AFRICA-CUBA: Che Speaks 1965 – Algiers, Organization of Afro-Asian Solidarity

In late 1964, after his speech before the UN General Assembly, Che Guevara embarked on a lengthy tour of Africa that began and ended in Algeria. He visited Mali, Congo (Brazzaville), Guinea, Ghana, Dahomey, Tanzania, and the United Arab Republic. He returned to Algiers to participate in the Second Economic Seminar of the Organization of Afro-Asian Solidarity. Below is a video snippet of one of the two speeches he gave there. Here, he clearly articulates the beast that is imperialism.

Later in 1965, Che led a mission of Cuban soldiers to the Congo to help support the Lumumbistes who were fighting against the central government. The central government had just elected a new president, a man who was complicit in the assassination of Patrice Lumumba, the United States’ best friend in Africa, Mobutu Sese Seko. Unfortunately, Che’s trip to the Congo was fraught with many difficulties and never bore fruit; consequently, he returned to Cuba. He would never see the continent again.

UN Gen. Assembly Prez, Miguel D’Escoto, Knows How to Use the Bully Pulpit

You know, there is nothing better than a former priest who shifts to a career in politics, especially if he is a liberation theologist. Father D’Escoto was the foreign minister under the Sandinista government in Nicaragua in the 1970’s.  His present position, President of the UN General Assembly, affords him the opportunity to travel extensively.  He just finished a three week trip which included visits to Iran and Syria.

In the video below, D’Escoto is back in New York and is making a statement to the press about his trip.  He states that Ahmedinejad has been demonized by the US and then offers comments about the US’ “canonization” of Marcos, Pinochet, Somoza, etc.

His honesty is refreshing and his obvious lack of fear as he condemns US actions is inspiring.