P4P Friendshipment Caravan Arrives in Cuba

Posted by: "Walter Lippmann" walterlx@earthlink.net walterlx

Fri Jul 20, 2007 7:38 am (PST)

Pastors for Peace Friendshipment Caravan Arrives in Cuba

Havana, July 20 (acn) The members of the 18th US Pastors for Peace

Friendshipment Caravan arrived on Thursday in Havana where they were

welcomed at the Jose Marti International airport by the head of theCuban Friendship Institute, Sergio Corrieri.

Speaking to reporters upon their arrival, Reverend Tom Smith expressed

his satisfaction for this new trip to Cuba, a country that is not alone

and that has become a model of what can be done, even amid difficult

economic conditions, to achieve a just and equitable society, he said.

Smith, who traveled ahead of the group made up by 140 people, announced

that on this occasion the 90 tons of human aid that will soon arrive

from the Mexican port of Tampico, will be destined to the elder.

Smith noted that the donation - collected in 127 cities of the United

States and in six Canadian cities - includes surgical and X-ray

equipment, walking sticks and computers, among other instruments, that

will be helpful in many programs underway on the island to improve the

life quality of the elder and the disabled.

Smith and Reverend Luis Barrios reiterated that relations between Cuba

and Pastors for Peace will continue to strengthen and that the US

restrictions and visa denials will not obstruct this exchange of love

and comradeship.

He also said that among the missions of the Pastors for Peace movement,

headed by Reverend Lucius Walker - who will arrive on the island next

week - is the work they do with the youth, who have the possibility to

learn more about Cuba's reality and to fight the blockade.

Smith added that they will also continue demanding the release of the

five Cuban anti-terrorist fighters who remain unjustly imprisoned in

the United States.

He stressed that the graduation next July 24th of eight low-income

American youth who are studying at the Havana-based Latin American

School of Medicine, is a blessing for his country.

The 18th Pastors for Peace Friendshipment Caravan includes volunteers

from the United States, Canada, Mexico and some European countries.

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WALTER LIPPMANN

Editor-in-Chief, CubaNews

writer - photographer - activist

http://www.walterli ppmann.com