"No one
can deny tat terrorism is today a dangerous and indefensible phenomenon,
regardless of the economic, political factors that brought it to life and those
responsible for it.Below we reprint in a condensed form the statement read by Fidel Castro, which was published in Granma newspaper, September 30, 2001.
"No one
can deny tat terrorism is today a dangerous and indefensible phenomenon,
regardless of the economic, political factors that brought it to life and those
responsible for it.
We feel that 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 weeks we have seen the hasty establishment of the basis, the concept, the true purposes, the spirit and conditions for such a war. No one can deny that it was not something thought out well in advance, something that was just waiting for its chance to materialize. Those after the so-called end of the "cold war" continued a military buildup 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.
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 disasters, their hunger and misery, the massive undernourishment of their children, teenagers and adults; their terrible AIDS epidemics, their malaria, their tuberculosis and their infectious diseases that threaten whole nations with extermination.
The crisis will 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. Military actions will siphon off the necessary funds fir research and improvements to the standard of life for them people.
Is there any hope after listening to the speech by President Bush? Just a few sentences is sufficient to realize as to what is being planned.
"We will use every necessary weapon of war."
"The course of conflicts is not known, yet its outcome is certain."
"Either you are with us or you are with the terrorists."
"It will not be a short combat but a lengthy war, lasting many years, unparalleled in history."
"And we know that God is with us and not neutral."
When I think about that speech when I think of the imagined parties in this conflict, I find it difficult to find a distinction about where fanaticism is stronger.
It is evident that the American Congress designed this idea as a world military dictatorship under the exclusive role of force, irrespective of any international laws or institutions. The United Nations was simply ignored in the present crisis, and will not have any prerogative whatsoever. There would be only one boss, only one judge, and only one law.
Cuba knows and was and is the victim of terror and will never declare itself as an enemy of the American people and we shall defend Cuba to our last breath.
Socialism or death!
Patria o muerte! VENCEREMOS!
Click here to return to October 2001 cover.