I cannot think of a single reason the Militant would want to champion the Treaty of Waitangi settlements negotiated in recent years. The facts show that the sole beneficiaries of these settlements are capitalist business investors - tribal, corporate, and individual - who are Maori. There is nothing - absolutely nothing - in any of them for working people: no tangible gains, no greater latitude for struggle, zilch.

The fisheries settlement with Ngai Tahu, for example, was a body blow to small producers - most of them Maori, as it happens - who saw the onslaught of the big commercial operators suddenly enshrined as a "treaty right." Property rights in land gained by Tainui, Ngai Tahu, and others will "liberate" tens of thousands of hectares only in the sense that previously idle or cheaply leased government real estate is now freely open to commercial development at prime market rates; small farmers need not apply.

If the Communist League truly wishes to join the ideological battle with rightists - and I hope they do - they will have to think much more about issues such as these and be prepared to argue convincingly for a working- class alternative.

Chuck Petrin

Canterbury, New Zealand

Cuban speaks in Denver
On a cold, snowy April night, over 40 people packed the Parlor Room at the First Baptist Church here in Denver to hear Fernando Pe'rez, First Secretary of the Cuban Interests Section in Washington, D.C. He underscored the importance of solidarity work in the face of ongoing adversity by the U.S. State Department. His travel itinerary, where he stays, who he will visit, right down to his airline flight and seat number are required before he is issued a travel visa. Mayors, city councils, and other elected officials, as well as business groups and private individuals often receive (State Dept.) pressure not to meet with the Cuban diplomatic corps. To counter this, every opportunity must be utilized in what essentially is a struggle to exercise free speech. Pe'rez noted the U.S. government's openly stated desire to "push Cuba back to 1958" - prerevolutionary days under the dictatorship of Batista. In the face of such constant and hostile rhetoric backed by the economic blockade imposed by Helms-Burton, Pe'rez said that "U.S.-Cuba relations are as bad as at any time since 1962."

In a wide-ranging question and answer session, the diplomat pointed out that Cuba receives over 2,250 hours per week of negative broadcasting from more than 20 Miami radio and TV stations. Ironically, fearing a threat to its news monopoly, it was the Miami Herald that opposed CNN joining the 58 press agencies with more than 1,300 journalists already in Havana. He emphasized that as long as there is a basic respect for Cuba's sovereignty, self-determination, and independence, participation in Cuban society is open to those living outside the country. More than 50,000 Cuban- Americans traveled to Cuba in 1996. Importantly, this all takes place in the context of three straight years of increasing economic growth. "We have no alternative but to resist," he said.

Horace Kerr

Denver, Colorado

The letters column is an open forum for all viewpoints on subjects of general interest to our readers. Please keep your letters brief. Where necessary they will be abridged. Please indicate if you prefer that your initials be used rather than your full name.  
 
 
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