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Cuba's Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque said, Cuba's solidarity with the cause of Palestine and all Arab nations is permanent, firm and militant.
We condemn the latest Israeli military aggression on the Gaza Strip and the forcibly occupation of the Palestinian territory, stressed Perez Roque during the welcoming ceremony in Havana for Riad N.A. Malki, Foreign Minister of the Palestinian Authority.
The Cuban government official ratified his country’s commitment to supporting the efforts by the Palestinian people to exercise their right to have their own state, to have all refugees returned home and to see the meeting of all UN resolutions, repeatedly approved, on the issue.
The Palestinian Foreign Minister extended his gratefulness for the reiterated support by Cuba of his people’s struggle for independence.
We are here to also show our solidarity with the Cuban Revolution, the government, the Communist Party and the Cuban people in their struggle against the [US] blockade, he said.
Rhonda J Mangus
North Tonawanda, New York, United States
Mary Richard
Toronto, Canada
ACE PRESTON
Manhattan, New York, United States
Uwe Paschen
Narita, Chiba, Japan
Barry ORegan
Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
dowdinsk
Dalston, London, United Kingdom
Fripouille
Lyon, France
Amy Judd
Vancouver, Canada
Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (45)
at 03:40 on February 28th, 2009
Well, It did take them some time to respond to that. I have a feeling it is in part due to the change in Washington they took their time and now that little has changed in regards to Cuba and Gaza Politics in Washington. Cuba will defy Washington on every step. I had my hope as well, well now it is time face the facts and that not much has nor will change in Washington D.C.
at 07:43 on February 28th, 2009
Paschen, hopefully, the United States' will reconsider its position on Gaza and the US embargo/blockade will be lifted very soon. Thanks for reading, commenting, and for the recommendation!
at 09:03 on February 28th, 2009
Hi Rhonda,
What position are you refering to? I thought there has been a major shift in Washington's attitude. What am I missing here?
at 09:22 on February 28th, 2009
Hi, tikun! Maybe I am the one who is missing something here, so please feel free to enlighten me! As far as I know, Obama's administration refuses to restrain Israel and will continue to support it. However, what the US did do, along with the EU, was to support the recent Cairo talks between Hamas and Fatah.
at 09:26 on February 28th, 2009
Restrain them in what way? I am really confused now. What did you have in mind? Not to enter Gaza and attack the Hamas infrastructure? I am really at a loss at to what you mean? I thought that he is taking a very active role in the Middle East. I see the flurry of diplomats. What did you want him to do?
at 09:38 on February 28th, 2009
tikun, I wasn't aware that Secretary of State Clinton will attend the Gaza Donors Conference in Cairo in March.
at 10:02 on February 28th, 2009
Last I heard she was attending. Also, where do you think this money is going to go. To the people? It hasn't ever got to the street.
at 09:43 on February 28th, 2009
tikun, why do you think the United States supports Israel?
at 10:08 on February 28th, 2009
Hi Rhonda,
Cutting through all the noise I would say that there is a strategic alliance that both countries see as of utmost importance. Besides all the other critical reasons mentioned. When Israel is no longer viewed as important then policy shifts and alliances change. Remember there was a time when the US was NOT an active supporter of Israel. These alliances are always shifting and turning. It has only been since the 67 war that the US realized that this relationship was of vital military importance to its foreign policy.
Israel is after all on the front lines of the Syria, Lebanon, Iran axis.
at 10:45 on February 28th, 2009
Thank you, tikun! Do you agree with this article that Hamas is largely an Israeli creation?
at 08:52 on February 28th, 2009
Paschen, I just came across an interesting read, thought you might find it worthy too. "Hamas Slams Obama's Position on Gaza."
at 09:03 on February 28th, 2009
Great Article, Thank you Rhonda. I did expect that much and I agree that this is no way to start a negotiation. I do not support Hamas, however they played by the rules once in good faith and where elected just to be bullied around and forced into a corner. Had we done that with the IRA we would have the same scenario in Ireland today.
at 09:09 on February 28th, 2009
How was Hamas "bullied around? They have been shooting rockets into Israel for over 5 years now. Almost everyday including today hitting a school. They also made it clear today that they are NOT interested in recognizing Israel. Are we living in the same world? Really, why does reality have to be so complicated when it stares you in the face.
at 21:43 on March 1st, 2009
tikun, I appreciate your defending Israel at every corner and it is commendable to a point.
