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Five
years ago, Cuba’s capital hosted the International
Conference
"For World Equilibrium",
which was attended by delegates from forty three countries
of all continents, to honor Martí on the occasion of his 150th
birthday.
I
talked to them all on the evening of January 29 of that year
2003. By a mere chance --or rather, by more than a single
chance-- that moment of 1953 repeated itself, although under
significantly different circumstances. Back in 1953 we had
to honor Martí’s memory by liberating our Homeland from the
imperialist yoke. This time it was necessary to wage our
struggle in the field of ideas to counter the threats
against humanity uttered by the US President in his speech
at the West Point Academy. What I said on that day, which
is consistent with my deepest convictions, has become a
starting point for most of the reflections I wrote during
the period of convalescence I went through. It is my modest
tribute to the Master. I likewise salute the hundreds of
intellectuals, men and women of thought, who once again
gather with the same purpose of paying tribute to José Martí
on the occasion of his155th birthday. I could not find any
better words to honor him! I would request our press to
publish it, if possible, in the inner pages, to avoid taking
space from other important news about this commemoration.
Fidel
Castro Ruz
January
28, 2008
Speech given by Dr. Fidel Castro Ruz,
President of the Republic of Cuba, at the closing of the
International Conference for World Balance, held in honor of
the 150th anniversary of the birth of our National Hero,
José Martí, January 29, 2003 |
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