STATEMENT BY
ARMY GENERAL RAÚL CASTRO RUZ, FIRST SECRETARY OF THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE OF THE
COMMUNIST PARTY OF CUBA AND PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCILS OF STATE AND OF MINISTERS
AT THE CLOSING CEREMONY OF THE FOURTH SESSION OF THE EIGHTH LEGISLATURE OF THE
NATIONAL PEOPLE’S POWER ASSEMBLY HELD AT HAVANA’S CONFERENCE CENTER ON DECEMBER
20, 2014, “YEAR 56 OF THE REVOLUTION”.
(Stenographic
versions – Council of State)
Comrades all:
We have all lived through
intense and exciting moments in the last few days.
In this very month of
December we successfully held the Fifth CARICOM-Cuba Summit. Last Sunday we
held the Thirteenth Summit of the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our
America and, on that occasion, we paid a well-deserved tribute to their
founders: our close friend and Bolivarian
President, Hugo Chávez Frías, and the Commander of the Cuban Revolution,
Comrade Fidel Castro Ruz (APPLAUSE).
Present in this session are
Gerardo, Ramón and Antonio, a source of genuine rejoicing and happiness for all
of our people –I will elaborate on this important even towards the final part
of my statement. Also present here are comrades Fernando and René and the
relatives of the Five Heroes, as well as the young Elián González, his father
Juan Miguel and Colonel Orlando Cardoso Villavicencio, Hero of the Republic of
Cuba, who endured a harsh incarceration for more than ten years in Somalia.
As has been the usual
practice in the sessions of our Parliament, it is now my turn to make a review
of the country’s economic performance throughout the year that is about to
conclude, as well as of the economic plan and budget for the year 2015, which
have been thoroughly discussed by deputies in all the 10 commissions of the
Assembly and also in yesterday’s plenary session.
The Ninth Plenum of the
Central Committee of the Party that was held on Thursday last was also devoted
to the discussion of these issues. That
is why I will just refer to them very briefly.
As has been already
explained, the Gross Domestic Product, known as GDP, increased by 1.3 per cent,
a figure below the originally planned rate, as a result of the insufficient
economic performance during the first semester of the year, when we were faced
with significant financial constraints deriving from the failure to meet the
expected level of revenues from abroad, the adverse weather conditions and the
internal insufficiencies in economic management.
Although, in fact, during the
second semester of the year, we managed to modestly reverse that trend and
achieve better results.
Next year’s economic plan will
consolidate and reinforce the trend towards a more solid growth of the Cuban
economy, based on the optimal use of our reserves in terms of efficiency; the restoration
of productive sectors, particularly the manufacturing industry; a more
efficient use of energy sources and a higher number of investments in
infrastructure and material production, while preserving social services, such
as public health and education, for our population.
A GDP growth of a little more
than 4 per cent has been projected for the year 2015. This is an attainable goal, considering that,
as different from the situation faced in the early months of
At the same time, we will continue
to strictly honor the commitments entered into when we rescheduled our debts
with our main creditors, thus contributing to the gradual recovery of the international
credibility of the Cuban economy.
Yesterday afternoon, the
National Assembly approved the Law on the State Budget for the year 2015, which
envisages a 6.2 per cent deficit in the GDP, considered to be an acceptable rate
under the present circumstances. New taxes will be implemented and the tax
burden on the business system shall be reduced in accordance with the gradual
implementation of the Tax Law.
Likewise, a series of steps
have been taken to improve tax control against indiscipline and tax evasion by both
juridical and natural persons.
In this regard, we should not
only penalize those who fail to comply with their duties, since impunity would be
an encouragement to the infringement of the legal norms in force. We have also considered it to be necessary to
promote among all institutions, enterprises, cooperatives and self-employed
workers a culture of civic behavior towards taxation as well as the view that
taxes are the main formula to re-distribute national income in the interest of
all citizens.
Furthermore, the process of
implementation of the Guidelines of the Economic, Political and Social Policy
of the Party and the Revolution, approved by the sixth Congress has
continued. As has already been
announced, we are now on a qualitatively higher stage of this process in which
we are addressing extremely complex tasks, the solution of which will affect
all the aspects of national affairs.
I am referring, first and
foremost, to the process aimed at unifying both currencies, an area in which a
very sound progress has been achieved during the second half of this year from
the conceptual point of view. We have
managed to streamline a comprehensive program of measures in order to avoid damages
to the economy and the population.
The decision to generalize
sales in CUP at the hard-currency stores has been positively welcomed by
citizens, and this process will continue to expand in a gradual way.
This is an auspicious
occasion to ratify two concepts that we should not ignore.
The first is that the
Unification of Currencies is not the universal or immediate solution to all the
problems our economy faces.
