CubaMinrex. Sitio del Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores de Cuba

President’s Address at Special General Meeting; Sunday November 8th, 2009
Castries City Council Auditorium

Good afternoon and greetings Esteemed Ambassador and Mrs. Castillo, Bro. Juan Pozo; Eastern Caribbean Director of ICAP, Bro. Jon Odlum, Members of the Executive, Cuban Collaborators, Cuban Graduates, Residents and Eye Care patients.

This afternoon, I’m supposed to give a report on the activities of our Association.
Our Association was launched on the 28th of August, 2005. The Aims and Objectives are as follows:

1. To engender cordial and open relations between the people of Saint Lucia and Cuba.

2. To bring the benefits (and others) of the Cuban Health Care System to the Saint Lucian society.

3. To explore the development and cultural exchanges between the two countries with emphasis on literature, music, the performing, visual and plastic arts.

4. To work with the Cuban educational system to encourage the development of a science oriented youth culture in Saint Lucia and Student Exchange Program.

5. To disseminate factual information about Cuba. The origins of the ongoing political, economic and social warfare being waged against Cuba by the political directorate of Cuba’s enemies.

6. To assist the Government and people of Cuba in any way possible within the ability of this Organization and according to the philosophy and principles of this Organization.

7. To encourage the development of commercial relations between the countries of Saint Lucia and Cuba with a view to the development of preferably community based cooperatives, the environment, alternative and renewable sources of energy, agriculture and in any other area as may be agreed by the Executive.

Some persons have referred to us as a political organization. We are an organization with many committees; which allows participation in many areas of activity. However, when it is necessary to defend Cuba, our Solidarity Committee and our Committee in Defense of the Cuban Five will do what is politically necessary to defend Cuba.

Those who do not wish to be political can participate in one of the many other Committees and events of the Association.
Following are the Committees:

Excursion – Medical and Health – Solidarity – Trade Union – May Day

Excursion Sub-Committee
Rawle Harvey – President; Chairperson
Callista Mc Lawrence – Treasurer
Maurice Moffat – Public Relations Director

We had two Excursions to Cuba this year; the first was in July and the second one was in October. These Excursions have been ongoing over the past three years and offer Saint Lucians the opportunity to visit and experience the Cuban reality. Over this period, over 50 Saint Lucians have had the opportunity to do so, at a reasonable cost. These Excursions are ongoing and it is hoped that we will have three such events in the coming year.

Medical and Health Sub-Committee:
Rawle Harvey

We have assisted over twenty one Saint Lucians in receiving medical check-ups and treatment in Cuba over the past year; with visits to CIMEQ Hospital, Cira García Hospital and Hospital Oncológico.
Most of these persons have returned completely satisfied and impressed by the level of attention and equipment available at these Cuban institutions.
However, some members of the local Medical Fraternity have not been very supportive of the assistance given by the Association to those persons wanting to visit Cuba and in one case, have indicated that the Association should not be involved in this activity.
Speaking for myself, who has received the best medical attention in Cuba over five years ago, I feel bound to recommend that persons requiring medical attention visit Cuba to receive this attention. I can also speak of other persons at this Meeting today: Bro. Jon Odlum, Bro. Raoul Odlum and more recently, Bro. Morgan George; who will speak later today on his visit and treatment in Cuba.
If you’re having medical problems and require overseas medical attention, I recommend that you visit Cuba first. Some people travel all over the world, seeking this treatment and when all have failed, they want to visit Cuba and expect miracles. I remind you again, if you are having medical problems, the first place to visit for medical attention is Cuba; Cuba first.

Solidarity, Trade Union and May Day:
Rawle Harvey – President; Chairperson
Matthew Lubin – Floor Member
Shurl-Ann Mitchel – Assistant Secretary
Velon John

