Fidel Castro's speech 1971

[Scott Kaiser]

-DATE-
19711223
-YEAR-
1971
-DOCUMENT_TYPE-
SPEECH
-AUTHOR-
F. CASTRO
-HEADLINE-
DELIVERS SPEECH ON SHIP SEIZURES
-PLACE-
CUBA
-SOURCE-
HAVANA DOMESTIC RADIO
-REPORT_NBR-
FBIS
-REPORT_DATE-
19711227
-TEXT-
CASTRO DELIVERS SPEECH ON SHIP SEIZURES

Havana Domestic Radio and Television Services in Spanish 0134 GMT 23 Dec 71
F

[Speech by Cuban Prime Minister Fidel Castro Ruz from Havana television
studios--live]

[Text] Staff announcer Ortega: As has been announced, our prime minister
and Cuban Communist Party first secretary, our commander in chief, Fidel
Castro, will appear before the cameras tonight. The national television and
radio services, as well as the international waves of Radio Havana, Cuba,
will carry this appearance by Maj Fidel Castro. Present at this event are
representatives of the national press and foreign correspondents.

As has been learned by our people, two vessels flying Panamanian flags have
been captured by units of our revolutionary navy, the Johnny Express and
the Layla Express, which together with others operated by an enterprise
owned by the Babun brothers, have carried out piratical actions against our
country. The last of these, which occurred on 12 October at Boca de Sama,
on the Northern coast of Oriente Province, was the direct cause for the
death of several persons. Others were seriously wounded, including a girl
whose leg was amputated.

Since the capture of the last ship on 15 December, the vessel Layla Express
[date and name of ship as heard], the U.S. State Department and the
Pentagon have issued hypocritical, false and threatening statements to
frighten our people. Major, could you tell us your opinion in connection
with this matter?

Castro: I want to fully explain the situation in connection with the
captured ships, and I also want to deal with some other aspects of the
present situation, U.S. policies towards Cuba and other schemes concerning
the ships.

First, I want to go back in history in connection with this problem. This
whole situation has its origin in a systematic practice used by the United
States against sour country. I do not believe it is necessary to
demonstrate the facts. These have been known by everybody since the very
beginning of the revolution's triumph. Every type of weapon has been used
against us. Imperialism has not been remiss in using all types of means of
aggression from its abundant arsenal. It has not been remiss in this matter
of attacking our country.

We have this long list of acts known by all the people and the whole world,
such as subversive activities against Cuba, the landing of arms, the
organization of groups of mercenaries, the infiltration of spies and
saboteurs, the dropping of all types of arms, the hiding of arms on our
shores by all means available. We have spent almost 12 years picking up
Yankee arms, 12 years capturing spies and mercenaries. Besides, another
method used has been a special invention--the piratical attacks against our
ports.

In reading the Pentagon papers published by the New York TIMES, we have
noticed some similarity in some of the operations that have been prepared
over there and those they have prepared against us, before and after Giron,
before and after the October crisis. After the October crisis, the
operations were more systematic. Since then they have proceeded to
organizing bases in Central America. They have prepared several ships,
which they have called mother ships, well armed, and with well-trained
personnel. They have operated directly under the orders of the CIA.

The CIA has operated in two ways: with ships operated by enterprises
possibly financed by them, and with ships operated directly by the CIA.
With the ships that were operated by the CIA, they have carried out dozens
of operations against Cuba.

They have had speedboats. The ships would remain about 60 or 70 miles from
the coast, and they would send their speedboats in. They would approach the
coast, would land some personnel, bazookas and mortars, and would attack
harbor installations, ware houses, oil refineries. They would hit them with
bazookas, mortar shells, and shells. Sometimes they would shoot from the
speedboat. They were the ones selecting the targets.

For quite a while we tried to capture those vessels. They would carry out
their operations at night. They would use the speedboats. They would remain
at a safe distance. They could pass as regular merchant ships. Sometimes
our aircraft went after them. Our ships went after them some 60 and 70
miles from our coasts. There was the danger of the rest of the merchant
ships. From the air it is hard to recognize things at night, even if you
use flares.

Sometimes we located some of the ships, and they are attacked. This we know
form information received. Sometimes there were some accidents. But,
according to the information we had received, we knew which ships they were
using and their location. We knew the Miami dock where they operated from,
when they departed. We had the means to follow the itinerary of these ships
when they were making runs a good distance from our coasts. But the truth
of the matter is that we had assumed a defensive position. We fought
against the ships when they came in a direct action against us, when they
were carrying our their acts.

In reality, the rest of this time they could just sail at their pleasure.
That was a period of time that lasted several years. When the situation
worsened in Vietnam, the imperialists reduced the number of activities of
this sort. They began to remove the ships under their direct supervision,
at least as a means for piratical attacks. They used them only for
infiltrating activities, the landing of agents and spies. But the number of
piratical attacks diminished.

Around 1966, during the month of May, we received the very first
information that this direct type of activity was going to diminish. Even
in the case of certain infiltrations, some steamship lines were going to be
used for that purpose. These were steamship lines operating between Florida
and the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Haiti. While they were waiting in
the Bahamas, they would pass very close to Cuba, be it north or south of
Cuba.

During May 1966, we received the first information. Here we have details.
Antonio Cuesta Valle was arrested. He was a CIA agent. He gave us lots of
information in connection with his activities. He was captured in Monte
Barreto, Miramar, after infiltrating into the country to carry out an
attempt on the life of President Dorticos. He himself told us that he had
learned through CIA agent Alberto Fernandez about the plan to eliminate the
mother ships from the infiltrations against Cuba. They would use merchant
ships flying the Panamanian flag, which were owned by the Babun brothers,
for this purpose. We learned that the ships followed routes close to the
Cuban coasts and that their bases were located in Miami and Puerto Rico. We
also learned that they would use these ships to drop arms on the keys close
to Cuba, as well as sealed tanks in locations that would be determined
prior to the drop. They would use special radios that would be supplied for
this purpose. This information was received in May 1966.

In July 1968, Alfredo (Icepalaya) Valera and Justo Fernando del Toro (Samo)
were arrested after infiltrating into our country to establish contacts and
locate a place where men and arms could be landed. later on, they were
going to stage an aggression against the Guantanamo Naval Base, and in this
manner provoke a confrontation between Cuba and the United States.

Both these men left from the Babun brothers' docks aboard the freighter
Johnny Express. To carry this mission out the counterrevolutionary agent
Nacin Elias of the RECE put them in contact with Teofilo Babun. The day
they left for Cuba he bid them farewell at the pier. He wished them luck in
the mission they were attempting. It looks as though they did not have much
luck.

