From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Date: Mon, 19 Nov 2001 23:56:35 -0500
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Subject: Radio Havana Cuba-19 November 2001
Radio Havana Cuba-19 November 2001
Via NY Transfer News * All the News That Doesn't Fit
Radio Havana Cuba - News Update - 19 November 2001
.
*FIDEL CASTRO MEETS WITH STUDENT ATTENDEES AT MEETING TO OPPOSE FTAA
*CUBAN FOREIGN MINISTER RETURNS TO HAVANA FROM UNITED NATIONS
*UNESCO DIRECTOR GENERAL SENDS MESSAGE OF SOLIDARITY TO CUBA
*LONDON POSTPONES DEPLOYMENT OF MORE TROOPS IN AFGHANISTAN
*VENEZUELAN PRESIDENT HUGO CHAVEZ DENIES RUMORS OF COUP, BUT
SAYS HE'LL BE READY WITH "RIFLE IN HAND"
*THOUSANDS PROTEST US MILITARY SCHOOL OF THE AMERICAS AT IN GEORGIA
*BOMBARDMENT OF AL JAZEERA OFFICE IN KABUL COULD SIGNAL GROWING DANGER
FOR INDEPENDENT WAR CORRESPONDENTS
*MEXICAN AUTHORITIES ON THE DEFENSIVE IN YET ANOTHER HUMAN RIGHTS CASE
Viewpoint:
*FALLING FAR SHORT OF EXPECTATIONS OF ELEVEN YEARS AGO, ANOTHER
IBERO-AMERICAN SUMMIT GETS UNDERWAY THIS WEEK IN PERU
.
*FIDEL CASTRO MEETS WITH STUDENT ATTENDEES AT MEETING TO OPPOSE FTAA
Havana, November 19 (RHC)-- Cuban President Fidel Castro personally
met over the weekend with nearly 100 students who attended the
Hemispheric Meeting to Oppose the Free Trade Area of the Americas. The
meeting -- with students from a dozen countries around the region --
appropriately took place on International Student's Day.
Among the issues discussed with the Cuban leader was the dramatic
situation in the universities -- where students are being trained for
the marketplace, rather than for life experiences. The students said
that most educational institutions in their countries have been
privatized and are now merely businesses concerned with making a
profit.
Expressing their appreciation for the assistance given to their
countries by the Cuban Revolution in the areas of health care and
education, the students personally thanked Fidel Castro for Cuba's
solidarity with the people of Latin America over the years.
The Cuban president talked about his years as a student and the
importance of the student movement in the struggle against the Batista
dictatorship in Cuba. During his talk with the students, Fidel Castro
emphasized the threats to education posed by neo-liberal globalization
and the Free Trade Area of the Americas, the FTAA.
Over the past week, the students had attended the Hemispheric Meeting
to Oppose the FTAA, which wrapped up on Friday. Many said they were
returning to their countries even more convinced that the so-called
regional free trade zone is nothing more than a U.S. plan to
economically annex Latin America and the Caribbean.
*CUBAN FOREIGN MINISTER RETURNS TO HAVANA FROM UNITED NATIONS
Havana, November 19 (RHC)-- Cuban Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque
returned to Havana over the weekend, following the closing of the 56th
Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. He told
reporters that he was quite satisfied with the work of Cuba's
delegation at the UN, which he described as "intense and productive."
The island's top diplomat said he met with the heads of more than 50
delegations to the UN session over the past week, noting that many
expressed interest in Cuba's recovery efforts in the wake of Hurricane
Michelle. He also pointed 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
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 Cuba took part in all the
working commissions of the UN General Assembly. The commissions
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 --
calling for 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 last 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 commitment 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.
*UNESCO DIRECTOR GENERAL SENDS MESSAGE OF SOLIDARITY TO CUBA
Paris, November 19 (RHC)-- The Director General of the United Nations
Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Koichiro
Matsuura, has sent a message of solidarity to the Cuban people --
still recovering from Hurricane Michelle.
