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Wednesday, September 20, 2006 - Prime Minister Dr Kenny D. Anthony has
called on the member-states of the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries to practice
what they preach and do more to help smaller states like Saint Lucia and its
Caribbean neighbours that share membership of the worldwide grouping.
Addressing fellow Heads of Government gathered for the 14th summit of the 118
member-state international grouping in Havana, Cuba on September 16, the Prime
Minister cited the host country’s international assistance programme with
developing countries the world over as an example worthy of emulation.
Prime Minister Anthony pointed specifically to the assistance received from Cuba
by Saint Lucia and several other Caribbean and developing countries, and said it
was a worthy example of international cooperation.
“Cuba stands out as a majestic example of international cooperation,” said the
Saint Lucian leader, as he addressed scores of Presidents, Prime Ministers and
Foreign Affairs Ministers from the member-states of the grouping, which is also
called the Non Aligned Movement.
In his address, Prime Minister Anthony said of Cuba: “This little country,
enduring an economic blockade by the United States for 45 years, has trained
thousands of doctors, engineers and other professionals, at its own expense, for
developing countries in Africa, the Caribbean and Latin America.”
“Thousands of citizens from the Caribbean and Latin America have also had their
sight restored and improved under Cuba's Miracle Eye Care programme,” the Saint
Lucia Prime Minister said.
He offered a salute to “the humanitarian impulse of President Fidel Castro.”
“Cuba gives freely and asks for nothing in return,” said Dr Anthony, as he
acknowledged the generosity of the host country.
The leaders had gathered for the second time in Havana since its establishment
45 years ago in the then Yugoslavia. The 6th Summit was held at the same venue,
the Palace of Conventions, which was built for that purpose, in 1979.
Prime Minister Anthony also represented Saint Lucia at the 6th Summit, albeit in
another capacity.
Cuba assumed the chairmanship of the Non Aligned Movement during the just
concluded summit and will steer the movement over the next three years.
Prime Minister Anthony returned home from Havana on Sunday.
