From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Date: Sat, 27 Oct 2001 07:12:22 -0400
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Subject: Radio Havana Cuba-26 October 2001
Radio Havana Cuba-26 October 2001
Via NY Transfer News * All the News That Doesn't Fit
Radio Havana Cuba - News Update - 26 October 2001
.
*CUBA SAYS MOSCOW'S DECISION TO CLOSE LOURDES ELECTRONIC RADAR
STATION LEAVES RUSSIA EXPOSED AND OFF GUARD
*FIDEL CASTRO HOLDS TALKS WITH VISITING GUYANESE PRESIDENT
*MEETING OF IBERO-AMERICAN HEALTH MINISTERS WRAPS UP IN HAVANA
*CUBA AND INDIA EXPRESS INTEREST IN MEDICAL COOPERATION
*TRADE UNIONS FOR CUBA CONFERENCE GEARS UP IN LONDON
*FOR THE SECOND TIME, US JETS BOMBARD RED CROSS COMPOUND IN KABUL
*HOSPITAL PERSONNEL IN PAKISTAN SAY WOUNDED AFGHAN REFUGEES POURING IN
*PENTAGON ISSUES CONFUSING STATEMENTS AND RETRACTIONS
*WHITE HOUSE SIGNS INTO LAW CONTROVERSIAL ANTI-TERRORISM BILL
*ZAPATISTA REBEL LEADER BREAKS MONTHS-LONG SILENCE AFTER
ASSASSINATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS ATTORNEY
Viewpoint:
*GRANMA EDITORIAL ON RUSSIAN ANNOUNCEMENT ABOUT LOURDES RADAR STATION
*ANTHRAX, AIDS AND PATENTS
.
*CUBA SAYS MOSCOW'S DECISION TO CLOSE LOURDES ELECTRONIC RADAR
STATION LEAVES RUSSIA EXPOSED AND OFF GUARD
Havana, October 26 (RHC) -- Cuba has warned that Moscow's decision to
close its Lourdes Electronic Radar station on the island will leave
Russia exposed and off guard. An extensive front-page editorial in
the official "Granma" news daily today asserted that the Russian
military base received 75 percent of the strategic information
necessary to prevent an aggression, and was the principle instrument
for controlling compliance with disarmament accords reached with the
United States.
The editorial affirmed that Russia will now be without vital defense
information, terming as laughable that Russia now asks Washington to
dismantle its similar electronic radar station in Norway - just 40
kilometers from Russian borders. The "Granma" editorial also refuted
Russia's economic arguments for closing the base, referring to
affirmations that Moscow could, among other projects, launch 20
reconnaissance satellites with the 200 million dollars in savings.
The editorial cited Russian Aeronautics Agency director Yuri Koptiev,
who affirmed that to build and place in orbit one spy satellite costs
approximately 130 million dollars.
*FIDEL CASTRO HOLDS TALKS WITH VISITING GUYANESE PRESIDENT
Havana, October 26 (RHC)-- The President of the Cooperative Republic
of Guyana, Bharrat Jagdeo, met Friday in Havana with his Cuban
counterpart, President Fidel Castro. The two leaders headed their
country's respective delegations at bilateral talks, held at the
Palace of the Revolution in the Cuban capital. The visiting Guyanese
president arrived yesterday in Havana, accompanied by a high-ranking
delegation that includes several cabinet members and business
representatives.
Speaking with reporters shortly after his arrival, the Guyanese
president said that he hopes his visit to Cuba will help to
strengthen bilateral ties between the two countries, particularly in
the area of human resources. Cooperation between Cuba and Guyana has
long centered on the areas of health and education. A Cuban medical
brigade -- made up of 20 doctors and medical personnel -- has been
working in Guyana for many years and Guyanese students are studying a
number of professions on the island, including medicine and
engineering.
