From: NY Transfer News <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Date: Wed, 23 May 2001 02:28:34 -0400 (EDT)
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: [CubaNews] NY Transfer's RHC News Update-22 May 2001
Via NY Transfer News * All the News That Doesn't Fit
Radio Havana Cuba - News Update - 22 May 2001
.
*US THREATENS MEXICAN FIRMS AS CUBA TRADE AGREEMENT FINALIZED
*ICAP CONDEMNS US TARGET PRACTICE IN VIEQUES
*UN RECOGNIZES CUBA'S ENVIRONMENTAL WORK
*CUBA PARTICIPATES IN TOKYO TRADE FAIR
*NEW AIRPORT READY FOR INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS
*NGOs TO CONFRONT OAS WITH INCREASED RIGHTS VIOLATIONS
*UN OFFICE FOR HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS IN FINANCIAL TROUBLE
Viewpoint:
*FOR MID-EAST PEACE, US SHOULD FORCE ISRAEL TO STOP THE KILLING
.
*US THREATENS MEXICAN FIRMS AS CUBA TRADE AGREEMENT FINALIZED
Mexico City, 22nd May (RHC)--The United States government has once again
threatened to take action against all foreign companies -- especially
Mexican -- that are doing or about to do business with Cuba as Havana and
Mexico City prepare to sign a reciprocal investment agreement on the 30th
May.
The US stock market regulatory commission is requiring that all foreign
companies trading in the US and having business dealings with countries that
are economically blockaded by Washington, report in detail the amount and
the nature of their business. They could then be added to a black list and
forbidden to trade on any US stock exchange.
The Mexico-Cuba accords are expected to catapult the amount of business
between both nations which they agree needs to be stimulated by such an
agreement.
The new restriction of forced disclosure of the nature of their business
transactions with Cuba and other nations that Washington sanctions, will
apply only to new companies entering the stock market. It's application does
not need US congressional approval and it will go into effect at the end of
May.
*ICAP CONDEMNS US TARGET PRACTICE IN VIEQUES
Havana, May 22 (RHC)--The Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples,
known by its Spanish acronym ICAP, has condemned the latest military target
practice and maneuvers carried out by the U.S. navy in the Puerto Rican
island-municipality of Vieques.
An official statement issued by ICAP affirms that Washington's arrogance and
complete disrespect for the basic norms of civilized coexistence constitute
an aggression against the dignity of the Puerto Rican people, and a
violation of their civil and human rights. In the document, ICAP calls on
progressive forces and people of goodwill from around the world to save
Vieques against the ferocity of the U.S. navy and their continued use of
uranium-depleted missiles and other weapons that damage the health of the
Vieques population as well as their environment.
The Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples also expressed its
solidarity with the Puerto Rican activists who are in jail or awaiting
trials and sanctions in the United States federal court system for
expressing their firm opposition to the U.S. military presence in Vieques.
The latest U.S. military practices in Vieques concluded last May1st and left
over 150 detained, among them senators, mayors and religious leaders who
entered the restricted area to try to stop the U.S. military exercises,
which have been carried out in Vieques for over 60 years.
The ICAP statement ends by saying that the Cuban people will always support
the Puerto Rican people in their struggle, which is also that of all the
progressive forces and people of goodwill around the world.
*UN RECOGNIZES CUBA'S ENVIRONMENTAL WORK
Havana, May 22(RHC)--Cuba's Jose Marti Pioneer Children's Organization and
the organization CUBASOLAR will receive next month the Global Prize 500,
granted by the United Nations Environment Program, the UNEP, in recognition
of their active role in protecting the environment.
The Cuban capital and the Italian City of Turin were both chosen to be the
alternate sites for celebrations marking World Environment Day next June
5th. The World Environment Day will be marked in Cuba with a series of
activities that include the inauguration of photographic exhibits on
environmental-related topics and community debates on themes such as
hygiene, recycling and protection of the environment at the community level.
The Jose Marti Anti-Imperialist Tribune will be the site of a concert with
songs that promote protection of the environment. Officials from the UNEP
will tour the provinces of Camaguey, Villa Clara and Ciego de Avila to see
first-hand important projects for the protection wildlife.
The central activity to mark World Environment Day will take place on June
5th at Havana's International Convention Center.
*CUBA PARTICIPATES IN TOKYO TRADE FAIR
Tokyo, May 22 (RHC)--Cuba is participating in the 9th International Fair of
Investment Promotion, which is currently underway in Tokyo under the
auspices of the Japan's Foreign Trade Organization.
Cuba is participating with a large government delegation, headed by Deputy
Minister for Foreign Investment and Economic Cooperation Ernesto Senti
Darias.
The event's agenda includes two seminars on business opportunities in Cuba.
Other activities of the Cuban delegation include meetings with high-ranking
Japanese officials and executives of private companies.
