BY JANET ROTH
CALCUTTA, India - Solidarity with Cuba was the theme of an Asia-Pacific region conference held here September 22- 24, which drew over 160 delegates from 12 countries.
The head of the Cuban delegation, Sergio Corrieri, pointed to the importance of this first such gathering in the region at a 10,000-strong opening rally. "You give further evidence that Cuba is not alone in its long and difficult battle and that there are millions of people throughout the world ready to support and defend the equity and justice that must guide normal coexistence among nations, regardless of their wealth, size, or population," he said. Corrieri is president of the Cuban Institute for Friendship with the Peoples (ICAP).
"Geographically speaking," Corrieri added, "Cuba is very far away from here, but our history is linked to the history of most of the countries represented here through our common struggle against colonialism and for national independence and sovereignty." He noted that more than half of the world's population lives in Asia and the Pacific.
Welcoming speeches were also made by Jyoti Basu, chief minister of the government of West Bengal, which helped host the conference; representatives from each country delegation; and leaders of a number of political formations in India.
The largest conference delegation, of 70, came from India, with a sizable delegation of 40 coming from Sri Lanka. Delegates included members of parliaments, representatives of political parties and youth federations, trade union and university officials. Also present were representatives of Cuba solidarity and friendship organizations in the region, including from Australia, China, Laos, New Zealand, North Korea, and Vietnam.
A central focus of the conference was opposition to the economic embargo imposed against Cuba by the United States government. Corrieri explained, "Cuba needs world solidarity. Cuba is being attacked, even if no bombs are falling. We are the only country in the world that has suffered a blockade for more than 30 years, practiced by the world's strongest superpower.
"When one hears about the blockade against Cuba, one might think that it is only a group of measures prohibiting economic relations between the two countries, but the blockade is, in fact, a global aggression system."
On the eve of the conference, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Helms-Burton bill, which is aimed at significantly tightening the embargo. In a final declaration, delegates condemned this attack against Cuba for hitting "at the very basis of the fundamental right of the Cuban people to decide their destiny." It called for the immediate lifting of the blockade. An "Asia-Pacific Solidarity Day against the U.S. Blockade of Cuba" was set for Nov. 27, 1995.
During the conference, delegates described some of the Cuba solidarity activities that had occurred in their countries, such as material aid projects and tours by representatives of the Cuban revolution. Eva Seoane, vice- president of ICAP, summed up this discussion. "We see an increase in the broad base of Cuba solidarity from all walks of life," she said. "We need to reach out and approach workers, farmers, students, youth, intellectuals, members of parliament - all political forces in the region that will accompany us in this just struggle for lifting the blockade and respect for Cuba's self-determination."
Seoane pointed to the Cuba Friendship Societies in Australia as an example of organizations which are non- exclusionary and which set national campaigns. This includes working with societies in New Zealand on joint campaigns, such as an annual work brigade to Cuba, she said.
Seoane also highlighted two aid campaigns which symbolized another aspect of solidarity - a shipment of wheat from India; and rice, notebooks, and pencils sent to Cuba from Vietnam.
During the conference, delegates were given a statement by the Communist Party of Cuba about the foreign investment act recently passed by Cuba's National Assembly. The act allows investors from abroad to wholly own business and property in Cuba, and permits foreign investment in many sectors of the economy for the first time.
Corrieri discussed this and other measures taken in Cuba since the collapse in 1990 of its economic relations with the Soviet Union, which had been its primary trading partner. "We want to reaffirm here," he said, "that we are not embarked on a transition towards capitalism, that all our reforms are aimed at defending and improving our socialist purpose and the achievements attained by the people.
"This does not keep us from having mutually advantageous commercial relations with any country or firm that respects our laws. Cuba is not applying neoliberal recipes nor moving towards privatization. We envisage foreign investments as a necessary and valuable complement to our domestic efforts for development."
The conference concluded with another rally, with some 6,000 people turning out. "We're asked how far are we going in our economic reforms," Corrieri told the crowd. "We say as far as necessary, but with limits. These limits are our revolution, our independence, our people's power, and our country - and for us people's power and independence are the same thing."
This regional conference was called as a result of a decision made at the World Meeting in Solidarity with Cuba, held in Havana in November last year. Delegates decided to call a second Asia-Pacific region conference for 1997.
Concluded Seoane: "You can be confident these meetings open new chapters in human history, and Cuba won't disappoint you."
Janet Roth is a member of the Cuba Friendship Society in Auckland, New Zealand, and was a delegate to the Asia- Pacific region conference.