Socialism on a pedestal - Castro seals off path to constitutional reform

Houston Chronicle ^ | June 25, 2002, 12:29AM | ANITA SNOW, AP

[Cincinatus' Wife]

HAVANA -- The National Assembly president attacked President Bush's vision for Cuba on Monday as millions of workers across the island got two days off to watch a televised special session called to enshrine socialism as "untouchable."

Ricardo Alarcon referred to Bush supporters in Miami's Cuban exile community and declared that the American president wanted the communist island to return to the brutality and corruption of pre-revolutionary Cuba.

"Does Mr. Bush really think that he will return to sink us in this hell of injustice?" Alarcon asked.

"Does he imagine for a moment that we are going to turn over to that corrupt and criminal mafia our lands, our homes, our factories, our schools and hospitals, our research and cultural centers, our child care centers, our retirement homes?" he said.

"Does he perhaps suppose that Cubans will renounce the work they have realized, that they will turn over their sovereignty, betray their history and their nation?" Alarcon said.

In a major policy speech last month, Bush promised not to lift American trade and travel restrictions until Cuba holds multiparty elections and undertakes other deep reforms.

Saying it was responding to Bush, Cuba's pro-government organizations last week carried out a signature drive supporting a constitutional amendment to make Cuba's economic, political and social systems unchangeable.

After the groups delivered more than 8 million signatures representing more than 99 percent of Cuban voters, Fidel Castro called a parliamentary session to consider the change.

The leadership's decision to close most offices, factories and stores for two full days during its current cash crunch underscored the importance it places on the constitutional change.

"We will make stronger, more indestructible, the work of the revolution," lawmaker and former revolutionary commander Ramiro Valdez said in the session, broadcast live on state television and radio.

The measure initially was expected to be considered during a regular parliamentary session July 5, but Alarcon asked Castro to call a special session to consider it earlier.

Opposition leaders say the signature campaign was the government's response to their own petition, which collected more than 11,000 signatures. They have also questioned whether all of those signing the official petition did so of their own free will.

Known as the Varela Project, the opposition's petition seeks a referendum asking voters if they favor reforms such as freedom of expression and the right to own a business.

Most Cubans first heard of Varela Project last month in a speech by former President Carter when he visited the island. Its proposals have not been published in the state media.

[Following is end of article filed by Anita Snow but not printed in the Houston Chronicle - Source: Yahoo.com]

Organizers of Varela Project campaign delivered their petitions to the National Assembly on May 10 and have received no response. It still remained unclear what impact the government's own constitutional amendment would have on the Varela Project.

Varela Project supports say that the official campaign to declare Cuban socialism "untouchable" is the government's response to their own drive to force a democratic opening in this closed society.

The government, however, maintains it is protesting statements last month by President Bush that American travel and trade restrictions with the communist island would not be eased unless Cuba embraces democracy.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Castro's 'referendum' just may invite radical change ***For the first time in many years, the Castro regime is on the defensive. I cannot recall another instance in recent years in which Cuba's internal opposition -- despite its total lack of access to the media -- has taken the center stage of the country's political life. In a telephone interview from Havana, opposition leader Oswaldo Payá, who organized the pro-freedom referendum drive, made precisely that point: Castro's refusal to allow the Cuban people to choose between the government and the opposition proposals is a sign of the regime's weakness.

In a clear sign that Castro knows he would lose a free vote, the Cuban strongman has not even allowed publication of the opposition's referendum proposal. If it weren't for Carter's public praise for it in a televised speech during his recent visit to Cuba, most Cubans wouldn't even know it existed. ''If they have 99 percent support of the people, as they say, why don't they allow publication of the Varela Project?'' Payá asked. ``Why don't they allow the Cuban people to hear about it through the mass media, which are paid for by all Cubans? ''Why don't we go to a public debate, in which Castro, [National Assembly President Ricardo] Alarcón and all of their top advisors get six hours to make their point, and I get 15 minutes?'' Payá asked. ``It may look like a presumption on my part, but they don't dare do it.''

So what will happen next? Castro's National Assembly is likely to declare the Constitution ''untouchable.'' It's not clear whether it will go further, and eliminate articles 66 and 88, which allow citizens to present petition drives to the National Assembly. Either way, it's a win-win proposition for Cuba's political opposition, which is planning to go ahead with its constitutionally sanctioned right to make petitions to the National Assembly. According to some sources, it has already gathered nearly 30,000 signatures. If the Castro regime ignores the opposition petition, it will be violating its own Constitution. If it eliminates the constitutional clause that allows citizens to request a referendum, it will be inviting radical change. In any case, an increasingly fearless opposition is becoming a key player in Cuba's political life, which is great news.***

Cuban President Fidel Castro (L) and his brother Raul castro, the Chief of Cuban Armed Forces, listen to opening remarks during a special National Assembly in Havana, June 24, 2002. Delegates were set to discuss reforms to the Cuban constitution. REUTERS/Rafael Perez - Jun 24 3:34 PM ET

Fidel Castro - Cuba

National Assembly President Ricardo Alarcon, center, and Pedro Ross, head of the Confederation of Cuban Workers, observe boxes filled with signatures collected for a constitutional change declaring that the island's socialist system is "untouchable" before being delivered to the National Assembly in Havana, Cuba on Thursday, June 20, 2002. In background is the monument of national hero Jose Marti. (AP Photo/Cristobal Herrera)

[Free the USA]

Check the Bump List folders for articles related to and descriptions of the above topic(s) or for other topics of interest.

[chilepepper]

I think this is great news. It means that Castro is looking for an exit strategy, and may try to shift Cuba over to a "democratic" form. This means the end of this regime is in sight!

Clearly, he is trying to set up a structure that will survive him, perhaps taking a lesson from Augusto Pinochet in Chile who set up a structure of law to protect him after HE stepped down.

Pinochet was very successful in this, and has remained free (although he almost got nailed in England)

In general (pun) Chileans were willing to let Pinochet walk in return for getting their democracy back, although they (correctly) excoriate his crimes and abuses, of which there were quite a few... The difference is that Pinochet didn't mess much with the economic structure of Chile or try to impose much else, whereas Castro is trying to guarantee that Cuba by law will remain socialist.

Once Cuba slips out from under the thumb of the communist thugs, these "laws" will last as long as an ice cube on a Phoenix sidewalk in August...

Lets hope that the delusion Castro holds that the Cuban people actually support his egotistical vision of the world holds up. Once he lets go, Cuba will move so fast towards an open society that leftists everywhere will be knocked flat on their arses...

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Bump!!