Peoples' Power National Assembly during the Cuban Parliament’s 3rd Ordinary Session
Cuban Agriculture on the Spotlight of Parliament Discussions

HAVANA, Cuba, Jul 30 (acn) Agriculture was at the center of Intense debates by deputies this Thursday during the Cuban Parliament’s 3rd Ordinary Session, which analyzed the report presented by the Agriculture Ministry (MINAGRI).

• Agriculture, Housing at Cuban Parliament
• Positive Cuban Agro Results
• Global Crisis at Cuban Parlm't Commissions
• Working Commissions of Cuban Parliament Continue Discussions on Wednesday
• Cuban FM Highlights the Island’s Integration in Latin America
• Cuban Parliamentarians Analyze Epidemiological Situation on the Island
• Cuban MPs Insist on the Need of Saving Energy
• Recreation and Youth on the Agenda of Cuban Parliamentary Meeting
• Permanent Commissions of Cuban Parliament Meet on Tuesday and Wednesday

The report originated discussions on the implementation in Cuban territories of six strategic programs designed by the major economic sector.

Agriculture minister Ulises Rosales del Toro briefed deputies on the current performance of the sector and its prospects and he also called on the need to increase efforts, efficiency and discipline, since food production is a Must for the country.

Mailer Díaz Matos, MP from eastern Guantánamo municipality, demanded greater attention to timber transportation in his province, in order to secure availability of lumber for priority plans like house building.

Meanwhile, María de los Ángeles Alonso, MP for the westernmost province of Pinar del Rio addressed the role played by technical agronomic institutes in the training of skilled labor needed in the sector.

We must encourage our youngsters to study agriculture specialities; these centers shouldn’t be just a way for them to obtain a bachelor’s degree to later on apply for totally different fields of studies, pointed out Alonso.

Yordanys Charchaval, a young deputy from eastern Granma province, reaffirmed the commitment by young generations of Cubans to work the land and their willingness to strengthen the conception of combining study and work for the upcoming school year.

I that regard, Alberto Naranjo, MINAGRI deputy Minister assured the MPs that during the 2009-2010 school year, over 300 000 students will go to some 550 working camps belonging to the Ministry.

Production will be a key goal in each of these facilities, while achieving a comprehensive training for all students, both in education and values will be task to undertake. Up»» 

Agriculture, Housing at Cuban Parliament
Escrito por Fany Rodríguez

Havana, Jul 30 (Prensa Latina) The Ministry of Agriculture and the National Housing Institute presented reports of their procedure to the Cuban deputies and to the plenary session of the current term of office.

After two days of debates in 12 permanent commissions of the Peoples' Power National Assembly the agriculture and Housing executives - two branches severely affected by three hurricanes in 2008 - will be at the disposal of legislators.

This meeting will give way to discussion and possible approval of the laws of the National System of Museums and the Republic General Finance Office next Saturday during the third ordinary session of the seventh legislature.

The President of the Parliament Commission of Economic Affairs Osvaldo Martinez has previously assured that the struggle for economic efficiency is essential to face up to the current world crisis.

Meanwhile the Cuban Central Bank President Ernesto Medina affirmed the Unique National Compensation System (SUCRE) will allow safest trade among participating countries.

SUCRE, expected to be established by January 2010 will grant more commercial stability to the members of the Bolivarian Alliance for the Americas (ALBA), responded Medina to Prensa Latina questions.

He assured that Cuba is one of the main engines of the initiative that will bring about different social benefits, added the executive who has previously talked to deputies of the Economic Affairs Commission, one of the 12 in session Tuesday and Wednesday. Up»» 

Positive Cuban Agro Results

Havana, Jul 30 (Prensa Latina) Cuban agriculture registered positive results in the first quarter of 2009 in the yield of main crops of vegetables, roots and tubers, according to Cuban Agriculture Minister Ulises Rosales.

In a report to the deputies of the National Assembly, he referred mainly to potato, tomato and onion, all of them exceeding the target set for the 2009 plan.

The tomato supply, the highest in the last 21 years, enabled the nation refrain from importing tomato paste and guarantee the scheduled destinations until January 2010.

The potato and onion crops were also significant, and it was also pointed out that the production of export-oriented citrus was fulfilled at 121 percent, and the restoration of the pineapple cultivation made possible to rescue its processing for juice and slices. Up»» 


Global Crisis at Cuban Parlm't Commissions
Escrito por Fany Rodríguez

Havana, Jul 29 (Prensa Latina) The global economic crisis and its impact on Cuba are among the issues to debate Wednesday by the members of the 12 Peoples'' Power National Assembly''s permanent commissions, before the ordinary session to be run August 1.