*NEW AIRPORT READY FOR INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS
Santa Clara, May 22 (RHC)--The Abel Santamaria airport in central Santa
Clara City is now ready to operate international flights, coming into and
leaving the island. The Abel Santamaria airport has become Cuba's tenth
international air terminal, following refurbishing works that included a
bigger parking platform and the introduction of state-of-the-art technology
to improve flight safety operations.
The new international airport will support tourism development in Villa
Clara province, especially in tourist site such as Jardines del Rey, Las
Brujas, Ensenachos and Santa Maria Keys, visited by a significant amount of
foreign tourists.
*NGOs TO CONFRONT OAS WITH INCREASED RIGHTS VIOLATIONS
Havana, 22nd May (RHC)--Representatives from non-government organizations
across Latin America today denounced the continued human rights violations
that are taking place on the continent, saying that in many cases things are
worse than they were in the times of the dictators.
The 31st General Assembly of the Organization of American States will meet
in San Jose, Costa Rica between June 3-5 and attempt to strengthen the
Interamerican Human Rights Court.
Referring to the millions of Latin Americans suffering the consequences of
disastrous economic models, regional NGOs are all in agreement that in many
respects the sufferings of their people are worse than in the 1970s and 80s.
Poverty, prostitution and unemployment are higher than ever in spite of the
establishment of so-called democracies, said Gustavo Cabrerra of Justice and
Peace Service.
Bruce Harris, the coordinator of NGOs present for the OAS General Assembly,
said that child prostitution is of especial concern -- particularly in Costa
Rica, the host nation for the meeting. He was joined in his condemnation by
Norma Pereira of the NGO Cefemina and Juan Carlos Gutierrez, director of the
Center for Justice and International Rights. Gutierrez said that some 60
ONGs would be present for the OAS meeting demanding member states stand by
their commitment to human rights made in Canada at last year's assembly.
Norma Pereira said that she wanted a call to account of the work done to
combat disappearances, assassinations and kidnappings in a variety of
nations in the region. She and others will ask for more resources to be
dedicated to the defense of human rights in Latin America. One of their
goals is to assure that the Interamerican Human Rights Court is maintained
on a permanent basis to investigate and try cases of human rights abuse.
*UN OFFICE FOR HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS IN FINANCIAL TROUBLE
Geneva, 22nd May (RHC)--The United Nations Coordinating Office for
Humanitarian Affairs has received only 23% of the funds it was pledged to
assist the 44 million people in 19 regions of the world that are considered
to be in a state of emergency.
The director of the UN Office, Ross Mountain, explained in a press
conference Tuesday, that of the $2.7 billion promised only $640 million had
been forthcoming. The money has also been erratic with some 30% received for
Asian and European programs while only 17% has been received for Africa. The
UN agency's main operations are currently working in SW Europe, Afghanistan,
the Democratic Republic of Korea, Angola, Ethiopia, Sudan, the Democratic
Republic of Congo, Somalia and Tajikistan.
Although the major part of donations have been for food relief, Mountain
reported that the essential areas of education and agriculture have been
practically ignored by donor nations. He said there was a need to see beyond
the immediate need of feeding people to prevent future conflicts and
disasters. He said that his office as well as many others in the UN
constantly lacked funds to do the work they were supposed to be doing.
The United States has been blamed by critics in the United Nations for much
of the shortfall, paying its dues late or denying funds that it owes to the
UN due to it not being voted onto the UN Human Rights Commission for the
current term.
Mexico City, 22nd May (RHC)--The United States government has once again
threatened to take action against all foreign companies -- especially
Mexican -- that are doing or about to do business with Cuba as Havana and
Mexico City prepare to sign a reciprocal investment agreement on the 30th
May.
The US stock market regulatory commission is requiring that all foreign
companies trading in the US and having business dealings with countries that
are economically blockaded by Washington, report in detail the amount and
the nature of their business. They could then be added to a black list and
forbidden to trade on any US stock exchange.
The Mexico-Cuba accords are expected to catapult the amount of business
between both nations which they agree needs to be stimulated by such an
agreement.
The new restriction of forced disclosure of the nature of their business
transactions with Cuba and other nations that Washington sanctions, will
apply only to new companies entering the stock market. It's application does
not need US congressional approval and it will go into effect at the end of
May.
*ICAP CONDEMNS US TARGET PRACTICE IN VIEQUES
Havana, May 22 (RHC)--The Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples,
known by its Spanish acronym ICAP, has condemned the latest military target
practice and maneuvers carried out by the U.S. navy in the Puerto Rican
island-municipality of Vieques.
