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ENGLISH TRANSLATION:
http://www.granma.cu/ingles/2009/junio/lun8/Declaration.html

SPANISH ORIGINAL:
http://www.granma.cubaweb.cu/2009/06/08/nacional/artic05.html

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Havana. June 8, 2009

Declaration of the Revolutionary Government

IN an act of unusual historic significance, the OAS has just formally =
buried
the shameful resolution which excluded Cuba from the Inter-American =
System
in 1962.

That decision was despicable and illegal, contrary to the declared aims =
and
principles of the OAS Constitution. It was, at the same time, consistent
with the trajectory of this organization; with the motive for which was
created, promoted and defended by the United States. It was consistent =
with
its role as an instrument of U.S. hegemony in the hemisphere and with
Washington=92s capacity to impose its will on Latin America at the =
historic
moment in which the Cuban Revolution triumphed.

Today, Latin America and the Caribbean are experiencing another reality. =
The
decision adopted at the 39th session of the OAS General is the fruit of =
the
will of governments more committed to their peoples, with the region=92s =
real
problems and with a sense of independence that, unfortunately, did not
prevail in 1962. Cuba acknowledges the merit of the governments that =
have
undertaken to formally erase that resolution, referred to in that =
meeting as
"an unburied corpse."

The decision to rescind Resolution 6 of the 8th OAS Meeting of =
Consultation
of Ministers of Foreign Affairs constitutes an unquestioned disrespect =
for
the U.S. policy on Cuba followed since 1959. It pursues the aim of =
repairing
a historic injustice and is a vindication for the Cuban people and =
peoples
of the Americas.

Despite the last-minute consensus achieved, that decision was adopted
against Washington=92s will and in the face of intensive moves and =
pressure
exerted by governments in the region. In that way, it dealt imperialism =
a
defeat using its very own instrument.


Cuba welcomes with satisfaction this expression of sovereignty and
civic-mindedness, while thanking those governments which, with a spirit =
of
solidarity, independence and justice, have defended Cuba=92s right to =
return
to the organization. It also understands the desire to free the OAS from =
a
stigma that has remained as a symbol of the organization=92s servility.

However, Cuba once again confirms that it will not return to the OAS.

Since the triumph of the Revolution, the Organization of American States =
has
played an active role in Washington=92s policy of hostility against =
Cuba. It
made the economic blockade official, ruled on the embargo of weapons and
strategic products, and stipulated member countries=92 obligatory =
breaking off
of diplomatic relations with our revolutionary state. Despite the =
exclusion
in place, over the years it even tried to keep Cuba under its authority =
and
to subject it to its own jurisdiction and that of its specialized =
agencies.
This is an organization with a role and a trajectory that Cuba =
repudiates.

The Cuban people were able to resist the aggressions and the blockade,
overcome the diplomatic, political, and economic isolation, and face, on
their own, without yielding, the persistent aggressiveness of the most
powerful empire known to the planet.

Today our country enjoys diplomatic relations with all the countries of =
the
hemisphere apart from the United States. It is developing broad links of
friendship and cooperation with the majority of them.

Moreover, Cuba has won its full independence and is marching unstoppably
toward a society that is more just, equitable, and full of solidarity =
every
day.

It has done so with supreme heroism and sacrifice, and with the =
solidarity
of the peoples of the Americas. It shares values that are contrary to =
those
of neoliberal and egotistical capitalism promoted by the OAS, and feels =
that
it has the right and the authority to say "no" to the idea of joining a =
body
in which the United States still exercises oppressive control. The =
peoples
and governments of the region will understand this just position.

Today it can be understood more clearly than in 1962 that it is the OAS =
that
is incompatible with the most pressing desires of the peoples of Latin
America and the Caribbean, that it is incapable of representing their
values, interests and genuine yearning for democracy; it is the OAS that =
has
been unable to solve the problems of inequality, disparities in wealth,
corruption, foreign intervention, and the predatory actions of =
transnational
capital. It is the OAS that has remained silent in the face of the most
horrendous crimes, communes with the interests of imperialism, and =
conspires
against and subverts governments genuinely and legitimately constituted =
with
demonstrable popular support.

The speeches and declarations of San Pedro Sula have been more than
eloquent. Well-founded criticisms of the organization=92s anachronism, =
given
its divorce from continental realities and its disgraceful record, =
cannot be
ignored.

The demands to end, once and for all, the criminal U.S. blockade of Cuba
reflect the growing and unstoppable sentiment of an entire hemisphere. =
The
spirit of independence represented there by the many that spoke is the =
one
with which Cuba identifies.

Aspirations for the integration and coordination of Latin America and =
the
Caribbean are increasingly manifest. Cuba is actively participating in, =
and
proposes continuing to do so, the representative regional mechanisms of =
what
Jos=E9 Mart=ED called "Our America," from the Rio Grande to Patagonia, =
including
all of the Caribbean islands.

Strengthening, expanding and harmonizing those bodies and groups is the =
path
chosen by Cuba; not the outlandish illusion of returning to an =
organization
that does not allow reform and that has been condemned by history.

The response of the people of Cuba to the ignominious 8th Meeting of
Consultation of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the OAS was the Second
Declaration of Havana, approved in a mass assembly on February 4, 1962 =
by
more than one million Cubans in the Plaza de la Revoluci=F3n.

The declaration textually affirmed:

"=85Great as was the epic of Latin American independence, heroic as was =
that
struggle, today's generation of Latin Americans is called upon to engage =
in
an epic which is even greater and more decisive for humanity. For that
struggle was for liberation from Spanish colonial power, from a decadent
Spain invaded by Napoleon=92s armies. Today the call for struggle is for
liberation from the most powerful imperial metropolis in the world, from =
the
most important force in the imperialist world and to render humanity an =
even
greater service than that rendered by our predecessors.

"=85For this great humanity has said, "Enough!" and has begun to march. =
And
its march of giants will not be halted until they conquer real =
independence,
for which they have died in vain more than once."

We will be loyal to these ideas which have made it possible for our =
people
to maintain Cuba free, sovereign and independent.

Havana, June 8, 2009

Translated by Granma International=20