The Cuban workmen worked assiduously to deliver the Jose Marti School two months before the scheduled date. Prime Minister Michael Manley and Minister of Education Howard Cooke were grateful very for the handover and praised the Cuban government for delivering on their commitment.

Published Monday, December 6, 1976

JOSE MARTI SCHOOL HANDED OVER

- Manley hails Cuban ties

WHILE JAMAICA has maintained honourable relations with a number of countries, there is none with such integrity and principle as the one existing between Jamaica and Cuba, said Prime Minister Michael Manley yesterday as he took possession of the Jose Marti School at Twickenham Park, before a large crowd.

The $3-million school, which was completed nearly two months ahead of the scheduled time of eight months, was ‘presented’ by the Cuban Ambassador, Mr Ramon Pez Ferro and was ‘received’ by prime minister Manley, who in turn, handed over the symbolic key to the Minister of Education, the Hon. Howard Cooke.

This school has been one of the most controversial events in recent local political history. Mr Manley said, “I think it is important for us to examine the reason why this is so. We should examine for ourselves why such a good gift was made to seem sinister."

“Why this campaign of hatred is taking place so that Jamaica almost looks like a poppy show to the outside world. The school was just a gift by one sovereign government to another sovereign government, which was done publicly for all to see. Nothing was hidden.”

DOMINATION

“I’ll give you one reason. The Third World was burnt out of domination. Our people have been dominated from our side for a long time, and one common factor among Third World countries is the determination of its members to escape from the domination and to build a world where domination by one country of another does not take place.”

While Jamaica has maintained honourable relations with a number of countries, there is none with such integrity and principle as the one existing between Jamaica and Cuba.

The prime minister indicated that Third World countries have now begun a new kind of international relationship based on the development of internal sovereignty, a principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries. He said that Jamaica and Cuba shared some critical objectives, one being the creation of a new international order free from international exploitation

WORKMEN PRAISED

Manley praised the efforts of the Cuban workmen who he said had imparted their skills and wisdom to some 89 Jamaicans who were involved in the project.

Education Minister Hon. Howard Cooke reminisced on the many times he and personnel from the ministry met in long conferences, discussing various plans for the school.

He also reminisced on the occasion when the announcement of the building of the school was made, how joyful all who were involved in the cause of education were. He paid tribute to the excellent relationship existing between the peoples of Cuba and Jamaica.

Before handing over the keys the Cuban Ambassador, Senor Pez Ferro said perhaps in no other country before had there ever been a group of workers, technicians, and other professionals subjected to such cruel attacks of slander and of such malicious and unjust political propaganda than had been the case with the brigade of Cuban workers.

“We can state categorically that mere fantasy and invention are the bases of the rumours and accusations made against the Cubans here, which range from the story that they were coming as soldiers to invade Jamaica to the most recent one, which presents them carrying weapons and engaging in mysterious activities.

“The reality is not one of story and gossip. The reality is the school, You can see it. You can feel it. You can enjoy it. Here is the school already completed, which was really what the Cubans were here for.”

The ambassador was introduced by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Hon. Dudley Thompson.

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