[News] Castro reiterates Cuba's offer of medical aid to the American people
Anti-Imperialist News
News at freedomarchives.org
Sun Sep 4 14:09:01 EDT 2005
From: "Public Relations" <publicrelations at cubanmission.com>
Date: Sun, 4 Sep 2005 11:21:34 -0400
President Fidel Castro reiterates Cubas offer of medical aid to the
American people on the Round Table program aired on September 2, 2005.
These remarks had to be written in a rush, as sometimes happens when things
occur quickly and unexpectedly. Ill explain the reasons for this.
Yesterday, a press conference, the kind typically held in the US State
Department, was held. The Departments spokesman, Sean McCormack,
participated.
I will read the spokesmans declarations verbatim.
State Department Press Room, Washington, DC, 12:46 pm, Thursday, September
1, 2005.
At that time, we were in the middle of a National Assembly session,
addressing important matters; one of the points we touched on was the
tragedy which befell the United States.
Mr. McCormack said: Good afternoon. I wanted to begin with a brief update
on a matter which is of interest to everyone who is here today, on the aid
efforts following the passage of hurricane Katrina, and on offers of aid
coming from abroad.
Let me begin by saying that we have received numerous and generous offers
of aid from foreign governments and organizations, and Secretary Rice,
after consulting with the White House, has made it clear that we will
accept all foreign aid offers. Anything that will help alleviate the
difficult situation, the tragic situation faced by people living in the
area affected by hurricane Katrina will be accepted.
Further on, he says:
I can read you a list. Until now, this list has grown and is being updated
constantly, every hour, in fact.
Weve received general offers of aid and more specific ones from a number
of countries and organizations, including Russia, Japan, Canada, France,
Honduras, Germany, Venezuela, the OAS, Jamaica, NATO, Australia, the United
Kingdom, Holland, Switzerland, Greece, Hungary, Colombia, the Dominican
Republic, El Salvador, Mexico, China, South Korea, Israel and the United
Arab Emirates.
I will try and keep you posted on what is added to the list. As I said, it
literally grows by the hour.
It was only later, almost at night, after the Assembly session ended, that
we started to look at the press wires, and we werent even able to read
them all. Some of the news we received in the morning, today, the piece
Ive just read among them.
This puts me in the position of having to clarify Cubas position, because
many of our friends, within and outside the United States, who know that
our country always offers assistance when situations like these arise,
regardless of existing conflicts, political, ideological or any kind of
difference, started calling us, thinking it odd that we hadnt offered any
kind of aid to the United States following the devastation wreaked by Katrina.
The calls kept coming in, one after the other, so this declaration, whose
text is self-explanatory, became indispensable. Among other things, you can
appreciate that it is not simply a question of public relations not in the
leastbut rather a matter of importance, even from the practical point of
view.
Im going to read you a brief chronology of events, in which you can see
the various offers of aid made by the Cuban government to the United States
in connection with the hurricane.
August 25, 2005. Hurricane Katrina lashes Florida, resulting in the loss
of human lives and heavy material damage.
Days later, on August 29, 2005, after reaching category 4 in the
Saffir-Simpson Scale, hurricane Katrina lashes the states of Louisiana,
Mississippi and Alabama. The first news revealing the magnitude of the
tragedy begin to be divulged.
On August 30, 2005, the last gusts of winds of the hurricane were still
blowing over Louisiana and other southern states, with which we have trade
relations, purchasing significant amounts of food products. Authorities
from that state and others have even visited us in connection with these
purchases, made by Cuba from the United States, which began a number of
years ago.
Many things have happened. Ive talked with thousands and thousands of
American farmers, because hundreds came for the first fair we held; I met
with one group, then with another, and, in the course of these last four
years, Ive exchanged with thousands of US farmers and state
authorities, governors, senators and representatives.
Only two months ago, the governor of the state of Louisiana, a very affable
person, paid us a visit; she came, as governors do, because she was
interested in addressing matters and problems affecting her state. These
states that have been most severely affected by the hurricane are among the
poorest. Agriculture is most important in their economies, like ports used
to export their products.
At 11:32 am on August 30, 2005, I called our Minister of Foreign Affairs,
our colleague Felipe, to ask him to immediately convey to the government of
the United States, via the US Interests Section in Havana and Cubas
Interests Section in Washington, a message expressing our sympathies over
the damage caused by the hurricane and offering assistance in the area of
health, as we knew from the news we were receiving, that what was happening
there was catastrophic.
