Speech by Commander in Chief Fidel Castro Ruz,
President of the Republic of Cuba
Havana, September 22, 2001
Fellow countrymen:
No one can deny that terrorism is today a dangerous and ethically
indefensible phenomenon, which should be eradicated regardless of its
deep origins, the economic and political factors that brought it to
live and those responsible for it.
The unanimous irritation caused by the human and psychological damage
brought on the American people by the unexpected and shocking death
of thousands of innocent people whose images have shaken the world is
perfectly understandable. But who have profited? The extreme right,
the most backward and right-wing forces, those in favor of crushing
the growing world rebellion and sweeping away everything progressive
that is still left on the planet. It was an enormous error, a huge
injustice and a great crime, whomever they are who organized or are
responsible for such action.
However, the tragedy should not be used to recklessly start a war
that could actually unleash an endless carnage of innocent people and
all of this on behalf of justice and under the peculiar and bizarre
name of "Infinite Justice."
In the last few days we have seen the hasty establishment of the
basis, the concept, the true purposes, the spirit and the conditions
for such a war. No one would be able to affirm that it was not
something thought out well in advance, something that was just
waiting for its chance to materialize. Those who after the so-called
end of the cold war continued a military build-up and the development
of the most sophisticated means to kill and exterminate human beings
were aware that the large military investments would give them the
privilege to impose an absolute and complete dominance over the other
peoples of the world. The ideologists of the imperialist system knew
very well what they were doing and why they were doing it.
After the shock and sincere sorrow felt by every people on Earth for
the atrocious and insane terrorist attack that targeted the American
people, the most extremist ideologists and the most belligerent
hawks, already set in privileged power positions, have taken command
of the most powerful country in the world whose military and
technological capabilities would seem infinite. Actually, its
capacity to destroy and kill is enormous while its inclination
towards equanimity, serenity, thoughtfulness and restrain is minimal.
The combination of elements -- including complicity and the common
enjoyment of privileges -- the prevailing opportunism, confusion and
panic make it almost impossible to avoid a bloody and unpredictable
outcome.
The first victims of whatever military actions are undertaken will be
the billions of people living in the poor and underdeveloped world
with their unbelievable economic and social problems, their unpayable
debts and the ruinous prices of their basic commodities; their
growing natural and ecological catastrophes, their hunger and misery,
the massive undernourishment of their children, teenagers and adults;
their terrible AIDS epidemic, their malaria, their tuberculosis and
their infectious diseases that threaten whole nations with
extermination.
The grave economic world crisis was already a real and irrefutable
fact affecting absolutely every one of the big economic power
centers. Such crisis will inevitably grow deeper under the new
circumstances, and when it becomes unbearable for the overwhelming
majority of the peoples, it will bring chaos, rebellion and the
impossibility to govern.
But the price will also be unpayable for the rich countries. For
years to come it would be impossible to speak strong enough about the
environment and the ecology, or about ideas and research done and
tested, or about projects for the protection of Nature because that
space and possibility would be taken by military actions, war and
crimes as infinite as "Infinite Justice," that is, the name given to
the war operation to be unleashed.
Can there be any hope left after having listened, hardly 36 hours
ago, to the speech made the President before the U.S. Congress?
I will avoid the use of adjectives, qualifiers or offensive words
towards the author of that speech. They would be absolutely
unnecessary and untimely when the tensions and seriousness of the
moment advise thoughtfulness and equanimity. I will limit myself to
underline some short phrases that say it all:
"We will use every necessary weapon of war."
"Americans should not expect one battle, but a lengthy campaign
unlike any other we have ever seen."
"Every nation in every region now has a decision to make. Either you
are with us or you are with the terrorists."
"I've called the armed forces to alert and there is a reason. The
hour is coming when America will act and you will make us proud."
"This is the world's fight, this is civilization's fight."
"I ask for your patience [...] in what will be a long struggle."
"The great achievement of our time and the great hope of every time,
now depend on us."
"The course of this conflict is not known, yet its outcome is
certain. [...] And we know that God is not neutral."
