New Delhi
3 April 2008
The head of the international relations department of the Communist
Party of Cuba's central committee, Mr Fernando Ramirez de Estenoz Barciela, says his
country is "anti-imperialism", "not anti-America".
Mr Fernando, who was in India for participating in the CPI and CPI(M) congresses at
Hyderabad and Coimbatore, respectively, on Thursday said here Cuba is keen on forging
"normal" relations, including trade, with the US.
"We are open to US investment" despite suffering decades of economic blockade by the
US, he said, adding it is the US, not Cuba, which has prohibited American people and
companies from travelling to or doing business with Cuba.
The blockade has cost Cuba over 89 billion dollars.
Mr Fernando said in an interaction here opinion polls in the US suggest a majority of the
Americans favour normalisation of relations with Cuba and therefore, he remains
optimistic of improvement in the bilateral relations.
He, however, iterated Cuba will continue to strengthen socialism while ensuring that the
State follows the path of "transformation" that will benefit Cuban people.
He was responding to a question about the lifting of ban on Cubans staying at tourist
hotels and cell-phone ownership. Cuban President Raul Castro, who succeeded Fidel
Castro on February 24, lifted the restrictions last week.
Mr Fernando said the US should free the "Cuban Five" imprisoned in the US since 1998.
The five Cuban men were arrested for having infiltrated Miami-based anti-Cuba groups
and trying to prevent criminal actions against Cuba.
Mr Fernando said he discussed bilateral issues with Minister of Agriculture Sharad
Pawar, Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Murli Deora and Minister of State of
External Affairs E Ahamed during his stay in India.
Cuba, he pointed out, has made rapid strides on many development indicators, like
health and education. Cuba has the lowest infant mortality rate in the whole of Latin
America. Life expectancy is 77 years.
In education sector, two out of every three Cuban between 18 and 24 years of age is
enrolled in university. About 48,000 Cuban professionals are working in over 100
countries including 18,000 medical professionals in Africa and Latin America.
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