Radio Havana Cuba-28 March 2001
Via NY Transfer News * All the News That Doesn't Fit
Radio Havana Cuba - News Update - 27 March 2001
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*SOUTH AFRICAN PRESIDENT THABO MBEKI RECEIVES JOSE MARTI ORDER
*SOUTH AFRICA'S FIRST LADY VISITS OLD HAVANA
*CHINA REITERATES ITS CONDEMNATION OF WASHINGTON'S CUBA BLOCKADE
*HOTELS IN JARDINES DEL REY TOUR COMPLEX UP FOR ENVIRONMENTAL RECOGNITION
*CUBA EXPECTS 20,000 JAPANESE TOURISTS BY THE END OF 2001
*MEXICAN HEALTH AUTHORITIES TO ESTABLISH COOPERATION TIES WITH CUBA
*ARGENTINEAN MILITARY CHIEF VISITS THE UNITED STATES
*HUMAN RIGHTS OUTCRY AGAINST US PLAN TO SELL F-16s TO CHILE
*GUATEMALA: ECONOMIC, POLITICAL AND SOCIAL DETERIORATION
*IRAN CALLS ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER A LIAR
*Viewpoint: CUBA DENOUNCES US CLAIMS IN UN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
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*SOUTH AFRICAN PRESIDENT THABO MBEKI RECEIVES JOSE MARTI ORDER
Havana, March 28 (RHC)--South African President Thabo Mbeki has been awarded
the Jose Marti Order -- Cuba's highest distinction given to foreign
dignitaries. During an official ceremony Tuesday evening, Cuban President
Fidel Castro presented the visiting South African leader with the Order --
"in recognition of his long and courageous revolutionary life."
The Cuban leader pointed out that Thabo Mbeki joined the youth wing of the
African National Congress (ANC) at the age of 11 and was an active
participant in the struggle against the racist system of apartheid. Fidel
Castro noted that the current South African president took part in the
arduous negotiations that led to the end of the apartheid regime.
After internationally-renowned ANC leader Nelson Mandela was finally
released from prison and elections were held in 1994, Thabo Mbeki served as
Mandela's vice president. Fidel Castro emphasized that the ensuing struggle
for a new South Africa -- against poverty and unemployment -- has perhaps
been the hardest phase of the struggle.
And the leader of the Cuban Revolution said that Cuba had the honor and
privilege of participating in the final stages of the struggle, alongside
South African and Angolan patriots.
In accepting the Jose Marti Order, South African President Thabo Mbeki said
the distinction was a challenge for his people, who will never betray Cuba
and the noble revolutionary principles for which it stands. He added that
Cuba has always been an inspiration for African liberation fighters and
thanked his hosts for the hospitality shown to him and his delegation during
his visit so far.
Following his speech, the South African leader warmly embraced his Cuban
counterpart, Fidel Castro.
This morning, the visiting South African president laid a floral wreath on
the tomb of Cuban internationalist soldiers who gave their lives in the
struggle for African liberation. Accompanied by Cuban President Fidel
Castro, Thabo Mbeki also unveiled a bust of the late Oliver Tambo, former
president of the African National Congress of South Africa.
*SOUTH AFRICA'S FIRST LADY VISITS OLD HAVANA
Havana, March 28 (RHC)--South Africa's First Lady, Zanele Dlamini, on
Wednesday visited Old Havana, which has been declared a UNESCO World
Heritage Site, the Museum of the City, Africa House and other places of
interest.
In the City Museum's Hall of Flags, the First Lady was impressed by a large
collection of personal objects that had belonged to 19th Century Cuban
patriots. During her visit to Havana's Africa House Museum and Study Center,
the South African visitor viewed important works of art from her country and
other African nations.
Zanele Dlamini who is accompanying her husband, South African President
Thabo Embeki on an official visit to Cuba, also visited the colonel Obra Pia
House where fine clothing made by Cuban crafts persons is on display.
*CHINA REITERATES ITS CONDEMNATION OF WASHINGTON'S CUBA BLOCKADE
Havana, March 28 (RHC)--China has reiterated its condemnation of
Washington's blockade against Cuba and has highlighted the high level of
exchange and bilateral relations that will be strengthened by the upcoming
official visit of Chinese President Jiang Zemin.
