Salute to Cuba

CUBA, the valiant socialist outpost in the western hemisphere celebrates the 44th anniversary of its revolution on January 1, 2003. The CPI(M) conveys its warm fraternal greetings to the Cuban people, the Party and the government on this happy occasion.

The year 2002 saw Cuba successfully counter the various provocative steps and moves by the United States government. The right-wing zealots who man the Bush administration, sought to malign Cuba by accusing it of developing biological weapons. President Bush himself in speech after speech targeted Cuba and arrogantly declared his resolve to see the end of socialism and the restoration of “free market democracy” in the island.  Five brave patriots of Cuba, Rene Gonzalez, Fernando Gonzalez, Antonio Guerrero, Gerardo Hernandez and Ramon Labanino were sentenced to long years in prison to appease the reactionary émigré circles in Miami. Defying world opinion, the USA continues the economic blockade of Cuba, which has now lasted 42 years.

Yet Cuba could not be subdued or isolated. The Cuban government has effectively refuted the lies and slander about Cuba preparing biological weapons, a fact confirmed by former US president Jimmy Carter. In the United Nations, for the 11th time, a resolution calling for the withdrawal of the economic blockade was adopted in November 2002. 173 countries voted for the resolution, six more than last year. Only three countries voted against the resolution, the United States, Israel and the Marshall Islands. Never before was the United States so isolated in the world community on this criminal and illegal blockade of Cuba.

Cuba has steadily overcome the difficult period which it faced after the collapse of the Soviet Union and the rupturing of its economic ties with the Soviet Union and the East European countries. From 1994, the Cuban economy has registered growth. The pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries are among the most advanced in the world. There has been steady increase in the mining sector, both in domestic oil production and nickel production.  Tourism which has become an important sector of the Cuban economy saw an inflow of 1.7 million tourists in 2002. Cuba is the only country in the Americas that reduced unemployment in 2002 with a rate of 3.5 per cent.  The index of unemployment for the rest of Latin America for this year is 9.3 per cent.

While important economic reforms were initiated in the recent years, the socialist system in Cuba has maintained its outstanding record in the social sector. Cuba has a doctor for every 167 persons, the highest ratio of doctors to population in the world. The life expectancy of a Cuban citizen on an average is 76.15 years. This is higher than any third world country and on par with the developed western countries. While introducing a number of economic reforms, Cuba has maintained its expenditure in the social sector in health, education and social security payments.

Cuba is a beacon light for all the Latin America peoples, who are facing loss of livelihood and impoverishment due to the neo-liberal policies imposed by the United States and international finance capital through pliant governments. Cuba is winning more and more friends in South America much to the chagrin of the United States.

The socialist system in Cuba has produced a vital cultural life and a high level of consciousness among the people who have stood firm against the US blandishments and threats. This was expressed when 7 out of the 11 million people participated in a signature campaign to affirm that the socialist system of Cuba be made impervious to change.

We wish the people of Cuba and their leadership headed by Fidel Castro more successes in the coming year.