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We are not satisfied with
results achieved, but neither are we discouraged, in
the least
• Speech by Army General Raúl
Castro Ruz, first secretary of the Communist Party
of Cuba’s Central Committee, President of the
Councils of State and Ministers, on July 5, 2014,
Year 56 of the Revolution, during the National
Assembly of People’s Power 8th Legislature’s third
period of ordinary sessions, in Havana’s Convention
Center. Also in attendance were José Ramón Machado
Ventura, second secretary of the Communist Party of
Cuba; Vice President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez; as
well as Esteban Lazo Hernández, president of the
National Assembly.
(Transcription – Council of State)
Compañeras and compañeros:
Over
the last few weeks, we have held important meetings,
among them the June 21 Council of Ministers and the
8th Plenum of the Party Central Committee, last
Thursday. Information about both events, especially
the Council of Ministers, has been broadly reported
in the media.
Likewise, since Wednesday, deputies have discussed
in depth, in their respective commissions, the
principal issues affecting the nation’s work. My
remarks will therefore be brief.
As
has been reported, during the first half of the
year, the Cuban economy continued to grow modestly;
the Gross Domestic Product (GNP) increased by 0.6%,
indicating a deceleration in the growth rate as a
result of shortfalls in external income; the
negative effects of weather conditions; as well as
the persistence of internal economic management
deficiencies.
Despite growth in the areas of transportation,
communications, agriculture, the sugar industry and
tourism, decreases were registered in mining and
industrial production, the latter as a result of
difficulties with financing and the consequent late
delivery of imported raw materials.
Likewise, the negative effects of the world economic
crisis continue, while the U.S. blockade has been
tightened, especially with respect to the
persecution of financial entities which maintain
ties with our country, a topic I will address again
later.
In
these undeniably difficult circumstances, we have
met in a timely fashion our financial obligations
resulting from the restructuring of debts with our
principal creditors, a fact which favors the
continuing recuperation of our economy’s
international credibility.
At
the same time, internal monetary equilibrium has
been maintained, both within the population’s sector
and in the economy as a whole. The tendency toward
recovering financial discipline, in terms of
accounts payable and receivable, has been
consolidated, as well.
To
achieve a growth of 1.4% in the GNP by the end of
the year, more and better work is required during
the second semester, and the utilization of untapped
sources of efficiency must be strengthened.
We
are not satisfied with the results achieved, but
neither are we discouraged, in the least. Faced with
these difficult circumstances, our spirit of
struggle, determination and optimism must prevail,
to reverse the situation and regain the rate of
growth needed to assure socialist development, based
on sustainable and irreversible foundations.
Toward this end, and as part of the implementation
of Guidelines adopted by the 6th Party Congress, the
Council of Ministers approved the bases for the
country’s long-term economic and social development
plan, with a vision through 2030, which will serve
as the basis for the elaboration of five-year plans.
Among this development plan’s principles is the
continued social ownership of the fundamental means
of production, and the forging of a development
model with efficiency in all spheres, directed
toward assuring social well-being, equity and
justice for Cubans.
In
terms of the updating of our economic model, we are
in a qualitatively superior phase, in which
decisions of greater complexity and reach are being
considered; among them, conditions are being
prepared to assure the success of the process of
monetary unification, which, as has already been
explained, is not the magical solution to all
problems present in the economy, but rather a
decisive factor which should contribute to a
substantial increase in efficiency and the
productivity of labor, while at the same time
promoting a more just distribution of wealth
created.
On
this subject, it is worth reiterating that bank
deposits will be fully protected, in foreign
currencies, in convertible pesos (CUC) or Cuban
pesos (CUP), as well as cash in the hands of the
population, domestic and foreign incorporated
bodies.
This
past Saturday, June 28, the new Foreign Investment
Law, approved by the National Assembly March 28 in
an extraordinary session, went into effect along
with complementary regulations, providing a legal
framework which offers greater incentives and
guarantees to potential investors. It is the
responsibility of bodies and enterprises to update
the portfolio of opportunities, in the interest of
concretizing, as soon as possible, on the basis of
mutually advantageous precepts, the acquisition of
investments of foreign capital called upon to
energize the development of production and services.