Qiu Xiag, general director of China's Foreign Ministry's Latin America
department said on Wednesday in Havana that his country has always condemned
US aggressions against the island because every nation has the right to
choose its own destiny without interference.
The diplomat told Prensa Latina news agency, that the Chinese President's
third tour of Latin America is aimed at strengthening friendship and
cooperation ties with the region.
*HOTELS IN JARDINES DEL REY TOUR COMPLEX UP FOR ENVIRONMENTAL RECOGNITION
Ciego de Avila, March 28 (RHC)--Hotels in the Cuban tour complex Jardines
del Rey on the island's northern coast, are hoping to receive a certificate
of environmental recognition that is only awarded to institutions deemed to
have helped protect the environment.
Ministry of Science, Technology and the Environment representative for Ciego
de Avila, Hermes Carvallo, pointed out that hotels on the northern keys are
an excellent example of environmental work in the area.
So far, only the Spanish Melia Varadero Hotel has obtained the environmental
recognition. Another nominee is the Melia Cayo Coco to the north of central
Ciego de Avila province.
Jardines del Rey is home to a wide variety of precious endemic species.
The region's fauna is considered to be among the most important in the
country, with over 150 bird species and one of the largest colonies of pink
flamingoes in the Caribbean.
*CUBA EXPECTS 20,000 JAPANESE TOURISTS BY THE END OF 2001
Havana, March 28 (RHC)--Cuba is expected to welcome some 20,000 Japanese
vacationers this year as tourism links increase between the countries.
Four direct charter flights between Cuba and Japan will begin operating next
August, organized by Japanese tour operators, Cuba's Tourism Ministry and
the island's Cubanacan firm.
The flights will cover the Osaka / Havana route with a stopover in
Vancouver, Canada.
*MEXICAN HEALTH AUTHORITIES TO ESTABLISH COOPERATION TIES WITH CUBA
Havana, March 28 (RHC)--Mexican health authorities announced on Wednesday in
Havana that there are real possibilities of establishing closer cooperation
between the two countries.
The head of the Mexican Social Security Institute in the state of Michoacan,
told the press that an agreement will soon be signed between Mexican health
authorities and Cuba's Medical-Surgical Research Center.
*ARGENTINEAN MILITARY CHIEF VISITS THE UNITED STATES
Washington, March 28 (RHC)--The head of the Argentinean Army, General Juan
Carlos Mugnolo, is currently in Washington, DC -- beginning an official
visit to the United States. Invited by his U.S. counterpart, General Henry
Shelton, the Argentinean military commander will tour the Pentagon and
airbases near Langley, Virginia -- located just outside Washington. Mugnolo
is also slated to tour naval bases in Norfolk, Virginia.
Last week, during an official visit to Buenos Aires, U.S. General Henry
Shelton -- head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff -- invited his Argentinean
counterpart to see the sites in Washington. The U.S. general also met with
the Argentinean Minister of Defense, Horacio Jaunarena, and the heads of all
three military branches in the South American country.
Shelton's visit to Argentina was strongly criticized in human rights circles
-- accusing the Pentagon of seeking to extend its control into other Latin
American countries. Confronted with questions concerning Washington's
multi-billion dollar Plan Colombia and particularly its military component,
the U.S. military leader denied that similar programs would be introduced
throughout Latin America -- although he did acknowledge that there are -- in
his words -- "certain security threats" and that "mutual cooperation" was
necessary.
*HUMAN RIGHTS OUTCRY AGAINST US PLAN TO SELL F-16s TO CHILE
Washington, March 28 (RHC)--Human rights and pacifist organizations in the
United States have petitioned President George W. Bush to scrap plans to
sell F-16 fighter jets to Chile. Twenty-six non-government organizations
affirm that to sell such modern, war technology to Santiago would begin an
unstoppable arms race in Latin America.
In an open letter to the U.S. president, the activists state that Washington
has an obligation to refrain from creating regional tensions by supplying
Chile with the fighter aircraft. They emphasize that there is no reason to
sell the fighter jets to Chile -- except that Chile has the money and wants
to buy 12 F-16s... at a cost of 600 million dollars.
