From: NY Transfer News <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Date: Thu, 26 Jul 2001 21:00:19 -0400 (EDT)
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: [CubaNews] "Battle of Ideas" Now Central to Cuban Life
Via NY Transfer News * All the News That Doesn't Fit
DIRECT FROM CUBA
Special Moncada Edition - July 26, 2001
.
*"Battle of Ideas" Now Central to Cuban Life
Havana, July 26 (PL)--Totally involved in what is called here, "The Battle
of Ideas," Cubans will celebrate the 48th anniversary of the attacks on
Moncada and Carlos Manuel de Cespedes garrisons on July 26th, commemorating
the country's national Day of Rebellion.
On July 26, 1953, more than 100 Cuban young people, led by present Cuban
President Fidel Castro, assaulted both garrisons in the eastern provinces of
Santiago de Cuba and Granma.
Although it was a military defeat, this deed marked the start of the armed
struggle against Fulgencio Batista's dictatorship, which would be overthrown
5 years, 5 months and 5 days later, with the triumph of the 1959 Revolution.
Since then, the July 26th celebration constitutes the most important
political act for Cubans, because that is when a summary of all things done
that year and goals for future months are made.
Generally, President Fidel Castro delivers the central speech and outlines
what the nation needs to do.
This year, Cubans mark the date absorbed in their "Battle of Ideas," an
ideological confrontation with the US, which since the triumph of the Cuban
Revolution, has not stopped trying to destroy the social process on the
island.
Besides the ferocious economic, trade and financial blockade imposed on
Havana since 1962, Washington has backed terrorist actions by the extreme
right wing based in Miami, whose unrealized goal is to overthrow the
Revolution.
The Cuban government has organized the "Battle of Ideas" against those
terrorist actions, because in the field of ideas, the Cuban revolutionary
process is invincible.
This struggle began in December, 1999, with the effort to bring the
shipwrecked Cuban boy back home from the Miami-based distant relatives who
tried to kidnap him, after he survived an illegal emigration attempt in
which his mother perished.
For seven months, millions of Cubans turned streets and plazas into one
large forum of justice to support Elian's father, Juan Miguel Gonzalez, in
his demand for his child -- something he finally achieved on June 28, 2000
when he returned from the US with him.
This struggle has now been transformed into the battle for the liberation
and return of five Cuban citizens arrested 33 months ago in Miami, accused
of endangering US security.
For over a month, Cubans have engaged in the battle for freedom of Ramon
Labanino, Rene Gonzalez, Gerardo Hernandez, Antonio Guerrero and Fernando
Gonzalez, whom they consider innocent and victims of a trial manipulated for
political ends.
The "Battle of Ideas" is also aimed at the Cuban Adjustment Act, which gives
preferential treatment to Cuban citizens who emigrate illegally to US
territory.
Recently, the US Congress even approved greater benefits for Cuban illegal
emigrants, when they included those who arrive by air -- even if they use
methods like false visas or passports.
Havana condemns this legislation, and holds it responsible for the deaths of
hundreds of Cubans who have died trying to cross the Florida Strait to reach
US soil. TAC/CCS
(c) 2001 Prensa Latina, NY Transfer News. All rights reserved.
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