An official statement issued by ICAP affirms that Washington's arrogance and
complete disrespect for the basic norms of civilized coexistence constitute
an aggression against the dignity of the Puerto Rican people, and a
violation of their civil and human rights. In the document, ICAP calls on
progressive forces and people of goodwill from around the world to save
Vieques against the ferocity of the U.S. navy and their continued use of
uranium-depleted missiles and other weapons that damage the health of the
Vieques population as well as their environment.
The Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples also expressed its
solidarity with the Puerto Rican activists who are in jail or awaiting
trials and sanctions in the United States federal court system for
expressing their firm opposition to the U.S. military presence in Vieques.
The latest U.S. military practices in Vieques concluded last May1st and left
over 150 detained, among them senators, mayors and religious leaders who
entered the restricted area to try to stop the U.S. military exercises,
which have been carried out in Vieques for over 60 years.
The ICAP statement ends by saying that the Cuban people will always support
the Puerto Rican people in their struggle, which is also that of all the
progressive forces and people of goodwill around the world.
*UN RECOGNIZES CUBA'S ENVIRONMENTAL WORK
Havana, May 22(RHC)--Cuba's Jose Marti Pioneer Children's Organization and
the organization CUBASOLAR will receive next month the Global Prize 500,
granted by the United Nations Environment Program, the UNEP, in recognition
of their active role in protecting the environment.
The Cuban capital and the Italian City of Turin were both chosen to be the
alternate sites for celebrations marking World Environment Day next June
5th. The World Environment Day will be marked in Cuba with a series of
activities that include the inauguration of photographic exhibits on
environmental-related topics and community debates on themes such as
hygiene, recycling and protection of the environment at the community level.
The Jose Marti Anti-Imperialist Tribune will be the site of a concert with
songs that promote protection of the environment. Officials from the UNEP
will tour the provinces of Camaguey, Villa Clara and Ciego de Avila to see
first-hand important projects for the protection wildlife.
The central activity to mark World Environment Day will take place on June
5th at Havana's International Convention Center.
*CUBA PARTICIPATES IN TOKYO TRADE FAIR
Tokyo, May 22 (RHC)--Cuba is participating in the 9th International Fair of
Investment Promotion, which is currently underway in Tokyo under the
auspices of the Japan's Foreign Trade Organization.
Cuba is participating with a large government delegation, headed by Deputy
Minister for Foreign Investment and Economic Cooperation Ernesto Senti
Darias.
The event's agenda includes two seminars on business opportunities in Cuba.
Other activities of the Cuban delegation include meetings with high-ranking
Japanese officials and executives of private companies.
*NEW AIRPORT READY FOR INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS
Santa Clara, May 22 (RHC)--The Abel Santamaria airport in central Santa
Clara City is now ready to operate international flights, coming into and
leaving the island. The Abel Santamaria airport has become Cuba's tenth
international air terminal, following refurbishing works that included a
bigger parking platform and the introduction of state-of-the-art technology
to improve flight safety operations.
The new international airport will support tourism development in Villa
Clara province, especially in tourist site such as Jardines del Rey, Las
Brujas, Ensenachos and Santa Maria Keys, visited by a significant amount of
foreign tourists.
*NGOs TO CONFRONT OAS WITH INCREASED RIGHTS VIOLATIONS
Havana, 22nd May (RHC)--Representatives from non-government organizations
across Latin America today denounced the continued human rights violations
that are taking place on the continent, saying that in many cases things are
worse than they were in the times of the dictators.
The 31st General Assembly of the Organization of American States will meet
in San Jose, Costa Rica between June 3-5 and attempt to strengthen the
Interamerican Human Rights Court.
Referring to the millions of Latin Americans suffering the consequences of
disastrous economic models, regional NGOs are all in agreement that in many
respects the sufferings of their people are worse than in the 1970s and 80s.
Poverty, prostitution and unemployment are higher than ever in spite of the
establishment of so-called democracies, said Gustavo Cabrerra of Justice and
Peace Service.
Bruce Harris, the coordinator of NGOs present for the OAS General Assembly,
said that child prostitution is of especial concern -- particularly in Costa
Rica, the host nation for the meeting. He was joined in his condemnation by
Norma Pereira of the NGO Cefemina and Juan Carlos Gutierrez, director of the
Center for Justice and International Rights. Gutierrez said that some 60
ONGs would be present for the OAS meeting demanding member states stand by
their commitment to human rights made in Canada at last year's assembly.
Norma Pereira said that she wanted a call to account of the work done to
combat disappearances, assassinations and kidnappings in a variety of
nations in the region. She and others will ask for more resources to be
dedicated to the defense of human rights in Latin America. One of their
goals is to assure that the Interamerican Human Rights Court is maintained
on a permanent basis to investigate and try cases of human rights abuse.
*UN OFFICE FOR HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS IN FINANCIAL TROUBLE
Geneva, 22nd May (RHC)--The United Nations Coordinating Office for
Humanitarian Affairs has received only 23% of the funds it was pledged to
assist the 44 million people in 19 regions of the world that are considered
to be in a state of emergency.
