For freedom of Cuban heroes
November 19, 2005
Keeping in mind that Washington is openly favouring bandits, Cuba had no other ways to protect its sovereignty and ensure safety of their citizens and numerous tourists from other countries, but to infiltrate inside the ranks of anti-Cuban mafia the people, who could timely warn the government about imminent acts of terrorism. Gerardo Hérnandez Nordelo, Ramón Labañino Salazar, Antonio Guerrero Rodríguez, Fernando González Llort and René González Sehwerert volunteered to fulfill that mission. Their noble and full of dangers activity helped to prevent more than 170 acts of terrorism.
The materials about plans and practices of international terrorists, assembled by the heroic “five”, the Cuban government, in complete conformity with international law, presented to American authorities. But Washington, instead of bringing the bandits to justice, used the materials to “pin” the fighters with terrorism. In 1998 the five heroes were arrested and prosecuted.
Under conditions of the American “democracy” the case turned into disgraceful mock of a trial. The guilt of the accused was not proven. Nevertheless, all of them were sentenced to long terms of imprisonment.
Mass public movement to liberate the heroes launched out throughout the world, including the USA. Today, more than 250 committees for liberation of courageous fighters with terrorism are operating in different countries. Four committees are operating in Ukraine. The film of Irish and Cuban cinematographers “Mission against terror”, depicting the life and heroic deed of the “five”, was demonstrated here. Also the site, permanently informing people of the country about struggle of the five heroes and international solidarity with them, is operating in Ukraine.
The fates of the Cuban heroes are all the more close, because one of them - Antonio Guerrero Rodriguez – had graduated from Kiev institute of engineers of civil information. Here he has a lot of friends. His book of poetry, written at prison of “democratic” America, has been published in Kiev.
Under the pressure of international public and thanks to active work for defence of the Cuban heroes in August 2005 they managed to recall the initial sentence to the “five”. The corresponding court decision was pronounced by the Court of Appeal of the 11th district of Atlanta. Hence, today the Cubans are illegally detained in American prison. The defence hopes for the new trial that can completely acquit the heroes.
Prominent American lawyer Leonard Weinglass, who defends Antonio Guerrero Rodriguez, played an important part in recalling the sentence. Participation of this famous fighter for human rights in the trial against Angela Davis as well as defence of Amy Carter, President Jimmy Carter's daughter, who was put to trial for her activity in students protests against penetration of CIA agents inside the US colleges, are on his credit side. Weinglass had pleaded hundreds of cases, connected with protection of human rights, first of all, rights of immigrants, representatives of national minorities and active workers of progressive public organisations.
At present Leonard Weinglass is visiting Ukraine. Weinglass came here on invitation of Ukrainian committees for liberation of the five Cuban heroes and Friendship society “Ukraine-Cuba”. While in Ukraine, this American human rights fighter plans to take part in the 6th Eastern European conference of solidarity with the Republic of Cuba, to have a number of meetings with Ukrainian students, political and public figures of Ukraine, representatives of legal circles.
On November 18, Leonard Weinglass was received by Adam Martyniuk – the First Deputy to the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. The US guest narrated in detail in which difficult conditions he had to defend the Cubans. Although five citizens of Cuba had neither weapon nor explosives, they did not tresspass anybody's property, nevertheless, they were arrested and convicted. Meanwhile, according to Weinglass, all their “guilt” was that they honestly performed their human and public duty, informing their government about the plans of terrorists from Miami.
Leonard Weinglass thinks that the trial over the heroes was clearly unjust and, most likely, was of the “ordered” nature. By this trial the US authorities proved once again, on which they side they are in the struggle against terrorism. Leonard Weinglass highly praises the decision of the Court of Appeal on recalling the sentence and believes that the Cuban heroes will be freed.
Adam Martynjuk, in his turn, stressed that the people of Ukraine entertain exceptionally friendly feelings to Cuba. And these feelings do not depend upon the current political state of affairs in the country. The society accuses any unfriendly statements made by separate politicians and addressed to Cuba. The citizens of Ukraine are especially grateful to the people and government of Cuba for that very touching concern about Ukrainian children, who had suffered from the consequences of the Chernobyl disaster. Having a lot of domestic problems, the Cuban government, nevertheless, provided treatment and rehabilitation of more than 20 thousand children from Ukraine. Martynjuk thanked Leonard Weinglass for his skilled and effective help to the Cuban heroes.
That meeting was of a special character due top the fact that Weinglass originate from Ukraine. His childhood passed in Odessa, at the Black Sea shore. That is why the American human rights fighter revealed authentic interest to events in Ukraine, towards everything that his former motherland is living by.
Visit of Leonard Weinglass to Ukraine continues.
(Vitaliy DZIUBA, Ukraine)