Legislators from the economic affairs group will also update plans of the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America (ALBA), and the proposal to create a virtual currency in the area, known as SUCRE.

Today's agenda will include Thursday and Friday reports from the Agriculture and Food Industry Ministries to the deputies in plenary session.

A report from the National Housing Institute, one of the most affected sectors last years after the passing of three hurricanes of great intensity that caused losses to the country valued at $10 billion, is also on the agenda.

The main dish of the meeting today is the discussion and possible approval of laws of the National System of Museums and the General Comptroller's Office of the Republic on Saturday, during the third ordinary session of the seventh legislature.

Legislators already implemented the project of creation of the Comptroller's Office, which will substitute the current Audit and Control Ministry.
The Comptroller's Office would subordinate to the Parliament and elect the comptroller, Parliament President Ricardo Alarcon told Prensa Latina during a news conference. Up»» 

Working Commissions of Cuban Parliament Continue Discussions on Wednesday

HAVANA, Cuba, July 29 (acn) The 12 permanent commissions of the Cuban National Assembly (Parliament) continue meeting on Wednesday to discuss topics of social and economic significance prior to the third ordinary period of sessions of the seventh Legislature.


The nearly 400 parliamentarians that make up these working groups are ready to assess on Wednesday topics such as the impact of the world crisis on Cuba, the implementation of the budget for this year and the readjustment of plans.

In particular, the commission of Construction and Industries will discuss, among other aspects, the national investment plan for water supply as well as the renovation and construction of new supplying networks.

Meanwhile, deputies Ena Elsa Velazquez and Miguel Diaz Canel, Ministers of Education and Higher Education, respectively, will brief the commission of Education, Culture, Science and Technology on the changes that will be implemented for the 2009-2010 school year.

In the meantime, deputy Minister of Economy and Planning Magalys Estrada will speak before the commission of Health and Sports about the collection of solid waste and the state of dumping sites in provincial capitals.

In addition, the group of National Defense will approve projects for the second half of the year and will assess the work of the first six months of 2009 while the National Commission of Highway Administration and Traffic will present a report on the prevention of accidents and the current situation in this respect. Up»»

Cuban FM Highlights the Island’s Integration in Latin America

HAVANA, Cuba, Jul 28 (acn) Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez highlighted on Tuesday in this capital the island’s full integration in Latin America and the Caribbean and the absolute failure of the US government’s attempts of isolating the Caribbean nation.


In his report to the Cuban Parliament’s Commission for International Relations held at Havana’s PALCO Hotel conference hall, Rodriguez updated participants on the Revolution’s foreign policy.

The Minister pointed out that Cuba had joined the Rio Group, which is the main Latin American and the Caribbean forum of political coordination, as well as Havana’s active participation in the Latin American Integration Association (ALADI) and the Ibero-American Summits.

He also underlined Cuba’s important contribution to the Latin American and Caribbean Economic System (SELA), the Association of Caribbean States, the Bolivarian Alliance for the Americas (ALBA), and other regional forums.

As an example of the failure of the US economic, commercial and financial blockade of Cuba and of its policy of isolation against the island, the FM pointed out that the Caribbean nation has diplomatic relations with 183 of the 192 countries that make up the United Nations.

He explained that last year 36 heads of state or government visited Cuba, as well as 23 FMs, while during the first six months of this year 20 heads of state have visited the island, including 16 from Latin America and the Caribbean.

The Cuban Minister underscored that, in 2008, 185 countries voted at the UN General Assembly against the US economic, financial and commercial US blockade against Cuba.

Likewise, he stressed that the US anti-Cuban strategy in terms of human rights was thwarted, and that Cuba handed over the presidency of the Non-Aligned Movement after a successful period of revitalization of the organization, and that it has strengthened its bonds with Third World nations. Up»»

Cuban Parliamentarians Analyze Epidemiological Situation on the Island

HAVANA, Cuba, July 28 (acn) The actions and measures applied by Cuba in epidemiological surveillance were presented on Tuesday by the Ministry of Public Health (MINSAP) to the members of the Parliament’s National Defense Commission.


MINSAP Deputy Minister, Dr. Luis Estruch, informed the Commission on the Dengue Prevention Program, the eradication of its vector, the Aedes Aegypti mosquito, and the situation of the A H1N1 virus on the island.

Estruch stressed that efforts are redoubled in tasks of sustainability and that resources like pesticides and fumigation equipment to prevent dengue (not endemic in Cuba) from entering the national territory are guaranteed.

