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Date: Wed, 27 Jun 2001 22:58:18 -0400 (EDT)
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Subject: [CubaNews] NY Transfer's RHC News Update-27 June 2001
Via NY Transfer News * All the News That Doesn't Fit
Radio Havana Cuba - News Update - 27 June 2001
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*IDEAS OF CUBAN REVOLUTION WILL ENDURE AFTER FIDEL - CARLOS LAGE
*US-CUBA MIGRATORY TALKS CONCLUDE IN NEW YORK
*CUBA CALLS FOR STRENGTHENED INTERNATIONAL EFFORTS AGAINST DRUG TRADE
*CUBA, MEXICO SEEK INCREASED BILATERAL COOPERATION
*CUBAN AUTHORITIES CONFISCATE CITY DWELLINGS ILLEGALLY UPGRADED
*FINAL DECLARATION OF UN AIDS CONFERENCE DOESN'T SATISFY ACTIVISTS
*VENEZUELA ANGRILY DENIES PERU OR FBI ASSISTED IN CAPTURED OF MONTESINOS
*IN CHALLENGE TO BUSH ON STAR WARS, RUSSIA TEST LAUNCHES NEW ICBM
Viewpoint:
*BUSH-SHARON: DIFFERENT SHADES OF COMPLICITY
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*IDEAS OF CUBAN REVOLUTION WILL ENDURE AFTER FIDEL - CARLOS LAGE
United Nations, June 27 (RHC)--Cuban Vice President Carlos Lage said here
that the ideas of Fidel Castro are the very ideas of the Cuban Revolution,
which will last long after the Cuban leader passes away. At a press
conference late Tuesday at Cuba's United Nations Mission in New York, where
the Cuban vice president is participating in the international AIDS
conference, Lage said that it's absurd to speak of a "post-Castro" Cuba,
just as it's absurd to speak of a "post-Jose Marti" Cuba, a reference to the
ongoing influence of Marti's ideas more than 100 years after his death.
The Cuban official said the reactionary elements in Miami didn't have time
to pop the corks of champagne bottles following news of Fidel Castro's
recent fainting spell. He said the Cuban leader is in excellent physical
condition, that he merely suffered fatigue during a long speech in extremely
hot weather following a jam-packed agenda of events and a sleepless night.
In reference to Cuba's offer to provide 4,000 doctors and health workers to
the international battle against AIDS, Lage said this is possible because
Cuba has an abundance of human capital and has developed a professional
program to export solidarity.
Fielding questions about the U.S.-Cuba migration issue, the Cuban vice
president said Washington doesn't encourage Mexicans, Salvadorans and others
to immigrate, as it does with Cubans. He denied that Cuban immigrants are
fleeing socialism, insisting that they emigrate for the same reasons that,
Dominicans, for example, try to enter the United States from a country that
isn't socialist.
Finally, commenting on the state of U.S.-Cuba relations, Lage said that
after Washington's blockade, invasion and support of terrorists in Miami,
the only thing left for the U.S. government is to attack third countries --
like those in Europe -- who trade with Cuba.
Lage met late Tuesday with UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, UN AIDS Program
director Peter Piot and the heads of state of Portugal, Senegal and Nigeria
to discuss AIDS-related issues.
*US-CUBA MIGRATORY TALKS CONCLUDE IN NEW YORK
New York, June 27 (RHC)--The 16th round of migratory talks between the
United States and Cuba concluded on Tuesday in New York. The talks are the
follow-up to migratory agreements signed between Washington and Havana in
1994 and 1995.
Cuban Parliament President Ricardo Alarc�n presided over the island's
delegation to the talks, while Assistant Secretary of State William
Brownfield headed the U.S. team.
The talks centered on the U.S. Cuban Adjustment Act, also known as the "wet
feet-dry feet" policy, which promotes illegal departures from the island by
granting automatic residence in the U.S. to any Cuban citizen who arrives on
U.S. soil without being detected by the U.S. Coast Guard.
The two delegations also analyzed the new measures adopted by U.S.
authorities to extend the benefits of the Cuban Adjustment Act to Cubans who
arrive in the U.S. with false visas or papers. In adition, this round of
talks examined the current rise in cases of human trafficking and the danger
it poses to the lives of innocent people, primarily children.
Ricardo Alarc�n said that although in general terms the bilateral agreements
are working, the aim of guaranteeing a safe, legal, ordered migration of
Cubans to the U.S. could never be achieved as long as Washington has
legislation in place promoting illegal departures from the island.
*CUBA CALLS FOR STRENGTHENED INTERNATIONAL EFFORTS AGAINST DRUG TRADE
Havana, June 27 (RHC)--Cuban Justice Minister Roberto Diaz Sotolongo issued
a call for governments throughout the world to strengthen international
efforts in the fight against drug trafficking.
Diaz Sotolongo participated on Tuesday in an activity at Cuba's Foreign
Relations Ministry to mark the International Day against Drugs. On hand were
representatives of the Foreign Relations Ministry, the National Office
against Drugs and diplomats accredited in Havana.
