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Date: Fri, 1 Jun 2001 00:08:52 -0400 (EDT)
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Subject: [CubaNews] NY Transfer's RHC News Update-31 May 2001
Via NY Transfer News * All the News That Doesn't Fit
Radio Havana Cuba - News Update - 31 May 2001
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*CUBA DEPLORES PANAMA'S REFUSAL TO EXTRADITE POSADA CARRILES
*FIFTH US-CUBA BUSINESS MEETING SLATED FOR NEXT WEEK
*VIETNAM AND CUBA CELEBRATE THEIR LONG-STANDING FRIENDSHIP
*REMOTE CAMAGUEY SCHOOLS GET AUDIO-VISUAL EQUIPMENT
*CUBA'S NEW MINISTRY AIMS TO STOP CORRUPTION BEFORE IT STARTS
*JAZZ PIANIST CHUCHO VALDES THANKS PUERTO RICO FOR HONORING HIM
*HUGO CHAVEZ URGES A UNITED VOICE AMONG G15 NATIONS
*JEFFORDS RECEIVES DEATH THREATS AFTER LEAVING REPUBLICANS
*NEW DETAILS ON THE CIA's ROLE IN TRUJILLO ASSASSINATION
*CUBA OBSERVES "NON-SMOKING DAY"
Viewpoint:
*CUBA'S POPULATION TRENDS MIRROR DEMOGRAPHICS OF DEVELOPED WORLD
.
*CUBA DEPLORES PANAMA'S REFUSAL TO EXTRADITE POSADA CARRILES
Havana, May 31 (RHC)--In light of the Panamanian government's continued
refusal to extradite Cuban-born terrorist Luis Posada Carriles, Cuba has
reiterated its condemnation of that decision.
In April, the Panamanian foreign ministry officially communicated the
decision to Cuban authorities. Havana responded on May 2nd in an official
statement from the Cuban foreign ministry. On May 14th, Panama sent another
official note attempting to justify its refusal to extradite Posada Carriles
and three other terrorists of Cuban origin involved in an assassination plot
against Cuban President Fidel Castro.
The Cuban foreign ministry yesterday published its latest response,
asserting that the Panamanian government has made a frivolous interpretation
of its own legislation by insisting that the terrorists be tried in Panama.
The statement points out that the Panamanian legislation in question clearly
states that authorities can postpone extradition when the accused have been
charged in Panama.
On May 14th, Panama reiterated its argument concerning reciprocity due to
Cuba's refusal in 1993 to extradite a Panamanian who had sought asylum in
Cuba for political motives. The Cuban foreign ministry responded that the
Panamanian in question was given safe conduct by Panamanian authorities
themselves, and noted that charges of homicide against the individual only
surfaced after he was in Cuba.
The May 2nd Cuban foreign ministry statement had recalled that this
Panamanian exile later returned to his country without being charged or
arrested. Today's Cuban foreign ministry statement affirms the the
interpretation of reciprocity by Panamanian authorities is arbitrary and
superficial.
Panamanian authorities have repeated their position that the extradition
request isn't valid because Cuban authorities have not convicted and
sentenced the terrorists. But the Cuban foreign ministry yesterday observed
that, according to Panama's own legislation and the international Bustamante
Code on extradition signed by both countries, extradition is valid when
those requested have been sentenced, charged or sought.
What has caused the greatest indignation among the Cuban people, says the
foreign ministry, is Panama's insistence that Cuba has not presented
evidence of the crimes the terrorists have committed. On the contrary, the
statement says, Cuba has sent to Panama volumes of detailed information
concerning the charges that Cuban authorities have issued against the four,
for crimes against the Cuban people committed over the past more than 30
years.
Accusing Panama of lacking a political commitment to justice in the case,
the Cuban Foreign Ministry expressed its serious doubt that Panamanian
authorities will prosecute the four with the full weight of the law. The
foreign ministry statement reiterates Cuba's position that Panama will be
held responsible and complicit by the international community if the
terrorists -- because of pressure from the US government and terrorist
elements in Miami -- escape or evade justice for crimes that have cast into
mourning dozens of Cuban families and millions of Cubans in general.
*FIFTH US-CUBA BUSINESS MEETING SLATED FOR NEXT WEEK
Havana, May 31 (RHC)--Cuban and US business representatives are scheduled to
meet in Cancun and Havana between June 6-June 9. This will be the fifth
US-Cuba business encounter, in which participants will exchange information
on the Cuban business scene.
More than 50 US business people will first get together in Cancun and then
travel to Havana where they will have the opportunity to talk with Cuban
officials. the upcoming meeting will allow US business people to examine
Cuba's economic system first-hand and to evaluate business possibilities on
the island.
Despite Washington's economic blockade against Cuba, or perhaps because of
it, more and more entrepreneurs from the United States are eager to
establish relations with businesses on the island.
