FIRST Vice President Raúl Castro has transmitted congratulations from President Fidel Castro to everyone who contributed to the success of the 14th Non-Aligned Movement Summit in Havana from September 11-16.

The president’s congratulations were passed on by the likewise second secretary of the Communist arty of Cuba (PCC) and Minister of the Revolutionary Armed Forces during a review of the most important Third World forum, National Television News announced on December 28.

 In his message, Fidel highlighted the prestige attained by Cuba in the world and called for working with the same dedication to guarantee the positive development of Cuba’s presidency of the Non-Aligned Movement, which extends to 2009.

Abelardo Moreno and Manuel Aguilera, deputy ministers of foreign affairs, presented the final reports from the Political and Organization and Logistics Commissions, respectively, which outline the achievements and difficulties that characterized the preparatory work and development of the forum.

The work undertaken by thousands of people from many agencies, institutions, enterprises, People's Power and other national and capital bodies was equally acknowledged, as well as the exemplary contribution of all the people to the Summit’s success.

Also present were Esteban Lazo, vice president of the Council of State, and Jorge Luis Sierra, minister of transport, both members of the PCC Political Bureau, and Fernando Ramírez de Estenoz, a member of the Central Committee Secretariat of the organization and head of its International Relations Department.

The session was attended by Felipe Pérez Roque, minister of foreign affairs; other ministers, heads of agencies, representatives of the institutions on the National Preparatory Committee for the Summit; and leaders and officials of the Cuban Foreign Ministry.

(Granma) 29-12-2006