From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Date: Sat, 13 Oct 2001 07:54:18 -0400
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Subject: Radio Havana Cuba-12 October 2001
Radio Havana Cuba-12 October 2001
Via NY Transfer News * All the News That Doesn't Fit
Radio Havana Cuba - News Update - 12 October 2001
.
*LATIN AMERICAN, CARIBBEAN JOURNALISTS' CONGRESS CONCLUDES IN HAVANA
*TWO IMPORTANT CUBAN OIL PROJECTS OPENED BY VICE PRESIDENT
*US COINAGE NO LONGER VALID IN CUBA AS OF THE 15TH OCTOBER
*HUMANITARIAN ORGANIZATIONS CALL FOR PAUSE IN BOMBARDMENT OF
AFGHANISTAN TO GET RELIEF AID INTO THE COUNTRY
*NUMEROUS ANTI-US DEMONSTRATIONS IN ASIA AND MIDDLE EAST
*CHRISTOPHER DODD PUBLICLY DEFENDS OPPOSITION TO OTTO REICH NOMINATION
*PRESIDENT BUSH "SURPRISED" BY ANTI-US SENTIMENTS AMONG SOME ISLAMIC GROUPS
*US SENATE APPROVES ANTI-TERRORISM LEGISLATION, ALARMING CIVIL LIBERTARIANS
*RIGHT-WING PARAMILITARIES IN COLOMBIA STEP UP DEATH SQUAD ACTIVITY
*SOME QUESTION UN SECRETARY GENERAL KOFI ANNAN'S NOBEL PEACE PRIZE
Viewpoint:
*ARGENTINES LIKELY TO SEEK REVENGE AT THE POLLS THIS WEEKEND
*HURRICANE IRIS SLAMS INTO CARIBBEAN
.
*LATIN AMERICAN, CARIBBEAN JOURNALISTS' CONGRESS CONCLUDES IN HAVANA
Havana, October 12 (RHC)--In closing the Congress of Latin American
and Caribbean Journalists, Cuban president, Fidel Castro, Thursday
said that there was little doubt that he had spent the week in the
company of journalists of great talent and values.
During the closing ceremony, the leader of the Cuban Revolution
reflected on the current world situation, which, he said, it far more
serious than we can possibly imagine.
The Cuban president also handed over certificates to 20 students who
graduated in journalism from the University of Havana and the
University of Oriente, who traveled to 11 countries of Latin America,
the Caribbean and Africa as part of their practical experience, to
cover the work of the Cuban medical brigades serving in these
nations.
The Final Declaration of the congress included a condemnation of
terrorism after the criminal attacks that occurred in the U.S. last
September 11th, and expressed their support and solidarity with the
people of the United States.
The document also notes that the September 20th declaration of war by
the U.S. president seeks to eliminate the independence of other
nations, and transform free-market domination into a world condition,
formed by a new political, economic and military domination.
The journalists present expressed their complete rejection of the
free-market neoliberal economic model, which they said supplants
local economies by a unilateral and globalized one that brings misery
to the poorer nations of the world. They showed concern that the
current war will become a vicious circle that will spread terror
across the entire planet.
The delegates also ratified their commitment to defend the right to
access true information in order to develop a more critical
conscience in our societies in line with the times.
*TWO IMPORTANT CUBAN OIL PROJECTS OPENED BY VICE PRESIDENT
Havana, October 12 (RHC)--Cuban Vice-President Carlos Lage,
Thursday inaugurated two important advances in the country's oil
industry, which are expected to increase production to 60 percent of
the island's needs in oil and gas in the coming years.
Lage pointed out that recent research demonstrates that with these
new oil projects the production of both oil and gas are scheduled to
reach some six million tons year. They will include a special
pipeline to transport aviation fuel from the Nico Lopez refinery in
Havana to the city's International Airport as well as an oil pipeline
to transport crude from the northern coast oil fields to the city of
Matanzas harbor for loading onto super-tankers.
Among the major benefits of these projects are the elimination of oil
transportation by highway and railway, the stability of oil
processing and the protection of the environment through a hermetic
system of transportation.
*US COINAGE NO LONGER VALID IN CUBA AS OF THE 15TH OCTOBER
Las Tunas, October 12 (RHC)--As of the 15th October US coins will
no longer be accepted as legal tender in Cuba, although US paper
currency will continue to be negotiable in the double economy that
exists on the island.
