CubaMinrex. Sitio del Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores de Cuba
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Condolence from a Canadian professor for the death of Vilma Espín Guillois. CANADA, June 20. Message of condolences from a friend of Cuba, profesor Foster Griezic: Cuba and the world mourn the passing of this amazing woman, a heroine who was a beacon of light, a tower of strength and courage for Cuba, for her people, for women internationally and as well for men who could learn much from her actions, dedication, optimism, and power in the sruggle for a better world Please pass on my condolences to her family and the Cuban government on my behalf Sincerely Foster Griezic, Professor, Canadian social, economic and labour history (Cubaminrex- Embacuba Canadá) Condolences from Parents Association of srilankan students in Republic of Cuba Through, Madam Ambassadress of Cuba in Sri Lanka Mr.Ambassador of Sri Lanka in Cuba To, The President Republic of Cuba On behalf of "Parents Association of the Sri Lankan students at Republic of Cuba "I express our sincere condolences for the lose of Mrs.Vilma Espin who dedicated her entire life since the beginning of the revolution, to her country Cuba . We feel very proud and appreciate very much the opportunity given to our children's higher studies and experience to learn its ideals and values which will be with them for the rest of their lives. We all join to share the deepest sympathies on the death of National Heroine Mrs. Raul Castro. Yours truly Secretary (On behalf of the "Parents Association of the Sri Lankan students in Cuba ) (Cubaminrex- Embacuba Sri Lanka )
Message of condolences from Marcel Prud'homme , P.C * Senator , of Canada To: His Excellency President Fidel Castro, His Excellency Acting President Raul Castro and the People of Cuba, It is with great sadness that I received the news about the passing of Mrs, Vilma Espín Guillois, a heroine of the Republic of Cuba and President of the Federation of Cuban Women. I want to express my deepest sympathy on the loss of a historic woman who dedicated her life to Cuba and the Cuban People. Mrs. Vilma Espín Guillois and I met for the first time at the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) conference where we learned a great deal about the similarities of our interests and our vision. I always looked forward to meeting with Mrs. Espín to share our experiences and to discuss world affairs. May you rest in peace as you will always be remembered for the great woman you were. The Honourable Marcel Prud'homme, P.C * Senator * Appointed a Privy Council by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth n, July 1, 1992. (Cubaminrex-Embacuba Canadá)
An intimate family ceremony, with military honors, accompanied the interment Friday of the mortal remains of Vilma Espin at the Mausoleum of the Second Front in the province of Santiago de Cuba CUBA, 23 June, 2007.- Vilma is back in her native Santiago de Cuba . She has returned to join her comrades, to continue the struggle as an icon of a people that considers her a heroine. Her ashes now feed the core of a gray granite rock, located at the head of the Mausoleum for the combatants of the "Frank Pais" Second Front, on the very same soil where half a century ago she became one of the leading members of that contingent of young rebel fighters. The mausoleum is located between the town of Soledad de Mayarí and the Micara hills. This is where Raul deposited the urn containing the ashes of his beloved wife; of the young lady whose heart he won in the mountains amidst the din of the shared combat; of the young woman who much before, when the coup d´etat staged by Batista in 1952, understood that her life would be interwoven with the best causes of the Homeland. The deep recess carved in the hard rock received yesterday, Friday June 22, the inseparable collaborator of Frank Pais; the heroine of the underground struggle, the courageous woman who gave refuge in her home to the persecuted assailants of the Moncada Barracks, the loyal follower of Fidel, the participant of the uprising of Santiago de Cuba on November 30, 1956, the galvanizer of wills, the forger of a united organization of Cuban women, the leading advocate of cultural, political, social and spiritual advancement of women in the Revolution. the Party leader, the legislator, the international fighter for the emancipation of women and children's rights. It is an intimate ceremony: Army General Raul Castro, his four children, grandchildren, other relatives, close friends and a reduced group of comrades-in-arms. They arrive just before 8:00 am. The clouds hovering over the valley and the mountains dissipate rapidly. The warm sun of Santiago lightens up the bright colors of the surrounding vegetation and the plants sown as part of the mausoleum's allegories. The Second Secretary of the Communist Party and Minister of the Revolutionary Armed Forces gets out of a car; it