By Mary Nielson
PERTH — The Australia Cuba Friendship Society presented a video documentary, Inside Castro's Cuba, on February 22 at Cafe Folklorico in North Perth. The presentation was attended by approximately 25 people, including Dean Summers, one of the brigadistas recently returned from Cuba. Summers was part of a 50-member work camp which stayed in the villages of Havana and Tarari.
The brigadistas travelled to the Sierra Maestra, the cradle of the revolution, where Fidel Castro and his companions, including Che Guevara, launched their action against the Batista regime.
While staying in the villages, the Brigadistas went fruit-picking every morning in the orchards, where they were able to converse freely and openly with the people. In the afternoons the brigadistas attended lectures by experts in economics, culture and trade unionism.
The main political concern voiced during discussions was the continuing US blockade of Cuba. The blockade prevents all trade between Cuba and the US, makes it illegal even for aid such as vital medicines to be shipped to Cuba and has recently been expanded in an effort to dissuade other countries and non-US companies from establishing economic links with the island.
Despite the blockade, Cuba's economy grew in 1996 at the rate of 7.8%, and there has been no turning away from socialism.
International shipping agent often get around the blockade by changing the names of their ships. Some of the United States' closest allies and trading partners, such as Canada, Mexico and the European Union, are vociferously opposing the notorious Helms-Burton Act, which penalises countries and companies that trade with Cuba. Australia currently imports a meningitis vaccine from Cuba.
When planes from the US invaded Cuban airspace and, after numerous warnings, were shot down by the Cuban military, some Cubans left their country fearing a US invasion. The US makes much of "refugees", yet Cubans who try to go to the US legally are denied entry, regardless of their circumstances.
Education and health care are free in Cuba. However, while the country boasts some of the world's best doctors, medical supplies are scarce because of the blockade. There is approximately one doctor for every 300 people, and Cuba has one of the world's lowest infant mortality rates — 7 per 1000.
Cubans enjoyed a reasonably high standard of living till the collapse of the USSR, their main source of economic assistance as well as necessary resources such as fuel. Despite its own hardships, Cuba has continued to provide medical aid to Russia and other former constituents of the USSR. For example, 350 young Ukrainian victims of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster are being provided radiation therapy and care, including psychological counselling, at the expense of the Cuban government.
Education in agriculture is still a major concern. Culturally, meat is an essential part of Cuban diet, but it is currently very scarce. Sugar, bananas, oranges and tobacco are Cuba's main agricultural exports, and Cuba is the world's second largest exporter of crayfish, next to Australia.
The main reason Cubans cannot diversify and expand their agricultural base is that the cultivation equipment they have is largely specific to the existing crops.
Tourism brings in foreign exchange, but also poses a growing problem, with corruption spreading in big hotels where tourists from the US give hotel workers hefty tips, often equivalent to a full month's wage.
Tourism has also spawned a sex industry, and paedophilia is a particular concern. Prostitution is taken up not as a means of survival, but as way of gaining access to US currency which facilitates a better lifestyle. This topic was discussed at length during meetings the brigadistas attended.
However, the Brigadistas believe that the Cuban people will stand together to defend the gains of the revolution.