If there is anything we can offer that may be considered important
primarily thanks to the experience we have dealing with hurricanes and in
the implementation of measures to protect, evacuate and offer assistance to
the population, among other things it is in the area of medical services.
Following the catastrophic events of September 11, Cuba was the first
country to offer the United States support. Upon receiving news that there
were planes in the air that could not be authorized to land on US airports,
we immediately offered our airports and, later, we offered what we were in
a position to offer: medical assistance, in response to the magnitude of
the damage and the immense number of potential victims.
Were closer to New York than California is. Aid from Cuba can reach New
York before aid coming from California, its a three-hour trip from Cuba to
New York. I believe its twice that time from California to New York.
Anyway, we offered medical assistance. It wasnt a ridiculous gesture,
since sometimes a blood transfusion can save someones life, and a rare
blood type may be required. One, two, three, ten lives, thats not the
issue: if you can save one life, youre duty-bound to save it.
At 12:45, complying with these instructions, the acting head of the North
America Office at the Ministry of Foreign Affair, Josefina Vidal, met with
the deputy chief of the US Interests Section in Havana, Edward Alexander
Lee, to pass this message to him verbally and, in addition, to give him a
written copy of the same.
We dont waste one minute, thats the truth. Comrade Josefina is with us,
here.
Following the instructions received, comrade Josefina Vidal told Mr. Lee,
verbatim: We would like to put our differences aside for a moment this
alludes to the current state of relations between Cuba and the government
of the United States in view of the serious situation caused by hurricane
Katrina. The hurricane affected us also, dont forget that, as it was
approaching Florida, we were gathered for a round table discussion, and it
had already knocked down electric poles and caused power failures.
It was something almost unexpected. The tail of the hurricane, as it
crossed Florida from the east to the southeast of the peninsula, affected
us also: many flights were cancelled, others had to be rerouted, and these
were planes carrying patients that were to be operated on in Cuba. Some had
to land in Camaguey, others in Holguin; Cuban planes scheduled to leave
Venezuela were unable to take off.
The following day, no one knew what the path of the hurricane was going to
be; it even neared Cuba and caused problems in Pinar del Rio, heavy
downpours. Then, it turns north, leaving behind it heavy showers and floods
in some areas. Warnings about sea flooding in Pinar del Rio are issued, you
have to see the photos. In fact, the following day we were also suffering
the effects of the hurricane, and receiving news that it was headed north
and that it was gathering strength, between a category 4 and 5, exactly
like the one that passed through here several weeks ago.
After this introduction, Josephine read the message, which reads as follows:
On instructions from Cubas top leadership, I convey to you our
condolences for the loss of human lives and the material damage caused by
hurricane Katrina and inform you of our willingness to immediately send the
medical and health personnel that may be needed to any of the affected
areas and, in addition to this, to set up three field hospitals with the
personnel needed.
Complying with the instructions, Josefina concluded telling Mr. Lee that
we are not after publicity. We await your reply. That is the reason we
didnt make the offer public, we didnt publish anything, in fact. We
didnt want it to be interpreted as a publicity effort.
That same August 30, The head of the Cuban Interests Section in
Washington, Dagoberto Rodríguez, was received, at his own request, at 4:30
pm in the State Department by the official John Reagan, to whom he passed
the exact same message delivered in Havana and gave the same written text.
On the August 31, at 2:15 pm, the head of the Cuban Interests Section in
Washington, Dagoberto Rodríguez, attended a meeting with the diplomatic
corps accredited in Washington called by the State Department, in which
information about hurricane Katrina, information mechanisms and
institutions linked to disaster protection efforts was given. We felt that
the fact they invited him the next day, something which doesnt happen
often, was a positive sign.
Two days later we made our offer, that is, yesterday September 1, at the
time I said, while we were meeting at the National Assembly, the spokesman
makes his statement, which I really didnt get to read until today,
September 2. We got nearly all of the news today; we were at the Assembly
until 11:00 pm, and busy receiving visitors after that.
After that statement yesterday, we began getting a downpour of calls today.
We didnt want any kind of publicity in connection with this. But, what
were we supposed to say to the people calling us? And are we going to allow
the worlds public opinion to perceive us in a strange position, to think
that, following a tragedy of this magnitude, we dont even offer our
condolences to the American people?
