CUBA

STATEMENT BY H.E. Mr RAMON LINARES
FIRST DEPUTY MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS

Distinguished Chairman and guests:

On behalf of the Republic of Cuba and the Cuban delegation, we are pleased to convey to you our most sincere congratulations on your election and reaffirm that we remain fully committed to the successful outcome of this Conference.

Likewise, we would like to convey to the authorities of this country and this beautiful city our gratitude for the hospitality granted to us.

This Conference is taking place amidst the significant challenges derived from the implementation of the Tunis Commitment to build an Information Society in which people everywhere can create access, utilize and share information and knowledge to promote development and improve the quality of life of peoples.

However, the implementation of that society model requires the solution of the social problems affecting the 815 million who live in starvation and the 1.2 billion who live under the poverty line, for whom survival is a much higher priority that communicating through the Internet; or the 854 million illiterate adults and the 115 million children without schools who, in addition to the economic problems, have to cope with the additional handicap which derives from their inability to read or write.

We believe that the Information Society ideal that we all pursue could not be achieved as long as restrictions in connectivity and the access to telecom networks affecting developing countries prevail. In a world population estimated at 6.5 billion inhabitants, 3.7 billion do not have telephones, and 5.5 billion have no access to the Internet. Most of these people live in the developing countries.

In Cuba, the progress attained in education, health and employment can compare to that of the developed world, and in some cases, it has achieved higher levels. However, the development of the ICTs has been affected by the economic, commercial, and financial blockade imposed by the US government against Cuba for more than four decades, causing great economic damage to the country which was estimated at 86.108 billion dollars by the end of 2005.

This action has been almost unanimously condemned by the United Nations General Assembly on 14 consecutive occasions. Last year, 182 countries called for an end to this policy and once again rejected its implementation based on its genocidal and extraterritorial character, and in defense of the principles and norms of International Law.

Despite these arbitrary and unjust actions, Cuba is making great efforts to develop the ICTs, and has prioritized their use in the fields of education, public health, the scientific and cultural development, public services and as a means to increase productivity and economic growth.

During the last ten years, our telecommunications networks have been refurbished and are steadily growing.

All schools under the national education system have access to ITs and audiovisual aids, for they have become indispensable tools in the teaching process. The teaching of computer sciences is guaranteed at absolutely no cost. Two national television channels have been founded, devoted exclusively to broadcast educational programs.

The training of professionals in the field of information sciences is done through the related specialties that can be studied at different Universities throughout the country, as well as in the medium-level technical schools attended by 38 000 students, and the University of Information Sciences, which is being attended by more than 10 000 students.

Additionally, the population is encouraged to go to public access information centers, such as the Computers and Electronics Youth Clubs.

Mr. Chairman, distinguished guests:

We think that this Conference should adopt measures aimed at strengthening the key role played by the ITU, and in conformity with the principles enshrined by the WSIS, it should adopt agreements to improve access by developing countries to the opportunities offered by the ICTs and ensure a more effective compliance with the basic principles premised by the ITU.

Considering the above, this Conference should make a statement against actions such as the policy of interference practiced by the United States, based on which that country broadcasts sound and TV signals against the Cuban territory aimed at destabilizing the country in pursuance of political objectives, thus affecting the normal functioning of Cuba’s national radio and communications services.

In this regard, our country is proposing a resolution which is part of the working documents of this Conference.

Mr. Chairman, during the 14th Summit of the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries held in Havana from September 11th to 16th this year, the Heads of State or Government attending that meeting welcomed the participation of the Non-Aligned Countries in the World Summit on the Information Society held in Tunisia, and underscored the importance of the contribution made by the Tunis Commitment and the full implementation of the Information Society program, as was stated in the final documents approved by that forum.

On that occasion, the Heads of State or Government expressed their opposition to the broadcasting of discriminatory and distorting messages that misrepresent the reality of developing countries, and welcomed with satisfaction every effort aimed at revitalizing the Non-Aligned Countries Broadcasting Organizations as an efficient way to convey to the world objective information about what is going on inside developing countries. In this regard, they took note of the valuable experience with “The New Television of the South” (TELESUR).

Cuba believes that ITU should support this principle and contribute to the creation of conditions that could favor the broadcasting of information that reflect the objective reality, cultural heritage, language diversity, and special needs of developing and least developed countries.

Finally, we would like to express that, for the last four consecutive periods, Cuba has been elected as member of the ITU Council, and has lived up to that responsibility regardless of its own interest as a nation, and this time we hope to be able to continue doing that work to actively contribute to the implementation of the results of this Conference, the defense of the interests of developing countries, and the promotion of the leadership of the ITU.

Thank you, very much.