JCP Chair Shii holds talks with visiting Cuban Foreign Minister Rodriguez

Japan Press Weekly

Japan Press Service Co., Ltd. is the only news agency providing information of progressive, democratic movements in Japan

JCP Chair Shii holds talks with visiting Cuban Foreign Minister Rodriguez

Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo held talks with visiting Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla on December 7 in Tokyo.

They discussed Japan’s political and diplomatic situation, the situation in Cuba as well as Central and South America, and global issues related to peace and the environment.

Referring to the Cuban Revolution celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, Shii stated that the Cuban people’s struggle to defend their independence and sovereignty has paved the way for the dramatic democratic transformations taking place in Latin America today.

Shii explained Japan’s political situation under the Democratic Party-led government that has a transitional nature and the burning issue of U.S. military bases in Okinawa.

Rodriguez spoke about Cuba’s domestic policies and international relations as well as recent Latin America-U.S. relations.

He also explained Cuba’s policy on the U.S. Naval Guantanamo Base in Cuba.

Shii and Rodriguez exchanged views on the urgent need to commence international negotiations aimed at totally eliminating nuclear weapons as well as the need to put aside political differences in order to effectively address global climate change and other international environmental issues.

They confirmed that both will make further efforts to increase friendship and cooperation between the two peoples and between the JCP and the Communist Party of Cuba.

Ogata Yasuo, JCP vice chair and international department head, and Jose Fernandez de Cossio, Cuban Ambassador to Japan, also attended the talks.

- Akahata, December 8, 2009