From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Date: Mon, 19 Nov 2001 19:26:09 -0500
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Subject: RHC Weekend-17/18 November 2001
RHC Weekend-17/18 November 2001
Via NY Transfer News * All the News That Doesn't Fit
Radio Havana Cuba - Weekend News Update - 17/18 November 2001
.
*FIDEL SAYS FREE TRADE AREA OF THE AMERICAS MUCH WORSE THAN HE HAD IMAGINED
*PEREZ ROQUE SAYS UN MEMBERS REJECT WASHINGTON'S BLOCKADE OF CUBA
*CUBA FACES U.S. FOR WORLD AMATEUR BASEBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
*US LAWMAKERS CALL IMMEDIATE HEARINGS ON SECRET MILITARY COURT PROPOSAL
*CONTINUING OUTCRY AGAINST LONDON'S EFFORTS TO RESTRICT CIVIL LIBERTIES
*RABBANI RETURNS TO KABUL PROCLAIMING HIMSELF LEGITIMATE HEAD OF STATE
*ON-GOING CONTROVERSY, CONFUSION OVER DEPLOYMENT OF BRITISH TROOPS
*MEXICO: VICENTE FOX FACES YET ANOTHER HUMAN RIGHTS CONTROVERSY
*Viewpoint: WASHINGTON'S ON-GOING WAR DURING RAMADAN A SLAP IN THE
FACE TO ARAB NATIONS, A TROUBLING SIGN FOR ALL THE THIRD WORLD
.
*FIDEL SAYS FREE TRADE AREA OF THE AMERICAS MUCH WORSE THAN HE HAD IMAGINED
Havana, November 17 (RHC)-- After listening to experts and activists
during a four-day gathering in Havana, Cuban President Fidel Castro
affirmed that the Free Trade Area of the Americas is much more
dangerous for Latin America than even he had imagined. The Cuban
leader, closing Havana's Hemispheric Meeting to Oppose the Free Trade
Area of the Americas, said the proposed deal is essentially a
mechanism to make Latin American economies even more dependent on the
United States -- calling it annexation.
President Fidel Castro called on the 800 delegates from 27 regional
countries to defeat the FTAA, through unity, determination, the
promotion of plebiscites and the dissemination of information about
the eventual effects of the agreement and of neo-liberal policies in
general. He said he listened to some of those effects from speakers at
the event, from "maquiladoras" -- or assembly plants that resemble
sweat shops in Mexico, to the privatizations and spending cutbacks
leaving Ecuadorians without a social net, to the catastrophic
deterioration of living conditions, education and health in Argentina
due to free market neoliberal policies.
The Cuban leader took the opportunity in his closing speech to
announce that the U.S. government has agreed to allow the sale of food
and medicines to Cuba in the aftermath of Hurricane Michelle. In a
recent response to the U.S. government's offer of humanitarian aid to
Cuba, Havana expressed its gratitude for the gesture, but said it
would prefer to buy the necessary goods in hard cash and using Cuban
merchant vessels.
Washington insisted on using U.S. ships or those from a third country,
which Cuba eventually agreed to, explained President Castro. The Cuban
leader said this is the first transaction of this nature in more than
40 years, and that he hopes that the obstacles to normal U.S.-Cuba
relations posed by Washington's blockade will gradually reduce and
finally disappear.
*PEREZ ROQUE SAYS UN MEMBERS REJECT WASHINGTON'S BLOCKADE OF CUBA
New York, November 17 (RHC)-- Cuban Foreign Minister Felipe Perez
Roque says that most UN member-nations reject Washington's blockade of
the island and express solidarity and admiration for Cuba's positions.
Havana's top diplomat spoke with Prensa Latina News Agency on Friday,
following the closing of the 56th Session of the United Nations
General Assembly in New York.
Cuba's foreign minister said he met with the heads of more than 50
delegations to the UN session during this past week, noting that many
expressed interest in Cuba's recovery efforts in the wake of Hurricane
Michelle.