The Cuban Health Deputy Minister also said that the battle against the Aedes Aegypti continues, especially in this period of the year, when environmental conditions are favorable for its spreading.

The parliamentarians insisted in the need of increasing the rigor of self-inspections in each house, in order to eliminate possible places where the larvae of these mosquitoes could grow.

The Cuban physician also made tackled the situation of the A H1N1 virus, now affecting almost 160 nations, according to the Workd Health Organization.

He announced that over 200 cases of this Influenza virus have been confirmed in Cuba, most of them imported, and said that preventive measures continue at air terminals and ports, in order to prevent it from spreading. Up»»


Cuban MPs Insist on the Need of Saving Energy

HAVANA, Cuba, Jul 28 (acn) Cuban parliamentarians discussed on Tuesday the need of saving electricity, during a meeting of the Commission for Energy and the Environment, held as part of the 3rd ordinary period of sessions of the island’s Parliament.


Basic Industry Minister Yadira Garcia stressed the importance of preventing an excess of electric power consumption in the various territories.
She highlighted that local governments and State Central Administration Entities must demand the implementation and fulfilment of the energy saving programs, by way of mechanisms that will continue to be improved, she said.

During the session held at the Havana’s Convention Center, Garcia pointed out that several workplaces that are not implementing the saving mechanisms have been ddetected.

She announced that, starting August 1st, the rigor of the measures implemented some two months ago will increase, some of which could lead to the temporary closing of production facilities.

The Basic Industry Minister stressed the importance of self-control at enterprises with respect to energy consumption, which she suggested should be carried out several times a day in order to determine in what moment of the production process more electricity was spent.

Garcia added that 50 percent of the fuel Cuba consumes is used to produce electric power, hence the importance of a rational use of energy, both in governmental and private sectors.

She explained that there was an excessive use of electricity in July, which also happened in April and May, when over 40,000 extra tons of fuel were used. This led to the readjustment of plans and the implementation of new saving measures, like the turning off of air-conditioning equipments at certain hours of the day in offices.

During the session the deputies also analyzed the situation of the National Electricity and Energy System and the use of renewable energy sources, among other topics. Up»» 

Recreation and Youth on the Agenda of Cuban Parliamentary Meeting

HAVANA, Cuba, July 28 (acn) The parliamentary commission for youth, childhood, and equality of women’s rights tackled on Tuesday the subject of recreation, in the certainty that investing in the new generations is guaranteeing the future.


The members of this permanent working group of the National Assembly of the People’s Power (Parliament) took, as a starting point for debates, the results of a research work on spare time and youngsters, cultural expressions and tendencies, carried out by the Center for Youth Studies.

The First Secretary of the Young Communists League, Julio Martínez, affirmed that although recreation is an everyday task, the wide programming prepared for this summer is a thermometer and an opportunity to continue joining efforts in this regard.

Opinions and an assessment of good decisions and inadequacies marked the analyses of parliamentarians, many of them young and aware of the fact that systematic work and diversity are key words in this battle, which is won at neighborhoods with the help of all.

The parliamentarians insisted on the need of assuming recreation with a multi-sectorial, comprehensive and approach, something possible in a country like Cuba, where material limitations multiply creativity, initiative and the certainty that many things can be done even with very little resources.

Other participants focused on education and culture as essential factors to expand patterns and horizons in terms of recreation and to develop a critical awareness that serves as a shield in the face of banality, alienation and mediocrity, present in many messages and proposals coming from abroad.

Other issues that are also linked to healthy life styles, like the prevention of alcoholism and sexually transmitted diseases, were dealt with during the first day of work of the commission on youth, childhood and equality of women’s rights. Up»» 

Permanent Commissions of Cuban Parliament Meet on Tuesday and Wednesday

HAVANA, Cuba, July 28 (acn) The 12 permanent working commissions of the Cuban National Assembly (Parliament) meet on Tuesday and Wednesday at the Havana-based Convention Center prior to the third ordinary period of sessions of the Seventh Legislature.


Parliamentarians will discuss important topics related to the social and economic development of the country such as measures adopted to reduce the effects of the current international financial crisis and the saving of oil and electricity, Granma newspaper reports.

They will also analyze the implementation of the Social Security Law and its regulations as well as new directions for the 2009-1010 school year and the epidemiological situation in the country, among others.

The more than 300 parliamentarians will also discuss topics related to the construction materials industry, the improvement of housing conditions, the production of food and the state of roads.

Likewise, they will focus on different sectors in which the country is working to substitute imports and reduce unnecessary expenditures.