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Regardless of their views of communist rule, many Cubans were appalled
when [terrorist convict] Posada Carriles was freed from a New Mexico
jail on April 19. The government blamed Washington for his release and
said it showed the hypocrisy of its declared war on terrorism.
http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,21657924-5003402,00.html
Castro stays away from anti-US parade
>From correspondents in Havana
May 02, 2007 04:22am
CUBAN leader Fidel Castro stayed away from a massive May Day workers
parade overnight, apparently still too weak to appear in public nine
months after emergency surgery forced him to step aside as president.
Castro had called on all Cubans to turn the parade into an anti-US
protest and, after recent video footage showed him looking stronger,
there was speculation he might make a triumphant return to Revolution
Square.
But he did not appear on the podium to watch over hundreds of
thousands marching through the square, the first time in almost four
decades that he has missed a May Day parade.
Cuba's main union leader, Salvador Valdes, said the entire nation
hoped Castro, 80, would be well again soon.
"I know I express the unanimous feeling of our people when I send the
most fervent wishes for recovery to he who has not only been with us
on days like this but has guided us with his proverbial wisdom for
more than 50 years," Mr Valdes said.
Cubans were disappointed by Castro's absence and many fear he will
never regain the strength he had shown until he suddenly fell
seriously ill last July.
"I had hoped to see him but, even though he is not here, he is still
with us. The important thing is that he gets better," said Zoraida
Gonzalez, a 73-year-old retiree.
Some said it would not have been wise for a frail Castro to attend a
long parade under a scorching sun, and hoped he would appear soon in
public under less-strenuous conditions.
Castro's closest foreign allies had done most to raise expectations
that he might return overnight.
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said his political idol was already
back "in charge" in Cuba, and Bolivian President Evo Morales said he
was sure Castro would reappear on May 1.
Castro himself gave no indication he would attend in an editorial
column overnight, in which he urged Cubans to protest the recent
release from a US prison of Luis Posada Carriles, an anti-Castro exile
and former CIA operative accused of killing 73 people in the 1976
bombing of a Cuban airliner.
Castro was forced to hand power to Raul Castro, his younger brother
and defence minister, after undergoing intestinal surgery last July.
Since then, Cubans have seen him only in photographs or video footage
meeting with allies and foreign dignitaries. Mr Chavez said his friend
was close to death at one point, although he and Cuban officials now
say Castro is recovering quickly and taking a more active role in
government affairs.
Recent footage showed Fidel Castro looking stronger after regaining
some weight, but he still appeared frail. His long absence and
government secrecy over his illness have cast uncertainty over Cuba's
political future.
Raul Castro presided over the parade but did not make a speech.
The Communist Party, neighbourhood groups and official unions organise
major marches and all Cubans are expected to attend.
As marchers paraded through Havana to patriotic songs, many pledged
loyalty to Fidel Castro, known as "El Comandante" for leading a 1959
revolution and setting up communist rule on the island just 145km from
the United States.
"This is the unconditional support for the Comandante's ideas," said
Eduardo Jimenez, a 19-year-old student.
"We need him to return," said Luisa Cuellar, who rose before dawn to
walk with friends to Revolution Square, the political heart of
communist Cuba. "He is the one who keeps us united."
There was a strong anti-US feel to the parade of union workers and
their families.
Regardless of their views of communist rule, many Cubans were appalled
when Posada Carriles was freed from a New Mexico jail on April 19. The
government blamed Washington for his release and said it showed the
hypocrisy of its declared war on terrorism.
A long banner stretching across a main avenue in the protest march
read: "We demand prison for the executioner."
Thousands chanted "Long Live Fidel" and one placard read "Bush,
murderer, president of world terrorism".
= = = =
STILL FEELING LIKE THE MAINSTREAM U.S. CORPORATE MEDIA
IS GIVING A FULL HONEST PICTURE OF WHAT'S GOING ON?
