Cuba News and Information

Prensa Latina

Cuban National Assembly President Ricardo Alarcon called Friday for the first general session in 2008 of this body, called Peoples’ Power.

The 163 deputies elected in January took their positions in February, and this seventh legislature is slated until 2013.

The call issued by Alarcon and published by mass media is supported in attributions conferred to his post included in the 1976 Republic Constitution’s article 81 paragraph b.

According to the text, legislators are expected to meet within two weeks at 10:00 local time in the Havana’s International Conference Center.

As part of the agenda, parliamentarians must officially approve the functioning of 12 permanent working commissions, which were created provisionally in May.

Those groups are Attention to services, health and sports, Attention to youth, childhood and equality of women’s rights, Education, culture, science and technology, Local bodies of peoples’ power and National Defense.

Also on the list are International relations, Constitutional and judiciary affairs, Economic affairs, and Industry and construction, to include this time Agricultural Food, and Energy and environment.

hr/iff/ro/mf

of course you’re right - by our standards it is not a parliament nor is cuba a democracy.  But by watching what it does, we will be getting indications of whetehr or not cuba is changing.  So far signs have been that there is change afoot be they relatively minor and for the most part meaningless so far.  However I’m so far inclined to believ the business as usual days are over - lets see if that also applies to this “parliament” as well.
Btw, comared to numerous other countries (incl several that the us is cozy with) cuba’s “parliament” demonstrates a whole lot of freedom.
But, unfortunately, your bottom line is right - a most unusual parliament.