In a telegram addressed to Cuban President Fidel Castro, the head of
the UN agency expressed his commitment to help the island in whatever
is necessary. He noted that recovery efforts are continuing throughout
the affected areas and have accelerated.
The storm, which slammed into Cuba on November 4th, was the worst
hurricane to hit the island in more than 50 years. The devastating
storm affected about 45 percent of the island's territory -- a little
over five million of the country's 11 million inhabitants.
Cuba has long maintained excellent relations with the United Nations
Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization -- and has received
recognition from UNESCO for outstanding achievements in educational
and cultural projects over the years.
*LONDON POSTPONES DEPLOYMENT OF MORE TROOPS IN AFGHANISTAN
London, November 19 (RHC)-- London has postponed plans to send another
6000 troops to Afghanistan due to Northern Alliance opposition to
their deployment, according to the BBC. The BBC reported Monday that
the Northern Alliance is virtually refusing to cooperate with nearly
100 British troops sent in advance last week to an airport on the
outskirts of Kabul.
According to the British newspaper "Daily Telegraph," an unnamed
source from Britain's Defense Ministry asserted that it's preferable
that this happens now instead of their troops being betrayed six weeks
from now. The news daily also quoted acting Northern Alliance Interior
Minister Younis Qanouni, who asserted that they don't expect or need
more foreign troops. At the same time, France is negotiating
deployment of some 60 French troops in Mazar-I-Sharif, which the
Northern Alliance has thus far not agreed to.
Meanwhile, in an effort to dissipate fears that the alliance doesn't
want to share power, over the weekend UN special representative
Francesc Vendrell said that top alliance officials appear sincere in
their promise that they won't try to limit other groups to token
participation, and that they will be willing to hold a conference on
Afghanistan's political future outside of Kabul - but observers and
diverse news agencies are asserting that in private, western diplomats
aren't so sure.
U.S. officials applauded the diplomatic developments but continued to
warn the Northern Alliance against going it alone. According to one
unnamed Pakistani-based western diplomat, the conference on the
country's political future will have to happen in days, not weeks, due
to the Northern Alliance's rapid consolidation of power. Rifaat
Hussain, chairman of the Department of Defense and Strategic Studies
at Quaid-I-Azam University in Islamabad, stated that a delay runs the
risk of a slide back into the rule of warlords.
*VENEZUELAN PRESIDENT HUGO CHAVEZ DENIES RUMORS OF COUP, BUT
SAYS HE'LL BE READY WITH "RIFLE IN HAND"
Caracas, November 19 (RHC)-- Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez Sunday
dismissed rumors of a possible military coup in his country, but
warned that if there were any such insurrection he would meet it with
"rifle in hand." With opinion polls alleging that Chavez's popularity
has begun to slip, the opposition-run media and other right-wing
forces have played on rumors of discontent in the armed forces.
Two weeks ago, military chiefs felt it necessary to issue a written
statement expressing their full support of the Venezuelan president,
while at the same time announcing that there are pockets of conspiracy
in the country, and that they're being investigated. In an interview
with the local Televen TV channel, Chavez said that within the armed
forces there is a deep awareness of the need for the profound changes
his government is undertaking.
*THOUSANDS PROTEST US MILITARY SCHOOL OF THE AMERICAS AT IN GEORGIA
Columbus, November 19 (RHC)-- At the U.S. military "School of the
Americas," thousands gathered Sunday to protest against the training
of torturers and assassins in Latin America's armed forces. More than
40 people were arrested for either illegally entering the Fort Benning
military base in Georgia or obstructing the entrance with sit-ins.
On this occasion, Fort Benning spokesman Rich McDowell said all were
released after receiving a warning and being banned from coming near
the installation for a period of five years.
Following the protest, another 31 activists were arrested in Columbus,
Georgia for participating in what was called 'an illegal gathering' --
the first time municipal police have arrested anti-School of the
Americas protesters since the yearly demonstrations began 11 years
ago.
