US Trade Unionists Give Their Support to the Cuban Five

WASHINGTON, July 22.— Trade unionists from the United States and the United Kingdom will gather in the city of Los Angeles, to give their support to the Cuban Five, the antiterrorist fighters who for almost 13 years have been unfairly imprisoned in the United States, the Prensa Latina news agency reports.

The event will coincide with the birthday of one of the Cuban Five, Rene Gonzalez (August 13), the International Committee to Free the Cuban Five announced in a communiqué.

Taking part in the solidarity meeting will be former Joint-General Secretary of Unite, Tony Woodley, who currently leads the trade union’s movement of support for the Cuban Five in the UK; Trabajadores Unidos (United Workers) leader Cristina R. Vazquez, who is also a member of the Western Region States Board of Directors; and Coordinator of the Committee to Free the Cuban Five Alicia Jrapko.

An exhibition entitled Humor desde el encierro (Humor in Captivity) comprising of political cartoons by one of the Cuban Five, Gerardo Hernandez, will be open during the event. The exhibition has toured other cities in the United States.

A short film by American actor Danny Glover on the case of the Cuban Five —as Gerardo Hernandez, Ramon Labanino, Antonio Guerrero, Fernando Gonzalez and Rene Gonzalez are known internationally— will be also screened.

“These men are sons, husbands, brothers, poets, pilots, university graduates and artists. For 11 million Cubans they are considered heroes,” the communiqué by the solidarity organization reads.

Taking part at the solidarity meeting will be former Joint-General Secretary of the Unite Union, Tony Woodley, who currently leads the trade union’s movement of support for the Cuban Five in the UK

http://www.juventudrebelde.co.cu/

UK government signs formal cooperation agreement with Cuba

On Tuesday 5 July 2011, the UK and Cuba signed a formal declaration to strengthen bilateral cooperation between the two countries.

CSC Director, Rob Miller welcomed the declaration saying:

“CSC has been campaigning vigorously on this issue for many of years through lobbying campaigns of MPs and ministers, Early Day Motions in parliament, and ministerial delegations, all calling for the UK to break from the 'EU Common Position' which has imposed restrictions on relations between EU member states since 1996. CSC and affiliated Trade Unions have consistently called for a policy based on respect for Cuba's sovereignty and independence. We believe that this declaration is a significant first step in this direction.

"CSC hopes that this will signal the beginning of the development of bilateral exchanges in the fields of scientific, educational and cultural links. Most importantly we hope that there will be a real effort to explore and facilitate economic exchange between the two nations. Present trade levels are paltry in comparison to many other Europeann countries and it is in the interests of the people of both the UK and Cuba to see this change for the better.

"The signing of this agreement should be another nail in the coffin of the unjust and discredited 'EU Common Position' which has so hampered the development of relations between our two countries. Now that the UK has, along with many other EU nations, signed forward looking cooperation agreements, we very much hope that this will see a new and better era of relations to the mutual benefit of the people of Cuba and the UK"

A press release from the British Embassy dated 5 July read:

“The UK and Cuba today signed a declaration to strengthen bilateral cooperation. It was signed by British ambassador Dianna Melrose and Cuban Vice Minister Dagoberto Rodríguez.

“Commenting on the declaration, the British ambassador said:

“this declaration formalises bilateral cooperation between the UK and Cuba. It is an important step and part of the British government’s renewed focus on Latin America. With the declaration in place, we look forward to enhanced engagement, deeper dialogue and the opportunity to cooperate more in priority areas including climate change, human rights, trade, investment and counternarcotics.”

Baroness Angela Smith, Chair of the All Party Group on Cuba, and Vice Chair of CSC, stated on behalf of the Campaign: "This bilateral cooperation agreement is an excellent first step in the long overdue development of better UK-Cuba relations. The people of our two countries have so much in common and so much to learn from each other that any moves to better relations based on mutual respect and understanding must be applauded. I very much hope that we can now begin to see real practical steps to increase levels of trade and exchange."

CSC would like to thank all of the members, supporters, trade union affiliates and MPs who have worked with us over the years to pressure the British government to change its policy on Cuba. We are committed to continue working with them both in the UK and Europe until relations are completely normalised and Cuba is fully welcomed with respect as a sovereign and equal state.

The full wording of the declaration between Cuba and the UK can be read here


http://www.cuba-solidarity.org.uk/