COSATU+sends+best+wishes+to+Fidel+Castro



=COSATU sends best wishes to Fidel Castro=

The Congress of South African Trade Unions sends Comrade Fidel Castro best wishes for a full and speedy recovery from his illness, and many more years of service to the people of Cuba and the world.

COSATU also sends greetings and best wishes to the team, headed by Comrade Raul Castro Ruz, who will be temporarily taking over the reins of power. We are confident that they will continue the fight against US imperialism and in defence of the gains of the Cuban revolution.

COSATU holds the President of Cuba in the highest esteem. As General Secretary Zwelinzima Vavi said on 7 November 2000, "Comrade Fidel Castro represents and continues to be a symbol of freedom, love, selfless sacrifices for the human kind and is clearly the leader of the left forces who yearn for a world free of exploitation and oppression"

Comrade Fidel holds a special place in South African hearts because of his decision to deploy thousands of soldiers to help our African liberation struggles. The freedom of both Namibia and South Africa was advanced by many years by the victory of Cuito Cuanavale by SWAPO and Cuban forces. We will never forget the debt we owe the people of Cuba and their leader.

COSATU pledges help to repay this debt by playing its full part in the international campaign to free the Cuban Five, the Cuban citizens who have been illegally and unjustly imprisoned in the US for the last five years.


 * Viva Comrade Fidel Viva!**

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