Guyanese President Bharrat Jagdeo referred to the current
international situation, recalling that the present economic crisis
was actually affecting countries of the Third World long before the
tragic events of September 11th. While noting that many economies in
the Caribbean are suffering losses in tourism, he said that his
country largely depends on exports. The Guyanese president stressed
that the price of basic raw materials has dropped greatly on the
world market and that he believed such a situation would not be
short-term. And he agreed with economic experts who say that the only
way out is through regional integration. Diplomatic relations between
Havana and Georgetown were established in December 1972. The visit of
the Guyanese president represents a new step in reaffirming the
historic and traditional ties of friendship and cooperation between
Cuba and Guyana.
*MEETING OF IBERO-AMERICAN HEALTH MINISTERS WRAPS UP IN HAVANA
Havana, October 26 (RHC)-- The Third Meeting of Ibero-American
Health Ministers wrapped up two days of sessions in the Cuban capital
on Friday. The ministerial gathering was one of many preparatory
meetings to prepare for the upcoming Ibero-American Summit of Heads
of State and Government, scheduled for next month in Lima, Peru.
According to participants at the meeting, equal access to universal
health care was one of the main topics of discussion both Thursday
and Friday. The regional health ministers also reviewed possible
areas of joint cooperation.
Cuba delivered a special presentation regarding the importance of
governments assuming responsibility for developing health care
systems. Cuba strongly believes that the State should assume this
responsibility, despite neo-liberal economic models that are
privatizing many areas throughout the region. Among those who
attended the ministerial meeting in Havana were the health ministers
or representatives of Peru, Chile, Venezuela, the Dominican Republic,
Panama, Ecuador, Spain, Uruguay, Colombia, Bolivia, Guatemala and
Honduras. On Friday, participants approved a Final Declaration and
later toured Havana's Latin American School of Medicine, located on
the outskirts of the Cuban capital.
*CUBA AND INDIA EXPRESS INTEREST IN MEDICAL COOPERATION
Havana, October 26 (RHC)-- Health experts from Cuba and India are
meeting in Havana to find ways to cooperate in the medical
field.According to Prensa Latina News Agency, representatives from
New Delhi and Havana are meeting in the Cuban capital over the
weekend to discuss health exchanges as well as the purchase of
medical instruments and equipment. A session is scheduled tomorrow,
Saturday, to examine the potential of India's investments in Cuba, as
well as research exchanges in health care technology and
sophisticated, state-of-the-art medical equipment.
*TRADE UNIONS FOR CUBA CONFERENCE GEARS UP IN LONDON
London, October 26 (RHC)-- British and Cuban trade unionists
gathered together in London on Friday in preparation for a Trade
Unions for Cuba Conference hosted by British unions.
Cuban food, light industry, telecommunications, health and
electricity sector representatives, headed by Deputy Secretary
General of the Confederation of Cuban Workers Francisco Duran Harvey,
were welcomed by the Deputy General Secretary of the British Trades
Union Congress, Brendan Barber.
In welcoming the 17-member Cuban delegation, which includes Radio
Havana Cuba's Simon Wollers, Barber said that the conference was an
excellent opportunity for workers from both countries to get to know
each other better and to form bonds for the future. He reiterated his
organization's call for an end to the U.S. blockade of Cuba and
assured the Cuban workers of the solidarity of British workers.
Francisco Duran responded by saying that the conference was the
culmination of years of preparation and that highly beneficial
results were expected.
Some 300 delegates are expected to attend the labor solidarity
conference in London. He added that the delegation expressed their
deepest gratitude for the work of British unions to welcome the Cuban
delegation. And he told the British labor representatives present
that Cuba will never betray international workers in the effort to
improve conditions for all workers throughout the world. Duran, who
has devoted his life to labor issues, is heading the second largest
union delegation to tour since the Revolution in 1959. The conference
is sponsored by the British Cuba Solidarity Campaign.
*FOR THE SECOND TIME, US JETS BOMBARD RED CROSS COMPOUND IN KABUL
Kabul, Geneva, October 26 (RHC) -- US jets have again bombarded a
Red Cross compound in an airstrike against the Afghan capital, Kabul,
on Sabbath Friday. According to the Afghan staff at the compound,
warehouses used to store humanitarian supplies were damaged and
stocks of rice, beans, blankets and oil were on fire.
