Challenge to US blockade of Cuba

December 4, 1991
Issue 

By Camilo Jorquera

SYDNEY — Australians will be sending a shipload of supplies to beleaguered Cuba. This is one of four solidarity campaigns adopted by a meeting here on November 22.

The meeting was attended by a wide range of groups including Frente Amplio (Uruguay), Middle East Action Coalition, Democratic Socialist Party, Committee in Solidarity with Latin America and the Caribbean, Australia Cuba Friendship Society, Building Workers Industrial Union, Association of Migrants from Turkey, Australian Kurdistan Association, Madres de Plaza de Mayo, Committee in Solidarity with El Salvador, Latin American Unity, Amigos de Cuba and Resistance.

The Sydney meeting was called as a result of a national conference on Cuban solidarity work held in Melbourne on November 3. The national meeting, called by the Australia Cuba Friendship Society, was attended by a range of trade unionists, solidarity groups, individual activists and political parties.

Cuba is presently going through an economic crisis which threatens many of the gains of the revolution. One of the main causes is the 30-year blockade by the United States.

The national conference proposed four major campaigns. The solidarity ship will contain essential items which are scarce because of the blockade. This campaign will be launched at the beginning of next year.

The second activity will be an on-going campaign focussing on the US blockade of Cuba and the US military base on Cuban soil. This campaign will include the placement of a broadly sponsored ad in the Australian on December 14.

The third project will be a tour of Cuban trade unionists and possibly a member of ICAP (Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples) during 1992. This will aim to provide more information to Australians about what is happening in Cuba.

Finally, a national solidarity and education conference will be held in Melbourne in May 1992.

The Sydney meeting also decided to build a broad and active Committee for Solidarity with Cuba to carry out this work. Anyone who would like to get involved with any or all of these campaigns can contact members of the committee on (02) 690 1977.

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