is he who brings the urn with Vilma's ashes; he has come from Havana with them. He hands them to a female soldier of the ceremonial unit of the Armed Forces Joint Staff, by the side of the first building of the monumental ensemble, enabling the last honor guard to begin. A lane flanked by royal palm trees, leads to the building. At its base, hidden beneath the Earth, there is a small room. It is there where the fervent admirer of Marti receives the last honors before the burial. The urn with the ashes has been placed upon a wooden base, whose upper side of gray granite and pentagonal shape bears the eternal flame lit for the heroes, and there is a picture of Vilma, similar to those that were seen in Havana and Santiago and other locations throughout the country in the tribute paid by the Cuban people to her memory. Raul, his relatives, and a reduced group of friends and guests remain briefly in the room, where numerous distinctions and decorations awarded to Vilma are on display, as well as five floral wreaths; those sent by Commander-in-Chief Fidel Castro, one from Raul, his children and grandchildren, one sent by the Federation of Cuban Women, another by the veterans of the underground struggle and the Rebel Army, and another on behalf of the Cuban people. Dressed in uniforms for the occasion, members of the ceremonial detachment enter the building to carry the floral wreaths, the medals, and the urn. It is then that an anthological musical piece, El Mambi, symbol of the love and rebelliousness of Cubans and one of Vilma's favorite tunes, is heard, this time with an arrangement by composer Frank Fernandez. And so the funeral entourage assembles at the entrance of the mausoleum. Behind the structure where the urn containing the ashes of the heroine has been placed, will go Raul, his children, grandchildren, other relatives and friends. They march slowly bordering one of the sides of the construction until they reach an intermediate esplanade between the front structure of the mausoleum and the heart of the historical site, which bears the remains of the members of the Second Front, founded and commanded by Raul Castro. Colonel Guerrero Ramos gives the order of attention and present arms to the squads taking part in the military ceremony and posthumous tribute; the funeral procession approaches. Lieutenant Colonel Temis Tasende, daughter of the martyr of the 1953 assault on the Moncada Garrison, Jose Luis Tasende, once again puts Vilma's remains in Raul's hands. The family joins him to continue along the central path of the mausoleum heading to the deep recess in a wall where the legendary veteran who died on Monday June 18, will rest. They arrive to the large stone where the tomb was carved. A lone bugle plays in a sign of tribute. The national anthem, played by the band of the General Staff of the Revolutionary Armed Forces (FAR) intermingles with the three gun salute by a squad of female cadets of the Antonio Maceo Order of the General Jose Maceo Interarmas School of the FAR. The floral wreaths were laid near the symbolic stone at the head of the memorial. There is an eternal flame, a wreath of golden laurels and olive branches, along with the Cuban flag hoisted on a flagpole that emerges from a five-sided column recalling the five points of the Lone Star and the hardness of combat, where some fall and others continue with the flag held high. Eduardo Lozada, craftsman of the entire mausoleum, including the place dedicated to the Heroine of the Republic of Cuba, explains that the granite rock is incredibly hard, selected to symbolize the strength of our revolution, of the loyal sons and daughters like Vilma. Located at the extreme right at the head of the mausoleum, with the Micara hills behind it, the rock has ferns planted around it and other plants on both sides in the form of an arch. One of them has three varieties of the same shrub. When mature, they will have white and crimson flowers and the ones nearest the monolith will take the shape of a red mantle. With this the artist wanted to show the mix of purity, tenderness and passion in this daughter of Santiago and of Cuba , born on April 7, 1930. Raul and his family remain for several minutes in front of the tomb. The few journalists present at the ceremony are unable to hear their intimate conversation. There is a dense silence floating in the air. Those watching close up comment that after depositing the funerary urn Raul takes it again in his hands to give a final kiss to his beloved wife. He remains there with his hands on the small hardwood box, in a silent conversation, as the ashes are returned to their stone shelter. The pain is inevitable with the loss of such an extraordinary woman, but suddenly her voice comes alive and is heard throughout the valley. A shuddering occurs., "She is life; she will never die!" The recorded voice of Vilma sang the sweet and rhythmical lullabies that she sang many years ago to her children: Deborah, Mariela, Nilsita