The fiberglass speedboat they used to land in Oriente Province was
transported to the boat aboard a truck owned by the Babun brothers. The
master of the vessel in those days was Brooks, who stated that he had
participated in a sabotage carried out against a nationalized enterprise
formerly owned by the Babun brothers that was located in Oriente Province.
These two men entered the country aboard the Johnny Express.

During September 1968, agent Angel L. Castillo Cabrera was infiltrated
through the area of Cayo Lobo, on the northern coast of Cuba, 22 degrees
and 20 minutes north latitude and 77 degrees 20 minutes west longitude.
This operation was also carried out by the Johnny Express. In October 1968,
prisoner Amancio Mosqueda Fernandez, also known as Yarey, stated that he
had infiltrated into our territory through the area of Imias and his
mission was to deliver two haversacks loaded with explosives and an M-1 to
a resident of the area. He was unable to carry out this mission because he
was chased by the Cuban armed forces from the moment he landed. He said
that he had been transported to the waters outside Imias by the Layla
Express, owned by the Babun brothers; that Jorge (Mas Canoso) and Antonio
(Calatalluno) ringleaders of the RECE were the ones who made a deal with
the Babuns to bring them here; that in view of the impossibility of the
execution of the plan that he brought, he was able to enter the base
together with his brother Sixto and then returned to the United States.
There were cases in which some of these ships, the Layla Express and the
Johnny Express, brought some persons who infiltrated, and before the ship
returned to Miami, those who had infiltrated were already in Miami. They
made the penetration, they arrived at the base, they left for Miami in an
airplane from the base, and they got to Miami ahead of the ship that had
taken them.

In this infiltration, Yarey came with a person known as (Orsides) Vega, who
was drowned while trying to steal a ship to leave the country after the
infiltration was discovered. This man Yarey entered many, many times.

Thus, a great many infiltrations took place using these ships. I am just
mentioning a few.

In November 1968 Juan Pastor Diaz Vega was arrested. He stated that he had
infiltrated the country to mount an uprising in the Caujeri Hills of
Oriente Province and begin a fight against communism from there. He said
that for this purpose he was recruited by (Nacin Elias), a RECE ringleader.
He said that he came to Cuba in one of the Babun ships. It has been
established that the ship that brought this person to infiltrate Cuba was
the Layla Express. The other person who infiltrated with Diaz Vega was
named (Roel) Asencio Delgado. He was killed in the first confrontation with
the revolutionary armed forces as he was being pursued.

May 1969: Landing of mercenaries in south Oriente Province. Captured were
Amancio Mosqueda Fernandez, "Yarey", Carlos Ibarra Vazquez; Francisco (Sip)
Crespo; Jaime Pardo (Bosch), Angel Luis Castillo Cabrera, and Manuel
Pineda. These persons confessed that they had infiltrated the country after
having been recruited by RECE leaders in the United States for the purpose
of mounting an uprising in Oriente Province and to create
counterrevolutionary uprising trouble spots.

Some of them stated that they had been brought to Cuba aboard a Babun ship
named the Layla Express. Once on Cuban soil they were discovered and
pursued and none of them was able to escape, naturally. Our armed forces
suffered the loss of two men killed and six wounded.

These ships usually flew the Panamanian flag. Often when they were 15 or 20
miles away they would take down the flag and would enter without a flag.
Basically, their activities have taken place in the eastern Oriente
Province area and also on the northern coast.

Of course, these have not been the only ships used. Other types of ships
have been used. But it was the other ships that were always on the line,
systematically and always ready to provide their services against the
country.

There were also other types of infiltrations and landings. For example, on
17 April 1970, using other means, the landing of mercenaries at (Yumili),
Baracoa, with arms and equipment of the United States. This was in April,
during the 1970 sugar harvest. You will recall it. It is quite recent. They
were pursued, surrounded and all of them were captured, but the price was
the loss of five combatants killed. Thus, five of our men were killed
because of the landing.

On 14 September 1970, just over a year ago, the landing of mercenaries at
Boca de Sama--nine mercenaries. They were also located, pursued,
intercepted, and all of them were captured. Results: three militiamen
killed and two wounded.

Thus, each one of these actions--"Yarey," (Yumuri), Boca de Sama--that
happened before have all cost us lives: 10 persons killed between 1969 and
1970 and a similar number of persons wounded.

Our sources of information told us what ships they had been using. We knew
the route they were taking. We had limited ourselves up to this time to the
simple capture of the bandits on land. In this situation, a grave incident
occurred from our point of view. These organizations operate under the
control of the CIA. The CIA invents the names of some organizations. RECE
is a CIA-controlled organization.

But we also know about various forms of action. Imperialism at times uses
organizations that it has directly set up, and at other times it condones
and supports elements that appear to be operating on their own. We have
evaluated these various organizations, and the degree of complicity of the
U.S. Government in all of them.

But then an incident took place that made the country very indignant. It
was the pirate raid on the community of Boca de Sama. This took place a
little over 2 months ago, on 12 October. It is well known. The incident has
been recalled in the past few days. As a result of it a report, a note from
the revolutionary government was issued. It said textually: "Yesterday, the
12th, at 2200 hours, a group of mercenaries coming from a northerly
direction aboard a mother ship and a speedboat machinegunned the Boca de
Sama hamlet in Banes, Oriente Province. Taking advantage of the darkness of
night, the pirate boats approached land and immediately attacked the humble
fishing hamlet with heavy and medium-caliber guns. As a result of the
action, Livio Rivaflecha Galano, 32, a member of the Communist Party of
Cuba and officer of the Ministry of Interior, was killed. When he noted the
presence of mercenaries, he went to the place accompanied by the chief of
the boarder guard post, Carlos Escalante Gome, who was seriously wounded,
and also by militiaman Ramon Siam Porteles, 24, who was killed in action
when the three confronted the raiders. Also seriously wounded were Jesus
(Sigarzo) Osorio, 25, a worker who lives in the hamlet, and minors Angela
and Nancy Pavon Pavon, 13 and 15 years of age, respectively. It became
painfully necessary to amputate the foot of the latter minor.

"These three persons were sleeping when the treacherous attack took place.
The mercenaries immediately fled toward the open sea, in a northerly
direction. Once again the sons of our people have lost their lives as a
result of the cunning and criminal action of the mercenaries at the service
of Yankee imperialism.

"The responsibility for these cowardly and bloody incidents falls on the
U.S. Government and its confederates."

This note was issued on 13 October 1971.

