Cuban President Raul Castro Delivers a Speech on Normalizing U.S. - Cuba Relations:
"We are talking about forging a new kind of
relationship between both states, different from
our entire common history,"...
Speech presented by Army General
Raúl Castro Ruz, First Secretary of
the Communist Party of Cuba Central
Committee and President of the Councils of
State and Ministers, during the closure of the
National Assembly of People's Power Eighth
Legislature's Fifth Period of Ordinary
Sessions, in the Havana Convention Center,
July 15, 2015, Year 57 of the Revolution.
Compañeras and compañeros:
Over the last few months we have
witnessed several events of great
importance to the country, about which
you and our people have been informed
in a timely fashion.
As is customary, deputies have received
abundant information about the
performance of the economy during
the first half of the year, and estimates
through the end of the year.
The decelerating growth rate of the Gross
Domestic Product – known as GDP – a
trend which has appeared in recent years,
has clearly been reversed. As of June
30, the GDP had grown 4.7%, and we
estimate that at the conclusion
of the year it will stand at about
4%. And this is very good,
considering that last year we
only grew 1%. Nevertheless,
to reach the expected 4%, we
must work hard and in a very
disciplined manner, above
all in the economic sphere,
as Minister of the Economy
Marino Murillo indicated.
Despite several unmet
projections, production
in the sugar industry and
manufacturing increased,
as well as in construction,
commerce, tourism, and
agricultural production,
despite the fact that the latter is suffering
the effects of the prolonged drought
occurring throughout the national
territory.
I must emphasize, in this context, the
need for more rational use of this vital
resource, as several compañeras and
compañeros have said. At the end of June,
water stored in reservoirs stood at only
38% of capacity, today it stands at 36.1%,
as the president of the Water Resources
Institute, Inés María Chapman, reported,
with the least favorable situations existing
in the provinces of Guantánamo, Santiago
de Cuba, Granma, Las Tunas, Ciego de
Ávila, Sancti Spíritus and Pinar del Río.
One of the most disappointing aspects of
the plan’s implementation is to be found
in the transportation sector, which led to
difficulties in the economy’s performance,
a result of organizational shortcomings
and the low level of technical availability
in the railroad and automotive systems,
associated with the lack of replacement
parts and problems in maintenance and
repair. This situation was aggravated by
delays in the arrival to the country of
equipment projected for last year and this
year, the majority of which should arrive
in 2015.
In addition to the above is the decision
adopted in the recent Council of
Ministers meeting, to distribute means
of transportation, as well as construction
equipment, from state reserves, and
expedite the ordering of equipment
initially under consideration for the 2016
plan.
During the first half of the year we
have faced severe external financial
constraints. Nevertheless, the country
has continued rigorously fulfilling its
payment obligations to foreign creditors
and providers, a practice which favors the
gradual re-establishment of the national
economy’s credibility, despite the U.S.
blockade which remains in full force.
Amidst these difficulties, we have been
able to maintain social services for the
population – a question we will
never neglect – and, as evidence
of this, we can point out that
the country’s epidemiological
situation has improved
substantially.
What’s more, monetary and
financial stability has been
maintained. Inflation, in
general, has been contained to
predicted levels, between three
and five percent, although we
cannot ignore the justified
concerns of the population
regarding the high prices of
agricultural products, which
are increasing more than the
average salary.
You have noticed that on this occasion,
unlike previous sessions of the National
Assembly, information has not been
included on progress in the implementation
of the Economic and Social Policy
Guidelines approved by the 6th Party
Congress, given that we considered more
convenient a focus on the development of
a draft report on this issue to be presented
at the 7th Congress in April 2016, just as
was called for by the Central Committee
Plenum held yesterday.
I will, however, refer briefly to the principal
tasks undertaken in the interest of
updating our economic and social model.
Among these is the elaboration of the
theoretical conceptualization of socialism
in Cuba, and the strategic guidelines and
sectors to be included in the economic and
social development plan through 2030.
Both documents will be among those
analyzed during the next Party Congress.
