Tehran, January 3, 2019. On the eve of the 60th anniversary of the Cuban Revolution, Cuban Ambassador Alexis Bandrich, was interviewed by the Persian newspaper "El Sol de Yazd", in which he addressed the present and future of relations between Cuba and Iran, the deterioration of relations with the US government, continuity as a premise in the new Cuban government, the blockade of our country and other regional political issues.
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Daily newspapers "The Yazd Sun"
Mr. Alexis Bandrich Vega, Ambassador of the Republic of Cuba in Iran
Greetings and best wishes
Looking at the past and the historical course of Havana's relations in Tehran, how do you assess the current status of this relationship, and how does the future of the future look to us how and to what extent does it provide a two-way relationship?
We are two countries that have lived for a long time facing the U.S. imperialism and under a regime of economic sanctions imposed by them, which not only hinders trade relations with that country, but with third parties, and makes our financial operations extremely difficult. However, when you compare the economic indicators of Iran and Cuba you see a large difference. This determines that our relationships are not based solely on a win-win philosophy, but should have strong bases of solidarity, complementarity and cooperation.
There are areas of common interest, such as those related to the scientific-technical development achieved by both nations in areas such as health and nanotechnology, to name just two examples.
On the other hand, Cuba is involved in the development of foreign investment. We have a well-prepared workforce, a safe, stable country, in which corruption is not a phenomenon present as in other nations. In Cuba, Iranian investors can find great opportunities in the tourism sector, which in turn facilitates the development of other sectors. We have a Special Development Zone in Mariel, west of Havana, which has made good progress in the creation of basic infrastructures and the establishment of users, according to the strategic sectors of the National Development Plan: transport and related logistics to construction, all sectors of industry, production of consumer goods and household consumption, chemical products, construction technologies and a vital industry of biotechnology and pharmacy. This year a Cuban - American joint venture was added for the production of cancer vaccines for the USA.
Tourism is one of the sectors with the most investments every year, mainly through external loans. This indicator closes to 92%, with over-compliances in the construction and assembly activity.
With regard to investments, these are promoted throughout the country, and it is not just about building new hotels. A large percentage of the investment plans approved each year is aimed at modernizing and updating the existing hotel plant.
Hotel administration and marketing contracts with financing were incorporated as a business modality.
In Havana, the development of a high standard tourism is promoted, since of the 12 thousand rooms it has, 44% are 2 and 3 stars, and there is a market -especially businessmen- that currently demand hotels deluxe.
36 hotels are under construction, which will add 18 thousand new rooms, which are expected to be inaugurated in the medium term.
The travel agencies have signed contracts with 2 thousand landlords, 400 restaurants and 900 private transporters.
In Cuba, tourism is driven on the basis of the use of its natural resources. We have 114 tourist poles identified -mainly in sun and beach areas.
Cuba has by 2019 a portfolio of opportunities for foreign investment with 525 projects, which can be very interesting for Iranian investors.
In August 2015, the start of a new type of relationship between Cuba and the United States ended 54 years of disconnection of diplomatic ties between the two countries. If you consider this history as a source, how do you evaluate it before and after (the level of relations? Diplomatic interactions and the problems between them?)
The policy announced by President Trump in June of 2017, measures under the pretext of holding Cuba responsible for health incidents that affected US diplomats. in Havana and the aggressive, disrespectful rhetoric and conditionality of high officials of the US government towards Cuba constitute a serious setback in bilateral relations.
The regulations and dispositions issued by the Treasury, Commerce and State Departments to put into effect the measures announced by Trump, intensify the blockade; impose additional obstacles to the limited opportunities of the US business sector in Cuba and further restrict the right of Americans to travel to our country.
The decision of the State Department (March 2018) to maintain a low level of US diplomatic personnel in Havana is politically motivated and has nothing to do with the safety of US officials.
The renewal of the rating of Cuba in level 3 of the new traveler alert system of the State Department, in which it advises "reconsidering travel" under the argument of the occurrence of the alleged "attacks" on US diplomats in Havana, is unfair and strongly motivated by political reasons.
Cuba is a country internationally recognized for its security and friendly treatment towards all those who visit it.
It is widely known that the Cuban Government rigorously fulfills its responsibilities in the care and protection of the Diplomatic Corps.
Undoubtedly, the current US administration has been developing an extremely aggressive and disrespectful language, announcing new measures that reinforce the blockade, which together with other events and threats, predict that its government is moving towards a course of confrontation with Cuba. That does not intimidate us, which they knew if they knew our history better.
