Cuba: Review of Fidel Castro Speeches, 2005

FBIS REPORT
Monday, April 25, 2005

An FBIS review of 20 addresses by Cuban President Fidel Castro covered by Cuban media to date in 2005 indicates that 18 reported speeches have been broadcast on Cubavision television's domestic and international channels. Fifteen of the televised events were broadcast live; three were recorded and carried one or two days after the live event; and two were reported but not carried by Cuban television.

Castro delivered a four-hour, 13-minute address during a special session of the First International Literacy Congress held at the Havana Convention Center, where he praised Venezuela's Bolivarian Revolution and highlighted Cuba's education programs. Castro briefly referred to the lifting of EU sanctions. Live coverage showed Castro sitting during the first half of his address and standing during the second half. (FYI with video clip filed as LAP20050202000006; text of 65-minute excerpt with video clips filed as LAP20050203000096)

Castro delivered a four-hour, 20-minute address during the closing of the Pedagogy 2005 and First International Literacy Congresses at the Karl Marx Theatre in Havana, where he discussed the current illiteracy situation in the world and praised Venezuela's progress in education. Castro also referred to the changes that are taking place within the Cuban education system and briefly commented on the proposed US transition plan. Castro remained seated during the entire speech. The recorded address was broadcast by Cubavision over three consecutive days. (FYIs with video still filed as LAP20050207000001, LAP20050208000001, and LAP20050209000001; report with photo filed as LAP20050205000037; text of three-minute and 60-minute excerpts filed as LAP20050207000051 and LAP20050211000087)

Castro addressed the closing ceremony of the Seventh International Economists Conference on Globalization and Development Problems at the Havana Convention Center for nearly five hours and 30 minutes. Castro mostly referred to social programs launched by Venezuela's Bolivarian Revolution to battle illiteracy; he also reiterated his confidence in Brazilian President Lula da Silva and stressed that the victory of Tabare Vasquez in Uruguay heralds a new trend on the continent. Castro also forecasted the return to power of the Sandinista Front in Nicaragua and warned that if Hugo Chavez is assassinated George W. Bush will be responsible. Castro remained seated during the entire speech, except for the last 19 minutes. The recorded address was broadcast by Cubavision over three consecutive days. (FYIs filed as LAP20050213000001, LAP20050214000002, and LAP20050215000011; report filed as LAP20050213000004)

Castro addressed the closing ceremony of the Ninth Health Workers Union Congress at the Havana Convention Center for nearly three hours. Castro extolled the historical ties between Cuba and Venezuela and highlighted the progress in health care in both countries. Castro also stressed that Cuba will surely have the best medical services in the world and briefly addressed the proposed US transition plan. Castro remained seated during the entire speech. The recorded address was broadcast by Cubavision on two consecutive days. (FYIs with subtitled video clips filed as LAP20050218000004 and LAP20050219000010; report filed as LAP20050217000022)

Castro delivered a five-hour address during a ceremony to commemorate International Women's Day at the Havana Convention Center. Castro praised trade relations with China and Venezuela and referred to the centralization of state enterprises. He stressed that the Cuban military is invulnerable and is ready to repel any US invasion. Castro also affirmed that Cuba has survived the Special Period and is doing very well despite the damaging hurricanes and intense drought. Live coverage showed Castro sitting during the entire speech. (FYI filed as LAP20050309000023; text of 50-minute excerpt with subtitled video clips filed as LAP20050310000107)

Castro delivered a two-hour, 58-minute address to Party and Union of Young Communists (UJC) leaders; representatives of mass organizations; and staff and officials of the Revolutionary Armed Forces (FAR) and the Interior Ministry (MININT) at the Havana Convention Center. Castro announced a new Central Bank of Cuba resolution fixing the exchange rate for the Cuban peso at 24 pesos per convertible peso for sales operations; he stressed this was the first step toward the gradual revaluation of the peso. Live coverage showed Castro sitting during the entire speech. (FYI with subtitled video clip filed as LAP20050318000012; full text with subtitled video clip filed as LAP20050323000013)