Theres something else: yesterday, at the beginning of the Assembly
session, the first thing the members of the chair proposed was that we send
out a message of solidarity to the US people, a message which was published
in full today.
It reads as follows:
Message of solidarity to the American people.
The people of Cuba have followed with deep concern the news on the damage
hurricane Katrina has caused in the states of Lousiana, Mississippi and
Alabama. Though the information received is still lacking in detail, it
allows us to surmise that the hurricane constitutes a tragedy of immense
proportions.
In terms of the physical destruction and material damages caused, the
hurricane is considered the most costly natural disaster recorded in US
history. This countrys Red Cross believes it will have to work harder than
it did following the atrocious attacks of September 11, 2001.
Tens of thousands of people are trapped in flooded areas, have lost their
homes, been displaced or taken in by shelters. The governor of Louisiana
described the situation in New Orleans where water levels continue to
rise as desperate. This citys Mayor declared that hundreds, perhaps
thousands of people may have perished there.
This disaster, with its death toll and suffering, affects all citizens of
the United States, but its scourge is felt all the more strongly by
Afro-Americans and by poor Latino and US workers, who constitute the
majority of those who are still waiting to be rescued and taken to safe
places, and account for the greatest number of fatal victims and people who
have lost their homes.
These news bring much pain and sorrow to the Cuban people. On their
behalf, we wish to send out a sincere message of solidarity to the American
people, to state and local authorities and to the victims of this
catastrophe. Every nation must feel this tragedy as its own.
National Assembly of Peoples Power of the Republic of Cuba,
Havana, September 1, 2005.
A minute of silence was observed for the victims. It was truly a moving and
sincere gesture, on behalf of our people, towards the people of the United
States, respectful towards the authorities, not in the least bit offensive
or aggressive.
This is the situation were facing, the news were receiving are ever
harsher. There may be thousands, hundreds of thousands, perhaps millions of
people amazed that Cuba didnt offer any kind of aid, and were the
next-door neighbour. No country is closer to the United States; were
certainly much closer than Japan, any contribution, modest as it may be,
will get to the south of the United States much more quickly if it comes
from Cuba rather than Japan or Asia. Well, theyve expressed their
admiration for Sri Lanka, for the aid they offered in spite of the
countrys difficulties. The Arab Emirates are even farther away.
Actually, were closer to the United States than Honduras is, closer than
Central America and considerably closer than any country in South America.
Weve done the math: in an hour and fifty minutes, one of our planes can
reach the international airport closest to the place where the tragedy
occurred.
The main reason for our being here is to make the truth known and reiterate
our willingness to cooperate. We are not here to criticize, thats not our
intention. We were not mentioned in that long list and we were perhaps the
first to offer aid; if you have a look at the time when the instructions
were given and the message was passed, I think its fair to say we were
quick to make our offer, which was concrete: doctors to work in the
affected areas, precisely what they need now in many places.
Our position cannot be perceived as resentment or even complaint. As the
deputy chief of the US Interests Section, Mr. Lee was told we were not
after any kind of publicity. Perhaps their interpretation was that we
wanted no publicity whatsoever. Perhaps it was a misunderstanding; Im not
saying Cubas name was intentionally omitted. Even if it had been omitted
intentionally, its not something that worries us, weve never done
anything for recognition or to be thanked, thats the way weve acted not
once, but many, many times.
Somoza was in office in Nicaragua when that terrible earthquake destroyed
the city, however, the Cuban field hospitals and doctors were among the
first to arrive there.
We had no relations with Peru, and with many other countries, and thats
never been an obstacle, weve always and immediately offered our aid.
Immediately after the tsunami hit across the globe, we sent medical
brigades to two countries. That was costly, sending a plane, which consumes
much more fuel, say, than a Boeing our planes consume quite a lot of fuel
its costly. Sending a medical brigade to Oceania in one of those planes is
costly, were talking about hundreds of thousands of dollars, precisely
because of the costs of plane fuel today, and the costs of the medication
and tents, which arent brought back to Cuba, they stay there.
When Santo Domingo, Haiti and Central America were terribly battered by
hurricanes which claimed tens of thousands of lives in the latter, we did
even more. These events gave rise to the brigades that today make up a huge
movement. The Latin American School of Medicine was also born of these
events. In terms of training for doctors, of the services it brings to the
region and to humanity as a whole, this is an extraordinary institution
which will produce 200,000 doctors, doctors that Venezuela and Cuba will be
graduating in the course of 10 years.
