[lbo-talk] Fourth International statement on Cuba

[Michael Pugliese]

Date: Wed, 14 May 2003 17:40:08 +0200
Subject: [FI-P] FI statement on Cuba
From: FIbureau <FIbureau at wanadoo.fr>
To: FI Press/Eng <fi-press-l at comlink.org>
Cc: FI Press/Cast <ci-prensa-l at comlink.org>
Reply-To: International_Viewpoint at compuserve.com
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FI-press-l                             Fourth International Press List
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The fact that the Communist Party of Cuba has felt the need to write
to "fraternal parties and organizations"* shows the scope of the
problem that Cuban leaders are facing as reactions come in to the
execution of three Cuban citizens and the heavy prison sentences
imposed on other citizens who were expressing their desire to
exercise their right of criticism.
For our part, the Fourth International recalls that we have taken the
side of the Cuban revolution ever since 1959; and that we have
defended crucial decisions made by the Cuban leaders from criticisms
and attacks, not only from the ruling classes and their governments
but also from most Communist and social-democratic parties and from
leaders of the so-called "really existing socialist countries". We
have highlighted the original aspects of the Cuban revolution as well
as the aid that it has given in an internationalist spirit to
revolutionary movements. But when we have considered it necessary to
make criticisms - particularly of the Cuban government's attitude
towards the leaderships in the Soviet Union and other non-capitalist
countries or towards the Mexican PRI government, or of the
bureaucratization of the Cuban regime - we have done so openly.
Today, the methods adopted during the recent tragic events are
unacceptable from a revolutionary democratic point of view and
unacceptable for the defense of the revolution and its social and
cultural conquests. Our response is unambiguous. The Cuban government
adopted by the way an entirely different attitude on other occasions,
particularly during the attempts at massive, illegal emigration in
1980 and 1994.
It is true, as the Cuban CP's letter indicates, that "the Bush
Administration's hostility towards Cuba has exceeded that of all
previous administrations"*. The ruling classes, the US ruling classes
first and foremost, have always used barbarous methods; but fighting
against these policies cannot justify the use of undemocratic
methods, including the unacceptable death penalty, by a government
that claims to be socialist. Precisely because certain methods are
characteristic of the exploiting classes, revolutionaries must not
resort to them.
Undeniably, Cuba is in an even more difficult situation than in the
past. Bush and his gang have demonstrated that they are prepared to
use any means at all to impose their hegemony still more on the whole
world. Cuba's best defense is to ensure the active, more and more
democratic participation of the broadest layers of the population in
the arduous tasks of defending the revolution, with full rights of
self-expression and criticism. The best defense consists at the same
time in the broadest solidarity from friendly parties and
organizations and the peoples of other countries. But recourse by the
Cuban leadership to extreme repressive methods makes this kind of
solidarity much more difficult.
Once again, while criticizing unambiguously the recent measures taken
by the Cuban leadership, we reaffirm our solidarity with the Cuban
people against the US-imposed embargo.
 
Executive Bureau of the Fourth International
14th May 2003
 
 
 
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-- 
Michael Pugliese

"Without knowing that we knew nothing, we went on talking without listening 
to each other. Sometimes we flattered and praised each other, understanding 
that we would be flattered and praised in return. Other times we abused and 
shouted at each other, as if we were in a madhouse."
-Tolstoy