Invitation to Carter: recognition of his attitude toward Cuba
BY MIREYA CASTAÑEDA (Granma International staff writer)
PHOTOS: AHMED VELAZQUEZ
PRESIDENT Fidel Castro has affirmed that the invitation extended to
former U.S. President James Carter is not the result of "a shrewd
maneuver with a mean political purpose," but rather "well-deserved
recognition of your attitude as president of the United States of
America towards Cuba."
Dressed in an elegant gray suit, Fidel received Carter at the Havana
airport, along with his wife Rosalynn and a group of executives from
The Carter Center. Carter is the highest-level U.S. political figure to
visit Cuba in the last 43 years.
The private jet, registration number N6JB traveling from Atlanta,
landed at José Martí International Airport Terminal 1 at
10:45
a.m. this Sunday, May 12.
Fidel and Carter, who have met on several occasions when they
were both in other capital cities, shook hands and walked together
down the few meters of red carpet laid down in the former U.S.
president’s honor, until they reached the podium, which was
decorated with U.S. and Cuban flags. There, they listened to the
national anthems of both countries.
Fidel, president of the Councils of State and Ministers, said in his
welcoming remarks, "More than once during our brief encounters
abroad, I expressed my wishes for you to visit Cuba. Today those
sincere wishes are a reality."
He added, "For a period of time we coincided in holding
responsibilities as leaders of our respective countries." Carter was
"the leader of a huge and powerful nation," and "I, in a small island,
just 90 miles away from your country." Fidel went on to say, "It is
no secret that for almost a century relations between the two states
have not been optimal, and they still are not."
Fidel emphasized the courage demonstrated by Carter during his four
years as president (1977-1981) and his desire to "change the
course of those relations. Proof that this effort was not in vain is
that, "despite seemingly insurmountable difficulties,
misunderstandings ands disagreements," three major events took
place: the opening of Interest Sections in Washington and Havana;
the demarcation of the maritime borders between Cuba, Mexico and
the United States; and recognition of U.S. citizens’ right to travel to
Cuba, which would "unfortunately be suspended later by others."
The Cuban president noted that the invitation to Carter was not "a
shrewd maneuver with a mean political purpose. I very sincerely say
that it is a well-deserved recognition of your attitude as president of
the United States of America towards Cuba, and of your subsequent
history as a personality who enjoys international prestige, someone
devoted to the struggle for reducing or alleviating some of the
tragedies afflicting humanity today, or to building an awareness about
them, but always seeking any possibility to bring peace and
understanding to all peoples."
FREE AND TOTAL ACCESS TO SCIENTIFIC CENTERS
The leader of the Revolution told Carter that his communication with
the Cuban people would be facilitated, "so that you can express
yourself freely, whether or not we agree with any or all of what you
say. You will have free access to every place you want to go, and we
shall not take offense at any contact you may wish to make, even
with those who do not share our endeavors."
Fidel pointed out that in addition to the planned visit to the Genetic
Engineering and Biotechnology Center, if Carter was interested he
would have "free and complete access – together with any
specialists of your choosing – to that or any other of our most
prestigious scientific research centers, some of which have been
recently accused – just a few days before your visit – of producing
biological weapons.
"We are a patriotic and honorable people that will never accept
impositions or threats from anyone, but we are also sincere friends
of the people of the United States, particularly all of the good
Americans – who are many, and we keep discovering many more."
The Cuban president expressed his honest hope that this visit to
Cuba would not be used by anyone to question Carter’s patriotism or
his merits, or affect the assistance that The Carter Center gives to
the many poor, needy and forsaken people in the world today.
SEEING ACHIEVEMENTS IN HEALTH, EDUCATION AND
CULTURE
In brief words of thanks made in English, the 39th president of the
United States recalled that 14 years ago in Caracas, the Cuban
president had invited him for the first time to visit Cuba, and that he
had reiterated that invitation at the funeral of former Canadian Prime
Minister Pierre Trudeau, "our mutual friend."
Then – in what he called a demonstration of the courage mentioned
by President Castro – he continued his speech in Spanish.
"Rosalynn and I are delighted to be in Cuba again after 47 years, and
we are grateful for the invitation to visit this proud country," he
announced.
"We come here as friends of the Cuban people, and we hope to
meet many Cubans from different walks of life. We are eager to see
firsthand your accomplishments in health, education and culture. We
also appreciate the opportunity to meet with President Castro, other
members of government, and representatives of religious and other
groups, and discuss ideals that Rosalynn and I hold dear, principles on
which we established The Carter Center 20 years ago – peace,
human rights, democracy, and the alleviation of suffering."
The former U.S. president expressed his understanding that
differences exist on some issues, but he welcomed the opportunity
"to try to identify some points in common and some areas of
cooperation."
Carter listed the places he would visit, including health research
centers, farms, the Latin American Medical School, the Social
Workers’ School in Cojímar, and a school for disabled children.
He placed special emphasis on his May 14 tour of the University of
Havana, where in the Aula Magna, "I will make a speech to the Cuban
nation" that will be broadcast on television and, "I hope," on radio.
He added that on Thursday, May 16, he will meet "with
representatives from the religious and human rights communities." A
final press conference will be held on May 17, before their return to
Georgia.
Carter introduced to the scores of journalists present at the airport –
as well as to all of Cuba, because the reception was broadcast live on
television – the members of the delegation from the Carter Center
accompanying him: Dr. John Hardman, executive director; Dr.
Jennifer McCoy, director of the Americas Program; Dr. Shelley
McConnell, associate director of the Americas Program; and Dr.
Robert Pastor, Emory University professor and advisor to the
Americas Program. He also presented his son, Chip Carter, president
of the Friendship Force, "who is here with an exchange delegation
from Georgia."
Former President Carter is staying at the Santa Isabel Hotel,
bordering on the Plaza de Armas in Old Havana, and his first activity
will be a tour of that historical quarter’s streets and buildings.