provisions of the 1995 Helms-Burton Law made third-country companies liable to damages to the former owners of confiscated Cuban property, or their successors, for "trafficking" in such property, in actions to be brought in U.S. courts. This law also directed the Secretary of State to exclude from the U.S. officers and principals of companies which might engage in new acts of "trafficking" after March 12, 1996.
This legislation was roundly condemned as a violation of international law, and Cuba's trade with many countries has been increasing. Condemnation of the embargo has grown year by year, finding expression in United Nations resolutions.
The main drive for continued pressure on Cuba has come from the wealthy and politically-powerful exile groups in Florida, most notably the Cuban-American National Foundation. This debate was given a dramatic impetus by the failure of the U.S. to return Elian Gonzalez promptly to his father. This matter, which should have been resolved within a week by an administrative decision, was dragged through the court system for six long months. During that time many Americans came to realize that their economic interests and their own ideas of humanity and justice were being held hostage by a small section of the Miami exile community. The result is a much heightened awareness of the need to change U.S. policy.
For Cuba, the immediate concern is that the Cuban Adjustment of Status Act, passed in 1996, should be repealed. This law grants automatic and immediate access to the U.S. for illegal migrants from Cuba who manage to reach U.S. soil. It has led people to take extreme risks, including Elian's mother and many others who have died in the attempt. It has also distorted normal immigration arrangements between the two countries.
More basic discussions are also underway. A number of resolutions are under consideration by Washington. One would lift the blockade on sales of U.S. food and medicines to Cuba. But this change would be meaningless unless restrictions are also lifted on the financing of such sales, and on the shipping of goods to Cuba. The battle on these issues is far from over, but an increasing number of Americans are questioning the whole issue of the U.S. blockade. They are joining the outcry of millions throughout the world who believe that Cubans have fought hard for their independence and national sovereignty, and for their socialist model, and deserve to retain them without harassment.
In the past few years more and more delegations from around the world, including Canada, have been meeting their Cuban counterparts in the fields of labour, education, health, housing, medicine, science, agriculture, the legal system, sports and culture. Many see the Cuban model as an alternative to the program of capitalist globalization pushed by the major developed countries.
The Second World Meeting of Solidarity and Friendship will give great impetus to the drive to free Cuba from the shackles of the U.S. embargo, and to allow the island to use its full energies to improve the lot of the whole Cuban people. Cuba invites the world to be in Havana in November!
(Readers wishing to attend should act immediately to make travel arrangements by contacting the nearest Cuban friendship group. B.C. readers can call Joyce Holmes at 604-585-4848 or Linda Chobotuck at 604-421-7056.)
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