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Date: Sun, 8 Apr 2001 05:10:50 -0400 (EDT)
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Subject: [CubaNews] RHC Weekend-7/8 April 2001
Via NY Transfer News * All the News That Doesn't Fit
RHC Weekend - News Update - 7/8 April 2001
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*FREE TRADE AREA OF THE AMERICAS "SUICIDE FOR LATIN AMERICA"
*OUTRAGE IN NICARAGUA AT MIAMI TERRORIST IN MANAGUA's RIGHTS DELEGATION
*IPU PRESIDENT PRAISES FIDEL CASTRO'S PARTICIPATION AT GROUP'S CONFERENCE
*INTER-PARLIAMENTARY COUNCIL APPROVES RESOLUTIONS OF 105th IPU CONFERENCE
*ARGENTINE STUDENTS CONDEMN THEIR GOVERNMENT'S POSITION IN GENEVA
*3rd INTERNATIONAL SEA FAIR ENDS IN CIENFUEGOS
*SPAIN, ITALY, CUBA: BIG WINNERS IN INTERNATIONAL CONSTRUCTION FAIR
*WORLD HEALTH DAY OBSERVED WITH FOCUS ON ENDING ABUSE OF WOMEN
*PROTESTORS AGAINST FREE TRADE AREA OF AMERICAS CLASH WITH ARGENTINE POLICE
*VENEZUELA TO PROPOSE CREATION OF LATIN AMERICAN MONETARY FUND
*MEXICO'S WATER CONTAMINATION REACHES DANGEROUS PROPORTIONS
Viewpoint:
*DETERMINATION AND COURAGE REQUIRED TO FACE CHALLENGES OF THE FUTURE
.
*FREE TRADE AREA OF THE AMERICAS "SUICIDE FOR LATIN AMERICA"
Havana, April 7 (RHC)--Cuban Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque has
condemned discussions on creating a so-called Free Trade Area of the
Americas, calling it "suicide for Latin America."
During a news conference in the Cuban capital late Friday night, the Cuban
foreign minister argued that Latin America and the Caribbean should work
toward integration was a regional block first, then negotiate trade
agreements and relations with other regional blocks.
Havana's top diplomat said that "Cuba considers the Free Trade Area of the
Americas, designed according to the interests of the United States, to be
profoundly damaging for the interests of Latin America." Felipe Perez Roque
added that the neo-liberal economic theories involved in the free trade zone
would allow for the conditions to be created "for the United States to
finish off swallowing up Latin America."
*OUTRAGE IN NICARAGUA AT MIAMI TERRORIST IN MANAGUA's RIGHTS DELEGATION
Managua, April 7 (RHC)--Politicians, intellectuals and religious activists
in Nicaragua have expressed their strong disagreement with the presence of a
well-known Cuban-born terrorist as part of their country's delegation at the
current session of the UN Human Rights Commission. Luis Zuniga, who actually
resides in Miami and is a leader of the reactionary Cuban-American National
Foundation, is sitting as an official member of the Nicaraguan delegation in
Geneva.
Speaking with reporters in Managua, poet and priest Ernesto Cardenal
expressed his outrage over Zuniga's presence. Cardenal, who also served as
the Minister of Culture during the Sandinista administration in the 1980's,
said that the vast majority of the Nicaraguan people appreciate the
solidarity given to their country by Cuba.
For his part, priest and the former Nicaraguan Foreign Minister, Miguel
D'Escoto, said the move to allow Zuniga on as a member of his country's
delegation is -- in his words -- "shameful and absurd."
The Maryknoll priest said that Zuniga has nothing whatsoever to do with his
country and that his inclusion as a member of Nicaragua's delegation is
simply a maneuver to get him into Geneva to spread his lies about Cuba.
Father D'Escoto noted that the administration of Nicaraguan President
Arnoldo Aleman is nothing more than a puppet of the United States, noting
that this is not the first time that the known terrorist joined the Central
American country's delegation in Geneva. Last year, Managua allowed Luis
Zuniga to sit behind the nameplate of Nicaragua -- and he was equally
denounced before international public opinion.
And poet Luis Rocha, director of the weekly publication Amanecer Cultural
del Nuevo Diario, pointed out that Zuniga has no right to talk about alleged
violations of human rights, when the very same interests he represents --
that of the United States -- is THE major violator of human rights, not only
against Cuba but around the world.
The Nicaraguan poet expressed his solidarity with the Cuban Revolution and
had words of praise for the medical cooperation given to the Nicaraguan
people, free of charge, by Cuban doctors and health specialists. He also
recalled that Cuba helped Nicaragua with teachers and other volunteers
during the Sandinista Revolution -- providing their selfless solidarity to
the people of the land of Augusto Cesar Sandino.
*IPU PRESIDENT PRAISES FIDEL CASTRO'S PARTICIPATION AT GROUP'S CONFERENCE
Havana, April 7 (RHC)--Najma Akbarali Jeptulla, President of the
Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) affirmed in Havana that Cuban President
Fidel Castro is a legendary figure who has contributed his vast knowledge
and experience to the IPU 105th Conference, which concluded on Friday here
in the Cuban capital.
