Solidarity conference—Cuba stands
strong
'Six years have gone by and here we are'
By Teresa
Gutierrez
Havana
When 4,000 solidarity activists traveled to Cuba in early
November, it was at great sacrifice. Travel costs were very
high thanks to the profit-driven airline industry.
Some participants recounted horror stories, such as the
Indian delegates who were forced to make long, out-of-the-way
stops in Europe before finally reaching Havana.
The delegates were traveling to a blockaded country where
fuel and airplane shortages are part of everyday life. In
fact, many more people would have attended the Second World
Conference of Friendship and Solidarity with Cuba Nov. 10-14
if not for the travel limitations caused by the U.S.
blockade.
But the delegates were more than happy to make the
sacrifice to travel to socialist Cuba and show their utmost
solidarity with the revolution.
The Cuban Institute for Friendship with the Peoples (ICAP)
hosted the conference. ICAP President Sergio Corrieri set the
tone when he opened the meeting Nov. 10. Corrieri thanked the
delegates for their efforts to attend the conference.
When the First World Conference met in 1994, Corrieri
recalled, "Our economic free-fall had touched bottom." At the
same time, Washington tightened the blockade and the Cuban
American right wing in Miami stepped up its hostile acts.
These counter-revolutionaries thought the end of the
revolution was near.
"For many people everywhere, it was surprising, even
inexplicable, that the revolution did not surrender in the
face of such very serious difficulties," Corrieri said. "Six
years have gone by and here we are, in revolutionary Cuba, in
the Cuba of Fidel, of Martí, of Ché, in the
Cuba of all of us who have not come to terms with an unjust,
oppressive and cruel world."
Number of solidarity groups tripled
Since the First World Conference, Cuba solidarity groups
and associations have more than tripled, he said. Since 1994,
167 national meetings have been held in solidarity with Cuba
in 40 countries. There have been 16 regional meetings
attended by 36 countries, plus nine continental meetings on
five continents in which 81 countries participated.
Solidarity brigades to Cuba have grown too. More
specialized groups are coming to see Cuba than ever before.
Labor unions and student organizations are increasing their
activity around the world.
Corrieri acknowledged the "outstanding role" the
solidarity movement played in the recent struggle to free
little Elián González and send him home to
Cuba.
He recognized that the solidarity movement is not
homogenous. But that is its strength, he said, and all are
welcome.
Corrieri also acknowledged the complex circumstances in
which the battle to defend Cuba is being waged.
That is why "we have never intended that each measure or
decision taken in Cuba should be immediately understood and
unconditionally accepted by our friends. This world is too
complex for that," Corrieri said.
But each measure and decision was explained over and over
because "when the truth is multiplied, friends multiply."
In closing, Corrieri quoted Cuban independence hero
José Martí: "He who rises up today for Cuba,
rises up for all time."
"[This] saying is totally relevant today," Corrieri said.
"The servile yoke of which Martí spoke still crushes
and degrades some. But his star illuminates and shows us the
way to victory.
"No one, no country can achieve peace by itself. The world
must have solidarity or there will be no world.
"A beautiful flower has blossomed forth out of the bloody
and bitter ground of our common struggle--the flower of
friendship and solidarity. Let us take care of it; it is the
daughter of rebelliousness and of the refusal to put up with
injustice."
With these words the solidarity conference began.
Commissions offer action
proposals
Three commissions were established to discuss the
solidarity movement's work: "The fight against the blockade,"
"Information and misinformation about Cuba in light of the
globalization of information" and "Exchange of ideas and
experiences for solidarity work with Cuba."
Each commission put forth ideas for solidarity campaigns.
These ranged from "A Day of World Solidarity with Cuba" on
Oct. 10, 2001, to a "Boycott Bacardi" campaign to support the
next U.S./Cuba Friendshipment Caravan organized by Pastors
for Peace.
Ocean Press will publish a book containing the conference
resolutions and speeches.
The meeting undoubtedly strengthened the Cuba solidarity
movement around the world. Unlike the U.S. government, which
is globalizing imperialist exploitation for profit, the Cuban
government shows those struggling against the imperialist
yoke that there is a way out of the misery. Indeed, it was
solidarity that was globalized in Havana on Nov. 10-14.
Assassination attempt
on Cuban leader
Is it any wonder, then, that a right-wing lackey of U.S.
imperialism was caught trying to kill President Fidel Castro
in Panama just days after this historic conference?
Cuba has survived all attempts to sabotage the revolution.
It has survived the Special Period of dire economic hardship
that came after the collapse of the socialist camp.
However, it is still tough going for the Cuban people.
Getting to and from work, for example, is still very
difficult. But the Cuban people are more united than
ever.
`Majority still has faith
in the revolution'
Cuban Vice President Carlos Lage pointed out at the world
conference: "We cannot say that all Cubans have been prepared
to suffer the material limitations of these years, nor that
all Cubans have had the strength to trust and believe in the
revolution. Not all Cubans have been capable of understanding
the material difficulties nor the inequalities which have
arisen."
He added that some let themselves be led by a lack of
confidence and understanding. He stressed that this is a
natural and inevitable consequence of such a difficult
situation.
"The most remarkable thing is not that there are people
who have lost faith in the revolution," Lage said. "The
extraordinary thing is that the vast majority of the
population still has faith in the revolution and has been
able to face limitations, and that despair has not found
sufficient breeding ground to destroy the revolution."
This is one reason why the international delegates left
feeling so strong.
There were 4,000 solidarity activists in Havana from Nov.
10-14, including 600 from the United States. But they
represented millions around the world.
Together these 4,000 voices told the U.S. government: Lift
the blockade of Cuba now!
This article is copyright under a Creative
Commons License.
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