All of this was born of the spirit of cooperation, recognized in many parts
of the world today; even in Honduras, where there was talk of removing the
doctors, there have been a number of declarations by the population,
insisting that not one of them be removed; that they are attending to 2.5
millions of people who do not receive any other kind of medical care from
anyone else. Everyone mobilized to keep the doctors there, and we said that
we would never remove them on account of any grievance, that we would not
withdraw our medical assistance, unless the countrys government requested
it. Our doctors remain in these countries even when war breaks out; thats
what happened in Haiti, not one of them left and they treated the ill, the
wounded and anyone in need of medical care.
That is how our doctors behave, that is the code of ethics that guides our
doctors and our country too. Were not going to send a medical team
overseas to bring it back home due to a diplomatic skirmish, when
differences or even things that are very offensive for our country arise.
We would never act that way.
Thats where were coming from, which is why I say this is not the time to
complain about the fact Cuba was omitted from the list read by the State
Department spokesman.
So, we would like to reiterate our wish to cooperate with the American
people, and all the more so after what we and the world have seen.
Therefore we would like to take this opportunity to state exactly what
position we are taking and repeat it with even more precision:
Our country is ready to send, in the small hours of morning, 100 general
doctors an specialists in Comprehensive General Medicine, who tomorrow
Saturday, at dawn, could be in Houston International Airport, Texas, the
closest to the region struck by the tragedy, in order to be transferred by
air it would be in helicopters mainly--, river or land amphibious
crafts that sometimes enter heavily flooded areas-- to the more distant
shelters, facilities and neighborhoods in the city of New Orleans, where
the population and families are that require emergency medical care or
first aid treatment.
These Cuban personnel would be carrying backpacks with 24 kilograms of
medications, known to be essential in such situations to save lives, as
well as basic diagnostic tools. They will have to take blood pressure,
pulse and other readings, all these basic resources are needed to establish
a clinical report, something which our doctors have a lot of experience in.
At the moment tens of thousands of them are working overseas, and in many
places there was no X-ray machine or ultrasound equipment, there was
nothing, not even blood or other lab tests, and they arrive and make
clinical diagnoses with an exceedingly high level of precision. They are
practically clinical experts, because they are used to working in areas of
the Third World that dont have diagnostic equipment. They may work alone
or in groups of two or more people, depending on the circumstances, for as
long as necessary.
Likewise, Cuba is ready to send via Houston, or any other
airport of your choosing, 500 additional specialists in Comprehensive
General Medicine, with the same equipment, who could be at their
destination point at noon or in the afternoon of tomorrow, Saturday,
September 3. Thus, the 1100 said medical doctors, with the resources
described, would be caring for the people in most need of attention in the
aftermath of the hurricane.
A third group of 500 specialists in General Comprehensive Medicine could
also be sent, and would arrive in the morning of Sunday, September 4.
Consequently, in under 36 hours, 1100 of these doctors equipped with said
resources the back-packs--, which amount to 26.4 tons of medication and
diagnostic kits mostly medication-- will be caring for the neediest
people in the aftermath of a hurricane like Katrina.
And the damage that it left in its wake, in a flat, low area with many
rivers. That is to say, it seems that accidents have happened there as
well, levees that burst, all those occurrences. A hurricane is a hurricane,
ranking five on the scale is a hurricane. The one that hit Cienfuegos was a
category four. It hit with more force, in fact, when it got closer.
These medical doctors have an elementary knowledge of the English language
that would allow them to communicate with the patients.
All we are waiting for is a response from the U.S. authorities
Our doctors have worked in South Africa, in many English speaking nations,
and even in areas where dialects are spoken; but it is very easy to
communicate with doctors. Children of eight months, for example, cannot
speak, and doctors diagnose them simply because they are able to make
diagnoses, sometimes language isnt even needed; but they do have the basic
language skills.
The significance of this proposal can be deduced from a press wire from New
Orleans, dated today, September 2, from the EFE agency. It is worth reading
and says, and I quote:
Due to the fact that the hospitals are without electricity, the drug
stores of New Orleans are under more than a meter of water, thousands of
patients have no access to sanitary care and there is growing threat of
infection, the health of tens of thousands of people affected by hurricane
Katrina is at risk.
The crisis that has hit New Orleans and large areas in southern Louisiana
is made worse by the fact that the majority of the tens of thousands of
people trapped by the water are the poorest of the countrys poor;
individuals who suffer from more mental and physical illnesses that any
other social group.
