By Peter Boyle
MELBOURNE — The National Conference in Solidarity with Cuba, held in the Victorian Trades Hall on May 9-10, attracted more than 200 participants from all around the country. They represented a wide range of organisations and social sectors, and many were activists in the newly established Cuba Solidarity Committees.
The conference resolved to send a shipload of material aid, including wheat flour and powdered milk, to Cuba by the end of November.
In a message to the Cuban people, the conference explained: "This will be a practical expression of our support. It expresses our strong admiration for Cuba's fine record in providing international aid and solidarity to many countries in the Third World, its exceptional achievements in bettering the welfare of its people and its support for international peace, justice and a fairer international economic order. It also expresses our rejection of the three decade-long economic blockade organised by the United States against Cuba."
The conference resolved to campaign for stronger economic, scientific and cultural ties between Australia and Cuba, for the lifting of the US blockade against Cuba and for the removal of the Guantánamo US naval base from Cuban soil. A national day of action around these demands was set for July 25.
The conference was addressed by Sergio Corrieri and Raul Macias from the Cuban Institute for Friendship with the Peoples, and Augustin Lopez and Manuel Montero from the Cuban trade union movement.
A public meeting held on the Saturday night attracted some 400 people and together with the conference raised more than $3000 for the Ship to Cuba campaign.
On May 11, the Cuban delegation attended a successful function hosted by Victorian MP Jean McLean for prominent people involved in the arts. Corrieri, now a member of the central committee of the Cuban Communist Party, was formerly a well-known film actor.