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President Colom Praises Park Dedicated to Guatemala

CUBA, February 16, 2009. Alvaro Colom, President of Guatemala, praised the model and design of the project transforming an urban park, dedicated to the Central American nation, in this city. Colom, accompanied by Havana City's Parliament president Juan Contino, toured the Park of Guatemala, as it was named today, as part of his official visit to Cuba. The Guatemalan President said that this project -on 3rd and 42nd Streets, in Playa municipality- is a symbol of the good relations between the two nations.

He underscored that the sculpture project intertwines Cuban José Joaquín Palma and Guatemalan Rafael Álvarez Ovalle, who wrote the lyrics and the music, respectively, of Guatemala's National Anthem.

Colom stressed the aesthetic and symbolic value of the sculpture between a Royal palm and a Ceiba, the national trees of both nations, in that order, and explained that this park will pass on to current and future generations the value of friendship and how to defend their homeland, always standing and never on their knees.

He also congratulated sculptor Andrés González, creator of the monument, whose design he dubbed as "beautiful".

In statements to the press, the Guatemalan President reiterated his condemnation of the economic, financial, and commercial blockade imposed by the United States against Cuba and pointed out that all Latin American countries supports its lifting.

Colom also pointed out that Cuba is an admirable nation for its achievements and its independence to develop in every front, despite the material limitations and the imperialism's hostility.

He also acknowledged the Bolivarian Revolution's triumph in last Sunday's referendum and he said that this victory shows that all the region's countries are building models according to their needs and demands.

"This is an advance for the Venezuelan people and a very important democratic exercise" said Colom and added that "the fact that Venezuela can choose its own destiny is something to applaud and congratulate". (Cubaminrex - ACN)