But there was something else. On the 12th, [corrects himself], at dawn on
the 13th reconnaissance planes of the air force explored the area and
discovered--already more than a hundred miles from Cuba, heading toward a
channel to go through the Bahamas bound for Florida--a very suspicious
ship. It was exceedingly suspicious. Exploration was carried out and
photographs of the ship were taken. It was considered almost certain that
it was the ship that had taken part in it. Notwithstanding this, the air
force did not get orders to take action against the ship, in fact, trying
to avoid the slightest possibility of an accident due to an error.

You must also understand the degree of coolness displayed in view of the
fact that a cowardly incident that had cost a girl the loss of a leg [as
heard] had just taken place. Nevertheless, the act was significant. It was
a matter of concern. This was the type of act that had been carried out for
years by CIA mother ships. We asked ourselves if the planes of piratical
attacks against our country was going to be renewed. We were concerned
about the ease with which the suspicious ship had headed for Florida. We
were trying to gather information.

But our surprise was great when in the midst of national anger, on 18
October, this gentlemen called Jose Elia de la Torriente publicly assumed
the responsibility for the actions in New York City. This was of great
concern to us, because we know about the relations between Elias de la
Torriente and the U.S. Government, even of the friendly relations existing
with persons very close to Nixon and friends of Nixon. We know of the
support given by the Nixon administration to Elias de la Torriente in his
plans against Cuba. There are some things that are not very clear yet. For
example, that well-publicized contraband of arms originating in Europe,
including aircraft, which was found in Curacao. According to press reports
it was on the way to Honduras, but it was never again mentioned. We suspect
it was closely related to the Torriente plan--supposedly to begin a war in
1970.

We learned this information from several governments, and, besides, this
person had the official support of the U.S. Government, material support
from the United States. We learned that he had official relations with the
government. When the barefaced announcement was made in New York city on
the 18th, we learned all this. We looked at that action with serious
concern, not only the method used in the attack, but the method used in
making the barefaced statement by a gentlemen who was evidently tied to the
U.S. Government were matters of serious concern. We had the following
dilemma: the possibility of the renewal of the phase of piratical attacks,
a phase that is going to be a repetition of what happened over a period of
many years.

We were going to have to sit and wait for news that one day they have
attacked Boca de Sama, another day port so and so, another day another
port, and so on. They would begin making belligerent statements from the
United States trying to request nothing less than tributes, honors, medals,
for having carried out such crimes. This brought about the dilemma of
whether we would assume a simple passive attitude or not. The way we looked
at it was that we should not.

There was no reason for us to assume such a simple passive attitude, and,
if we had accurate and exact information about the ships that were carrying
out activities against Cuba, we should go after those ships wherever they
were. This was not the first time because in another instance we had chased
then some 60 or 80 miles at night under bad conditions at the time that the
action had taken place. But we decided that we did not have to wait for the
action to take place, when they were preparing it, when they were getting
ready, when they were threatening us, when they were near our coasts.

At the time this gentlemen made the statement in New York assuming
responsibility--without receiving punishment and without any type of demand
on the part of the U.S. Government, when we were here crying over the dead
and wounded persons--at that time we decided to issue the orders to go
ahead and take action against those ships that were carrying out
operations. We knew about them through the information we had on hand.
These were the Layla Express and the Johnny Express.

Instructions were issued to look for and intercept these ships, and capture
them. We could not continue to accept the fact that the criminals would go
unpunished. There use of any flags to carry out wrongdoings against Cuba
was not unacceptable. As a result of this decision, steps were taken to
capture the ships.

What was the statement made by this gentlemen in the United States. We are
going to read it. It is an AP dispatch dated 18 October. "Exiled Cuban
leader Jose de la Torriente made an announcement during a press conference
held at the Republican Women's National Club"--Republican women belong to
Nixon's party. Besides, this man has not been a Cuban citizen for many
years. They claim that the master of the Johnny Express is not a Cuban
citizen, and what is this one who claims to be U.S. citizen? This one is a
U.S. citizen. In spite of all this nothing is going to save this man if he
comes close to the revolution aboard a boat and gets within shooting range.
[applause]

Since when has it been taken for granted that the adoption of U.S.
citizenship gives anyone a letter of marque, rights of piracy, rights to
murder men, women and children and go unpunished? Since when? "Right there
at the Republic women's club press conference, he gave a detailed report on
the commando action carried out by members of his organization, the Cuban
Liberation Front, on Oriente Province's coast last 12 October. Torriente
revealed that he commando group that attacked th town of Sama in Oriente
Province also destroyed a power plant and a radio station, besides causing
the death of 12 to 15 members of the Castro forces."

Two deaths was not enough for this guy, and the three wounded.
Historically, we have never exaggerated the number of casualties. We never
did it during the war. We never did it in the postwar period, or this
irregular type of war carried out by these people. Never, everybody knows
that. The mercenaries know this well. They have counted the dead persons we
listed and also the living. They did not settle with the number of dead
persons and the two mutilated girls, and the other one who was wounded. No,
they wanted more deaths, at least 15. They felt very unfortunate
because...[leaves thought unfinished] They announced 15 deaths, instead of
two persons killed and three wounded. He made this announcement at the
Republican Women's Club in New York. "He added that we have the required
men and equipment to triumphantly carry out future operations, which will
prove that the so-called Castro fortress is vulnerable. In another part of
the press conference, which was attended by several leaders of Cuban
organizations, Torriente reiterated that this was the beginning of a war."
Not only does he assume responsibility for the acts, but he talks about 15
persons killed and that is the beginning of a war. He declared war from New
York at a club of Republican women, Nixon's party.

"This is the beginning of a war and we have the backing of most Latin
America nations." This gentlemen has traveled to the Dominican Republic and
Brazil frequently. "He stressed that in the future we should not issue war
communiques on actions carried out by the Cuban Liberation Front." All this
was made public in New York on 18 October. Nixon did not say one word about
it. He did not talk about piracy, international trade. He did not say one
word about violations of international rights. And the ship involved in
this was almost next door to his house in Florida. We will talk about this
later. Simply, these are the facts and why we decided to go ahead and take
action against the vessels carrying out these activities, wherever they
might be, without waiting for them to carry out the action. We were not
going to sink it. We would have sunk it if it had put up any resistance to
the orders of the Cuban warships. If they do not put up any resistance then
they are intercepted and boarded, by virtue of the acts and wrongdoings
committed against the country, by virtue of the debt that they own the
country.

What is more, everyone knows that there are no rights when it comes to
piracy. Everyone knows what the international precepts are in terms of
pirates.

This is how the capture of the two ships occurred. The first, the Layla
Express, did not put up any resistance and it was stopped and captured. We
were not specifically looking for the ship that had or had not [as heard]
raided Sama. We had reports that the ship was in the United States. We were
simply looking for the system of ships and the ships that we knew and had
proof had been acting against Cuba.

