Correa advises govt over donor dependency
By Agness Changala
Monday June 23, 2008 [04:00]
CUBAN Ambassador to Zambia Francisco Correa has said Zambia needs to do more to liberate itself from the dependency on the donor community. And Ambassador Correa has said it is the duty of Che Guevara’s followers to continue putting forward and defending his ideals of freedom and independence. Speaking shortly after the Press Freedom Committee (PFC) of The Post in collaboration with the Committee on Che Guevara organised discussion at Lusaka Playhouse to commemorate Che’s 80th birthday anniversary, Ambassador Correa said it was not a bad idea to depend on donors but it was important that Zambia stood on its own at a certain level to show some independence.
“A lot has to be done in Zambia if the country is to be liberated from donor dependency. You may need assistance in certain areas but not even some government policies,” he said.
Ambassador Correa said Zambia had to put up a strong fight if its abundant resources were to be managed well and to benefit all Zambians.
He urged African countries and Zambia in particular to learn something from Che’s ideals of becoming free, independent and refusing to accept special treatment.
Ambassador Correa said he was amazed with the turn out at the function more especially the youths who were the many targets of Che’s ideals to fighting for equality.
He said Che was a hero to many countries because of the strong and brave fight he put up to liberate the poor and that youths must emulate him to fight for equality in society.
“If we are to be called his followers, our duty is to continue putting forward and defending his ideals and shinning example, which is the most difficult challenge, inspired by him and his exemplary life to serve others and especially to promote his values and principles in the youth, the future leaders of our countries,” he said.
Ambassador Correa said commemorating Che’s birthday was a way of paying tribute to him to continue with the struggle for total freedom and emancipation of people who faced challenges and threats because he was and continued to be the best example and inspiration for poor people in the world.
Ambassador Correa said modest and tribute were paid to him and those who followed his example, like the Cuban Five imprisoned in North American jails for fighting terrorist activities against Cuba whose release was being supported and demanded for.
Ernesto Che Guevara de la Serna was born on, June 14, 1928, in Rosario, Argentina.
He studied medicine and graduated as a doctor and was assassinated by the Bolivian army and CIA on October 19, 1967, in La Higuera Bolivia after being captured alive, but wounded.
Labels: CUBA, DONORS, FRANCISCO CORREA, INDEPENDENCE, YOUTHS
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Correa demands justice on culprits of Cuito Cuanavale battle
By Bright Mukwasa
Sunday March 30, 2008 [04:00]
CUBAN Ambassador to Zambia Francisco Correa has demanded justice on the people who committed crimes during the battle of Cuito Cuanavale in Angola. And Angolan Ambassador to Zambia Pedro de Morais Neto said the battle of Cuito Cuanavale remains the bloodiest battle fought on the African soil.
During the commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the Cuito Cuanavale in Lusaka on Friday at Cresta Golfview Hotel, Ambassador Correa said the victorious outcome of the battle of Cuito Cuanavale symbolised the completion of Cuba's internationalist mission.
The battle of Cuito Cuanavale involved Angola and Cuba against apartheid South African forces and Angola's rebel movement UNITA from .
Ambassador Correa said justice should prevail on the culprits of the battle of Cuito Cuanavale.
"At this point I want to make a call of justice. It is high time that those who committed such horrible crimes and massacres in Angola, Namibia and South Africa and elsewhere be brought to book," he said.
"Everybody knows they are walking freely in the streets of South Africa without being disturbed. We denounce that situation. The crimes and the victims cannot be forgotten, the perpetrators have to be tried and sentenced to jail. On behalf of the victims, we demand justice and hope to receive support on this sensible issue."
Ambassador Correa observed that the battle of Cuito Cuanavale was influential to the attainment of Angola's independence and saluted the soldiers that fought the battle.
He said the battle remains of immense value for Cuba to have assisted some African countries from the yoke of colonialism, and its injustices.
Ambassador Correa also condemned the continued economic blockade on Cuba by the United States, which is the longest in history.
And Ambassador Neto said the battle of Cuito Cuanavale remains the bloodiest battle fought on the African soil, not even in the last century.
Ambassador Neto observed that the battle of Cuito Cuanavale did not only make the struggle for independence possible in Angola, but it freed that country from the yoke of apartheid.
He commended Cuba for its sacrifice of resources and people to ensure that the region was freed from the injustice it suffered during that time.
Ambassador Neto described the stance of people that took part in the battle as brave.
And Africa National Congress (ANC) executive member Reggie September observed that the help Cuba offered during the battle of Cuito Cuanavale cemented the continued cooperation that country has continued to render to many African countries.
"Cuba should be commended for its selfless internationalist commitment. It was sad then that our countries had to fight against its colonizers. Cuba helped in this, a great deal...such comradeship is unforgettable,'' September said.
September, who shed tears during his presentation, also said there was need to emulate the heroes of the Cuito Cuanavale.
Namibian High Commissioner Salomon Josephat Witbooi, who was represented by First Secretary Taati Ester Matengu, said the Cuito Cuanavale remains a manifesto of the anti-imperialist solidarity that brought freedom and restored dignity in the sub continent.
Ambassador Witbooi said the Cuito Cuanavale had contributed to the efforts of the progressive forces to rid Africa of the last vestige of apartheid colonialism on the continent.