*VIETNAM AND CUBA CELEBRATE THEIR LONG-STANDING FRIENDSHIP
Havana, May 31 (RHC)--Relations between Havana and Hanoi continue to
strengthen, with meetings of the 19th Session of the Mixed
Inter-governmental Commission underway here in the Cuban capital.
During a ceremony held at the Vietnamese Embassy in Havana Rosa Elena
Simenon, Cuba's Minister of Science, Technology and the Environment was
awarded the Medal of Development, Science and Technology by her Vietnamese
counterpart. Expressing her thanks for the distinction, the Cuban minister
said that the medal was a symbol of the traditional friendship between the
peoples of Cuba and Vietnam, "showing how it is possible to establish the
globalization of solidarity between our peoples."
Simenon said that in the coming months and years, Cuba and Vietnam will
continue to work together to cooperate in new scientific technologies.
*REMOTE CAMAGUEY SCHOOLS GET AUDIO-VISUAL EQUIPMENT
Camaguey, May 31 (RHC)-- With the objective of enhancing the quality of
education, the Cuban Ministry of Education has delivered new television sets
and video equipment to area schools in the central province of Camaguey.
More than 2000 TV sets and 1960 video recorders are now installed in all of
the primary schools, high schools and educational centers of the area.
Local officials said that to make use of the new equipment, it was first
necessary to hook up 60 schools with electricity. The schools -- located in
remote, mountainous regions of the province -- had previously operated only
during the day with natural sunlight. Now, children from rural areas will be
able to benefit from the educational tools of television and video.
Camaguey is the third province to provide all schools with audio-visual
equipment. There are currently more than 1000 teachers and advisors working
in the Ministry of Education's program to raise the level of education in
this part of the island.
*CUBA'S NEW MINISTRY AIMS TO STOP CORRUPTION BEFORE IT STARTS
Havana, May 31 (RHC)--Addressing participants of an international meeting of
anti-corruption specialists here in Havana, Lina Pedraza, the new Minister
of Audit and Control, said that corruption is not a major social phenomenon
in Cuba.
Cuba is seeking international cooperation in the fight against money
laundering and other forms of corruption at the conference, attended by
specialists from other Latin American countries as well as Africa, Asia and
Europe,
The Minister said that although corruption is not found at high levels of
government -- a claim supported by foreign diplomats and business interests
-- it is present in middle-level government as well as in both national and
foreign firms.
While corruption in Cuba has not reached a level of serious concern, the new
Ministry of Audit and Control was established to combat corruption on every
level and to prevent possible acts of corruption by various means, including
addressing vulnerable aspects of the nation's economy. Pedraza said the new
ministry is prepared to deal with any situation relating to corruption, on
any level.
*JAZZ PIANIST CHUCHO VALDES THANKS PUERTO RICO FOR HONORING HIM
San Juan, May 31 (RHC)--Internationally renowned pianist and composer Chucho
Valdes has expressed his great pleasure upon receiving special recognition
from the Puerto Rican Senate. The Cuban musician spoke with reporters in San
Juan at the opening of Jazz Fest 2001 -- where he was honored for his
spectacular musical career, spanning more than 40 years.
Chucho Valdes said he was honored by the tribute rendered to him by the
Puerto Rican Senate earlier this week, which "was something I will never
forget." The Puerto Rican daily "El Nuevo Dia" declared that dedicating the
Puerto Rico Heineken Jazz Fest 2001 to him was a "fine tribute" to Valdes.
*HUGO CHAVEZ URGES A UNITED VOICE AMONG G15 NATIONS
Jakarta, May 31 (RHC)--Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has called on the
Group of 15 developing nations to unite and become strong so that the rich
industrialized north will listen to their voices. Chavez, who delivered the
closing speech Thursday at the G-15's 11th summit in Jakarta, Indonesia,
said the north-south dialogue is like a solemn procession in the desert,
with the north deaf and sometimes even mute.
At the Venezuelan president's insistence, the 19 countries now making up the
G-15 delayed sessions for the final draft of its first joint declaration
since the organization was founded in 1989. At the center of the joint
declaration is the call on the industrialized north to share its informatics
and communications technology with the south so as to narrow the growing gap
between rich and poor nations in this area.
But Chavez insisted on more than just a statement, obtaining the formation
of a G-15 work commission to pursue the acquisition of the new technologies.
The Jakarta Declaration also focuses on the risks and inequities of
globalization, calling on the industrialized north to give an example of its
commitment to free trade by eliminating their subsidies and adopting
protectionist measures in sectors like agriculture and textiles.
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez blasted what he called efforts by the
industrialized nations and the World Trade Organization to impose unjust
trade relations on developing countries. Next year, Caracas will be the site
of the 12th G-15 summit.
*JEFFORDS RECEIVES DEATH THREATS AFTER LEAVING REPUBLICANS
Washington, May 31 (RHC)--U.S. Senator James Jeffords has received death
threats following his defection from the Republican Party, according to the
news daily "USA Today." The newspaper reports that Jeffords is under the
protection of plainclothes police officers. Washington, DC Police Chief Dan
Nichols refused to comment.