The same compound was targeted by US warplanes last October 16. In
Geneva, International Red Cross Committee spokesman Kim Gordan Bates
said the organization does not believe that the attack was the result
of an error. Bates said that with this new attack the entire
installation is in ruins and all Red Cross operations in the Afghan
capital are now over.
He said just last Tuesday the humanitarian organization had begun an
aid program for 55,000 physically impaired residents of Kabul. The
Associated Press news agency in Kabul, quoting officials at the Wazir
Akbar Khan Hospital, said late night bombing Thursday killed 3
children.
*HOSPITAL PERSONNEL IN PAKISTAN SAY WOUNDED AFGHAN REFUGEES POURING IN
Quetta, Pakistan, October 26 (RHC) -- In yet another indication of
the large number of civilian victims in the bombardment of
Afghanistan, Pakistani hospitals near the Afghan border are reporting
a constant arrival of wounded refugees.
In Pakistan's western city Quetta, health professionals told the AFP
news agency that the number of mostly women and children needing
attention for arms and legs crushed in the cave in of buildings, or
suffering shrapnel wounds, amputated limbs and head wounds is
threatening to spark a crisis in the city's hospitals.
Doctor Shahzad Jan, of Quetta's Sandeman Hospital, said his health
center alone is daily receiving between 60 and 70 wounded Afghan
refugees, adding that many of the cities hospitals are in the same
situation. Patients arriving from Kandahar, the Taliban stronghold,
say the city is empty and has been reduced to rubble.
Doctor Saleh Tareen said the situation in the region would be worse
if Pakistani authorities were to open the Chaman border crossing
where thousands of Afghans are camped in precarious conditions.
*PENTAGON ISSUES CONFUSING STATEMENTS AND RETRACTIONS
Washigton, October 26 (RHC_ -- In what appears to be a damage
control scramble, US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld has
backtracked on his affirmation that Osama Bin Laden's capture or
elimination is unlikely.
At a Pentagon press conference, Rumsfeld claimed that the influential
news daily "USA Today" misinterpreted his reported statement that Bin
Laden's capture or elimination would be very difficult because he has
the support of a lot of money and a lot of people in a world in which
there are many countries where he could seek refuge.
The defense secretary told "USA Today" that looking for Bin Laden and
his Al Qaida terrorist network was like looking for a needle in a
haystack. Rumsfeld also said at Friday's Pentagon press conference
that US airstrikes in Afghanistan have significantly reduced the
Taliban's ability to defend itself against Afghan opposition forces -
an affirmation that the "Los Angeles Times" Friday called a
relatively upbeat assessment that appeared to contrast with the
Pentagon's appraisal the day before.
On Thursday, Rear Admiral John Stufflebeem, a senior official with
the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said that the US faces a tough struggle
against the surprisingly resilient Taliban.
*WHITE HOUSE SIGNS INTO LAW CONTROVERSIAL ANTI-TERRORISM BILL
Washington, October 26 (RHC) -- The US Senate has approved a
controversial anti-terrorism bill signed today by President George
Bush that gives police wide-ranging powers to search people's homes
and business records secretly and eavesdrop on telephone and computer
conversations.
Lawmakers worried about possible abuse of the new wiretapping and
surveillance powers decided to place a four-year cap on that part of
the legislation. But critics, like the liberal People For The
American Way insisted that it is still dangerous legislation with too
many weaknesses that could end up curbing and infringing fundamental
civil rights and liberties.
Democratic Senator Russ Feingold, who issued the sole vote against
the package, said the bill does not strike the right balance between
empowering law enforcement and protecting civil liberties. The
measure also allows for the detention of foreigners suspected of
engaging in terrorist activities for a period of 6 months - though
some news reports say indefinitely and others say 6 days - without
bringing charges and without judicial review.
Laura Murphy, Washington director of the American Civil Liberties
Union, said the bill goes beyond what's necessary to fight terrorism,
including clauses that allow for the mistreatment of immigrants, the
suppression of dissident voices and the investigation and
surveillance of completely innocent persons. Nancy Chang, an attorney
with the Center for Constitutional Rights, said the legislation
discourages demonstrations and protest activities and minimizes the
already reduced expectations for privacy granted by the constitution.
