[NYTr] Fidel Castro: The Eternal Flame - Aug 1, 2007

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Granma Daily - Aug 1, 2007

Reflections by the Commander in Chief

THE ETERNAL FLAME

by Fidel Castro Ruz

This is a political reflection. To be more precise: it is another
proclamation. Exactly one year ago today, on July 31, 2006, I issued
the first proclamation. But the year gone by is worth 10, for I have
had the opportunity to live a unique experience which has afforded me
information and knowledge on vital questions facing humanity, knowledge
I have conveyed to the people of Cuba with the utmost honesty.

Today, I am bombarded with questions as to when I will take up again
what some call power, as though that power were possible without
independence. The world knows a real and destructive power, wielded by
a decadent empire which threatens everyone.

Raúl has already responded that, as I recover, every important decision
is consulted with me. What will I do? I will fight tirelessly as I have
done my entire life.

One year after the first Proclamation, I can share with the people of
Cuba the satisfaction of seeing that what was then promised is
reflected by today’s unquestionable reality: Raúl, the Party, the
government, the National Assembly, the Young Communists League and
grassroots and social organizations, headed by the workers, move
forward, guided by the unshakable principle of unity.

With the same conviction, we continue to struggle relentlessly to have
the Five Heroes, who provided Cuba with information on the United
States’ anti-Cuban terrorist plans, released from cruel and merciless
prison.

The struggle against our own deficiencies and against the insolent
enemy which seeks to take possession of Cuba must be unrelenting.

On this point, I am obliged to insist on something which the leaders of
the Revolution can never forget: it is our duty to work untiringly to
strengthen our defensive capability and preparedness, under the
principle that, regardless of the circumstances, an unpayable price
must be paid for any invasion.

No one should entertain the slightest illusion that the empire, which
carries the genes of its own destruction, will negotiate with Cuba.
Though we have said, again and again, that our struggle is not against
the people of the United Sates —something which is absolutely true— the
latter is not in a position to curtail the apocalyptic impulses of its
government or the foul and insane call for what they label a
"democratic Cuba", as though leaders here put themselves forth and
elect themselves without having to pass through that inflexible filter
embodied by the overwhelming majority of an educated and cultivated
people who must support them.

In a previous reflection, I invoked the historical figures of Martí,
Maceo, Agramonte and Cespedes. To keep alight the memory of the
innumerable people who fell in combat, of those who fought and
sacrificed themselves for the homeland, Raúl lit a flame that shall
burn for eternity, 50 years after Frank País, the young 22-year-old
hero whose example moved all of us, fell in combat.

Life is meaningless without ideas. There is no greater joy than to
struggle in their name.

Havana, July 31, 2007, 5:35 p.m.