Declaration of Government of Cuba

EVERYTHING IS NOT LOST, YET

     Under the effect of the shock caused to the world by the appalling
and brutal terrorist action that targeted the American people on
September 11, underlined by painful reports and images of grief and
sorrow, certain minds driven by feelings of hatred and arrogance have
taken to the sinister task of reviving old methods and doctrines which
lie at the very source of terrorism and the extremely grave tensions
affecting the world today.  At a time when the only advisable thing to
do is to calmly and courageously seek for a definitive solution to
terrorism and other tragedies, by universal consensus, a rude language
full of rage and a spirit of vengeance, that had not been heard since
the days prior to World War II, is being used by influential political
leaders in the United States.  Any honest person would have the right to
ask if it is really justice what they want or rather to use the hurting
and outrageous tragedy to impose methods, prerogatives and privileges
leading to the establishment of an unrestricted tyranny over every
people on Earth by the most powerful state in the world.  

     Some senior officials have openly claimed that all restrictions
should be lifted on the right of American institutions and officials to
murder any person, even if that requires the use of the most despicable
criminals. Such a prerogative had been used in the past by U.S. leaders
to eliminate patriots like Patricio Lumumba in 1961, and to arrange coup
d’état and carnage which have taken the lives of hundreds of
thousands and millions who have been tortured, vanished or removed by
diverse means. Cuba has denounced hundreds of plans of assassinate its
leaders and has tirelessly demanded punishment for those responsible and
for the authors of countless acts of terrorism which have claimed a high
number of human lives from our people. The very U.S. Senate investigated
and exposed several actions carried out against Cuba using various means
that did not leave out any form of murder, no matter how uncouth and
revolting. A peculiar kind of science was developed to that end.  

     The world has not given its unanimous support or expressed its most
sincere condolences to the noble American people to let such sentiments
be used to elaborate doctrines that would spread chaos and bloody events
throughout the planet. The fact that a State proclaims an alleged right
to kill wantonly anywhere in the world in contempt of legal procedures,
courts of law or even the presentation of evidence is as serious as
terrorism itself, and one of its most despicable manifestations. Such
policy would constitute a barbarian and uncivilized action that would
tear to pieces every rule and legal bases on which peace and coexistence
between nations might be built.  Amidst the panic and confusion created
by this whole situation and despite the extreme gravity of introducing
such procedures in international affairs, the political leaders of
various states have failed to speak out –with few exceptions--
against the emergence of a fascist and terrorist trend implicit in such
statements. One of the first consequences of this has been the acts of
xenophobia and terror perpetrated against people of a different
nationality or religion. 

     Although terrorism is absolutely repugnant and immoral, the
American people would never favor the brutal method of murdering other
people in cold blood, breaking the law, punishing without evidence or
denying fundamental principles of equity and justice with the pretext of
fighting it.  Such methods would take the planet back to law of the
jungle, tarnish the United States’ reputation and destroy its
prestige while further inciting the hatred that is today at the root of
so much grief and sadness. The American people want justice, not
revenge! Cuba said from the very first moment that in today’s
world no problem can be solved with the use of force and that, in order
to fight terrorism, it was necessary to build an awareness and a
universal union capable of definitely eradicating this and other
scourges and tragedies that put in jeopardy the very survival of the
species.  

     Although the war drums beat unexpectedly loud and they seem to
irrevocably lead towards a bloody end, everything is not lost, yet.  In
Afghanistan the ulemas --religious leaders of a traditionally combative
and brave people-- are meeting to adopt fundamental decisions.  They
have already said that they will not oppose the application of justice
and the relevant procedures if those accused, living in their country,
are really guilty.  They have simply asked for evidence, and for
guarantees of impartiality and equity in the process, something that the
United Nations could perfectly ensure, with full support from the
international community.  If such evidence exists, as the leaders of the
U.S. government have categorically affirmed, and the religious leaders
are not asked to override the deepest convictions of their faith, which
they are known to defend with their own lives, then an alternative to
war could be worked out. They would not sacrifice their people uselessly
if their ethically unquestionable request were taken into account. In
fact, a bloodbath could be avoided and this could become the first great
step towards a world without terrorism or unpunished crimes: a true
world association for peace and justice could emerge and the American
people would earn enormous prestige and respect.  Cuba would resolutely
support such a solution. But, there is not a minute to spare; there is
little time left. To fail to make such a basic, simple and viable effort
would make it an unjust war.

By the Government of the Republic of Cuba
Havana, September 19, 2001