Moncada Day Greetings from CPC(M-L) - Manitoba

The following message was delivered by Ken Kalturnyk to the Moncada Day celebration held in Winnipeg on July 26, 2001.

On this occasion of Moncada Day, Cuba's national day, I would like to express the warmest revolutionary greetings of the Manitoba Branch of the Communist Party of Canada (Marxist-Leninist) to the Cuban people, to Comrade Fidel Castro and the Communist Party of Cuba, and to the Cuban community and supporters of Cuba in Winnipeg who have organized this event.

For over 40 years the Cuban revolution has been an inspiration for progressive people all over the world, but especially for those of us in the Americas who must deal on a daily basis with the domination of U.S. imperialism. Tiny Cuba has refused to bow to the giant next door, no matter how desperate its economic situation has been as a result of the American Blockade. This shows us that the size of a country is not the most important consideration, but rather the spirit of its people to stand on their own feet in defence of their sovereignty, independence and the future that they have charted for themselves.

The people of Canada and the people of Cuba have much in common, not the least of which is a difficult neighbour. The Cuban community in Winnipeg is also something that we share with Cuba. Though small, it is a community with a great heart and a lot of friends. This evening's event and this year's Cuban pavilion at Folklorama are living testaments to that fact. These are victories in which all the friends of Cuba take great pride.

On this occasion, we wish Cuba and all the Cuban people still greater victories in their struggle against U.S. aggression and in defence of their revolution and socialism.