Welsh Assembly celebrates progressive achievements in Latin America

15th October 2009

The Welsh Assembly enjoys a celebration of progression with Latin American countries and sets up a Friendship Group amongst its Assembly Members.

UNISON Cymru/Wales organised a reception in the Welsh Assembly to celebrate 50 years of social progress in Cuba, 10 years of social and democratic reforms in Venezuela and the first election of an indigenous Indian as president in Bolivia.

An enthusiastic group of Assembly Members, Trade Unionists, Thompson Solicitors and solidarity activists  gathered in the Assembly’s committee rooms to hear the First Minister Rhodri Morgan welcome the Ambassadors of Cuba and Venezuela.  The Bolivian Ambassador had been a guest of the First Minister during the day but had to leave before the formal reception began.   Over 30 Assembly Members, from all political parties, attended and expressed a commitment to supporting and setting up a friendship group with Latin America.  The intention of the group will be to promote friendship and respect for each others cultures and to work in solidarity to face the social challenges ahead.

 Rhodri Morgan opened the celebrations and took the gathered audience through an historical journey of his experiences and memories of Cuba, Venezuela and Bolivia.  He wittily recounted key moments in each countries development during his years in politics.  He applauded the progress that each of the three countries have made recently particularly in social development such has housing, health and education.  He gave some stark first hand experience of his visit to Venezuela some 20 years ago and some of his wife’s most recent visits to the continent.  He warmly welcomed the visitors and thanked them for there presence at the reception.

In response the Venezuelan Ambassador gave a brief over view of the progresses made in Venezuela and how the country was now using oil revenue to look after the most vulnerable in society.  He pointed out to the first minister that if he was to return to Venezuela today the neighbourhoods he referred to in his contribution he would now be witnessing running water, electricity; schools, hospitals and surgeries were there were none.  He thanked every one for attending and those involved in setting up this event and particularly those Assembly members who agreed to form a Latin American Friendship group.  He reminded us all of the importance of cooperation and what can be achieved by working in solidarity to face the problems we now face with the current crisis of capitalism. 

Using the example of ALBA in Latin America where by countries are working together to resolve issues of poverty; illness and illiteracy and using trade as mutual benefit and not just for profits they have been able to achieve much.  He further strengthened his point by stating Cuba dose not export doctors and nurses to Venezuela but they exchange these skills with Venezuela for materials and expertises that Cuba dose not have, this is the mutual benefit of such an agreement. 

Talking of the opposition to progressive change in Latin America Ambassador Moncada remind us of the negative role the media insists on playing towards Cuba and Venezuela accusing them of being threats to world peace.  He again reiterated the progress these countries have made on behalf of the normal average person and stated that they are not a threat to anyone and invited them to visit Venezuela and see for themselves. 
He again thanked every one and looked forward to progressing relationships with Wales based on mutual trust and understanding using solidarity amongst the peoples to face up to the problems we are all now facing.

The Cuban Ambassador reaffirmed the words of the Venezuelan ambassador and personally thanked the First Minister for his kindness and warm welcome which he has always experience from him on his visits to Wales.  He stressed the importance of the formation of a Latin American friendship group and applauded the already existing collaboration that exists between Cuba and Wales and hoped for this work to expand and develop.

Paul O’Shea UNISON Regional Secretary thanked the ambassadors for their presence and stated, “it is a proud moment for UNISON to have played such a key role in bringing this gathering together and demonstrates UNISON’s continuing proud recorded of international work here in Wales.” 
Paul went on to point, “It is only through this type of solidarity that we will be able to face up to the challenges ahead.”

Agreement has been reached by Labour, Plaid Cymru, Liberal Democrat and Conservative Assembly Members to set up a Latin American Friendship Group, which will work with trade unionists and solidarity activists in Wales to build on this success. 

The Ambassadors agreed to return to the Assembly to address the first meeting of this group and discuss future work.