Mexican legislators urge finding a way to end the blockade
• 132 parliamentarians visiting the island for centenary of bilateral
relations meet with Fidel
BY MARIA VICTORIA VALDÉS-RODDA (Granma International staff writer)
"IN line with international law, a way must be found to end the
blockade because, like other nations, Cuba’s sovereignty and
self-determination has to be respected."
That exhortation was part of a statement read out by Gustavo
Carvajal, president of the Foreign Relations Committee of the Mexican
Chamber of Deputies, on behalf of a delegation of 132 deputies from that
country who met with President Fidel Castro at the end of a visit to the
island.
Carvajal explained that the visit, sponsored by the Mexico-Cuba
Friendship Group in the Congress, was aimed at increasing solidarity
and understanding between the two peoples.
Fidel described Cuban-Mexican relations as very good and expressed
his admiration for that people. "I remember the first time that
Vicente Fox came to Cuba when he was governor of Guanajuato.
There have been many changes since then and many new issues to
discuss," he added.
Referring to relations with the United States and in response to a
question from a Mexican journalist, Fidel, evoking the words of a
famous writer, stated: "No news on that front."
Curiosity and a desire to listen prevailed in the auditorium where
representatives of five of Mexico’s most important political parties
were gathered. Their basic common denominator in foreign relations
is unanimous support of Cuba and opposition to the U.S. blockade of
the island.
An interest in learning more about women’s participation in leadership
positions, the number of young people in the ranks of the
Communist Party of Cuba, long-term educational plans for infants
and juniors, the potential of Cuban science and the global situation
framed the content of the meeting.
"Space has to be given to reason and intelligence, peace is a question
of reason and intelligence," the Cuban president noted in response to
comments by Senator Ricardo Alaniz Posada of the state of
Guanajuato, who expressed his conviction that the U.S. economic
blockade of Cuba should be lifted for once and for all.
The renewal of peace talks in Colombia between the government and
the Colombian Revolutionary Armed Forces (FARC) was evaluated
by the Cuban leader as "very good news given that it is a very bad
time for a violent war." In another part of his address he emphasized
Cuba’s interest in both sides sitting down again to talk, assuring that
"sooner or later any peace mission will be successful."
WOMEN COMPRISE 65% OF THE WORKFORCE
Deputy Patricia Aguilar expressed her thanks for the opportunity of
being given an accurate and palpable panorama of Cuban events, and
her constant interest in learning more. She made specific reference
to women’s involvement and levels of participation in state issues.
Appealing to Fidel’s gender, she asked him to comment on his
personal view of women.
Linking the past and present, the likewise president of the Councils of
State and Ministers highlighted the dignity achieved by Cuban women
after the Revolution, which offered them the unique opportunity to
leave aside their traditional secondary role in the shadow of men.
Fidel covered a spectrum of women soldiers in the Sierra Maestra,
internationalist doctors and nurses, present-day educators, the
mothers who forged new generations and who are active fighters in
the battle of ideas. Nevertheless, he confirmed that he was not
happy with the limited presence of women in state and Party
leadership positions, although he praised their involvement in the
mass organizations.
He noted the high degree of equality, dignity and respect earned by
Cuban women at the cost of a sacrifice "represented by 65% of the
island’s technical force comprising women."
ACCUMULATED SOCIAL PROBLEMS AND SATISFACTION AT
THE SOLUTION OF OTHERS
Fidel covered subjects such as the quality of elementary education
and the satisfactory management of Spanish language and spelling,
computer science as an instrument for multifaceted learning at all
educational levels, the role of young people in the current ideological
battle and as an positive influence in terms of inadequate cultural
standards.
He also mentioned with concern the current housing shortage and
marginality as a way of life in one sector of the Cuban population, for
him key issues constituting a challenge to any government.
Nevertheless, he detailed Cuba’s major achievements in the care of
people with disabilities as well as advances in the National AIDS
Program, to which the state donates ample resources for AIDS
sufferers. He affirmed that the fatal disease is well controlled in
relation to infection levels on other continents, particularly Africa.
DESTRUCTION OF NATURAL RESOURCES THE GRAVEST
THREAT TO HUMANITY
In response to concerns expressed by Congress member Sílvia
Alvarez in relation to science and human life, the Cuban leader
expressed confidence in its weight as a productive force while
accusing the capitalist system with responsibility for the misery of
many peoples in the world. He also spoke of the danger of human
extinction if radical and concrete measures are not taken in favor of
the environment.
"Initially it seemed to be a panic by certain scientists or defeatist
groups calling attention to environmental problems, but today it is a
genuine fact that the destruction of natural resources constitutes the
gravest threat to the species."
He compared planetary life with science fiction movies on stating: "At
times we feel as if we are all in the same boat, on board The Titanic
which is going to crash into Greenland. That’s where humanity is
going. But only one social system is responsible for that destruction."
WE RESERVE A SPECIAL AFFECTION FOR MEXICANS
This broad delegation of 132 members of the Mexican parliament
marked a new stage in mutual ties, according to Alberto Anaya,
President of the Mexico-Cuba Friendship Association, who stated:
"The undertaking of initiating commemorations for the centenary of
relations between the two sister nations was what brought us here.
However, there are other reasons for this official visit."
Foreign Relations Committee president Gustavo Carvajal affirmed
that the presence of so many parliamentary members constitutes an
unprecedented event not only for relations between legislative
bodies, but also for both peoples.
"Of course, we are seeking twinning with the Cuban Parliament and
to contribute to fortifying trade, cultural, scientific, and educational
relations in every sphere; however, above all, this visit comes from
the desire to continue the union between us."
Mexico honored José Martí, Cuba’s national hero, when members
of
its Congress laid floral tributes at the base of the monument to the
man who had a very close cultural and human identification with the
Mexicans who supported him during his struggles against the Spanish
metropolis.
Eusebio Leal, city historian and president of the Cuba-Mexico Society,
spoke of this shared part of our histories while touring the streets of
Old Havana with the delegation.
An intense program took them also to witness hands-on advances in
science and technology at the Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology
Center. The Mexican delegation likewise visited schools representing
various levels of education, and learnt of Cuban realities in prolonged
meetings with the principal national leaders.
Undoubtedly, as Senator Alaniz Posada informed Granma
International: "The exchange with Fidel was the high point, the
greatest expectation of the visit and the most important moment."
For his part, Fidel affirmed: "we have great affection for the Mexican
people and have maintained uninterrupted relations over the years
with them, setting an example for the continent. For that reason we
reserve a special affection for them."