Lula Speaks at LSE

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Lula Speaks at LSE

Cuban Health Trade Union Representative Addresses Durham Miners Gala

The President of Brazil, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, popularly known simply as Lula, addressed a public meeting at the London School of Economics on July 14, during his visit to London to attend the “Progressive Governance” Conference organised by Tony Blair.

            Lula, speaking in Portuguese, began by explaining that he had come to the “Progressive Governance” Conference, as he had gone to Davos and Evian and other international gatherings, to deliver a message on behalf of the Brazilian people, especially the 53 million living in poverty.   At the last Presidential election, he said, the Brazilian people had shown their maturity, knowing well the social crisis which gripped their country.  This had placed on his shoulders responsibilities for resolving the problems in both the short and the long term.  When he had come to power, he explained, the Brazilian economy was weak, the dollar exchange rate high and inflation forecast to be 40%.  To change this his government had instituted very rigorous fiscal and monetary policies to stimulate exports.  After 18 months in office the dollar exchange rate had fallen to 4 and inflation fallen to 7%.  They were now taking an even tougher monetary policy and had also used resources to invest in social programmes.  Exports had increased to $20 billion.  He said there were conditions for new growth.  The Brazilian people trusted them in a difficult period. 

He explained that between 1930 and 1980 Brazil had become the eighth largest economy in the world, but this was not matched by the living standards of the people.   The rich had become richer but the poor poorer.  The authoritarian regimes had rewarded themselves but there was no equality.   What was needed now was job generation and a deepening of democracy, combined with affirmative action in the world.  A huge extension was needed in the mass consumer market to incorporate those 40 and more million Brazilians who had no access to goods.  There must be agrarian reforms and a new agricultural policy.   Major improvements were needed in health, culture, sanitation and tourism.  There must be a new expansion cycle with non-paternalist policies making credit available to even the smallest producers and enterprises.   Above all, hunger must be confronted.  Thus they had instituted the “Zero Hunger Programme”.   They had begun pilot schemes in one small state with a food stamp programme.  In a short time the numbers of children taken into hospital had reduced dramatically and there was now no sign of infant mortality.  The government had committed itself to buying the produce and had instituted a “First Jobs for Youth” programme, to prevent the youth falling into organised crime and drugs.  He explained that 70% of crime had been committed by youth aged 15-25 years; without jobs or access to education they were easy prey for organised crime.   Now opportunities for jobs and schooling were being made available, as well as programmes aimed at literacy and community services.  Much of this was in partnership with economic organisations.   In the deepening of democracy, he said, socio-economic development was crucial.  It was accepted among broad sections of Brazilian society, from the banks and the Church to the landless peasants, that growth must be combined with equity. 

A wide public debate had grown up on the issues, he said.   All 27 state governors had given full support to social security and tax reform.  Accompanied by the 27 governors he had walked to the National Congress to present the reforms.   In October, he said, trade union and labour law would be reformed.  Social security reforms would make pensions fairer.   In the state of Minas Gerais, for example, only 10% met pension requirements.  On combating corruption, he said, an Ombudsman’s Office had been set up and cities to be targeted were picked by lottery.  If minor corruption was discovered there was no jailing or denouncing.   Collective and encouraging measures were taken.  Major corruption cases were handed over to the judicial branch.

The Brazilian government’s new foreign policy, Lula explained, sought as a priority an integrated and sovereign international trade, with major focus on South and Latin America.  They were aiming for a South American parliament and South American currency.   They were building infrastructures aimed at the physical integration of the separate economies so as to provide new opportunities for investment both foreign and local.   All Brazilian politicians, he said, had always defended Latin and South American integration, but in words.   The elites had only concerned themselves in reality with Europe and the USA.  We want to make a substantial change, he said.  We would start with building physical integration such as roads, bridges and direct flights.   He pointed out that Brazil could only be reached from many South American locations via Miami!   On August 8 a major debate would be opened on this subject, and projects would be seeking finance from the world.

Brazil would resume its debt to Africa, with which it had strong cultural and national ties.   He would be visiting five African countries.  In the 1970s, he said, the military government had recognised the new government of Angola, but had then turned back on this policy.  With Africa too there were no direct Brazilian flights.   One had to go via cities such as Paris.  There must be more mobility between Brazil and Africa and vice versa.  There were historic responsibilities to Africa of a moral and cultural character. 

There was also, he said, a need to strengthen ties with China, Russia and India.   Why could not South Africa, Brazil and India have there own G3, he said!  They shared aspirations for more international democracy.  Brazil also wanted to strengthen its ties, both political and economic, with the Arab world.

