AKEL Message of Condolences on the passing away of Fidel Castro

 

27th of November 2016

The General Secretary of the C.C. AKEL Andros Kyprianou has sent today a letter to Raul Castro, First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba on the passing away of Fidel Castro, the historical leader of the Cuban Revolution and the Cuban Republic. The main part of the letter follows.

“It is with deep grief that we have received the news that Comandante Fidel Castro Ruz passed away.  At this moment of great loss for the Cuban people we, along with the whole progressive humanity, stand, comrade Raul, by the people, the Government and the Communist Party of Cuba; by all of you who continue the path and struggle of the heroic, visionary leader of the Cuban Revolution.

Fidel Castro has left his mark on world history as only few other world leaders have.  When in 1953 he declared that “History will Absolve me” little did his enemies know what he really meant.  His dedication to justice, to the rights of the humble people, his love for freedom, his deep understanding of world processes and developments led his and his comrades’ steps through the Sierra Maestra to Havana and into the hearts and souls of millions all over the world making Cuba the beacon of freedom and hope for peoples in struggle.

The Cuban Revolution in its fifty-seven-years-long process has gone through big difficulties, has stood up against obstacles, aggressions and endless attacks.  Against all odds it has resisted and now stares into the future with confidence as it is deeply rooted in the people because it is a genuine revolution fought, won and defended by the people and serving the people.

The achievements of the Cuban Revolution in domains such as the defining role of the welfare state, the health system, and education reached under constant external interventions and the harsh economic conditions due to the illegal and criminal commercial economic and financial blockade imposed by the USA against Cuba prove the deep belief in the revolution.  At the same time they teach us all that nothing is given and nothing is granted but is conquered with struggle and sacrifice.

A strong thinker, a relentless Marxist-Leninist drawing on the ideals values and principles of Jose Marti and Simon Bolivar, dialectically using all available experience of peoples in struggle, Fidel converted the Cuban Revolution into a continuous revolutionary process, pointing at and correcting mistakes and omissions, and construction of Socialism.  When others were writing about the end of world history Fidel charted fresh paths to victory. When the enemies of Cuba thought that Cuba was isolated it was then that Cuba, with its example of dignity, defense of national sovereignty, having the human being at the centre of attention, gained even higher respect and influence in South and Central America and the Caribbean, but also far beyond.

Bidding his farewell to his Party and People when speaking in the VII Congress of the Communist Party of Cuba, Fidel said “The time will come for all of us, … but the ideas of the Cuban communists will remain as proof that on this planet if they are worked at with fervour and dignity, they can produce the material and cultural goods that human beings need, and we need to fight without truce to obtain them.”  There could be no better way to bid farewell by confirming his deep trust and confidence in the new generation of revolutionaries that are entrusted to defend the achievements of the Revolution and to develop further socialism in Cuba.

Comandante Fidel, the most important leader of the Left  Movement in the 2nd half of the 20th century, the internationalist, will always accompany with his Analysis and thinking the struggles for progress, peace and socialism. He will be remembered in our island of Cyprus as a dear friend of Cyprus, who stood next to Cyprus at all international fora at all its difficult times since the establishing of the Republic, forging close relations of friendship and solidarity with President Makarios while creating the Non-Aligned Movement.

AKEL – the Progressive Party of the Working People, its leadership, members and supporters, all progressive Cypriots, bid farewell to the fervent revolutionary, internationalist and communist.

Comrade Raul,

I convey to you the deep condolences of the Central Committee of AKEL and personally myself for the loss of the historical leader of the Cuban Revolution and the Communist Party of Cuba.  We kindly ask you to convey our sincere condolences to Comrade Fidel’s family and comrades.”