Castro delivered a four-hour, five-minute address to Party and Union of Young Communists leaders; representatives of mass organizations; and staff and officials of the Revolutionary Armed Forces and the Interior Ministry at the Havana Convention Center. Castro announced that the Monetary Policy Committee of the Central Bank of Cuba passed a new resolution increasing the exchange rates for the convertible peso in relation to the US dollar and other foreign currencies due to the devaluation of the dollar. At the end of the speech, Castro received a plea for justice from a member of the audience and stated that he would respond to it the following week. Live coverage showed Castro sitting during the entire speech. (FYI with subtitled video clip filed as LAP20050325000014; text of 95-minute excerpt filed as LAP20050328000083)

Castro addressed the closing session of the Latin America in the 21st Century: Universalism and Originality International Conference at the Havana Convention Center for "four hours and a half," according to Castro himself on 31 March. The speech was not carried by Cuban television. Castro stressed the need for peace and cooperation, and stated that countries such as China, Russia, Brazil, and Venezuela can help Latin America and the world. He also emphasized Russia's "potential to contribute to world peace" and stated that the Soviet Union was the "axis" of anti-Nazi resistance. (report with photos filed as LAP20050331000049; Radio Rebelde report filed as LAP20050331000053)

Castro delivered a four-hour, 40-minute address to Party and Union of Young Communists leaders; representatives of mass organizations; and staff and officials of the Revolutionary Armed Forces and the Interior Ministry at the Havana Convention Center. Castro announced increased pensions for citizens receiving Social Security and stated that Thursday speeches will now be a weekly program. Castro stressed the need for the population to learn about the economy and to use energy efficiently. Castro also read a response to a lady who on 24 March handed him a plea for justice. Live coverage showed Castro sitting during the entire speech. (FYI with video clip filed as LAP20050401000012; full-text filed as LAP20050406000011)

Castro addressed "important" Party, state, and government leaders from political, social, and mass organizations from throughout the country; as well as high-level officers from the FAR and the Interior Ministry during a meeting to evaluate the results of the Bastion 2004 military exercises. The speech was not carried by Cuban television. Castro stressed that there is no enemy, no matter how powerful, that Cuba cannot face and defeat. He described the Bastion 2004 strategic exercise as the most productive one he has ever seen and assured that the enemy "can be defeated sooner" than anyone would think. (Cubavision report with video stills filed as LAP20050407000009)

Castro delivered a five-hour address to Party, Union of Young Communists, and MININT and MINFAR leaders at the Havana Convention Center. Castro dedicated his speech to late Pope John Paul II; he emphasized that attempts by "the empire" and others to use the Catholic Church against Cuba have failed and criticized the President's "hypocritical" presence at the pope's funeral. Castro also expressed contempt for the UN Commission on Human Rights. Live coverage showed Castro sitting during the entire speech. (FYI with subtitled video clip filed as LAP20050408000012; text of three-hour excerpt filed as LAP20050414000108)

Castro delivered a two-hour, 44-minute address to Party, UJC, and MININT and MINFAR leaders at the Havana Convention Center. Castro decried the President's "support" of known terrorist Luis Posada Carriles and the role of the US Interests Section and US officials involved in the case. Live coverage showed Castro sitting during the entire speech. (FYI with video clip filed as LAP20050412000012; text of 15-minute excerpt filed as LAP20050412000054)

President Castro, who is right-handed and known for gesticulating extensively with his right arm while speaking, has been progressively favoring his left arm since February. See LAP20050303000088 to review President Castro's range of motion in 2004. In his public addresses of 7 and 11 April, President Castro primarily uses his left arm to gesture and shuffle notes, and repeatedly kneads his right shoulder and arm with his left hand. President Castro uses his right hand on scant occasions to applaud, shuffle papers and point. However, he mostly avoids lifting or moving his right arm from the shoulder to the elbow. (Report with video clip filed as LAP20050412000027)