A Fun Day was held on the fourth of January; to celebrate the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Triumph of the Revolution. The Activity was attended by Cuban collaborators and members of the Association. A football match, dancing, eats and drinks were the order of the afternoon. The Mexican Ambassador and his wife participated in the activity and treated the gathering to the Mexican drink Tequila.
The First Quarterly Solidarity Meeting was held in Piaye, Choiseul and was hosted by the South Committee. The Cuban Ambassador, Bro. Juan Pozo; who was visiting the island attended and addressed the Meeting. Bro. Velon John who was recently ratified as Chairperson of the Committee in Defense of the Cuban Five and gave a historical account of his efforts in the case of the Cuban Five.
Bro. Compton Francois, Chairperson of the South Committee addressed the Meeting and expressed thanks to Comrade Fidel Castro for initiating the Misión Milagro Eye Care Program; which saw over 2,000 Saint Lucians benefiting. He also thanked the Government and people of Cuba for their continued support, with their Scholarship Program to Saint Lucia.
Mr. Watson Louis; a member of the South Committee who was instrumental in soliciting support for Cuba after the passage of three hurricanes last year also expressed thanks to the Government and people of Cuba.
In May, I visited Cuba, to participate in the May Day Rally; in solidarity with the Cuban Trade Union Congress.
In June, the Second Quarterly Solidarity meeting was held at the Gros-Islet Primary School and was attended by members of the Association and Cuban Collaborators. Bro. Alva Francis; a Cuban graduate student and Mrs. Patsy Cadet; an Eye Care patient who visited Cuba expressed gratitude to the Government and people of Cuba for the assistance given throughout the years. Mrs. Cadet; who is a popular local vocalist offered a musical rendition after her presentation
Bro Irving John Chaired the afternoon proceedings with remarks being made by Bro.Velon John and the President of the Association,the Cuban Ambassador also delivered remarks with the vote of thanks being delivered by Br.Cyril Mangal.
In August, the Association celebrated our Fourth Solidarity Day with Cuba. Señor Emilio Flores; the Cuban Counsellor addressed the Meeting and expressed thanks to the Saint Lucian people for their contribution to Cuba after the passage of three hurricanes which affected Cuba last year. Bro. Velon John; Chairperson for the Committee in Defense of the Cuban Five, who chaired the afternoon’s proceedings, offered a toast to Comrade Fidel Castro on the occasion of his 83rd birthday. Solidarity Messages were given by Bro. Compton Francois, Bro. Wayne Louis and Sis. Veronica Barnard; among other members of the Association.
Members of the Association were requested to be more actively involved in the activities of the Association. Thanks were also expressed for the awarding of the Scholarship by the Cuban Government to the Association. Mr. Selva Wilson, the awardee of the Scholarship was introduced by the President to the Meeting. In his address, he promised to do his best to make the Association and Saint Lucia proud and to be a good example to future Scholarship awardees.
Today´s activity, this Special General Meeting in solidarity with Cuba, will see the launching of the Power Band by Bro. Velon John; Chairperson of the Committee in Defense of the Cuban Five. Bro. Velon will address the Meeting later. The Meeting will also be addressed by Bro. Juan Pozo.

Finance Committee:
Callista Mc Lawrence – Treasurer; Chairperson
Irving John – First Vice President
Maurice Moffat – Public Relations Director
Jeanne Francis – Floor Member
Gregor Williams – Floor Member

Special thanks must be given to two members of the Finance Committee; Sis. Callista Mc Lawrence and Bro. Maurice Moffat; Public Relations Director, who were very instrumental in raising funds for Cuba after the passage of the hurricanes last year.

Two significant events were the Salsa Night on November 14th and the Dinner “Dine for Cuba” on November 29th. These two activities allowed the Association to raise a significant contribution for the Cuban Fund; which was later forwarded to Cuba through the Embassy of Cuba.

Committee for the Defense of the Cuban Five:
Velon John – Chairperson
Matthew Lubin – Floor Member
David Moyston
Cyril Mangal
Jeannot Walters
Rossini Francois
Mr. Velon John was ratified as Chairperson of the Committee in January and commenced work immediately with his Committee.
He wrote many letters to President Obama, Hillary Clinton and other persons; seeking their intervention in the case of the Cuban Five.
Bro. Velon attended and participated in the Meeting of the Summit of the Americas in April in Trinidad.
Today, Bro. Velon will be launching the Arm Band (Power Band) Campaign, in support of the Cuban Five.

Education/ Art and Culture/ Sport

Education Sub-Committee:
Dr. Gregor Williams - Chairperson
Paule Turmel-John
Evans Calderon

Added:
Delphina Smith
Henderson Andrew
Rayson Mondesir

The Association was awarded a Scholarship by the Government of Cuba for a Saint Lucian student to pursue a Degree in Physical Education. The Scholarship Committee; headed by Dr. Gregor Williams; comprising Bro. David Moyston and Bro. Cyril Mangal selected Selva Wilson as Scholarship Awardee at the International School for Physical Education and Sports; where he is presently pursuing his studies.
I met with Selva when I was recently in Cuba and he is very happy and continues to do well.

Art and Culture Sub-Committee:
Paule Turmel-John
Kendell Hippolyte
Deirdre Williams
Gregor Williams

Added:
Travis Weekes
Jallim Eudovic

Sport Sub-Committee:
Cyril Mangal
David Moyston

Youth and Graduates:
Wayne Louis – Chairperson
Shurl-Ann Mitchel – Assistant Secretary
Al Dean Louis-Fernand
Karen Auguste

Added:
Henderson Andrew
Rayson Mondesir
Delphina Smith

Events for the ensuing year 2010:

January - Cuba Fun Day; celebrating the 51st Anniversary of the Cuban Revolution.

February - Celebrating Saint Lucia’s Independence

March - Quarterly Meeting (Evening of Cuban Film)
Radio or T.V. Discussion on Cuba or Cuban Five
Raffle Draw

March/ April – Excursion to Cuba; Nurses’ Graduation
7 Days

Salsa Night
Other Fund-raising Activity

May - Visit to Cuba - May Day Celebrations

June - Quarterly Meeting – Night of Cuban Dance / Lecture
Fund-raising event
Awarding of Second Scholarship for student to study Cuba

July - Second Excursion to Cuba; 10 Days

August - Celebrating Fifth Solidarity Day with Cuba
Participation in Caribbean and Latin American Brigade

September/ Preparing for Visit of Cuban Band / Annual General Meeting
October/ Fund Raising Dinner; other fund-raising activities
November

December No activities

Brothers and sisters of our Association, I ask you to get involved in the activities of our Association. We wish to express our thanks to the Government and people of Cuba; especially the Cuban Collaborators who are with us today and we look forward to a good afternoon.

Introduction of Bro. Juan Pozo

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