= = = =
= = = =
Sorry, we cannot read/reply to most usenet posts but welcome email
FOR MORE INFORMATION: http://EconomicDemocracy.org/wtc/ (peace)
http://economicdemocracy.org/eco/climate-summary.html (Climate)
And http://EconomicDemocracy.org/ (general)
New email: econdemocracy[at]gmail[dot]com
when [terrorist convict] Posada Carriles was freed from a New Mexico
jail on April 19. The government blamed Washington for his release and
said it showed the hypocrisy of its declared war on terrorism.
http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,21657924-5003402,00.html
Castro stays away from anti-US parade
>From correspondents in Havana
May 02, 2007 04:22am
CUBAN leader Fidel Castro stayed away from a massive May Day workers
parade overnight, apparently still too weak to appear in public nine
months after emergency surgery forced him to step aside as president.
Castro had called on all Cubans to turn the parade into an anti-US
protest and, after recent video footage showed him looking stronger,
there was speculation he might make a triumphant return to Revolution
Square.
But he did not appear on the podium to watch over hundreds of
thousands marching through the square, the first time in almost four
decades that he has missed a May Day parade.
Cuba's main union leader, Salvador Valdes, said the entire nation
hoped Castro, 80, would be well again soon.
"I know I express the unanimous feeling of our people when I send the
most fervent wishes for recovery to he who has not only been with us
on days like this but has guided us with his proverbial wisdom for
more than 50 years," Mr Valdes said.
Cubans were disappointed by Castro's absence and many fear he will
never regain the strength he had shown until he suddenly fell
seriously ill last July.
"I had hoped to see him but, even though he is not here, he is still
with us. The important thing is that he gets better," said Zoraida
Gonzalez, a 73-year-old retiree.
Some said it would not have been wise for a frail Castro to attend a
long parade under a scorching sun, and hoped he would appear soon in
public under less-strenuous conditions.
Castro's closest foreign allies had done most to raise expectations
that he might return overnight.
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said his political idol was already
back "in charge" in Cuba, and Bolivian President Evo Morales said he
was sure Castro would reappear on May 1.
Castro himself gave no indication he would attend in an editorial
column overnight, in which he urged Cubans to protest the recent
release from a US prison of Luis Posada Carriles, an anti-Castro exile
and former CIA operative accused of killing 73 people in the 1976
bombing of a Cuban airliner.
Castro was forced to hand power to Raul Castro, his younger brother
and defence minister, after undergoing intestinal surgery last July.
Since then, Cubans have seen him only in photographs or video footage
meeting with allies and foreign dignitaries. Mr Chavez said his friend
was close to death at one point, although he and Cuban officials now
say Castro is recovering quickly and taking a more active role in
government affairs.
Recent footage showed Fidel Castro looking stronger after regaining
some weight, but he still appeared frail. His long absence and
government secrecy over his illness have cast uncertainty over Cuba's
political future.
Raul Castro presided over the parade but did not make a speech.
The Communist Party, neighbourhood groups and official unions organise
major marches and all Cubans are expected to attend.
As marchers paraded through Havana to patriotic songs, many pledged
loyalty to Fidel Castro, known as "El Comandante" for leading a 1959
revolution and setting up communist rule on the island just 145km from
the United States.
"This is the unconditional support for the Comandante's ideas," said
Eduardo Jimenez, a 19-year-old student.
"We need him to return," said Luisa Cuellar, who rose before dawn to
walk with friends to Revolution Square, the political heart of
communist Cuba. "He is the one who keeps us united."
There was a strong anti-US feel to the parade of union workers and
their families.
Regardless of their views of communist rule, many Cubans were appalled
when Posada Carriles was freed from a New Mexico jail on April 19. The
government blamed Washington for his release and said it showed the
hypocrisy of its declared war on terrorism.
A long banner stretching across a main avenue in the protest march
read: "We demand prison for the executioner."
Thousands chanted "Long Live Fidel" and one placard read "Bush,
murderer, president of world terrorism".
= = = =
STILL FEELING LIKE THE MAINSTREAM U.S. CORPORATE MEDIA
IS GIVING A FULL HONEST PICTURE OF WHAT'S GOING ON?
= = = =
= = = =
Sorry, we cannot read/reply to most usenet posts but welcome email
FOR MORE INFORMATION: http://EconomicDemocracy.org/wtc/ (peace)
http://economicdemocracy.org/eco/climate-summary.html (Climate)
And http://EconomicDemocracy.org/ (general)
New email: econdemocracy[at]gmail[dot]com