A tragic example of the sanitary problems that Katrina and the
accompanying floods have caused the inhabitants of New Orleans could be
seen last Thursday in the doorways of the citys Convention Center, where
between 20 000 and 25 000 people have taken shelter.
Against one of the outside walls of the center is the corpse of an elderly
lady, sat in her wheelchair with a blanket over her. On the other side of
the Convention Center, two people try to resuscitate a man lying
unconscious on the floor, in a vain attempt to save his life.
The elderly, young and sick of the poor of New Orleans where, according
to official figures, almost a third of the 1.4 million inhabitants are
poverty-stricken, almost half a million-- the most vulnerable are the ones
paying the highest price for the disaster.
Some experts have begun to warn about the psychological consequences that
the chaos and violence that prevail in New Orleans will have on the
children that experience the crisis at first hand, in some cases without
their parents.
Another concern that experts have begun to express is the outbreak of
infectious diseases such as cholera or typhoid fever.
80% of New Orleans is under water. Authorities fear that hundreds,
probably thousands, of people have died over the last few days or are
trapped by the water in the attics of their homes.
We are talking about helping people who are trapped in a building, in a
stadium, wherever, in small communities, a medical team that will reach
them, with medication. This medical team could save the lives of people
like that man who was being resuscitated following a heart attack, and
medication for these and other serious problems that doctors and their
backpacks with essential medication can sort out. Who knows if maybe they
could have saved that person in the wheelchair. Nobody knows what she died of.
What I am trying to say is that we are not offering to send our doctors to
Disneyland or to stay in five-star hotels.
With temperatures of over 30°C thats nothing for a Cuban doctor the
decomposing bodies of people and animals are rapidly becoming a breeding
ground for bacteria.
Furthermore, the sewers in the metropolitan area of New Orleans have
emptied their contents into the stagnant waters in the citys streets,
through which its inhabitants are forced to walk in their attempt to flee.
And as if this wasnt enough, patches of dangerous chemical products can be
clearly seen from the air floating in the water discharged by companies and
industries, such as refineries or farms, located in the outskirts of New
Orleans.
Experts warn that human contact with this water could cause infection.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned that the population should
avoid eating or drinking perishable products such as meat, fish, milk and
eggs that are not stored appropriately, as they could cause illness if
consumed, even if they have been cooked correctly.
To deal with all these problems it is essential to have a professional
there, where there may not be a doctor, to say what type of food can be
eaten, if it is canned food.
The doctors with their backpacks of medication, well distributed in
hundreds of different places, could be of extraordinarily use.
It is even thought that they will be able to tell us, if they have the
means of communication to do so, what they need and then it will be much
easier, they will make diagnoses, and realize if an epidemic is about to
break out, identify the first symptoms. There is no way they could not be
useful.
If there was ever a situation where this was needed it is this, in which
many doctors who have been to the jungles, to the plateaus, to lots of
places could participate; not because theyre Cuban, its not the enemy
thats going there to kill, its a professional, like the tens of thousands
that we currently have in other countries, where others dont go.
The FDA added that no-one should eat any food that has been in
contact with the flood water.
With the desperate pleas for water and food by the thousands of people
trapped in the Superdome and the Convention Center I dont know if they
have been evacuated by now or not--, who in some cases havent eaten in
the last three days, there is a strong chance that the FDAs warning if it
reaches the ears of the victims-- will not have much effect.
This cable arrived today, I received it a few hours before I
arrived here.
That is why I have come to reiterate the offer. We stuck to the notion that
we didnt want any publicity so resolutely that three days went by and
no-one found out about what we were willing to do. Everyone has said; I
offered this, I offered 50 000 dollars, I offered that. We offer lives, to
save 10, 100, 500, 1000; to help to take measures that could save tens of
thousands, at least to avoid the sorrowful sight that the world is witnessing.
Are they going to reject our cooperation because of the things
that have gone on between our two countries? I feel that it would help
everyone and it would be a good example, set not only by us, but by them as
well, because these phenomena could repeat themselves.
Today a group of American experts were saying that a strong
hurricane like this one could hit within a month or two, one more violent
that this one could sweep the United States.
