CubaMinrex. Sitio del Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores de Cuba
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2007 JULY
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Attempt to Isolate Cuba , Another Failure for the Empire CUBA , July 17, 2007.- In the broad spectrum of aggressive measures carried out by the United States against the Cuban Revolution, efforts to politically and diplomatically isolate the island have been prioritized by Washington 's foreign policy for over 48 years. Washington 's activities in the early 1960's were intense and systematic, with the objective of causing Cuba 's isolation within the Latin American community of nations. During the 8th Consultative Meeting of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of American States, held in January 1962, the White House managed to have Cuba separated from the regional entity, with the absurd explanation that Marxism-Leninism was "incompatible with the Inter-American system." Particularly insulting was the open purchase of the vote of Haitian dictator Francoise Duvalier, necessary to fulfil the requirement of having two thirds of the votes to adopt the agreement. In the following weeks, the countries of the area with the honourable exception of Mexico broke off diplomatic relations with Havana , including Bolivia , Chile and Uruguay who did not vote in favour of the resolution, but finally gave in to pressure and obeyed the dictates of the US State Department. Far from interrupting its ties with the nations, Cuba increased its relationships and nothing stopped Havana from executing its solidarity policy above the official and formal ties. An example of this conduct was the aid offered to Peru , after the catastrophic earthquake in 1970. Cuba offered the unconditional aid of over 100,000 blood donations and the assistance of several medical brigades. Cuba 's resistance to aggression, slander and Washington 's economic blockade against the island; its constant denunciations of the empire's looting of Third World nations and its consequent solidarity have deserved international recognition. Despite US pressure on other governments, parties and different international organizations, for which various US administrations have dedicated hundreds of millions of dollars and the efforts of a number of officials, in particular Caleb Mc Carry, designated by George W. Bush as the so called Coordinator for a transition, Cuba maintains diplomatic relations with 181 of the 192 UN member nations. The allegedly isolated Cuba has 120 embassies in 116 countries and 4 international organizations and presides, for a second time, over the Movement of Non Aligned Countries made up by 118 countries. The diplomatic missions accredited in Havana have reached 102, twenty five percent more than existed 15 years ago. Over 42,000 Cuban civilian workers in the health sector, education and sports are cooperating in 101 regions in the world; some 47,000 young people from 130 countries have graduated from universities on the island; while another 30,000 from 120 places all over the world are currently studying various different specialties in Cuba . Of the total number of university graduates 32,000 are from Africa . All of the graduates have returned to their country of origin and as Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque recently assured: "We have not stolen any talent, we have helped in training them and making sure they return to their homeland". Despite the desperate efforts of the Oval Office, Cuba was elected a full member of the recently constituted UN Human Rights Council, which has just suspended the representations of the petitioner on the issue related to Cuba . For years, Washington attempted to discredit the island with its manipulations in the former commission. Over four decades after the embarrassing agreement of the Organization of American States, linked to Washington 's attempts to diplomatically isolate the island with its economic blockade, Cuba is among the least isolated nation in the world. (Cubaminrex-AIN) Biological corridor in the Caribbean , an example of South-South cooperation CUBA , July 16, 2007.- The governments of Cuba, the Dominican Republic and Haiti signed the Santo Domingo Declaration, aimed at creating a biological corridor in the Caribbean to preserve its ecosystems and the environment. Max Puig, Dominican secretary of the environment and natural resources, highlighted the political will of all three governments as an example of multilateral South-South cooperation, with United Nations' support. Similar comments were made by Fernando González, Cuban acting minister of science, technology and the environment, and his Haitian counterpart, Jean Marie Claude Germain. Approximately 1,600 km long, the Caribbean biological corridor includes, in the Dominican Republic , the Jaragua-Bahoruco-Enriquillo Biosphere Reserve and the central mountain range, with 11 protected areas. In Haiti , it covers areas such as the Masif de la Selle zone and Azuei Lake , and in Cuba it includes the orographic group of the Sierra Maestra, Baracoa , Nipe and Sagua, with 45 protected areas. (Cubaminrex-RHC) Cuba; this good news EDITORIAL THE BAHAMA JOURNAL, 27th June, 2007. By way of preface, we note that while he lived and served the people of Tanzania, Mwalimu Julius K. Nyerere was not only a great teacher to his people, but that this humble man was also one of modern Africa's greatest leaders. Today we remember and recognize his great genius for good. When he would speak, he would invariably speak wisdom and truth to power. On one splendid occasion, the teacher or Mwalimu spoke out this confession concerning Cuba, "Whatever its faults, Cuba has come to represent the right of ordinary people to health, education, and a decent standard of living. And peoples all over the world - often even in developed nations - salute the bravery and the seriousness with which this right is upheld by Cuba despite more than three decades of embargo, of covert subversive operations, and of international attempts to undermine the validity of Cuba's Revolution." Years later, the same point is noted by some in the hierarchy of the regime that now governs in Cuba. These people give thanks for what they describe as "the valiant and generous Cuban people, whose sons and daughters contributed to the disappearance of colonialism and apartheid in Africa, and who now, in a modest and selfless way, are devoting themselves to the fulfillment of the human rights of millions of people in 100-plus countries who are receiving the solidarity of more than 42,000 Cuban doctors, nurses, teachers, sports trainers, engineers and technicians." The point is underscored that the Cuban people are deserving of some credit. As for evidence, we note that the current regime in Cuba is educating, free of charge, more than 30,000 young students from 118 countries and has restored the sight of close to 700,000 persons from 31 countries. In other words, Cuba has gone beyond the call of duty as it reaches out to its friends, allies and associates around the world. And even more to the point at hand, take note that at the end of its 5th Session in Geneva, the Human Rights Council decided to discontinue the mandate of the so-called personal representative of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in relation to Cuba, thus putting an end to the U.S. government's manipulation of the human rights issue against our country. As the Cuban Foreign Affairs office rightly notes, "the Human Rights Council has acknowledged the unjust, selective and discriminatory nature of the actions perpetrated against our country over decades, and given its vigorous denial to the resolutions and mechanisms that the U.S. government managed to impose in the now-expired Human Rights Commission (HRC) by using coercion, threats and heavy pressure." They tell us that the backing of members of the Non-Aligned Movement and other Third World countries has been essential in achieving this result. This result constitutes an act of essential justice for the valiant and generous Cuban people, whose sons and daughters contributed to the disappearance of colonialism and apartheid in Africa, and who now, in a modest and selfless way, are devoting themselves to the fulfillment of the human rights of millions of people. This is most excellent. As we have previously asserted and affirmed, we are in absolute agreement with a policy that would have the Bahamas enjoy cordially friendly relations with all its neighbours, inclusive of the Haiti, Cuba and the United States of America. And quite evidently, such relations must be based on perceived interest and mutual benefit. Put otherwise, a country such as the Bahamas must see to it that its best interests are being served whenever it decides to engage with others. We make this point as we reference and comment on an issue that is today of moment to us and for our neighbour Cuba. The issue at hand involves Cuba, its current regime, sovereignty and its adherence to any number of human rights issues and challenges. More specifically, there is information coming in that suggests that Cuba has scored a significant victory in this crucial arena. Here reference is to some of what happened at the fifth session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva. In this regard, we are learning from Cuban Foreign Minister Felipe Pérez Roque that overwhelming majority voted to end the mandate of the appointed rapporteur of human rights in Cuba. Of some note and undoubted significance is the fact that the decision in question was taken despite brutal pressure exerted by the U.S. on nations to vote otherwise. Yet again, this news is today's truly good news for all of Cuba's friends, allies and associates. |
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