At the same time,
progress continues in the
strengthening of the role
which the socialist state
enterprise must play, as
the fundamental element
in the national economy,
adjusting approved
measures in a timely
fashion and incorporating
others related to more
flexible functioning and
to salary systems based on
the results of work.
Likewise, several changes
have been implemented in the economic
planning process, in accordance with the
perfecting of the enterprise system, which
has facilitated the more comprehensive
incorporation into the plan of policies
approved as part of the implementation
of the guidelines, and the programming
of monetary balances in the plan and state
budget.
Progress continues in the completion of
the group of measures directed toward
monetary unification, an extremely
complex process which is indispensable to
the efficient performance of the economy.
It is worth reiterating what has been
said on numerous occasions before our
Parliament, about bank deposits being
guaranteed, in international currencies,
Cuban convertible pesos (CUC) and
Cuban pesos (CUP), as well as cash held
by the population, or national and foreign
incorporated entities.
In the same way, the experimental process
of creating non-agricultural cooperatives
continues to advance, with the priorities of
consolidating those which are in place and
gradually advancing in the constitution of
new cooperatives, without repeating the
distortions already identified.
Along with this, slightly more than half
a million Cubans are functioning as self-
employed workers in multiple activities, a
figure which will continue to increase in a
gradual fashion, as restaurants and services
for the population are transferred to this
management mode, while preserving state
ownership of buildings.
We will continue the process of
transformations in Cuban society at our
own pace, which we have sovereignly
chosen, with the majority support of the
people, in the interest of constructing a
prosperous and sustainable socialism, the
essential guarantee of our independence.
The first half of the year has been
characterized by intense international
action.
The Community of Latin American
and Caribbean States (CELAC) Third
Summit, held in January in Costa Rica,
expressed the firm demand that the
economic, commercial and financial
blockade be ended, and called upon
President Obama to utilize with resolve his
broad executive authority to substantially
modify the application of this policy. Just
days later, the African Union Summit
made a similar statement.
The 7th Summit of the Americas,
attended for the first time by Cuba, held
in Panama in April, provided a propitious
opportunity for the region to reiterate
its support to the just struggle of our
people against the blockade, and insist on
the necessity of modifying hemispheric
relations in this era, when it can no longer
be treated as a back yard.
Precisely in Panama, we held a meeting
with the President of the United States.
My words at the two events reflected
the invariable, principled foreign policy
position of the Cuban Revolution, and
expressed loyalty to the ideas which our
people have defended, despite dangers
and challenges, with the guidance of
Comandante en Jefe Fidel Castro Ruz.
This frees me from repeating them here
today, since they are well known to you.
Nevertheless, I must reiterate our solidarity
with the Bolivarian Revolution and the
government headed by President Nicolás
Maduro, in the face of destabilization
attempts and any act of external
intervention. We were pleased to learn of
the results of the United Socialist Party
of Venezuela's primary elections, while
we are carefully following the dialogue
underway between this
country and the United
States.
We denounce the
destabilization campaigns
against the government
of President Rafael
Correa and the Citizen’s
Revolution in Ecuador, to
which we confirm Cuba’s
solidarity.
We notice that an
imperialist and oligarchic
offensive has been put
into practice against Latin
American revolutionary and progressive
processes, which will be decisively
confronted by our peoples.
This Parliament sends solidarity
greetings to President Dilma Rousseff
and the Brazilian people who defend the
important social and political progress of
regional integration and of the countries
of the South against attempts to reverse
these.
In early May, we attended the impressive
commemoration of the 70th Anniversary
of the victory over fascism in Moscow, an
episode that no one can distort or erase
from the memory of humanity.
We warned early on, in this very hall, that
the attempt to extend NATO to Russia’s
borders would bring serious threats to
international peace and security.
Today we reaffirm that the intention
of imposing sanctions on Russia will
harm the interests of Europe, and bring
greater instability and new dangers. This
position was put forward once again by
Cuba at the Second CELAC-European
Union Summit, where we also ratified our
disposition to dialogue and cooperate with
the European bloc, with which we are
negotiating an agreement on this matter.
On this occasion our delegation was led
by First Vice President compañero Miguel
Díaz -Canel.