Therefore our gesture is sincere and peaceful. It does not
seek publicity or impose conditions of any kind, it does not request that
the blockade be lifted or anything like that. We have never imposed
conditions on anybody; we offer what we have and this is what we have; we
do not have a large financial capital. The costs are covered by us; the
travel, the fuel; we dont even have to get fuel over there, its so near.
They can go there or to another airport, or to a military base, if there is
one. They are not going to make statements or seek publicity, I want us to
be clear on this.
We are hopeful, seeing that today another change took place,
as the Secretary of State herself said that they would accept any help.
This means that theyd even accept help from the Martians if it was
offered; but they havent. A little island on this planet, thats only a
few minutes away from that place has offered to help, and it has a moral
right to discuss the possibility of sending doctors over, it is something
that is now acknowledged by the world.
What we want is not to criticize, not to put the U.S.
government in an awkward situation. We are aware that the authorities are
going through a difficult time, the target of harsh criticism. We arent
the type of politician well call ourselves politicians, in case the word
revolutionary scares anyone who opportunistically takes advantage of
certain situations to deal a blow to an adversary. I want to make that
clear, because this is the real spirit of cooperation.
Once again I shall say that this is not the first time. We
have absolutely no interest in confronting the United States or their
government in any way, shape or form, Ive already said it, I say: Lets
call a ceasefire. And we are not asking for anything, and well foot the
bill for all the medication and the transport and everything.
What itll be like over there I dont know, if they go to a
small community, I imagine that theyll have whatever the people there
offer them. I dont know if theyll take some water with them, but our
doctors are experienced in going thirsty, suffering the heat and going
without food along with the patients. In some places that they have been we
have sent them food, out of concern for them, and they have given it to
their patients.
When concerned for the health of our teachers we sent them
food and they gave it to their students, and when our doctors receive
something they give it to their patients first. These are the ethics which
shape our doctors, and there isnt just one or two of them, there are now
thousands, now, right now, and tens of thousands more here.
A few days ago 1610 young people from other countries
graduated here, they have now finished their studies and have gained lot of
experience. About now almost 2000 more Cuban doctors should also have
graduated with clinical experience, thus constituting reserves. Many of the
experienced people on missions overseas are currently here on holiday. We
would send mainly experienced doctors to the areas most severely affected.
We already know who would go. All we are waiting for is some response, and
I hope that it comes straightaway, so as not to loose a minute.
All the measures have been taken, everything is being
prepared: backpacks, medication, clothes, everything, because its now
three days since we made our offer and we couldnt keep our men permanently
mobilized. What we do know is how long it takes to mobilize them and that
it is the only way to get medication to all those people who have spoken on
TV. They can be there at the airport in Houston, and from there go by
helicopter to the areas in need in a very short space of time.
A helicopter doesnt require a runway, it will land in a place
where it is filled with fuel, and take the medical team to any place
necessary, it is ideal; but sometimes it could be a place where a boat or
fast motorboat arrives, or perhaps an amphibious tank, and there are men
from the National Guard, American soldiers involved in this task. I am sure
that everyone is going to work together, and the fact that American
doctors, Cuban doctors, whoever, are helping to save others in this sort of
ceasefire, this truce, will set a very good example for the world.
This war is not between human beings but is rather a war for
the lives of human beings, a war against disease, against disasters that
could repeat themselves, and one of the first things that this world should
learn, now of all times, with the changes that are taking place and with
these types of phenomena, is to work together.
Our doctors went to Indonesia, to Sri Lanka. Our doctors are
in Timor Leste, and hundreds of doctors from over there will soon be here
receiving training. Its on the other side of the world, I think, between
Oceania and Australia. Some weeks ago we sent a delegation over, they went,
came back, I spoke at length with them. I know the situation, what doctors
there are. We also have a program to train, within a few years, hundreds of
doctors, all that they need. It is a Portuguese speaking country, very
heroic, that lost tens of thousands of lives in the process to attain
independence.
We havent said a word about this. I feel obliged to talk
about it here today, briefly so that no-one is in any doubt about the
current situation and so that they forget about any pre-conceived notions,
because what exist are no longer just instilled lies, but rather
pre-conceived notions formed in the minds of many people.
Furthermore, as I was saying, we have many friends in the
United States, and around 200 well-known names, administrative authorities
from those southern states, with whom our collaborators have relations,
because they are constantly in touch through a large number of activities
related to the buying, shipment and transportation of food and the payment
of this, because we have been paying for this food in cash now for four
years, without ever being late and without ever paying even a penny less.
