CPC(M-L) Expresses Condolences on Death of Former Head of Cuba's National Assembly
On May 7, Anna Di Carlo, National Leader of the Communist Party of Canada (Marxist-Leninist), sent a letter of condolences to Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, First Secretary, Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba and President of the Republic and, through him to the Communist Party of Cuba and the Cuban people, on the passing away of Ricardo Alarcón de Quesada. A representative of the Party also presented flowers and signed the condolences book at the Embassy of Cuba in Ottawa.
The body of the letter from Anna Di Carlo is reproduced below:
"We greatly appreciated Alarcón's rich and active political life, deeply rooted in the Cuban Revolution when, in 1954, he joined the student movement and the July 26 Movement led by Fidel. His commitment to the Revolution is seen in his deeds. As well as becoming a Philosophy professor, he was President of the Federation of University Students, Director of the Americas Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Permanent Representative of Cuba to the United Nations, Vice-President of the UN General Assembly, Vice-President of the UN Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, and member of the UN Committee on Decolonization, among others.
"Most importantly to us and our younger generation is that he was a communist, member of the Central Committee and Political Bureau of the Communist Party of Cuba. Significantly, he was entrusted with the presidency of the National Assembly of People's Power, from which tribune he ably defended Cuba's sovereignty and right to be.
"Whenever we heard Alarcón speak, in whatever forum, we immediately recognized the broadmindedness, fearlessness and firm defence of principles in international relations which characterize Cuba itself. This was the case for the key role he played in the historic release of the Cuban Five in 2014. In a 2012 interview he stated: 'I would like to repeat that it is the clear duty of President Obama to liberate the Five. Their liberation is also in the best interests of the United States. This case clearly underscores the profoundly hypocritical character of the United States' anti-terrorist policy. This is a country that on the one hand pretends to lead a global struggle against this scourge and on the other hand protects criminals on their own soil by incarcerating those who try to foil their plan.'
"When asked in a 2007 interview what future he saw for Cuba, Alarcón replied: 'I really don't think anybody should foresee the future. I don't think it is a good idea to have a notion of where everybody is going. The future has to be built by humankind. We have to invent the future.'
"We heartily concur. The future has to be built by humankind. It is not a matter of reordering the past. It is a matter of inventing the future ourselves, today, in the present, as we follow the example of Fidel, Raúl and all those who saw the wisdom of being followers by leading themselves, as in the case of Alarcón. What we learn is to tackle the myriad problems and dangers into which the neo-liberal elites and the U.S. warmongers have plunged humankind. Dealing with the problems of life itself reveals a way forward which favours the peoples. The peoples will turn things around. Of that we are certain.
"In this regard, Alarcón's life stands as an example of fidelity to the Cuban Revolution. He worked actively to end the U.S. blockade, bring about the changes needed to safeguard the Revolution on the revolutionary road and to ensure a more just, humane and peaceful world.
"A life well lived!"
CPC(M-L) representative signs condolences book at Embassy of Cuba in Ottawa
This article was published in
Volume 52 Number 5 - May 21, 2022
Article Link:
https://cpcml.ca/Tmlm2022/Articles/M5200515.HTM
Website: www.cpcml.ca Email: editor@cpcml.ca