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June 27, 2002
Lawmakers Preserve Cuba's Socialism
Thu Jun 27, 6:37 Am Et . By Anita Snow, Associated Press
Writer
HAVANA (AP) - Cuban lawmakers voted unanimously to make socialism an "irrevocable"
part of the constitution in an effort to ensure the nation will remain socialist
long after Fidel Castro is gone.
More than 500 members of Cuba's unicameral National Assembly voted late
Wednesday to declare that "capitalism will never return again" to the
Caribbean island.
Deputies' names were called out in alphabetical order and each one stood up
and shouted "Si!" into a microphone. Of Cuba's 578 deputies, 559 were
present and all voted affirmatively.
Deputies grew emotional and almost giddy during the tally, eventually
applauding loudly after each vote. When the final vote had been declared
unanimous, the deputies first stood stoically at attention for the Cuban
national anthem, then held hands and swayed back in forth as they sang the
socialist anthem, "Internationale."
Castro presided over the session and afterward personally greeted many of
the lawmakers in the assembly.
Castro, who came to power in the 1959 revolution, declared Cuba's government
to be socialist two years later, on the eve of the aborted Bay of Pigs invasion
by a U.S.-trained exile army.
"We need socialism more today than ever!" Castro said before the
vote. "To guarantee the future, a strong ideological base is needed."
The amendment was proposed because Cuba felt increased pressure at home and
abroad to carry out democratic reforms.
The proposal originally described Cuba's system as "untouchable,"
but the National Assembly's commission on constitutional and legal affairs later
decided "irrevocable" was more precise.
Vice President Carlos Lage, a top leader in both the government and the
Communist Party, declared, "The best political system is of just one party.
True democracy is socialist. And the only way to defend human rights is in a
society of equality and social justice."
"For our people to return to the past is undesirable, unthinkable,
impossible" Lage said of Washington's recent demands that Cuba embrace
capitalism and U.S.-style democracy. "The homeland is sacred, the
revolution is unconquerable and socialism is irrevocable."
At 50, Lage is among the younger high-ranking government officials expected
to help guide Cuba after the deaths of Castro and his brother and designated
successor, Defense Minister Raul Castro.
The lawmakers' sessions, broadcast live on state television and radio, were
supposed to run just Monday and Tuesday. A nationwide work stoppage was
declared, closing banks, schools, offices and many stores and factories so that
Cubans could watch the proceedings on television.
Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque said Tuesday the measure was necessary
to protect the current system after the Castro brothers die. It was a rare
public reference to their mortality.
The constitutional amendment is "key," said Perez Roque, to "what
we do when the generation that carried out the revolution, and the command of it
today, the generation of Fidel, of Raul ... is no longer with us."
"The key is not to be disarmed of our ideas," said the foreign
minister, who at 37 is among the youngest of the ranking officials in the
communist government.
Perez Roque also said Cuba's Communist Party and Revolutionary Armed Forces
must never be dismantled to ensure that socialism endures.
Fidel Castro, who will be 76 in August, and Raul Castro, 71, are both
members of parliament.
The government says the amendment is its answer to President Bush 's refusal
last month to lift American trade and travel restrictions until Cuba undertakes
reforms, including multiparty elections.
Government opponents said the measure also appear aimed at undermining the
Varela Project, which seeks a referendum on whether voters favor guarantees for
liberties such as freedom of expression and the right to own a business.
Lawmakers argue for consecrating socialism to preserve Cuba's system
after Castros die
Wed Jun 26,11:55 Pm Et . By Anita Snow, Associated Press
Writer
HAVANA - Hoping to ensure Cuba remains socialist long after Fidel Castro is
gone, lawmakers voted unanimously late Wednesday to make socialism an "irrevocable"
part of the constitution.
After three days of meetings and about 168 speeches, more than 500 members
of Cuba's unicameral National Assembly voted to declare that "capitalism
will never return again" to the Caribbean island.
During the vote, deputies names were called out in alphabetical order and
each one stood up and shouted "Si!" into a microphone. Of Cuba's 578
deputies, 559 were present and all voted affirmatively.
Deputies grew emotional and almost giddy during the tally, eventually
applauding loudly after each vote. When the final vote had been declared
unanimous, the deputies first stood stoically at attention for the Cuban
national anthem, then held hands and swayed back in forth as they sang the
socialist anthem "Internationale."
Presiding over the session was Fidel Castro, who afterward personally
greeted many of the lawmakers in the assembly.
Castro, who came to power in the 1959 revolution, declared Cuba's government
to be socialist two years later, on the eve of the aborted Bay of Pigs invasion
by a U.S.-trained exiled army.
"We need socialism more today than ever!" Castro said before the
vote. "To guarantee the future, a strong ideological base is needed."
The amendment was proposed as Cuba felt increased pressure at home and from
abroad to carry out democratic reforms.
The proposal originally described Cuba's system as "untouchable,"
but the National Assembly's commission on constitutional and legal affairs later
decided "irrevocable" was more precise.
Once approved, the clause stating that capitalism never would return to Cuba
"cannot be the object of change or modifications that alter its essential
content," a commission report said.
Vice President Carlos Lage, a top leader in both the government and the
Communist Party, declared, "The best political system is of just one party.
True democracy is socialist. And the only way to defend human rights is in a
society of equality and social justice."
"For our people to return to the past is undesirable, unthinkable,
impossible" Lage said of Washington's recent demands that Cuba embrace
capitalism and U.S.-style democracy. "The homeland is sacred, the
revolution is unconquerable and socialism is irrevocable."
At 50, Lage is among the younger high-ranking government officials expected
to help guide Cuba after the deaths of Castro, and his brother and designated
successor, Defense Minister Raul Castro.
The lawmakers' sessions, broadcast live on state television and radio, were
supposed to run just Monday and Tuesday. A nationwide work stoppage was declared
all three days, closing banks, schools, offices and many stores and factories.
Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque said late Tuesday the measure is
necessary to protect the current system after the Castro brothers die. It was a
rare public reference to their mortality.
The proposed constitutional amendment is "key," said Perez Roque,
to "what we do when the generation that carried out the revolution, and the
command of it today, the generation of Fidel, of Raul ... is no longer with us."
"The key is not to be disarmed of our ideas," said the foreign
minister, who at 37 is among the youngest of the ranking officials in the
communist government.
Perez Roque also said Cuba's Communist Party and Revolutionary Armed Forces
must never be dismantled to ensure that socialism endures.
Fidel Castro, who will be 76 in August, and Raul Castro, 71, presided over
the gathering. Both also are members of parliament.
The government says the proposed amendment is its answer to President Bush
's refusal last month to lift American trade and travel restrictions until Cuba
undertakes reforms, including multiparty elections.
Government opponents said the measure also appear aimed at undermining the
Varela Project, which seeks a referendum on whether voters favor guarantees for
liberties such as freedom of expression and the right to own a business. | 
