The Guardian 26 April, 2006
Australia-Cuba Friendship Societies meet
More than 50 people representing the different states and the ACT gathered in Adelaide on the weekend April 8-9 to participate at the Australia-Cuba Friendship Societies’ (ACFS) annual National Consultation.
The event was attended by Cuban Consul General, Nelida Hernandez and Consul Ifrahim Miranda. Attendees were also happy to hear Cuban visitor Alicia Corredera, head of the Asia-Pacific section of the Cuban institute of Friendship with the Peoples, ICAP.
First-hand information was given in regard to the growth in the Cuban economy which reached almost 11 percent. This gives Cuba with the biggest economic growth in the area.
The consultation heard reports of the solidarity work carried out by the different ACFS and other solidarity organisations in the country.
One highlight of the reports was the work in solidarity with the Cuban Five who are unjustly incarcerated in different prisons in the United States. Their "crime"? Opposing terrorism!
The Cuban Five heroes are still being held despite the Atlanta court of Appeals quashing their convictions and ordering a new trial.
The national consultation listened to the interesting development of Cuban biotechnology and the research in this important discipline. Cuba is a pioneer in many areas of medical research and has been able to patent a number of new medicines in several other countries.
Delegates were shocked to learn that new products patented by Cuba were not being made available to people in the United States and in other countries such as Australia. People are being denied access and thus prevented from the benefits of Cuban biotechnological research.
Delegates were unanimous in passing motions in solidarity with the Cuban people and against the US’s 40-year-long, illegal blockade. The motion was critical of the US’s double standards on human rights: the US holds prisoners in the name of fighting terrorism in the illegally occupied Guantánamo Bay in inhume conditions while it protects self-confessed terrorist Luis Posada Carriles who the Venezuelan authorities are seeking to bring to justice.
The consultation also listened to a report given on the work by Cuban health workers in several countries. Some delegates cried watching a video showing the international solidarity work carried out in Pakistan by the Cuban doctors, members of the International brigade Henry Reeve.
From September 12 up until October 6 there will be an international campaign in solidarity with the Five and it will call for the immediate release after eight years of unjust and illegal detention.