Every year since 1990, human rights and peace activists demonstrate at
the military installation on or near the anniversary of a massacre of
Jesuit priests by the Salvadoran military in 1989.
Many of the members of the Central American nation's commando who
carried out the summary executions were trained at the School of the
Americas, called by activists "the School of Assassins." A number of
the activists have been arrested and have served federal prison
sentences on more than one occasion. Eight of those arrested Sunday
had been detained during other protests at Fort Benning.
*BOMBARDMENT OF AL JAZEERA OFFICE IN KABUL COULD SIGNAL GROWING DANGER
FOR INDEPENDENT WAR CORRESPONDENTS
London, November 19 (RHC)-- The British news daily "The Guardian" has
reported that the U.S. bombardment of the Al Jazeera offices in Kabul
could mark a turning point in war reporting. An article entitled "How
Smart Was This Bomb?" affirmed that if the Qatar-based TV station was
targeted deliberately because of its contacts with the Taliban and
Osama Bin Laden, news organizations covering wars and conflicts could
now suffer retaliation simply for reporting a side of that story that
one party wants suppressed.
The article noted that Nik Gowing, a presenter on BBC World, attempted
to get the issue raised at last week's News World Conference in
Barcelona, arguing that Al Jazzera's only crime was that it was
bearing witness to events that the U.S. would rather it did not see.
Gowing reportedly demanded that the Pentagon be called to account for
the destruction of Al Jazeera's Kabul office, but few senior news
executives were prepared to go on record and give credence to the
theory that the bombardment was deliberate.
U.S. officials have criticized Al Jazeera, which reaches more than 35
million Arabs, for coverage of the bombing that Washington has called
inflammatory propaganda. "The Guardian" noted that while the situation
is still confused, what can't be disputed is that Al Jazeera was hit
and the bomb almost took out the neighboring BBC office. Also noting
that wars are organized chaos, and that however much it likes to
suggest that it is capable of precision bombing, the news daily also
affirmed that it's clear that the U.S. has little idea of what has and
has not been hit in this instance.
*MEXICAN AUTHORITIES ON THE DEFENSIVE IN YET ANOTHER HUMAN RIGHTS CASE
Mexico City, November 19 (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 take the case to
the Inter-American Human Rights Court.
Viewpoint:
*FALLING FAR SHORT OF EXPECTATIONS OF ELEVEN YEARS AGO, ANOTHER
IBERO-AMERICAN SUMMIT GETS UNDERWAY THIS WEEK IN PERU
Over the past 11 years, the Ibero-American community has changed.
Unfortunately, the change has been for the worse and very far from the
hopes created in Guadalajara -- when, for the first time, the region's
heads of state and governments met together without the company of the
United States.
Perhaps having kept Washington out of the gatherings and away from the
most important discussions, despite its reiterated attempts to impose
itself, is the Ibero-American Summits' most important achievement.
But apart from that, little has been done in the way of creating
concrete actions for the peoples of those nations in the areas of
education, health or in the creation of desperately needed jobs.
This coming weekend, Lima, the capital of Peru, will welcome legions
of experts, observers, politicians, journalists and officials, who
create the ambiance of these gatherings; this time tinged by the
recurrent topic of terrorism.
Recent experiences have shown that Cuban President Fidel Castro was
correct when he said in the last Ibero-America Summit in Panama that
terrorism cannot be particularized; that all types of terrorist
actions must be condemned.
Unfortunately, that lesson has proven to be an expensive one for
thousands of people: those in Washington, New York, Kabul or Kandahar,
who are suffering the consequences of an evil that has arisen out of
the very structures of a capitalist society in which individualism,
competition and violence breed extremist actions.
Since last September 11th, condemnation of terrorism has practically
rained down worldwide, little has been done to eliminate the true
causes. And in the war that the United States and Great Britain are
leading against a poor and backward nation, the only thing that has
been achieved is sowing the seeds of more hatred, which sooner or
later will bear the bitter fruits that none of us desire.
(c) 2001 Radio Habana Cuba, NY Transfer News. All rights reserved.
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