Radio Havana Cuba-30 March 2001
Via NY Transfer News * All the News That Doesn't Fit
Radio Havana Cuba - News Update - 30 March 2001
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*CENTRAL AMERICA DEPLORES USE OF THE REGION TO UNLEASH TERRORISM ON CUBA
*SALVADORAN LAWMAKERS LOOK INTO ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES OF POSADA CARRILES
*CZECH FOREIGN POLICY RULED BY THE UNITED STATES
*CUBA BECOMES FULL MEMBER OF THE LATIN AMERICAN EAST ASIA FORUM
*MEXICAN INTELLECTUALS TELL GOVERNMENT TO MAINTAIN DIGNITY IN GENEVA
*CUBA AND ANDALUSIA STRENGTHEN COOPERATION
*NATIONAL PROGRAM TO PREVENT CEREBROVASCULAR DISEASE
*US DECISION TO ABANDON GLOBAL WARMING PACT SPARKS SCORN AND ALARM
*COLOMBIAN LEGISLATURE HEADS SYMBOLIC PROTEST AGAINST DRUG CONSUMPTION
Viewpoint:
*AT BAY OF PIGS CONFERENCE, CUBA SETS THE RECORD STRAIGHT
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*CENTRAL AMERICA DEPLORES USE OF THE REGION TO UNLEASH TERRORISM ON CUBA
San Jose, March 30 (RHC)--The Central American Human Rights Commission has
expressed concern over the use of the Central American region as a
springboard for terrorist actions against Cuba. The coordinator of the
Commission, Salvadoran Celia Medrano, said on Thursday that her organization
is preparing a study that will document how Central American nations are
used in this terrorist campaign.
Medrano recalled that terrorist Luis Posada Carriles, imprisoned in Panama
in connection with an assassination plot against Cuban President Fidel
Castro, has been a political advisor to several Central American governments
-- including the former administration in Guatemala. She also mentioned the
terrorist's operational plans in El Salvador and Nicaragua.
The human rights commission coordinator asserted that the region's
governments should immediately adopt measures to avoid these anti-Cuban
actions.
*SALVADORAN LAWMAKERS LOOK INTO ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES OF POSADA CARRILES
San Salvador, March 30 (RHC)--Salvadoran lawmakers have requested a written
report on investigations into illegal activities by a company linked to
the notorious terrorist Luis Posada Carriles. Prensa Latina News Agency
reports that the Commission on Public Security of the Salvadoran Congress
has asked for an in-depth report on the Moldtrok Company, based in San
Salvador, the capital.
Moldtrok is accused of the illegal importation of munitions, allegedly bound
for Posada Carriles and his terrorist activities. In December last year, the
Salvadoran company received a shipment of shells for 12-guage shotguns. An
investigation showed that Moldtrok -- with ties to the rightwing, anti-Cuban
mafia of southern Florida and specifically Luis Posada Carriles -- did not
have a license for such ammunition. Further, only the Salvadoran Defense
Ministry can approve and issue the special permits.
The shipment of ammunition arrived in Guatemala from Bilbao, Spain and was
then sent to customs in El Salvador. But the cargo sat on the dock,
attracting attention of authorities, who carried out the investigation.
According to the Salvadoran daily "La Prensa Grafica," Posada Carriles had
planned to pick up the ammunition from his long-time friends at the company,
but found himself in jail in Panama City -- having been arrested in November
for plotting to assassinate Cuban President Fidel Castro.
Moldtrok has had links to the terrorist activities of Posada Carriles for a
number of years. In 1997 a Salvadoran mercenary, Raul Ernesto Cruz Leon,
entered Cuba on a tourist visa and placed several bombs in hotels around
Havana. One of the explosive devices killed an Italian businessman staying
at the Copacabana Hotel in the Cuban capital. After his capture, Cruz Leon
admitted that Posada Carriles recruited him in the offices of the Moldtrok
Company.
After Posada Carriles was arrested along with three other terrorists in
Panama, investigations by the Salvadoran Justice Ministry confirmed that he
had obtained several false identities and illegal documents from government
officials and was traveling on a Salvadoran passport.
Recent statements by FMLN representative and legislator Shaffik Handal
revealed that there are clear ties between Posada Carriles and the Moldtrok
Company in San Salvador. Handal said the company served as a center of
operations for terrorist activities and that the government has been
involved in the cover-up from the beginning. Shaffik Handal and other
Salvadoran lawmakers are calling for full revelations concerning the case.
*CZECH FOREIGN POLICY RULED BY THE UNITED STATES
Havana, March 30 (RHC)--The Czech Republic's foreign policy has, for some
years now, responded to the interests of the United States. This explains
the European country's direct involvement in Washington's continued attempts
to condemn Cuba at the United Nations Human Rights Commission in Geneva.