The withdrawal of US coins is designed to simplify the complicated
system of coinage that the population and visitors to Cuba have to
contend with. Currently there are four types of coins. Those that are
denominations of the Cuban peso. Those that are denominations of the
US dollar. Those that are old denominations of the Cuban convertible
peso equivalent to the dollar, and those that are new denominations
of the Cuban convertible peso. The US 10 cent coin and its Cuban
equivalent are very different in size and look, although they both
have the same value. The Cuban 5 cent convertible coin is, however,
roughly the same size as the US 10 cent coin.
The old denominations of the convertible peso are also being phased
out, leaving the regular Cuban peso and the convertible peso as the
only two currencies.
Cuba also circulates convertible paper currency in colorful notes
that are very easily identified as different from the greenback. Only
certain stores will accept the Cuban peso whereas most places accept
the convertible peso and its US dollar equivalent.
*HUMANITARIAN ORGANIZATIONS CALL FOR PAUSE IN BOMBARDMENT OF
AFGHANISTAN TO GET RELIEF AID INTO THE COUNTRY
Geneva, October 12 (RHC)--Humanitarian organizations are calling
for a pause in the bombardment of Afghanistan so that humanitarian
aid can arrive in the country. The World Food Program, the United
Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the UN High Commissioner
for Human Rights are warning that the situation in Afghanistan is
worsening by the day.
UNICEF stated that the urgency is clear, that when winter arrives
next month humanitarian workers won't have access to certain regions
in Afghanistan where 100 thousand people live. UN High Commissioner
for Human Rights, Mary Robinson, said that right now close to 2
million Afghans are wandering around looking for food.
*NUMEROUS ANTI-US DEMONSTRATIONS IN ASIA AND MIDDLE EAST
Islamabad, Jakarta, Tehran, Kuala Lumpur, October 12 (RHC)--Massive
and at times violent anti-US demonstrations erupted Friday in
Indonesia, Iran, Lebanon Malaysia, the Philippines and Pakistan,
among others, in on-going protests against the US-led bombardment of
Afghanistan. Following traditional Friday prayers, some 10 thousand
Islamic activists in the Pakistani city of Karachi attacked
government offices and banks, torched automobiles and stoned two
Kentucky Fried Chicken fast food restaurants.
In the Indonesian capital, Jakarta, police used water-tank trucks to
douse numerous American and British flags that had been set on fire
by some one thousand demonstrators, while protests were also reported
in other regions of the Indonesian archipelago. In the Malaysian
capital, Kuala Lumpur, police dispersed close to 3 thousand
demonstrators protesting in front of the US embassy.
Several hundred thousand people took to the streets of Tehran,
capital of Iran, to march in front of the US embassy. Thousands also
took to the streets of the Lebanese city Tripoli and in the capital
of the part of Kashmir administrated by India, while hundreds
demonstrated in Bangladesh and Turkey.
*CHRISTOPHER DODD PUBLICLY DEFENDS OPPOSITION TO OTTO REICH NOMINATION
Washington, October 12 (RHC)--US Senator Christopher Dodd has
publicly defended his opposition to the nomination of right-wing
Cuban-American Otto Reich to an important State Department post. Dodd
and two other Senators have come under pressure for blocking the
nomination, which included a recent "Wall Street Journal" editorial
entitled "Divisive Dodd."
In an October 11 response to the news daily's editor, Dodd said he
took strong exception to the editorial, calling it a
misrepresentation of his position and of his attitude toward Bush
nominees generally. Stating for the record that Democrats have
confirmed, and he has supported, 83 Bush nominations to foreign
affairs positions, the Senator said they have done so because the
president should be given the benefit of the doubt in putting
together his foreign policy team - but that this does not mean being
a rubber stamp when a nominee is unqualified.
He said his opposition to Otto Reich is not, as the "Wall Street
Journal" alleges, an effort to settle "leftover Cold War grudges"
with the Reagan administration. To the contrary, wrote Dodd, he
believes that Mr. Reich lacks good management skills, sound judgment,
appropriate sensitivity to potential conflicts of interest, the
confidence of other governments in the region, and the ability to
bridge partisan divisions in the Congress so that the United States
can speak with one voice on urgent matters related to Latin America.
The chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Western Hemisphere
subcommittee questioned Reich's records on issues such as terrorism
and narcotrafficking, recalling that as ambassador to Venezuela he
supported entry into the United States of a notorious anti-Castro
terrorist with 30 documented terrorist offenses - including inside
the US. Senator Dodd also recalled that in 1988 Reich prevented
deployment of a US law-enforcement team authorized to travel to
Venezuela in an effort to apprehend Colombian drug lord Jorge Ochoa.
He said Reich also appears to have a tin ear when it comes to ethical
considerations, noting that he is unwilling to sever all his business
relationships that would constitute a conflict of interests. Dodd
asserted that hemispheric leaders have expressed strong reservations,
surprise and disappointment over Reich's nomination.
*PRESIDENT BUSH "SURPRISED" BY ANTI-US SENTIMENTS AMONG SOME ISLAMIC GROUPS
Washington, October 12 (RHC)--US President George W. Bush has
affirmed that he's astonished by the hate that some Islamic groups
feel towards the United States. In Washington's first reference to an
issue widely debated around the world, Bush said in a press
conference late Thursday that he was surprised that among those who
hate the United States there exists such an erroneous interpretation
of his country, asserting that - in his words - America is good.
Besides a virtual explosion of articles and pieces in alternative
media outlets concerning the hate of the US that has been simmering
in the Arab world for decades, even mainstream publications like
Newsweek have recently asked the same question. During another moment
of the press conference, the US President said the September 11th
attacks have convinced him of the necessity of Star Wars, despite
numerous affirmations to the effect that the attacks have
demonstrated that terrorism is not going to come from an
inter-continental ballistic missile.
Regarding the bombardment of Afghanistan, he said that it's going
according to plan - while reiterating that he doesn't know how long
the campaign will last or whether Osama Bin Laden is dead or alive.
*US SENATE APPROVES ANTI-TERRORISM LEGISLATION, ALARMING CIVIL LIBERTARIANS
Washington, October 12 (RHC)--The US Senate Thursday evening
approved anti-terrorism legislation that has caused alarm among civil
rights organizations. Legislators were able to overcome several days
of opposition from the only Senator, Russ Feingold, who didn't want
to let the bill go through without debate or amendments. Feingold's
was the only opposing vote in a 96 to one approval.
The package considerably extends police powers in domestic spying -
specifically, tapping telephones and computers. The House of
Representatives is expected to approve a similar measure today.
Differences between the two versions must still be resolved before
the final initiative becomes law, which some observers believe could
occur sometime next week.
*RIGHT-WING PARAMILITARIES IN COLOMBIA STEP UP DEATH SQUAD ACTIVITY
Bogot�, October 12 (RHC)--Right-wing paramilitaries in Colombia
have stepped up death squad activity as the country's military has
again come under suspicion of aiding them. During the first 12 days
of this month alone, the death squads have murdered at least 140
civilians in more than 20 incursions into towns whose residents are
suspected of helping leftist guerrillas. Colombia's governmental
Human Rights Commissioner, Eduardo Cifuentes, has called for an
investigation of an army battalion following this week's massacre of
30 campesinos in the country's southwest.
The request sparked an angry reaction from General Rafael Horacio
Ruiz, commander of the army's 3rd Division. Cifuentes said
information gathered by his office indicates that the battalion in
question had been informed that the death squad was going to enter
the area where the massacre took place last Wednesday.
According to observers, the paramilitaries have stepped up their
death squad activity as a result of Colombian President Andres
Pastrana's decision to maintain until next January the vast
demilitarized zone in the south established for the rebel-government
peace process.
*SOME QUESTION UN SECRETARY GENERAL KOFI ANNAN'S NOBEL PEACE PRIZE
Moscow, Kigali, October 12 (RHC)--While numerous governments and
international agencies are applauding UN Secretary General Kofi
Annan's Nobel Peace Prize, some voices are criticizing the decision.
In Moscow, the widow of Nobel Peace laureate Andrei Sajarov - Elena
Bonner - said that in today's world the award should not be granted
to anyone.
Bonner said the Nobel Peace Prize should reward real success and not
just a desire for peace - a peace, she added, that does not exist. In
Ruanda, the association gathering most of the survivors of the Hutu
massacres of members of the Tutsi ethnic group has also called the
decision a mistake.
