From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Date: Sun, 11 Nov 2001 04:21:45 -0500
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Subject: RHC Weekend-10 November 2001
RHC Weekend-10 November 2001
Via NY Transfer News * All the News That Doesn't Fit
Radio Havana Cuba - Weekend News Update - 10 November 2001
.
*REPORT FROM REGIONAL CONFERENCE ON DRUG ENFORCEMENT IN HAVANA
*CUBAN PRESIDENT RECEIVES UNITED NATIONS UNDER SECRETARY
*AGRICULTURAL MINISTER OUTLINES PLAN TO REPLACE DAMAGED CROPS
*CUBA AID COMMITTEE SET UP IN MIAMI
*ITALY CUBA SOLIDARITY MEETING IN ITALY
*NORTHERN ALLIANCE MASSES FOR ATTACK ON KABUL
*US BOMBING KILLS AT LEAST 300 CIVILIANS NEAR KANDAHAR
*HEADS OF MEDIA OUTLETS MEET WITH BUSH ADMINISTRATION
*UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY OPENS IN NEW YORK
*VENEZUELAN PRESIDENT CALLS NEOLIBERALISM "THE ROAD TO HELL"
*PRO- AND ANTI-WAR DEMONSTRATIONS IN ITALY
*HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF EUROPEANS PROTEST WTO MEETING HELD IN QATAR
*THE WORLD MUST NOT IGNORE THE PALESTINIAN STRUGGLE - S.AFRICAN PRESIDENT
*KYOTO PROTOCOL TO BE RATIFIED, DESPITE US REFUSAL TO ABIDE BY ITS TERMS
*CHILE: CRACKS IN THE WALL OF SILENCE ON DICTATORSHIP'S ATROCITIES
.
*REPORT FROM REGIONAL CONFERENCE ON DRUG ENFORCEMENT IN HAVANA
Havana, November 10th (RHC)- The Regional Conference on Caribbean
Drug Enforcement and Control began Friday in Havana. At the
inauguration ceremony of the two-day conference, the Cuban Minister
of Justice, Roberto Diaz Sotolongo, said that the complex issues of
drug control and enforcement will be discussed in an environment of
unity, respect, and honesty.
During the conference, participants from the different countries
focused on strategies and programs to prevent the illegal consumption
of drugs as well as the most efficient ways to fight drug trafficking
and the subsequent money laundering. Delegates stressed the need to
promote dialogue among Caribbean nations in order to lay the
foundations for a strengthened Caribbean commitment to the
international fight against drugs.
Cuba has signed cooperation agreements in the field of illegal drug
trafficking with 29 countries, including the Caribbean nations of
Jamaica, Belize, Guyana, Barbados, the Dominican Republic and
Trinidad and Tobago.
The Conference finished Saturday in Havana's International Convention
Center with participation from representatives of the United Nations,
American Interpol, the Caribbean organization Caricom, UNICEF and the
Pan-American Health organization.
*CUBAN PRESIDENT RECEIVES UNITED NATIONS UNDER SECRETARY
Havana, November 10 (RHC) --The Cuban President, Fidel Castro
Saturday received Pino Arlacchi, undersecretary general of the United
Nations for International Drug Control. Arlacchi is in Havana to
attend the regional conference on drug enforcement and control.The
Cuban leader and the UN official discussed drug trafficking,
particularly in the Caribbean region, considered very vulnerable
because of its geographical location between North and South America.
The high-ranking UN official affirmed that the UN positively
recognizes Cuba's struggle against international drug trafficking and
also its recent ratification of the 12 international protocols in
relation to terrorism.
*AGRICULTURAL MINISTER OUTLINES PLAN TO REPLACE DAMAGED CROPS
Havana, November 10 (RHC)-- The Cuban Agricultural Vice minister,
Rodriguez Rollero outlined the ministry's strategy to replace the
food crops lost as a result of Hurricane Michelle. He underlined the
importance of replacing food supplies through the Urban Agriculture
plan. The Urban Agriculture plan was introduced in Cuba at the
beginning of the special period economic crisis that begin in the
early 90s. Unused land in urban areas is prepared and used for
growing vegetables.
