P.M. at South Summit in Cuba

The last time he traveled to Cuba, in February of last year, it was on a state visit, which deepened bilateral relations between two neighbours. This week Prime Minister Said Musa is back on the communist island to participate in what’s become known as the South-South Summit. Over 130 delegations are present, of which 40 are led by heads of state or government. The list of luminaries also includes UN Secretary General Kofi Annan. The weeklong summit, organized by the developing world’s group of seventy-seven, will look at issues including globalization, technology, North-South relations and South-South cooperation. Prime Minister Musa took time today to hold a special meeting with the 60 Belizean students studying in Cuba, urging them to complete their studies and come home to develop the nation. Later in the day Musa met with Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat who thanked Belize for its continued support and invited the P.M. to visit him in the near future. Prime Minister Musa will be addressing the Summit assembly on Thursday and is expected to chastise Guatemala for its aggressive attitude toward Belize. Earlier in the week Belizean delegates made proposals on behalf of Caricom to promote the alleviation of poverty, provide for cancellation of foreign debt and ease the transition from protected markets to global free trade. Among those accompanying the Prime Minister in Havana are resident Ambassador Amalia Mai, Ambassador Assad Shoman and UN Charge d’Affaires Stuart Leslie.