ARTICLE - CUBA - RECONSTRUCTION IS A DEBT

HAITI'S RECONSTRUCTION IS AN OUTSTANDING DEBT, SAYS CUBA
(Prensa Latina) -

Geneva - The reconstruction of Haiti is a debt to those people who, after three centuries of colonialism, staged the first social revolution in the American continent, expressed the Cuban delegate Yumirka Fernandez here on Wednesday. During the interactive debate on the Human Rights Council with the independent expert on Haiti, Fernandez pointed out the responsibility of the international community on the situation faced by that country, which in 2010 was affected by a devastating earthquake.

Unfortunately the amounts of financial and material support involved have not been provided. The wishes of the Haitian government were not respected nor has paid attention to its priorities, she emphasized.

Fernandez recalled that Cuba, despite the U.S. blockade, provides solidarity with that nation, together with the countries of the Bolivarian Alternative for the Peoples of Our Americas (ALBA).

Prioritazing the creation of a comprehensive health system that shows tangible results and whose essence lies in meeting the needs of the poorest populations.

Cuban cooperation in Haiti is also in the sectors of education, agriculture, iron and steel industry, culture and sports, she said.

Cuba has also received support from several Latin American countries and the world to implement tripartite programs and projects of great importance for the reconstruction of the Caribbean nation.

Unfortunately", she said, the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed by the United States on Cuba has hindered on several occasions money transfers to accounts of the Greater Antilles, even in the case of humanitarian aid to Haiti.

The Cuban delegate stated that governments and international actors should honor the commitment made in 2010 for the recovery and reconstruction of that country.

Haiti does not need an occupying force, nor can it become a United Nations protectorate. The UN's role is to support the government and the Haitian people in strengthening its sovereignty and self-determination, expressed the Cuban representative.