Cuba´s Mandate as NAM Chair Acknowledged at Ministerial Meeting

HAVANA, Cuba, April 29 (acn) The role played by Cuba as Chair of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) during nearly three years was acknowledged today by participants at the Ministerial Meeting of the Coordinating Bureau of the Third World Organization.

UN General Assembly President Miguel D´Escoto that the foundational principles of the Movement, such as fighting imperialism, neo- colonialism, apartheid, Zionism and its position against all form of discrimination, are still valid, particularly amidst the current world crisis.

D´Escoto recalled Fidel Castro´s words when addressing the UN General Assembly 30 years ago as he demanded a new world order that would eliminate the huge gap standing between rich and poor nations.

The UN official expressed his acknowledgment to the Cuban leader and his people for their solidarity. He also invited Cuban president Raul Castro and the other heads of state and government of NAM to attend the next UN conference, in which the world crisis will be discussed, so that they express their hopes and principles.

NAM must fight so that justice will be made in the case of the five Cuban antiterrorists incarcerated in US jails, for the lifting of the US blockade of Cuba, for the defense of the Palestinian and Puerto Rican peoples´ rights to self-determination.

Other speakers at the opening session were Al Samani Al Wasila, Sudan Foreign Minister and president of the Group of 77 plus China, and Charles Ngakula, Defense Minister of South Africa, who is representing the African continent.

The session also heard the statements by Indonesia and Ecuador´s foreign ministers, Nur Hassan Wirayuda and Fander Falcon, representing Asia and Latin America and the Caribbean, respectively, as well as Belarus´ deputy foreign minister Serguey Aleynik for Europe. All of them congratulated Cuba for its praiseworthy role as NAM Chair.

The meeting is taking place at Havana´s Conventions Center, with over 100 delegations attending. Raul Castro called on participants to work for the success of the 15th NAM Summit of Heads of State and Government, to take place in Egypt next July.

The Cuban President, who has presided NAM for almost three years, reiterated the importance of unity among all and of multiplying NAM´s presence in international forums.

(Reconocen papel de Cuba en presidencia de los No Alineados Fidel Rendn)