Images of Christ and Che Guevara looked on as Pope John Paul II celebrated Mass in Revolution Square in Havana on the final day of his Cuban visit. Nuns and priests walked to Fidel Castro to give the sign of peace. There have been few scenes more striking since the world split into communist and capitalist camps 80 years ago. At many periods in that span of time the conflict between the opposing ideologies appeared capable of being won by either side. Now, however, Cuba is an outpost of Marxism in an increasingly non-communist world.
Fidel Castro's defiance has appeared futile against the background of a global economy, the rise of neoliberalism and the pre-eminence of the United States as the planet's only superpower. His demeanour during the visit of the Pope to Cuba will, however, do a great deal to enhance his standing internationally. He has allowed some of the most trenchantly anti-communist statements imaginable to be broadcast on state-controlled television. He has encouraged the Cuban people to attend the religious ceremonies associated with the visit. Many of those who did attend felt able to cry out for freedom in Dr Castro's presence.
The central theme of the Pope's visit has been that Cuba should open itself up to the world and that the world should open itself up to Cuba. His strong condemnation of the lack of personal freedom on the island, his references to political prisoners, his denunciation of Marxism, have been balanced by a strong attack on unbridled capitalism and unequivocal criticism of the swingeing sanctions imposed on Cuba by the United States. In normal times John Paul II's message might have struck a chord in American public opinion. But these are not normal times. The United States has other matters to think about at present. It is hardly surprising that the future of Cuba should be pushed to the back of the American mind at a time in which the very tenure Mr Clinton's presidency is under threat.
A very clear message was sent from Havana's Revolution Square to Washington yesterday. Sanctions coupled with political engagement have played a strong role in the past in forcing countries to democratise. Nowhere has this been more obvious than in South Africa. The policy towards Cuba of sanctions without engagement, without political dialogue, has made little progress. The United States may be the only superpower but other geo-political entities such as the European Union and Cuba's Latin American neighbours may be capable of the political engagement that the United States has so far shunned.
A great deal will depend on what happens next. A swift return to authoritarianism by Dr Castro would serve only to support the cause of his more strident ultra right-wing opponents amongst the Cuban exiles and their supporters in the United States. A further loosening of controls on freedom of speech and freedom of assembly seems unlikely but what has happened in Cuba in the past days is unlikely to be forgotten quickly. Experience in other countries has shown that a taste of personal freedom has served to whet the appetite for more of the same.