lunes, 16 de febrero de 2009

Cuban National Literature Prize at Book Fair Today

HAVANA, Cuba, Feb 16 .Cuba's National Literature Prize, the highest distinction in the country, will be announced today during the 18th International Book Fair Cuba 2009.

The Nosside 2008 prize, considered among the best five poetry awards in the world, will be awarded today in the Nicolas Guillen hall in the fair's main venue, the Cabaña Fortress, Havana. The prize is given to unpublished authors without language limitations.

Likewise, Norwegian writer, Jostein Gaarder, will present his new book "El misterio del solitario," edited by Cuban publishing house Gente Nueva. Among other titles to be presented today will be "Evocación," by Aleida March, "El que debe vivir," by Marta Rojas, "La isla y el tiempo," by Eduardo Vazquez and Sobrevivientes, a collaboration between Chile and
Cuba.

Other prestigious writers, among them Carlo Frabetti and Santiago Alba, will lead one the debates to take place during the day about culture, consumption and human values in modern times.

(Jornada de premios hoy en la Feria Internacional del Libro)

The Heights of the Ridiculous

REFLECTIONS BY COMRADE FIDEL

Oh, I'm so scared! I just about died when I read the statements made by the U.D.I (Independent Democratic Union).

How fortunate for Chile that it is no longer living under the rule of Augusto Pinochet. Reading Chapter 12 of Max Marambio's book " as armas de Ayer" (Yesterday's Weapons), made me recall those dismal days during which the tyrant ordered the bombing of the president's residence in Tomas Moro.

I swear that if I had the money, I would pay for a mass edition of that book.

Maybe the text is on the Internet. I would be very sorry if it isn't.

How much I enjoy seeing the rage of the most conservative sector within the oligarchy! Some of its leaders who visited Cuba some years ago did not hesitate to meet with me and show me how competent and wise they were. Not even them did I treat with arrogance.

The last day of Allende's life was extremely sad.

When he left his home to go to La Moneda after 7:00 a.m., he didn't wake up his wife, Tencha, who was asleep on the second floor along with their daughters Isabel and Beatriz, known as "Tati". He thought that the Tomas Moro residence would be the safest place for them. He could not even imagine that it would be bombed by the coup perpetrators.

Max Marambio, head of the elite, well-trained revolutionary youths making up the G.A.P. (Presidential Support Group), wrote: "For the first time in the history of the institution and the country, Chilean fighter planes took off to attack the president elected by the people.and the Hawker Hunters did so with the expertise acquired in training missions, without fearing the real risk of retaliation from the target. And then the image of the smoking ruin of La Moneda circled the globe."

".Beatriz, "Tati", who was carrying in her bulging womb the grandchild that Allende would never get to know", wrote.

"'The bombing starts at eleven on the dot! And who knows what will happen there. After the bombing we will attack it with the BUIN and the Infantry School troops'. Then he decided that the tanks will start the attack, and they shot more than fifty rounds against the building's façade."

".Pinochet kept his offer of getting Allende out of the country. However, with his soul stripped bare, he added a sordid comment: 'And then the plane falls, buddy'. Admiral Carvajal, his interlocutor, was enjoying Pinochet's remarks."

I shall be spending the 15th following the news about the Popular Referendum, which should say 'Yes' or 'No' to the right of the Bolivarian leader, Hugo Chavez Frias, to run again for President of our sister Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

I, for one, have no doubt whatsoever about his victory.

Fidel Castro Ruz

February 14, 2009

5:11 p.m.

Guatemala's President is in Cuba for Official Visit

HAVANA, Cuba, Feb 15 (acn) Guatemala's President Alvaro Colom Caballeros arrived in Cuba on Sunday for an official visit, that will begin on Monday, at the invitation of Cuba's head of state Raul Castro Ruz.

The Guatemalan President was welcomed at Havana's Jose Marti International Airport by Jose Ramon Balaguer, member of the Political Bureau of Cuba's Communist Party and Health Minister, and by Guatemalan ambassador to Havana Gerber Meneses.

In statements to the local and foreign press, Alvaro Colom condemned the US economic, commercial and financial blockade of Cuba, which he described as unjust and anachronic policy.

He said his visit to Cuba is aimed at expanding friendly and cooperation relations between both countries and that, if possible, he will grant the historic leader of the Cuban Revolution Fidel Castro the top Guatemalan distinction.

The Guatemalan President also underscored the benefits of Cuba's medical cooperation, particularly the Operation Miracle free eye surgery program, which returned the sight to thousands Guatemalans.

Diplomatic relations between Cuba and Guatemala were reestablished January 27, 1998, under the Alvaro Arzu administration. At present 484 Cuban workersare offering their services in that country, mainly in the areas of health, education, sports, agriculture and others.

Some 620 Guatemalan professionals have graduated from Cuban education centers, 507 of them graduated as medical doctors.

President Alvaro Colom and his delegation will be officially welcomed on Monday. The Guatemalan head of state will also hold official talks with Cuban President Raul Castro and he will pay tribute to Cuban Nationa Hero Jose Marti. Colom will attend an entrepreneurial encounter between Cuban and Guatemalan business people.

The distinguished visitor will inaugurate a park dedicated to the friendship uniting Guatemala and Cuba.

At present ongoing cooperation projects between both countries favor the education field, given the interest by Alvaro Colom in declaring his country free of illiteracy in 2009. Some 1, 537 Guatemalan citizens have learned how to read and write with the assistance of the Cuban methodology known as "Yes, I Can."

(Llegó a Cuba Alvaro Colom, presidente de Guatemala)

Fidel Castro Sent Congratulations Message

Historic Victory of Chavez and the Venezuelan People

HAVANA, Cuba, Feb 16 (acn) Over six million votes supported the Yes Option for a constitutional reform in Venezuela, which translated into a historic victory celebrated in Caracas by President Hugo Chavez and a large crowd of citizens.

The Bolivarian President read a message sent to him by Cuban Revolution leader expressing his congratulations to Hugo and to the people for a victory "whose magnitude can not be measured."

"This victory is also yours, Fidel, and of the Cuban people and of all Latin American peoples," Chavez exclaimed as he was cheered on by the crowd.

President Chavez described as historic the victory during the vote, which supports a constitutional reform that allows for continuous re-election of public offices, by democratic decision of the people.

Chavez dedicated the triumph to "our children and grandchildren," and added that it is the victory of Venezuela, even of those who did not vote and of those who favored the No option, although they do not accept it.

"With this victory, we start the third historic stage of the Bolivarian Revolution from 2009 through 2019. "We have opened the doors to the future in order to keep on the way towards the dignity of man," he said and recalled that such a way towards dignity is Socialism. "I want to ratify my commitment to Venezuelan Socialism," stressed Hugo Chavez.

Recalling Simon Bolivar, President Chavez reiterated that only the Revolution will allow Venezuelans to really "have their own homeland." He also congratulated all those who supported the vote, from the ones who carried out the campaign throughout the country to every woman and man in each community and settlement.

Histórica victoria de Chávez y el pueblo venezolano
--Transmite Fidel felicitaciones por el triunfo