When the ship Johnny Express was ordered to stop the captain resisted the
order. He tried to evade capture. Later we shall see why he tried to evade
capture, why he resisted the order. It can be explained quite perfectly. He
even attempted to use the weapons he had aboard, including an M-2. The
Layla Express [as heard] had some Garand rifles aboard.

Naturally, it tried to resist and tried to escape. Then the navy warship
forced it to stop. It fired warning shots and, getting no response, it had
to fire at the ship. Therefore, he [the captain] was wounded, only slightly
wounded. He could have been critically wounded since once it became
necessary to fire, the consequences were unpredictable. We will not try to
lessen responsibility, if and for slight or serious wounds [no vamos
intentar aminorar responsibilibad o no por las heridas leves o graves].

But the fact is that he is slightly wounded, and, besides, he is the only
one wounded, which goes to show the good marksmanship of the navy
combatants. [applause]

In the meantime he radios a report that he is being pursued. Then he
reports that he is being attacked. He fabricates a drama. He talks about a
blood-splattered deck, of persons killed and wounded. All of this goes to
Miami. Later he is stopped and boarded and then the ship is taken to Cuba.

A new chapter then begins: the reaction of the United States. Another
melodrama is staged in Miami. Mr. Nixon, who has so many dead persons and
so many crimes weighing on his conscience because he was, among others, the
organizer of the Giron invasion and we know that he has been systematically
bombing South Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia for 3 years and has sent puppet
troops to carry out operations on the territory of Indochina, the
representative of a country that has sowed millions of deaths, who has made
millions of orphans in his aggressive wars against small nations, now
resorts to melodrama. He receives the [captain's] wife, the children, there
as he was resting, apparently after a long talk with the president of
France--he was relaxing in a place that I think is called Biscayne in
Miami--and then begins a series of statements in a threatening tone,
aggressive statements against Cuba demanding the return of ships and the
captain of the ship.

We certainly cannot fault anyone for doing something to alleviate the
anguish, no matter what the cause of the anguish, of any person or any
family in a moment of harsh adversity. What we cannot accept is lying,
demagogy and melodrama for political purposes.

Thus begins a frenzied and violent attitude in statements and demands and
blackmail. The crux of the matter then passed from the ships to the captain
of the ship. He was declared a U.S. citizen and his return was demanded.
Perhaps he [Nixon] did not have the facts. First, the information in the
hands of the revolutionary government regarding the activities of the
captain of the ship against Cuba, as an agent recruited by the CIA, and at
the service of the CIA.

In other words, we had extensive information about the various activities
that he had carried out. You will understand that if we have captured
dozens of CIA agents here and have (?worked) on them, then we have an
extensive record of all the ships, the officials, the methods,
everything--an extensive record. It has been accumulated over 12 years. I
am baffled as to what may have happened to the records of the CIA itself.
Really, it is a little hard for me to understand Nixon's reaction and why.
Obviously he has taken a very weak position. I do not know if this man [the
captain] succeeded in deceiving others that he was dying and that they
based their thinking on messages that a situation, let us say, a dramatic
situation was going to be created--that the man was going to die, and
actually, on that basis build a political platform, a campaign. Or perhaps
Nixon was too busy on other matters and no one informed him about the
various incidents, quite recent ones, the Sama matter, the matter of the
ship that made the expedition to Sama that was in Florida, and the matter
of the ship's captain being an agent of the CIA. And it is also possible
that he rushed in, rushed in improperly, because it would be imprudent to
rush in when it comes to persons of this kind. It is possible, I do not say
it is fact.

It is possible that they may have received later reports--it is
possible--but in any case, something must have failed or otherwise there is
a very a deliberate policy of provocation afoot, or at least it is an
imprudent policy, or an intimidatory policy believing that by it they could
alarm or frighten someone and that they were going to force the revolution
to yield. Bad thinking.

It is imprudent and absurd to develop such a way of thinking. The fact is
that he rushed] in headlong in this demand for the return of the presumed
U.S. citizens, a presumed victim of a great injustice and an arbitrary
action. We also notice another circumstance besides the information in that
a relative, a brother of the master of the Johnny Express, lives in Cuba,
is member of the militia, and a revolutionary. [applause]

Naturally, the brother was authorized to visit him, to talk to him.
Immediately this captain of the Johnny Express began to talk and gladly
gave all the necessary information. In this manner, the information in our
possession was corroborated and additional details were added in connection
with his activities as a CIA agent. He has a long history. Here it is,
place of birth, education, member of wealthy family, which explains his
attitude with respect to the revolution, and gives great merit to the
attitude of the other relatives who in spite of that wealthy origin have
adopted a revolutionary position. We can state that, without repeating what
we have said, he has assumed positions which cannot be considered legal. We
have this case. In 1945, he began working aboard ships owned by the Babun
brothers, as well as aboard ships owned by the Garcia Lines, until the year
1953, when he began working for the Compania de Fomento Maritimos as
master, the Garcia Lines,owned by Grabiel Palma, and secretly participated
in the intentional sinking of the freighter Magdalena with the approval of
the owner in order to collect the insurance coverage during 1954 off the
Cuban coast.

In 1957, he again worked for the Babun brothers and engaged in the
smuggling of several types of items, which he was mainly unloading at the
Guantanamo Naval Base in order to evade the payment of customs dues. He
remained in this post until 1960. After a stop at the Guantanamo Naval
Base, he went to the United States where he requested political asylum.

This ship was purchased by the Babun brothers as surplus from the U.S.
Navy. This was the ship that was basically used for smuggling activities.
As everybody knows, these "honorable" businessmen, the Babun brothers and
many relatives, participated in the Giron beach invasion. All of them were
taken prisoner. All of them have returned to their businesses and their
piratical activities. You will notice that they cannot argue the fact that
the revolution has been generous, they cannot deny that.

Of course, when they left, they had to pay an indemnification. They paid
part of it but still owe some. The fact is that they were there. They have
very old ties with imperialism, with the CIA. These are the main facts
about Jose Villa Diaz as a CIA agent. He was recruited very early by the
CIA. He had very good knowledge of the Cuban coasts. He could be called
almost an expert in matters concerning the Cuban coasts. During the middle
of 1964, a CIA official known as Mr. Jones contacted him in the Port Tamps
docks, the home port of the ship drilling for oil aboard which Jose Villa
Diaz worked. He gave him instructions to sign up aboard the ship Rowena, a
ship directly operated by the CIA and which was commanded by Captain Gaspar
brooks. He has been one of the most active masters aboard CIA units. He was
a member of Batista's navy. He has served aboard CIA ships many years. As
an expert on Cuban coasts, he was assigned certain missions dealing with
infiltration of spies and counterrevolutionary agents into the country.