"I would like to pay tribute to those who laid down their lives in order to achieve freedom and independence we cherish. These are gallant sons and daughters of Angola, Cuba and Namibia, thanks for the peace loving people of the World led by the Cuban people,'' Ambassador Witbooi said. "Thanks should be given to Presidents Fidel Castro of Cuba, Jose Eduardo dos Santos of Angola and Sam Nujoma of Namibia for their visionary leadership."
And Press Freedom Committee of The Post (PFC) chairperson Chansa Kabwela said the Cuito Cuanavale battle could be cited as one of the memorable examples of bravery and sacrifice of internationalists aimed at upholding the dignity of people.
"For us, the immense sacrifices made by our colleagues consolidate our resolve to fight for a just world in which all human beings are treated with respect and dignity.
We should, as human beings, be able to challenge the injustices and imbalances we see in our society today. The powerful nations continue to oppress the weaker nations through various forms of injustice," said Kabwela. "This day gives us an opportunity to seriously remind ourselves about our own contributions towards the transformation of the world today. I would like to challenge all of us to take positions that will influence restoration of fairness and human dignity to all people."
Labels: APARTHEID, CUBA, CUITO CUANAVALE, FRANCISCO CORREA
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Sanctions on Zim are illegal - Correa
By Inonge Noyoo
Friday September 28, 2007 [04:00]
THE sanctions on Zimbabwe are illegal and unfair, Cuban Ambassador to Zambia Francisco Correa has charged. And Ambassador Correa has praised President Levy Mwanawasa’s stance that SADC will boycott the European Union/African Union summit in Portugal if Zimbabwe’s President Robert Mugabe is not allowed to attend.
Addressing 25 trainee journalists participating in the fourth training programme at The Post Newspaper’s head office in Lusaka on Wednesday, Ambassador Correa said sanctions were an imperialist policy that needed to be ousted.
Ambassador Correa said Zimbabwe was no longer a colonial state which needed talking down to.
“They think they are in the colonial time where they dictate what to do and the slaves have to obey. We will not accept that. Is Zimbabwe allowed to go to England or even France and tell them what to do? Then why should they tell Zimbabwe what to do?” he asked.
Ambassador Correa said Zimbabwe must be given a chance to find their own solutions to their problems.
“Imposing sanctions on Zimbabwe will not help. Zimbabwe is a sovereign state and it is independent, it should be left to decide what to do,” he said.
Ambassador Correa said Cuba believes in respecting the political system in other countries, including Zimbabwe.
“We respect the political system in there and believe it’s up to the Zimbabwe people themselves to decide on their fate and I think they will find the solution just as they have been doing since they gained their independence in 1980,” Ambassador Correa said.
He said Zimbabwe had managed to find solutions to its problems and likened its land redistribution policy to that of Cuba.
“People may say they have made a mistake but it’s up to them.
It’s up to the people of Zimbabwe to decide what they should do. Sanctions, restrictions or imposing embargoes will never help. I wish Zimbabwe would find a solution and people of Zimbabwe would continue to develop because Zimbabwe is a rich country and the people of Zimbabwe are very intelligent and friendly,” he said.
And Ambassador Correa said President Mwanawasa’s stance on the EU/AU summit was the most ‘solidaritarian’ position anyone could ever take.
“If one member is not allowed to go, the rest should also not go in solidarity. It’s a solidaritarian position from Zambia towards a neighbour and a brother on sanctions. The position is the best. If one country is not invited, don’t attend,” he said.
He hoped that Zimbabwe with the help of sister countries such as Malawi, Zambia and Tanzania would find a way forward to its current problems.
And Ambassador Correa has said climate change was a threat to human beings.
He said climate was the greatest concern at the moment as it affected every country.
“Climate change is continually affecting our climate. We have only one planet, which we have to protect because we have nowhere else to go. It is not the responsibility of the poor countries to protect our planet but it is the responsibility of the highly industrialised countries to protect the planet,” Ambassador Correa said.
He said every country was affected by climate change and as such it required everyone’s concern.
Ambassador Correa said countries that were topping in gas emissions should own up and work on reducing the emissions because if they continued to ignore, people would continue to suffer as time passes.
“Most of the natural disasters are affecting countries all over the world be it Asia, Africa, Latin America, Caribbean countries and European countries. As Cuba, we are also adversely affected as we often experience hurricane and as such we are concerned,” Ambassador Correa said.
“We will continue to demand that capitalist countries assert the realistic of climate change and accept it and put measures to reduce gas emissions. Maybe these countries think that climate change will only affect us the poor countries which is not a reality because it will affect all of us.”
And Ambassador Correa said Cuba would not turn back or denounce its revolution.
He said Cubans had reached a point of no return in their revolution and that Cuba would strive to better the lives of its citizens through policies such as educating the masses, providing employment to all and exploiting its natural resources especially the tourism industry.
Ambassador Correa said Cuba would continue to work very hard despite the fact that it did not have many resources, as it did not receive any financial help from the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.
Ambassador Correa said Cuba would also continue to demand for the release of the Cuban Five, who have been jailed by the United States, with the support and solidarity and other countries.
Labels: FRANCISCO CORREA, ZIMBABWE
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