(Taken from Granma Newspaper) Through a fragment of the speech of the Commander in Chief, we recall, on his centenary, the extraordinary personality that was the Jamaican Prime Minister Michael Manley, an unconditional friend of Cuba and its revolutionary process, above all political artifices to isolate the Revolution.
I had the privilege of meeting comrade Michael Manley during our visit to the Conference of Non-Aligned Countries in Algeria. On that occasion we travelled on the same plane. And while crossing the Atlantic, we had the opportunity to develop our friendship and talk a lot about issues of common interest to our two countries, and to provide each other with information about our peoples and our homelands.
On that occasion, I had the opportunity to learn about the extraordinary human and political qualities of the Prime Minister of Jamaica, his profound thinking, his great concern for the well-being and happiness of his people, his accurate vision of international problems, and above all we were impressed by his human qualities, his honesty, his simplicity, his modesty.
In Algeria, the Jamaican delegation, headed by Manley, played a prominent role and took a correct position on the fundamental problems.
Men are known by their gestures and by their attitudes in revolutionary life. Such was the attitude of the Prime Minister of Jamaica in many different circumstances. First of all, since he came to power with the overwhelming support of his people, he expressed the decision to fight for diplomatic and economic relations with Cuba; and, together with other Caribbean countries, he took this courageous step forward.
As you know, they are small countries, with weak economies, but they are not accustomed to obeying the orders of Yankee imperialism. Regardless of diplomatic, economic and political pressures, they established relations with Cuba because it was a fair matter, a matter of honour for their countries.
When we invited him to travel on the same plane to Algeria, Manley did not hesitate; he did not stop to think and meditate whether the Americans would be upset by the fact that he was travelling on the same plane as me. I will always remember that trip with great pleasure, because it was the opportunity to begin a friendship, which we are sure will be long and lasting, firm and sincere.
When we invited him to visit our country, he did not hesitate either, and here he is with us. When the representatives of the former countries of the British Commonwealth recently met in Jamaica, Comrade Manley proposed a motion condemning the economic blockade against Cuba, which was approved.
These are facts that demonstrate a courageous position, a fair policy.
But the Prime Minister of Jamaica did not limit himself to working on these aspects, but has also been a champion of the development of relations between our two countries. Numerous delegations from the Government and the ruling Party of Jamaica have visited our country; numerous Cuban delegations have been in Jamaica, and have always been extraordinarily well received by the Government of Jamaica, by the leaders of the Party of Jamaica and especially by Comrade Manley.
Thus the ties between our two peoples have been deepened and strengthened. Two peoples that have many common roots, two peoples that have many things in common in history, two peoples that have many common interests and that have common tasks, two peoples, moreover, who are neighbours. Jamaicans are our closest neighbours to the south, and as you know we have neighbours to the north, but it is very nice to have neighbours to the south as well, especially friendly neighbours.
Our appreciation for comrade Michael Manley comes not only from his very friendly attitude towards our country, but also from our recognition of the extraordinary effort he is making for the welfare of his people, for consolidating the independence of his country, for achieving control of the economic development of Jamaica, control of the natural resources of his country, changes in the structures and the revolution in education.
(Speech given at a mass meeting in the community of Alamar, in Havana, on the occasion of the visit of a delegation from Jamaica, headed by Michael Manley, on July 12, 1975)