"The unwavering confidence in victory which Fidel instilled in us will continue to guide our people"
Speech by President Raúl Castro Ruz, First
Secretary of the Central Committee of the
Communist Party of Cuba and President
of the Councils of State and Ministers, at
the close of the Fourth Ordinary Session
of the Eighth Legislature of the National
Assembly of People’s Power, in the Havana
Convention Center, December 20, 2014,
“Year 56 of the Revolution”
Compañeras and compañeros:
We have experienced intense and
moving moments in recent days.
This December we successfully
hosted the Fifth Caricom-Cuba Summit
and the XIII Summit of the Bolivarian
Alliance for the Peoples of Our America
last Sunday, an occasion on which we
paid tribute to its creators: the dear Bolivarian President Hugo Chávez Frías and
Commander in Chief of
the Cuban Revolution,
compañero Fidel Castro
Ruz (Applause).
We are joined in this session by Gerardo,
Ramón and Antonio, a cause for genuine
joy and happiness for all our people – I
will expand on this important issue in the
final part of my speech.
Also present are Fernando and René,
and the relatives of the Five heroes,
together with the young Elián González,
his father Juan Miguel and Colonel
Orlando Cardoso Villavicencio, Hero
of the Republic of Cuba, who
suffered severe imprisonment
for over 10 years in Somalia.
As has been customary in
sessions of our Parliament,
it is my responsibility to
review the performance of
the economy during the year
which is ending and the Plan
and Budget for 2015, issues
which have been thoroughly
debated by deputies in the 10
commissions and also in the
plenary session yesterday.
The Ninth Plenary of the
Central Committee of the
Party, held last Thursday, was also devoted
to analysis of these issues. Therefore, I
will make only brief reference to these
matters. It was explained that the Gross
Domestic Product, known as GDP, grew
by 1.3%, lower than initially planned,
influenced by poor performance in the
first half of the year, during which major
financial constraints were faced due to the
lack of foreign income, adverse weather
conditions and internal weaknesses in
economic management.
In fact during the second half of the
year, a modest reverse in that trend
and a superior outcome were achieved.
The Plan for next year consolidates
and reinforces the direction of stronger
growth in the Cuban economy, based
on the enhancement of internal reserves
of efficiency, the revival of productive
sectors, particularly manufacturing, more
efficient use of energy sources and greater
investment in infrastructure and material
production, while social services such as
health and education for our population
were preserved.
For 2015, planned GDP growth is just
over 4%, an achievable goal considering
that we have, well in advance, a better
financial situation in comparison with
the beginning of 2014. This does not
mean that it will be easy, far from it.
We will continue to face the effects of
the global economic crisis and the U.S.
blockade which is still in place, generating
undeniable obstacles to the development
of our economy.
At the same time, we will continue to
strictly honor the commitments made
in the restructuring of debts with our
main creditor,s and thus contribute to the
gradual recovery of the Cuban economy’s
international credibility. Yesterday
afternoon, the National Assembly
adopted the State Budget Law for 2015,
which projects a deficit of 6.2% of GDP,
and is considered acceptable under the
current circumstances. It incorporates
new taxes and reduces the tax burden
on enterprises in line with the gradual
implementation of the Tax Law.
At the same time, various measures
have been adopted to strengthen fiscal
control in response to indiscipline and
tax evasion by enterprises and individuals.
In this area, not only should those who
fail to comply be punished, as impunity
would be tantamount to encouraging the
violation of existing legal norms, but we
also believe that it is necessary
to foment a culture of tax
compliance within institutions,
enterprises, cooperatives and
among the self-employed,
so that it is understood that
taxes are the main method of
redistributing national income
in the interest of all citizens.
Furthermore, the process of
implementing the Economic
and Social Policy Guidelines of
the Party and the Revolution,
approved by the 6th Party
Congress has continued to
advance. As reported, we are
at a qualitatively higher stage
in this area, in which extremely
complex tasks are being addressed, whose
solution will impact all facets of national
life. I am referring, in the first place, to the
process of monetary unification, which,
from the conceptual point of view, has
progressed strongly in the second half of
this year and we have managed to outline
a comprehensive program of measures in
the interest of avoiding damages to the
economy and the population.
The decision to extend sales in CUP
across hard currency stores has been
well received by the population and will
continue to expand gradually. The time
is right to reaffirm two concepts which
we should
not ignore.
The first is
that monetary
unification is
no universal
or immediate
solution to all
the problems facing our economy.
This important decision should be
complemented by a set of macroeconomic
policies favoring the monetary order
of the country through instruments
which ensure the equilibrium of national
finances, which will in turn contribute
decisively to improving the functioning
of the economy and the construction of
a prosperous and sustainable socialism in
Cuba.