Speaking of relations with Europe and the USA, Lula described these relations as mature, with co-operation which at the same time respected differences.   These relations were well stabilised, with 26% of trade with the USA, 25% with the EU and 30% with South America.  Exports of $8 billion with China were the second largest.  He said that the EU and the USA possessed sound and solid structures.   It was important to build another bloc, with partners such as South Africa, China and India.   They must force a situation in which they were not so dependent on the rich countries as in the past.   It would then be easier to negotiate.  At the G8 Summit, he said, he had asked the leaders of South Africa, India, China and Mexico, among others, “Why do we have to wait to be invited to the G8?   Why can’t we meet ourselves!”

He said that international affairs was a difficult game; like a marriage, he said, it took both sides to want it!  All would like and strove for a trade surplus, but this was impossible.   Thus there must be a balance.   Brazil was determined to develop the infrastructure, he said, but was frustrated by the protectionist measures of the rich countries.  It was like apartheid in trade, he said.  He was convinced, he insisted, that multinational organisations could lessen that imbalance.  It was a heavy game to play, but he was sure there would be important advances in the years ahead.   He emphasised the need to respect international law, to strengthen the UN and the multilateral agencies.   Speaking of the dangers of terrorism, he said these could not be divorced from respecting human rights.   Conflicts must be settled by peaceful means, with force only used under the authority of the UN Security Council.  And that Security Council must be reformed to ensure a truly democratic international order.   There must be more representation of the developing countries among the permanent members.   He pointed out that the South African government was proposing Brazil as a permanent member.   He said that he would ask Tony Blair and George W Bush for their support for UNSC membership for Brazil.   Much had changed since 1945.   Now the veto must end.   He said that a democratic UNSC would have long ago resolved the Israeli-Palestinian issue!   He said that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict was dealt with only in respect of US interests and not those of all humankind.  The only solution was an Israeli state and a Palestinian state established under the auspices of the UN.  And this required a reformed UNSC.

He said that his Brazilian government had always called for a fight against hunger, which over one billion people suffered worldwide.  They had called for a global fund against hunger at both Davos and Evian.  The issue demanded joint reflection, he said, with the participation of academics and business.   It demanded strong political will on the part of the leaders of the international community.    In Brazil, he said, they were striving for more fairness, to exert their political will against social imbalance, poverty and disease.  They were determined to change Brazil so the world could change.   What was required was a new compact of peace and goodwill, of sustainable development, of social fairness, of sovereignty, democracy and freedom.  The debate on fighting poverty, illness, hunger, marginalisation and human rights must be transformed.  Genetic engineering could ensure food for all, he said.   But 43 million Brazilians had no access to even the minimum required calories.  Enough was produced to feed them but they had no income to access the food.  There was no easy solution.  In so many cases the rich countries’ funds had found their way only to the rulers’ bank accounts.  What was needed was multilateral mechanisms to resolve Brazil’s problems. 

He said he was sometimes described as a romantic.  But he believed that the most sensitive part of a person was the pocket!   We must touch the hearts and minds of people, he said.  They must know we are honest, fair and have the correct policy.   They will not help us if they do not trust us.  Thus the Brazilian government follows a policy of reliability in South America.   He stressed the importance of leaders meeting face to face.  He said he was not President of Brazil by chance.  He had stubbornly stuck to his guns through three election defeats.  We have proved, he said, we can do better and more in Brazil.   We have perfected the notion of victory.  We shall never forget our commitment or betray the expectations of our dear friends in South America, in Africa, in left-wing circles in Europe.  He said he was asked years ago why he stood for the governorship of Sao Paulo.  He had replied: “To prove to myself if I am capable of doing for the state and the country what others should have done.” 

He said the Brazilian people would implement land reform by their own efforts.   They could not blame Tony Blair or George W Bush!  Raising the minimum wage, building public universities was their own task.   The miracle would not be achieved by Lula, who was only the spokesperson.  Brazil was the responsibility of each governor, each mayor, each senator, each Assembly member, each student, each Brazilian.   Addressing the audience directly, he said that as soon as possible Brazil must enjoy the benefits of what the Brazilian students had learned in Britain!  Scholarships must be increased for Brazilian students.  It was not a class issue, but one of academic education.  At the same time Brazil must develop true centres of excellence for scholarship.  It must pay back to the poor countries what it had received abroad.  African students must study in Brazil! 

