The Hindu : National : Cuba calls for closer ties among Latin American nations

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Jan 20, 2006

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Cuba calls for closer ties among Latin American nations

T. Ramakrishnan

It has given an example that there are alternatives to the neo-liberal policies in the region

Sergio Corrieri Hernandez

CHENNAI: "Another world is possible." This is the message of the resurgence of the Left in Latin America and the growing unpopularity of the United States in the region, according to Juan Carretero Ibanez, Cuban Ambassador to India, and Sergio Corrieri Hernandez, president of Instiuto Cubano de Amistad con los Pueblos (ICAP-Cuban Institute of Friendship with People) and member of the central committee of the Cuban Communist Party.

Referring to the victories registered by the Left recently in Latin American nations, including Venezuela and Bolivia, they told journalists of The Hindu group of publications here on Thursday that after 20 years of neo-liberal policies, about 45 per cent of people in the region lived below the poverty line.

"They are tired. They need education. They need health," Mr. Hernandez said. Mr. Ibanez viewed the developments as a natural outcome of the opposition to the neo-liberal policies in the region. "Latin America is today a continent of inequality. The gap between the richest and the poorest is highest in the world."

The envoy said, "We (Cuba) have given an example that there are alternatives to the neo-liberal policies." Pointing out that over the years, Cuba had been providing health care to peoples of several Latin American countries, he called for greater integration of all the nations in the region.

Accusing the United States of doing everything to destroy Cuba, Mr Hernandez said the relationship between the two could not be worse. Cuba's offer of cooperation to tackle the issues of drug trafficking and terrorism was not accepted. "We are open to a dialogue if our rights and principles are respected and we are treated equals."

Juan Carretero Ibanez

Noting that his nation posted an economic growth rate of 11.8 per cent last year, the Cuban leader pointed out that infant mortality rate in Cuba was lower than those of United States and Canada. Asked how Cuban scientists were keeping abreast of developments in science and technology despite the "hostile" relationship with the U.S., Mr. Hernandez said individual-to-individual relationships still existed. Mr. Ibanez said: "We have friends all over the world."

The ICAP chief said Americans knew only the "truth" shown on CNN television.

"They do not know what is the real world. They are not bad people but they are ignorant people."

On Cuba's relations with India, Mr. Ibanez said, "It has been an exemplary friendship" from the days of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and Mr. Castro. The two nations were working to revitalise the Non-Aligned Movement.

At the people's level, Mr. Hernandez said, "We can do still more."

He wanted more Indian films to be screened in Cuba. Asked about the position of Cuba on the Iranian nuclear issue, the diplomat said Iran had every right to use nuclear energy for constructive purposes. "No one can oppose it."

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