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Cubas Left Must Roll Up its Sleeves April 26, 2012 | *Pedro Campos* HAVANA TIMES, April 26 Cuba is going through critical moments in its history that are marked by the physical decline of Fidel Castro, the open recognition of the general failure of the state socialist model (which is really nothing more than concealed state monopoly capitalism), and the struggle for either the restoration of private capitalism or the advance toward to a new truly democratic socialist society. An additional factor is the complex situation facing our sister nation of Venezuela and its possible impact on the Cuban economy. The government-Communist Party pursuing its politics of updating the model favors the continuation of wage-labor exploitation by the state and by private domestic and foreign entities over self-managed cooperative forms of production, which would epitomize socialism. In the meantime, they are seeking to maintain absolute state control, particularly over the economic activity of society. At the same time, we can see contradictions in the official statements concerning their willingness to carry out democratic transformations in the political system: Raul Castro speaks of greater democracy within the party and society, just like the party billboards express the idea that these changes on the island are for more socialism; nevertheless economic reform czar Marino Murillo bluntly says there will be no political change in Cuba. Its not possible to fully develop socialism without real freedom and democracy, just as its virtually impossible develop full freedom and democracy without genuine socialism. *An emerging right alliance* However, facilitated by the democratic and libertarian deficits in the current statist model of society, we see a realignment of the pro-capitalist forces, some from within the state and others that are outside of it. They are changing their approach from one of confrontation to more peaceful means and to dialogue; while from the diaspora, well-known capitalist figures are showing themselves willing to join in the updating with their investments. Some argue that these movements may reflect the existence of a tacit sort of agreement between the pro-capitalist wing of the party-government, part of the hierarchy of the Cuban Catholic Church, major émigré investment groups and the reigning US Democratic Party, as they seek a peaceful transition towards the restoration of private capitalism but like in China, maintaining strict communist party control over society. The recent visits to Cuba by the Pope and prominent Cuban-American businessman Carlos Saladrigas could be contributing to this framework. The US government maintains many of their laws to keep the blockade/embargo in place, though they have loosened some of its strings (remittances, the sales of food and medicine, Cuban-Americans, and travel and cultural exchanges) while demanding democratic changes that the Cuban government seems unwilling to undertake. The possible re-election of Democrat Barack Obama is creating expectations around the continued loosening of other strings of the blockade. The recent Summit of the Americas showed the isolation of the blockade policy, something which the US government must take into account. Though absent, Cuba was the real star of the event. The inflamed and brutish north is ready to even intervene either militarily (if Cuba were to apply massive repression) or with the investment of generous amounts of its capital to develop the country (like in China) and exploit (in collusion with the state) the huge human capital created over the past 50 years of the revolution. *Continued Disarray on the Left* In the broad democratic Cuban left critical of traditional statism but also anti-capitalist there abound concerns and warnings about the future of the country and the outcome of the updating. However, though there are some programs and many individual statements, what is not appearing is the necessary synthesis, harmonization or articulation of our positions. Theres considerable confusion. Parenthetically, we recently heard about an official policy on cooperatives around which experimentation is being conducted, but then there appeared a local official on TV here in Havana arguing for greater state control of the cooperatives. He suggested that cooperatives of parking attendants for multi-unit buildings perhaps the most authentic of all existing forms of cooperatives today in Cuba should be returned to the State fold in order to reach a higher level. Such occurrences indicate how all socialists must be on alert! Its time for the left all those individuals and collective defenders of anti-capitalist, socialist, and revolutionary democratic ideas, ranging from intellectuals to certain officials within the party and the government, and especially the many rank-and-file communists to consider regrouping our own forces to defend the popular gains previously achieved (particularly free health care and education), and for all of us to form a common front against private capitalist restoration whatever its source. If we fail to realize the historical moment in which were living, if were incapable of leaving behind sectarianism and one-upmanship, if we do not form a broad front capable of upholding the revolutionary road, we could be approaching the painful end of this socialist experience. We will see ourselves overwhelmed by the full restoration of private capitalism that is rapidly advancing with government compliance, or by the possibility of imperial intervention (Cuba isnt China) to the extent that the Cuban government continues to refuse to carry out the democratic reforms that increasingly more people are demanding. *Time for rolling up our sleeves* Supporters of a more participatory and democratic socialism have always expressed our readiness for national dialogue without exclusion, for reconciliation among all Cubans in the search for a common path accepted by all and for the good of all. What is done must be based on the agreement of everyone and not just those holding political or economic power. But in the meantime, the broad left should come to an agreement on and harmonize our positions. Democracy yes, but for everyone where everyone as a whole decides on the fundamental laws that affect us all, meaning there must be agreement concerning what investment projects to pursue using the peoples money, consensus on the structuring