*ZAPATISTA REBEL LEADER BREAKS MONTHS-LONG SILENCE AFTER
ASSASSINATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS ATTORNEY
Mexico City, October 26 (RHC) -- The assassination in Mexico of a
prominent attorney and human rights activist has broken the
months-long silence of Zapatista rebel leader Marcos. In a letter to
the family members of Digna Ochoa published Friday in the local news
daily "La Jornada", Marcos said the assassination is a
long-ago-announced and irresponsibly ignored crime - in reference to
the 5 years of threats and intimidation suffered by the victim.
The rebel leader said the only changes that have occurred in the
structures of power in Mexico have been those dictated by the latest
fashion, while for the overwhelming majority poverty and injustice
continue rearing their faces. Following a wave of national and
international condemnation of Ochoa's murder, Mexican President
Vicente Fox Thursday agreed to establish a mechanism for permanent
dialogue with the country's human rights organizations.
Edgar Cortez, of the Miguel Agustin Human Rights Center, warned Fox
that of 150 denunciations of aggressions against human rights
activists, 8 of them have occurred during the current administration
that assumed office last December.
Activists gathering with the Mexican president asked how it was
possible that Digna Ochoa was shot to death in her office in the
center of Mexico City when she had been receiving death threats for
more than 5 years and when 2 years ago the Interamerican Human Rights
Court ordered the Mexican government to provide her with special
protection.
Viewpoint:
*GRANMA EDITORIAL ON RUSSIAN ANNOUNCEMENT ABOUT LOURDES RADAR STATION
A front-page editorial in Friday's edition of the Cuban newspaper
Granma responds to statements by high-ranking Russian officials
regarding Moscow's unilateral decision to dismantle the Lourdes
Electronic Radar Station in Cuba.
The editorial points to the Russian attempt to justify the move,
using false arguments such as the station's obsolete equipment, the
high cost of operations and lease payments, or the possibility of
carrying out the task by other means, with highly sophisticated
satellites and radar.
The editorial begins by saying that on Tuesday, October 23rd, the
Russian government revealed the alleged motives behind President
Vladimir Putin's decision to close the Russian electronic radar
station in Cuba. Russia's national television network reported that
on Tuesday, the 23rd, President Putin met for four hours with the
leaders of all parliamentary groups represented in the Duma -- the
lower chamber of the Russian Parliament -- to discuss the closure of
bases in Vietnam and Cuba.
Russian parliamentary leader Viacheslav Volodin said that the closure
of the electronic radar station in Cuba is far more than a mere
economic decision, but has a strategic nature under the present
circumstances.
The television network then broadcast a report by a Russian
journalist, who seemed very well informed about his government's
decision to close the bases in Vietnam and Cuba. In his report, the
journalist said that the equipment was totally obsolete and that the
money used to pay the lease and maintenance of the station could be
better used to purchase state-of-the-art equipment, which would do
the job that the electronic radar station in Cuba has done over the
years.
According to the news report, Cuba itself would one day demand the
closure of the radar station, because in terms of economic exchange,
the island had already turned down some Russian proposals in order to
accept larger business offers from Western nations. He also mentioned
that Havana has not even solved the problem of its debt with Moscow.
This interpretation of the current differences between the
governments of Cuba and Russia, said the Cuban editorial, is full of
ill-intended omissions, arbitrary judgements and false arguments.
Cuba has no other choice but to respond with the truth to this
attempt to confuse Russian and international public opinion.
The Granma editorial then points to statements on the issue by other
Russian personalities, among them Vladimir Platonov, President of the
Duma, who stated that the dismantling of the radar station is a
tragedy. Former Russian Defense Minister Igor Rodionov affirmed that
the withdrawal from the Lourdes Electronic Radar station is the
continuation of a series of concessions Russia is granting to the
United States. Rodionov recalled that the base in Cuba controls the
entire Western Hemisphere and is an essential element to contain an
eventual U.S. aggression. Former President Boris Yeltsin also warned
that the decision to close military bases outside the country is not
clear and that the issue demanded a thorough analysis.
