Party Leader Conferred with Cuba's Highest Distinction
VNA July 10, 1999 - General Secretary Le Kha Phieu of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee was conferred with the Jose Marti Order, the highest distinction of Cuba, in a ceremony in Havana on July 8.
The Vietnamese Party leader has been in Cuba since July 7 for an official visit at the invitation of Fidel Castro Ruz, First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba Central Committee (CPC CC), President of the State Council and the Government of Cuba.
Fidel Castro Ruz himself pinned the order on General Secretary Phieu.
Speaking at the ceremony, Jose Ramon Balaguer, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC CC, member of the Cuban State Council and Director of the CPC CC Commission for External Relations, said the decoration was made to honour Phieu's devotion of his whole life to Vietnam's struggle for independence, to the Vietnamese national unity block and to freedom and socialism.
He stressed that Cuba and Vietnam are bound by contributions to the joint revolutionary cause, by their struggles for national liberation and by common aspirations to make the noble and fair ideals of socialism come true.
Balaguer affirmed that the close relationship between the two nations, nurtured in spite of extreme difficulties in both countries, is closer than ever now.
General Secretary Phieu expressed sincere thanks to the Communist Party, the State and the people of Cuba, and President Fidel Castro Ruz for their fine feelings towards the Communist Party and the people of Vietnam, and for the great honour they conferred on him.
Mr. Phieu praised Jose Marti's revolutionary ideology as an eternal source of support and guidance for the Cuban people in their national construction and defence as well as for all Latin American nations in their struggle for independence, freedom and happiness.
"His great ideology is encouraging millions of peace- and justice-loving people who are fighting for fraternal friendship between nations," he said.
The Vietnamese Party leader expressed his belief that faithful to Jose Marti's ideology, the Communist Party and people of Cuba, headed by President Fidel Castro, would overcome all difficulties and trials to record still greater achievements in their revolutionary cause, in defending their national independence and socialism, and building a prosperous Cuba. (VNA)
Party Leader's Activities in Cuba
General Secretary Le Kha Phieu of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee visited the Latin America Medical School in Havana on July 8.
General Secretary Le Kha Phieu of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee visited the Latin America Medical School in Havana on July 8.
He was shown around by Minister of Public Health Canos Dotres to the facilities of the school, which annually receives around 2,000 students from Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala, Peru, Colombia, Bolivia and Brazil.
Talking with the school staff, Party General Secretary Le Kha Phieu spoke highly of the significance of the establishment of the school, describing it as a special act of the communists who not only work for their nation but also assist other countries, particularly poor people. The Vietnamese Party leader expressed his wish that the school's lecturers and students would discharge the noble mission well.
He took this opportunity to present 200 tonnes of rice to the school.
Earlier, the Vietnamese Party leader, on behalf of the Party, State and people of Vietnam, announced to grant 3,000 tonnes of rice to the Cuban people.
In the evening of July 8, President Fidel Castro organised a grand banquet in honour of Party General Secretary Le Kha Phieu and his entourage.