This important decision
should be complemented by a series of macro-economic measures that would favor
the ordering of the monetary regime of the country through a series of instruments
that would guarantee a proper national financial balance, which will decisively
contribute to improve economic performance and the construction of a prosperous
and sustainable socialism in Cuba.
The second, and no less
important concept, is that all bank accounts in foreign currency, Cuban
convertible pesos (CUC) and Cuban pesos (CUP), as well as the cash in the hands
of the population and the national and foreign juridical persons shall be protected.
We have known about the
well-intended and not very-well intended opinions that are being expressed both
inside and outside the country about the rhythm of the process to update our
economic model.
There has also been an open encouragement
from abroad to speed up privatization, even of the main production and service
sectors, which will b equal to laying down the flags of socialism in Cuba.
It seems as if the latter
have not bothered to read the Guidelines which clearly states as follows, and I
quote: “The economic system that shall prevail in our country will continue to
be based on the people’s socialist ownership over the fundamental means of
production, governed by the socialist principle of distribution: “from each
according to his/her capacity to each according to his/her contribution”, end
of quote.
We will continue to implement
the agreements adopted by the Sixth Congress of the Communist Party of Cuba in
a responsible and firm way, at the speed that we may sovereignly determine
here, without jeopardizing the unity of Cubans, without living anyone to his or
her own fate, without resorting to shock therapies and without ever renouncing
the ideals of social justice of this Revolution of the humble, by the humble
and for the humble.
Next year we will initiate
the preparations for the celebration of the Seventh Congress of the Party in
April of 2016. Prior to that there will
be a broad and democratic debate among all Communist Party members and the
entire people about the process of implementation of the Guidelines.
Closely associated to the
updating of the economic model is the process for the gradual, I repeat,
gradual decentralization of faculties from the ministries down to the business
sector.
This is not something that
can be done overnight, if we want to succeed. We will require a reasonable time
to prepare and train, as we have been doing, our cadres at every level; modify
the old-fashioned mentality and get rid of old habits; and work out and
implement the legal framework and specific procedures that would enable all of
us to see to it that the decisions are adequately implemented and mistakes are
timely corrected, thus avoiding unnecessary setbacks.
Among other steps, a decision
was made to expand and make more flexible the social object of the Socialist
state-owned enterprises in order to increase their autonomy. The mission
assigned to them by the State was redefined and they were entrusted with the faculties
required for the marketing of their production surplus. Likewise, the removal of administrative limitations,
which will allow for the payment of salaries based on results, was also established.
These transformations shall
be gradually implemented, without haste, in an orderly, disciplined and
rigorous manner.
The just aspiration of
earning higher salaries is a very sensitive question. We can not allow ourselves to make any
mistakes, nor letting ourselves be drawn by desire or improvisation.
We would be happy to see that
the salaries earned by those workers who work in those sectors recording the
most efficient results and reporting benefits of particular
economic and social impact are gradually increased.
However, I should state very
clearly that we can not distribute a wealth that we have not been capable of
creating. Doing so would have serious
consequences for the national economy as well as for the personal finances of each
and every citizen. Pouring out money into the streets without an equivalent
increase in the offer of goods and services will generate inflation, a
phenomenon that, among other harmful effects, would reduce the purchasing power
of salaries and pensions, which will particularly affect the most humble. And we can not allow that to happen.
The first year of
implementation of the new salary policy in quite a few enterprises has revealed
that there has been a violation of the salary cost index per every gross value-added
Peso. In other words, higher salaries
have been paid without the corresponding backing in production. On several occasions I have warned that this
should be considered as a serious, very serious indiscipline that should be
resolutely confronted by the administrative cadres and trade union
organizations.
The fact that in our social
system, trade unions defend workers’ rights is secret to no one. To effectively do so, trade unions should be
the first to look after the interests of any given workers group, but also the
interests of the entire working class, which are essentially the same interests
defended by the entire nation.
We can not leave any room for
selfishness and greed to thrive and consolidate among our workers. We all want and need better salaries, but
first we have to create wealth and then distribute it according to the
contribution each one can make.
Obviously, there are many
other issues related to the updating of the economic model which I have not
mentioned. In several of them there have
been deviations that we are called to correct in due time, in the spirit of
never having to back. But for that we
have to work in a very serious and responsible way.
No one in the world could
ignore Cuba’s outstanding international record in the course of the year that
is about to conclude. Cubans are faced
with a huge challenge: We must put the economy on a par with the political
prestige that this small Caribbean Island has earned thanks to the Revolution,
the heroism and the resilience of our people.
Economy remains the most important unresolved matter and it is our duty
to place it, once and for all, down the right path towards the sustainable and
irreversible development of socialism in Cuba.
