MANILA DECLARATION
Final Declaration of the
8th Asia-Pacific Regional Conference of Solidarity with Cuba,
held in Metropolitan Manila, Philippines, on April 8 and 9, 2017.
We, the delegates from Australia, Bangladesh, Kingdom of Cambodia, Cuba, People’s Republic of China, India, Japan, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Republic of Korea, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Malaysia, Mongolia, Nepal, New Zealand, Philippines, Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, Timor Leste, United States of America, and the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, gathered here in Metropolitan Manila, Philippines, on the occasion of the 8th Asia-Pacific Regional Conference of Solidarity with Cuba, hosted by the Philippine Organizing Committee and the Instituto Cubano de Amistad con los Pueblos (ICAP, the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples), declare as follows:
Being the first Asia-Pacific Regional Conference to be held since the recent passing away of the historic leader of the Cuban Revolution, Comandante Fidel Castro Ruz, this Conference pays tribute to Comandante Fidel for his steadfast defense of the ideas of socialism – of independence, social justice and internationalism – which are continuously being carried forward by the Cuban Revolution. This Conference challenges the vain illusions of imperialist and other reactionary forces that the Cuban Revolution can now be reversed with the physical loss of Comandante Fidel.
We, the 120 delegates gathered here, representing the huge and multifaceted movements of solidarity with Cuba in the Asia-Pacific region, are aware that defending socialist Cuba is a most important part of keeping alive the hopes and dreams of building a truly humane world – with freedom and resources in the hands of the people.
We are well aware that the movement of solidarity with Cuba is an integral part of our own struggle against US imperialism that threatens peace and stabiity in the Asia-Pacific region by using regional and local conflicts and disputes. This situation demands the united efforts of all nations –- through dialogue and peaceful means –- to realize peace, stability and progress in the region.
We express our complete support for, and solidarity with, the heroic government and people of Cuba who have weathered many acts of aggression from successive US administrations for almost six decades now.
We salute the Cuban government and people for their many achievements throughout 58 years of the revolution. Revolutionary Cuba is well known and appreciated throughout the world for selfless solidarity with many peoples in need, and for continued assistance today --- affording health and education to many peoples in developing countries, including those in our region.
At the same time:
- We demand the end of the unjust, illegal and criminal blockade imposed by the USA on Cuba, the largest commercial blockade in modern history, which imposes grave burdens on the Cuban people. This Conference notes that, for the very first time, even the USA and Israel had to abstain from voting against the annual (2016) U.N. General Assembly resolution condemning the blockade.
- We demand the return to Cuban sovereignty of the 117-square-kilometer territory of the Guantanamo Naval Base, located in the eastern part of Cuba and illegally occupied by the USA.
- We call for an end to “regime change” and other subversive programs against Cuba. We condemn the use of the mass media to portray the Cuban revolutionary process with a negative image. For this reason, we reaffirm our unequivocal commitment to promote awareness of the Cuban reality and the work of the Cuban government and people, by all possible means.
- We defend the independence, sovereignty and the right to self-determination of the Cuban people, as well as of all other peoples of the world. In this regard, we express our solidarity with the people of Venezuela suffering attacks from imperialist forces against their independence and sovereignty.
- We will continue working for the widening and strengthening of the movement of solidarity with Cuba in each of our countries, fighting for truth and keeping unity as the most important weapon of our actions.
This 8th Asia-Pacific Regional Conference of Solidarity with Cuba salutes the work of Comrade Kenia Serrano Puig as President of ICAP, which helped to broaden and strengthen the international movement of solidarity with Cuba during her term of 8 years. At the same time, this Conference warmly welcomes the election of the Hero of the Republic of Cuba, Fernando González Llort (one of the Cuban Five), as the new ICAP President.
We express our congratulations and thanks to the Philippine Organizing Committee, and to its two component organizations – the Philippines-Cuba Cultural and Friendship Association (PhilCuba), and the Philippine-Cuban Friendship Society (PCFS) – for their successful organization and hosting of this 8th Asia-Pacific Regional Conference of Solidarity with Cuba.
We express acknowledgement to the government of the Republic of the Philippines for the facilitation provided to the Philippine Organizing Committee in hosting this important event.
We also extend our best wishes to the Filipino people's continuing struggle against imperialism --- and for peace, freedom, justice, democracy, and socio-economic progress.
--- The Delegates to the 8th Asia-Pacific Regional Conference of Solidarity with Cuba,
Metropolitan Manila, Philippines, April 9th, 2017