Addressing participants, the Cuban justice minister noted that the issue of
drugs is a common concern to all societies and urged the international
community to take concrete, urgent action to confront the wide variety of
criminal activities associated with drug abuse, including corruption, money
laundering and illegal arms and human trafficking.
Colonel Oliverio Montalvo, from the National Office against Drugs of the
Cuban Interior Ministry, gave the participants detailed information about
Cuba's efforts in the fight against drug trafficking and pointed to
operation "Ache II," inaugurated last July, to capture and arrest drug
traffickers who use Cuban air and maritime space to access the world's main
drug market -- the United States.
Montalvo said that since the implementation of the operation in July up to
June 5th of this year, the Cuban authorities have seized ten tons of drugs,
thanks to joint action of forces from the Interior Ministry and the island's
armed forces.
Cuban Deputy Foreign Relations Minister Abelardo Moreno also took the
opportunity to reiterate Cuba's willingness to cooperate with other nations
in the fight against drugs.
*CUBA, MEXICO SEEK INCREASED BILATERAL COOPERATION
Veracruz, June 27 (RHC)--The 4th Mexico-Cuba Inter-Parliamentary Meeting
begins Thursday, June 28th in the eastern Mexican State of Veracruz.
During the two-day encounter legislative delegations from both nations will
discuss ways to increase bilateral cooperation and exchange in areas such as
education, culture, tourism and trade. The Cuban delegation to the
Mexico-Cuba meeting is headed by Ramon Pez Ferro, President of the Cuban
Parliament's Foreign Relations Commission.
In statements published today by the newspaper Granma, the Cuban official
highlighted the position usually adopted by these conferences against the
U.S. blockade of Cuba. Pez Ferro described the importance of such meetings
between Mexico and Cuba, for they contribute to further consolidate the
already-excellent relations that exist between the legislative bodies of the
two nations.
*CUBAN AUTHORITIES CONFISCATE CITY DWELLINGS ILLEGALLY UPGRADED
Havana, 27th June (RHC)--Granma news daily reported today that, as part of
the Cuban government's ongoing fight against corruption, housing authorities
have confiscated some 20 houses in the past few weeks that were upgraded
illegally.
Most of the dwellings had been rebuilt or upgraded using building materials
stolen from government building projects and purchased on the black market.
The majority of the confiscated properties had some illicit foreign
involvement, ranging from money provided by rich relatives abroad, to
illegal foreign purchases of homes through bribery to renovation for
unlicensed tourist rentals.
The article defended the severe penalties imposed, commenting that the
corrupting power of money was used to obtain at any cost the necessary
building materials to create luxurious residences, Building materials
destined for the homes of people living in very poor housing were stolen,
and thus delayed repairs needed to make the lives of these people more
tolerable. The bureaucrats involved will all be prosecuted to the fullest
extent of the law, added the newspaper daily.
In Cuba, houses are exchanged between residents rather than sold. This
prevents speculation and the type of social disasters that accompanies real
estate speculation for profit. However, some people are willing to spend
large sums of money to circumvent the rules. Earlier this year the case of a
foreigner who paid $70,000 to a Cuban for a house was highlighted as an
example of such fraud. The Cuban escaped to Miami with the money and the
house was confiscated by the authorities who turned it into a senior
citizen's center.
The majority of houses recently confiscated will likewise be put to useful
social purposes, such as daycare centers, homes for the elderly, and
cultural centers.
*FINAL DECLARATION OF UN AIDS CONFERENCE DOESN'T SATISFY ACTIVISTS
United Nations, June 27 (RHC)--Participants at the United Nations AIDS
Conference have agreed on a final declaration that is inadequate in the view
of AIDS activists. The humanitarian organization Doctors of the World
insists that the final so-called "Declaration of Commitment" does not
sufficiently emphasize such essential issues as the relationship between
prevention and treatment.
The document's reference to prevention programs was written in a careful
language in response to the sensitivities of diverse cultures on such issues
as women's rights and contraception. Doctors of the World also stated that
the Declaration does not emphasize the need for the pharmaceutical industry
to reduce the price of AIDS medication.
AIDS activists also say that the international mobilization against the
epidemic, called by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and numerous other
orators at the conference, will remain a dead letter if the announced
contributions to the campaign are not substantially increased. Several
countries, banks, and organizations have thus far announced a combined
contribution of only $528 million.
Observers derided the U.S. government's announcement of a $200 million
dollar contribution as "ridiculous." The Bill Gates Foundation has pledged
another $100 million, while other smaller contributions have been announced
by France, Great Britain, a Swiss bank and the International Olympic
Committee.
*VENEZUELA ANGRILY DENIES PERU OR FBI ASSISTED IN CAPTURED OF MONTESINOS
Caracas, June 27 (RHC)--Authorities in Venezuela have angrily denied that
the United States or Peru had anything to do with the capture of former
Peruvian national intelligence chief Vladimiro Montesinos.
After persistent reports by the U.S. government, repeated in the mainstream
press, that the FBI in Miami provided crucial evidence leading to
Montesinos' arrest in Caracas, Venezuelan Interior Minister Luis Miquilena
has challenged Washington and Lima to prove it. Miquilena said the police
operation was mounted exclusively by Venezuelan authorities.
