Cuba's Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador to Azerbaijan Marcelo Caballero Torres spoke in an interview with Trend on the eve of Liberation Day and the anniversary of the victory of the revolution - January 1.
Azerbaijan, Baku, Dec. 25 / Trend S. Agayeva /
Q.: How can you characterize the relations between the two countries. What is the potential of their development?
A.: Cuba is not the only Latin American country represented in Azerbaijan. The Brasilian Embassy in Baku has been recently set up. It is a sign of developing relations between Azerbaijan and Latin America.
How can the relations between our countries be characterized? Since the establishment of diplomatic relations April 10, 1992, our friendly relations become stronger.
Even in the most difficult 1990 Azerbaijan did not vote against Cuba. In 1993, Azerbaijan was the only CIS country, which has supported Cuba in the matter of the blockade.
In September 2006, the Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov paid an official visit to Cuba. That time a decision was made to increase the level of diplomatic representations between our countries. In April 2007, the Permanent Representative of Azerbaijan to the UN Agshin Mehdiyev has been concurrently accredited as ambassador to Cuba. In October 2007, Azerbaijan has appointed temporary charge d'affaires in Havana. Cuba established its Embassy in Baku. It should be noted that time they became the first diplomatic representations for both countries in corresponding regions - Azerbaijan's one in Latin America and the Caribbean and Cuba's one in the Southern Caucasus. From that moment, the Azerbaijani-Cuban relations began to fully develop. The example are the meetings held between the governmental delegations and signing of the agreements and the projects on cooperation.
Q.: At what level are the economic ties between the two countries, especially the volume of turnover? What spheres have a wide potential to expand cooperation?
A.: With regard to economic relations, there is dissatisfaction with the level of these relations from both sides. They are insufficient. They do not correspond to the potential of both countries and discord with the level of political relations. Turnover between us is poor. Much work should be done in this direction. A working mechanism of the inter-governmental joint commission on cooperation between the two countries has been acting since 2007 to correct this problem. So far, we have already held two sessions. We have signed three important agreements on cooperation in the fields of culture, tourism and sports. Over 10 agreements on cooperation in such fields as energy, health, communication and agriculture are under signing.
Cuba is interested in equipment and machinery produced in Azerbaijan. At present, about 70 percent of the equipment used by Cuba in oil industry, have been made in Azerbaijan. We are also interested in food and agricultural products. Other possible areas of cooperation include communication, health, Cuban medicines.
With regard to the spheres of mutual interest, their number is sufficient. The most prospective spheres in our economic relations are tourism, oil and gas and information sectors, pharmacology and health care, education, sports and other areas. I reiterate that one should actively introduce and bring together facilities producing goods and services. In this regard, participation in various fairs and economic forums can play an invaluable role.
The third session of the Joint Commission will be held in Havana in early March 2010. During the session a new impetus will be given to the important economic and trade relations. Days of Azerbaijan's Culture in Cuba will be also held within this activity. This fact is an example of good bilateral relations between our countries.
Regarding with modern Azerbaijan-Cuba relations, one can say with confidence that they develop successfully. Both countries have achieved much for the last years. Cuba knows well about success achieved by Azerbaijan in social-economic development, as well as a significant role and authority of the country in the foreign policy. From its side, Cuba is a traditionally important country of the region. It has great authority among the countries of the so-called 'third world'. A level of political cooperation between our countries is high. Regular meetings and consultations between the foreign ministries of both countries are being held. Our countries successfully cooperate within different international organizations. Azerbaijan supports Cuba's position voting for the resolution condemning the U.S embargo towards Cuba. It is seriously affected, especially, on ordinary Cuban people.
Q.: There are two critical topics for our countries, including occupation of Azerbaijani lands by Armenia and the U.S embargo towards Cuba. Is Havana satisfied with a cooperation level of both countries on the international arena to solve these problems?
A.: We will be glad when two these problems you have mentioned are solved. At present, a concrete situation is the following: Cuba supports and recognizes Azerbaijan's territorial integrity. It calls on immediate return of territories occupied by Armenia and rapid solving the Karabakh conflict peacefully within territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. Meanwhile, Azerbaijan strictly adheres to its position towards economic and financial blockade. The U.S administration has been conducting it against our country more than 50 years.
Q.: Cuban medicine has got the world recognition. What are the plans for the development of cooperation with Azerbaijan in this field?
A.: In 2008, two Cuban medical delegations visited Baku to study the market and consider services and products of biotechnology from Cuba. Previously, an intensive exchange of information on health systems of both countries has been already held. Are there specific results? Unfortunately, there are not any results at this moment.
Q.: January 1 is Liberation Day and the anniversary of the victory of the Revolution. Please, tell us about this important date.
A.: Liberation Day - the anniversary of the victory of the revolution of 1959 is celebrated in Cuba on the first of January.
There are some historical facts:
March 10, 1952. Early morning commander-in-chief of Batista's Army gave a note to the Cuban President Prio Socarras: "This is the end for you! I am the government!". It was the beginning of his reign, which was marked by a ruthless dictatorship.
The dictator immediately began to act decisively. He ceased effect of the constitution, disbanded the Congress, broke off diplomatic relations with the Soviet Union, canceled the presidential elections planned for June that year. According to all forecasts, the opposition was to win.
July 26, 1953. The majority of Cubans did not support actions of Batista, especially the radically-minded youth. The leader was a twenty-five-year-old lawyer, Fidel Castro. In his struggle against the dictatorial regime, he was unbending.
A preparation for the first assault was made about a year. On July 25, 1953 about 165 patriots in an attempt to seize weapons stormed the Moncada military barracks. But forces were unequal.
The governmental troops exceeded them 15 times. They managed to capture many of them. Many participants of the assault were killed. Fidel Castro was imprisoned for 15 years, his brother Raul - for 13 years.
May 12, 1955 - prisoner No 4914, Fidel Castro, leaving the prison, told journalists of the newspapers, radio and television: "We will not give a single part of our honor for the freedom give to us."
November 25, 1956. Released rebels settled in Mexico, where they began to prepare a new rebellion. "The Movement July 26" was created. Rebels bought a relatively small pleasure craft yacht "Granma". On November 25, 1956 at 2 a.m. this too crowded boat moved from the Mexican port of Tuxpan to the shores of Cuba. There were 82 men on board (Ernesto Che Guevara was among them, later he became a famous Argentine doctor), 90 guns, 3 machine guns and 2 anti-guns.
Only 22 revolutionaries reached the designated place, including Fidel Castro and Che Guevara.
1957-1959. Castro's popularity was increasing quickly. The local population has rendered much aid to the surviving detachment by giving them food and informing about the movement of the governmental troops in the mountains, giving guides to patriots.
The fight of insurgents was gradually turned into a struggle of people against the military-police regime. "The movement July 26" has become a national patriotic organization.
On December 31, 1959 the dictator organized a New Year reception. "They clinked glasses. Batista was theatrical to the last minute. He closed the New Year ceremony in his usual manner saying: "Hi! Hello!", a witness recalled.
On the night of January 1, Batista run. A whole line of cars headed for the heavily guarded military airfield. There were four aircrafts waiting for the dictator and his entourage.
Speaking at a meeting, Fidel Castro said the triumph of the revolution does not mean an immediate solution of all Cuba's problems, as well as "what each of us will have now and in future life will be just a cakewalk for us. "We only won the right to begin on January 1!, leader of the revolution said.