An Introduction

— The ATC editors

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN Cuban-U.S. relations, and inside Cuba itself, point to potential flashpoints. These events, which have also produced controversy in the international as well as North American left, include:

Against the Current presents here a sample of the diverse reactions in the left to the political trials and execution of hijackers in Cuba. Obviously this is not a comprehensive collection but we believe it is broadly representative.

ATC editors’ collective position is simply the following: We oppose all U.S. intervention in Cuba, from the criminal imperialist economic embargo to the financing of terrorism to overt and covert attempts at “regime change.” Only the Cuban people have the right to determine their own political and social system.

Beyond this, and with regard to recent events, we do not hold common positions. The ATC editors – those who are members of our sponsoring organization, Solidarity, and those who aren’t – include endorsers and signers of very different statements, e.g. those of the Campaign for Peace and Democracy on the one hand and of International ANSWER on the other. Other members of the editorial board have their own opinions as to how the left should respond given the context of the Bush administration’s highly aggressive global policies.

We anticipate further contributions and readers’ comments, asking only that this discussion be conducted in the spirit of mutual respect within the left.

ATC 105, July–August 2003