The Granma editorial recalled that during his visit to Cuba just ten
months ago, President Putin visited the station and never said a word
about Russia preparing to dismantle it. Moreover, says the editorial,
Putin even put it in writing, expressing his intention to further
develop the station, to improve it in the interest of both nations.
On that occasion, President Putin, referring to the Lourdes
electronic radar station, said in a press conference that the station
was functioning under the international laws and regulations and that
Cuba and Russia were both very interested in further developing the
station.
The Cuban editorial states that neither in his visit to the station
nor during his entire stay in Cuba, did President Putin or any of the
high-ranking Russian military officials that accompanied him say a
word about closing the base. On the contrary, over the past ten
years, Russia had been devoted to improving the station.
It should also be noted, according to the editorial, that Russia was
always requesting further extensions of the lease period -- longer
than the five-year period agreed to by both nations. It was only
after the visit of President Putin in December 2000 that Cuba agreed
to extend the period to ten years.
The editorial in Friday morning's edition of Granma asks how it is
possible that the announcement to close the Electronic Radar Station
can be made only a few months after the Russian president's visit to
the island and in the middle of an international crisis that
constitutes a grave risk for world peace and especially for Cuba. The
editorial notes that Cuba has been subjected to more than 40 years of
an economic blockade, aggressions and terrorist attacks and that
Cuban authorities have argued that this particular moment is perhaps
the most inopportune and dangerous for such an announcement to be
made.
Friday's editorial in Granma reveals that the Lourdes Electronic
Radar Station provides Russia with 75 percent of the strategic
information Moscow needs to prevent an attack, while serving as the
principle instrument to monitor U.S. compliance with disarmament
treaties. Without the Lourdes station, points out the editorial,
Moscow will be left without essential information for its defense.
The editorial concludes by saying that further details and arguments
concerning Cuba's position on the recent announcement to close the
Lourdes station will be revealed in the future.
*ANTHRAX, AIDS AND PATENTS
Since its mysterious appearance two decades ago, AIDS has killed
more than 22 million people. At this moment,37 million human beings
are condemned to death by the so far incurable virus. Most of the
victims and the next victims, live in the Third World and the
anti-AIDS cocktails which are prolonging the lives of AIDS suffers,
are too expensive for the poor. The developing nations are now waging
an ethical and legal battle to be able to buy or produce generic
medicines at lower prices than those of the big pharmaceutical
transnationals, owners of the patents.
This polemic took on global proportions when the South African
government announced that it would not remain passive in the face of
the suffering of the country's more than four million HIV positive
citizens. Brazil adopted a similar position in order to be able to
continue its program of providing AIDS medicines free-or-charge to
victims of the disease. But a World Trade Organization agreement
prohibits buying generic medicines. The United States, Canada and
Europe have defended that accord.
Paradoxically, faced with the panic sparked by Anthrax, on Tuesday
the US government threatened that it would stop buying the antibiotic
known as "Cipro" if the German company Bayer didn't lower the price.
"The price is the problem, not the offer. We are not going to pay the
price that they are asking", warned US Secretary of Health, Tommy
Thompson, who declared that the White House was willing to seek
authorization from the Congress to disregard the Cipro patent and
find a generic substitute, even though this would certainly mean a
lawsuit against the United States.
Under heavy US pressure, Bayer dropped the price of Cipro from $1.77
to 95 cents; a significant reduction, which nevertheless, is still
much higher than the generic version sold in India for three cents.
Many analysts believe that the United States came to this agreement
with Bayer to maintain its position on the laws of intellectual
property, which will be one of the most important topics on the
agenda of the WTO meeting set for November 9 - 13 in Qatar.
Health activists charge that the United States-Bayer agreement is
simply a maneuver to avoid setting a precedent which could used
against the Bush Administration in the upcoming World Trade
Organization meeting where the topic of economically accessible
anti-AIDS drugs is sure to spark heated debate. Thousands are dying
everyday around the world for lack of the medicines to treat AIDS. In
order to halt this unspeakable tragedy, the poor nations must work
together to forge a strategy promoting urgent access to affordable
generic drugs.
(c) 2001 Radio Habana Cuba, NY Transfer News. All rights reserved.
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