I ask our fellow countrymen to meditate deeply and calmly on the
ideas contained in several of the above-mentioned phrases:
. Either you are with us or you are with the terrorists.
No nation of the world has been left out of the dilemma, not even the
big and powerful states; none has escaped the threat of war or
attacks.
- We will use any weapon.
No procedure has been excluded, regardless of its ethics, or any
threat, however fatal -- either nuclear, chemical, biological or any
other.
- It will not be short combat but a lengthy war, lasting many
years, unparalleled in history.
- It is the world's fight; it is civilization's fight.
- The achievements of our times and the hope of every time, now
depend on us.
Finally, an unheard of confession in a political speech on the eve of
a war, and no less than in times of apocalyptic risks:
- The course of this conflict is not known; yet its outcome is
certain. And we know that God is not neutral.
This is an amazing assertion. When I think about the real or imagined
parties involved in that bizarre holy war that is about to begin, I
find it difficult to make a distinction about where fanaticism is
stronger.
On Thursday, before the United States Congress, the idea was designed
of a world military dictatorship under the exclusive rule of force,
irrespective of any international laws or institutions. The United
Nations Organization, simply ignored in the present crisis, would
fail to have any authority or prerogative whatsoever. There would be
only one boss, only one judge, and only one law.
We have all been ordered to ally either with the United States
government or with terrorism.
Cuba, the country that has suffered the most and the longest from
terrorist actions, the one whose people are not afraid of anything
because there is no threat or power in the world that can intimidate
it, with a high morale, Cuba claims that it is opposed to terrorism
and opposed to war. Although the possibilities are now remote, Cuba
reaffirms the need to avert a war of unpredictable consequences whose
very authors have admitted not to have the least idea of how the
events will unfold. Likewise, Cuba reiterates its willingness to
cooperate with every country in the total eradication of terrorism.
An objective and calm friend should advise the United States
government against throwing the young American soldiers into an
uncertain war in remote, isolated and inaccessible places, like a
fight against ghosts, not knowing where they are or even if they
exist or not, or whether the people they kill are or not responsible
for the death of their innocent fellow countrymen killed in the
United States.
Cuba will never declare itself an enemy of the American people that
is today subjected to an unprecedented campaign to sow hatred and a
vengeful spirit, so much so that even the music that sings to peace
has been banned. On the contrary, Cuba will make that music its own,
and even our children will sing their songs to peace while the
announced bloody war lasts.
Whatever happens, the territory of Cuba will never be used for
terrorist actions against the American people and we will do
everything within our reach to prevent such actions against that
people. Today we are expressing our solidarity while urging to peace
and calmness. One day they will admit we were right.
Our independence, our principles and our social achievements we will
defend with honor to the last drop of blood, if we are attacked!
It will not be easy to fabricate pretexts to do it. They are already
talking about a war using all the necessary weapons but it will be
good to recall that not even that would be a new experience. Almost
four decades ago, hundreds of strategic and tactical nuclear weapons
were aimed at Cuba and nobody remembers anyone of our countrymen
sleepless over that.
We are the same sons and daughters of that heroic people, with a
patriotic and revolutionary conscience that is higher than ever. It
is time for serenity and courage.
The world will grow aware of this and will raise its voice in the
face of the terrible threatening drama that it is about to suffer.
As for Cubans, this is the right time to proclaim more proudly and
resolutely than ever:
Socialism or death!
Homeland or death!
We shall overcome!
-end-
-------------------------------------------
Macdonald Stainsby
Rad-Green List: Radical anti-capitalist environmental discussion.
http://lists.econ.utah.edu/mailman/listinfo/rad-green
----
Leninist-International: Building bridges in the tradition of V.I. Lenin.
http://lists.econ.utah.edu/mailman/listinfo/leninist-international
----
In the contradiction lies the hope.
--Bertholt Brecht
_______________________________________________
Leninist-International mailing list
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
To change your options or unsubscribe go to:
http://lists.econ.utah.edu/mailman/listinfo/leninist-international