Addressing the more than 1400 delegates from 120 nations who participated in
the IPU meeting, Akbarali Jeptulla thanked Fidel for his active
participation in two work sessions of the conference, sharing his views on
the current international situation.
The top IPU official highlighted Fidel Castro's remarks on the poverty
affecting Third World nations, and his hope for the adoption of concrete
measures that reverse the current situation.
In this regard, the president of the Inter-Parliamentary Union pointed to
the need to strengthen participatory democracy, which translates into
health, education and equal opportunities for all.
*INTER-PARLIAMENTARY COUNCIL APPROVES RESOLUTIONS OF 105th IPU CONFERENCE
Havana, April 7 (RHC)--The Inter-Parliamentary Council passed on Saturday
four resolutions on issues debated during the 105th Conference of the
Inter-Parliamentary Union, which ended in Havana on Friday.
Work sessions of the 105th IPU conference were inaugurated last Sunday by
Cuban President Fidel Castro and were officially closed on Friday by Cuban
Parliament President Ricardo Alarcon.
In his closing speech, Alarcon expressed his appreciation that of the IPU's
105th conference was convened here in Havana. He pointed especially to the
high number of regional and national legislative bodies represented at the
event and the seriousness and respect that characterized all debates which,
he said, allowed for the approval of resolutions on issues of primary
importance for humanity.
Among the documents that were approved is one declaring Burkina Faso to be
the site of the next IPU conference. Another resolution refers to the role
of parliaments in the fight against drugs, an issue introduced on the
meeting's agenda at the request of Cuba.
Regarding the resolution on terrorism, the president of the Cuban parliament
said it does not refer to any specific country or case in particular.
Instead, it condemns all forms of terrorism.
Other documents approved by the Inter-Parliamentary Union on Saturday deal
with respect for international law in the context of world peace and
security, the importance of education and culture for economic and social
development and a rejection of the destruction of Afghanistan's cultural
heritage, being carried out by members of the fundamentalist Taliban
movement.
*ARGENTINE STUDENTS CONDEMN THEIR GOVERNMENT'S POSITION IN GENEVA
Havana, April 7 (RHC)--Visiting Argentine students said that "Cuba is a
beacon of hope for the vast majority of Argentineans" -- which is why the
Argentine government will likely vote against the island at the United
Nations Human Rights Commission in Geneva.
During a special program, aired live on Cuban radio and television on
Friday, the young Argentines expressed their admiration for everything they
learned about Cuba. The visiting delegation, made up of 53 students --
mostly from the country's Communist Youth -- arrived in Havana on March
26th. The visitors were particularly impressed by the many social gains
achieved by Cuba since the triumph of the Revolution.
Referring to the current situation in Argentina, the students said that
unlike what is going on in Cuba, human rights are not respected in Argentina
and commented that the police indiscriminately kill anyone on the streets.
They also said that the education system and the country's health care
system are in a deep crisis. The young Argentines then asked how a country
with such a high level of social exclusion, such as theirs, claims the moral
authority to condemn Cuba at the Geneva-based Human Rights Commission.
*3rd INTERNATIONAL SEA FAIR ENDS IN CIENFUEGOS
Cienfuegos, April 7 (RHC)--The 3rd International Sea Fair, FIRMAR 2001,
wrapped up Friday in the southern city of Cienfuegos.
Some 115 companies were represented at the fair, 27 of them from 13 European
and Latin American countries, including Canada.
The high quality of this year's event was demonstrated by the products on
display, as well as the 100,000-meter indoor exhibition area -- more than
three times the space rented by exhibitors at last year's sea fair.
Cuba's Chamber of Commerce announced that next year, the fair will be held
March 4th through 8th at the same exhibition area in Cienfuegos. It was also
noted that more intensive promotional work will be carried out in advance in
order to encourage the participation of greater numbers of foreign
companies.
*SPAIN, ITALY, CUBA: BIG WINNERS IN INTERNATIONAL CONSTRUCTION FAIR
Havana, April 7 (RHC)--Business executives from Spain, Italy and Cuba won
the principal prizes at the 4th International Construction Fair, FECONS,
considered to be Cuba's most important trade event in the sector.
Cuban Construction Minister Juan Mario Junco presented the winners with a
black marble figure and diplomas in the categories of stand design, good
quality, construction systems, equipment and tools.
Other exhibitors from Canada, Panama and Venezuela were also given
recognition in this year's event, held at Havana's Pabexpo Exhibition Hall.
Since its first event in 1998, the International Construction Fair has
served as an opportunity for business executives in the construction sector
to meet together and participate in specialized conferences, colloquiums and
business meetings. FECONS also provides for participants to sign trade and
cooperation agreements and explore the possibilities of the Cuban market.
*WORLD HEALTH DAY OBSERVED WITH FOCUS ON ENDING ABUSE OF WOMEN
United Nations, April 7 (RHC)--Today, April 7th, marks World Health Day. The
date is being commemorated with special attention on abuses being suffered
by women each and every day.
