Fidel Castro - CASTRO SPEAKS TO SUGAR WORKERS UNION lyrics

Havana, Union Radio, in Spanish to Cuba, Mar. 27, 1960 at 2243 GMT began broadcasting a speech by Cuban Prime Minister Fidel Castro to the Cuban Sugar Workers Union. Castro told the sugar workers it was better to die than to resign oneself to the return of Pedraza and the other criminals supported by foreign money. He said it is easy to understand that if this should happen the people are ready to go out and to meet the enemy. That was easier to understand that what the sugar workers had just done. "We have just suffered the sabotage of the La Coubre and planes have attacked us," Castro said, "and this can be understood." Economic problems were not so easily understood. The people could learn how to use weapons but could not understand the economic problem. There had been interests which the people had not understood and to justify these interests it had been necessary to invent a system which could not be understood without a university education. The economy, as it had been, was difficult to understand because there was no explanation or justification for it. The workers' lives were spent in a society where their interests were of no account and only the interests of the higher groups were taken into consideration. Words had to be found by labor leaders to explain the economy in terms the people could understand. All that had been necessary was some clear talking and now the people understand. The people are being told how to solve the economic problems. Each citizen has a share in the operation of the government. Their contribution of four percent of their wages was not due to any government measure but some spontaneously from the people themselves. The sugar workers themselves took the initiative after listening to what the government has been telling them. The Prime Minister expressed surprise at the nation's high awareness, declaring that it was higher than "we had every imagined" and that "the workers' decision was a true surprise." The decision was "most revolutionary" since "it restricts salary increases." He said that all the Cuban people would benefit by their decision. Castro then referred to limitations set by the government on trips abroad and other luxury items. Businessmen could not take their money out of the country or spend it on luxuries. It would be logical not to import any gold for j**elry but the j**elry workers must be taken into account and gold imports cannot be stopped to leave these workers unemployed. Imports of luxury items were not for the sake of people with money but for workers whose employment depends on imports. The Prime Minister a**erted that the picture has changed for the benefit of the people. Those who are not happy over the measures taken to this end have had to invent ways of confusing the people and striking at the revolution. They strike at it with treason and divisionism. Those who today are attacking the revolution never did anything for the people. How could a nation be called sovereign and free if it could not take a single measure in the defense of its own interests? All the revolution did was to change this state of affairs. There have been many changes. There will be many more. The agreement to accept a wage cut if necessary showed how the people have awakened and understand are willing to make sacrifices. What the former regime stole from the workers has vanished. It was not put into new factories but was squandered or sent abroad. The exploitation of the Cuban worker could no longer be permitted. With an increase in production their wealth will increase. The consumption of chicken in Havana has increased but the organization to meet this demand is not yet ready. The same thing is happening with meat, rice, and other commodities. The goal is to increase production as quickly as possible. Those who invested money in Cuba took out more than they invested. This policy, which is defended by the DIARIO DE LA MARINA, is the road to poverty. Many people are hungry, in ill health. "We could not change things overnight," Castro declared. "Many problems exist; hunger, poverty, lack of education, illiteracy, and poor health. Here, in Cuba, only a few are able to attend school. The rest of the children live in misery and in want. The unfortunate one was never helped because he did not count. We are going to change things. What is our doctrine? Our doctrine is that we are going to do here what it is necessary to do." "These men who attack us from abroad," said the Prime Minister, "know nothing about our problems. We will solve our own problems. We know what we have to do." Pointing out that the sugar quota was not a Cuban invention, Castro promised a diversified agriculture and industry because the people wished to rid themselves of one-crop economy. The Prime Minister exhorted the workers to give more even if they receive less. "We must think of those who haven't anything," he said. He said the money would be invested in industrial plans. Castro revealed that the latifundias would be converted into cooperatives and that future sugar crops would be harvested on a cooperative basis. He prophesied that within 10 years Cuban economic problems would have been solved. The people now understand what is going on, he said, and though many Cuban guajiros could not speak or understand English, they knew how to defend their nation. He warned against accepting propaganda and encouraged a revolutionary awareness. What was formerly called democracy kept the people oppressed but what is now called democracy in Cuba gives the people rifles to defend themselves. The sugar workers, he said, had been especially loyal in the defense of the revolution and hold a leading place in the ranks of its supporters. Sugar mills are the basis of the economy and must be defended. Every mill must be a fortress. Every sugar worker must be organized, trained, and prepared to defend the mill in case of aggression. "The road of the revolution," concluded the Prime Minister, is clear, straight, and without confusion or confusionism. With faith in our people we may be sure than Cuban cannot be conquered." -END-