and Alejandro. Composer Frank Fernandez had made the orchestra recordings of the songs kept for the Castro Espin family. Vilma makes her boyfriend, her husband, fall in love again with one of the favorite lyrics of both of them: "... sin ti es inútil vivir/ como inútil será el quererte olvidar..." (Without you life isn't worth living/ just as useless as it would be trying to forget you). The troops march in a final tribute to the famous fighter. They are carrying three flags: The national flag, the one of the July 26th Movement and that the Federation of Cuban Women. Raul and his family remain after the ceremony concludes; together they visit the more than 200 tombs with the remains of the combatants of the Second Front at the mausoleum. At each one they placed an intense orange gladiola. The Mausoleum of the Second Front now includes another symbol of the present and future battles. Here is Vilma Espin Guillois, paradigm of Cuban women, with her immense love of life. By María Julia Mayoral (Cubaminrex-Granma) Message of condolences from the Sri Lanka - Cuba Friendship Society President of Our Society Hon. Amarasiri Dodangoda Members of our society are deeply shocked and saddened by the Sudden loss to Cuba of a great Revolutionary Leader. We are aware of the great contribution Madam Vilma Espin made in the early days as a fighter against the Batista Regime during her Student days and continued as a member of the National Revolutionary action. After the triumph of the Revolution Her role as a unifying force of the womens organizations and her struggle for emancipation of Childrens rights through out world will be remembered by all of us. We send our deepest sympathies to the people of Cuba who will miss her so do we. The Spirit of Vilma Espin would be a guiding force to all of us. S.Nagendra Secretary Colombo , 21th June 2007 Message of condolences from Errington Watkins , President of The Bahamian Friends of the Cuban 5 General Raul Castro A/President The Republic of Cuba Havana Cuba. Mr. President, It was with deep sadness and profound Regret that we, the officers and members of the Bahamian friends of the Cuban 5 learnt of the PASSING of your beloved wife and HEROINE of the Cuban REVOLUTION. We share your grief and sorrow in this your hour of berevement and ask for the BLESSINGS of ALMIGHTY GOD on you, your family, Government and the people of your great Republic, in this, your darkest hour. She was a beacon and guiding Light not only for the people of her great nation, but indeed to all jnhabitants of planet Earth, who believe in JUSTICE fair play and the DIGNITY of human beings..She fought with the same Zeal, Tenacity and Determination for Justice and Freedom of the 5 Cuban heroes as she did for the FREEDOM of the Cuban people from the clutches of the U.S. backed , Batista’s brutal Regime in the mid 1950’s. The REVOLUTION, her family the Government, the people of Cuba and indeed, all citizens of every country on this planet who, like her, believes in Justice and the Rights of human beings have suffered a great Loss in her passing Errington W.I.Watkins,J.P. President The Bahamian Friends of The Cuban 5. Nassau,N.P Commonwealth of The Bahamas 19-06-07 President Musharraf condoles with Acting President of Cuba PAKISTAN , Jun 19, 2007.- President General Pervez Musharraf has expressed his deep sorrow and grief over the sad passing away of Vilma Espin Guillois, the wife of Acting President of Cuba. In a condolence message addressed to Raul Castro Ruz, Acting President of the Republic of Cuba, the President said, "it is with deep sorrow that I have learnt about the sad passing away of your beloved wife." "My wife joins me in conveying the heartfelt condolences of the government and people of Pakistan over this bereavement", he added. The President said, late Vilma Espin Guillois was an illustrious figure of the revolutionary struggle of the Cuban people. "Her contribution will always be remembered. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and the Cuban people", he added. "Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration", the message concluded. (Cubaminrex-Embacuba Pakistán- APP) Condolences for the Death of Revolutionary Heroine Vilma Espin CUBA , June 20, 2007.