The Political Bureau elected by the 7th Party Congress includes five new members among its 17. Speaking with Granma, these leaders expressed their commitment to assume the task with a great sense of responsibility
MORE THAN A CHALLENGE
Marta Ayala Ávila, deputy general director of the Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB).
It is a great responsibility which I hope to be able to fulfill. The sector from which I come, that of science, has a great responsibility before us, in these times the Revolution is experiencing, and the commitment to this task goes beyond representing the members who had confidence in me as a delegate to this Congress, it has to do with all the people of Cuba.
We must continue doing high technology, biotechnical, science, to satisfy the needs of the national market … and also manage to export them to have a greater impact in the national economy.
The Party has the challenge of bringing economic issues reflecting each area to the political life of Cuban society and analysis by Party units.
As well as focusing on our political efforts, we must develop close ties with the international community. Efforts must be concentrated on our political work and Cuba’s history.
When I watched Fidel, who recently appeared on television, I thought that his participation in the event would be the best reward to the Congress, and this is just what happened, to everyone’s delight.
Sitting up there before the entire Congress, I saw many people cry, it’s a historic day, one of many lessons and emotions, above all a great sense of responsibility to the homeland.
RESPONSIBILITY TO THE PEOPLE
Roberto Morales Ojeda, minister of Public Health
I believe that for any revolutionary or Party member, being part of the Political Bureau is a great honor, primarily because it is a space we share with the historic leaders of the Revolution, where their example and experience provide us with lessons everyday.
They educate every one of us that was born during the Revolution and we have been developing over all these years, learning from them.
As such, this new responsibility constitutes a commitment to continuing to fulfill that which has been agreed upon in this 7th Party Congress, where indepth discussions of a group of issues related to the continuation of the Revolution and our socialism took place.
The words of our beloved Comandante en Jefe inspire in us an extraordinary sense of responsibility. All were happy to see him and at the same time listen to his remarks, spoken as a soldier and historic leader of the Revolution, who accompanies us on this path that we must advance along, sure that Cuba will continue to overcome, just as it has over all these years.
Cuba continues to be a beacon of light and hope for this world that we look upon with admiration and recognition, for the daily efforts of the people, who are the principal protagonists of every one of its results.
As the Party we have a key challenge: to continue fulfilling the three main proposals outlined by Raúl in his Central Report, the responsibility to continue improving the health, quality of services and satisfaction of the Cuban people, as well as create a more sustainable system which will continue to contribute to the development of Cuban public health.
This health system, an initiative of Fidel, will continue to be an example of what people can achieve in a revolutionary process such as ours.
COMMITTED TO THE COUNTRY
Miriam Nicado García, rector of the University of Computer Sciences
This is a historic Party Congress, with traditions of struggle; It is our Party and is therefore our responsibility to maintain it, as well the ideals of all our predecessors, of Martí, Maceo and Gómez, but more than that, to continue the fight that Fidel has been leading for our homeland.
To make the vision of our nation a reality, one of a democratic, sovereign, sustainable and ethical country, this is the Party’s principal mission, to guide the people along this road.
WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP
Teresa Amarelle Boué, secretary general of the Federation of Cuban Women
I assume this responsibility as recognition by the Party leadership and all its organizations of the role that women have been playing in Cuban society, and not only within contemporary society, but throughout the Revolution.
To me it is also recognition of the historic leadership of the Federation of Cuban Women, which represents four million women. Instead of saying that the Political Bureau has four female members, it could be said that four million women are represented within the body.
In the Central Report, the Army General spoke at length about the role of women in Cuban society, something I believe must be further promoted.
Women still have many challenges to overcome, thus it is important to strengthen women’s participation in the updating of the economic model we are building, as everyone’s efforts are vital to the construction of the kind of socialism we want.
Not only will Cuba never forget its history, but will continue to write it with women at the forefront.
WORKING WITH HUMILITY
Ulises Guilarte de Nacimiento, general secretary of the Cuban Workers’ Federation
For the new generations, taking on responsibilities means doing so, above all, with extraordinary humility, conscious that the responsibility which comes with this opportunity rests on our shoulders and thinking; and we must be sufficiently committed to carry out this work with absolute loyalty to the principles we defend.
Our efforts must be geared toward consolidating the work of the Revolution, and everyday improving our people’s wellbeing, as well as continuing to strengthen the socialism that we have decided to build.
One of the most important foundations of a Revolution is the efforts of its workers. They are the ones that generate the country’s wealth, they are the ones that produce the essential material goods and services that a socialist system requires to meet the needs of its people.
Thus we must continually increase efforts to mobilize and promote awareness among workers in order to strengthen their commitment to the Revolution and its historic leaders.
