NEW YORK — Thousands of people honoured Cuban President Fidel Castro in Harlem during a rally in solidarity with the island organised by the Committee to Welcome the Cuban Delegation to the Millennium Summit.

The packed meeting, described by Castro as an expression of the healthiest and most noble friendship, took place shortly after the close of the United Nations Millennium Summit, which the Cuban president attended.

In his speech, which was frequently interrupted by applause and shouts of “Down with the blockade”, “Viva Fidel” and “Cuba si, blockade no”, Castro spoke in greater depth about the warning he issued at the summit concerning the need to change the catastrophic situation in the world. He also expressed his appreciation for the affection with which he has always been received by friends in the United States, despite the US government maintaining a tight economic and political stranglehold on the island for more than 40 years.

He recalled that on previous visits he has received support; in 1960 he was welcomed in Harlem, in 1995 he had a similar reception in the Bronx.

Having filled the 2000 seats available, chairs were set up in other areas from where guests followed the rally on closed circuit television. Hundreds also lined the streets outside.

[Abridged from Granma International at <http://www.granma.cu/ingles/>.]

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