Africa Speaks Reasoning Forum

Castro is a prime example of success! Long after his death, Castro would be revered as an example of a third world leader who successfully stood up against western oppression. Long Live Fidel Castro!

B.K


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Castro vows Cuban socialism to survive Bush

Cuban President Fidel Castro has dismissed Bush administration plans to speed up political change in Cuba and said his Government - in power since 1959 - will continue building a socialist society at the United States' doorstep.

President Castro said Cuba had survived the antagonism of the world's most powerful nation for 45 years and will continue to resist.

"This revolution will leave a lasting mark in world history and has nothing to be ashamed of," President Castro said at a massive May Day rally in Havana's Revolution Square.

The 77-year-old Cuban leader, dressed in military fatigues, spoke for almost two hours under a scorching sun.

His brother and designated successor Raul Castro attended, also wearing a military uniform.

President Castro accused the US of committing "genocide" and said peace in Iraq was not possible until American troops withdrew.

He said Washington had no right to criticise Cuba in the UN Human Rights Commission when the US had built a "horrendous prison" for alleged Al Qaeda militants at the US naval base in Guantanamo Bay, where some 600 prisoners are being held without trial or legal rights.

Authorities said more than one million people attended the labour rally.

Cubans were driven to the square in buses from their work places at 6 am.

Many wore red T-shirts and waved Cuban flags.

A Commission for Assistance to a Free Cuba appointed by US President George W Bush had until Saturday to hand the White House a set of recommendations for speeding up a post-Castro transition to democracy in Cuba.

Miami's Spanish-language newspaper, El Nuevo Herald, reported last week that the 50-page report includes a proposal to cut by half the remittances that Cuban Americans can send their families in Cuba, from $300 to $150 a quarter.

The remittances are estimated to total $1 billion a year, a vital inflow of cash for President Castro's economically-battered Government.

President Castro said the Bush administration was threatening steps to undermine Cuba's economy and destabilise the country.

"To those who persist in destroying the Revolution, in the name of the immense multitude gathered here, I truly say to them, as at other decisive moments of our struggle: 'Long Live Socialism', 'Fatherland or Death,' 'Venceremos' (We shall overcome)," President Castro said in closing his speech.

Cuba last year arrested 75 dissidents and jailed them for terms of up to 28 years.

They were accused of conspiring with the US against Castro's Government.

President Castro maintained that Cuba - a one-party state - is the most democratic country in the world because it looks after the social rights of its people, with free health and education.

Literacy is higher in Cuba than in many industrialised nations, and infant mortality lower than in the US, where 44 million people do not have medical coverage, he said.

The average age Cubans can expect to live to will rise to 80 in five years, President Castro said.


http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/s1099523.htm