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From: Art Heitzer <[log in to unmask]> 03/07/04 08:37PM >>>
News issued by: Wisconsin Coalition to Normalize Relations with Cuba
633 W. Wisconsin Ave. Suite 1410, Milwaukee, WI 53203
(414) 273-1040 ext. 12 [log in to unmask]
Check out our website: www.CubaWiFriends.org
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STATEMENT BY THE PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF THE REPUBLIC OF CUBA,
AMBASSADOR ORLANDO REQUEIJO GUAL, AT THE OPEN DEBATE OF THE SECURITY
COUNCIL ON THE SITUATION IN HAITI.
NEW YORK, 26 FEBRUARY 2004.
Mr. President,
Cuba is following with attention and concern the currentevents taking
place in Haiti, a brotherly Caribbean countrywe are linked to by close
historical bonds.
Cooperating with Haiti becomes a duty to all of us. Let us not forget
that the struggle of our Caribbean and Latin American peoples for their
freedom started right there 200 years ago.
The international community should help Haiti in this crucial moment of
its history. The old problems derived from colonialism and exploitation
are compounded by new, pressing difficulties relating to the unjust and
excluding international economic order.
Cuba has abided by and will strictly abide by its principles of
non-interference in the internal affairs of any country, including
Haiti.
We support the efforts of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), for the
achievement of a peaceful and just settlement as regards the current
situation in Haiti. We firmly condemn all acts of violence taking place
in that
country and regret the ongoing casualties and material damages.
The personnel of Cuban collaborators, currently in Haiti, abide by and
will strictly abide by the principle of not interfering in the internal
affairs of this country.
This personnel's security should be fully guaranteed, as well as, the
integrity of the Cuban Embassy and its personnel remaining in
Port-au-Prince.
Mr. President,
Cuban collaborators continue working in their positions in Haiti,
despite the critical situation in the country. Cuban doctors,
particularly, continue to assist on an ongoing basis the Haitian
population who needs it so much nowadays.
As we speak, Cuba has a medical brigade in Haiti composed of 525
cooperators, 332 of which are doctors. They are scattered in all of the
country's departments and are responsible for 75% of the 8.3 million
Haitians. In order to have an idea of the importance of their work, it
must be
known that Haiti relies on fewer than 2,000 physicians and almost 90%
of them render their services in the capital of the country.
In the last five years, the Cuban doctors have seen nearly 5 million
Haitians in medical appointments, assisted almost 45,000 deliveries and
performed 59,000 surgeries. In the areas covered by the Cuban doctors,
the infant mortality rate in children under 1 year of age has dropped
from 80 to
28 per 1,000 live births - and in children under 5 years of age, the
rate has fallen from 159 to 39 per 1,000 live births. The maternal
mortality rate dropped from 523 deaths to 259 per 100,000 live births.
In these years, over
370,000 people - 80% children - have been immunized. It is estimated
that nearly 86,000 human lives have been saved by the Cuban health
workers in Haiti. However, to have an idea of how much work needs to be
done, I must recall that in Cuba, for example, the infant mortality rate
in children
under 1 year of age is 6.3 per 1,000; in children under 5 years of age
is 8 per 1,000 and the maternal mortality rate is 39 per 100,000.
In light of the current domestic tensions in that brotherly country -
which are known to you and which caused the departure of a number of
foreign residents - last Tuesday the 10th, our Government gave express
instructions to our Embassy in Port-au-Prince to maintain in their
positions, working on an ongoing basis, all the members of the Cuban
medical brigade, anywhere in the country where these may be.
Besides, given the obstacles that may arise in the availability of
medications, on the 11th, Cuba sent a shipment of 12.2 tons, including
525 special sets of nearly 80 medications so that each Cuban medical
cooperator can
guarantee the fulfillment of their tasks. The Cuban medical personnel -
that strictly abides by the principle of not interfering in the internal
affairs of Haiti - is honorably complying with their noble mission of
tending to the health
of the Haitian people.
On the other hand, some 2,169 broken-down medical devices were repaired
by the Cuban technicians.
Twenty Cuban professors are providing advisory services for a
radio-based literacy program that has been designed by our specialists.
Some 110,000 Haitians have already become literate - and the program
will continue to grow. Cuba also donated the teaching materials,
including the handbooks in
French and Creole. A total of 247 Haitian youths are currently studying
in the Medical School founded in such country by Cuban professors, while
another 372 are enrolled on medical scholarships in Cuba, whose
universities are
currently accommodating over 3000 Caribbean youths.
The Cuban technical assistance was instrumental in the reconstruction
of the sugar mill of Darbonne, currently in its fourth sugar harvest
with the support of 30 Cuban specialists. The sugar mill generates
employment for 2000 people and guarantees electricity supply during the
harvest
period for a population of 5000 families of the area.
Twenty Cuban veterinarians and technicians are putting in place a
sanitary control program and training Haitian staff; another 10
technicians are helping consolidate the national aquaculture program,
for which Cuba has freely delivered 42 million larvae already planted in
the country's dams and has also trained specialized personnel in this
area. Another 11 Cuban agricultural specialists are also working in
Haiti as part of FAO's Food Security Program. Our country is also
cooperating in other areas, such as culture and road construction.
Mr. President,
If all of the above is a proof of what a small and blockaded country is
able to do for Haiti, other States with huge economic and financial
resources will be able to do even more in terms of providing cooperation
and official
development assistance for this brotherly Caribbean country.
The people of Cuba, particularly, feel that they are fulfilling their
duty and also honoring a debt of gratitude to the peoples of the
Caribbean, that have been so steadfast in their unflinching friendship
and solidarity towards Cuba.
Once again, we reiterate Cuba's steadfast intention to continue
contributing, with all possible means within its reach, to fulfilling a
peaceful, just and lasting solution to the situation in Haiti. It is our
hope that given the serious situation this brotherly country is
undergoing, the United Nations together with the international community
will manage to rise to the occasion as it deserves.
Thank you very much.
SOURCE: MINREX http://makeashorterlink.com/?N4C222C97
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