People's Democracy

50th ANNIVERSARY OF THE ATTACK ON MONCADA GARRISSON

CPI(M) Greets Fidel Castro And The CP Cuba

The general secretary of the CPI(M), Harkishen Singh Surjeet, has sent the following message of greetings to the Central Committee, Communist Party of Cuba on the historic occasion of the 50th anniversary of the attack on Moncada Garrisson on July 26, 1953:

The Central Committee of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) sends its warm fraternal greetings to president Fidel Castro, to the Central Committee and all members of the Communist Party of Cuba and through it to all Cuban patriots on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the attack on the Moncada Garrison.

The insurrectionary attack on the Moncada army garrison in Santiago de Cuba,  Cuba's second- largest city and a simultaneous attack on the garrison in nearby Bayamo on July 26, 1953 by 160 revolutionaries led by Fidel Castro marked the beginning of the revolutionary armed struggle against the US backed dictator Fulgencio Batista. Though the attack on the Moncada failed in its immediate aim, it is rightly considered the day that launched the Cuban Revolution.

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) joins Cuba in celebrating the fiftieth anniversary of the attack on the Moncada Garrison.

The entire year 2002 and the first six months of 2003 have seen Cuba successfully countering the various provocative steps and moves by the Bush administration. A systematic campaign has been unleashed by the US to malign Cuba by accusing it of developing biological weapons. President Bush himself has headed this campaign. He has repeatedly targeted Cuba in speech after speech and arrogantly declared his resolve to see the end of socialism and the restoration of “free market democracy” in the island.  In a bid to appease the reactionary émigré circles in Miami, five young Cuban patriots were sentenced to long prison sentences in the US. The economic blockade of Cuba continues, defying overwhelming world opinion.

The Cuban government has effectively refuted the lies and slander against it. Despite these accusations, provocative acts and attacks against it, Cuba is relentlessly marching ahead.

Over the years, Cuba has steadily overcome the difficult period which it faced immediately after the disintegration of the Soviet Union and the setback to socialism in the East European countries with whom it had economic ties. Since 1994, the Cuban economy has registered growth. We are happy to note that while important economic reforms were initiated in the recent years, the socialist system in Cuba continues to maintain its outstanding record in the social sector and has maintained its expenditure in the social sector in health, education and social security payments.

Cuba is a beacon light for all the Latin America peoples, who are facing loss of livelihood and impoverishment due to the neo-liberal policies imposed by the United States and international finance capital. Cuba is winning more and more friends in South America much against the wishes of the United States.  The defeat of the anti-Chavez forces in Venezuela and the victory of Luis Inacio Lula da Silva in Brazil have taken place much to the chagrin of the US. These victories will provide a boost for the struggle against the policies of globalisation and liberalisation.

Cuba is a source of inspiration for all anti-imperialist forces and those fighting for socialism and peace. The United States unremitting policy towards Cuba has been to try to destroy the revolution. But the determination and revolutionary spirit shown by those young Cubans in the attack on the Moncada Barracks in 1953 continues to inspire a whole nation. The Cuban people's determination to defend their revolution is a strength for people all around the world fighting for justice, freedom and socialism.

We are confident that in the days ahead, the Cuban people led by the Communist Party of Cuba and their leader Fidel Castro will march from success to success.