Chris Cobb. The Ottawa Citizen. Monday 25 September 2000
There's no promise of a meeting with Castro, but an organizer of the
visit hints that it could happen.
Disillusioned left wingers in the NDP are heading to Fidel Castro's Cuba for
inspiration.
The NDP's socialist caucus, feeling increasingly marginalized as leader Alex
McDonough pulls the party to the centre, has organized a two-week trip next May
to "experience gains" made by the Cuban people under Mr. Castro.
Organizers say the purpose of the tour is to return home with lessons for the
NDP to follow.
"The NDP socialist caucus argues that it is both desirable and
necessary for the NDP to orient towards socialist principles and a workers'
agenda," said tour co-ordinator Julie Payson in a letter to prospective
travellers.
According to a preliminary itinerary, the Canadian tourists will search Mr.
Castro's Communist island for success stories in "collectivized housing,
health, education, political participation, advancement of women, people of
colour, the disabled, youth and the elderly." They will also visit the
Habana Club factory, source of Cuban rum.
A highlight of the trip will be the annual May Day Parade when Cubans get
the day off work and one million of them converge on the Plaza de la Revolucion
to celebrate the revolution. Our visiting
NDPers are required to take their own banners and flags to wave ... although
a banner emblazoned with Ms. McDonough's revolutionary image is unlikely to be
among them.
Vancouver-based Marcel Hatch, co-chairman of the NDP's socialist caucus, is
coy about the possibility of his delegation meeting with Castro but hints
heavily that it might happen.
"There has never been an NDP rank-and-file tour to Cuba," he said.
"This is very historic."
Federal MPs will be invited, added Mr. Hatch, but they will have to pay
their own way -- about $2,000 each. Efforts will also be made to raise money for
caucus members who want to go but can't afford it.
Organizers hope that Svend Robinson, MP for Burnaby, B.C., will join them,
along with his Cuban-born partner Max Riveron who, Mr. Hatch says, is a staunch
supporter of his homeland's sovereign rights.
Mr. Robinson said in an interview that he loves travelling to Cuba but will
be skipping this trip.
Copyright 2000 Ottawa Citizen | 