We welcome the agreement reached
between the Islamic Republic of Iran and
the Security Council group of permanent
members plus Germany. We reiterate our
support for the inalienable right of all
states to the peaceful use of nuclear energy.
This result demonstrates that dialogue and
negotiation are the only effective tools to
resolve differences between states.
At this time, we are preparing to receive
Pope Francis in September, with the
affection, respect and hospitality he
deserves.
His advocacy of peace
and equity, the eradication
of poverty, protection of
the environment and his
analysis of the causes of
humanity’s problems arouse
worldwide admiration,
which we have all followed
closely, especially during
his memorable tour of
Ecuador, Bolivia and
Paraguay.
It was already reported that
on July 20, as a result of the
negotiations taking place
in a respectful manner,
and on an equal footing,
diplomatic relations between Cuba
and the United States will be officially
restored, and embassies will reopen in the
respective capitals; firstly ours.
Thus the first phase of the process initiated
on December 17 will have concluded, and
a new, long complex stage will then begin,
on the path toward the normalization
of relations, which will require the will
to find solutions to problems that have
accumulated for more than five decades
and affect the ties between our countries
and peoples. As we have said, it’s a
question of establishing a new type of
relation between the two states, different
from those of all our common history.
As indicated in the Statement of the
Revolutionary Government of July 1, it
is inconceivable, while the blockade is
maintained, that there be normal relations
between Cuba and the United States.
In recognizing the call by President
Obama on the U.S. Congress to lift
the blockade of Cuba, reiterated in his
statement last July 1, we hope that he
continues using his executive powers, that
is, those decisions that he as President can
adopt without Congressional involvement,
to dismantle aspects of this policy, which
causes damage and hardships to our
people. Naturally, the parliament, namely
Congress, is responsible for the rest of the
blockade measures.
To normalize bilateral ties it will also
be necessary that the territory illegally
occupied by the Guantanamo Naval Base
is returned; illegal radio and television
transmissions to Cuba ended; programs
aimed at promoting destabilization and
internal subversion eliminated; and the
Cuban people compensated for the
human and economic damages caused by
the policies of the United States.
Changing everything which must be
changed is the sovereign and exclusive
domain of Cubans. The Revolutionary
Government is willing to advance in the
normalization of relations, convinced that
both countries can cooperate and coexist
in a civilized manner, to our mutual
benefit, beyond the differences we have
and will have, thus contributing to peace,
security , stability, development and equity
in our continent and the world.
Compañeras and compañeros:
A few weeks ago, the homeland received
the members of the "Henry Reeve"
Contingent who participated in the battle
against Ebola in West Africa, where they
provided an extraordinary example of
solidarity, altruism and personal courage
in confronting this deadly epidemic.
Our eternal tribute to Jor ge Juan Guerra
Rodríguez and Reynaldo Vi lla franca
Antigua, the two collaborators who died
of other diseases contracted during the
fulfillment of that mission.
In addition, a Cuban medical brigade,
which will return in the coming days,
assisted with great spirit of solidarity
the victims of the earthquakes in the
mountains of Nepal.
Our country will continue to fulfill, in
accordance with its means, and with our
internationalist duty to support peoples
in need, as today tens of thousands of
compatriots in over 80 countries in Latin
America, the Caribbean, Africa and Asia
are doing, under the principle that those
who can defray the collaboration do so,
and we will continue helping those who
do not have the resources.
In just 10 days we will
celebrate the 62nd
anniversary of the attacks
on the Moncada and Carlos
Manuel de Cespedes
barracks and the 500th
anniversary of the founding
of the city of Santiago de
Cuba. There we will share
with this valiant people
the joy at these events,
valiant like the rest of the
country, including the
Isle of Youth and adjacent
keys (applause), and hear
the words of the Second
Secretary of the Central
Committee of the Party,
José Ramón Machado Ventura (applause).
Anyone who today compares this heroic
city with that which was left after being
ravaged by Hurricane Sandy, less than
three years ago, will understand that
nothing is impossible for a united people,
like ours, willing to fight and defend the
work of their Revolution.
See you in Santiago,
Thank you very much. (Prolonged
applause)
(Council of State transcript)
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