of the national and municipality budgets and the adoption of all public positions through referenda by direct vote using secret ballots. This would mean direct, participatory democracy, where the people themselves decide their own fate. Everyone on the left must roll up their sleeves, think about this situation and try to take the position that they deem appropriate, beyond the continued acceptance everything that is imposed on us in the guise of participation. ------------------------------------- Cuba: Running Up Against the Church April 26, 2012 | *Fernando Ravsberg**** <http://cartasdesdecuba.com/> <http://www.havanatimes.org/?attachment_id=68495> The emigre writer Uva de Aragon in Havana. (Photo by Rachel Perez) HAVANA TIMES, April 26 The Cuban Catholic Church organized a discussion last weekend on the reintegration of the diaspora into Cuba. Those participating included a group of leading intellectuals in exile, scores of scholars from the island, as well as religious believers and lay people. The event was the first of its kind that wasnt organized by the Cuban government, despite the participants having discussed the economic, legal and cultural aspects of a possible coming together of Cuban émigrés and those living on the island. Following the negotiations that ended with the release of all prisoners of conscience and more than 3,000 common criminals, the clergy now seems destined to mediate between Miami and Havana, apparently an effort backed by the government. One participant at last weeks discussion was Uva de Aragon, who is a journalist, writer and deputy director of the Cuban Research Institute of Florida International University. She agreed to talk to me, even if it was perhaps an indiscretion since the event was closed to the press. *New Horizons for Emigrants* Uva said, Cuba is in a time of change and there are many Cubans in the diaspora who would like to accompany it. Among us there is a great deal of economic and social capital and talent that can help the country in those changes. The writer feels that the economic reforms show new horizons for emigrants. The creation of small businesses opens opportunities to create partnerships between Cubans abroad and those here, she said in our conversation. Everyone has relatives, and there are times when a small investment could start a business, Uva explained, adding that this is already done informally but would increase substantially if there was legal transparency and guarantees. She pointed out that we would be able to invest but legally, in registered companies, with guarantees, where the partners would be clearly defined, with knowledge of what part belongs to each person and who are the owners in black and white, like in the rest of the world. Uva doesnt know how the Cuban government will take her recommendations. Those things are always a process, but our role as academics is to imagine the future. However the mere fact that theyre giving this event is a good sign. Another cardinal issue was migration. In Cuba they should make our lives less difficult. They overcharge for passports, visas and other formalities. Its an important issue not only for us but also for those living on the island. In addition, she proposed that the announced immigration changes include eliminating the permanent exit stamp, whereby Cuban citizens who spend more than 11 months outside of the country are unable to return to reside permanently on the island. That discussion was based on the document The Cuban Diaspora in the 21st Century, prepared by academics both on the island and abroad and which analyzes the problems between the government and emigration as well as presents recommendations to Washington, Miami and Havana. Although no official statements were made, everything appears that the government is welcoming emigrants to join in the changes. Raul Castro recently called them patriots and individuals in solidarity with Cuba, leaving in the past such labels as *gusanos* (worms) and *apatridas* (unpatriotic traitors). Some people dont need any persuading. Just weeks earlier the successful Cuban-American businessman Carlos Saladrigas gave a lecture in Havana and in the coming days a meeting will take place with emigrants at the Cuban Interests Section building in Washington. The possibility of economically investing in Cuba is beginning to appear attractive and profitable for some businesses and also for hundreds of thousands of Cubans who might try to start businesses with family members within the country. The anti-Castro politicians of Cuba and Miami are looking at all this dialogue with much concern. Should it turn out to be fruitful, they could be left outside of the decision making with very limited support and no ability to influence the future design of Cuban society. Dissident Osvaldo Paya, the leader of the Christian Liberation Movement, said the organizers are conspiring against true reconciliation and peace, which can only be achieved by respecting the rights of all Cubans, their freedom of expression and association, and free elections. Nonetheless, this political battle will be uphill for the opposition because this time its not about questioning the Cuban government but the Catholic clergy and their most prominent secular intellectuals. Weve run up against the church on this matter, Sancho, Don Quixote would say.** *(*) An authorized Havana Times translation of the original posted by BBC Mundo<http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/mundo/cartas_desde_cuba/2012/04/con_la_iglesia_hemos_topado.html> .* [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- LAAMN: Los Angeles Alternative Media Network --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Unsubscribe: <mailto:[email protected]> --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subscribe: <mailto:[email protected]> --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Digest: <mailto:[email protected]> --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Help: <mailto:[email protected]?subject=laamn> --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Post: <mailto:[email protected]> --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Archive1: <http://www.egroups.com/messages/laamn> --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Archive2: <http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]> --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Yahoo! 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