The president of the association, Antoine Mugesera, said that on
Annan's initiative United Nations peace-keeping troops were withdrawn
from that central African nation when the genocide began. The
websites of a number of anti-war groups are recalling the United
Nations' abiding attitude during the US-led bombardment of
Yugoslavia, and now the attacks against Afghanistan - arguing that
the world body should more strongly insist on playing a greater role
in such conflicts.
Viewpoint:
*ARGENTINES LIKELY TO SEEK REVENGE AT THE POLLS THIS WEEKEND
This Sunday, Argentineans will have the opportunity to replace the
entire Senate and half of the House of Representatives. However, in
spite of all the social and political problems there is no doubt that
the electoral struggle will degenerate into a vote in favor or
against the nation's highly questionable free-market economic
program.
Introduced by the presently imprisoned Carlos Menem and continued by
his successor, President Fernando de la Rua, the government's
official economic platform is being attacked from all political and
social angles, including a coalition that nominally backs the
government.
Argentina is coming to the elections after a 40-month economic
recession, which has brought the country into the economic indices
known as a risk country, illustrated by the lack of confidence of
investors. Foreign investments fell by nearly 45% in the first months
of this year, and taxes on food went up by between two and eight
percent, including basic foods. The Argentine stock market - one of
the most important in Latin America - had lost by the close of the
year half its value. Meanwhile the country continues to increase its
external debt, which has reached 46% of its Gross Domestic Product.
This year the domestic economy fell between one and two percent, in
spite of the formulas incorporated by the Minister of Economy,
Domingo Cavalo, urgently demanded by the President, to stop payment
to creditors. All the political parties propose different solutions
to the grave problem of external debt, from not paying to
renegotiating the amount. But the proposals in this sense are diluted
by a complete lack of confidence, as the economy is not generating
enough money and is only working at half its capacity.
To obtain sympathy from the International Monetary Fund and obtain
financial loans, the government cut public salaries and pensions by
13%, with a view to qualifying for a zero deficit plan demanded by
the institution. With feelings of great indignation, the Argentineans
will vote on Sunday, possibly in the majority against the official
candidates.
More than 91% of Argentineans believe that the country's serious
economic problems are due to mistakes committed by the government,
while more than 70% affirm that regardless who wins, the future of
the economy will remain gloomy.
*HURRICANE IRIS SLAMS INTO CARIBBEAN
A vicious storm, with a deceptively sweet name has wrecked havoc in
the Caribbean. Hurricane Iris, before it slowed to a tropical
depression, hit Belize hard leaving a swath of material damages and
least 18 deaths throughout the region.
According to official reports, Iris killed 13 people in Belize, two
in Guatemala, where five have been reported as missing, and finally
the deadly storm was responsible for the deaths of a mother and her
two children in the Dominican Republic.
In addition to the tragic loss of human life, the storm also
destroyed the Belizian locality of Monkey River of 2500 inhabitants.
It damaged practically all the homes in the town of Independence
where raging winds ripped off roofs and knocked over houses.
Among the worst accidents to occur in the course of the Hurricane was
on the Wave Dancer, a boat anchored in Mango Creek filled with
passengers who chose to stay on board during the storm. Only eight of
the 28 people were rescued and 11 bodies were recovered.
When the skies cleared the damages were tallied: tourist areas (a
principal source of income for the Caribbean) were destroyed and
between 90 and 95 per cent of the banana crop was devastated.
Wind generated by Iris churned up waves of four to five meters high
and sent them crashing against the coast along with torrents of rain.
Belize's authorities have put out a call for assistance for
desperately needed construction materials, clothes, food and
medicines for the thousands of homeless. Iris hit Belize especially
hard considering that just a few years ago the tiny country was
battered by killer Hurricane Mitch.
At this moment there is a contingent of some one hundred Cuban
doctors which has been working for several years in the most remote
areas of Belize. The Cuban medical professionals immediately took on
the task of caring for the victims of this latest storm.
A natural disaster like this is especially devastating to small
nations whose shaky economies are dependent on tourism for survival.
The Caribbean and Central American region was already suffering from
the sudden drop in tourism sparked by the events of September 11 in
the United States.
Now is the time that Belize most needs support from its neighbors.
However, the majority of them are supporting the US-British actions
against Afghanistan. Solidarity with those who are suffering must
come first and foremost, because in the difficult conditions in which
Central Americans find themselves any element that breaks the fragile
equilibrium of life could well cause a major human disaster.
(c) 2001 Radio Habana Cuba, NY Transfer News. All rights reserved.
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