- Women's organizations from around the world have sent a messages of condolence to the Federation of Cuban Women for the death of its president Vilma Espin Guillois. "Vilma played a very important role in the emancipation of women," said Rigoberta Menchu, 1992 Nobel Peace Prize laureate when expressing her profound sorrow for the death of the heroine of the Cuban Revolution. Among the many letters received was that of Rafael Cancel Miranda, the historic Puerto Rican independence fighter, who pointed out that his people join their hearts with Cubans in mourning a person who heroically fought for her beloved country. Violeta Menjivar, mayor of San Salvador , called Vilma "An extraordinary woman who leaves an example we should follow throughout Latin America [.] I want to communicate to the sister nation of Cuba , its government and especially the women, that we profoundly regret the death of a great leader." Meanwhile, the Chilean Communist Party sent a message signed by its president Guillermo Teillier expressing its condolences for the death of an outstanding Cuban revolutionary leader. The editor of the Chilean magazine Punto Final, Manuel Cabieses, said Vilma is one of the "immortal figures" of the Cuban and Latin American revolution. In Uruguay and Colombia diverse media ran articles on the significant loss of the Cuban heroine while summarizing aspects of her life. They noted in particular her role as one of the most important figures of the guerrilla struggle along with Fidel and Raul Castro. "Vilma Espin is an example of someone that turned words into action," read a note of condolence from the Peruvian Communist Party (PCP). Peruvian poet Winston Orrillo expressed his heartfelt pain for the loss of the Cuban leader who he paid tribute to as "a heroine and persistent combatant." Socialist Party leader and former legislator Javier Diez Canseco called Espin an outstanding personality, tireless organizer of women in her country and profoundly committed with the historic process on the island. Victor Mayorga, president of the Cuba-Peru Parliamentarian League, said that Vilma gave her life, until the end, in defense of her people's and country's dignity. "She symbolizes the efforts and heroism of Cuban women," said a note of condolence from the staff of the Peruvian newspaper Nuestra Bandera. From Argentina , employees of the Ernesto Che Guevara Historic Museum and the Goodbye Blockade School of Solidarity with Cuba of Buenos Aires said that Vilma, like so many heroines of peace, was a living example of Cuban women. The Committee to Free the Cuban Five and the Solidarity Movement with Cuba of Argentina (MASCUBA) sent their profound regrets to the Cuban people and government, over the "loss of a woman who will continue to lead the way for revolutionary women around the world." Argentine author and journalist Stella Calloni said the death of Vilma Espin is a great loss to Cuba , Latin America and humanity. "She was an extraordinary person that helped others grow and was a revolutionary at all times." In Venezuela the evening news on the State channel, the Bolivarian News Agency and the international Telesur TV were the first to broadcast the news of Espin's passing. The Federation of Women of China also sent their condolences on Tuesday to the headquarters of the Cuban diplomatic mission in Beijing , calling Vilma Espin "A heroine of Cuba with a forward looking approach and friend of the Chinese people who made important contributions to the promotion of cooperation between the women of the two countries." In Buenos Aires , Hebe de Bonafini, president of the Association of the Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo, said that Vilma has not died, because "giants like her never die, with her example she showed other women how to get involved in the revolutionary struggle. Dear Vilma, you will be present every Thursday afternoon at our Plaza de Mayo, alongside our children and Che." (Cubaminrex-RHC) Raul Castro Pays Posthumous Tribute to Cuban Heroine Vilma Espin CUBA Jun 19, 2007.- Cuban First Vice-President Raul Castro paid posthumous homage to outstanding revolutionary woman and Cuban Heroine Vilma Espin, who died Monday afternoon from a long illness. Members of the Political Bureau and the Secretariat of the Central Committee of the Cuban Communist Party, along with the top leaders of political and grassroots organizations in the country also paid tribute to Vilma, who was a leader of the struggle in favor of women´s emancipation and children's rights. Flanking Vilma's portrait, the first guard of honor was carried out by Yolanda Ferrer, General Secretary of the Cuban Women Federation (FMC); Salvador Valdes, General Secretary of the Workers Union Federation; Julio Martinez, First Secretary of the Young Communist League and Asela de los Santos, in representation of the Association of Combatants of the Cuban Revolution. As a gesture for the admiration and love for the Cuban women's leader, floral wreaths have been laid on behalf of Cuban President Fidel Castro; First Vice President Raul Castro, their children and grandchildren; on behalf of all the Cuban women and people in general, as well as on behalf of Parliament president, Ricardo Alarcon; among others. Following her family members, thousands of Cubans organized on a line walked slowly by the photo of the FMC's founder, which is surrounded by her decorations, titles and national and international orders bestowed on her, including the honorary title of Heroine of the Republic of Cuba. Two posters reading statements in honor of Vilma are escorting her portrait at the memorial as well: "Honor and Glory to the Heroine of our Motherland, an Exceptional Builder of a New World, Master and Guide of the Cuban women," one of them reads. Another sign with a statement by Fidel Castro on the occasion of the 45th anniversary of the FMC reads: "The compañera Vilma, is a tough fighter for women's rights, a driving force of education, of the assistance to children and of the participation of the young people in the tasks of the Revolution." (Cubaminrex-AIN)
