[NYTr] NYC solidarity movement cheers Cuban minister Date: Mon, 1 Oct 2007 18:59:08 -0500 (CDT) Via NY Transfer News Collective * All the News that Doesn't Fit Workers World - Oct 4, 2007 issue http://www.workers.org/2007/world/cuba-1004 NYC solidarity movement cheers Cuban minister By Teresa Gutierrez New York At the same time that President Bushbs administration was slashing desperately needed public housing in New Orleans, George Bush was at the United Nations this week hypocritically denouncing and demonizing various world leaders. One of those leaders is the beloved president of Cuba, Fidel Castro. Cuba has been a target of U.S. imperialism since 1959 when the island nation decided to prioritize the needs of its people over the dictates of the multinational corporations. Since then, despite many obstacles, the Cuban Revolution has stood as a shining example for the people of the world that a society based on peoplesb needs, a socialist society, is far superior to a capitalist one. Bushbs slanderous remarks against Cuba this week were nothing new. The U.S. government has imposed on Cuba the longest economic and political blockade in U.S. history. It has carried out more than 600 attempts to assassinate President Fidel. And it has aided and abetted right-wing counterrevolutionaries to operate out of Miami and carry out acts of sabotage against Cuba. For that and for much more, the Cuban government was forced to send to the U.S. some of its best children in order to monitor the acts of terrorism emanating from Florida. These Cubans were defending not only their country from terrorist attacks but they were saving U.S. lives as well. The U.S. government, despite the fact that the Cuban government had notified the U.S. of their presence in this country, arrested these Cubans on Sept. 12, 1998. These men are Fernando GonzC!lez, RenC) GonzC!lez, Antonio Guerrero, Gerardo HernC!ndez and RamC3n LabaC1ino. These five heroes sit in U.S. federal jails throughout the country facing some of the harshest sentences ever. In addition, families of two of the prisoners continue to be denied visitation rights by the U.S. Justice Department. They remain in jail today, examples of not only Cubabs best, but of the spirit of resistance against merciless imperialism, a testament that justice will prevail despite the odds. Cubans address the solidarity movement Representing Cuba at the U.N. this week was Foreign Minister Felipe PC)rez Roque. The Cuban foreign minister spoke at the U.N. on the issue of global warming. In addition, the Cubans hosted an event at the Cuban Mission on Sept. 24 where PC)rez Roque spoke to many of Cubabs supporters. When President Bush addressed the U.N. General Assembly on Sept. 25 and went into a tirade against Cuba, the Cuban delegation magnificently walked out during Bushbs comments. Bush said: bIn Cuba, the long rule of a cruel dictator is nearing its end. The Cuban people are ready for their freedom. And as that nation enters a period of transition, the United Nations must insist on free speech, free assembly and, ultimately, free and competitive elections.b The Cuban delegation later issued a statement saying the decision by Foreign Minister Felipe PC)rez Roque to leave the session was ba sign of profound rejection of the arrogant and mediocre statement by President Bush.b U.S. imperialismbwhether its government is headed by Republicans or Democratsbwill never reconcile itself with revolutionary socialist Cuba. When Bush said that bthe long rule of a cruel dictator is nearing its endb and bas the nation enters a period of transition,b he got a lot of things wrong. On purpose, of course. Cuba has already made its transition: from a neo-capitalist colony to a socialist liberated island. Fidel has never been a cruel dictator. Not only the Cuban people but the masses around the world deeply love and respect Fidel. He would not be alive today if that were not true. At the public event for Foreign Minister PC)rez Roque, the Cuba solidarity movement gave a stirring standing ovation as soon as PC)rez Roque entered the room. He received this ovation not just becausebas guest speaker and Cubabs dear friend, Rev. Lucius Walker, saidbRoque is bone of the youngest and best foreign ministers in the world.b The standing ovation was because Cuba is dear to the hearts of the progressive movement in the U.S., too. At the event, the Cubans recognized the many activists and leaders of different organizations who came to hear the foreign minister. They were of all nationalities and many political tendencies. PC)rez Roquebs comments that Fidelbs health was fine received thunderous applause. That applause represents what the masses around the world that are yearning and fighting for their own liberation want for Cuba: a healthy and long life not only for its president but for its Revolution. The guest speakers at the event represented IFCO/Pastors for Peace, the Venceremos Brigade, Cuba Solidarity NY and the Popular Education Front for the Cuban Five as well as Rainbow Solidarity for the Cuban Five. They, as well as everyone else in the room, left the event motivated to keep up the work to free the Cuban Five and to defend revolutionary Cuba against U.S. imperialism. Articles copyright 1995-2007 Workers World. Verbatim copying and distribution of this entire article is permitted in any medium without royalty provided this notice is preserved. Workers World, 55 W. 17 St., NY, NY 10011 Email: ww@workers.org Subscribe wwnews-subscribe@workersworld.net * ================================================================= NY Transfer News Collective * A Service of Blythe Systems Since 1985 - Information for the Rest of Us Our main website: http://www.blythe.org List Archives: http://blythe-systems.com/pipermail/nytr/ Subscribe: http://blythe-systems.com/mailman/listinfo/nytr =================================================================