Both "The Miami Herald" and the "Washington Post" reported Tuesday that
Domingo Perdomo, a former member of the Venezuelan political police
allegedly working as one of Montesinos' emissaries, was sent to Miami to
withdraw $38 million from a Pacific Industrial Bank account belonging to the
former fugitive.
However, Perdomo told reporters in Venezuela that he is in Caracas, hasn't
traveled to Miami in the past 3 years, has never met or had dealings with
Montesinos, and is willing to cooperate with any investigation.
U.S. State Department spokesman Richard Boucher also asserted Tuesday that
Montesinos' arrest was the result of information gathered by the FBI in
Miami. But the Venezuelan interior minister said neither the FBI nor
Peruvian authorities have ever provided information to Venezuelan
authorities.
Miquilena also rejected rumors that Venezuela extradited Montesinos because
of pressure from Washington, asserting that if Venezuelan authorities
believed the former fugitive should not have been sent to Peru, no
government could pressure Venezuela into extradicting him.
He said that Montesinos' presence in Venezuela is under investigation, and
that approximately 12 people formed part of a network protecting the former
fugitive. Miquilena said that Venezuela's secret police had successfully
infiltrated the network, leading to Montesinos' capture.
*IN CHALLENGE TO BUSH ON STAR WARS, RUSSIA TEST LAUNCHES NEW ICBM
Moscow, June 27 (RHC)--Russia has issued a defiant challenge against
Washington's Star Wars program, test-launching an intercontinental ballistic
missile capable of carrying multiple nuclear warheads while announcing
development of a new anti-missile system that will alter the strategic
weapons balance.
On Wednesday, Russia test-launched its RS-18 missile, a weapon that that has
been called the Pentagon's nightmare because it is capable of carrying six
nuclear warheadsand that is currently prohibited by international
disarmament treaties.
The missile hit its target 7,000 kilometers away on
the northern Kamchatka peninsula bordering the U.S. state of Alaska.
The RS-18 has a reach of 10,000 kilometers.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said if Washington violates the
Anti-Ballistics Missile Treaty with deploying its space-based missile
defense system, that not only Russia, but any other country in the world
will have the right to deploy multi-nuclear warhead missiles.
At the same time, the Kremlin announced the development of a
super-sophisticated S-400 anti-missile system that can detect Washington's
invisible strategic bombers, counteract U.S. AWACS radar aircraft, and that
can be transformed into a regional anti-nuclear missile umbrella. Russia's
military industry has called the S-400 system the only one of its kind in
the world, while the Russian president affirmed that the system is an
inexpensive and efficient response to Star Wars that will not be out-dated
for the next 50 to 100 years.
The S-400's first stage of testing is expected to conclude this year, and
Russian authorities are already preparing the groundwork for development of
the S-500. According to observers, Moscow's test-launch and announcement are
also in response to the Pentagon's claim that it needs almost $50 billion to
develop an entirely new generation of weapons to complement its space-based
missile defense system.
.
Viewpoint:
*BUSH-SHARON: DIFFERENT SHADES OF COMPLICITY
U.S. president George W. Bush has met for the second time in three months
with Israeli prime minister, Ariel Sharon. The meeting confirmed that
Washington is always willing to hear Tel Aviv's side regarding the conflict
in the Middle East.
Although Bush appeared to be trying to wrangle some conciliatory words from
Sharon to mitigate his intolerant and aggressive image, the Israeli prime
minister refused to budge on his position of refusing to talk to the
Palestinians. The hard-line Israeli politician continued to insist that the
peace talks cannot be resumed until all the violence has ended; a position
that implies his regime bears no responsibility for the conflict.
However, it was Sharon himself, then leader of the political opposition, who
last September sparked the wrath of the Palestinians by profaning one of the
most sacred of Islamic sites, Al Aqsa Mosque.
The angry protests of those he so brazenly offended were stifled by Israeli
troops, who so far have killed 465 Palestinians; 108 Israelis have also died
in the violence.
The disproportionate numbers of victims reveals just who is faring worse in
the clashes, despite the fact that Sharon, in his meeting with Bush, did his
best to portray Israel as the victim.
The White House didn't bother to criticize Tel Aviv for refusing to honor
the Oslo and Madrid Accords on peace negotiations. Nor did President Bush
speak of reducing the approximately $3 billion a year in military aid that
his administration funnels to its loyal ally in the Middle East, even though
some of the military equipment purchased with that money goes to exterminate
Palestinians every day in Gaza and the West Bank.
What Ariel Sharon heard from Bush in the White House were friendly words.
What's more, the U.S. president has shrugged off any attempts to assign
Sharon responsibility for the 1982 Sabra and Chatilla Palestinian refugee
camp massacres.
The Bush-Sharon meeting coincided with preparations for U.S. Secretary of
State Colin Powell to visit the region. After having kept a certain distance
at first, the Bush government has decided to send what it calls a "mediator"
mission, although everyone knows that Powell will employ all his talents to
convince Arabs that Washington is less partial than it seems. But that is a
story that few in the region still believe.
(c) 2001 Radio Habana Cuba, NY Transfer News. All rights reserved.
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