Already the Ministry has increased the area of urban agriculture by
approximately 1,000 acres. In an interview with Granma newspaper,
Rodriguez Rollero said that the Ministry has pledged that for the
next year there will be more than 75 million kilograms of root and
fresh vegetables, of which 50 million will be sold to the state.
The Minister outlined the actions that the Ministry will take to
fulfill their promise. To replace the loss of the banana crop, more
than a million kilograms of potato tubers will be planted between the
20th and 22nd of November in the areas most affected by the
hurricane. The potato crop will be ready for harvesting in the second
half of February 2002.
Vegetables with a short growth cycle of three months will also be
planted, including sweet potato, squash, corn and vegetables such as
cabbage, tomatoes and radishes. The Minister stated that the Cuban
Ministry of Agriculture is committed to do everything possible to
ensure adequate food supplies for the population in spite of the
devastation caused by Hurricane Michelle to the agricultural sector.
*CUBA AID COMMITTEE SET UP IN MIAMI
Miami, November 10 (RHC)-- A committee made up of several long
established groups has been set up in Miami to organize sending
material aid to Cuba. The aid will be sent, without conditions, to
those provinces most hit by Hurricane Michelle. The main organizers
are Cuban residents in Miami.
The committee, who sees itself as a humanitarian organization
includes the Miami based Jose Marti Alliance, the Antonio Maceo
Brigade, the Association of Cuban Workers, the Cuban American
Alliance and Jewish Solidarity.
In an email message to Granma, Cuba's daily newspaper, the committee
announced that they would hold a press conference in Miami on Monday
to publicize their intention to send aid to Cuba. The first shipment
will leave for Havana next Wednesday.
*ITALY CUBA SOLIDARITY MEETING IN ITALY
Havana, November 10 (RHC)-- Members of 86 affiliates of the Italy
Cuba Friendship society met in the Italian city of Viareggio this
weekend. The meeting coincided with the 40th anniversary of the
organization.
Among the most notable agreements from the meeting was to continue
the fight against the US blockade against Cuba and to develop a
campaign to liberate the five Cuban patriots jailed in the United
States.
The 200 participants reaffirmed their links between regions of Italy
and some Cuban provinces. Sergio Corrieri, President of ICAP and
Maria Flores, Cuba's ambassador to Italy represented Cuba at the
event.
*NORTHERN ALLIANCE MASSES FOR ATTACK ON KABUL
Kabul, November. 10 (RHC) -Northern Alliance troops, after routing
Taliban forces from the strategic city of Mazar I Sharif on Friday
night, were massing Saturday for an offense on the Afghan capital.
After obtaining its first "victory" in more than a month of
relentless bombing of Afghanistan by U.S. and British planes, the
Northern Alliance is preparing to advance on Kabul. Meanwhile, U.S.
planes carried out multiple bombing raids on the nearby Bagram north
of the capital.
*US BOMBING KILLS AT LEAST 300 CIVILIANS NEAR KANDAHAR
Islamabad, November 10, (RHC)--In southern Afghanistan local press
reports that at least 300 civilians have been killed in U.S. bombing
raids in three towns near the city of Kandahar.
According to the Afghan Islamic press agency, as of early Saturday
133 bodies had been recovered in the town of shah Aga, 70 kilometers
northeast of Kandahar, the spiritual capital of the Taliban regime.
According to eyewitnesses, two neighboring villages were demolished
by U.S. bombs in the past three nights.
U.S. war planes bombed the villages in the Jakrez district. 70 homes
were reported destroyed in the town of Asmaan Zai.
*HEADS OF MEDIA OUTLETS MEET WITH BUSH ADMINISTRATION
Los Angeles, November 10 (RHC) - -Washington appears to be
attempting to enlist Hollywood in its war against Afghanistan. Heads
of media outlets will meet in Los Angeles on Sunday with U.S.
government representatives to look at ways to further cooperation in
Washington's so-called, " war against terrorism".
Saturday's Los Angeles Times reports that some 40 media and
entertainment executives will hold a private meeting in the swanky
Los Angeles neighborhood of Beverly Hills with Karl Rove, an
assistant of U.S. president George Bush.
