Cuba seeks Dar's help to have citizens released from us jails

CCM vice-chairman (Tanzania Mainland) Pius Msekwa exchanges documents with Cuban ambassador Ernesto Gomez Diaz after signing a cooperation agreement between CCM and the Communist Party of Cuba in Dar es Salaam yesterday

The government of Cuba yesterday appealed to Tanzania to support its decision to pressurize the United States to free five Cuban nationals currently being held in US jails.

Speaking during the signing of a five-year cooperation agreement between Communist Party of Cuba and Chama Cha Mapinduzi in Dar es Salaam yesterday, the Cuban ambassador to Tanzania, Mr Ernesto Gomez Diaz, asked CCM and the Government of Tanzania to join hands in efforts the have five Cuban heroes set free.

Mr Diaz said the five heroes who were fighting against terrorism, have for the past 11 years been unfairly held and subjected to torture in American jails.

"I kindly ask CCM and Tanzania to join the international movement to free the captives ... they are symbols of our determination to defend with dignity our freedom and independence," said Mr Diaz.

He said in this movement, Cuba needs support from its Tanzanian brothers and sisters. The Cuban ambassador also expressed his sincere gratitude to the Government of Tanzania for support it has given, especially in their fight against United States injustice acts on the Cubans.

"We take this opportunity to thank the solidarity and support we have always received from Tanzania in our fight against criminal and genocide blockade imposed by the United States against our people," he added. On his part, the CCM deputy chairman (Mainland), Mr Pius Msekwa, promised to implement the agreement reached between the two parties for the betterment of the people of Cuba and Tanzania.

"We have enjoyed close cooperation between our parties for many years since the leadership of Mwalimu Julius Nyerere, and though the cooperation, we have been able to fight against colonialism and for freedom for our countries," said Mr Msekwa. He said:

"In this agreement, we will exchange ideas and delegations... this is a normal tradition for political parties like ours to have such agreements." In the agreement, CCM and CPC will see both parties exchange experiences, delegations and information meant to strengthen them.

The signing of the agreement was also an occasion to remember the over 2,000 Cuban voluntary soldiers who lost their lives in the African soil, helping Africans to fight against colonialism.

The CPC was founded in 1925 by the Moscow-trained members of the Third International. In 1940s and early 1950s, Cuba was led by a Fulgencio Batista who was overthrown by Fidel Castrol in 1960.

The government of Cuba yesterday appealed to Tanzania to support its decision to pressurize the United States to free five Cuban nationals currently being held in US jails. Speaking during the signing of a five-year cooperation agreement between Communist Party of Cuba and Chama Cha Mapinduzi in Dar es Salaam yesterday, the Cuban ambassador to Tanzania, Mr Ernesto Gomez Diaz, asked CCM and the Government of Tanzania to join hands in efforts the have five Cuban heroes set free.

Mr Diaz said the five heroes who were fighting against terrorism, have for the past 11 years been unfairly held and subjected to torture in American jails. "I kindly ask CCM and Tanzania to join the international movement to free the captives ... they are symbols of our determination to defend with dignity our freedom and independence," said Mr Diaz.

He said in this movement, Cuba needs support from its Tanzanian brothers and sisters. The Cuban ambassador also expressed his sincere gratitude to the Government of Tanzania for support it has given, especially in their fight against United States injustice acts on the Cubans.

"We take this opportunity to thank the solidarity and support we have always received from Tanzania in our fight against criminal and genocide blockade imposed by the United States against our people," he added.

On his part, the CCM deputy chairman (Mainland), Mr Pius Msekwa, promised to implement the agreement reached between the two parties for the betterment of the people of Cuba and Tanzania. "We have enjoyed close cooperation between our parties for many years since the leadership of Mwalimu Julius Nyerere, and though the cooperation, we have been able to fight against colonialism and for freedom for our countries," said Mr Msekwa.

He said: "In this agreement, we will exchange ideas and delegations... this is a normal tradition for political parties like ours to have such agreements."

In the agreement, CCM and CPC will see both parties exchange experiences, delegations and information meant to strengthen them.

The signing of the agreement was also an occasion to remember the over 2,000 Cuban voluntary soldiers who lost their lives in the African soil, helping Africans to fight against colonialism. The CPC was founded in 1925 by the Moscow-trained members of the Third International.

In 1940s and early 1950s, Cuba was led by a Fulgencio Batista who was overthrown by Fidel Castrol in 1960.

Msomaji

Dar es salaam