[NYTr] Cuban Five Hail Fidel Castro's 81st Birthday

[All the News That Doesn't Fit]

Agencia Cubana de Noticias (ACN)
http://ainch.ain.cu/mailman/listinfo/ingles


Cuban Five Hail Fidel Castro's 81st Birthday

Havana, August 13 (acn) The five Cuban antiterrorist fighters unjustly 
held in US jails ratified their loyalty to President Fidel Castro by 
sending their regards to the leader of the Cuban Revolution in occasion 
of his 81st birthday.

Gerardo Hernandez, Ramon Labanino, Fernando Gonzalez, Antonio Guerrero 
and Rene Gonzalez, known worldwide as "the Cuban Five," were detained 
in 1998 and punished with extremely harsh sentences for having 
infiltrated right-wing Cuban-American organizations in Florida to 
prevent terrorist activities against the Cuban and American people.

Today, the Granma newspaper published letters written by Ramon 
Labanino, Fernando Gonzalez and Antonio Guerrero, as well as caricature 
drawn by Gerardo Hernandez.

Likewise, the Official Organ of the Central Committee of the Cuban 
Communist Party issued a commentary by Rene Gonzalez on the happy 
coincidence of his birthday with Fidel Castro's.

For his part, Labanino said on behalf of the Five that they were 
profoundly proud to have a leader from the lineage of titans who never 
abandon battles or relinquish their dreams. "You are our best guide and 
example," he added.

Gonzalez recalled that one year ago, after learning of the adverse 
decision by the judges in the case, Fidel wrote a letter to the Five 
assuring that they will win over that monstrous injustice.

Fernando also noted that Fidel wrote the letter from his sick bed and 
in his own hand despite his delicate health. "Your gesture will always 
be engraved in my consciousness," he assured.

In his caricature, Gerardo reflects the happiness of the Cuban children 
celebrating Fidel's 81st birthday and the shock of the anti-Cuba mafia 
based in Miami.

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