While expressing his condemnation of the September 11 terrorist attacks on Washington and New York and his sympathy for the victims, Fidel Castro attacked the belligerent response of the US president.
No one can deny that terrorism constitutes today a dangerous and ethically indefensible phenomenon that should be eradicated, in the face of its deep origins and the economic and political factors that brought it and those responsible for it into being.
The human and psychological damage brought on the people of the United States, the unexpected and shocking deaths of thousands of innocent people—whose images have shaken the world—have caused understandable and unanimous anger. But who has profited? The extreme right, the most backward and right-wing forces, those in favor of crushing a growing world rebellion and sweeping away everything progressive that still remains on the planet. Whoever organized or is responsible for such acts committed an enormous error, a huge injustice and a great crime. But this tragedy should not be used to recklessly begin a war that in reality could unleash endless carnage on people who are also innocent—in the name of justice and under the singular and bizarre title of “Infinite Justice” [later renamed “Operation Enduring Freedom”].
In the last few days we have witnessed the hasty establishment of the premise, the conception, the true purpose, the spirit and the conditions for such a war. No one could say that this was not something thought out well in advance, just waiting for its chance to materialize. After the so-called end of the Cold War, those who continued a military build-up and the development of the most sophisticated means to exterminate human beings were aware that their large military investments would privilege them to impose absolute and complete dominance over other peoples of the world. The ideologues of the imperialist system knew very well what they were doing and why they were doing it.
Now, after the shock and sincere pain felt by all peoples on earth at this atrocious and insane terrorist attack that targeted the US people, the most extreme ideologues and the most belligerent hawks—already in privileged positions of power—have taken command of the world’s most powerful country, whose military and technological capabilities seem infinite. Its capacity to destroy and kill is enormous, while its inclination toward equanimity, serenity, thoughtfulness and restraint is minimal. A combination of elements—not discounting complicity by other rich and powerful countries who enjoy similar privileges—prevailing opportunism, confusion and panic, make it almost impossible to avoid a bloody and unpredictable outcome.
The first victims of whatever military actions are undertaken will be the billions of people living in the poor and underdeveloped world. They already suffer unbelievable economic and social problems: unpayable debts and the ruinous prices of their basic commodities; growing natural and ecological catastrophes; hunger and misery; widespread undernourishment of their children, teenagers and adults; terrible AIDS epidemics; malaria; tuberculosis and infectious diseases that threaten whole nations with extermination.
The grave world economic crisis was already a real and irrefutable fact affecting absolutely every one of the big centers of economic power. That crisis will, under these new circumstances, inevitably grow deeper and when it becomes unbearable for the overwhelming majority of people that crisis will bring chaos, rebellion and ungovernability.
The price would also be unpayable for rich countries. For years to come it might be impossible to argue strongly about the environment and ecology, about ideas or the results of research, or about projects for the protection of nature, because that space and opportunity would be taken for military actions, war and crimes as infinite as “Infinite Justice,” that is, the name pretending to describe the war operation about to be unleashed.
Can there be any hope left, after listening, hardly 36 hours ago, to the speech made by the president before the US Congress? I will avoid using adjectives, qualifiers or offensive words toward the author of that speech. They would be absolutely unnecessary and untimely, when the tensions and seriousness of the moment advise thoughtfulness and equanimity. I will limit myself to underlining some short phrases that say it all:
We will use every necessary weapon of war.
Americans should not expect one battle, but a lengthy campaign unlike any other we have ever seen.
Every nation in every region now has a decision to make. Either you are with us or you are with the terrorists.
I’ve put the armed forces on alert and there is a reason: The hour is coming when America will act and you will make us proud.
This is the world’s fight, this is civilization’s fight.
I ask for your patience… in what will be a long struggle.
The great achievements of our time and the great hopes of all time, now depend on us.
The course of this conflict is not known, yet its outcome is certain… And we know that God is not neutral.
I ask every one of Cuba’s citizens to meditate deeply and calmly on the ideas contained in several of the above-mentioned phrases.
“Either you are with us or you are with the terrorists.” No nation of the world has been excluded from the dilemma, not even the big and powerful states; none has escaped the threat of war or attack.
“We will use every necessary weapon.” No procedure has been excluded, regardless of its ethical value, no threat—however fatal—nuclear, chemical, biological or other.
It will not be a single combat but “a lengthy campaign unlike any other we have ever seen.”
“This is the world’s fight; this is civilization’s fight.”
“The great achievements of our time and the great hopes of all time, now depend on us.”
Finally, a confession never before heard in a political speech made on the eve of war, and in times of apocalyptic risks: “The course of this conflict is not known; yet its outcome is certain. And we know that God is not neutral.” This is an astonishing assertion. Thinking about the real or imagined parties involved in the bizarre “holy war” that is about to begin, I find it impossible to determine where the fanaticism is stronger.
On Thursday, before the US Congress, the idea of a world military dictatorship was put forward that would have the exclusive rule of force, irrespective of international laws or institutions. The United Nations, absolutely ignored in the present crisis, would fail to have any authority or prerogative whatsoever. There would be only one boss, only one judge, only one law.
All of us have been ordered to ally either with the US government, or with terrorism. Cuba, with the moral right that comes from being the country that has suffered the most and the longest from terrorist actions, the country whose people are not afraid of anything, because there is no threat or power in the world that can intimidate them, proclaims that it is opposed to terrorism, and opposed to war.
Although the possibilities of doing so are now remote, Cuba reaffirms the need to avert a war of unpredictable consequences, whose very authors have admitted to having not the least idea of how events will unfold. Likewise, Cuba reiterates its willingness to cooperate with all countries in the total eradication of terrorism.
An objective and cool-headed friend should advise the US government against throwing young US soldiers into an uncertain war in remote, isolated and inaccessible places, almost as if they were fighting against ghosts, not knowing where those ghosts are or even if they exist, or whether the people they kill are in fact responsible for the deaths of their innocent fellow citizens killed in the United States.
Cuba will never declare itself an enemy of the people of the United States. Those people are today being subjected to an unprecedented [propaganda] campaign designed to sow hatred and a spirit of vengeance, so much so that even music that is meant to inspire peace has been banned. Instead, Cuba will make that music its own. Our children will sing songs for peace as long as the bloody war that has been announced continues.
Whatever happens, the territory of Cuba will never be used for terrorist actions against the US people and we will do everything within our reach to prevent such actions against the US people. Today we express our solidarity, and also urge peace and calmness. One day, they will admit we were right to do so.
If we are attacked, we will defend our independence, our principles and our social achievements with honor, to the last drop of blood! It will not be easy for them to fabricate pretexts against us. Now, when they are talking about a war that would employ “all the necessary weapons,” we would do well to recall that such an experience would not be a new one. Almost four decades ago, hundreds of strategic and tactical nuclear weapons were aimed at Cuba, yet not one of our compatriots lost any sleep.
We are the children of those heroic people, and our patriotic and revolutionary consciousness is more elevated than ever. It is the time for serenity and courage.
The world will become aware of this and will raise its voice in the face of the terrible, dangerous drama that we are about to suffer.
For Cubans, this is the precise moment to proclaim more proudly and more resolutely than ever:
Patria o muerte! [Homeland or death!]
Socialismo o muerte! [Socialism or death!]
Venceremos! [We will win!]