the environment as being more favourable due to less political rhetoric and no possibility of a military conflict – something that India and Pakistan should learn from.
The minister was very clear, as was the president of the Cuban Congress, when they spoke of talking to the Americans on equal grounds and with dignity and self-respect. This attitude and patience in striking a good deal with dignity was something that gives the Cuban people a sense of recognition and pride that has sustained them through embargos and unfair economic terms in the global economy.
“The American government and people should end the embargo sooner than later”. These were the words of an American lady I had a chat with, while having breakfast in the beautiful verandah of Hotel Nacional, overlooking the deep blue sea. At present American tourists have to travel via other countries to visit Cuba.
In what was a great diplomatic initiative by Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, he offered to mediate between Cuba and the United States through the US ambassador in Islamabad. The offer was very positively taken by the Cuban foreign minister who requested Sardar Ayaz to do so. Our delegation also met with Vice President Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez. He expressed warm sentiments about Pakistan and resolved to focus on taking our bilateral relations to a new level through investments in Cuba and cooperation in the human resource and health sectors.
There seemed to be a very strong desire to improve Cuba’s relations with the world, including the US, and for economic reforms in the country. Cuba clearly wants to transform. The vice president was also quite proud of the close cooperation they have amongst blocks of different South American countries that have ‘sovereign’ foreign policymaking.
The most meaningful and touching meeting was at the Central Unit of Collaboration where we met with doctors who had left their homes and families thousands of miles away for more than six months, to stand by the poor and needy in Pakistan in the bitter cold after the earthquake in 2005, at a time when most international agencies had left. I saw tears in Doctor La’zara Caridad’s eyes when she was narrating her story about Pakistan. She said nostalgically, “I don’t know how to express my feelings for a loving people like those in Pakistan. If we are told to return to Pakistan, we will return gladly.”
Intensive care specialist Jorse Fonseca Cabreja said he “worked day and night to set up a field hospital. People opened their hearts for us. Friendship emerged that touched our hearts. When we left, we left our hearts. We had chemistry. We are at your disposal”.
It was the most emotional interaction I have seen among people of two different nations that are separated by an air journey that took these doctors more than 48 hours during the earthquake days. When we interacted with Pakistani students who are about to become doctors in Cuban medical colleges, I urged them to not only get degrees from there but also to learn how to be as committed as the Cuban doctors are, to the cause of improving the health of their people better than anyone else’s.
Pakistani students were committed in doing so, but were petrified since the PMDC and the Higher Education Commission have not even accredited the degrees that they have worked for over eight years. Can you imagine that? Resource-starved Cuba, having spent more than 80 million dollars and our children having spent more than eight years of their youth, and our inefficient PMDC does not even care! That is our way to reciprocate. That is Pakistan in comparison to Cuba.
Cuba is changing. Let us all encourage change and help them change the right way instead of pushing them into isolation. I talked to the young boys and girls and I could see a light in their eyes: a light that reflects the appetite for change. Fortunately the rulers know and realise that there is no other way but change. Whether they do it the right way or not is yet to be seen. But they surely have the most important element in society to do it the right way – an educated workforce.
Concluded
The writer is the chairman of the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs.
Email: awaislegharihotmail.com