Czech and Cuban delegates set out global challenges

Louise Nousratpour in Croydon
Tuesday May 27, 2008
The Morning Star

CPB congress: CUBAN and Czech communists told congress on Monday that communists around the world faced many global and local challenges which need a "constructive and united" front.

Addressing the last day of congress, Communist Party of Cuba representative Teresita Trujillo thanked the CPB for its continued support for her country's struggle against US imperialism.

"The enduring US blockade is the longest in human history," Ms Trujillo noted.

"But Cuba also faces co-ordinated hostile policies forged between the EU Parliament and the US.

"They call it the transition of Cuba towards 'democracy.' What they mean is a transition from socialism to capitalism."

Ms Trujillo said that, while some European countries were pushing for a progressive change in EU policies toward Cuba, powerful nations such as Britain were actively pushing for a US-style approach.

"This is why we need your support in pressuring your government to back off," she stressed.

"We face anti-communist campaigns in many ways, in particular in the European countries, and we have to face it together as an international united family," she said to a standing ovation.

Czech Communist Youth Union (KSM) chairman Milan Krajca warned of the increasing anti-communist campaign in the Czech Republic, which has led to a ban on his party.

Mr Krajca believes that the ban was a response to the communists' leading role in the popular campaign against US plans to install military bases in his country.

"Opinion polls show that 70 per cent of the population are against US bases," he said, "yet the government continues to finalise its agreement with the US."

Mr Krajca said that KSM members "remain defiant in the face of the ban and government persecutions. Thousands have signed the KSM petition against the ban."