Message of Condolences to The United States Government And to the American People (From Cuba)

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[chance33_98]

Message of Condolences to The United States Government And to the American People

HAVANA - PRNewswire - Feb. 1

HAVANA, Feb. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- The Government and the people of Cuba offer their most sincere condolences to the United States government and to the American people due to the tragedy that occurred today, in which seven members of the space shuttle Columbia crew lost their lives.

The Cuban people share the grief and pain the American people are suffering today because of the death of some of their sons and daughters.

In these moments of grief, we express the solidarity of the Cuban government and the Cuban people especially to the relatives of the dead astronauts.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has instructed the Cuban Mission to the United Nations as testimony of our respect and support to the American people, to maintain our flag hoisted at half-mast, during the days the mourning lasts in the United States.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cuba

[max_rpf]

You forgot your -- "Hold your Mi cuba-libre" alert!

[mhking]

Even the Cubans have a lot more class than the Iraqis.

Thanks, Fidel. We do appreciate the condolences and sentiments.

[rintense]

Wow. I am pleasantly surprised. I guess we have to take this at face value. They *could* have said what the Iraqis did.

[coloradan]

Cuba and Palestine, neither great friends of the US, both see fit to offer condolences, while Iraq cheered the shuttle's loss. Saddam and his government officials must be seeking some extra spicy hot sauce to be served to them shortly.

[baseballmom]

This is a very warm condolence from the Cuban government. I'm very sure their people feel a great sadness. The loss of these astronauts seems to transcend politics; astronauts are heroes to the world.

Except in Iraq, of course.

[Arkinsaw]

Normally any statements out of there have an undercurrent/undertone but this one seems quite sincere.

[CWOJackson]

There was an astronaut from India some years back, I can't recall his name. When he got back he commented on how he was looking down on earth one day, at India, and noticed that he could see no borders. It moved him.

From space there are no borders on earth...from space we are united. Thank you good people of Cuba.

[JennysCool]

It seems very sincere. I'm not a big fan of the Cuban government, but I was touched by this message, and particularly the lowering of their flag.

[Brett66]

Interesting, I guess Fidel is one step higher on the evolutionary scale than Saddam.

[MJY1288]

Thank You Cuba

On a day like today, God loving people from around the world join their hearts and hands together in grief for fallen heroes, no matter what the color, no matter what the nationality, no matter what the religion, these brave explorers of the unknown, will never be forgotten and will always be honored... They're heroes

God Bless the families of our fallen heroes

[fourdeuce82d]

While many people aren't very friendly towards the Cuban government

If I thought the people of Cuba were free to make statements on their own behalf, I'd be more inclined to accept this offer of sympathy.

On the other hand, Fidel is a nasty SOB, but not a Pol Pot/Mao/Stalin. And Hitler was sentimental towards his dog.

So, fine. Fidel, that was very nice of you to offer your condolences. Thank you.

But you're still a nasty man.

[dc-zoo]

A very nice message. Hard to believe it came from cuba but good to see none the less.

[Badger1]

Even though Cuba is a Totalitarian state and Fidel Castro is an evil man, I still found this message more welcome than the statement from Chirac.

[JohnHuang2]

Much as I hate the government there, there's no question in my mind the Cuban people (my father is a Cuban immigrant, incidentally) deeply share in our grief.

[JohnHuang2]

I still found this message more welcome than the statement from Chirac.

And especially more welcome than the one from Baghdad.

[Chemist_Geek]

The Government and the people of Cuba offer their most sincere condolences to the United States government and to the American people due to the tragedy that occurred today, in which seven members of the space shuttle Columbia crew lost their lives.

The Cuban people share the grief and pain the American people are suffering today because of the death of some of their sons and daughters.

Gracias... Tenemos un dolor en nos corazon.