Critical Times

Source: Australia-Cuba Friendship Society Newsletter, March 2010

by Dr Mae-Wan Ho

Cuba is where agriculture without fossil fuels has been put to its greatest test, and it has passed with flying colours. The year 1989 ushered in the “Special Period”, a scenario that will hit some countries in the not too distant future unless they prepare for it right now.

Before 1989, Cuba was a model Green Revolution farm economy, based on huge production units of state-owned farms, and dependent on vast quantities of imported oil, chemicals and machinery to produce export crops.

Cuban newspapers have published the first photographs of the country’s ailing President, Fidel Castro, since he had surgery two weeks ago.

Mr Castro, who turns 80 today, has not been seen in public since he handed power temporarily to his brother, Defence Minister Raul Castro, last month.

Two of the photos show the Cuban leader sitting up, speaking on the telephone and wearing a tracksuit rather than his customary khaki fatigues.

Cuban parliamentarian and trade union official Gilda Chacon-Bravo (pron. Hilda) was in Adelaide last week as part of the national tour organised by the Western Australian Branch of the Construction Forestry Mining and Energy Union. During the three days she was here Gilda met with officials from the CFMEU, spoke at a meeting of SA Unions as well as a public meeting arranged by the Australia-Cuba Friendship Society, and attended a parliamentary luncheon in her honour.

Australia Cuba Friendship Society

Fiesta
on

Saturday 29th July 2006
8 pm

Folk Federation Centre
Cnr George St & South Rd Thebarton

Cost: $15.00 ($10 Concession)

Proceeds will provide
Aid for Cuban Projects

Raffle, Prizes & Souvenirs

Look forward to seeing you there!!

The attack on trade unions and workers in Australia will not stop with ‘Work Choices’. Every Australian must be made aware of the dangers facing our society. It is particularly important for those of us who are already fighting this battle to develop effective strategies in order to counteract the anti-worker policies of the current government.