The second and no less important concept
is that bank deposits in foreign currencies,
Cuban convertible pesos (CUC) and
Cuban pesos (CUP) shall be guaranteed,
as well as cash held by the public and
national and foreign incorporated
entities. We know that different opinions,
both well and not so well intentioned,
have continued to manifest themselves
both within and outside of the country,
regarding the pace of the process of
updating our economic model.
There has also been no lack of open
exhortations abroad to expedite
privatization, including of the main
production and service sectors, which
would amount to laying down the flags of
socialism in Cuba.
It seems that the latter have not bothered
to read the Guidelines, which clearly
express and I quote, “The economic
system which will prevail in Cuba will
continue to be based on the people’s
socialist ownership of 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 fulfill the agreements
of the Communist Party of Cuba 6th
Congress with responsibility and resolve,
at the pace which we sovereignly choose
here, without jeopardizing the unity of
Cubans, without abandoning anyone
to his/her fate, without applying shock
therapy and without ever surrendering the
ideals of social justice of this Revolution
of the humble, by the humble and for the
humble.
Next year
we will
begin
preparatory
activities
for the
celebration in April 2016 of the 7th Party
Congress, prior to which a broad and
democratic debate with members of the
Communist Party and the entire people,
on the progress of implementation of the
Guidelines, will be carried out. Closely
associated with the model update is
the process of gradual, I repeat, gradual
decentralization of authority from the
ministries to enterprises.
This is not something which can be
done overnight, if we hope to succeed.
It requires a reasonable time to prepare
and train cadres at all levels, change
archaic mentalities and discard old habits
and develop and implement the legal
framework and precise procedures to
allow each other to ensure that decisions
are implemented properly, that errors
are rectified promptly and thereby avoid
unnecessary setbacks, as we have been
doing. In favor of the greater autonomy
of socialist state enterprises, among
other measures, their social objective
was expanded and made more flexible,
government contracts were defined and
authority was granted for the marketing
of surplus production. In addition, the
elimination of administrative limitations
on the payment of salaries linked to
production was mandated.
These changes should be implemented
gradually, without haste, with order,
discipline and thoroughness. The just
aspiration to earn higher wages is a very
sensitive issue, about which we are not
allowed to make mistakes, nor be led by
desire or improvisation. We are delighted
that wages will gradually increase for
those workers employed in activities
producing more efficient results and
benefits of particular economic and social
impact.
However, it should be clear that we can
not distribute wealth which we have
not been able to create, doing so would
entail serious consequences for the
national economy, and each and every
citizen. Releasing money onto the streets
without a corresponding increase in
the supply of goods and services would
generate inflation, a phenomenon among
many other harmful effects which would
reduce the purchasing power of wages
and pensions, hitting those with fewer
resources first.
And that we can not allow. During
the first year of the new salary policy’s
implementation, more than a few
enterprises have violated the standards set
for salaries per peso of gross value added,
in other words, greater salaries have been
paid without a corresponding increase
in production. I have warned on several
occasions that this must be considered
a serious indiscipline, very serious, one
which must be confronted with resolve
by administrative leaders, and also by the
trade unions.
It is no secret to anyone that, in our
social system, unions defend the rights
of workers, and to do so effectively must
be the first in safeguarding not only the
interests of a given collective of workers,
but also the interests of the entire
working class, which are, in essence,
those of the entire nation. We cannot
leave any opening for the development
or strengthening of self-interest or greed
among our workers.
We all want and need better
salaries, but first wealth
must be created, to later be
distributed, in accordance with
one’s contribution. Of course,
I have not mentioned many
other questions linked to the updating
of our economic model, several of which
involve missteps which we are obliged
to rectify promptly, in an effort to avoid
having to backtrack, but, in order to do
so, tasks must be completed very seriously
and responsibly.
No one in the world can deny Cuba’s
outstanding international record during
the year drawing to a close. The challenge
we Cubans have before us is great. The
economy must achieve the high level
of political prestige conquered by this
small Caribbean island thanks to the
Revolution, the heroism and resistance of
our people.
The economy is the principal assignment
pending, and we have the responsibility
to definitively chart the course toward
sustainable development and the
irreversibility of socialism in Cuba. As I
said earlier, deputies and our entire people
are enormously moved and joyful to have
Gerardo, Ramón, Antonio, Fernando and
René present in the homeland, fulfilling
the promise compañero Fidel made 13
years ago.
The extraordinary example of
determination, sacrifice and dignity of the
Five fills with pride the nation which has
struggled untiringly for their freedom,
and now welcomes them as true heroes.