As I said at the beginning,
the deputies and the entire people feel deeply moved and excited about the
possibility of sharing the presence in Cuba of Gerardo, Ramón, Antonio,
Fernando and René, which makes true the promise made by Comrade Fidel thirteen
years ago. The extraordinary example of
firmness, sacrifice and dignity of the Cuban Five has filled with pride an
entire nation that struggled tirelessly for their liberation and now welcomes
them as true heroes (APPLAUSE).
I should reiterate the
profound and sincere gratitude to all solidarity movements and committees that
struggled for their release and to innumerable governments, parliaments,
organizations, institutions and personalities for their valuable contribution.
The Cuban people are grateful
for this just decision made by the US President, Barack Obama. Such decision has removed one obstacle that
hindered the relations between our two countries.
The entire world has had a
positive reaction to the announcements made last Wednesday; it has assessed
their importance for international relations, particularly for the US links
with the region. They have led to
favorable statements being made by governments, presidents and well-known
personalities, which we sincerely appreciate.
This has been the result of
talks held at the highest level and under absolute secrecy, thanks to the
contribution made by Pope Francis and the facilities offered by the government
of Canada.
Besides, this result has been
possible thanks to the profound changes occurred in Latin America and the
Caribbean, a region where governments and peoples call for a new US Cuba
policy.
We welcome the decision
announced by President Obama to begin a new chapter in the relations between
both countries and introduce the most significant changes in the US Cuba policy
in more than 50 years.
We likewise recognize his
willingness to hold discussions with the US Congress about the lifting of the
blockade and his desire to achieve a better future for both nations, our
hemisphere and the world.
We share the idea that a new
stage could open up between the United States and Cuba that will begin with the
resumption of diplomatic relations, which should be based on the Conventions
governing Diplomatic and Consular Relations and regulating the conduct of
Diplomatic and Consular Missions and their officials.
We will engage in the high
level contacts between both governments with a constructive, respectful and
reciprocity spirit and with the purpose of moving towards the normalization of
relations.
As I expressed last December
Our people should understand
that, under the circumstances that have already been announced, this will be a
long and hard struggle which will require the international opinion and the US
society to mobilize in order to continue calling for the lifting of the
blockade.
Every data indicate that the
majority of US citizens and an even broader majority within Cuban émigrés favor
the normalization of bilateral relations. Within the US Congress, which
codified the blockade provisions into law, there is also an increasing
opposition to that policy.
We hope the US President
would resolutely use his executive prerogatives to substantially modify the
implementation of the blockade in those aspects in which Congress approval is
not required.
At the same time, we will
analyze the scope and the form of implementation of the positive executive
measures announced by President Obama.
The instructions he has given
to review Cuba’s unjustifiable inclusion in the List of States that Sponsor
International Terrorism is encouraging. Facts have shown that Cuba has been a
victim of multiple terrorist attacks, many of whose perpetrators have so far
enjoyed impunity. As we all know these
attacks have taken a toll on thousands of human lives and maimed persons.
The pretexts used to launch
those attacks are absolutely groundless, as is known by the entire planet. They
only serve political interests under the false pretense of justifying the
tightening of the blockade, particularly in the financial sector.
Never has any terrorist
action against any US citizen, interest or territory been organized, financed
or perpetrated from Cuba; nor will that ever be permitted. Every time we have received any information
about terrorist plans against the United States we have relayed that
information to the US Government to which for several years now we have been suggesting
the establishment of a cooperation agreement in that area.
We have always been ready to
establish a dialogue, on an equal footing, to discuss a wide range of issues on
the basis of reciprocity and without casting a shadow on our national independence and
self-determination and, as Fidel has pointed out, without renouncing any of our
principles.
I reiterate that it will only
be possible to move forward based on mutual respect, which involves the
observance of the principles of International Law and the UN Charter, among them,
the sovereign equality of States, peoples’ equal rights and self determination,
the peaceful settlement of international controversies, the principle of
refraining from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or
independence of any State and the obligation not to intervene in matters which
are within the domestic jurisdiction of States, which means that any form of
interference or threat to the political, economic and cultural elements of any
given State is considered a violation of International Law.
In accordance with the proclamation
of the Latin American and Caribbean region as a Zone of Peace, which was signed
by the Heads of State and Government on January 29 this year in Havana in the
context of the CELAC Summit, all States have the inalienable right to choose their
own political, economic, social and cultural system, without any interference
whatsoever from another State, which is a principle of International Law. That document was signed here in Havana by
all Heads of State and Government of this continent, with the exception of the
United States and Canada, which were not invited to attend.
Between the governments of
the United States and Cuba there are profound differences which include, among
others, different views about the exercise of national sovereignty, democracy,
political models and international relations.
