[R-G] Healthy changes within the Council of Ministers

[Macdonald Stainsby]

Healthy changes within the Council of Ministers

(Taken from CubaDebate)

IN response to changes made within the executive, certain news agencies 
are throwing up their hands in horror.

Several of them are saying or echoing "popular" rumors about the 
substitution of "Fidel’s men" for "Raúl’s men."

The majority of those who have been replaced were never proposed by me. 
Almost without exception, they were proposed for their posts by other 
comrades within the leadership of the Party or the state. I never 
devoted myself to that task.

I have never underestimated human intelligence or the vanity of men.

I was consulted about the new ministers who have just been appointed 
even though there was no rule obliging those who proposed them to 
consult me, given that I renounced the prerogatives of power some time 
ago. They acted simply as genuine revolutionaries who carry within them 
loyalty to principles.

There has been no injustice committed against certain cadres.

Neither of the two individuals mentioned by news reports as the most 
affected have uttered a word to express any disagreement with the 
decision. It had nothing to do with an absence of personal value. It was 
another reason. The sweetness of power for which they had made no 
sacrifice awoke in them ambitions that led them to an unworthy role. The 
external enemy was filled with illusions about them.

I don’t accept the gossip being mixed in with the Baseball Classic that 
is about to commence. I stated very clearly that our baseball players 
were first-rate young men, men who believe in "Patria o Muerte" 
(Homeland or Death).

As I have stated on other occasions, we will return with the shield or 
on the shield.

We will win because we know how to and we can combine something that 
only free men can, those who have no owners, not professional players.

Leonel Fernández was telling me yesterday afternoon that some of the 
excellent professional Dominican ballplayers didn’t want to take part in 
this competition; they would be absent, which would be sad for their 
people, who watched them grow.

Chávez still doesn’t know why his magnificent pitchers and hitters will 
be defeated by our athletes.

The Cuban national team that will measure its strength this year against 
the best professional players from the Major Leagues in the United 
States and Japan is much stronger and better prepared than the one of 
three years ago.

Many of them are already veterans despite their youthful age. None of 
the players who made the team stayed behind, except for health reasons.

I assume full responsibility for success or the opposite. The victories 
will be for all of us; defeat will never be bereft.

Patria o Muerte! Venceremos!

Fidel Castro Ruz

March 3, 2009

11:32 a.m.

Translated by Granma International