We have developed really strong relations, based on trust. We extended our
condolences to the authorities, to everyone, and they took it well, they
were grateful. We told them that we had informed the top U.S. authorities
about this, and we told all of them that we wanted to act with discretion.
They should know all about it, and there are many witnesses,
but it doesnt matter. This isnt about quarreling or arguing. Were not
asking anyone to criticize themselves, nor are we criticizing anybody; we
are proposing something truly constructive that seems to us to be just, and
that uses practical, specific, immediate, action, that can be effected in
matter of hours. They can be there at 7 oclock in the morning, with their
backpacks, which are now ready, the first hundred are ready. These are the
first hundred that could be there at dawn. The others could start
to arrive in the afternoon, and a second group of 500 could be arriving in
the evening and some more on Sunday.
Up until now 64,367 patients from Venezuela and the Caribbean
have been operated on, as part of Operation Miracle, at a rate of 1560 a
day. Just think how many airplanes have to fly back and forth bringing and
returning these eye patients. We have a taskforce here getting ready, we
have a large number of paramedics if, as a result of the hurricane, their
services are needed in some emergency rooms, we can send them over.
The United States have a lot of doctors and resources, but
they also have a special situation in a specific area, due to a specific
problem. This is no cause for shame. What I am sure of is that it is very
difficult to get all the teams necessary to where all those people from the
south are in 12 hours, or in 24 hours. It is impossible to conjure up a
doctor for extreme situations, it is impossible to conjure up a trained
general practitioner for this task, or a team of men that will go anywhere.
On the other hand, this isnt the first time for us, this isnt a new
experience for Cuba.
That is what I want to say. There are more than 200 people who
know this now and they were told that we have informed the authorities in
Washington, and that we wanted to be discrete. The others can judge whether
or not I did the right thing in asking you to give me a few moments to
explain this, to address the American people and give them a response so
that they dont think that we are vengeful and that we didnt want to help
because of our differences with the United States. And Ill it say it
again, were not asking for anything! The truth is we dont need anything.
Medication, yes, as much as they want; equipment, yes, not for
Cuba, but rather to save the lives of and attend to Americans, and if they
want more doctors, if they want a thousand, well give them a thousand
more, if they want five thousand, well give them five thousand more, we
have them and we know where they are, and they know how to use X-ray
machines, ultrasound equipment, endoscopes, and how to treat many diseases.
You may have a lot of equipment, but you also need the people who know how
to use it. The problem is how fast they arrive. Thats all Ill say.
With this I am voicing the good will of the Cuban people, the
sentiments of friendship that they have always felt towards the American
people, which has been demonstrated for 46 years. One of the few countries
in the world where the American flag has never been burnt, where no-one
would ever insult an American citizen, this is a for sure. We are grateful
to the country that supported the return of the little boy, the country in
which an increasing number of people support the pursuit of justice for our
compatriots, the country that we trust will one day form a bond of
friendship with us, and not only to help our two countries, but also,
fundamentally, to help others.
The government of the United States and Congress approved 15
billion to fight AIDS, but money cannot solve the AIDS problem if there are
no doctors in the small communities in Africa. And they havent got any
doctors there, we have doctors there and the numbers will grow, into the
tens of thousands.
The Caribbean is going to have thousands of doctors, we are
going to help to train them and we have already trained hundreds, who speak
English, perfect English.
The world needs doctors, doctors who go to these places.
Central America is going to have doctors, even now they have them, and we
are one big family.
And if they urgently need new equipment to help the people
affected, Cuba has this equipment available, it is in the warehouses,
ready, the very resources that we acquired for our programs; as long as we
are building, there is always a supply. We are not going to take this
equipment out of our health centers. We are talking about resources
destined for other places that can be replaced in a matter of weeks.
We have also notified those in Washington that we were going
to call this meeting and that it was in no way aimed at creating a
confrontation, but rather to repeat our offer. At 5 oclock in the
afternoon the US Interests Section in Havana was informed of this, and
those in Washington were also informed. They are not finding this out now
on the television and they know in what spirit it is intended. I hope that
we can all learn a fruitful and useful lesson, get something out of this
huge and heart-breaking tragedy that has befallen this country.
I dont think, Randy, and fellow compatriots, that I have
anything else to add, or that I should add anything to what I have already
said.
The Freedom Archives
522 Valencia Street
San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 863-9977
www.freedomarchives.org
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