Marti espoused concepts of justice, freedom and human rights within capitalism and hit a raw nerve. He continues to be a dangerous man for today"s Europe, noted the honorary professor of the Universities of Paris and Havana when speaking with Granma newspaper.

Estrade is an expert on the work and life of the Cuban independence hero who died in combat against the Spanish colonial troops on May 19, 1895.

He complains that European editors do not take Marti into account, despite the fact that many of his texts are translated in several languages.

He also criticized European resistance to publish the words by thinkers from other geographic areas, who, at the most, are quoted but never promoted, he said.

After highlighting the validity of Marti"s ideas, the intellectual said that the Apostle was a man of his time that knew how to combine idealism and practical vision.

Estrade, who is also doing research on the work of the Puerto Rican patriot Ramon Betances, recalled that his interest in Cuba began in the 1950"s, when the Rebel Army led by current President Fidel Castro was fighting against the tyrannical dictatorship of Fulgencio Batista.

After the victory of the Revolution (1959), the University professor wrote a manifesto in favor of the process that had already reached international importance. Estrade headed the France-Cuba Friendship Association until 2000.

(Prensa Latina)  May 16 2003