26 July 2002
On this important and historic Cuban National Day (26 July), the 11th Congress of the South African Communist Party salutes the revolutionary people of Cuba, the Communist Party of Cuba and Commandante Fidel Castro.
Cuba is a shining example to all democrats and people of the world struggling against injustice and for social progress. Since 01 January 1959, Cuba has democratically chosen to put in place a social and economic system which puts the interests of its people first. As a result of this, they have made impressive progress in the social delivery of health, education, housing and other social services. The people of Cuba are also principled internationalists. In the last few years they opened an international medical school for students from Latin America and other developing countries. Hundreds of Cuban doctors are delivering quality and efficient health care to millions of South Africans.
The progress and achievements of Cuba were built on the basis of the defeat of the defeat of the agenda of US imperialism in Cuba in 1959. As a result, the USA government has maintained an illegal economic blockade against Cuba. This blockade is intended to stifle the Cuban economy and the resolve of the Cuban people. Instead of this, the people of Cuba have remained committed to the socialist cause and are receiving increasing and wider support from the entire globe. For the last ten years, every annual session of the UN General Assembly has overwhelmingly voted for the lifting of the US blockade against Cuba.
It is for these reasons that today the 11th Congress of the South African Communist Party (SACP) will launch an international campaign for the release of five Cuban heroes who were unjustly and illegally convicted in the USA. The US government accused them of spying for Cuba and murder. As their defence proved, these charges were false. They have been sentenced to long prison terms, solitary confinement and some even to life imprisonment. The real reason that they have been victimised is because of their principled defence of Cuba whilst they stayed in the USA. Their trial is part of the USA's illegal and immoral economic blockade against Cuba which has been in place for more than 40 years.
The 11th Congress of the SACP calls on all South Africans to express their solidarity with these heroes and people of the Cuban revolution. These heroes are Antonio Guerrero Rodriguez, Fernando Gonzalez Llort, Rene Gonzalez Sechwrert, Gerardo Hernandez Nordelo, and Ramon Labanino Salazar.
The 11th Congress of the SACP calls on South Africans to continue with their solidarity with the people of Cuba.
Mazibuko K. Jara (surname Jara)
Department of Media, Information and Publicity
South African Communist Party
3rd Floor, COSATU House, 1-5 Leyds Street
Braamfontein, 2017, Republic of South Africa
Tel: 27 11 339-3621/2
Fax: 27 11 339-4244
Cell: 083 651 0271
Email - mazibuko@sacp.org.za