Vancouver Communities in Solidarity with Cuba (VCSC) cubacommunities@yahoo.ca | http://www.vancubasolidarity.com Feb 19 2008 For Immediate Release WE STAND WITH FIDEL’S DECISION Press Contact: Tamara Hansen, Coordinator of VCSC - 778-882-5223 Today in his latest “Reflections of the Commander in Chief” Fidel Castro made an important decision. He decided not to accept the nomination to continue on as the president of Cuba’s State Council, which is also the position of president of Cuba. Regardless of how the news media in Canada and the US try to portrait this decision as a set back for the Cuban revolution and towards a so-called “transition to democracy”, Fidel’s decision above all shows his ultimate confidence in the current leadership and government of Cuba. In fact, this decision shows a strong belief in their capability to direct the Cuban people and their revolution towards more social gains. On July 31 2006, due to ill health and emergency surgery, Fidel temporarily stepped down from some of his responsibilities. For the last year and a half he has been working to improve his health and has proved with his reflections that he has an important contribution to make towards the advancement of social justice and politics on the world scene. With refusing to accept a nomination to the State Council, he will continue in his fullest capacity to advise us and the people of Cuba with his ideas and insight on global politics today. Under Fidel’s leadership: Cuba has educated and trained so many doctors that it now has the highest number of doctors per capita of any country in the world. Cuba has eliminated illiteracy. Cuba has a 1.9% unemployment rate, which is below the 3% established as full employment by international organizations. Cuba has an infant mortality rate of 6 deaths per 1,000, a lower figure than any country in Latin America and even lower than the United States. What is happening in Cuba right now is nothing but a simple natural transition of political responsibility to the current leadership. We support our Comandante Fidel’s decision and we will continue to stand by him. For Fidel this is by no means a retreat from his great role of leadership in the Cuban revolution. As he said, “This is not my farewell to you. My only wish is to fight as a soldier in the battle of ideas.” -30-