----- Original Message -----
From: Walter Lippmann <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: CubaNews <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Wednesday, March 28, 2001 5:51 AM
Subject: [CubaNews] Heated debate in Havana
March 27, 2001
Heated debate in Havana
� Legislators from the five continents, representing different stances, discuss
humanity�s problems � One notable absence: that of the United States
BY JOAQUIN ORAMAS
ONCE again, Cuba is hosting an event of world importance. This time, it is the
105th Inter-Parliamentary Conference, held in Havana during the first week of April,
when more than 1,300 legislators from 120 countries will discuss humanity�s crushing
problems. But there is one notable absence at this event: the United States, the
superpower that is trying to impose its unipolar will on the planet.
The 140 parliaments and legislatures around the world were invited, along with a
large number of figures from various political forces with diverse viewpoints and
opinions within many countries� delegations. Among those represented are the United
Nations, UNESCO, 49 presidents of national legislatures, 23 vice presidents, heads of
political parties, and a wide spectrum of personalities, many accompanied by their
families and advisors.
Other participants are members of the Andean Parliament, the Central American
Parliament, the Union of African Parliamentarians, the Union of Arab Parliamentarians
and the European Parliament.
Given the broad theme of the conference and the heterogeneity of the
participants and their political positions, this gathering is expected to be a heated
one. This was also true of the 1981 conference, when the Cuban capital played host to
the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) for the first time.
Aspects of this event have been analyzed in roundtable discussions broadcast on
Cuban television and radio, by National Assembly Deputies L�zaro Barredo (president of
that legislative body�s International Relations Commission), Ada Mart�nez and Julio
Espinosa.
According to the organizers, the event is focusing on two main themes, to be
discussed in commissions: Preservation of the Principles of International Law, in the
Search of Peace and World Security; and Education and Culture as Essential Factors for
the Promotion of Participation by Men and Women in Society, as an Instrument for
Development. Both of these themes were presented by Cuba at the last conference, held
in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Another point on the agenda of the plenary session is the world economic and
social situation, which will cover the foreign debt, the gap between rich and poor,
unemployment, the economic crisis and the role played by the International Monetary
Fund and the World Bank in that situation.
Ada Mart�nez explained that an additional or supplementary theme will be chosen
at the plenary session. Choices include the contribution of parliaments in the fight
against terrorism, proposed by Cuba in line with UN General Assembly Resolution No.
158; and another proposed by Iraq, concerning the possibility of countries appealing
UN Security Council sanctions before an international court of justice.
Japan has proposed discussion on child labor and the need for parliamentarians
to prohibit it. Meanwhile, Laos wishes to discuss the parliamentarians� role in
assuring economic and social development of landlocked countries, while France
advanced the theme of navigational protection against piracy and natural and
ecological disasters. Spain has introduced the theme of promoting measures to aid
countries affected by natural disasters; and Iran has proposed the theme of combating
terrorism and organized crime. The theme that is approved will also be discussed in a
commission.
In addition, the 168th session of the Inter-Parliamentary Council will examine a
long agenda including new memberships, guarantees so that legislators can fulfill
their responsibilities, and the agenda of the 106th Inter-Parliamentary Conference,
which will be held in Burkina Faso.
Within the framework of the conference, female parliamentarians will have their
own meeting to follow up the resolutions from the international women�s conference in
Beijing and to discuss the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women.
The conference�s final session will take place on Friday, April 6, with the
presentation of draft resolutions from the commissions, which may be approved by
acclamation, consensus or roll call vote. Representatives of each of the regions will
speak and Ricardo Alarc�n, president of the National Assembly of People�s Power, will
make the closing remarks.
On the following day, the Inter-Parliamentary Council will meet again to examine
the reports by the ad hoc committees.
One of the first legislators to arrive in Havana for the conference was Marcelo
Bustos Letelier, secretary of the 105th Conference. He praised the organizational
efforts of the host country and noted that only one country among the 140 members of
the IPU would not participate, due to its internal legislation. He said that the Cuban
delegation has played a very outstanding role in these conferences and that the
president of its National Assembly, representing the host country, will chair the
event through the final session, and on the next day he will assume the leadership of
the Inter-Parliamentary Council.
Ram�n Pez Ferro confirmed that there will be no U.S. presence at the conference,
even though that country was invited. He stated that the United States is close to
having its membership suspended from the organization, because in the last eight or
nine years it has not attended the conferences and in the last three years it has not
paid its quota to the IPU.
He added that the Union may not apply the sanction during the Havana conference,
so as to avoid any political implications, but at the next conference, in Burkina
Faso, the United States will surely be suspended for lack of payment.
In further reference to the United States� attitude, he recalled that last year
Washington was criticized for denying a visa to National Assembly President Alarc�n,
preventing him from attending the summit of parliamentary presidents in New York,
sponsored by the IPU within the framework of the United Nations� Millennium Summit.
Cuban deputies explained the work carried out by the National Assembly, in
particular its ties to other parliaments and international and local institutions.
http://www.granma.cu/ingles/marzo4/13tribun-i.html