After he signed up aboard the Rowena..[leaves thought unfinished] this ship
Rowena...[leaves though unfinished] Captain Brooks stated that the mission
involved the landing of a group of agents on the coast of Pinar del Rio
Province. In effect, the mission was carried out by the CIA ship Rowena. In
the months that followed, the same ship and Jose Villa Diaz participated in
three other similar operations--infiltration of spies and enemy agents
through the northern coast of the western end of Cuba. He carried out four
missions against Cuba as a CIA agent in his capacity as expert on Cuban
coasts.

During May 1966, the same Mr. Jones ordered him to sign aboard the CIA ship
Explorer under the command of Captain Jose Antonio Rodriquez Sosa. Several
other crew members of the Rowena were transferred with him to the Explorer.

Aboard this ship he participated in other missions during the following
months, somewhere along the Pinar del Rio Coasts, with the presence aboard
the ship of several CIA security agents, such as Villafana, Perez de Las
Mesa, Alfonso Gomez Mena, and others. The arms used aboard these
ships--these ships which he used to carry out seven missions against Cuba
were as follows: Ship Rowena had six or seven 50-caliber machineguns which
were kept aboard, 12 FAL rifles, Nicaraguan or Honduran flag depending on
the case, date, and circumstances; ship Sea Explorer had eight or 10
50-caliber machineguns--the ship was strengthened--24 FAL rifles, Honduran
flag. He worked aboard these ships several years.

During October of this year, he was asked to work aboard the ships being
operated by Jose Elias de la Torriente in his plan against Cuba. He was
supposed to leave several ships and he could work as master at a salary of
$50 per day.

Last November he accepted the offer to work as master of the Johnny
Express, which had carried out several missions against Cuba. During the
brief period on that post, he did not participate in any mission. Of
course, this information on his work aboard the Rowena and the Explorer is
important, missions infiltrating agents and spies. There were a total of
seven missions. But, there were more, he has continued to give information.
It was learned that while working aboard the Tejana, he participated in
transporting Hector Carreno, Matanzas Province's councilman, in his
infiltration through the area of Canasi, Matanzas Province. This occurred
in 1961. Tony Cuesta and Joaquin Cuesta took him ashore. These were two
famous CIA agents. One of them is being held prisoner here. Tony Cuesta and
and Joaquin Cuesta used a raft for the operation, and they both returned to
the ship. A week later they came back to the same area to make a pickup of
Hector Carreno. On the Tejana there was a North American by the name of
Larry. He also doubled as ship's machinist's mate. What is more, there were
two other North Americans who had security duties each time an operation
was mounted.

More data: The first time he took part in the movement of elements to
infiltrate Cuba was in March 1961. This was the eighth mission of all. One
Saturday, a man named Carreno who had been a (?councilor) in Matanzas
Province, entered the territory in Canasi, Matanzas. In this operation, the
prisoner came as the third officer of the Tejana and the rest of the crew
consisted of Alberto Rodriquez Alonso, captain; a man named Pedondo, first
officer; Manuel Rodriquez Alonso, second officer; and American named Larry,
machinist's mate; a name named (Bass), a second machinist's mate; Eduardo
Baez, electrician; the brother of a man named Guido, helmsman; a man named
(Borrego), radioman; and a man named Guido, seaman.

The Tejana left from Stock Island, near Key West. Carreno arrived in a
truck with Alberto Fernandez and his assistant. A week after the
infiltration, Carreno again returned to the Canasi area with a pickup
mission. Apparently, a "welcoming committee" was waiting for him because
natural light signals were made. Finally, he added, that a trip took place
almost every Sunday.

Thus, more data continues to appear. What is more, my (?job) is to
cooperate and supply all the necessary information.

We might ask Nixon whether or not it is true that Jose Diaz Villa is a CIA
agent? Whether it is true or not that Jose Diaz Villa worked on the Rowena?
Or that Jose Diaz Vilal worked on the Explorer? or that he carried out all
these missions against our country?

And if he does not have fresh data on hand, let him look through the files
of the CIA. We should not have to wait 5 or 6 years for the next book to be
published for the book where the memoirs are put down and everything is
uncovered; for the book with the next Pentagon documents.

Let him say whether or no the facts we have set forth here are true. We
challenge Nixon, the State Department, and the spokesmen to say whether
this is the truth or a lie.

[Castro pauses for about 30 seconds] Of course, it is almost a joke in poor
taste to try to make Cuba out to be the violator of the laws of the sea and
international laws. It is unbelievable. It is unprecedented cynicism. We
are not going to read the whole list. It took GRANMA four pages in small
print to list all the pirate attacks and all the violations committed
against our country during the past 12 years.

Now then, you will observe the subtle method used by the imperialists in
one of their many shady statements. On being questioned regarding Cuba's
accusations on the activities of the Layla and the Johnny Express, Mr.
McCloskey, spokesman of--let me see, what is he a spokesman of--of the
State Department, said--listen to what they say for you have to know these
men: "I can assure you that none of the ships has any connection with the
U.S. Government. I assure you that there is no connection with the U.S.
Government." He added that "in none of these cases were the ships carrying
arms or agents to Cuba." Do you see the "civil," pharisaical statement? He
does not say "before," he says that "I can assure you that in none of these
cases were the ships carrying men and arms to Cuba now." How does he know
that they were not carrying arms or men to Cuba in those trips?

Let me ask you a question, Mr. McCloskey, tell me whether it is true or not
that the Layla Express brought "Yarey" to Cuba and mounted the mercenary
landing that cost our country lives and blood, using the same ship? Tell me
whether it is true or not that the Layla Express has made other raids
against Cuba? And tell me whether it is true or not that the Johnny Express
has carried out infiltration operations of men and arms in Cuba? If you are
so well informed that you can make assurances that this is not the case
"now" why don't you tell us whether or not it is true that on many
occasions these ships of the Babun Company, deliberately and with the full
knowledge of U.S. authorities, have been carrying out these activities from
the United States. We call on Mr. McCloskey to state whether or not is is
the truth or a lie.

