The Gleaner                                    March 21, 2005

   Johnson Smith said a review of the programme was initiated before international scrutiny emerged and that improvements are being made to its administration.

   Jamaica’s partnership with Cuba in healthcare dates back to 1976, providing critical support to local public health facilities through agreements upheld by successive administrations.

   “Given the MOU’s (Memorandum of Understanding) expiration last year, we had already begun a review process before international concerns were raised. While we have identified a few areas for alignment with our own overseas labour programmes, we are confident that the Cuban programme is a legitimate bilateral cooperation programme, not an example of trafficking,” Johnson Smith said in a statement.

   Last week, United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced an expansion of the US-Cuba visa restriction policy to include foreign government officials and their families whose countries are involved in Cuba’s overseas medical mission programme.

   Rubio, who is Cuban American, described Cuba’s overseas medical missions as an oppressive programme that enriches the Cuban government through the «exploitation and forced labor of Cuban workers».

   The foreign minister highlighted ongoing diplomatic engagements, including discussions with Cuba’s Foreign Minister, the US Embassy in Kingston  and CARICOM counterparts, «to exchange perspectives and ensure the best understanding and outcomes of this matter».

   “Our structured process of review and engagement is progressing well, and we remain confident in the integrity of this programme,” she noted, adding that, «Jamaica’s non-adversarial handling of this matter reflects not only our practice of diplomacy but the strength of our bilateral relationships with both Cuba and the United States.»

   Several CARICOM leaders, including Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley, have defended the Cuba medical programme, saying they are prepared to lose their US visas. The comments prompted questions about Jamaica’s stance.

   Jamaica has more than 400 participants from the Cuban medical programme at different levels in the public health system, Johnson Smith said earlier this month.