People walk past a painting of late rebel hero Ernesto 'Che' Guevara in Havana June 18, 2007. (Claudia Daut/Reuters)
Posted on 06/18/2007 1:20:55 PM PDT by NormsRevenge
HAVANA (Reuters) - Cuba will continue to build up its defenses against the United States and Cubans should be prepared to make more sacrifices to remain independent, Cuban leader Fidel Castro said in an editorial published on Monday.
In his commentary in the ruling Communist Party newspaper Granma, the first time in a series of such articles that he has turned his attention directly to Cuban affairs, Castro called on Cubans to safeguard the island's socialist system against Havana's long-time ideological foe the United States.
Castro, 80, has not been seen in public since undergoing emergency intestinal surgery in July last year, when he handed over power temporarily to his younger brother, Raul.
But he has returned to public life since March by writing occasional articles, called "Reflections of the Commander in Chief," opining on everything from ethanol production in the United States to the Iraq war.
In Monday's article, which took up the entire front page of Granma and was called a "Reflection and Manifesto for the Cuban People," Castro denounced five decades of U.S. policy of isolation toward Cuba and accused U.S. President George W. Bush of wanting to invade Cuba.
The convalescing leader, who took power in 1959 and launched a leftist revolution on the Caribbean island, echoed years of fiery rhetoric against the United States with a warning to Bush that Cuba was prepared to do what it takes to defend itself from a foreign threat.
"Cuba will continue to develop and improve the fighting abilities of its people, including our modest but active and efficient defensive weapons industry, which multiplies our ability to confront the invaders wherever they are, and whatever weapons they possess," Castro wrote.
"We shall continue acquiring the necessary materials and the pertinent firepower," he added, without providing details.
The editorial reprised a familiar Castro drumbeat of needing to preserve Cuba's political system -- and freedom -- in the face of U.S. aggression.
Castro quoted 19th century Cuban independence hero Jose Marti as saying that freedom carries a high cost, and added that, "In spite of everything, we will keep on growing as necessary and as possible."
The editorial was a "statement of defiance" and an "exhortation on the need for the Cuban people to keep the revolutionary dream alive," said John Kirk, a Cuba expert at Dalhousie University in Canada.
Castro did not say if he would return to power. But on the streets of Havana, many interpreted his latest message as another sign that his health is improving.
"If they gave Fidel the entire newspaper, he would write every day. I think he's almost ready to reassume his (presidential) duties," said Wilfredo Grave, a retiree.
Pictures and film of Castro have been released during his long absence from public life. Details of his illness are a state secret, but he is widely believed to suffer from diverticulitis, or inflamed sacs in the large intestine.
Castro looked healthier in a pre-taped interview shown on Cuban television on June 5. He has also received three foreign leaders in recent weeks, including his close ally Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, fueling speculation that he is on the mend.
In an article in May, Castro wrote that he had undergone several operations and had been fed intravenously for months. In Monday's article, Castro acknowledged that he was on his death bed at one point.
"Shortly, it will be a year since I became ill and, while I hovered between life and death, I stated in the Proclamation of July 31, 2006: 'I do not harbor the slightest doubt that our people and our Revolution will fight until the last drop of blood,"' he said, referring to his message last year handing over power to his brother.
He added: "Mr. Bush, don't you doubt it either. I assure you that you will never have Cuba."
(Additional reporting by Marc Frank and Nelson Acosta)
People walk past a painting of late rebel hero Ernesto 'Che' Guevara in Havana June 18, 2007. (Claudia Daut/Reuters)
Fidel Castro speaks during an interview on state television in Havana June 5, 2007. Cuba will continue to build up its defenses against the United States and Cubans should be prepared to make more sacrifices to remain independent, the Cuban leader,Castro said in an editorial published on Monday. (Government TV/Handout/Reuters)
I didn’t know we were planning to attck them.
Men sit on a sidewalk offering Cuba's newspaper Granma with the headline reading "They'll never get Cuba" in Havana June 18, 2007. Cuba's leader Fidel Castro said in an editorial published on Monday, that Cuba will continue to build its defenses against the United States and Cubans should be prepared to make more sacrifices to remain independent. REUTERS/Claudia Daut (CUBA)
Same red jacket he had on the other 2 TV appearances. Ain’t right. Maybe enough Former Cubans will go back and change the political scene.
Translation: New round of tax increases coming up.
As_ Clown
Just when is this commie prick going to cease using oxygen???
Ahh, poor thing. Someone really should monitor Fidel’s meds better.
He’s starting to repeat himself.
>> Cuba will continue to develop and improve the fighting abilities of its people, including our modest but active and efficient defensive weapons industry
What the hell is he talking about?
Sharpened sugarcane sticks with the points hardened in a campfire and smeared with human dung?
He can’t even defend himself against SICKO Moore.... So we should worry?
Oh, just hurry up and die, you frigging old commie murderer. If we wanted your dirty little country, we’d have kept it after 1898. It would be pretty cool to let the mafia turn it into a giant casino/whorehouse like it used to be, however.
If the Democrats have anything to do with it....he’ll win!
I like to think that these poor people will be able to turn Cuba into the pearl that it once was once this evil man is dead, but they’ve probably been brain-washed for too long.
Recovering from communism ain’t easy.
Yeah, Jimmy Carter will be leading the invasion force himself.
That’s why Castro is so confident.
This assumes we WANT Cuba...Why would we want Cuba (other than it's cigars)?
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