We reiterate our willingness
to establish a respectful dialogue on our differences based on reciprocity. We
have firm convictions and many concerns about what is happening in the United
States in terms of democracy and human rights, and we would agree to talk on
the basis of the principles referred to previously, about any issue, and about
all what the US might be willing to discuss, about the situation here Cuba but
also about the situation in the United States.
No one should expect Cuba to renounce
the ideas for which it has struggled for more than a century, and for which its
people have shed lots of blood and run the biggest risks in order to improve its
relations with the United States.
It is necessary to understand
that Cuba is a sovereign State whose people, through a free referendum held to
approve the Constitution, chose a socialist path as well as its political,
economic and social system (APPLAUSE).
We will demand respect for
our system in the same way that we have never intended the United States to
change its political system (APPLAUSE).
Both governments should take
mutual steps to prevent and avoid any action that might affect the progress
achieved in bilateral relations, based on the observance of the law and the
constitutional order of both Parties.
We do not ignore the vicious
criticisms that President Obama has had to put up with as a result of the
already mentioned announcements by some forces that are opposed to the
normalization of relations with Cuba, including some lawmakers of Cuban descent
and ringleaders of counterrevolutionary groups who refuse to lose the means of
support granted to them by the several decades of conflicts between our two
countries. They will do whatever it takes to sabotage this process. We should not rule out the perpetration of
provocations of every sort. On our part,
a prudent, moderate and reflexive –though firm- behavior shall prevail. (APPLAUSE).
In Cuba there are numerous
and different mass, trade union, farmers, women, students, writers and artists
and social organizations, which have even a representation at the Council of
State, as well as non-governmental organizations, many of them represented by several
deputies in this Assembly, which will feel offended if they are mistaken for a
few hundreds of individuals who receive money, instructions and a breath of air
from abroad.
At the multilateral
organizations, such as the United Nations, we will continue to advocate for
peace, International Law and all other just causes, and we will continue to
denounce the threats to the survival of the human species posed by climate
change and the existence of nuclear arsenals.
We will continue to promote
the exercise of human rights, including the economic, social and cultural
rights, by all persons, as well as the right of all peoples to peace and
development.
The Cuban Revolution is
deeply grateful to the peoples, parties and governments from which it has
received an unwavering and permanent solidarity, and shall continue to orient
its foreign policy based on our unshakable allegiance to principles (APPLAUSE).
A symbol of the above are the
special relations that we maintain with the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela,
to which we will continue to offer our support, in the face of the attempts to
destabilize the legitimate government that is headed by Comrade President
Nicolas Maduro Moros. We reject every
attempt to impose sanctions against that sister nation (APPLAUSE).
As I said a few days ago, we
are willing to cooperate with the United States at the multilateral and
bilateral levels, as well as in the event of any dangerous situation that may
require collective and effective humanitarian responses that should never be
politicized.
Such is the case of the combat
against the Ebola virus in West Africa and its prevention in the Americas, as
was proclaimed by the ALBA Special Summit that was held in Havana on this issue
on October last.
Just as I have stated in the
recently held CARICOM and ALBA Summits, I appreciate the invitation conveyed to
me by the President of Panama, Juan Carlos Valera, to attend the Seventh Summit
of the Americas and I confirm I will attend in order to explain our positions,
in an honest and respectful way, to all Heads of State and Government without
any exception.
Cuba’s attendance to that
Summit has been the result of the solid and unanimous consensus achieved within
Latin America and the Caribbean, a region that is living through a new era and
has united, amidst its diversity, under the Community of Latin America and
Caribbean States (CELAC) which Cuba was honored to preside last year.
We do not forget that ALBA,
with its continued appeal and the support of all countries of the region,
managed to remove the old and opprobrious sanctions imposed against Cuba back
in 1962 by the Organization of American States, at a meeting held in the
Republic of Honduras, where hardly one month later a coup d’état was
perpetrated that ousted Comrade Zelaya, the president of that country.
Comrades all:
Within just a few days we
will be celebrating the upcoming New Year and the fifty sixth anniversary of
the Triumph of the Revolution. Only two days ago, on December 18, we marked the
fifty eighth anniversary of the occasion when we reunited with Fidel at a place
called Palmas de Vicana, in the Sierra Maestra mountains (APPLAUSE), in the
heart of the Sierra Maestra, and Fidel’s historical exclamation when he knew
that, in total, we had seven rifles to resume the struggle: Now we will for
sure win the war! (APPLAUSE).
The unshakable faith in
victory that Fidel instilled in all of us shall continue to lead our people in
the defense and further improvement of the work of its Revolution.
Happy New Year!
We salute the new fifty
seventh year of the Cuban Revolution!
Thank you, very much
(OVATION).