Just days after the September 11th attacks in the United States, Rove
called the major media outlets together to coordinate uniform
messages about the United States.
According to the article in Saturday's Los Angeles Times, the Bush
administration wants to involve the nation's entertainment industry
in his anti-terrorism campaign through the creation of public
announcements.
Among the high-powered media transnationals participating in the
closed-door meeting will be Song Pictures Entertainment, MGM, Viacom,
Inc., Fox, NBC, ABC, CBS, and Dream Works.
*UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY OPENS IN NEW YORK
New York, November 10 (RHC) --The United Nations Secretary General,
Kofi Annan on Saturday opened the 54th session of the U.N. General
Assembly with a call to remember the struggle against poverty, AIDS
and environmental.
Annan, addressing at least 43 head of state and government and 115
foreign ministers, first mentioned the pain suffered by residents of
New York, the host city in the attacks of September 11th. But he
stressed that during the war on terrorism the world must not forget
its other problems. "It would be a kind of victory for the
terrorists" he noted, " if the United Nations and its member nations
focused all their energy on the war against terrorism". The UN
General Secretary stressed that poverty, AIDS and the environment
remain as urgent now as before September 11th.
Brazil's president, Fernando Henrique Cardoso called for the
globalization of solidarity to maintain peace and for the recognition
of a Palestinian State. After noting that neither the victims nor the
perpetrators of terror must be forgotten the Brazilian leader
affirmed that for globalization to be sustainable, it requires a
feeling of justice that is not lopsided like it is today.
Other Latin American leaders, including Vicente Fox of Mexico,
Uruguayan leader, Jorge Batlle, and others stressed that it is the
United Nations that should head the fight against terrorism.
*VENEZUELAN PRESIDENT CALLS NEOLIBERALISM "THE ROAD TO HELL"
New York, November 10 (RHC)--Venezuelan president, Hugo Chavez, told
the 54th session of the United Nation's General Assembly, that more
than a way towards economic development, neoliberalism is the road to
hell, since it has increased the misery of millions of Latin
Americans.
Referring to the U.S. bombings against Afghanistan, the Venezuelan
president called for a "war against war" as a way to achieve world
peace. Chavez also urged nations to agree to eliminate hunger,
poverty and disease in the world and to contribute to building
education and health care. He condemned the September 11th terrorist
attacks in the United States and to fight world terrorism but without
a " double standard" .
*PRO- AND ANTI-WAR DEMONSTRATIONS IN ITALY
Rome, November 10 (RHC) - - Italians demonstrated en mass today both
against the U.S. war against Afghanistan and in favor of the
bombings. At least 20,000 marched through the streets of the Italian
capital picking up supporters on the way, protesting against the
United States' bombing of Afghanistan.
Meanwhile in the huge Piazza del Populo, tens of thousands Italians
gathered for a pro-United States demonstration organized by the
right-wing Partito Forza Italia, headed by billionaire media magnate,
Silvio Berlusconi. Italy has pledged troops, planes and ships to
support Washington's war against Afghanistan.
And in the German city of Berlin, thousands demonstrated today
against the bombings of Afghanistan. Protestors also called on the
German government not to offer military support for the so-called "
war on terrorism". Participants held aloft signs reading, "Stop the
war" and "fight poverty, not the poor".
The German government has announced that it will provide logistical
support, with nearly four thousand German soldiers and health
personnel; a plan that must be passed by Parliament.
*HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF EUROPEANS PROTEST WTO MEETING HELD IN QATAR
Paris/Geneva, November 10 (RHC) - - Tens of thousands of Europeans
participated in protests today against the World Trade Organization
ministerial meeting in Doha, the capital of Qatar.
Under tight security measures, some eight thousand demonstrators
gathered in the streets of Paris chanting slogans like "the world is
not a commercial product" or "WTO, the mad cow of capitalism".
According to the organizers protestors were also demonstrating
against what they called the criminalization of opponents to the
globalized economy.
Meanwhile in Geneva, Switzerland, some 5000 people met to oppose
globalization of the world economy and the WTO. Farmers, trade union
leaders and students addressed the rally, which was held in front of
the headquarters of the Credit Suisse Bank. Geneva is also the
headquarters of the World Trade Organization.
