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In the past few weeks, I had watched him in numerous functions as
President of the Russian Federation, following the aggravation of
the financial crisis battering the world. The Russian Federation is
one of the most powerful States in the international community
despite de dismemberment of the Union of Soviet Socialist Russia
(USSR).
The Russian President’s addresses are clear
and precise and he tends to be brief. He does not avoid any issue
and he responds every question. He is knowledgeable and persuasive,
and he is respected even by those who disagree with him.
He expressed his wishes to talk with me during
his visit. It was an honor for me and I was sure it would be a
pleasant meeting.
The last few months have seen amazing changes
and new situations. The Yankees have launched their illegal actions
on South Osetia and Abkhazia, two countries that have nothing to do
with Georgia, which has been armed to the teeth by the United
States. This was the country that encouraged and trained the men,
and supplied the weapons, to attack the Russian forces legally there
to prevent the ongoing bloodshed, an event recognized by the
international community and waiting to be resolved. Meanwhile, two
thousand Georgian mercenaries who had been taking part in the
infamous Yankee war of conquest for oil were moved form Iraq to
reinforce the attacking force.
Then, Medvedev had only recently been elected
President of the Russian Federation but his calm and firm voice was
strongly heard.
Another major change has been the election of
the new President of the United States, Barack Obama, an African
American who’s tired of the carnage imposed on Iraq by Bush. But,
above all, he is upset at the erratic way the latter was facing and
aggravating the financial crisis, as this becomes mores serious and
potentially more hazardous for the economy of that country and the
world at large.
The events were taking place simultaneously with
the general elections in Paraguay and the referendum in Ecuador,
both absolutely transcendental as well as the regional elections in
Nicaragua, and particularly in Venezuela, which compounded a
scenario of increasing contempt for the empire’s suffocating
hegemony.
Coinciding with these events, meetings were held
in Washington and Lima by members of the G20 and G21. The Presidents
of Russia and China, two unavoidable bulwarks in the world scenario,
attended both meetings together with the leaders of tens of States
from the five continents taking part. They had meetings with many of
them.
Upon his return from Peru, after his visit to
Brazil, Medvedev traveled to Venezuela. His visit coincided with the
ALBA conclave in Caracas. He met with the high level representatives
assembled there. This was satisfactory to all.
At the same time, a Russian naval detachment
arrived in that sister nation. It’s not difficult to understand
the significance of the presence in such activities of the
distinguished visitor with whom I met this Friday morning.
It was extremely important to me to hear his
impression of the abovementioned events.
This time the meeting lasted only one hour and
fifteen minutes. He was accompanied by Ricardo Cabrisas, a
Vice-President of the Cuban government in charge of Cuba’s
negotiations with Russia, China and Venezuela,—the three most
important pillars of our trade at the moment—which the powerful
empire has been unable to block.
I touched on every essential issue regarding the
United States and I did so from our positions. It is unthinkable
that we may accept the stick and carrots policy nor that we give up
the return of every piece of our territory in Guantanamo forcibly
occupied.
I reaffirmed our peaceful and patient policy,
which never overlooks the need to preserve our defensive capability
in the face of a potential aggressor. No country is in a better
position than Russia to understand this policy since that country is
constantly threatened by the same adversary of peace.
Equally important or even more so was our
exchange of ideas on the serious immediate problems in crucial areas
faced today by the peoples in search of a multipolar world that can
secure a sustained and peaceful development.
It may seem an extensive agenda, however, we
both talked about these issues. This proves that despite their
complexity, the world problems can be discussed before they become
unmanageable.
It was to me a very rewarding meeting. I was
very well impressed by Medvedev’s intellectual capacity, which I
had already perceived. He is the youngest among the most important
Heads of State in the world, and the one who commands the largest
territory.
It was very moving to listen to the Russian
anthem everywhere, the same under whose notes the heroic Russian
people shed the blood of many million men and women; without their
sacrifice victory over fascism would not have been possible!
[This essay by Fidel Castro was contributed
to The Times by the Cuban Embassy]
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