At
the same time, the perfecting of Central State
Administration bodies and other national entities’
structures and functions has advanced, and
implementation is currently underway in the first
group of 20 of these.
Progress is being made in the separation of state
functions from those of enterprises, and
implementation has begun with a series of measures
designed to provide socialist state enterprise more
autonomy and broad authority.
In
this respect, I believe it is necessary to emphasize
that this process, in order to be successful, must
be undertaken at an appropriately gradual pace, as
was said this morning, and including constant
supervision by various Party structures and the
government at every level, as well as systematic
efforts to train leaders and functionaries who
assume new responsibilities in a less centralized
and more flexible management environment.
At
the same time, the tendency toward growth in
self-employment and non-agricultural cooperatives
continues, the latter still in the experimental
phase.
During the last meeting of the Council of Ministers,
approved was the updating of policies to be
implemented related to non-state management of
restaurant, technical and personal services, all of
which should contribute to offering better quality
and variety to the population, while also reducing
losses and theft which have been so common in these
sectors, allowing the state to concentrate on issues
of greater scope and importance to the nation’s
development.
In
this process, neither should we leave the door open
to precipitous decisions or improvisation. The
gradual pace is not a whim, much less indicative of
a desire to slow changes we must make. To the
contrary, it reflects the need to assure order and
avoid vacuums which could lead us directly to
errors, discrediting the proposed objectives.
Next
I will additionally address foreign policy
questions.
Despite the growing international condemnation, in
particular in Latin America and the Caribbean, and
even within the United States itself, of the
economic, commercial and financial blockade of Cuba,
far from rectifying this policy, it continues in
full force, in open violation of the principles
established in the United Nations Charter.
The
harassment of commercial and banking institutions
which have relations with our country has grown to
unprecedented levels, often taking on an aggressive,
extra-territorial character affecting even U.S,
allies such as the 8.97 billion dollar fine imposed
on the French bank BNP-Paribas, the largest in
France, another violation of the sovereignty of
states, the norms of free trade and international
law, as was denounced by our Ministry of Foreign
Relations, this past July 2.
In
an unheard-of action, as a consequence of the
financial blockade, the Cuban Interests Section in
Washington has been denied bank services, affecting
Cubans who live in the United States and
complicating family relations and trips to our
country.
The
United States has not renounced subversion in Cuba,
either, employing undercover methods, and using new
information and telecommunications technology, as
was made evident in recent revelations about the
Zunzuneo project, which constitutes a violation of
our sovereignty and international law.
It
is time for the United States to understand that
these policies are condemned to failure, and that it
must respect the free will and right of Cubans to
build their own future in peace.
Today Venezuela is resisting and defeating the most
sophisticated methods of subversion and
destabilization, including coup attempts, according
to the precepts of non-conventional war which the
United States is implementing in several regions.
The Bolivarian Chavista Revolution, and the
government led by constitutional President Nicolás
Maduro Moros, have received broad regional and
international solidarity, in support of the
Venezuelan people who are defending their conquests.
Recently through a Ministry of Foreign Relations
Statement, our nation expressed its solidarity and
support for the Republic of Argentina, and President
Cristina Fernández, facing attacks by speculative
funds supported by unacceptable, interventionist
decisions on the part of U.S. courts.
Latin America and the Caribbean have closed ranks in
defense of this sister nation, aware that this
aggression against the Argentine people is also
directed toward regional integration efforts, and
the sovereignty of nations of the South.
Also
significant are the agreements reached to date by
the Colombian government and the Revolutionary Armed
Forces of Colombia (FARC) at the negotiating table.
Never before has this country advanced so far in the
direction of achieving peace in a conflict which has
already lasted half a century. At the request of the
two parties, Cuba will continue to function as one
of the two guarantor countries, and as the site of
the talks, continuing to offer all facilities
necessary for their positive development.
