A lightly edited address by the Cuban Ambassador to Jamaica, Bernardo Guanche Hernandez, at a reception marking the 56th anniversary of the triumph of the Cuban revolution on January 22, 2015. I am honoured to address you on a very important occasion: the 56th anniversary of the triumph of the Cuban revolution, which we commemorated on January 1, our National Day. Several events marked the recently ended 2014 as one of the most intense years since our two historical leaders -- Fidel Castro and Michael Manley -- forged the everlasting, deep and sincere brotherhood that exists between the peoples of Cuba and Jamaica. Jamaica-Cuba relations are at an excellent level. We all should be really satisfied with the relations between our governments, parliaments and peoples. The highlights last year were the visit of the Most Honourable Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller to Cuba on two occasions. We opened the year with her attendance, heading a delegation, at the second Summit of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States on January 28 in Havana, which was preceded by an official visit the day before the opening of the Summit. The Honourable Prime Minister also visited Havana on December 8, 2014, to participate in the fifth Caribbean Community-Cuba Summit. Cuba was also visited by the minister without portfolio with responsibility for sports, the Honourable Natalie Neita-Headley, and by the minister of health, the Honourable Dr Fenton Ferguson, in October. Co-operation has strengthened over the last year. Five young Jamaicans, including the daughter of a Cuban resident here, were awarded scholarships to study in Cuba, while assistance to Jamaica in health, education, sports and other fields has continued. Cubas fast response to a request for assistance from the Government of Jamaica for Ebola opened a new chapter in the excellent relations between our two nations. The year just ended saw the thoughts of unity and integration of Latin American and Caribbean heroes converge in Havana. The success of the second CELAC Summit held on January 28; the fifth Caricom-Cuba Summit, on December 8; and the 10th ALBA Summit, on December 14 -- a date which also marked the 20th anniversary of the first meeting between the historical leader of the Cuban revolution, Comrade Fidel and the unforgettable Commander Chávez -- revealed the will of governments and peoples of our region to move towards integration in an environment of peace, solidarity and brotherhood. We are now in the process of getting ready to participate with the same spirit at the third CELAC Summit to be held on January 28 and 29 in the sister nation of the Republic of Costa Rica and, for the first time, in the Summit of the Americas that will take place in April in Panama City. In this regional context, I am pleased to reaffirm that Cuba will keep co-operating with the countries of the Caribbean Community in areas such as health, development of human resources, construction and sports, which have effectively contributed to the growth of well-being of our peoples. In this regard, Cuba is going to finance the Caribbean Regional School of Arts in Jamaica, and the Centre for Treatment of Physical Disabilities to assist physically challenged children and youth, to be based in Guyana, during the upcoming triennial period. In addition, we will increase undergraduate scholarships as well as post-graduate scholarships for specialisation in medicine, in patient intake from Caricom states for free medical care, as well as training in disaster risk reduction and response to natural disasters. I would like to emphasise that the updating of the Cuban economic model, the Foreign Investment Law and the Mariel Special Economic Development Zone provide additional opportunities on a much broader scale to boost and strengthen Caricom-Cuba economic ties. At last, on December 17, after 16 years of struggle, the Five returned to their motherland. The promise made by our leader Fidel has been met by President Raúl Castro. Cuban people are grateful for this just decision made by the US president, Barack Obama, who has removed an obstacle that hindered relations between Cuba and the USA. The Cuban and US presidents announced on December 17 the restoration of relations between Cuba and the United States. We welcome the decision announced by President Obama to begin a new chapter in the relations between both countries and introduce the most significant changes in Cuba policy for more than 50 years. The entire world has had a positive reaction to the announcements. Foreign Minister Nicholson noted in Parliament last December 19, and I quote: When Jamaica took that courageous decision on the 8th of December 1972, along with our Caribbean sister states Barbados, Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago, to establish full diplomatic relations with Cuba, and to help to remove our closest neighbour out of diplomatic isolation, we were on the right side of history. Thank you, minister and thank you, Jamaica for undoubtedly being on the right side of history. A new era in the history of Cuba has been opened and we will never forget those who joined us throughout so many years of difficulty. Just a few days ago, our National Assembly of Peoples Power approved a statement expressing gratitude for the support received all over the world. A very important step has been taken, but the essential problem still remains unsolved, which is the lifting of the economic, commercial and financial blockade against Cuba, that has been further tightened during the last few years, particularly in the area of financial transactions, through the application of skyrocketing and illegitimate fines on banks from several countries. Under these circumstances, this will be a long and hard struggle which will require the international opinion and the US society to mobilise in order to continue demanding the lifting of the blockade. Also, Cuba should not continue to be unjustly named on the list of countries sponsoring international terrorism. It was a coincidence that the first conversation between representatives of Cuba and United States on the restoration of diplomatic relations between both countries took place today. Therein our country confirmed the commitment to improving bilateral climate and willingness to move forward to normalise bilateral relations. The two countries have deep differences and conceptions on various topics. Nevertheless, we can live in a civilised way and peacefully identify areas of opportunities and common interest. I would like to express our profound and sincere gratitude to all the solidarity movements, friends, fellow countrymen and women and committees that struggled to make this dream come true. On behalf of our Government and people, thank you very much. I wish the Jamaican people, Government, media, my colleagues from the diplomatic and consular corps and all of you present here, a happy and prosperous 2015.
Posted on: Sun, 25 Jan 2015 13:43:51 +0000
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