Cuba maintains its willingness to improve relations with the US on the basis of respect, relations between equals, and without conditions. Meanwhile, we will promote everything that allows us to move forward and overcome, along with our own limitations and in the face of economic war, financial persecution and the intensified blockade.
For Cubans, the perspective is to resist, advance and overcome.
Somewhere you said: "Castros are an integral part of Cuba's history, present and future. Their actions and ideas have always been effective in the fate of the Cuban revolution and its people "(in an interview with ISNA, April 21, 2018), which is correct because the family is trying, as much as the current president of the country (58 years old) for the liberation and prosperity of Cuba. Have. Analysts consider Mr. Miguel Diaz-Canel to be a full-time student of the Castro School, even if he considers him a world of young politics. This is the question, however, that this is the first time since the 1959 revolution that a person outside of the Castro family was in charge of how much does Castro's plans, ideas, and thoughts come from the current president's plans?
The Cuban Revolution is not a family affair. It would be a serious mistake to perceive it that way.
More than half a century of slander and dark invitations to the generational rupture and discouragement in the face of difficulties has not been able to overthrow the Revolution that transits by its year 60 with the dignity of its founders, intact and enlarged by having known in each moment what it demanded.
The historic generation is still present, with exemplary consecration and humility, in this time of urgent challenge in which Cuba expects its current leaders to be like them, capable of victoriously fighting all the battles that await us.
The new leadership of the Revolution has responded by acting, creating and working tirelessly, by responding to the demands and needs of the people, in permanent and close bond with our humble, generous and noble people.
The new leadership of the Revolution does not forget for a second, the commitment acquired by the people and their future. It deepens in the analysis of the problems that affect the society as a whole and the daily life of Cubans, fostering a broad and sincere debate about them and encouraging all possible ways to solve or mitigate their impact.
The mandate that the people gave him is to give continuity to the Cuban Revolution at a crucial historical moment, which will be marked by all that we can achieve in updating the economic and social model, perfecting and strengthening our work in all areas of the life of the nation.
The Cuban revolutionaries will be faithful to the exemplary legacy of Commander in Chief Fidel Castro Ruz, historical leader of our Revolution and also to the example, courage and teachings of Army General Raul Castro Ruz, current leader of the revolutionary process.
Raúl Castro has prepared and led this process of generational continuity with firmness, without attachment to positions and responsibilities, with a high sense of duty and historical moment, with serenity, maturity, confidence, revolutionary firmness, altruism and modesty. That is why it stands by its own legitimacy and merit at the forefront of the political vanguard.
The Revolution continues its course without a single absence, because even our dead will accompany us in the crucial hours, in the hardest battles.
To settle in the glory that precedes us to live in its shadow, would be to betray it.
Iran since 1979 and Cuba have been struggling since 60s in dealing with a common problem. What are the similarities and differences between the sanctions imposed on Iran against Iran and Iran, in the name of sanctions? Another question is, what kind of assistance can the two countries have with each other because they face a huge obstacle called "grossly cruel sanctions"?
We have been under a severe economic, commercial and financial blockade for 60 years, the main obstacle to the economic and social development of our country.
There are several similarities, but I think the main ones are related to the purposes of that policy, and the way to achieve them.
Several years ago a document was known, dated April 6, 1960, from the then Assistant Secretary of State, Lester Mallory, where the policy to be developed by the North American administrations was instructed to liquidate the Cuban Revolution. Mallory's document stated verbatim:
"The majority of Cubans support Castro (...) There is no effective political opposition (...) The only effective way to make him lose internal support (to the government) is to provoke disappointment and discouragement through economic dissatisfaction and hardship ( ...) All possible means must be put into practice quickly to weaken economic life (...) by denying Cuba money and supplies in order to reduce nominal and real wages, with the aim of provoking hunger, despair and the overthrow of the government "
That obsolete and genocidal policy has done us a lot of damage, but it has not achieved its political objectives. On the other hand, it has generated a strong and majority rejection at the international level to the US, confirmed by 27 resolutions approved by the General Assembly, in the same number of years.
Mr. Ambassador, how much does your country follow developments in the Middle East region? What do you think about this? How do you assess the position of Iran in its regional and trans-regional developments after the unilateral withdrawal and the anonymous responsibility of the United States?
Cuba follows with great attention the internal events that are taking place in several countries of the region and calls for a peaceful, negotiated, constructive and respectful solution of them, reiterating that it is only for their nationals to resolve them.