(Applause). I must reiterate our profound,
sincere gratitude to all the solidarity
movements and committees which
struggled to obtain their freedom, and
innumerable governments, parliaments,
organizations, institutions and figures
who made a valuable contribution.
The Cuban people thank the President
of the United States, Barack Obama, for
this just decision, which has eliminated
an obstacle to relations between our
countries. The entire world has reacted
positively to the announcements made
this past Wednesday, recognizing their
importance in international relations
and, especially, in the United States’
relationship with the region, which
has generated favorable statements by
governments, presidents and recognized
figures – for which we are sincerely
grateful.
This is the product of
conversations at the
highest level, held with
utmost discretion, to
which Pope Francis made
a contribution, and the
government of Canada
offered facilitation. This outcome was
possible, as well, thanks to the profound
changes which have occurred in Latin
America and the Caribbean, where
governments and peoples share our
demands for a new U.S. policy toward
Cuba. We salute President Obama’s
proposal to open a new chapter in the
relationship between the two countries,
and to initiate the most significant
changes in U.S. policy in the last 50 years.
We appreciate, as well, the disposition
he expressed to hold a debate on lifting
the blockade in the U.S. Congress, as well
as his desire to assure a better future for
our two peoples, our hemisphere and the
world. We share the idea that a new stage
can begin between the United States
and Cuba, that the reestablishment of
diplomatic relations can be initiated,
based on the Convention on Diplomatic
and Consular Relations, which regulates
the conduct of diplomatic and consular
missions and functionaries. We will
approach the high level contacts between
the two governments in a constructive
spirit, one of respect and reciprocity, with
the purpose of advancing toward the
normalization of bilateral relations.
As I said this past December 17, an
important step has been taken, but the
essential remains to be resolved: an end
to the economic, commercial, financial
blockade of Cuba,
aggravated over
the last few years,
in particular
regarding financial
transactions,
with the levying
of enormous,
illegitimate fines
on banks in several
countries.
Our people
must understand
that, given the
conditions
announced, this
will be a long,
difficult struggle
which will require
an international
mobilization,
and that U.S.
society continues to demand an end
to the blockade. All the data indicates
that a majority of U.S. citizens, an even
greater majority of Cuban émigrés,
favor the normalization of bilateral
relations. Within the U.S. Congress,
which encoded as law the blockade’s
regulations, opposition to this policy is
also growing. We hope the President of
the United States decisively employs his
executive prerogatives to substantially
modify implementation of the blockade,
in those aspects which do not require
Congressional approval.
At the same time, we will study the scope
and methods used in implementation
of the positive executive measures
announced by President Obama. His
decision to review the unjustifiable
inclusion of Cuba on the list of state
sponsors of international terrorism
is encouraging. The facts
demonstrate that Cuba has
been the victim of multiple
terrorist attacks. Those
responsible for many of these
today enjoy absolute impunity,
as we all know, costing us
thousands of dead and injured.
The pretexts put forward lack
any basis in reality whatsoever,
as the entire planet knows.
They only serve political
interests as false arguments to justify the
tightening of the blockade, especially in
the financial sector. No terrorist act on
the people, property or territory of the
United States has ever been organized,
financed or executed from Cuba, nor
would it be allowed. Every time we have
become aware of any information about
terrorist plans to attack the United States,
we have reported it to the country’s
government, to which we proposed, years
ago, the establishment of a cooperation
agreement on this subject.
We have always been willing to
dialogue respectfully, on the basis of
equality, to address the most diverse
topics in a reciprocal manner, without
compromising our national independence
or self-determination, and, as Fidel has
indicated, without renouncing a single
one of our principles. I reiterate that
it is only possible to advance on the
basis of mutual respect, which implies
observing the principles of international
law and the United Nations Charter -
among these, the sovereign equality of
all states; the equality of rights; and the
free exercise of self-determination by
peoples; the resolution of international
disagreements via peaceful means,
without resorting to threats or the use
of force against the territorial integrity
or independence of any
state; and the obligation to
refrain from intervention
in internal affairs which
are the domain of states,
which implies that any
form of interference
or threat to political,
economic or cultural
elements constitutes a
violation of international
law. In accordance with
the Proclamation of Latin
America and the Caribbean
as a Zone of Peace,
signed by heads of state
and government during
the CELAC Summit
this past January 29 in
Havana, every state has the
unalienable right to choose
its own political, economic,
social and cultural system,
without interference of any kind on the
part of another state, which constitutes
a principle of international law. This
document was signed here in Havana
by all heads of state and government on
the continent, with the exception of the
United States and Canada, who were not
invited.