The letter also points out that Lockheed-Martin -- the manufacturer of the
F-16 -- is based in Texas, the president's home state where he served as
governor. before being president. Lockheed-Martin was also a major
contributor to Bush's recent electoral campaign for the presidency.
An eventual sale of the aircraft will have to be approved by the U.S.
Congress, following current negotiations for their purchase. Chile has also
expressed interest in buying advanced air-to-air missiles as well as
top-of-the-line tanks, capable of launching attacks across its borders.
Human rights activists warn that providing such weapons of war to Latin
American countries currently at peace with their neighbors would only begin
an arms race -- and only benefit the military industrial complex of the
United States with huge profits.
*GUATEMALA: ECONOMIC, POLITICAL AND SOCIAL DETERIORATION
Guatemala City, March 28 (RHC)--The economic, political and social situation
in Guatemala has deteriorated significantly over the past 15 months.
According to the non-governmental organization Alliance Against Impunity,
since the administration of President Alfonso Portillo took office in
January last year, human rights violations and criminal activity --
including organized crime -- have increased dramatically.
A leader of the Alliance, Ruth del Valle, told reporters in Guatemala City
that since the governing Republican Front took office, soldiers and military
officers -- both retired and active duty -- have been accused of involvement
with organized crime.
The NGO reports that a general atmosphere of insecurity exists in Guatemala,
exemplified by threats and attacks against judicial authorities
investigating the assassination of Bishop Juan Gerardi, brutally murdered in
April 1998. The Alliance Against Impunity reveals that within the past
several months alone, intimidations and death threats have increased.
Observers note that the general economic and social situation in Guatemala
has worsened in recent months -- with the rich getting immensely richer and
the poor, dramatically poorer.
*IRAN CALLS ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER A LIAR
Teheran, March 28 (RHC)--The Iranian government has called recent statements
by Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon "outright lies." Sharon accused
Teheran of allegedly transferring missiles to Lebanon -- missiles capable of
reaching deep into Israel.
According to the Iranian Foreign Ministry, such statements by the Israeli
prime minister are "ridiculous" and without any foundation. Teheran says
that the accusations are designed to divert public opinion away from the
intensified violence committed by Tel Aviv against the Palestinian people.
The Iranian government adds that Sharon's ridiculous claim is part of a
Zionist policy to intimidate and provoke tensions.
Iran says it is the Israeli government -- and not the Arab countries -- that
is fomenting terrorism in the region. Teheran affirmed its solidarity with
the Palestinian people and expressed its support for the sovereignty and
self-determination of the people of Lebanon.
*Viewpoint: CUBA DENOUNCES US CLAIMS IN UN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
In a hard-hitting 18-minute speech before the United Nations Human Rights
Commissions in Geneva, Cuban Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque denounced
Washington's attempts to use the Commission against Cuba.
The Cuban foreign minister didn't have to say much to demonstrate to the
world the United States' interest in forcing the Human Rights Commission to
pass an anti-Cuba resolution the only basis of which is Washington's
vehement desire that Cuba be condemned for supposed human rights violations.
The White House has assigned the Czech Republic the job of introducing the
bogus resolution to the Commission which will be meeting over the next few
days.
This will be the first step of the new U.S. government to up the ante in its
aggressive Cuba policy. In Cuba, said Perez Roque, there has not been a
single case of political repressive violence , nor has there been a case of
violence directed against someone for publicly denouncing Cuban authorities,
or against anyone in government custody. No such charges could be sustained
in a court of law inside Cuba or abroad.
In Cuba, there is such a close relationship between the government and the
people that nothing is done if it goes against the interests of the people.
Since l976, when Cuba's legislative system, known as "People's Power" was
created, parliamentarians and leaders have been elected by free, popular
vote. Nothing is done in this country without the knowledge of the people.
Cuba has never accepted, nor will it accept any document that attempts to
interfere in a matter that has to do with the Cuban people.
Those who know Cuba, don't need any more proof other than what they have
seen happening in Cuba over the past 40 years of the island's revolutionary
history. What Cuba needs now is to be left alone, even if the United States
never lifts its criminal blockade against the island which is meant to
eradicate its right to exist and to develop.
(c) 2001 Radio Habana Cuba, NY Transfer News. All rights reserved.
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