There were rumours that Michael Manley, Prime Minister of Jamaica, was a communist. Manley believed in Jamaica’s ability to become a self-sustaining nation and he looked to Cuba as a shining example of what Caribbean people could achieve. But his liaisons with the communist country would later hurt him politically, as a nation worried the country would fall into the clutches of the ideology.

Published July 10, 1975

Manley gets warm welcome in Cuba

BILATERAL RELATIONS TO BE CENTRE OF TALKS ON 5-DAY VISIT

PRIME MINISTER Michael Manley of Jamaica gave a clenched fist salute to cheering crowds as he flew here today (July 9), for his first official visit to Cuba.

The 51-year-old leader and his wife Beverly were welcomed by Cuban Prime Minister Fidel Castro and the two men exchanged a lengthy bear-hug. They last met two years ago in Guyana when they flew together to the Algiers non-aligned summit meeting, and are said to have developed a friendly relationship.

Cuban President Osvaldo Dorticos, who underwent surgery, last month, was not present at the airport.

The Jamaican Prime Minister is the third head of government from a Caribbean country to visit Cuba this year after Prime Minister Forbes Burnham of Guyana and Eric Williams of Trinidad-Tobago.

BARROW NEXT

According to unconfirmed reports, Prime Minister Errol Barrow of Barbados is likely to fly here later this year. All four countries established diplomatic relations with Cuba in a joint move two and a half years ago.

Official ceremonies at Havana’s Jose Marti Airport were cut short as Manley’s twin-engined Air Jamaica 35 touched down one hour late, shortly before 10 (14 GMT).

 The Jamaican Premier shook hands with some of the workers who invaded the airport, shouting “Viva Manley” and waving flags. He later stood with Dr Castro, sporting his usual olive-green fatigues and cap, in an open car as the motorcade drove to the city centre, 10 miles (16 KM) away, among cheering crowds.

Talks during the five-day visit are likely to centre on bilateral relations and regional problems of the Caribbean such as the setting up of the newly created Caribbean shipping Company and the proposed meeting of the Economic Commission for Latin America.

Dr Castro and Dr Williams of Trinidad-Tobago agreed that the first meeting of the commission’s Caribbean Inter-Governmental Committee take place here in September

Cuba news media have emphasized Jamaica’s support for the right of peoples to enjoy control over their national resources. Dr Castro is expected to take up the issue with Mr Manley, who urged a new international economic order during his official visit to Mexico earlier this month.

FRIENDLY, PROGRESSIVE

Relations between Cuba and Jamaica have developed since Dr Castro first described Jamaica as a friendly and progressive country three years ago.

Shortly afterwards, Jamaica, a member of the Organization of American States (O.A.S.) since 1969, decided to establish relations with Cuba despite the organization’s sanctions against the Castro Government.

Cuban Foreign Minister Raul Roa paid a visit to Kingston last year, returning a similar visit by his counterpart Dudley Thompson in 1972. Talks covered economic and trade relations between the MO islands and led to the opening of an air link late last year.

According to informed sources, bilateral trade is hindered by Jamaica’s high prices but talks are continuing.

Several Cuban technical delegations visited Jamaica this year for talks on possible cooperation in the fields of construction and agriculture.

Two groups of Jamaican youths are presently working on building sites in Cuba to learn Cuban techniques. The two countries also agreed three months ago to cooperate in the field of agricultural industry. Jamaica is said to be interested in Cuba’s technical assistance for the sugar industry and fishing.

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