CUBA-VENEZUELA An example of what Latin American integration will be
PRESIDENT Fidel Castro stated that relations between Cuba and Venezuela are an example of what Latin American integration will be, and affirmed that the future of the region is related to the Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas (ALBA). The Cuban leader gave the closing remarks at the 1st Cuba-Venezuelan Meeting for the application of the ALBA during an event at the International Conference Center in Havana, in the presence of his Venezuelan counterpart, Hugo Ch�vez. Over two days, ministers, high-level officials and businesspeople from both countries have fulfilled one of the purposes of the Joint Statement and Agreement signed by both presidents at the end of 2004. The notable fruits of that meeting were reflected in its Final Declaration, containing 49 documents covering governmental agreements, letters of intent, memorandums of intent, contracts and bilateral agreements. They were also reflected in Cuban purchases of Venezuelan goods worth $412 million at the close of an exhibition of goods from the latter country by 250 small, medium and large businesses. During his speech, Fidel stated that the main items purchased from Venezuela include foodstuffs, shoes, clothing, toys, furniture, lingerie, household implements and raw materials. He commented that this was an initial operation, given that both parties are to study the possibility of future buying and selling exchanges covering a wider range of products. The Cuban president explained that in that way, an important step will be taken in strengthening small and medium-sized Venezuelan businesses and in creating tens of thousands of jobs in that country. Among the conditions set forth in the corresponding agreement, Fidel emphasized the one stipulating that Venezuelan products will enter Cuba tariff-free, and will be sold to the Cuban public at preferential prices with the goal of raising living standards. He said that such circumstances are a demonstration of the great advantages involved in the integrationist principles advocated by the ALBA for the peoples of Latin America. He recalled that from his initial meeting with Hugo Ch�vez, he sensed the character and strong human and moral values of the man he called �my Venezuelan brother.� The perception they both shared of what the Free Trade Area of the Americas (ALCA) entailed as a US mechanism dominating Latin America, was one of the reasons that united them in the idea of taking forward the ALBA, he added. In regard to that initiative, Fidel expressed his confidence that by 2006, it will be yielding many and very positive fruits, and he proposed that another meeting be held in Havana next year to verify the advances made and chart new goals. �What the ALBA has accomplished in four months � since the documents for its implementation were signed last December � has already left its mark on history forever,� the Cuban president affirmed. He spoke of the effort made by Ch�vez� government to extend medical care not only to the poorest barrios, but to the entire country, pointing concretely to the creation of 600 integral diagnostic centers. He said he hoped that in several years, Venezuela � like Cuba � will be able to reduce its infant mortality rate to below that of the U.S., and if efforts continue the way they are going, life expectancy may be raised. Last year, he reported, 20,000 Venezuelans recovered their vision in Cuba, and this year, a further 100,000 will be able to see again. He expressed that what excited him the most was the program to train 40,000 doctors, and now another 10,000 per year, to shortly reach 60,000. He asked, �Who needs them?� and answered the question: �The world, Latin America, the hundreds of millions that lack medical care.� Fidel affirmed that, unintentionally, Venezuela�s example will impel other governments in the hemisphere to provide medical attention to a large majority of the people, and to develop plans for education. He noted that in Latin America, there are 650 million people whose health situation is worsening, in great measure due to the plunder to which the countries of the region are subjected. He quoted a cable from the Spanish news agency EFE containing a statement by Otto Reich, who said that �the emerging axis of evil forming between Cuba and Venezuela must be confronted before... it puts the peace of this region in peril.� The Cuban leader emphasized that the truly destabilizing forces are the same ones who level charges against Cuba and Venezuela, those who consider Latin America to be their backyard and look down on their multi-ethnic peoples. �If there is an axis,� Fidel said, �that might seem similar to that formed by Berlin-Rome, that is not Ch�vez or Castro, as they usually call me; if there is something that looks like fascism, with fascist, genocidal policies, they are not the policies of Venezuela and Cuba.� __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! 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