Reflections by comrade Fidel

DIMITRI A. MEDVEDEV

In the past few weeks, I had watched him in numerous functions as President of the Russian Federation, following the aggravation of the financial crisis battering the world. The Russian Federation is one of the most powerful States in the international community despite de dismemberment of the USSR.

The Russian President’s addresses are clear and precise and he tends to be brief. He does not avoid any issue and he responds every question. He is knowledgeable and persuasive, and he is respected even by those who disagree with him.

He expressed his wishes to talk with me during his visit. It was an honor for me and I was sure it would be a pleasant meeting.

The last few months have seen amazing changes and new situations. The Yankees have launched their illegal actions on South Osetia and Abkhazia, two countries that have nothing to do with Georgia, which has been armed to the teeth by the United States. This was the country that encouraged and trained the men, and supplied the weapons, to attack the Russian forces legally there to prevent the ongoing bloodshed, an event recognized by the international community and waiting to be resolved. Meanwhile, two thousand Georgian mercenaries who had been taking part in the infamous Yankee war of conquest for oil were moved form Iraq to reinforce the attacking force.

Then, Medvedev had only recently been elected President of the Russian Federation but his calm and firm voice was strongly heard.

Another major change has been the election of the new President of the United States, Barack Obama, an African American who’s tired of the carnage imposed on Iraq by Bush. But, above all, he is upset at the erratic way the latter was facing and aggravating the financial crisis, as this becomes mores serious and potentially more hazardous for the economy of that country and the world at large.

The events were taking place simultaneously with the general elections in Paraguay and the referendum in Ecuador, both absolutely transcendental as well as the regional elections in Nicaragua, and particularly in Venezuela, which compounded a scenario of increasing contempt for the empire’s suffocating hegemony.

Coinciding with these events, meetings were held in Washington and Lima by members of the G20 and G21. The Presidents of Russia and China, two unavoidable bulwarks in the world scenario, attended both meetings together with the leaders of tens of States from the five continents taking part. They had meetings with many of them.

Upon his return from Peru, after his visit to Brazil, Medvedev traveled to Venezuela. His visit coincided with the ALBA conclave in Caracas. He met with the high level representatives assembled there. This was satisfactory to all.

At the same time, a Russian naval detachment arrived in that sister nation. It’s not difficult to understand the significance of the presence in such activities of the distinguished visitor with whom I met this Friday morning.

It was extremely important to me to hear his impression of the abovementioned events.

This time the meeting lasted only one hour and fifteen minutes. He was accompanied by Ricardo Cabrisas, a Vice-President of the Cuban government in charge of Cuba’s negotiations with Russia, China and Venezuela, --the three most important pillars of our trade at the moment-- which the powerful empire has been unable to block.

I touched on every essential issue regarding the United States and I did so from our positions. It is unthinkable that we may accept the stick and carrots policy nor that we give up the return of every piece of our territory in Guantanamo forcibly occupied.

I reaffirmed our peaceful and patient policy which never overlooks the need to preserve our defensive capability in the face of a potential aggressor. No country is in a better position than Russia to understand this policy since that country is constantly threatened by the same adversary of peace.

Equally important or even more so was our exchange of ideas on the serious immediate problems in crucial areas faced today by the peoples in search of a multipolar world that can secure a sustained and peaceful development.

It may seem an extensive agenda, however, we both talked about these issues. This proves that despite their complexity, the world problems can be discussed before they become unmanageable.

It was to me a very rewarding meeting. I was very well impressed by Medvedev’s intellectual capacity which I had already perceived. He is the youngest among the most important Heads of State in the world, and the one who commands the largest territory.

It was very moving to listen to the Russian anthem everywhere, the same under whose notes the heroic Russian people shed the blood of many million men and women; without their sacrifice victory over fascism would not have been possible!

Fidel Castro Ruz

November 28, 2008

7:23 p.m.