But there is something else. He says that "the U.S. Government has no
connection with any of these ships." We all remember the Giron expedition.
Merchant ships made up the expedition. The Houston, the Lake Charles, the
Caribe, the Rio Escondido and the Atlantic. It was hard to find out the
registry of some of these ships because they are at the bottom of the sea.
They perished in the first few hours and the sea is deep in the area.
Flags, not the U.S. flag but the Liberian, Liberian, Liberian, Liberian,
and Liberian. Five Liberian flags. They left from Puerto Cabezas. They were
on "merchant activities." They were fully observant of international law.
The expedition was preceded by aircraft with Cuban flags. This was not
piracy. This expedition organized by Mr. Nixon, who was Eisenhower's
principal adviser, was not a piractical expedition.

It was apparently a completely legal and normal act. Now these ships were
not CIA property and they belonged to a company that had nothing to do with
the U.S. Government. They belonged to the Garcia (?Nimes) Corporation,
owned by a Cuban counterrevolutionary named Alfredo Garcia. The CIA had
nothing to do with these ships, they belonged to this corporation, those
that came to Giron.

Now very well, we will refresh Mr. McCloskey's and Mr. Nixon's memory. CIA
ships, confirmed exhaustively by the revolutionary government, took part in
th pirate attack and infiltration campaign against Cuba, well armed with
their speedy launches; Explorer or Explorer II-type ships, where this
captain worked. Flag: Panamanian, or Nicaraguan or Honduran depending on
the circumstances. They were changed from one to another, depending;
Panamanian, Nicaraguan or Honduran. (?Yuango) ships, pronounced in Spanish,
with Liberian flags, which are CIA boats. The Nida, with a Nicaraguan,
Panamanian or U.S. flag. The Reina, which we tried to capture one morning
because it was a guerrilla boat carrying pirate launches, returned with
some scars to the U.S.; Nicaraguan, or Panamanian flag. Or U.S. Troina,
previously the Leda, where Jose Villa also worked and which also undertook
several missions against Cuba; Nicaraguan or Honduran flag; and Santa Lucia
with a Nicaraguan flag.

It is incredible that now the U.S. Government talks about violation of
merchant ships when it has tired of using the flags of all these countries,
and flew them as it saw fit on ships directly operated by the
CIA--completely armed ships operated with very well-trained personnel. We
would like Mr. McCloskey to give us news about these ships, more recent
news: The Explorer, Johnny, Nida, Rex, Troina and Santa Lucia and to tell
us whether it is true that these ships belonged to the CIA; if is true that
these ships were used in several pirate attacks and hostile missions
against our country.

We would appreciate news to that effect from Mr. McCloskey. We are not
going to lie, which is a very common thing. We have, for example, a cable
dated Santo Domingo, 17 December: An official Dominican Government
spokesman denied today that any aggression against Cuba had been prepared
on this territory. Radio Havana had read an editorial in GRAMNA, organ of
the Cuban Communist Party, implying that the aggression had been prepared
in the Dominican Republic.

Government press secretary Cesar Herrera declared that it was totally
untrue that any aggression against Cuba had been prepared on Dominican
soil. He added: The accusation against the Dominican Republic is a way to
cover up attacks, crimes, against the ship Johnny Express, a ship devoted
to the peaceful transportation of merchandise.

Simply as a reminder, we will tell this gentlemen that, for instance, Punta
Presidente had a training camp, a base, and that Gutierrez Menoyo, who is
in jail here, trained there and trained his group Q there in cahoots with
the Santo Domingo authorities. From these he departed--first from Miami, of
course, early in May 1964 accompanied by several of his men, on a BB-20
launch--left Miami for Punta Presidente in Santo Domingo.

When he arrived in Santo Domingo, he was greeted by several members of the
organization [in charge of the base] and by Dominican Air Force Col Juan
(Hoch). After meeting in a house that had previously been prepared, they
conclude details for the Punta Presidente camp. They started bringing to
Santo Domingo men and equipment which were in Puerto Rico at Playa Joyuda,
where more than 25 men were in training.

The training was extended for several months with the support of the
Dominican Air Force and Army. With favorable conditions, and having
received authorization from the Dominican Government, they left on 27
December 1964 to infiltrate Cuba. They were captured, and they confessed
the whole story, as everyone knows. I have mentioned this only to say that
GRANMA does not lie, and that the revolution does not lie.

Of course, the tone of the imperialist statement has been violent,
virulent--acts of aggression, attacks, reprisals and everything. On the
16th, for instance, a Miami radio station stated: The United States has
placed naval units and fighter planes on alert to aid all merchant ships
that Red Cuba might attack in the Caribbean. These precautionary measures
have been ordered by the Defense Department, and the State Department will
warn Havana that it will not tolerate more attacks against U.S. citizens on
the high seas.

The Castro-communist regime captured two Panamanian cargo ships on 5
December. The second ship was captured Wednesday. The ship was attacked
with machineguns, and its captain-U.S. citizen Jose Villa--was captured.
The White House has announced that President Nixon has demanded Villa's
immediate release and that of the crew--13 men. The Pentagon said that it
was adopting defensive measures and it was reported to have alerted air
force and navy pilots.

U.S. sailors on leave have reportedly been called back to action. It is
believed that by tomorrow night the navy will have destroyers and other
warships in the Caribbean sea, brought in from the Atlantic. These ships
could be sent--listen carefully to this--these ships could be sent from
Guantanamo Naval Base and bases on the Gulf of Mexico.

We understand this insinuation to be very serious. It is insinuated that
Cuban navy boats and Cuba itself could be attacked from the Guantanamo
Naval Base. We believe this is a serious insinuation, and we believe the
U.S. imperialist government should clarify this. To suppose that such
action could be taken without reprisal is crazy. To believe that naval and
air force operations can be used freely against Cuba is an irresponsible
statement. But they even insinuate this.

A problem has been created. Who has created this problem? Cuba? What moral
or legal precept establishes that a country has to stand with folded arms
and watch pirate ships sail around the island to commit their illegal acts
and attacks whenever they please? The Cuban revolution is no threat to
international trade. The Cuban revolution is no threat to free navigation.
The Cuban revolution offers guarantees to any ship or any country which
navigates peacefully near Cuban coasts. Not only will it continue to offer
these guarantees, but it will also continue to help such ships any time
they need it. Our country maintains a system of lighthouses and buoys to
help all ships that navigate in the area.

The revolution does not, cannot guarantee, not offer any kind of guarantee
to pirate ships which attack our country to which are on any sort of
hostile mission against Cuba. We do not give, we cannot give, such
guarantees. And no one has the right or the morale basis to demand such
guarantees. And it is known that when our country maintains a position,
when it is defending a legal principle, it is intransigent; it has not yet
learned the meaning of backing down.

Our country acts with equity and justice. It never tells a lie. It never
makes a charge without being certain of the charge. This is history for us;
everybody recognizes this. Our country never says anything that it cannot
prove. We understand that the position taken by the U.S. Government is
illegal, false, insincere, demographic and immoral. But our spirit of
justice is a guarantee for any innocent person, even from one of these
pirate ships.