Try to be fair and objective as you demand of other and look at the reality of the event since the election. Had we acted like that with the IRA, Ireland would be a blood bath by now.
Here is a Video Clip for you tikun, History bites.
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1lac8_life-of-brian-romans_fun?from=rss
at 09:30 on February 28th, 2009
Hi Rhonda,
this is taken from your link.
"Wrong American policy on the Middle East was the main reason for the suffering of the Palestinians and also for the collective punishment our people suffers from,” said Barhoum.
He added that “the unfair policy of the United States has led to the furious war carried out by the Zionist enemy against our people in the Gaza Strip. We were not doing anything wrong except using the legal armed resistance to defend our people.”
If you buy into to this ditti do I have a bridge to sell you. If you are inferring that Israel should not exist like Hamas contends then there is nothing to discuss.
at 09:56 on February 28th, 2009
Let's be frank here. Who the hell cares what Cuba's Foreign Minister thinks?
What he says is good PC fodder for all disappointed communists, but totally irrelevant anywhere else.
at 10:51 on February 28th, 2009
Fripouille, if it is the case that, "What he [Roque] says is good PC fodder for all disappointed communists, but totally irrelevant anywhere else." Then, wouldn't it also have to be the case that, for example, "What Obama says is good PC fodder for all disappointed democrats/republicans, but totally irrevelant anywhere else."
at 10:56 on February 28th, 2009
Absolutely correct, Rhonda. You are right on the button here.
It's called "not sharing the same point of view!" lol!
at 11:08 on February 28th, 2009
Thank you, Fripouille! I am a firm believer that although in some cases we believe we can speak for all of humanity, in essence, we are only speaking for one's self:)!
at 10:55 on February 28th, 2009
A good few people do care what Cuba's FM thinks and says. Likewise many would draw a parallel between the US's blockade of Cuba and Israel's of Gaza.
at 11:06 on February 28th, 2009
Hi Dowdinsk,
I shall willingly change my generalised "who cares" for a personalised "I don't care", if you change your generalised "a good few people do care" for your personalised "I care".
Your comment is a semantic trap, and I am well enough educated in that subject not to fall into it ...
Some think like you, some think like me. No problem. But no grammatical/linguistic semantics and their implicit put-downs please...
Thanks
at 11:11 on February 28th, 2009
dowdinsk, the parallel you draw is rather interesting! Thank you for reading, commenting, and for the recommendation! Each is deeply appreciated!
at 10:02 on February 28th, 2009
tikun, I really try not to infer anything for the reason that I really don't know what is going on in Israel and Gaza because I am not there and I have to rely heavily on what I read and/or see on the news/video. Even then, I am not certain because I know how media both censors and manipulates what is put before the general public.
I hope it isn't the "bridge to nowhere":)!
at 10:18 on February 28th, 2009
Well nowhere until everyone agrees to talk to each other. For the time being as long as the EU winks at Hamas and gives money they will continue to be a terrorist organization doing Iran's bidding. Why should they sit down and agree to peace. When that happens they will no longer have a reason for being.
at 11:00 on February 28th, 2009
tikun, for meaningful dialogue to occur there can be no prejudgments or conditions. Unfortunately, it is the case that many prejudge and governments, especially, set conditions to negotiation. Case in point, excerpted quotes: Secretary of State Clinton (from the Palestine Mandate).
at 11:31 on February 28th, 2009
How can you sit down with an organization that does NOT want to sit down with you. I am mystified as to how this is not understood.
at 11:39 on February 28th, 2009
tikun, according to this CBS News article, dated January 29, 2009, Hamas Signals Willingness to Negotiate.
at 11:52 on February 28th, 2009
I just put up a report on the latest news that they have no intention of recognizing Israel.
at 11:54 on February 28th, 2009
tikun, could you provide the link? Thanks!
at 12:18 on February 28th, 2009
tikun, I am taking the liberty of providing a the link to your story Hamas: We Will Never Recognize Israel, here. Clearly, more confusion and, again, pre-conditions.