Fidel Castro: Humanity cannot Remain Aloof from the Possibility of Nuclear War, By Istvan Ojeda Bello, periodico26, Sept 3. 2010

http://www.periodico26.cu/english/news_cuba/september2010/fidel-message090310.html


Havana, Cuba, Sept 3, (P26).- The historic leader of the Cuban Revolution, Fidel Castro said that humanity cannot remain aloof from the possibility of nuclear war. "Cuba has corresponded to the role of warning the world about a danger, which it hasn't deliberately been informed of," he said.

Through a message to Cuban students, Fidel continued its efforts to expose the real possibility for the occurrence of a conflict of unpredictable consequences for planet, if the United States and its allies decide to attack Iran. Above all, he insisted in the issue due to the current development of weapons and the danger posed by today's nuclear potential, which has more than 440 000 times the power of the atomic bombs dropped by the U.S. on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945.

He recalled the old days, 65 years ago, when he walked for the first time the halls of the University and he recalled the colleagues he met then, whom he described as selfless and pure.

Later he quoted parts of a comment published on Cubadebate website, which under the signature of Jorge Gonzalez, read: "I called on all countries currently involved in military conflicts. Please think long to achieve true peace, which is what suits us all. (...) The nuclear weapons must be abolished, no country should possess them, and nuclear power should only be used for the good. The only true victory is to win peace. "

Fidel also mentioned recent information revealing the "new wave of leaks about an attack on Iran's nuclear facilities, which Israel is preparing along with the U.S.; this information could have real substance. However, Fidel rejected that the major danger is due to an increase of oil prices, even disregarding not only Iran's capabilities for a conventional response, but also the existing nuclear power.

He also questioned the veracity of statements by former British Prime Minister Anthony Blair, who had said that using force was the only way to stop Iran's nuclear program.

Fidel underlined statements by Russian Foreign Minister Serguei Lavrov, who told students at the Institute of International Relations (MGIMO) that " the sanctions against Iran will not yield a desired result; the Iranian problem must not be solved by means of force."

He also criticized the attitude of the European Union (EU), which through foreign policy Chief Catherine Ashton, has pressured China to guarantee that the Chinese companies will not take over the place left by the other enterprises that left Iran following the sanctions imposed by the United Nations.

After thanking all the people in the world who have supported his efforts to avoid the worst Fidel concluded by saying that "It is possible to win and preserve human life".