Newsgroups: soc.culture.cuba Subject: Fidel Castro's Speech at UN Date: 25 Oct 1995 03:39:56 GMT Translation of Fidel Castro's Address to the UN, October 22 1995 Mr. President, Mr. Secretary General, Excellencies ... Half a century ago, the United Nations organization was born after the conclusion of a monstrous war. An average of 10 million lives were lost at its peak moments. At present, twenty million men, women and children are dying every year of hunger and curable diseases. Some wealthy nations have a life expectancy of up to 80 years while others have hardly 40. So there are billions whose lives are cut off. How long shall we wait for this carnage to end. The cold war is over but the arms race goes on. And nuclear and military hegemonism perpetuate themselves. How long shall we wait for the total removal of all weapons of mass extermination, for the universal disarmament, and for the elimination of the use of force, arrogance and pressure in international relations. The obsolete veto privilege and the ill use of the security council by the powerful are exalting a new colonialism within the very United Nations. Latin America and Africa don't have one single permanent member of the Security Council. In Asia, India has a population of almost one billion, but it does not enjoy that responsibility. How long, how long shall we wait for the democratization of the United Nations and for the independence and sovereign equality of states to become a reality. How long before non-intervention into the internal affairs of states and true international cooperation take their rightful places. Breakthroughs in science and technology are increasing daily by the numbers. But their benefits do not reach the majority of mankind. They essentially continue to be at the service of a reckless consumerism which is wasting limited resources and seriously threatening life on earth. How long shall we have to wait before rationality, equity and justice prevail in the world. The forests are decreasing, the air is being poisoned, the rivers are being contaminated. Countless species of plants and animals are perishing. The soils are impoverished. Old and new epidemics are expanding grows, and the legions of the dispossessed continue to multiply. Will the next generations reach the promised land pledged half a century ago. How many hundreds of millions have already died without ever seeing it. How many have fallen victims of oppression, hunger, poverty, and unhealthy living conditions. How many more will still die. We lay claim to a world without hegemonism, without nuclear weapons, without interventionism, without racism, without national or religious hatred, without outrageous acts against the sovereignty of any country. A world of respect of the independence and self determination of peoples. A world without universal models that totally disregard the traditions and culture of all the components of mankind. We lay claim to a world without ruthless blockades that cause the deaths of many men, women and children, youths and elders, like noiseless atom bombs! We lay claim to a world of peace, justice and dignity where everyone without exception has the right to well being and to life. Thank you very much. [end] Transcribed by Bob Witanek <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> --------------------------- Michael A. Lebowitz Economics Department, Simon Fraser University Burnaby, B.C., Canada V5A 1S6 Office: (604) 291-4669; Office fax: (604) 291-5944 Home: (604) 255-0382 Lasqueti Island: (604) 333-8810 e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