Many crew members of the Layla Express and the Johnny Express are innocent.
These ships have been operating for years, systematically protecting
infiltrators. They have committed many acts. But they always change their
crew, so few members of the crew are aboard long. Some serve only weeks or
months. The crew is made up of citizens of several Latin American
countries. These are men who live off the sea. Very few Miami Cubans aboard
these boats do, so they do not ship aboard them. When it is time for an
operation, they usually change their crew.

As a camouflage, these ships carry regular cargo between the United States,
Haiti, Santo Domingo, or Puerto Rico. They hire Haitians, Dominicans, and
Central Americans. On the sips there are three Spaniards, two Guatemalans,
two Colombians, a Honduran, nine Dominicans and eight Haitians. Of the
Spaniards only one is involved. He is Pablo (Garic Carmany) He admits
having served in the crew during two infiltration trips, when Cubans were
brought from the United States. There have been no charges against the
other two Spaniards, the two Guatemalans, the two Colombians, the Honduran,
and nine Dominicans or the eight Haitians. No charges against them.

In cases like these we follow our principles, even if they were U.S.
citizens. We give full guarantees to innocent U.S. citizens. We would not
discriminate against U.S. citizens. They would not need Nixon to defend
them then. Neither would they need the Pentagon with its maneuvers or its
alert of forces. The principles of the Cuban revolution would protect them
with equity and justice, which has always characterized our revolution. We
would not take into consideration the meanness of their governments.

We are aware of all the evils the Guatemalan Government has done to us. One
isolated example is the fact that the Giron invasion was planned there.

Honduras recently pirated and held one of our ships for 45 days and
mistreated our fishermen--45 days.

We are aware of the fact that Balaguer's government is Cuba's enemy, but we
have very good relations with the Dominican people, and we admire the feat
of those people in connection with the Yankee intervention. We feel deeply
the pain of the Yankee invasion of Santo Domingo, and we are aware of the
admiration Dominicans have for the Cuban revolution. This is a powerful
reason for our treating these Dominicans correctly, for our protecting them
against any injustice. They are not responsible for the illegalities of the
CIA and the owners of these ships, and they are protected by our
principles, despite the position of their governments. With regard to the
position of those Dominicans, about 1 and 1/2 or 2 hours before I came
here, former Dominican President Juan Bosch telephoned us from Santo
Domingo and asked about them. We explained that there were no charged
against them, that he could report this to their families and to the
Dominican public.

No charges have been brought against the eight Haitians. We do not plan to
wait for the trial. As soon as the innocence of these men has been fully
established we shall release them and give them facilities to return to
their countries. We will explain later how this may be done. These innocent
persons, therefore, will enjoy all the guarantees and respect of the
revolution, despite the positions of their governments.

Of course, the ships will be dealt with by the Cuban authorities. No ship
will be returned under pressure or blackmail. [applause] Capt Jose Villa
Diaz will be placed at the disposal of Cuban authorities. The threatening
demands to return him to the United States will not help. He will be placed
in the hands of the Cuban authorities to answer for the very many illegal
acts committed against our country as a CIA agent. Any act of generosity
which might be shown him will result form other factors, such as the
attitude of his relatives who live here. This is our clear and firm
position. We will not commit any act of injustice against anyone. We will
not invent charges against anyone.

We have given the background to this whole matter. It is not necessary to
say that no one can by pressure or blackmail make the revolution back down
in the legitimate defense of its rights. You must take into account how
illogical and absurd imperialism's position is, when 20,000 kms from here
they murder millions of people in the name of the so-called national
security. What is sought here is that we issue letters of marque to the
pirate ships and offer full guarantees so that they carry out their attacks
against Cuba.

There is no solution to the problem and it does not depend on Cuba. It
depends on the United States. The only guarantee there can be for pirate
ships is for there to be no pirate ships; that the United States publicly
declare it is renouncing this method of punishing the Cuban revolution;
that is renounce its activities in promoting piracy; renounce its policy of
pirate attacks against Cuba; renounce its policy of introducing saboteurs
and infiltrating spies along the coasts of our country, or from the air or
anywhere else; that the United States declare it will not support piracy;
that it will firmly oppose all acts of armed aggression against our country
from U.S. territory.

For this is clear: All the events touched upon, all the mercenary groups,
the one from Bellabe, Yumuri, the one at Boca de Sama, all these actions
have been carried out from U.S. territory, organized on U.S. territory and
launched from the United States. If the United States is not capable of
guaranteeing others that these attacks, expeditions and mercenary landings
will not be organized on its territory, then what right does it have to now
demand guarantees for those pirate ships? The actions carried out from its
territory are the responsibility of the U.S. Government. Let the United
States clearly declare that there will be no pirate ships and there will be
no more problems.

We declare our respect for ships not involved in any activities against
Cuba. If something was to happen it would be incidental, accidental, and
imperialism would be at fault if it does not actually adopt strong measures
to put a definite end to these activities, and if it does not so declare.

Let us not forget the October crisis. Let us not forget what formed part of
those demands, the five Cuban points: discontinuance of the pirate attacks.
This was a demand made 10 years ago after the October crisis. The
discontinuance of infiltration of agents and spies into Cuba territory was
a demand made 10 years ago, not today--a demand still in force. The United
States must discontinue and publicly declare the discontinuance of these
activities and policies as international practice against our country, and
then there will be no problems in the Caribbean. Then there will be no need
to place units on alert, there or here.

Of course this will not succeed based on a position of strength, by
imposing an arbitrary system, by intimidating us. It will not succeed. Mr.
Nixon must be absolutely convinced of this; that it will not succeed. You
know how our country always reacts under these situations; serenely,
imperturbably. It is absurd to suppose that we want to promote problems. We
are devoted to the tasks of developing our country, starting the harvest.
How can Cuba be placed in such a position? They have obliged us to spend
fabulous amounts of human and economic resources through all these attacks.
We cannot be interested in creating problems. This is illogical, false,
ridiculous.

That is what Mr. Nixon must do and that is what the State Department must
do, clearly and lucidly, without ambiguities of any type. Then there will
be no problems, because all the ships sailing these waters will be secure.
[words indistinct]

Again today we have some questions for the United States. What ship was it
that had attacked Boca de Sama? Where was the ship that attacked Boca de
Sama? And was not the ship that attacked Boca de Dama off the Florida
coast? Apparently those demands [as heard] included guarantees for that
ship--for those who perpetrated the maiming of the little girl and the
slaying of our comrades, which caused indignation throughout the
country--to again approach Cuba.

