[NYTr] Raul Reiterates Cuba's Willingness to Dialogue with US

[All the News That Doesn't Fit]

CubaNow Digital - Jul 31, 2007
http://www.cubanow.net/global/loader.php?&secc=12&item=3036&cont=show.php

Raul Castro Reiterates Cuba's Willingness to Dialogue with the US

Cubanow.- Vice President Raul Castro reiterated Cuba?s willingness to
dialogue on equal terms with the new US administration that is to be
elected in 2008, but he ratified that the island will not give an inch
in its principles.

Addressing over 100,000 Cubans gathered at the Major General Ignacio
Agramonte Revolution square, in eastern Camaguey city, Raul Castro
ratified that Cuba will stand firm to its principles in the face of
imperialist blackmail; neither will the country make any unilateral
concession to any country or group of countries.

Raul Castro said that if new US authorities put down their overpowering
attitude, Cuba will welcome bilateral dialogue, but if they don?t the
island will continue to resist for another 50 years if it were
necessary.

The central ceremony, to mark the 54 anniversary of the attacks, July
26, 1953, on the Moncada and Carlos Manuel de Cespedes army barracks by
a group of revolutionaries led by Fidel Castro, was also attended by
members of the Political bureau of Cuba?s Communist Party and
government officials, as well as by combatants of the historic action
and the Rebel Army.

Also present were relatives of the five Cuban antiterrorist fighters
held in US jails, US Reverend Lucius Walker and other members of the US
Pastors for Peace religious organization, who brought the latest
humanitarian aid caravan to Cuba last week.

Fidel Castro Keeps Carrying out Intense Work

Raul Castro said that Cuban President Fidel Castro keeps recovery and
is carrying out intense and very valuable work, evidenced by his
articles published by the Cuban media. Fidel never stopped contributing
his wisdom and experience even during the most critical moments of his
recovery, said Raul.

The US administration tried to take advantage of the Cuban leader?s
health condition to topple the Revolution, but it was faced with the
historic commitment of the Cuban people to defend their homeland, he
said and went on to denounce Washington?s encouragement of illegal
departures from Cuba to the United States by putting hurdles to
bilateral migratory agreements, which Cuba ?he pointed out? will
continue to honor.

Cuba Keeps Advancing and Overcoming Difficulties

The Cuban people will continue to overcome adversities and
difficulties, said Cuba´s Vice President.

Addressing domestic issues, Raul Castro said that the salary in Cuba
does not satisfy all the needs of the people, while it does not play
its role of securing the socialist principle stating that every citizen
must contribute to society according to his or her capacities and in
return, be benefited according to his or her work.

Such a domestic situation stemming from the economic crisis that hit
the island in the 1990, known as ?The Special Period? has favored
social indiscipline and attitudes difficult to eradicate, said Raul
Castro and noted that the Cuban Party and Government are considering
those and other problems, which require a comprehensive and particular
approach in every case.

The Cuban Vice President described the international situation as very
difficult, in which wars, political instability, environmental
deterioration and the skyrocketing oil prices add to the recent
decision, particularly by the US government, to produce fuel from corn,
soybeans and other staples.

He called for an increase of local production and efficient work to
allow the availability of more resources in the country. Raul also
called for the reduction of food imports, which can be produced on the
island by working the lands which are not being efficiently exploited.

As to the country?s investment policy, Raul explained that investment
projects to be admitted must contribute capital, market and technology
and based on prior positive experience in the sector and on clearly
defined juridical foundations that preserve the role of the socialist
state and with socialist property as the prevalent factor.

Raul Castro reiterated the country?s willingness to keep strengthening
cooperation relations with other nation on the basis of respect and
recalled the advancement derived from relations with Venezuela, Bolivia
and Nicaragua.