P.M. back from Cuba
The Prime Minister Said Musa and a delegation of at least forty people, including five government ministers, members of the private sector and the press returned this afternoon from a two day visit to Cuba. As they entered the new domestic terminal at the Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport, members of the delegation seemed happy to be home and were full of enthusiasm about what was accomplished. Rather than just grab their bags and head for town, however, the Prime Minister and his Ministers held a press conference to give details of the agreements made with the Cuban government. Among these will be cooperation in the areas of tourism in the form of multi-destination tours and plans for direct flights between the two countries, the acquisition of two plants for building pre-fabricated houses, assistance with language, literacy and sports programs, as well as scholarships. Musa says relations with Cuba are strong and they will assist us with much needed technical expertise.
Said Musa, Prime Minister
“President Castro wanted to make sure that Belize benefited from the special assistance programs to Central America that Cuba is now developing. He therefore offered to send to Belize as many doctors as we require, free of cost, to work in our rural areas. He was very specific about this, that he would want these doctors to work in the villages, in the rural communities.
Also to help us with additional scholarships to train at least ten more doctors every year for the next ten years. I want to stress that he made it clear that he is not placing any sealing on these offers and that the number of doctors and medical scholarships are limited only by our capacity to properly manage and utilize them.
The importance of this working visit cannot be judged, however, solely by the practical and material results here mentioned. Much more important has been the occasion to strengthen the bonds of friendship that have united our two countries since before our independence. As President Castro reminded us on Monday night when I presented him with the Order of Belize, which was conferred by the Governor General, Belize has always defended the right of the Cuban people to be allowed to live in peace and without interference of any kind and we will continue to do so.”