Castro delivered a two-hour, 18-minute address to leaders of the Communist Party of Cuba, the UJC, Interior Ministry, and Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces at the Havana Convention Center. Castro discussed the case of Luis Posada Carriles and asked that he be deported to somewhere where he will be fairly tried. He also described the UN Commission on Human Rights as a "comedy" show. Live coverage showed Castro sitting during the entire speech. (FYI with video clip filed as LAP20050415000007)

Castro delivered a three-hour address to leaders of the Communist Party of Cuba, the UJC, Interior Ministry, and Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces at the Havana Convention Center. Castro criticized the "double standard" used for terrorism in the US and discussed in detail the case of Luis Posada Carriles. Live coverage showed Castro sitting during the entire speech. (FYI with video stills filed as LAP20050416000006; text of five-minute excerpt filed as LAP20050416000033)

Castro delivered a two-hour, 35-minute address to leaders of the Communist Party of Cuba, the UJC, Interior Ministry, and Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces at the Havana Convention Center. Castro criticized Mexico for their vote at the UN Commission on Human Rights and their failure to investigate known terrorist Luis Posada Carriles. During most of the speech, Castro denounced the US "complicity" in the Posada Carriles case. He also announced that 96.27 percent of registered voters had participated in municipal elections. Live coverage showed Castro sitting during the entire speech. (FYI filed as LAP20050418000005; text excerpts filed as LAP20050420000011)

Castro delivered a two-hour, 30-minute address to leaders of the Communist Party of Cuba, the UJC, Interior Ministry, and Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces at the Havana Convention Center. Castro continued denouncing the US failure to investigate Luis Posada Carriles' presence in US territory. Castro also heavily criticized the Organization of American States, which he described as "trash," and decried US pressures to control the organization. Live coverage showed Castro sitting during the entire speech. (FYI filed as LAP20050419000008; text excerpts filed as LAP20050420000128)

Castro delivered a three-hour, 36-minute address to leaders of the Communist Party of Cuba, the UJC, Interior Ministry, and Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces on the occasion of the 44th anniversary of the Giron Victory. Castro continued demanding that Posada Carriles' presence in US soil be investigated and extensively recalled Playa Giron events. Castro affirmed that the only reason the US has not attacked Cuba is because they know Cuba's resistance would be "unconquerable." Live coverage from Havana's Karl Marx Theatre showed Castro sitting during the entire speech. (FYI with video clip filed as LAP20050420000024)

Castro delivered a one-hour, 40-minute address to leaders of the Communist Party of Cuba, the UJC, Interior Ministry, and Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces at the Havana Convention Center. Castro continued his analysis and criticism of the US "dubious position" regarding Posada Carriles' presence in that country. Castro stated that he was not surprised by the President's endorsement of a "murderer" like John Bolton and decried US support for former Mexican Foreign Minister Derbez to head the OAS. He also denounced ousted Ecuadoran President Gutierrez's "betrayal" of his people and the "shamelessness" of developments at the UN Commission on Human Rights. Live coverage showed Castro sitting during the entire speech. (FYI with video clip filed as LAP20050421000005)

Castro delivered a two-hour, 49-minute address to leaders of the Communist Party of Cuba, the UJC, Interior Ministry, and Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces at the Havana Convention Center. Castro announced new energy saving measures, increased salaries, and an increase in minimum wage. During part of the speech, Castro stood up to showcase and compare artisan-made appliances with newly distributed ones. Live coverage showed Castro sitting during the first part of his speech and then standing for one-hour, 45-minutes while he showcased appliances. (FYI with video clip filed as LAP20050422000012; FBIS is processing excerpts from this speech)

Castro delivered a two-hour, 49-minute address to leaders of the Communist Party of Cuba, the UJC, Interior Ministry, and Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces at the Havana Convention Center. Castro denounced the piracy of employees from several sectors. He called for increased awareness in energy conservation and praised the basic minister's role in the implementation of energy saving measures. Castro also continued discussing Luis Posada Carriles' presence in the United States. Live coverage showed Castro sitting during the entire speech. (FYI with text excerpts filed as LAP20050423000010)