Between the governments of the United
States and Cuba there are profound
differences which include, among others,
different conceptions on the exercise of
national sovereignty, democracy, political
models and international relations We
reiterate our openness to respectful,
reciprocal dialogue about our differences.
We have firm convictions and many
concerns about what occurs in the United
States in terms of democracy and human
rights, and we agree to converse, on the
basis of the aforementioned principles,
about any topic whatsoever, anything
they would like to discuss, about Cuba,
but also about the United States.
It must not be expected that, in order to
improve relations with the United States,
Cuba will renounce the ideas for which
it has struggled for more than a century,
for which its people have shed much
blood and faced great dangers. It must be
understood that Cuba is a sovereign state
whose people, in a free
referendum vote, approved
the Constitution, chose
the socialist path and our
political, economic, social
system. (Applause) Just as
we have never proposed
that the United States
change its political system,
we demand respect for
ours.(Applause)
Both governments must
adopt reciprocal measures
to prevent and avoid
acts which could affect
progress in the bilateral
relationship, based on respect for the laws
and constitutional order of the parties.
We are not unaware of the virulent
criticism which President Obama has
been obliged to endure, as a result of
the aforementioned announcements,
on the part of forces which oppose
normalization of relations with Cuba,
and by legislators of Cuban origin and
leaders of counterrevolutionary groups,
who resist losing the sustenance which
decades of confrontation between our
countries have given them. They will
do everything they can to sabotage this
process, provocative actions of all kinds
are not to be ruled out. For our part,
prudent, measured and reflective - but
firm - conduct will prevail. (Applause)
In Cuba, numerous, diverse mass
organizations of workers, campesinos,
women, students, writers and artists
and members of society exist, and are
represented on the Council of State and
non-governmental organizations, many
of which are represented by deputies
in this Assembly, to whom I would
offend if I confused them with a few
hundred individuals who receive money,
instructions and oxygen from abroad. In
multilateral organizations such as the
United Nations, we will continue our
defense of peace, international law and
just causes, as well as our condemnation
of threats to the survival of humanity,
which include climate change and
nuclear arsenals.
We will continue to promote the
exercise of human rights, including
economic, social and cultural rights for
all persons, and peoples’ rights to peace
and development. The Cuban Revolution
owes profound gratitude to the peoples,
parties, governments from whom we have
received ongoing, unwavering solidarity,
and I will continue to direct our foreign
policy based on absolute fidelity to our
principles. (Applause) Symbolic of this
are the special relations we maintain with
the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, to
which we will continue to offer support
in the face of attempts to destabilize
the legitimate government headed by
compañero President Nicolás Maduro
Moros, and oppose pretensions to
impose sanctions on this sister country.
(Applause)
As I indicated a few days ago, our
willingness to cooperate with the United
States on the bilateral and multilateral
plane, to confront dangers which
require effective collective humanitarian
responses, must never be politicized. This
is the case with the battle against Ebola
in West Africa, and its prevention in the
Americas, just as was proclaimed by the
Alba Special Summit on Ebola, which
we held in Havana on the issue, this past
October.
As I stated during the recent Caricom
and Alba Summits, I thank the President
of Panama, Juan Carlos Varela, for
the invitation to participate in the 7th
Summit of the Americas, and reconfirm
that I will attend to express our positions,
with sincerity and respect for all heads of
state and government, without exception.
The participation of Cuba comes as a
result of the solid, unanimous consensus
of Latin America and the Caribbean,
which is living in a new era and has
united, within our diversity, in the
Community of Latin American and
Caribbean States (CELAC), which
Cuba was honored to serve as president
pro tempore last year. We
have not forgotten that
Alba, with its constant
demands and ongoing
support to all countries of
the region, achieved the
elimination of those old,
ignominious sanctions
imposed on Cuba in 1962
by the Organization of
American States, in the
Republic of Honduras,
where only a month
later, the President of
the country, compañero
Zelaya, was overthrown
by a coup d’etat.
Compañeras y compañeros:
Within a few days, we will be celebrating
the New Year and the 56th anniversary
of the triumph of the Revolution, and
just two days ago, December 18, the
58th anniversary of the reunion with
Fidel in Cinco Palmas de Vicana in the
Sierra Maestra mountains (Applause),
in the heart of the Sierra Maestra, and
his historic exclamation upon learning
that we had seven rifles with which to
reinitiate the struggle, “Now, yes, we have
won the war!” (Applause)
The unwavering confidence in victory
which Fidel instilled in us will continue
to guide our entire people in the defense
and perfection of the work of their
Revolution.
All the best in the New Year! We salute
the new Year 57 of the Cuban Revolution!
Thank you very much. (Ovation.)
(Council of State transcript)
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