Maravi

Fidel is a leader second to none, says Banda

Fidel is a leader second to none, says Banda
Written by Larry Moonze in Havana, Cuba
Wednesday, September 30, 2009 5:01:39 AM

FIDEL Castro is a leader second to none, President Rupiah Banda has said. President Banda also told journalists that he was very happy to be in Cuba. Conferring the Order of the Eagle of Zambia First Division on Cuban Revolution leader Fidel Castro Ruz, which was received on his behalf by Cuban President Raul Castro Ruz on Monday evening at Havana's Revolution Palace, President Banda said Fidel had rendered selfless services to humanity and was an inspiration to many the world over.
President Banda said Fidel's contribution to human and political development was recognised worldwide.

"You are a leader second to none," he said.

President Banda hailed Fidel as a trusted and believed leader.

He said he was conferring on Fidel the highest medal of Zambia for inspiration and services he had rendered to humanity, including making Cuba a pathfinder for peace in the world.

President Banda said Fidel and Cuba fought for peace beyond borders.

He said Fidel fought for the oppressed and discriminated.

President Banda said Fidel left the prospective comfort of a lawyer and instead chose to save humanity through personal sacrifice.

He observed that Fidel developed enlightened consciousness at an early age and hated injustice.

President Banda said Fidel, after a hard struggle as a rebel and forming the Revolution government in 1959, went on to support political emancipation across the seas and lands of the world.

He observed that the deploying of Cuban internationalist troops helped to conclusively liberate Namibia, Angola and end the apartheid regime in South Africa, including saving Algeria from foreign aggressors.

He said though challenged by the US-imposed harsh embargo, Cuba continued with its internationalist policy which provided health and education to many Third World countries.

"Even when there are attempts to isolate and crash you, you never tire from speaking for the Non-Aligned countries, the countries of Africa, the Caribbean and Latin America," President Banda said. "Of late while attending to your health needs, you managed to transfer leadership smoothly to another well-tested leader Raul Castro Ruz, thereby guaranteeing sustenance of the Cuban Revolution."

President Banda, who is accompanied by among others foreign affairs minister Kabinga Pande, opposition parliamentarians Sakwiba Sikota and David Matongo, handed Fidel's medal to President Raul.

He also informed President Raul that Sikota was an independent member of parliament and Matongo from the opposition UPND.

"They are from the opposition?" President Raul asked. In response President Banda said; "Yes, in our democracy, we work together very well. We are amigos [friends]."

Earlier, President Banda said the relations between Cuba and Zambia were "really good and we have benefited a lot from this relationship".

He said many Zambian youths had been given scholarships to study in various disciplines including medicine in Cuba.

President Banda said most importantly were the Cuban people who had always stood by the Africans during their struggle for independence.

"We shall forever be grateful to the sacrifices that the Cubans have made to our continent and for the freedom of humanity," he said.

President Banda said when he was a young student in Europe, the Scandinavia, the US imposed the blockade against Cuba.

He recalled joining street demonstrations in support of Cuba against the United States sanctions.

"Cuba may not be one of the rich countries with a lot of money but they have a lot of knowledge on how to resolve the problems facing humanity today such as sciences related to agriculture, medicine and we believe that by coming in to strengthening our relations, Zambia stands to benefit," said President Banda. "And with very little money, they have been able to look after their youths and turn them into best sportsmen and that too we want to learn from Cuba. How to make do with little and yet be able to provide for our people with good education, good health facilities, etc."

Receiving the medal on behalf of Fidel, President Raul said the Council of State of Cuba fully appreciated the Order conferred on Fidel.

"We can assure you that the Commander-in-Chief, the leader of the revolution accepts the medal as recognition of our peoples' solid struggle to conquer and save our rights," he said.

President Raul said in awarding Fidel the highest honour, Zambia was also paying homage to the thousands of Cuban internationalists who fought side-by-side with their African counterparts to liberate the continent.

He said it was also a recognition to the Cuban medical doctors and other specialists working all over the world.

President Raul said the honour bestowed on Fidel and Cuba would only enhance the friendship between the two peoples.

President Banda's entourage will visit Cuba's top tourism resort of Varadero in Matanzas Province apart from visiting other scientific and economic areas.

President Banda leaves Havana tomorrow.

Labels: FIDEL CASTRO, RUPIAH BANDA

posted by MrK @ 4:02 AM