The director of the UN Office, Ross Mountain, explained in a press
conference Tuesday, that of the $2.7 billion promised only $640 million had
been forthcoming. The money has also been erratic with some 30% received for
Asian and European programs while only 17% has been received for Africa. The
UN agency's main operations are currently working in SW Europe, Afghanistan,
the Democratic Republic of Korea, Angola, Ethiopia, Sudan, the Democratic
Republic of Congo, Somalia and Tajikistan.
Although the major part of donations have been for food relief, Mountain
reported that the essential areas of education and agriculture have been
practically ignored by donor nations. He said there was a need to see beyond
the immediate need of feeding people to prevent future conflicts and
disasters. He said that his office as well as many others in the UN
constantly lacked funds to do the work they were supposed to be doing.
The United States has been blamed by critics in the United Nations for much
of the shortfall, paying its dues late or denying funds that it owes to the
UN due to it not being voted onto the UN Human Rights Commission for the
current term.
Viewpoint:
*FOR MID-EAST PEACE, US SHOULD FORCE ISRAEL TO STOP THE KILLING
A five-person international commission headed by US Democratic senator
George Mitchell, has presented a report to both sides in the Middle East
conflict. The document contains some of the Palestinian's demands which must
be met before they return to the negotiating table. Palestinian planning
minister, Nabil Shaath, informed US president George W. Bush of the report
last Tuesday during a meeting in Washington.
At first Tel Aviv quickly dismissed the Mitchell report and accused the
Palestinians of being responsible for most of the violence in the Middle
East in which more than 500 people have died, 85% of whom are Palestinians.
That is because the Palestinians are unarmed and the Israelis have an
arsenal of high tech killing machines.
Among the changes demanded by the Palestinians is that all Israeli troops be
withdrawn from the occupied territories. Another fundamental part of any
agreement is that the Israelis put a stop to the building of Jewish
settlements there. The Palestinians also demand that economic pressures
against them be ended.
Unemployment among Arabs in the occupied territories is more than 30 percent
because there are simply not enough jobs in the in the areas to which they
are confined. The Mitchell report is in agreement with these points.
Ariel Sharon has called on the Palestinians to end the violence but few
believe that it is the Palestinians who are causing the violence. One thing
is certain: the only way to return to the bargaining table is to stem the
verbal violence and to secure a minimum guarantee that the next time
whatever is agreed upon will be complied with and that Sharon will be
constrained from sending in his tanks.
The massacres must stop and Israel must decide to honor its promises. There
is no other solution. The conflict has gone on for too long and has
endangered peace in the entire region. All of this depends on the United
States. If Washington doesn't act with clarity and precision the problem in
the Middel East will continue indefinitely. By now it should be obvious that
the Palestinian people will never give up -- something that must always be
kept in mind if true peace is to be acheived.
Viewpoint:
*FOR MID-EAST PEACE, US SHOULD FORCE ISRAEL TO STOP THE KILLING
A five-person international commission headed by US Democratic senator
George Mitchell, has presented a report to both sides in the Middle East
conflict. The document contains some of the Palestinian's demands which must
be met before they return to the negotiating table. Palestinian planning
minister, Nabil Shaath, informed US president George W. Bush of the report
last Tuesday during a meeting in Washington.
At first Tel Aviv quickly dismissed the Mitchell report and accused the
Palestinians of being responsible for most of the violence in the Middle
East in which more than 500 people have died, 85% of whom are Palestinians.
That is because the Palestinians are unarmed and the Israelis have an
arsenal of high tech killing machines.
Among the changes demanded by the Palestinians is that all Israeli troops be
withdrawn from the occupied territories. Another fundamental part of any
agreement is that the Israelis put a stop to the building of Jewish
settlements there. The Palestinians also demand that economic pressures
against them be ended.
Unemployment among Arabs in the occupied territories is more than 30 percent
because there are simply not enough jobs in the in the areas to which they
are confined. The Mitchell report is in agreement with these points.
Ariel Sharon has called on the Palestinians to end the violence but few
believe that it is the Palestinians who are causing the violence. One thing
is certain: the only way to return to the bargaining table is to stem the
verbal violence and to secure a minimum guarantee that the next time
whatever is agreed upon will be complied with and that Sharon will be
constrained from sending in his tanks.
The massacres must stop and Israel must decide to honor its promises. There
is no other solution. The conflict has gone on for too long and has
endangered peace in the entire region. All of this depends on the United
States. If Washington doesn't act with clarity and precision the problem in
the Middel East will continue indefinitely. By now it should be obvious that
the Palestinian people will never give up -- something that must always be
kept in mind if true peace is to be acheived.
(c) 2001 Radio Habana Cuba, NY Transfer News. All rights reserved.
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