[NYTr] Solidarity with the Caribbean Will Mark Cuba-CARICOM Day Dec 8, 2007 Date: Fri, 7 Dec 2007 14:50:30 -0600 (CST) Via NY Transfer News Collective * All the News that Doesn't Fit Agencia Cubana de Noticias (ACN) http://ainch.ain.cu/mailman/listinfo/ingles Solidarity with the Caribbean Will Mark Cuba-CARICOM Day Havana, Dec 7 (acn) Cuba is satisfied with its foreign relations with the Caribbean Community, reads a statement issued on Friday by Cuba's Foreign Ministry, on the occasion of Cuba-CARICOM day on December 8. According to the note published in the Granma newspaper, Cuba reiterates its full support and friendship to CARICOM on the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations with the first four signatories of the Caribbean organization Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago. The declaration calls this a "brave gesture" which challenged the policy of isolation of Cuba imposed by the United States on Latin America and the Caribbean, and acknowledges the repeated support of the Caribbean sister nations against the US blockade of Cuba in international forums throughout the years. "These four English speaking countries were at the time the only independent nations of the Caribbean. Years later, other states in the area became independent and established diplomatic relations with Cuba," the statement reads. Invited guests for the celebrations for the Cuba-CARICOM day on Saturday include Charles Burnett, Barbados's deputy permanent secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade. *** Prensa Latina, Havana http://www.plenglish.com Cuba Satisfied with CARICOM Links Havana, Dec 7 (Prensa Latina) The Foreign Affairs Ministry (MINREX) of Cuba states Friday in a declaration its deep satisfaction with the friendship, respect and cooperation with the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). By celebrating the Cuba-Caricom Day December 8, the island feels a great confidence in the continuous and subsequent development of those exemplary ties, which have been greatly multiplied, the text stresses. Published by "Granma" newspaper, the document recalls that tomorrow marks the 35th anniversary of the moment in which Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago decided to establish diplomatic relations with Cuba. The report emphasizes that those nations, in a brave gesture, challenged the policy of isolation imposed by United States against the Cubans in the Latin American and Caribbean environment. The four English-speaking countries had been then the only ones to enjoy their independence. Years later, other Caribbean states have conquered freedom and also established relations with Cuba, states the MINREX declaration. The article underlines that the Caribbean brother countries have repeatedly expressed their firm position against the US blockade not only at the UN but also in other international forums. The declaration recalls Cuban President Fidel Castro's words in the Second Cuba-CARICOM Summit held in Barbados in December 2005. "To selfish neoliberal globalization and the anti-democratic political and international economic order we must respond with unity, globalization of solidarity, promotion of dialogue, integration and genuine cooperation," the statesman said then. Over 2,800 CARICOM youth have graduated in Cuba, about 2,900 students from that regional group are studying in this country. Almost 1,400 of them study medicine, and over 4 million Caribbean patients have been assisted by Cuban physicians since 1996. Cuba also shares experiences with the Caribbean countries in several areas, like protection of environment, saving energy and preventing natural disasters. hr iff crc mf PL-9 *** MINREX - Dec 7, 2007 http://america.cubaminrex.cu/English/Statements/2007/071207.html STATEMENT BY THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS Tomorrow, 8th December, together with the kindred peoples of the Caribbean, we celebrate Cuba-CARICOM Day. This is the 35th anniversary of the joint decision by Barbados, the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, Jamaica and the Republic of Trinidad & Tobago, to establish diplomatic relations with Cuba, a brave gesture that defied the policy of isolation imposed by the United States on our country in the Latin American and Caribbean context. These four English-speaking Caribbean nations were at that time the only ones beginning to enjoy independence. Years later, other Caribbean states won their freedom and also established relations with Cuba. As we commemorate Cuba-CARICOM Day, the development of these bonds of friendship, respect and cooperation, which have blossomed in recent years, give us a deep sense of satisfaction. At the same time, Cuba is convinced that these exemplary links will continue and will grow even further. Our Caribbean brothers and sisters have repeatedly expressed their unwavering support for Cuba, at the UN and in other international forums, in opposing the embargo imposed on us. Time and again, attempts to divide them in their common policy of strengthening relations with Cuba have been resisted. In the words of Fidel at the second Cuba-CARICOM summit in Barbados (December 2005): "to egoistic neoliberal globalization, to an anti-democratic international political and economic order, we must respond with unity and globalization of solidarity, with promotion of dialogue, integration and genuine cooperationb. This is the path that Cuba has pursued and will always continue to pursue in its relations with our sister Caribbean nations. Over 2,800 young people from the Caribbean Community have graduated in Cuba. There are currently 2,900 young citizens of CARICOM member states studying in our country, including nearly 1,400 receiving medical training. Over 4 million Caribbean patients have been treated by Cuban doctors since 1996. Since mid-July 2004, 40,500 patients from the Caribbean Community have recovered their sight thanks to bOperaciC3n Milagrob (Operation Miracle). Cuba also shares experience with the Caribbean nations in various fields, including environmental protection, energy saving and prevention of natural disasters. 35 years ago, Cuba was received with an embrace of solidarity by its Caribbean brothers and sisters. Today it repeats, as our Commander-In-Chief has said, that "... the Caribbean can always count on the external friendship, disinterestedness, gratitude and full and total support of its Cuban brothers and sisters.b Ministry of Foreign Affairs Havana, 7th December 2007