We
also salute the exploratory process undertaken by
the government and the National Liberation Army (ELN),
to which we will continue to contribute.
The
hosting of the Community of Latin American and
Caribbean States (CELAC) Second Summit, in January,
coinciding with the 161st anniversary of the birth
of Martí, was a victory for the Cuban people, given
the high level of participation by heads of state
and government, the importance of topics debated,
and the documents adopted, such as the Declaration
of Havana and the Action Plan, which reflect our
unity within diversity, and the political will to
advance in Latin American and Caribbean integration.
The
signing by all heads of state and government of the
Proclamation of Latin America and the Caribbean as a
Zone of Peace was a landmark of historical
transcendence, establishing respect for the
principles and norms of international law and those
of the United Nations Charter, as well as an ongoing
commitment to the peaceful resolution of conflicts,
in an effort to forever eliminate from our region
the use, or threat, of force.
The
Proclamation likewise establishes our commitment to
the strict fulfillment of our obligation to not
intervene, directly or indirectly, in the internal
affairs of any other country; to honor the
principles of national sovereignty, the equality of
rights, and self-determination of peoples; as well
as full respect – as established in these documents
– for the inalienable right of all states to elect
their own political, economic, social and cultural
system, as an essential pre-condition to peaceful
coexistence – the first time that this principle has
been established in a document signed by all Latin
American and Caribbean heads of state; the promotion
of a culture of peace; disarmament, and the
promotion of nuclear disarmament, and complete,
general disarmament, to promote the strengthening of
mutual trust among nations.
Now
as part of the CELAC leadership quartet, composed of
Costa Rica, holding the pro tempore presidency;
Cuba, which held it until the last meeting; and
Ecuador, which will succeed the current president;
as well as St. Vincent and the Grenadines,
representing CARICOM – that is the Caribbean – our
country continues to support efforts to consolidate
and strengthen the Community.
In
May, the Minister of Public Health Roberto Morales
Ojeda, in the name of Cuba, successfully presided
the 67th World Health Assembly, a prestigious
recognition of the accomplishments achieved in this
arena on a national level, and in the international
collaboration offered, and being offered, by tens of
thousands of compatriots.
The
Group of 77 plus China Summit in Bolivia, this past
month of June, was evidence of the outstanding
popular and international leadership of President
Evo Morales Ayma. Important decisions in defense of
the interests of countries of the South were
adopted, and Comandante Ernesto Che Guevara honored
on the day of his birth.
As
testimony to our advantageous and growing ties of
solidarity, and shared objectives and interests,
with the Caribbean Community, of which we are an
inseparable part, the diplomatic presence of all
member states in Havana was completed, with the
opening by Prime Minsiter Denzil Douglas of a St.
Kitts and Nevis embassy.
We
are working on preparations for the Fifth CARICOM-Cuba
Summit which will be held on Cuban soil December 8
of the current year, in commemoration of the day on
which Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica and Trinidad-Tobago
simultaneously established diplomatic relations with
Cuba, and made an unforgettable contribution to our
regional insertion, a step which carried significant
weight at a time when very few countries had
relations with us. Then it wasn’t only Mexico, the
only one which did not break relations, but rather a
few more.
With
the satisfaction of having René and Fernando in the
homeland again, after completing their unjust
sentences in full, we reiterate our commitment to
never slacken our efforts to secure the freedom of
Gerardo, Ramón and Antonio, a cause to which we will
continue to confer the highest priority.
Finally, compañeras y compañeros, this coming July
26 we will commemorate the 61st anniversary of the
Moncada and Carlos Manuel de Céspedes assaults, with
the people of Artemisa, in the new province which
was the birthplace of many valiant protagonists of
that feat. On this occasion, Comandante de la
Revolución Ramiro Valdés Menéndez will have the
responsibility of presenting the principal remarks.
Let
us work to preserve the conquests of the Revolution,
for which so many generations of Cubans have
struggled, and achieve the construction of a
prosperous and sustainable socialism.
That’s all for now. Thank you very much.
(Applause)
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