Vilma Espin Helps Raising Cuban Women Dignity CUBA, June 20, 2007.- Cuba's Communist Party Political Board member Jose Ramon Machado Ventura highlighted the late heroine Vilma Espin's permanent efforts to raise Cuban women's dignity, recognition and honor. Addressing an act at Karl Marx Theater , led by the island's First Vice President Raul Castro, Machado recalled that with the January 1959 victory, Vilma started a fight longer than the previous ones: the struggle for women's equity. He said that President Fidel Castro entrusted her then to unify the country's women organizations, a process that concluded on August 23, 1960 with the creation of the Federation of Cuban Women (FMC). "She was since then," said Machado, "the most beloved, admired and respect Cuban women leader." "What women have currently conquered is due to the Revolution and Vilma's efforts for reaching that human condition," the Cuban PCC member noted. The also vice president of the Council of State highlighted in presence of Raul Castro and his four children Vilma's contribution to foster and develop Cuban family and as a creator of women leaders of the Revolution. "Vilma leaves an indelible mark in the FMC leadership partners. She was a friend, mother, sister, without her authority being affected in any way." (Cubaminrex-PL) President of Suriname signs condolence register for Cuban heroine Vilma Espίn Guillois SURINAME, 20 June, 2007.- The President of Suriname, Ronald Runaldo Venetiaan, signed the condolence register for Vilma Espín Guillois, heroine of the Cuban Revolution, in the Embassy of the Republic of Cuba in Suriname. Vilma Espín Guillois passed away Monday June 18 in Havana. The condolence register was also signed by the first lady of Suriname, Mrs. Liesbeth Venetiaan – Vanenburg; Humphrey Hildenberg, Minister of Finance, who is the Minister of Foreign Affairs ad interim; and the acting permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Robby Ramlakhan. The distinguished visitors expressed to the Cuban Ambassador in Suriname, Andres González Garrido, their condolences, and also their admiration for the revolutionary career of Cuban heroine, Vilma Espín Guillois. (Cubaminrex-Embacuba Suriname)
Rigoberta Menchu Grieves for Vilma Espin Death GUATEMALA, June 19, 2007.- Peace Nobel Prize winner Rigoberta Menchu stated Cuban deceased patriot Vilma Espin played a very significant role in women's emancipation, and she expressed her deep grieve for the death of the Cuban Revolution heroine. Menchu gave statements to Prensa Latina Tuesday, and she remembered the many times she shared moments with Vilma Espin at the UN General Assembly in New York, in Geneva, and in Beijing, China, on a conference about women. She said she also visited Vilma Espin in Havana, Cuba. "Vilma was always a very tenacious female leader, with a lot of combative spirit and firmness. I listened to her when she spoke several times, every time Cuba suffered the US government's attacks or at the Human Rights Commission in Geneva," she said. "I am very sad for her death, but I think Vilma must be remembered with joy, she is with us, in many of the women's conquests, and we should follow her example," she concluded. (Cubaminrex-PL) CUBA, June 19, 2007.- Cubans are offering posthumous tribute to Vilma Espin Guillois, the most admired and respect women leader in Cuba, Tuesday in deserved recognition of her history and leadership. People from Havana will meet at the Revolution Square Jose Marti Memorial to pay tribute to the president and founder of the Cuban Women Federation (FMC). Similar honors will take place at the monument erected to independence leader Antonio Maceo in the eastern Santiago de Cuba province. Workers, housewives, retirees, children and adolescents will join at an uninterrupted line at the Jose Marti Memorial, many veterans, with pride of having been co-protagonists of some of Vilma Espin s works. A woman of clear political vision, intellectual capacity, deep analysis and revolutionary firmness, she had the quality of being able to work with human problems on any level. According to her wishes, her body will be cremated and the ashes will be placed at the II Frank Pais Front Mausoleum in the eastern Cuban region in a strict family funeral with military honors. The leadership of the Cuban Communist Party and State will hold a ceremony at Havana s Karl Marx Theater, with the island s leaders, the FMC National Direction and the provinces Secretariat of that women organization. (Cubaminrex-PL)
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