The United Nations Population Fund decided to dedicate World Health Day this
year to denouncing violence carried out against women. In a statement
released at UN headquarters in New York City, the United Nations agency
stated that greater attention needed to be placed on ways to prevent
violence against women in all its forms, as well as the establishment of
programs to help victims of physical and psychological violence.
According to the UN agency, many women suffer from physical and sexual abuse
--and exhibit depression, anxiety, fear, low self-esteem and other disorders
as a result of that violence.
World Health Day marks the beginning of an international effort to eliminate
many so-called traditional, and thus "accepted," practices of machismo --
with a focus on ways to help treat those who suffer abuse, as well as
educational programs and preventive measures to stop violence against women.
*PROTESTORS AGAINST FREE TRADE AREA OF AMERICAS CLASH WITH ARGENTINE POLICE
Buenos Aires, April 7 (RHC)--A total of six people were injured and at least
nine demonstrators were arrested during protests Friday night in Buenos
Aires, the Argentine capital. More than 10,000 labor activists took to the
streets last night to protest against an eventual Free Trade Area of the
Americas and the closed-door meeting which officially got underway on
Saturday in Buenos Aires.
Protesters clashed with anti-riot police late Friday night, who pushed back
the demonstrators with clubs and tear-gas. Demonstrators against neo-liberal
economic policies and the secret negotiations for a regional free trade zone
attacked a number of targets, including bank and financial offices and a
McDonalds fast food restaurant.
This weekend's meeting in Buenos Aires is a prelude to the Third Summit of
the Americas, slated for Quebec, Canada later this month -- when the
presidents and heads of state of 34 countries from the Americas will gather
to discuss the issue of a Free Trade Area.
*VENEZUELA TO PROPOSE CREATION OF LATIN AMERICAN MONETARY FUND
Caracas, April 7 (RHC)--Venezuela will propose the creation of a Latin
American Monetary Fund during the next meeting of the Summit of the Andean
Community of Nations, slated for next June in Caracas.
The Director of International Economic Affairs of the Venezuelan Foreign
Ministry, Mario Gugliemelli, told reporters that the proposal will be made
by President Hugo Chavez. According to Gugliemelli, the idea of such a fund
would be to provide finances to member nations for economic and social
development programs.
The Venezuelan official also stated that during the regional summit his
country will propose the establishment of a Council of Social Affairs,
designed to promote active participation in all decisions of the Andean
Community.
Among the issues to be discussed during the Summit of the Andean Community
which will be held from June 23-25, will be the goal of establishing an
Andean Common Market by the year 2005.
*MEXICO'S WATER CONTAMINATION REACHES DANGEROUS PROPORTIONS
Mexico City, April 7 (RHC)--Nearly 93 percent of water sources in Mexico are
contaminated to one degree or another. According to a study by the National
Water Commission of Mexico, rivers and wells throughout the country are fast
becoming an endangered species.
The study conducted by the Water Commission took samples from 225 rivers, 62
lakes and water sources in Mexico -- discovering that more than nine out of
10 were contaminated. The same report reveals that only 0.2 percent of the
sources tested contained what could be considered as "excellent" quality.
Experts have warned for years that the constant discharge of industrial
waste in national waters is a grave risk to human health. Observers agree
that the proper treatment of water supplies in Mexico is a serious problem
and must be dealt with immediately.
There have been widespread reports of gastrointestinal illnesses in Mexico
as a direct result of contaminated water supplies. Experts emphasize that
those most affected by unclean water sources are poor people with the least
resources.
.
Viewpoint:
*DETERMINATION AND COURAGE REQUIRED TO FACE CHALLENGES OF THE FUTURE
The 105th Inter-Parliamentary Union Conference, which just wrapped up here
in Havana, along with the series of programs aired by Cuban radio and
television called "The Bay of Pigs: 40 Years Later," undoubtedly were the
two major events that took place in Cuba this past week.
In his speech at the 105th Inter-Parliamentary Conference Thursday evening,
Cuban President Fidel Castro clearly outlined the principles which Cuba has
defended during its long-term confrontation with the United States -- the
biggest economic, political and military power in history.
At the same time that this important conference of legislators from around
the world was taking place here in the Cuban capital, national radio and
television, as well as the international shortwave frequencies of Radio
Havana Cuba, aired a series that reported on the events that took place 40
years ago, when US-supported mercenaries launched the Bay of Pigs invasion
-- a vain attempt to destroy the Cuban Revolution. The mercenary forces were
defeated by the Cuban people in less than 72 hours.
Now, 40 years after that historic event -- which has always been considered
as the first military defeat of the United States in Latin America -- the
truth that Cuba has always stood for and defended with its own blood becomes
even clearer. There's no longer room for doubt, not only about the basis of
Cuba's struggle, but also regarding the principles of the struggle currently
staged by millions of people around the world. This struggle is against a
way of life which is unsustainable for the majority of human beings
inhabiting our planet.
The Cuban people have found no other road than that embarked upon by their
Revolution. And that path will continue to be an example to follow in the
future, proving the importance of the determination and courage of our
peoples.
(c) 2001 Radio Habana Cuba, NY Transfer News. All rights reserved.
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