A Peaceful Solution is Still Possible-Fidel Castro



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PERMANENT MISSION OF THE REPUBLIC OF CUBA TO THE UNITED NATIONS
315 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Tel: 212-689-7215 * Fax: 212-689-9073


Official Translation
New York, 29 September 2001

Speech by Commander in Chief Fidel Castro, 
President of the Republic of Cuba
Ciego de Avila, September 29, 2001


Fellow countrymen:

A peaceful solution is still possible.

The present situation is so tense that nobody could write a
speech hours before delivery and be certain that it is not
outdated. I am also running the risk of sounding too
optimistic even when I am not.  However, it is my duty to
say what I think.

The unanimous shock suffered by all peoples of the world on
September 11, due to the insane terrorist attacks against
the American people which could be seen live on television,
has created exceptional conditions for the eradication of
terrorism without the need to unleash a useless and perhaps
endless war.

Terrorist actions in the United States, as anywhere else in
the world, inflict terrible damage on the peoples fighting
for a cause that objectively they consider to be fair.

Terror has always been an instrument of the worst enemies of
humankind bent on suppressing and crushing the peoples'
struggle for freedom.  It can never be the instrument of a
truly noble and just cause.

All throughout history, almost every action intended to
attain national independence, including that of the American
people, was carried out with the use of weapons and nobody
ever questioned, or would question, that right.  But, the
deliberate use of weapons to kill innocent people must be
definitely condemned and eradicated for it is as unworthy
and inhuman as it is repulsive, the same as the historic
terrorism perpetrated by the oppressing states.

In the present crisis, real possibilities still exist to
eradicate terrorism without a war but the main obstacle is
that the most notable political and military leaders in the
United States refuse to listen to any word said against the
use of weapons and in favor of a truly effective solution to
the worrisome problem, heedless of the fact that it would be
very honorable for the American people to accomplish that
objective while avoiding bloodshed.

The decision-makers are only betting on war actions. They
have associated honor with war. Some speak of the use of
nuclear weapons as if it were as simple as having a cup of
tea. Others affirm that paratroopers will be employed in
irregular warfare tactics. Someone has even speculated on
the advisability of using lies as a weapon although others
have shown more rationality and common sense but still along
the war line. Objectivity and rationality are not
abundant. Many people have been made to believe that only
belligerent formulas are viable regardless of the loss of
American lives.

It is hard to know whether the final tactic and strategy of
struggle have already been decided upon to use against a
country whose communications and technological
infrastructure as well as material conditions seem to have
hardly left the Stone Age behind. Will irregular warfare
tactics with squadrons of aircraft carriers, armored
warships, cruisers and submarines be used in a landlocked
country? Why send also scores of B-1 and B-52 bombers,
hundreds of modern fighter planes, thousands of missiles and
other strategic weapons? What are they going to shoot
against?

Meanwhile, confusion and panic prevail in the rest of the
world, while opportunistic positions motivated by
convenience and national interests are not lacking. Some
have torn their honor to pieces. And, following the initial
atmosphere of uncertainty there is a bizarre and widespread
ostrich reflex, despite the fact that there are not even
enough holes to hide heads.

Many seem not to have realized yet that, on September 20,
before the United States Senate, the end of independence was
decreed for every other state --without exceptions-- as well
as the end of the United Nations' role.

Nevertheless, no one should be misled into thinking that the
peoples of the world, and a number of honest political
leaders, will not react as soon as the war actions become a
reality and their horrific images start to be seen. These
will then take the place of the sad and shocking images of
the events in New York at a time when forgetting them would
bring irreparable damage on the spirit of solidarity with
the American people that is today a primary element towards
the eradication of terrorism, without the need to resort to
a war of unpredictable consequences and avoiding the death
of an incalculable number of innocents.

The first victims can already be seen. They are the millions
trying to escape the war and the dying children with ghastly
appearance, whose images will move the world to pity without
anyone being able to prevent their dissemination.