Jeffords announced his decision to abandon the Republican Party last week
due to what he called his persistent differences with the George Bush
administration on numerous issues, including the environment and Star Wars.
A week later, Republican attacks against Jeffords have reportedly
intensified.
Out-going Republican Senate leader Trent Lott, who has to turn over the post
to the Democrats because of Jeffords' defection, said the decision of one
man has trampled on the will of the American people, calling the decision a
"solitary coup d'etat."
Democratic control of the Senate is expected to cause serious problems for
Bush's legislative agenda. The Democrats will now control key committee
chairs, and as such will be able to prioritize their own agenda while
blocking that of the Republicans.
*NEW DETAILS ON THE CIA's ROLE IN TRUJILLO ASSASSINATION
Santo Domingo, May 31 (RHC)--A former U.S. diplomat has revealed further
information concerning the CIA's role in the assassination 40 years ago of
Dominican dictator Rafael Leonidas Trujillo.
Henry Dearborn, business attache in the U.S. embassy in Santo Domingo at the
time of the assassination, told the Dominican newspaper "El Caribe" that the
CIA was initially against killing Trujillo, fearing that his removal would
lead to the establishment of a progressive government in the Dominican
Republic -- particularly following the Cuban Revolution and the failed US
invasion at the Bay of Pigs.
Dearborn asserted that the CIA was later convinced that it couldn't prevent
the assassination plot and agreed to cooperate. Numerous historians and
investigative reporters, however, have insisted that Washington --
embarrassed by its support of Trujillo's bloody, 31-year dictatorship -- saw
no other alternative.
The former US diplomat said that a little less than two months before
Trujillo was gunned down by seven assailants, the CIA gave him three M-1
rifles to deliver to the assassins. Dearborn said that, nevertheless, Robert
Kennedy -- advisor to his brother on Caribbean affairs -- was in favor of
invading the Dominican Republic following Trujillo's assassination on May
30th, 1961.
Trujillo's death led to the setting up of a civilian-military junta to
govern the country, but the dictator's repressive apparatus acted quickly
-- killing or arresting five of the seven conspirators just hours after the
assassination. When nationalist members of the Dominican military, together
with other progressive forces, staged an armed uprising in 1965, Washington
invaded the country with 35,000 troops.
*CUBA OBSERVES "NON-SMOKING DAY"
Havana, May 31 (RHC)--Cuba, the producer of perhaps the world's best
tobacco, is also one of the 191 members of the World Health Organization
supporting efforts to combat the habit.
For quite a number of years, Cuba has marked May 31st, "International
Non-Smoking Day," with special radio and television programs to encourage
people to quit.
In 1995, Cuba implemented a national program to prevent and control tobacco
consumption.
.
Viewpoint:
*CUBA'S POPULATION TRENDS MIRROR DEMOGRAPHICS OF DEVELOPED WORLD
Cuba's demographic profile, after forty years of revolutionary process, was
recently examined on the daily broadcast Roundtable.
Before the Revolution, population growth was an urban phenomenon, centered
mostly in Havana where industry and small business became rapidly saturated
with workers. This resulted in the rapid growth of an informal sector,
overcrowded living conditions and a substantial increase in delinquency.
The capital and other major cities in Cuba, similar to urban centers in
other countries today, suffered a lack of basic services such as medical
attention, education, and social security, result in unemployment and the
proliferation of problems such as prostitution, begging, and thousands of
desperate people wandering the streets.
In the 1970s, Cuba achieved what is called a "period of demographic
transition" -- the island attained a balance in its population growth. In
this sense, Cuba's demographic make-up corresponds to that established by
international organizations according to national characteristics.
The Cuban population is currently 52 percent women and 48 percent men.
Excessive male mortality, an international phenomenon, has been reflected on
the island since 1999.
The consequence of low population growth is reflected in a progressive
increase in Cubans who are over 60. This situation -- attributed to a
combination of high educational levels, women's reproductive freedom and
economic constraints -- has prompted Cuban authorities to carry out special
studies with a view to maintaining a viable population balance.
Despite recent economic difficulties, the Cuban government has managed to
intensify agricultural and industrial production, which has helped to stem
immigration from the countryside to the major cities, a phenomenon very
prevalent in Latin America and other Third World countries.
So in spite of Cuba's underdeveloped status and in spite of the economic
blockade that has so badly affected the well-being of the population, the
island's demographics exhibit the characteristics of First World nations:
low population growth and movement within the country.
Next year, Cuba will conduct its national census, which will give the
government more precise information on the make-up of Cuban society, its
distribution and living conditions. The results will help in planning
projects to advance Cuban society and further improve the quality of life of
the island's people.
(c) 2001 Radio Habana Cuba, NY Transfer News. All rights reserved.
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