An article in today's edition of "Granma" comments that this is how the
Czech Republic shows its appreciation to the United States for its recent
inclusion as a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
Under the title "Czech Foreign Policy is Adapting to New Circumstances," the
article asks how a society with such a high level of social problems like
the Czech Republic has the time and the moral capacity to question the human
rights situation in other parts of the world. "Granma" refers specifically
to
the acute crisis that has developed in the Czech Republic as a result of
the country's changeover to the capitalist system.
The "Granma" article points to the situation of gypsy and other minority
groups in the Czech Republic -- the victims of constant hate-related
violence. The article also mentions the progressive decline in the country's
economy in recent years, resulting in increased unemployment.
Surveys conducted in the European country point to corruption and dishonesty
as the main characteristics of Czech politicians.
The "Granma" article ends by saying that the current government in the Czech
Republic, a direct result of the socialist collapse in that European nation,
is now adapting to the new circumstances by assuming a servile attitude to
whatever Washington dictates.
*CUBA BECOMES FULL MEMBER OF THE LATIN AMERICAN EAST ASIA FORUM
Santiago de Chile, March 30 (RHC)--Cuba has now become a full member of the
Latin America-East Asia Forum -- known by its Spanish acronym FALAE.
Cuba's inclusion in the FALAE became official on Thursday, during the
group's second meeting in Santiago de Chile, the Chilean capital. The
gathering is being attended by representatives from 15 Asian member nations
and 12 Latin American countries.
The Cuban delegation is headed by the Deputy Foreign Minister Pedro Nunez
Mosquera.
Mosquera thanked member nations for accepting Cuba as a member. He said that
Cuba will continue to work towards strengthened cooperation between Latin
America and East Asia.
The Cuban deputy foreign minister said that FALAE is a very important forum,
providing for Third World nations from both regions to adopt a common
position to face challenges posed by globalization.
Cuba has diplomatic relations with all members of the Latin America-East
Asia Forum. Trade with East Asia accounts for 20 percent, and with Latin
America for 30 percent.
*MEXICAN INTELLECTUALS TELL GOVERNMENT TO MAINTAIN DIGNITY IN GENEVA
Mexico, March 30 (RHC)--Mexican intellectuals have called on the Mexican
government to observe the country's foreign policy while considering the
human rights situation in other nations.
In an open letter sent to the Mexican authorities, the Organizing Committee
of the Benito Juarez International Award, The Association of Latin American
Teachers and the Center for Anthropological Studies, among others, have
demanded that the Mexican government maintains a dignified position by
firmly resisting any pressures coming from Washington.
One of their demands is that Mexico not go along with the United States in
its international campaign to condemn Cuba at the Human Rights Commission in
Geneva. The letter recalls that over the years Mexico has maintained
friendly relations with all Latin American nations, especially Cuba.
The Mexican intellectuals point out that their country's foreign policy
should not be changed in order to please the authorities. The letter ends by
saying that the lobbyists at the beck and call of the U.S. government have
tried for 40 years to attack another government, whose only crime has been
that of defending Cuba's sovereignty and the right of the Cuban people to
self-determination.
*CUBA AND ANDALUSIA STRENGTHEN COOPERATION
Seville, March 30 (RHC)--Cuba and the Spanish autonomous region of Andalusia
have decided to strengthen bilateral cooperation ties.
Upon meeting with Cuban Deputy Minister for Foreign Investment Rodrigo
Malmierca, Adviser for the Andalusian President Gaspar Zarrias told
reporters that cooperation with Cuba remains a priority of his government's
policy. Zarrias announced that his government will earmark 6.3 million
dollars for cooperation projects with Cuba for the next three years.
Cooperation between Andalusia and Cuba has gained momentum since 1995,
especially in sectors such as agriculture, infrastructure and water supply.
The Cuban Deputy Minister for Foreign Investment mentioned that the joint
cooperation projects carried out so far include a program to supply drinking
water for residents of 56 municipalities in Matanzas province and a joint
agricultural program.
Future bilateral cooperation with Andalusia was described as promising by
the Minister and he guaranteed that the aid will be used efficiently
on the projects for which it was donated.
*NATIONAL PROGRAM TO PREVENT CEREBROVASCULAR DISEASE
Havana, March 30 (RHC)--Cuba's Health Ministry is implementing a nationwide
program to prevent and control cerebrovascular disorders, aimed at reducing
the mortality rate of this serious health problem, which claims an average
of 8000 lives throughout the world every year.
An article in today's edition of the news daily "Granma" lists the various
specialized training courses available to health professionals in Cuba to
better prepare them for their on-going battle against one of the most
dangerous socio-medical problems of today's world.
Mortality from cerebrovascular disease has increased in Cuba over the past
decades, the worst year being 1999, when 74 out of every 100,000 Cubans
suffered from some form of cerebrovascular disorder.
Cerebrovascular disease primarily affects people between the ages of 15 and
44, and those over the age of 65. The major health problems correlated with
these disorders are high blood pressure, diabetes and the excessive
consumption of tobacco and alcohol. Preventive measures contained in the
Cuban health program are mainly directed at promoting healthier lifestyles
in order to eliminate those risks.
