MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Fidel Castro writes about Obama, Cristina and his death

Fidel Castro received Pte. CFK

Following five weeks of silence the Cuban leader Fidel Castro published on Thursday two letters or “reflections” in less than 24 hours where he addresses current issues as the new US president Barcak Obama, meeting Argentine president Cristina Kirchner and even talks about his health condition and death.

His writings, "The 11th president of the United States" and "Meeting Cristina" include kind words and praise for both leaders, from different angles. But the ailing Castro also explains why his literary production has come down, following rumours about his death. "I have reduced the number of Reflections as I intended this year to avoid interfering or getting in the way of the comrades from the Party and the State as they are called to make constant decisions to tackle the objective difficulties derived from the world economic crisis. I feel well but, I insist, none of them should feel constrained by my intermittent Reflections,my health condition or my death", writes the 82 year old Comandante. Finally it must be said that Fidel Castro has not been seen in public for over two and a half years and that he was replaced as president by his brother Raul Castro. Follow the two latest Reflections: "The 11th President of the United States"This past Tuesday January 20, 2009, Barack Obama took on the leadership of the empire as the 11th President of the United States since the victory of the Cuban Revolution on January 1959. No one could doubt the sincerity of his words as he stated that he would turn his country into a model of freedom and respect for human rights in the world and for the independence of other peoples. This, of course, could offend hardly anyone except for the misanthropes anywhere in the world. He has comfortably stated that imprisonment and torture at the illegal Guatanamo Base would cease right away. This has been raising doubts among those who worship terror as an indispensable instrument of his country's foreign policy. The smart and noble looks of the first African-American President of the United States from its foundation as an independent republic, two and one third of a century ago, had changed under the inspiration of Abraham Lincoln and Martin Luther King to become the living symbol of the American dream. However, despite all he has been through, Obama has not taken the main test: What will he do when the immense power he now has proves to be absolutely useless to overcome the insoluble antagonist contradictions posed by the system? I have reduced the number of Reflections as I intended this year to avoid interfering or getting in the way of the comrades from the Party and the State as they are called to make constant decisions to tackle the objective difficulties derived from the world economic crisis. I feel well but, I insist, none of them should feel constrained by my intermittent Reflections, my health condition or my death. I'm reviewing speeches and materials I have elaborated in the course of more than fifty years. I have had the strange privilege of witnessing the events for this long. I receive information and I calmly meditate on the developments. I hope not to enjoy such privilege within four years when President Obama will have completed his first term. Fidel Castro Ruiz - January 22, 2009 - 6:30 p.m. "Meeting Cristina"We talked for 40 minutes. It was an intense and interesting dialogue; just as I expected. She is a person of deep convictions. There was no debate. When she spoke at the Auditorium of the University of Havana, she was quick to answer the students' questions showing her talent and her capacity. The meeting at the Latin American Medical School [ELAM] was moving. The songs played by the peasant students of Guarani descent, with the typical instruments and tunes of that ethnic group, added a special note. She was presented with a doctor's white coat, which she immediately put on the orange jacket and slacks she was wearing. She left the ELAM to come meet with me. As we discussed the United States, I indicated the historical significance it has for Cuba that by noon yesterday we could count 10 Presidents who have led that country through 50 years in which the immense power of that country could not destroy the Cuban Revolution. I said that I personally do not doubt the honesty of Obama, --the 11th President since January 1st, 1959? as he expresses his ideas, but that his noble intentions notwithstanding there are still many questions to be answered. By way of an example I wondered: How could a wasteful and consumerist system par excellence preserve the environment? We also discussed many other issues related to international and national politics concerning Cuba and Argentina. Argentina's capacity to produce food and industrial products with advanced technology are decisive elements for that country's development. She mentioned the informatics engineering capacity of countries like India to trade in the world market, which she finds particularly interesting, as it is especially strong in software production. Cristina is a devoted President who likes to work on a full time basis. However, when she travels to other countries, she protects her right to have a number of hours to adapt and to exercise; and this everyone respects. Fidel Castro Ruiz - January 21, 2009 - 6:30 p.m.