JOSE Eduardo Dos Santos, president of the Republic of Angola, is to arrive this afternoon in Cuba at the official invitation of General Raúl Castro Ruz, first vice president of the Council of State.
The African leader’s visit, continuing through September 23, will contribute to the deepening of the historic relations of fraternity and cooperation that exist between the two countries. Within that framework, a complementary protocol to be added to the Cooperation Agreement between the two countries signed in 1976 by President Fidel Castro Ruz and the first Angolan President, Dr. Agostinho Neto is to be signed, and agreements established in a number of areas of mutual concern.
During his stay in the country, President Dos Santos will have official conversations with Vice President Raul Castro. He will also pay tribute to the internationalist Cuban fighters who died in this sister African country and tour cultural and historical sites.
Havana, Sept 21 (acn) Angolan President Jose Eduardo Dos Santos condemned on Thursday in this capital the economic, financial and commercial blockade imposed by successive US administrations on the island over the last four decades.
The Angolan head of state highlighted the Cuba's major achievements in the fields of sciences, healthcare and education despite the hostile policy of Washington against the island.
Accompanied by the Cuban Western Army Chief, Leopoldo Cintra Frias, Dos Santos met with a group of Cuban veteran combatants who fought in the wars of liberation in Namibia and Angola, and contributed to the eradication of the Apartheid regime in South Africa.
For his part, Cuban General of Division, Ruben Martinez Puente, referred to the more than 300,000 Cubans who did military service in Angola and noted that today the island's collaboration with that African country has extended to the areas of education, healthcare and construction.
Dos Santos and his accompanying delegation arrived on Thursday in Havana on an official visit at the invitation of Cuban First vice President Raul Castro Ruz.
The welcoming ceremony was also attended by member of the Political Bureau of the Cuban Communist Party, Ramon Machado Ventura; Cuban Western Army Chief, Leopoldo Cintra Frias; and Cuban ambassador to Angola, Pedro Ross Leal.
On his first day of visit, which will run until Sunday, the African official laid a wreath on a monument to Cuban National Hero Jose Marti in Havana.
Dos Santos is scheduled to hold talks on Friday with Raul Castro.
During their meeting, they will sign a Protocol of Cooperation that complements a Cooperation Agreement signed in 1976 by Cuban President Fidel Castro and the first Angolan President, Agostinho Neto.
Angola is located on the western African coast and has a population of over 12 million inhabitants. It borders on the Republic of Congo to the north, Zambia to the east, Namibia to the south, on the Democratic Republic of Congo to the northeast, and has the Atlantic Ocean to the west.
The friendly encounter lasted one hour and forty-five minutes. The two leaders recalled the deep connection between their two peoples, discussed the current situation in the two countries and opportunities that are opening up to expand bilateral relations in different economic and social spheres.
Dos Santos emphasized the value of Cuba’s internationalist presence in Africa and their joint struggles to preserve the independence of Angola.
The two presidents analyzed the complex problems that humanity must face today and which severely are severely affecting the peoples of the world’s poorest nations.
The visiting leader expressed his gratitude for the special attention paid to him during his visit to Cuba, the full schedule of activities he was able to complete and, in particular, for the opportunity to meet with President Fidel Castro Ruz, to whom he expressed the best wishes from the people of Angola to the people of Cuba.
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[url=http://www.granma.cu/ingles/2007/septiembre/lun24/Raúl-bids-farewell-to-Angolan-President.html]Raúl bids farewell to Angolan President[/url]
"It has been a magnificent visit with an intense schedule of activities," said Raúl, minutes after the Angolan leader’s departure from the Juan Gualberto Gómez International Airport. "I came to say goodbye to emphasize our satisfaction with the visit," the Cuban leader pointed out.
Speaking with the press, Raúl referred to the debates underway across the country with respect to the approach discussed in his July 26 speech. He commented that the goal is that people address the issues courageously and honestly.
He reported that a mechanism has been established to collect comments made in each of the assemblies, especially local ones. He affirmed that the opinion of each and every citizen is important and that this gathering of ideas will help a great deal. This is real democracy, feedback on any proposal to improve our work.
He emphasized the importance of the population speaking frankly and realistically, "As we say in the FAR (Revolutionary Armed Forces), in the appropriate place, at the opportune time, in the correct way."
Also attending the farewell of President Dos Santos were General Leopoldo Cintra FrÃas, and Pedro Ross Leal, Cuban ambassador to Angola, both members of the Political Bureau.
The African statesman visited the Varadero beach resort, where he was provided with information about the development of tourism in Cuba, future prospects and current trends.
24 Sep 2007, 20:38