*US DECISION TO ABANDON GLOBAL WARMING PACT SPARKS SCORN AND ALARM
Geneva, March 30 (RHC)--Criticism continues raining down on the U.S.
government following President George Bush's announcement that Washington is
withdrawing from the Kyoto Protocol on global warming. On Friday the
president of the European Parliament, Nicole Fontaine, denounced what she
called Washington's irresponsibility and disdain toward the will of the
international community.
Fontaine said that for the world's leading economic power to withdraw from
the Protocol, arguing that the cost of reducing contaminating gas emissions
is too high, constitutes an abdication of international solidarity and a
disregard for the well-being of future generations.
Switzerland's Federal Environmental Office has expressed its dismay over the
fact that a country so advanced technologically is so backward regarding its
dependence on non-renewable energy sources, charging that this dependence is
having catastrophic effects. The Swiss government agency said the Bush
administration is attempting to please pressure groups in the United States
that are only interested in short-term benefits, pointing out that this
attitude is going to turn on those pressure groups like a boomerang.
The World Council of Churches, a grouping 342 Christian churches in numerous
countries, accused U.S. government officials of betraying their
responsibilities as citizens of the planet, recalling that with only four
percent of the world population, the United States is responsible for 25
percent of contaminating gas emissions.
*COLOMBIAN LEGISLATURE HEADS SYMBOLIC PROTEST AGAINST DRUG CONSUMPTION
Bogota, March 30 (RHC)--on Thursday, Colombian legislator Rafael Orduz was
at
the head of a symbolic protest in Bogota against the consumption of drugs in
the United States and Europe. Charging that drug consumption is at the root
of illicit crop production in Latin America's Andean region, Orduz --
displaying a large poster in a central square that said "Colombian
Cooperation to Prevent Drug Abuse in the USA and Europe" -- announced that
five dollars were collected for drug rehabilitation treatment in New York
and Amsterdam.
The Colombian lawmaker asserted that drug consumption in the U.S. and Europe
over the past decade has increased five-fold, leading to a parallel
five-fold increase in the production of coca and poppy crops in the Andes --
despite the militarization of the anti-drug war.
Last Sunday, Colombian Defense Minister Luis Fernando Ramirez stated that
European countries could make a significant contribution to the drug war by
ceasing to consume cocaine, efficiently controlling the trafficking of
weapons and chemical substances used to produce drugs, and eliminating drug
money laundering in European banks. He said those banks, and not Colombian
financial institutions, contain the immense bulk of the money generated by
narco-trafficking.
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Viewpoint:
*AT BAY OF PIGS CONFERENCE, CUBA SETS THE RECORD STRAIGHT
When the United States government planned the invasion of Cuba at the site
of the Bay of Pigs forty years ago, they hoped to establish a
provisional government, which would eventually allow the U.S. direct
intervention and the liquidation of the Cuban Revolution.
The invasion was plotted and planned to the last detail, but they did not
take into account the foundation on which the Cuban revolution was
built. Now, forty years later at the Bay of Pigs conference held here in
Havana, people from both sides -- Cuba and the U.S. -- have discussed and
examined the events prior to and during the invasion in April 1961.
Although the main strategy of the attack was the element of surprise, the
U.S. government underestimated Cuban Intelligence who already knew of the
training bases in Florida, Nicaragua and Guatemala. Former U.S. Secretary of
Defense Robert McNamara asserted that Washington's Bay of Pigs invasion
against Cuba was a "mistake" that never should have occurred.
It is important to note that the main objective of the conference was to
reconstruct the events and to see them in their historical context. It was
not aimed at establishing a bitter dialogue of confrontation. The
participants at the conference now have a better understanding of the
reality of the Cuban people's lives and the support that they give to the
Revolution.
The evidence given by those who attended shows that in some cases, the
invaders did not realize the extent to which Cubans supported their leader,
Fidel Castro, and that they were prepared to give their lives in order to
protect what they had gained after the triumph of the Revolution. In fact,
some of the participants admitted that they bitterly regret the part they
played but that because of their ignorance at the time, they felt they were
on the so-called right side.
This conference has given Cuba the opportunity to tell its own side of that
story. History is usually written by the victors, and although Cuba was the
victor in this war, the means and resources were not available to write this
history. Rhe deliberations and analysis are not finished yet, and there is a
plan to publish the documents and conclusions drawn from the presentations
at the conference.
The history of a people like the Cubans, who have known what it is like to
conquer the conqueror, to develop and maintain a victory that has been a
dream of other peoples, is a history that will be written by the Cuban
people themselves. Cuba will continue to write its own history, and that
history will continue to be an example to the rest of the world.
One of the main values of the Bay of Pigs conference is that it has given
Cuba the opportunity to set the historical record straight.
(c) 2001 Radio Habana Cuba, NY Transfer News. All rights reserved.
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