January 8, 2008
Dear Randy:
I read in the newspaper that you will devote
today’s Round Table program to Bush’s trip to
the region of his wars of conquest. It’s a
miracle the escort ships accompanying the Harry
S. Truman nuclear aircraft carrier didn’t fire
at the Iranian vessels in the Ormuz Straight
that guard Iran’s coasts.
As for me, I cannot but recall that, on
a day like this, 49 years ago, I had the
privilege of being welcomed by the people of
Cuba’s capital. I also do not forget the
ceremony at the former headquarters of the
Columbia military command. I remember Camilo and
the pigeons that, that evening, were like
shining beacons for those of us who dreamed that
we would enjoy the rights we had conquered in
peace. I did not mention this in the Reflection
published today. Nor did I mention our
democratic elections, to be held on January 20,
in which selecting the candidates entails no
difficulties. I am a firm supporter of the
united vote, which allowed us to avoid the
tendency to copy what came to us from countries
of the former socialist block, including the
portrait of the one candidate, as singular as
his solidarity towards Cuba. I deeply respect
that first attempt at building socialism, thanks
to which we were able to continue along the path
we had chosen.
I could also mention that, today, one
of the United State’s most important publishing
houses will launch the first English edition of
Cien horas con Fidel.
I never forget that “all of the world’s glory
fits in a kernel of corn”.
That is why I devoted those lines,
after days of not publishing anything, to
teacher Elena Pedraza, to whom the country is so
indebted for one of its most important
services: curative and preventive
rehabilitation. She is to be held up as the
example of a true communist, and paying tribute
to her on January 8 is indeed apt.
When you and the program came to mind,
it was already quite late. I write these lines
in a hurry, in the hopes that they will arrive
to you in time.
If possible, I ask that you devote a
few seconds of the program to read it.
A hug,
Fidel Castro Ruz
5:37 p.m. |