The origin of the situation in the Middle East lies in the crisis of the looting policy imposed in that region by the United States and its allies.
Cuba rejects any attempt to take advantage of the regrettable situation created to destabilize the countries of the region and foster the geopolitical interests of domination in the area by the US and its allies.
Cuba demands that Israel comply with international law and end its occupation of the Arab territories.
Cuba reiterates once again its position in favor of a just and lasting peace for all the peoples of the Middle East region.
Cuba reaffirms its strongest condemnation of terrorism, in all its forms and manifestations, and rejects double standards in its confrontation.
We favor the peaceful and political solution of regional conflicts without foreign interference.
Cuba relies on the ability and wisdom of the leaders of the Middle East region to solve issues related to peace and security in the area
Regarding Iran, Cuba expresses its deep rejection to the decision of the government of the United States to withdraw from the Joint Comprehensive Action Plan (PAIC), or Nuclear Agreement with Iran, and the decision to impose sanctions or unilateral coercive economic measures.
Failure to comply with this international commitment violates the rules of coexistence between States and can have serious consequences for regional and international stability and security.
Cuba calls on all signatories to respect the nuclear agreement with Iran and recognizes the legitimate right of any State to produce and make use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.
More than 550 years after the discovery of Cuba by the famous Spanish adventurer Christoph Columbus, which means at least 550 years of history before humanity, we must know that Cuba has the most valuable relics, documents and buildings. Iran is also a country with For several thousand years, history and civilization, from all aspects of the economic and diplomatic relationship that we are going through, these two countries can help a lot in the field of tourism and cultural heritage. What do you think is the representative of the Cuban Government? To promote the level of cultural relations, what training and history do you have in mind that can be absorbed on both sides?
Tourism is one of the main sources of income for the Cuban economy.
In 2019 we expect to receive 5 million 100 thousand international visitors (a growth of 7.4%). It is also estimated that for the first time tourist income exceeds three billion dollars (an increase of 17%).
2018 was difficult due to the impact of the devastating hurricane Irma that hit the country in September 2017.also the measures signed by Trump, which came into force in November 2017, also affected. Before that date, the arrivals of Americans to the island showed a 175% growth, and once the restrictions were applied they fell by more than 40%.
Due to the US blockade, Americans cannot travel to the island as tourists.
However, until December there was an accumulated growth of 6%, which will reach the figure of 4 million 700 thousand international visitors. The Cuban destination achieves 11 consecutive years record in this indicator.
Tourism revenues will grow around 5.8% this year.
The Cuban tourism product is distinguished by its natural, historical and cultural values, as well as its security. Monthly surveys to some 5 thousand tourists confirm that there is an improvement in quality.
Cuban culture is the result of the fusion of two essential roots, one from Spain and the other from Africa - both characterized by multiculturalism. It is an example of transculturation, because it is a process that for several centuries, by assimilation in some cases and rejection in others, the different ethnocultural components were shaping a Cuban cultural identity.
Both Spanish and African had immediate and deeply popular roots. What is authentically Cuban is to a large extent, a combination of the popular Spanish and the cultural elements of the black population. For all these reasons, it is affirmed that Cuban culture has the best of Spanish culture and African culture.
The Cuban culture has been prodigal in personalities in all the cultural genres and has given to the world so much musical manifestations, like writers and poets, painters of recognized international fame, or exponents of the dance. When defining the essence of Cuban culture, we must consider the assessment of two fundamental elements: its integrating orientation and its universal vocation, there is no one without the other.
In both spheres (tourism and culture) there are ample roads for our countries to travel, respecting diversity and enhancing everything that unites us, with the deepest respect for their traditions, culture and needs.
10 daily newspapers of Yazd Sunrise originate from a city that has now been registered as a World Heritage Site in the history of UNESCO. We invite you to visit Yazd, a historic and spectacular city, as soon as possible. Take this as a gift from the Yazd Sun newspaper as the Independence Day of the Republic of Cuba, while accepting that we offer the warmest and heartfelt congratulations to the President and the good people of Cuba, who will take this kindness to convey our message. Be happy and kind and kind.
Thank you. I promise you that sooner than later we will visit Yazd and we will have the opportunity to admire its beauty, but above all the hospitality and kindness to which the Iranians have accustomed us. A people with an impressive culture, a vocation for peace and friendship.
It was a pleasure to give this interview for the Yazd Sunrise that I hope can be translated into Farsi for the Iranian public.