ON assuming the responsibility of presiding over the Summit of leaders, Raúl gave the platform to Thabo Mbeki, president of South Africa , who addressed the plenary session as president of the Group of 77 plus China and spoke on issues related to the main problems that the peoples of the South are confronting.

In that context he recalled the thousands of millions of poor people barely surviving in the Third World and who urgently need the fulfillment of the so-called Millennium Goals, to which the industrialized North should have contributed and has not done so; those countries have not transferred resources for Third World development.

He also referred to unilateral interventions by the major powers and thus advocated taking forward the process of reforming the UN so that it can better respond to the current problems of its member states and, above all, be in a better position to defend self-determination and the sovereignty of nations.

Among other challenges to the NAM and the Group of 77 plus China , he mentioned the strengthening of South-South cooperation as a basis for the development of our nations.

CUBA, A SOUND AND SOLID LINK IN THE CHAIN OF SOLIDARITY THAT UNITES OUR PEOPLES

Dennis Suasso Ngueso from the Republic of the Congo and representing the Africa Group recalled that this is the second time in history that the NAM has celebrated a Summit in Havana, Cuba, a country that has known how to raise the standard of the struggle of our peoples for their well-being and sovereignty in the international arena, he said.

On account of its example of bravery, Cuba de facto constitutes a sound and solid link in this long chain of solidarity that unites our peoples beyond geographical distance and diverse models of development. Ngueso affirmed: “In the name of the African continent, which knows what it owes to Cuba on the plane of political solidarity and cooperation,” and in the name of the Congo , which maintains excellent relations of friendship and cooperation with the island, “our most profound gratitude to the Cuban people and their leaders for the welcome offered us.”

He also took advantage of the occasion to recall “President Fidel Castro, an emblematic figure of the movement and to tell him how glad we are to confirm that he is recovering in a satisfactory manner.” At another point he added that the Cuban people have supported Africa; specifically the people of the Congo know the price that was paid by the internationalist Cubans in the struggle against colonialism and apartheid at a time when the Cuban contribution constituted one of the pillars in the process of South-South cooperation.

Finally, the African leader spoke of the need for the NAM to advocate multilateralism and fortify and revitalize itself. After congratulating Malaysia on its successful undertakings during the last three years of its mandate of the forum, he stressed: “it is evidence of the vitality of our Movement,” while wishing Cuba success in heading the NAM presidency.

UNITY AND SOLIDARITY, CHALLENGES THAT CANNOT BE REOUNCED

The president of Iran , Mahmud Almanidejad, addressed the plenary in the name of the Asia Group, dedicating his opening words to “the well-being of my dear brother, Fidel Castro.”

Like his predecessor, he noted that this was the second time that the Movement has met in Havana , which is “the best symbol of the outstanding role of this country in fulfilling the fundamental objectives of the NAM , its resistance and solidarity with other peoples.”

Supporting independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity has been a principle of the Movement that has always been ratified, as well as the defense of the right of its member states to stand up to any foreign aggression and threats.

In order to confront the challenges that the world of today poses for the countries of the Third World there are no other means than unity and solidarity, as well as working together to present new initiatives to strengthen the Movement, bearing in mind that almost two-thirds of the nations of the international community are represented in it.

Almanidejad reflected that, 45 years after the founding of the NAM , and considering the changes on the international scenario, a new structure and more profound way of working has become necessary. This has to do with methodological methods which he assured would be brought to a happy end under the Cuban presidency.

Before thanking Malaysia for the excellent leadership of the Movement in the last three years, he stressed that he had “the profound conviction that, given the seriousness of Cuba at the end of this mandate, we will be more effective and efficient in the international scenario.”

He recalled that Asia , as the most populated and broadest continent of the world, with diverse cultures, has always been a promoter of peaceful coexistence and dialogue among peoples, for which reason it has contributed to achieving the Movement’s objectives.

I WILL BE VERY BRIEF…

Said Alexandr Lukashenko, president of Belarus , who spoke for the Europe Group. He affectionately alluded to the previous speaker, “my friend Hugo Chávez, who was speaking with great eloquence and justness on behalf of himself and Latin America and in a stupendous way on the Movement’s objectives. It is impossible to state them better,” he affirmed.

Noting that he felt honored at this participation in Havana , Lukashenko stated that “ Belarus has invariably considered that the advance of this international organization is a priority.”

He emphasized that while the NAM was important in the period of bipolarity in the world and other balances for humanity it now has greater relevance in a unipolar world in which one power is imposing its force and designs on the rest.

He noted: “ Europe and other continents have been losing, ceding terrain. For that reason it is essential to recoup the strength of this very broad group if we want to have a world of equality and respect.

The Belarusian leader stated that it is possible to attain the capital objectives and any other that we propose among ourselves, thus making Raúl Castro’s call for unity highly appropriate.

That unity is much needed for fighting poverty, discrimination, neofascism, drug trafficking and other contemporary evils.

“We are in favor of the elimination of blocs, said the head of state, in an obvious reference to NATO, which has expanded in a dangerous manner. He was likewise in favor of preserving the Movement’s principles, within which he highlighted the defense of peace.

THE UN COULD LOSE ITS INDEPENDENCE AND NEUTRALITY

Kofi Annan, UN secretary general then addressed the plenary and thanked the Cuban people for the warm welcome he had received from them. After praising the Malaysian president, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, for “his dynamic and visionary leadership at a critical and difficult moment for the movement,” he paid special tribute to President Fidel Castro for his immense contribution and the leadership talents that he has displayed at distinct stages of the Movement.

Annan said that he was received by Fidel with whom he spent more than one hour “and I can assure you that his health is much improving.” This sentence was followed by applause from the floor, and he continued: “His handshake was strong and he gave displays of the eternal curiosity of his mind.”

Kofi Annan went on to reflect on the substantial changes that have occurred in the world since the NAM ’s emergence 50 years ago when it was impossible to foresee the following defeats on the planet.

Nor, when Cuba first assumed the leadership in 1979, was there any evidence of the hecatomb that led to unipolarity and deepened differences and inequalities.

The UN general secretary spoke of the essential need to resolve this breach between North and South. The disparity between the poorest countries and the richest is alarming and growing, he noted, adding that the international institutions must undertake to eliminate such incongruences.

For that, as other speakers have noted, a more just trade is necessary.

The issue of the reform of the UN and, in particular, the Security Council was also covered by Annan, who affirmed that it must be undertaken for the good of the developing countries.

He admitted that keeping all power in the hands of a few, basically, the five permanent members, is very difficult to sustain and be accepted by the majority.

If the United Nations does not undertake profound changes, it runs the risk of losing its independence and neutrality, he noted, accepting moreover, that there is a deficit of democracy that must be solved.”

The voice of the South in general, is not heard as much it should be. It is a painful truth that can be perceived in world relations, whether of a financial or commercial nature or any kind of interchange, and indicated by the ruling unjust competition and poverty, fruit of a twisted economic order.

He spoke of the war on Lebanon and the imperious need to work on the Palestine-Israeli conflict, among other pressing contemporary issues, many of which have been pending for a long time.

Annan touched on issues such as the deterioration of the environment, AIDS and the advances of women and virtually said farewell to the select auditorium by explaining that he congratulated the NAM on the “magnificent alliance with which, during the 10 years that I have worked as secretary general “you have honored me and which has allowed me good results in various undertakings. There are many tasks that I could not have fulfilled without your support, he emphasized to applause.”