Felipe Perez Roque told Prensa Latina that the work of the Cuban
delegation was "positive and intense," pointing to the working
meetings he held with foreign ministers from Ibero-American countries,
as well as the Movement of Non-Aligned Nations and the Group of 77.
The Cuban foreign minister's packed agenda at the United Nations also
included an exchange with leaders from the European Union, at the
request of EU President and Belgian Deputy Prime Minister Louis
Michel. It was agreed to resume the dialogue in Havana later this
month. Perez Roque said he believes the meeting will take place in an
atmosphere of understanding and respect for the island's independence.
Havana's top diplomat also noted that working commissions of the UN
General Assembly submitted ten draft resolutions -- including those on
the right to food, against the use of unilateral force and in defense
of international law. Perez Roque said that Cuba's annual resolution
on the need to put an end to the U.S. economic blockade against the
island is scheduled to be presented on November 27th.
Regarding the fight against terrorism -- an issue widely discussed
during this year's UN session -- the Cuban foreign minister emphasized
that Havana has signed-on to three international conventions against
terrorism, as recommended by the United Nations. He said he formally
presented the conventions at UN Headquarters on Thursday.
According to the Cuban Foreign Ministry, these three newly signed
conventions are part of the seven passed by the National Assembly of
People's Power last October 4th. Four other agreements against
terrorism will be officially signed in the coming days -- part of
Cuba's decision to sign all of the United Nations' conventions related
to the fight against terrorism.
Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque also announced that the Cuban
Parliament would take up the discussion of new, more stringent
legislation against terrorism when it meets again next month. However,
the Cuban official reiterated that the problem of terrorism can only
be confronted with real international cooperation, conducted in the
framework of the United Nations.
Noting that the so-called "war against terrorism" led by the United
States and Britain totally ignores the United Nations, the Cuban
foreign minister said that the need for profound reform and
democratization of the world body is now more important than ever.
*CUBA FACES U.S. FOR WORLD AMATEUR BASEBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
Taiwan, November 17 (RHC)-- At the 34th World Amateur Baseball
Championship, underway in Taiwan, Cuba pushed an undefeated Japanese
team aside on Saturday and will now face the United States for the
crown.
In the all-important semi-final game against Japan, Cuba won by a
score of three to one. At the same time, the U.S. took on Taiwan --
beating the host team 4 to one and clearing the way for the showdown
on Sunday.
Despite the 12-hour time-difference between Taiwan and Havana,
millions of Cubans gathered around their TV sets to watch the game
between Cuba and Japan -- which got underway around 5 a.m. Those who
didn't set their alarms to see the start of the game were awakened a
short time later by the shouts and screams of baseball fans.
As word of Cuba's victory over Japan spread across the island early
Saturday morning, people were already preparing to watch the decisive
game against the United States, which begins at 3:30 in the afternoon
in Taiwan -- 3:30 in the morning here in Havana.
*US LAWMAKERS CALL IMMEDIATE HEARINGS ON SECRET MILITARY COURT PROPOSAL
Washington, November 17 (RHC)-- Several members of the U.S. Congress
have requested immediate hearings on President George Bush's decision
to install secret military courts for foreign residents suspected of
terrorism. Republican representative Robert Bar, from Georgia, said
the president is taking actions without consulting Congress and
without waiting to see if the recent broadening of police powers is
sufficient to combat terrorism.
Barr said he's concerned about the fundamental changes in federal laws
and procedures, adding that the magnitude of this Executive Decree is
staggering. Democratic representative from Michigan, John Conyers,
affirmed that the country is on the verge of a calamity in the arena
of civil rights. Conyers said the Bush administration has adopted a
series of measures whose constitutionality are doubtful, and that
place the Executive Power in the untenable role of legislator,
district attorney, judge and jury.
