Like the wolf who had high hopes of eating Little Red Riding Hood, Richard Nuccio of the State Department's Cuba desk went wearing a smile to the conference of the Latin American Studies Association in Washington, D.C. The intervention by the State Department was aimed at making more acceptable, and therefore more effective, the continuation of Washington's policy of using force, threats, and hunger against the Cuban people to bring them to their knees.
While Clinton, like eight other U.S. presidents before him, is for keeping the dagger aimed at Cuba's revolutionary workers and farmers, the White House is portraying itself as the reasonable alternative to Senator Jesse Helms and Representative Dan Burton. These capitalist politicians are sponsors of a bill to tighten even further the U.S. government embargo against Cuba.
There is another side in the Cuba debate that more and more people are willing to consider - that of demanding an unconditional end to the decades-long policy of hostility directed toward the island country.
During the next two weeks there are important opportunities to win new forces to support the right of Cuba's people to their sovereignty, independence, and the socialism they freely choose. On October 14 in Chicago and San Francisco, and then on October 21 in New York, actions will demand an end to the U.S. government's economic war against Cuba. The protests will call for an end to the embargo, the right to travel to Cuba, for normalizing relations with the island nation, and for respect for Cuba's right to self-determination.
Actions in defense of Cuba will be taking place not only in the United States but around the world in October, following a call from a world solidarity conference in Havana last year. Demonstrations are planned for October 14 in London, Stockholm, and many other cities.
The best answer to the White House and to Helms and Burton, and the most important aid for Cuba, is to use the time remaining to make these actions as successful as possible. These events, the efforts of united action by many groups, are an important part of building a movement in the United States that will stand firm in defending Cuba and will attract others to this important fight.
From workers on strike in Detroit and Peoria, Illinois, to students marching to defend affirmative action in California, there are fighters who will be interested in learning more about a whole nation of people that has stood and fought effectively in defense of its sovereignty for more than three decades. More people can be convinced to join the actions if word is gotten out, with leafleting, postering, and visits to organizations, work sites, and campus and community meetings.
While building for the October actions supporters of Cuba's right to survive in some U.S. cities will also have the opportunity to hear Norberto Codina, one of that country's most renowned poets. Codina will be speaking in Los Angeles, Houston, and in the New York area during October and his visit is an opportunity for workers and students to exchange views and learn about the Cuban revolution.
Addressing the United Nations, Cuban foreign minister Roberto Robaina noted that Washington's policy has been consistent towards Cuba for decades. The U.S. government has "offered us nothing pleasant in the last 36 years," he said. While this is unchanged, what has changed is the interest in Cuba that has come from respect for what its people have fought for in the world.
The October actions are the best opportunity to tap into that interest.
All out for October 14 in Chicago and San Francisco, and October 21 in New York!