I MUST imagine that the statements about Fidel Castro contained in John Macleod's article (May 26) stem from ignorance. Should John Macleod acquaint himself with the history of Cuba and of Fidel Castro he will find that he has grossly maligned a brave and honourable man.

Fidel Castro is alive today only because in 1953 an officer in Batista's militia disobeyed orders which he knew would have resulted in the murder of Castro and his immediate companions. Nevertheless several years later Castro returned to Cuba to lead the revolution which ended the brutal and corrupt Batista regime knowing that, if captured, he would most likely be tortured and killed, as indeed many were. These facts cannot be denied.

Some weeks ago, courtesy of Saga Holidays, my wife and I spent two weeks in Cuba during which we travelled the length of the island by bus, walked in various cities, and paid impromptu visits to shops, a small farm, and a school. In the two weeks of touring in Cuba I saw only one picture of Fidel Castro and that was on private property - none in any public place.

We found things exactly as described by your correspondent Bob Crampsey (May 10, 1997). Shortage of fuel for motor transport was glaringly obvious with thousands waiting for hours for transport to and from work. Otherwise my impression of life in Cuba was reminiscent of Britain in 1947. There is strict rationing of food and basic commodities. Everyone we saw was well-fed and clothed. No-one is starving in Cuba. The people in Cuba have in place health and education services of which they can be justly proud and are kindly, friendly and cheerful. Good luck to them!

John Stewart,

4 Larch Road, Glasgow.

May 28.