SLIGO MEETING CELEBRATES CUBAN REVOLUTION

“This year Cuba celebrates not just the 50th anniversary of the Revolution but fifty years of revolution. It has secured a standard of living for its people undreamed of in other countries in the region and in many instances surpasses the levels of social welfare available in the so-called developed countries.” the Cuban political activist Ms Nancy Coro Aguiar, told a public meeting organised by the Connolly Forum in Sligo this week

“This has been achieved against all the odds. Cuba has survived against all the predictions of friends and foes alike. Suffering aggression from the U. S. and its allies Cuba did not interrupt its revolution. It responded by adopting measures considered necessary to achieve its primary aim – the survival of the revolution – and then, where possible, the development of the revolution.

“Cubans have welcomed Barack Obama's election, but they are not expecting dramatic changes from the new US president. Whatever his personal preferences, he must work within the US system and he must take account of Congress.” she said.

“During his election campaign, Obama pledged to close the jail at Guantanamo Bay, but at no time did he say that he was going to return that territory to Cuba. President Obama proposes to return to the days of Clinton – nothing further, but that’s progress” she said.

Cllr Declan Bree, who presided at the meeting said “the illegal blockade of Cuba, imposed and maintained by the United States in defiance of international law, in defiance of United Nations resolutions, in defiance of European Union resolutions, and in defiance of world opinion, can only be described as economic blackmail that makes a mockery of international principles governing peaceful co-existence.

“While large sections of the population of many countries in central and Latin America still suffer poverty, homelessness, starvation, illiteracy and lack of basic sanitation and health care – the reality has been and still is that Cuba is the exception, which through the determined efforts of its people has freed itself from foreign domination and created a society based on social justice and has a system of free health and education admired through-out the world.” said Cllr Bree.