Havana, Mar 9 (Prensa Latina) President Fidel Castro said Cuba is and will always be economically and militarily indestructible, thanks to the social programs carried out by the Revolution for the benefit of its people.

The Cuban leader spoke during a ceremony celebrating International Womens Day. The president said there would be countless US casualties if that government were to attack the island.

This country´s Armed Forces have achieved amazing advances, tactics and methods in the military theater of operations, the Head of State stressed.

Thousands of women are not only part of the regular troops but also the territorial militias and other organizations to defend the country in case of attack or invasion.

Fidel Castro recalled the courage of Cuban women amid the inherent danger during the Missile Crisis in October 1962 when the country was about to be targeted with nuclear weapons. The President highlighted how much life here for women had changed for the better, and that they make up 40 percent of the technical force today.

The leader said Cuba has reached economic invulnerability thanks to programs of the revolution and valuable links with other countries such as China, as well as the integration recently agreed upon with Venezuela.

Fidel Castro reiterated his optimism with the country´s economic future and explained how national projects are currently developing for the benefit of the people.

The President said Cuba has been recovering from the electricity shortage that affected the Island around the middle of 2004, and referred to oil drilling projects in several points of western Cuba.

After praising women´s role and support in the campaign to save energy, the president announced a plan to sell household appliances at affordable prices subsidized by the State, including rice and pressure cookers.

The President said the tourist sector is having an excellent moment as well as the nickel and cobalt industries. Fidel Castro also highlighted the revaluation of the Cuban peso and stability of the convertible peso, after the measures taken to end the circulation of the US dollar in the country.

(Minrex) 10-03-2005