50 YEARS OF CUBAN SOCIALISM

The reason Cuba deserves our support is simple. Since 1962 the United States has attempted to strangle the country’s economy and force the Caribbean island to follow US style policies in the region. Cubans face the longest and most brutal trade blockade experienced in modern times, a blockade which restricts access to everything from medical drugs through to foodstuffs, building materials - and even equipment to up-date the country’s railway system. I am proud to support Cuba and promote the Cuba Solidarity Campaign’s (CSC) fight to end the barbaric trade embargo. What Cuba has achieved for its people is incredible, and is testament to what can be achieved when people work together, especially when viewed in the light of continued US aggression. For 16 consecutive years the United Nations has condemned the US blockade as illegal and has called on US authorities to scrap the legislation. Last year 184 countries - including the UK - voted to end the blockade, whereas only four - the US, Israel, Marshall Islands and Palau - supported the draconian measures. According to George Bush and his predecessors in the White House, the Cuban people deserve this unique and devastating punishment for daring to oppose US policy. Cuba is squarely against the extreme brand of free market capitalism being vigorously championed by the US across the globe. Cuba’s “crime” is to offer a viable alternative to privatisation and rule by big business. HEALTH AND EDUCATION The facts speak for themselves. Cuba has free public health care and education, life expectancy is 77 years, its literacy rate is the highest in Latin America, it has the continent’s highest proportion of academics per head of population. Its infant mortality rates are better than those in a great many cities in the developed world - including Washington. The Cuba Solidarity Campaign was formed to offer support and help raise awareness about the Caribbean country. This became vital after Cuba’s economy came under increasing pressure following the collapse of the Soviet Union and its former trading partners in Eastern Europe. The US blockade had made it virtually impossible for Cuba to trade with other countries, and the US chose to tighten the economic screws on Cuba in order to make life as difficult as possible for ordinary Cubans in an effort to force the people to revolt against their own government. But in an affront to the US, Cubans chose to endure years of hardship rather than succumb to such bullying from their powerful neighbour. CSC campaigns against the US trade embargo, raises awareness about Cuba’s many achievements, organises tours to the country and hosts speaking tours by Cuban guests. Hundreds of RMT members have traveled to the island to see Cuba for themselves. RMT was one of the first union’s to affiliate to the Cuba Solidarity Campaign and now is one of 24 British trade unions supporting their work. I urge members to join CSC and for those RMT branches and regions that are not yet affiliated to the campaign to join as soon as possible, especially because next year is the Cuban Revolution’s 50th anniversary. The extremely popular RMT/Cuba Solidarity Garden Party hosted at Maritime House is now in its sixth year and is a testament to this cooperation. So hope to see you there. The best way to support the Cuban people is to join together in the Cuba Solidarity Campaign. Membership costs £15 and trade union branches and regions can affiliate for £30. For more information call CSC on: 020 7263 6452 or visit www.cuba-solidarity.org.uk “I urge members to join the Cuba Solidarity Campaign and for those RMT branches and regions that are not yet affiliated to join as soon as possible, especially because next year is the Cuban Revolution’s 50th anniversary.” RMTnews :: march 2008 :: www.rmt.org.uk 28 Call James Croy on 020 7529 8822 or email j.croy@rmt.org.uk for tickets. Bob Crow explains why the union supports the work of Cuba Solidarity Campaign 50 YEARS OF CUBAN SOCIALISM JUNE 17