Senator Patrick Leahy, democrat from Vermont and chair of the Senate
Judiciary Committee, has called on the Justice Department to appear
before Congress next November 28th. Meanwhile, as the Justice
Department wants to interrogate some 5,000 persons legally residing in
the US and maintains silence on more than 1,100 currently detained,
California democratic representative Maxine Waters stated that this
broadening of police powers literally constitutes a dismantling of the
country's judicial system.
Texas democratic representative Sheila Jackson said indefinite
incarceration of mostly Arabs and Muslims in unrevealed detention
centers seems more like cases of racial profiling.
*CONTINUING OUTCRY AGAINST LONDON'S EFFORTS TO RESTRICT CIVIL LIBERTIES
London, November 17 (RHC)-- Criticism of London's efforts to further
restrict civil liberties continues on the rise. Amnesty International
has termed as draconian the government's proposal to imprison people
without charge or trial, in a new report leading up to Monday's debate
on the issue in the House of Commons.
The international human rights organization said the proposed
emergency legislation would create a shadow criminal justice system
without safeguards, noting that anyone deemed to be a terrorist or a
threat to national security could be imprisoned based on evidence
inadmissible in a trial and on a significantly lower standard of proof
than is applied in criminal courts.
Amnesty International is concerned about the government's proposal
that people will be categorized as a national security risk and/or a
terrorist based solely on the Secretary of State's beliefs or
suspicions, noting that the criteria for such beliefs or suspicions
are not put forth in the pending legislation and the basis for the
beliefs and suspicions will be secret.
Anyone so categorized will have their case heard in a closed hearing,
some of which may take place in the absence of the person concerned
and without full disclosure of the evidence to them, charged the
organization.
*RABBANI RETURNS TO KABUL PROCLAIMING HIMSELF LEGITIMATE HEAD OF STATE
Kabul, November 17 (RHC)-- In yet another indication of Afghanistan's
uncertain and possibly chaotic future, former Afghan President
Burhanuddin Rabbani Saturday returned to Kabul proclaiming himself the
legitimate head of state. Despite his promise to support a formation
of a broad-based coalition government, Rabanni and his thousands of
loyal, almost fanatic followers are successfully maneuvering to
negotiate from a position of strength.
The Afghan president deposed by the Taliban in 1996 reiterated his
willingness to negotiate the formation of a broad-based government,
but stated that such a move depended on what he called the seriousness
of the United Nations. The statement has been interpreted as
confirming a rift between Rabbani and the UN, which says that it's the
Northern Alliance that's obstructing negotiations for a post-Taliban
government.
And though high-ranking UN officials admit that the world body has
always recognized Rabbani's legitimacy, Francesc Vendrell - special UN
assistant represtative for Afghanistan - affirmed that this doesn't
mean he must assume control of a post-Taliban government. Meanwhile,
observers are noting that the Pashtun majority and Shiite groups fear
the ethnic Tajik and Uzbek Northern Alliance factions that seized
Kabul will try to cling to power.
And, according to many reports from Kabul, worried residents of the
capital well remember the vicious factional squabbles among ethnic
leaders when they toppled Afghanistan's Soviet-backed government. The
squabbles led to a civil war that sparked almost daily attacks on
Kabul that killed 50,000 residents in five year, while through
banditry and lawlessness warlords carved up the country into their own
personal fiefdoms.
*ON-GOING CONTROVERSY, CONFUSION OVER DEPLOYMENT OF BRITISH TROOPS
Kabul, London, November 17 (RHC)-- Afghanistan's Northern Alliance has
reportedly rejected the presence of 85 British troops that arrived in
Kabul, though London denies the report. According to Reuters news
agency, a high ranking member of the Northern Alliance's intelligence
services, Engeeneer Arif, stated Saturday that the contingent arrived
without any previous coordination. Arif said only 15 of those troops
will be able to remain in Kabul to help coordinate humanitarian
efforts.
The same report affirms that Northern Alliance Foreign Minister
Abdullah Abdullah is holding sporadic telephone conversations with
British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw. But according to the AFP news
agency, datelined London, an unnamed foreign secretary spokesperson
denied any discord with the new authorities in Kabul, insisting that
all the British troops will remain there.