*THE WORLD MUST NOT IGNORE THE PALESTINIAN STRUGGLE - S.AFRICAN PRESIDENT
New York, November 10 (RHC)-South African President Thabo Mbeki has
urged the world not ignore the sacrifice of the Palestinians'
struggle.
The South African President made the statement on Saturday during the
54th UN General Assembly in New York, adding that long-term action to
end terrorism should be centered on a rapid solution to all global
conflicts. He said that the situation in the Middle East demands an
urgent and lasting solution.
Meanwhile, a Palestinian was reportedly wounded after a bomb went off
while he was transporting an explosive close a Jewish settlement in
the south of the Gaza Strip. Another seven Palestinians were wounded
in clashes with Israeli soldiers.
Meanwhile, Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres and Palestinian
leader Yasser Arafat were to agree for the first time before the UN
General Assembly on the need to create a Palestinian state in order
to resolve the Middle East Conflict.
The Israeli ultra right rejects the right of Palestinian's
self-determination. Some 700 Palestinians and close to 200 Israelis,
among them civilians and soldiers, have died since the beginning of
the second Intifada which began over a year ago.
*KYOTO PROTOCOL TO BE RATIFIED, DESPITE US REFUSAL TO ABIDE BY ITS TERMS
Havana, November 10 (RHC)-World environment and Energy Ministers
have reportedly reached an agreement which would ratify the Kyoto
protocol to limit global warming, paving the way for its
implementation next year.
After difficult negotiations in Marrakech, Morocco the two-week UN
sponsored conference on climate change provides detailed guidelines
for the treaty aimed at limiting humanity's negative impact on the
earth's climate. The agreement commits signatories to limiting toxic
gas emissions that damage global warming by trapping heat in the
atmosphere, by an average of 5 per cent by the year 2012.
The 15 European Union member nations said that they will ratify the
Kyoto treaty by 2002, but the protocol must be ratified by at least
55 countries responsible for 55 per cent of the world's carbon
dioxide emissions.
Russia and Japan have already joined the rest of the countries. The
two countries' participation at the Climatic Summit was crucial after
the US refused to ratify the protocol that protects the ozone layer.
The United States heads the list of countries that produce toxic gas
emissions destroying the ozone layer which protects life on the
planet against the sun's ultra violet rays.
Ecology groups as well as developing nations have stated that the
summit was key for the future of the planet and expressed
satisfaction over the outcome.
The head of the Belgium mission and currently president of the
European Union, Olivier Deleuze warned of the dangers if the summit
hadn't been successful. The outcome, he says would have been
disastrous for the international community.
The Kyoto protocol is based on the agreements of the 1992 Earth
Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
*CHILE: CRACKS IN THE WALL OF SILENCE ON DICTATORSHIP'S ATROCITIES
Santiago de Chile, November 10 (RHC)-Chilean military and police
have begun admitting that the disappearance of over 10 thousand
people during the dictatorship was a serious human rights violation.
After the arrest of former dictator Augusto Pinochet in London on the
order of a Spanish judge who accused the Chilean dictator of
genocide, torture and terrorism, the Chilean Armed Forces and police
agreed to sit down with human rights lawyers to try and resolve the
problem of the country's disappeared. Though the military had
previously recognized the abuse, did not admit that the military or
police had made mistakes.
However, the current Director General of the Carabineros or Chilean
Federal Police, Manuel Ugarte, on Friday admitted that the detention
and disappearance of thousands who opposed the military dictatorship
was a "mistake" and said that he regretted that the situation
continues to plague the Chilean people.
A few days after his announced retirement as chief of the Chilean
police, Ugarte, who reportedly did not participate directly in the
military regime or in the human rights violations during the Pinochet
dictatorship, was the first to publicly claim responsibility in the
name of the Carabineros.
According to figures complied by the organization, Families of the
Detained and Disappeared, the majority of the cases of disappearances
were the responsibility of the Chilean police, the army and the
former Secret Police organization, DINA.
(c) 2001 Radio Habana Cuba, NY Transfer News. All rights reserved.
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