Translated "Avante!" article by Angelo Alves, member of the Political Comittee of the CC and member of the International Department
The media talked about the VI Congress of the Cuban Communist Party as a Congress where everything had been decided from the start by the “leader”, portraying simultaneously the idea of an economically desperate country that resists the inexorable march towards the end of socialism. But the reality is distinct. What should be highlighted from these days of Congress is not immobilism, burocratic centralism or despaired “entrenchment”.
What stands out from this Congress is, firstly, a highly important and widespread participation and collective discussions. The VI Congress was the high point-result of an extraordinaire and broad debate that involved 1000 delegates elected to the Congress by 61 000 Party nucleus, more than 800,000 militants of the CCP and about 8 million Cubans, which, in a remarkable process of democratic participation, had the chance to directly participate in the definition of the social and economic policy of Cuba.
Indeed this is a gigantic collective discussion about updating the economic and social model of the CCP and of the Socialist Revolution. A discussion, which decisive period started in November last year, resulted in the remarkable fact that 70% of the 291 proposals submitted to discussion were changed, some were even abandoned accordingly to expressed opinions, while others (36) were added to include submitted proposals.
Secondly, what stands out from this Congress is not any sort of despair. On the contrary, what should be highlighted is an action and discussion that were decided, not ignoring problems and difficulties, not running from auto-critic and concealing mistakes, not denying the urge to future confirmations that will allow to prevent mistakes and contradictions, demanding accuracy and responsibility, throws the country in a actual battle for the improvement of the economic and social socialist model, starting from the experience gained and the lessons meanwhile learned.
Action and discussion that, assuming that Socialism is the system that best serves the interests and aspirations of the Cuban people, turns to the future and for the strengthening of the socialist Revolution. Action and discussion that were decided having as a central idea the development of the economy, its production capability, making it more efficient, decentralized and fair, while maintaining the principle of social property and economic planning, and reiterates, as Raul Castro said, that no Cuban will be left helpless and that the conquests of the Revolution which – despite the criminal blockade that Cuba has been subjected for half a century – in terms of health, education and social welfare system are responsible for Cuba to be included in the group of countries with high human development index, are to be maintain and even deepened.
Cuba, as the Cuban leader’s state, is not a “paradise on earth”, it could hardly be when one is a target of economic, terrorists, diplomatic, media and ideological attacks for more than half a century. However, this Congress has once again demonstrated that the Cuban people is able to think with their own heads, is determined to continue to decide its own destiny alone, and that is willing to take maters in his own hands in defending its interests, aspirations and rights and the defence of the fatherland’s sovereignty – this is true.
A truth that is explained by the statements reiterated in this Congress, by the Cuban history and namely by the remarkable days that are celebrated presently in Cuba: the 50th years of the proclamation of the socialist nature of the Revolution and the victory over the USA, the CIA and the mercenaries that served them in the battle of Playa Giron. This event definitely “married” the fight for independence and the construction of socialism, an extraordinary military victory that was only possible because the Cuban people has gained conscience and believed in the decisive force of their unit and in the huge power of the popular masses in movement. It is this that makes us passionate and gives us confidence when we look today to that People and their Revolution.