The philosophy of the revolution is well known: This country will fight for
any of its sons, be they one fisherman, or two or three; be they young or
old, man or woman. It is a principle of the revolution. It fights for any
of its sons. [pounding on lecturn] [applause]

What was sought by the U.S. Government's statements of the 16th, 17th, and
18th? Immunity for the ship that attacked Boca de Sama? The right for that
ship to again come within a few dozen miles off the Cuban coast to launch
its pirate boats, its speed boats, with impunity? These threats, along with
naval and air units, were launched against Cuba to defend that ship? And
against our naval units? To obtain the ship's immunity and its right to
attack us in pirate fashion? is that the reason for the statements of the
16th, 17th,and 18th we ask? What that tone? Why these threats? For
immunity? And is it right that we who have had to withstand the pain of
seeing that mutilated child and the dead now have to stand idly by? It
would be an unforgivable cowardliness for this country.

This is the substance of the matter. What did they seek with these
statements? Impunity for that ship on Florida's coast until its new mission
was decided? Now then, we thought of asking some questions in that respect.
But one minute before departing for this appearance, a cable arrives. A
minute which produce a change in questions. [shuffling of paper heard in
background] This cable is from Miami, Florida, the United States, 22
December:

"The U.S. Government"--This is 22 December, after one of the threatening
statements of the 16th and 17th,--"the U.S. Government today began court
action against the owners of a ship allegedly used for an anti-Castro
landing in Cuba. In what was described by U.S. sources as a gesture to
prevent new raids by exiled Cubans, federal attorneys are preparing to
fight for cancellation of the license of the owners of the ship Aquarius
under the Panamanian flag.

"Cuban exile sources in Miami have asserted that that ship, confiscated by
the Coast Guard service and police last Friday, at Fort Pierce, Florida,
was the launch used in an attack against the Cuban village of Boca de Sama
on 12 October. A spokesman of the federal district attorney in Miami stated
that it had not been officially determined who owned the Aquarius, though
he added there were strong suspicions as to the identity--very strong
suspicions about this.

"Other official sources indicated that there was no longer any doubt that
the ship belonged to the group of exiles directed by anti-Castro leader
Jose Elias de la Torriente, a U.S. citizen. This group took credit for the
attack against Boca de Sama. However, upon being questioned about the
ownership of the ship, De la Torriente answered: 'I do not know one way or
another. I do not deny nor confirm it.'" [Castro interrupts his reading]
Observe the cynicisms of the man who was very irked because only two
persons were killed and three injured--because only a girl was maimed.
[Castro resumes reading] "The aforementioned spokesman admitted that there
was a lot of speculation about the possibility that the court action
undertaken could be designed to prevent further general attacks against
Fidel Castro's regime." [Castro ends reading of cable]

Truthfully, though coming late, we are pleased over this action which was
ordered to be taken on the 22nd, because there is no longer any intent for
war mobilization to provide immunity and guarantees for the Aquarius.
Nevertheless, we now ask a question: When did the U.S. Government learn
that the Aquarius belonged to that group. And when did the U.S.
Government--Mr. McCloskey, who is so well informed--learn about what the
Johnny Express and the Layla Express were transporting?

When did the U.S. Government learn that that was the ship used in the
attack? I mean the criminal attack on Boca de Sama, which cost the lives of
two comrades, the maiming of a girl, and the injury of several peasants?
Was it not a despicable crime of unspeakable cowardice to arrive at this
place and machinegun a poor village of humble fishermen without warning?
Was that not a crime--an act of piracy? Did that not justify Cuba's action.

Moreover, we ask: Why, if the attack was made on the 12th and on the 18th,
Mr. Elias de La Torriente assumed responsibility for it, is it only now
that after the capture of the Layla Express and the Johnny Express and
after an international incident was created that the U.S. Government
decides to take action against these vessels? Why did it not do so before?
Is it perhaps that it knew nothing about the case? Did U.S. officials
perhaps know nothing either? Or did the CIA know nothing about it also? And
how is it that it is precisely today that they are discovering this? And
this is 40 days after the attack, when the vessel is virtually Nixon's
neighbor where he vacations in Florida.

How could it be said that such a thing was not known? Well and good. Do
they perhaps believe that this crime will go unpunished? Do they perhaps
not contemplate demanding punishment for those who publicly took credit,
not only for the actual deaths but also for the 15 casualties they claimed?
Do they perhaps think of not demanding that these individuals be charged
with responsibility? Or are they simply think of saving face? Let the
United States name not only those who own the ship but also those who
disembarked and killed these Cubans, those who maimed the girl. Let them
declare that and hand down the corresponding punishment.

There must be deeds, not words--deeds, not promises. It is up to the U.S.
Government to act on this issue. And it must now demonstrate the truth, it
must determine it. Because all the acts that I have mentioned emanate from
the United States, and the culprits reside there with impunity.

Now then, an attempt has been amde to link all these issues with the
situation of Latin America. It is worthwhile to examine a few things. And
there are some things that must be categorically denied.

We have exposed the whole background. Now then, what has been sought aside
from depicting Cuba's attitude as illegal and aggressive? There has been an
attempt to depict a lack of consideration by the Cuban Government toward
the Panamanian people and their government. News reports are received in
our country concerning the historic struggle of the Panamanian people in
demanding sovereignty over their canal--of their territory and the canal.
The world knows that a strip of territory divides this sister republic into
two ports. The entire world knows of the strong statements by leaders of
that country demanding sovereignty of that strip of Panamanian territory.
Our country has high esteem for the Panamanian people and has profound
sympathy for their demands for sovereignty over the canal. We support the
Panamanian people in their struggle. We support the Panamanian peoples
demands, and we view with sympathy their struggle. We sympathize with the
attitude of the Panamanian Government in demanding sovereignty over the
canal.

There could be nothing more absurd than attempting to place Cuba in a
position of lacking consideration for the government and people of Panama.

We are prepared to furnish the Panamanian Government all that explanations
it requests and to provide proof of our highest consideration toward that
government and country that those who have truly abused the sovereignty of
Panama are not the Cubans; they are Yankees who have maintained their flags
in that country for more than half a century, who have reduced the
country's sovereignty, who have shot and massacred Panamanian students and
workers demanding their right to the canal. It is the United States which
has used the Panamanian flag--the same as it has used the flags of Liberia,
Nicaragua, Honduras and other countries in committing pirate actions and
attacks against our country. Therefore, it is the United States which has
insulted and shown an extraordinary lack of consideration for the people
and Government of Panama.

Therefore, this accounts for the attitude of the Cuban Government in
fur...