Meanwhile, the Saturday edition of the British news daily "The
Guardian" has affirmed that confusion clouds the role of British
troops in Afghanistan and that the Northern Alliance is irritated by
the lack of coordination with its authorities. The news daily also
noted that, based on ambivalent statements from diverse government
officials, the contingent's objectives, how many will eventually be
deployed, and under what circumstances, are not clear.
"The Guardian" reported that there also seems to be confusion about
the role of 300 French troops that Friday were dispatched to
Uzbekistan, noting that Uzbek President Islam Karimov said that he
knows nothing about it, his government knows nothing about it, and all
those who deal with such issues know nothing about it.
*MEXICO: VICENTE FOX FACES YET ANOTHER HUMAN RIGHTS CONTROVERSY
Mexico City, November 17 (RHC)-- The government of Mexico is under
scrutiny once again following the recent assassination of prominent
attorney and human rights activist Digna Ochoa and public death
threats against other activists. The Inter-American Human Rights
Commission had recommended that by Friday authorities should release
from prison a Mexican army general condemned to 28 years in prison on
charges of illicit enrichment and dishonor towards the military -
though human rights activists say he was targeted for requesting the
establishment of a special human rights office within the armed
forces.
Amnesty International and numerous other local and international human
rights groups have taken up the banner of 54-year-old General Jose
Gallardo, but Mexican authorities refused to heed the IHRC
recommendation - stating that Gallardo can appeal his case. Gallardo
told media outlets in telephone interviews that through
intermediaries, President Vicente Fox offered to grant him a pardon,
but he refused.
He said he would not accept any resolution to his situation that
results in impunity for the military officers who imprisoned him. The
IHRC stated that if Mexico didn't comply, it would elevate the case to
the Inter-American Human Rights Court.
*Viewpoint: WASHINGTON'S ON-GOING WAR DURING RAMADAN A SLAP IN THE
FACE TO ARAB NATIONS, A TROUBLING SIGN FOR ALL THE THIRD WORLD
In a show of political juggling not deprived of cynicism, U.S.
President George W. Bush conveyed "good wishes" to the Afghan people
on the occasion of the Ramadan, as if the war unleashed by Washington
against that country and its more than 1500 fatal victims were a mere
illusion.
More than 1.3 billion Muslims around the world began this Friday a
month of fasting and prayers during which they commemorate what they
call "the divine revelation" received by the Prophet Mohammed.
This is a period when believers abstain from eating and even drinking
liquids and refrain from other acts from sunrise 'til sunset, as they
engage in a profession of faith that includes five daily prayers.
The religious commemoration has this time arrived for the Afghans in
the middle of Washington's on-going war against their country. The
U.S. has decided not to heed the plea issued by millions of Muslims
around the world who asked that the month-long sacred rites not be
disturbed.
It is true that after the fall of Kabul and the entrance of the
Northern Alliance and their American protectors to that capital, the
U.S. has cut down on its bombing, concentrating it mostly in the
south, in Kandahar and other places where they assume that the
Talibans remain strong.
But the fact is that the Pentagon's war machinery has continued to
bring destruction and suffering to this Muslim nation despite the
Ramadan, in an action that combines both the usual U.S. imperial
arrogance and a dose of clear racism along with contempt towards the
Muslim world and its traditions.
What's more, Washington's announced decision to continue with the war
in open disregard of the profound significance of the Ramadan is
indeed not only an insult to the Arab world but a troubling revelation
of what the present times may have in stock for the non-industrial,
underdeveloped, poor nations of the planet; an indication of the kind
of disregard that our nations can expect for their people and their
traditions from the U.S.-led rich world.
But again, one wonders: Isn't it, after all, a sad re-confirmation of
the old, yet invariably advancing and seemingly inevitable path that
our nations have always been following?
(c) 2001 Radio Habana Cuba, NY Transfer News. All rights reserved.
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