PPP takes credit for US/Cuba renewed diplomatic relations
People’s Progressive Party (PPP), General Secretary, Clement Rohee expressed conviction yesterday, that the “strong advocacy role played by the PPP/C Government” had much to do with United States of America’s decision to establish diplomatic relations with Cuba.
He said this yesterday at the PPP weekly press conference at Freedom House, Robb Street, Georgetown.
At that forum, Rohee announced that the Party is happy with the decision taken by the United States of America.
Rohee pointed out that President Barack Obama’s move in this direction is indeed a historic development, as it ends over five decades of “diplomatic isolation inflicted by the USA against the government and people of Cuba.”
Rohee said that his party consistently advocated the lifting of the trade embargo against Cuba having itself been the victim of “past treachery and manipulation which resulted in the removal of the PPP from office in the 1960’s.”
According to Rohee, the time was long overdue for the United States to normalize relations with Cuba and more importantly, to lift the trade embargo against Cuba which has resulted in that country’s inability to realize its full growth potential.
Despite that fact, Cuba still continues to render technical assistance to several countries of the developing world especially in the areas of health and education.
The General Secretary said that the PPP is especially pleased with the assurances given by Cuban President Raul Castro that the integrity of the nation will remain on course.
Rohee boasted of the PPP “strong advocacy role” played in adding its voice for an end of the trade embargo against Cuba, and calls not only for normalization of diplomatic relations with Cuba but also for an immediate end to the US embargo against that country.
He said that the party is convinced that it is “the strong advocacy role played by the PPP/C Government and the rest of the international community that resulted in a foreign policy shift by the US government in relation to Cuba. He said as well, that the PPP is confident that the economic blockade will also be lifted “sooner rather than later.”
The General Secretary and sitting Minister of Home Affairs said, Cuba much be credited since despite the embargo and other acts of terrorism, it continued to offer technical assistance to Guyana and other developing countries.
Rohee said that his party wanted to take the opportunity to renew the bonds of friendship and solidarity which exists between itself and the Communist Party of Cuba. He said that the Party sincerely hopes that the relationship between itself and Cuba will continue to grow and deepen in the years ahead.