It is a great mistake on the part of the United States and
its NATO allies to believe that the strong nationalism and
religious sentiments of Muslims can be neutralized with
either money or a promise of assistance, or that their
countries can be permanently intimidated by force. There are
already statements from religious leaders of major nations,
that have no affinity whatsoever with the Taliban, who are
voicing their resolute opposition to a military
attack. Meanwhile, contradictions are beginning to arise
among the United States' allies, both in Central and South
East Asia.

On the other hand, xenophobia, hatred and scorn for every
Muslim country are starting to emerge. An important European
head of government has just said in Berlin that Western
civilization is superior to Islam and that the West will
keep on conquering peoples, even if that means confrontation
with the Islamic civilization, which has remained stuck
where it was 1400 years ago.

In an economic situation such as the world is experiencing
today, when extremely serious problems affecting humanity
remain unresolved, including its own survival which is
threatened by other evils unrelated to the destructive power
of modern weaponry, one wonders: Why this obstinate course
of starting a complicated and open-ended war? Why are the
American leaders showing such arrogance when their enormous
power gives them the privilege of showing some moderation?

It would suffice to return to the United Nations
Organization the prerogatives that it has been deprived of
and let the General Assembly, its most universal and
representative body, be the center of that fight for peace
--regardless of its limitations due to the arbitrary veto
right of the Security Council standing members, most of them
also a part of NATO-- and for the eradication of terrorism
with total and unanimous support from the world opinion.

Under no circumstances should those responsible for the
brutal attacks against the American people be allowed to go
unpunished, if they can be identified. An honorable
condition for every country would be that they are tried by
an unbiased court of law that would ensure the reliability
of the evidence and that justice be done.

Cuba was the first country to speak of the need for an
international struggle against terrorism just a few hours
after the tragedy brought on the American people on
September 11. We also said that: "None of the present
problems of the world can be solved by force. [...] The
international community should build a world conscience
against terrorism. [...] Only the intelligent policy of
seeking strength through consensus and the international
public opinion can decidedly uproot this problem [...] this
unimaginable event should serve to launch an international
struggle against terrorism. ...] The world cannot be saved
unless a path of international peace and cooperation is
pursued."

We firmly stand by these views.

It is indispensable to return to the United Nations its role
in the attainment of peace.

I harbor no doubts that the Third World countries --I dare
say almost everyone of them without exception, despite their
political and religious differences-- would be willing to go
alongside the rest of the world in this struggle against
terrorism as an alternative to war.

I think that these ideas do not, in any way, tarnish the
honor, the dignity and the predominant political or
religious principles of any of the above-mentioned states.

I am not talking here on behalf of any of the poor and
underdeveloped countries of the world. I am simply
expressing my deepest conviction, as I am aware of the
tragedy of these peoples that have been exploited and
humiliated for centuries where, even without a war,
inherited poverty and underdevelopment, hunger and curable
diseases are silently killing scores of millions of
innocents every year.

For these people, saving peace with dignity, with
independence and without a war is the cornerstone of the
struggle that we should wage together for a truly just world
of free peoples.

Cuba is not motivated by any economic interest or by
opportunism, much less by any fear of threat, danger or
risk. But this people that, as it is widely known, has most
honorably endured over four decades of economic warfare,
blockade and terrorism is entitled to explain, reiterate and
insist on its viewpoints; and, it will not hesitate to do so
until the very last minute.

We are, and we will continue to be, opposed to terrorism and
opposed to war! No matter what happens, nothing will
separate us from that line!

The dark clouds on the horizon of the world today will not
prevent the Cubans from continuing to work ceaselessly on
our wonderful social and cultural programs, as we are
persuaded that it is a human endeavor unparalleled in
history. And even if the promised wars were to turn them
into mere dreams, we would still fall with honor defending
such dreams.

Long live the Revolution and Socialism!

Patria o Muerte!
Venceremos!




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