P.M. meets with Fidel Castro
A factory to build four hundred homes a year, the establishment of seven houses of culture, scholarships and other areas of technical assistance were discussed today during meetings between the Prime Minister of Belize Said Musa and President Fidel Castro in Havana, Cuba. Belize’s delegation, which includes the Ministers of Economic Development, Culture, Education and Sports, Housing and Tourism, arrived at the Government Palace this morning around ten for ceremonies which included an inspection by Prime Minister Musa of the guard of honor. Bilateral meetings followed throughout the day. Belize’s Ambassador to Cuba Amalia Mai spoke to News Five’s Stewart Krohn via phone this afternoon.
Amalia Mai, Belize’s Ambassador to Cuba
“Well I can assure you that it has gone extremely well so far. The assistance that we needed, the response was affirmative; and there was private talks between the two leaders which lasted up until a couple of minutes ago and normally they would only last an hour and in this case it began about twelve thirty and now just concluded about two or three minutes ago. So it’s going extremely well for the Prime Minister.
Various agreements, four agreements that we are looking to sign: one is in tourism, the other is in education, another in sports and one in housing which is really one of our… There are three other contracts, agreements really, for help in the museum.”
Q: “What in terms of housing, you mentioned housing as one of the agreements, what exactly will be done in the housing field?”
Amalia Mai
“Okay we’re looking at Cuba to help us with a factory to build four hundred houses per year, which of course could be more than that because the factories can build two houses per day. The program is going to run for five years, so we’re looking at four hundred houses per year for the next five years at the minimum.”
Q: “Has that agreement been signed or is that something that is still being contemplated?”
Amalia Mai
“No, that is almost ready for his signature. The Minister of Housing is crossing the T’s and dotting the I’s at this moment with the officials from the Ministry of Construction here.”
Tonight the Belizean delegation will be the guest at an official reception. Tomorrow the ministers continue meetings with their Cuban counterparts and the Prime Minister will meet with students during a press conference. The delegation will also visit areas of educational and sporting interest in Havana.