He ended by saying that he still lived 600 metres from his old Metal Workers Trade Union HQ.   When he left government he would still meet his old brothers and sisters.  He would only be able to look them in the face if he had fulfilled his obligations!  That is how he wanted to enter history – as a man who had fulfilled his mission.

People on the platform

People in general

Brothers, miners and union colleagues

Friends

            Please do receive this message of love and solidarity from the Cuban people who admire and respect you all.

            It is our first time in this prestigious country and it was possible for the wonderful invitation made by some friends, to whom we send lots of thanks for giving us the opportunity to participate in this marvellous gala. We thank them also for bringing us to this land in the northeast full of miners’ fighting tradition, and for allowing us to strengthen the links between this region and Santiago de Cuba.

            For over 40 years, Cuba has been the subject of every kind of aggression coming from the most powerful military and economic power of history: The United States of America. This together with 44 years of blockade has had neo-liberal impact in the public health in our country.

            The number of inhabitants continues increasing, which also increases the risk of disease transmissions; increases the concentration of population in the urban areas without proper hygiene; the spread of disease does not take into account borders or barriers. Governments not only can make sure that their defensive systems are strong and unbeatable, but nations of the world must join and co-operate to face future menaces to the world health security. The emerging diseases such as AIDS and SARS, and others re-emerging as tuberculosis and diphtheria, demand the kind of treatment that millions of people in the world can afford, and are forced to deal with concepts such as market competence; where the patient is called client and the health professionals suppliers. In this way the disease is treated as a merchandise, with all the sanitary, philosophical and ethical implications.

            The Cuban health system is universal, free and covers all the Cuban people, in spite of their race, social origin and religion. The system has been formed and developed based on a social concept of health. All of their actions are directed to the prevention and control of the diseases in the population, to the care of elderly people, handicapped people, to the scientific perfection of their professionals and technicians. Today, we show to the world an infant mortality rate of 6.5 per 1,000 live births. A figure that stands among those from the developed countries.

            In the 44 years of revolution, we have been able to achieve a high international prestige. Over 150,000 Cuban civilians has given technical assistance in more than 160 countries, mainly in developing and under-developed countries, in such fields as health, education, sports, agriculture, sugar cane industry, fishing, culture and others. At the same time, Cuba calls on those developed countries to help with equipment and medication, those countries that suffer the terrible social and economic consequences.

            There have also opened in our country the Latin American medical school in Havana, and the Caribbean Medical Faculty in Santiago de Cuba, attended by around 7,000 students from 26 countries (from Latin America, the Caribbean and Africa), including also from the USA.

            Today our children do not die without medical assistance. We managed to stop many diseases such as diphtheria, yellow fever Poliomyelitis, German measles, tetanus, tuberculosis, and others. The 98% of the Cuban population is covered by a special health care of family doctor and nurse in the community.

            The Cuban working class participates constantly and democratically in the development of the society. The workers get the benefits from the extension of education, sports, the general comprehensive culture, and at the same time they participate actively in the economic development to improve conditions of life. Workers are also present in the fight against natural disasters, the preservation of the environment, in the care for the young, the working mothers, elderly people and in the self-preparation for the defence of the country against any possible military invasions.

            Our people are deeply immersed in a battle of ideas, because “trenches of ideas are more valuable than trenches of stone”. We are also fully behind the position of five Cuban patriots that were put in prison unjustly in Miami for defending our country against terrorist attacks coming from the USA. They are all standing firmly, backing the revolution and their homeland. That’s why, from this platform I call for the solidarity of the unions present to fight for the release of the Miami 5. Freedom For Our Heroes: Prisoners of The Empire!

            We are very sure that in spite of the hard fight every day, under pressure and threats from imperialism, we shall continue spreading solidarity, co-operation and the socialist character of our revolution, without any neo-liberal influence and strengthening the links with other countries to build a much better world.

            Thanks for such solidarity, for the gestures of brotherhood coming from the workers of the northeast. We know the great effort made, taking away the things to donate them, not as charity, but as a symbol of recognition for our fight, for our resistance and for the ideas that we defend. Each and every item we have received from here (ambulances, buses, medications and other different materials) has been given to those who most need them and deserve them.

            Thanks to those brave friends of Cuba that has kept their links in spite of much imperialist pressure. We shall continue comprehensive and conscious as we have been up to today. We will never betray you, and we will never give you reason to be ashamed of giving us such solidarity.

            Congratulations to the unions, institutions and to the people in general. Special thanks to all the miners in this country.

The union among the people will win!

Till Victory Forever!