26 March 2008
Havana — The President of Cuba, Raul Castro Ruz Monday in Havana presided over a political and cultural ceremony to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Cuito Cuanavale Battle, ANGOP learnt.
At the event, the Angolan ambassador to Cuba, Antonio de Carvalho Condessa reminded about the role played by Cuban troops at the start of the struggle for national liberation.
According to him, the important role played by Cuban internationalists during the heroic battle of Cuito Cuanavale that not only decided destiny of Angola, but also of Namibia, Zimbabwe and South Africa, which counted on the joint forces of Angola and of Cuba.
Before ending his speech, the Ambassador honoured all Cuban soldiers who lost their lives in Angola, without forgetting the former President Fidel de Castro Ruz.
On his turn, Cuban general Samuel Rodiles Planas, hero of the Republic of Cuba and the last commander of the Cuban Military Mission to Angola, said that the 23 March 1988 battle open the way for the defeat of the powerful military forces of the extinct Apartheid regime, forcing the enemy to accept negotiations, in New York, and sign the Peace Accords.
The ceremony, which lasted over an hour, was attended by members of the politburo of Cuba's communist party, senior army officers and members of the diplomatic body accredited in Cuba, amongst other invited guests.
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