950806

Cuba to resist US

embargo 100 years

more, says Castro

HAVANA: Tens of thousands of Cubans led by President Fidel Castro marched Saturday to condemn the US economic embargo on Cuba, and Castro said his country would fight for 100 years more to resist a US threat.

Wearing his familiar olive-green fatigues, the Cuban leader described the pro-government rally in Havana "a miracle of patriotism and revolutionary spirit."

He said at least half a million people took part in the march, despite a torrential rain shower lasting some 20 minutes that delayed the procession half an hour.

Castro joined the front of the demonstration marking the anniversary of 1994 riots quelled by the authorities after the rain stopped.

The Cuban President, speaking at the end of the one-hour march that filled the 4 km Malecon seafront, condemned what he called the "cruel and unjust" US embargo against the Communist-ruled island.

He said Cuba could not expect quick relief from the embargo because "extremist elements" in the United States were dictating US policy. Castro was apparently referring to right-wing Republicans who dominate US Congress and want to tighten the restrictions.

"If these extremist elements triumph, and manage to win control not only of the Senate but also the government, this will mean for us new periods of dangers, risks and blockades," Castro said. "So I'm not exaggerating when I say, if we have to fight 100 years more, then we will fight 100 years more."

Several hundred foreign guests attending an International Youth Festival in Havana, including many from the United States, also took part in the demonstration, visibly soaked.

The Cuban leader, who was clearly impressed by the high turnout of marchers despite the rain, said the day would be remembered as a historic show of support for Cuba's Revolution.

"The people here are revolutionary, they are with the Revolution and will remain with it, whatever the circumstances," he said.

He joked about his staying dry, saying he "couldn't even claim the merit of having received his quota of water".

The march passed beside the US Interests Section in Havana and continued along the seafront. Many marchers, accompanied by patriotic songs blaring from loudspeakers, waved Cuban flags and banners condemning the US embargo.

The demonstration, one of the biggest in recent years and organised with military precision, was protected by a massive official security operation apparently designed to prevent trouble on the anniversary of the street riots one year ago.

Hundreds of police, militia and plain clothes security officials were mobilised to guard the route and access roads, from where blocks of citizens joined the body of the march. At least one Cuban coast guard vessel patrolled offshore.-Reuter