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Date: Sat, 8 Dec 2001 09:29:03 -0500
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Subject: Radio Havana Cuba-07 December 2001
Radio Havana Cuba-07 December 2001
Via NY Transfer News * All the News That Doesn't Fit
Radio Havana Cuba - News Update - 07 December 2001
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*10th SAO PAULO FORUM CONCLUDES TONIGHT IN HAVANA
*CUBAN PRESIDENT MEETS WITH VISITING U.S. STUDENTS
*US BUSINESS INTERESTED IN NORMAL US-CUBA TRADE RELATIONS - ALARCON
*CUBANS PAY HOMAGE TO INDEPENDENCE HEROES
*23rd FESTIVAL OF NEW LATIN AMERICAN FILM DRAWS TENS OF THOUSANDS
*US LEGISLATORS NARROWLY GRANT BUSH CONTROVERSIAL FAST TRACK TRADE POWERS
*AFTER SENATE HEARING, STRONG CRITICISM OF ASHCROFT'S ANTI-TERROR MEASURES
*TENSIONS BETWEEN WASHINGTON AND NEW HEAD OF INTERIM AFGHAN GOVERNMENT
*FIRST REPORTS OF DEATH FROM STARVATION IN AFGHANISTAN
Viewpoint:
*VENEZUELAN, CUBAN-AMERICAN EXTREMISTS ATTACK CHAVEZ GOVERNMENT
.
*10th SAO PAULO FORUM CONCLUDES TONIGHT IN HAVANA
Havana, December 7 (RHC)--The 10th Sao Paulo Forum wraps up here in
Havana this evening, capping a four-day gathering of left and
progressive forces from Latin America and the Caribbean. RHC's Ed
Newman is covering the event and filed this report.
"More than 500 delegates from 150 political parties and organizations
representing 84 countries debated key issues facing the region and
the world, from neo-liberal globalization, to poverty, unemployment
and corruption. Cuban President Fidel Castro attended each and every
one of those gatherings, occasionally speaking with those gathered.
"Delegates to the Sao Paulo Forum unanimously condemned Washington's
proposed Free Trade Area of the Americas, agreeing that one of the
main struggles in the coming months will be the fight to stop the
economic annexation of the region by the United States.
"Friday morning, and into the afternoon, participants from Latin
America, and observers from Asia and Africa addressed the forum.
Delegates debated resolutions that had been proposed over the past
few days, and approved the final declaration of the 10th Sao Paulo
Forum. Reporting from Havana's International Convention Center, for
RHC, I'm Ed Newman."
And RHC will have further coverage over the weekend of the Sao Paulo
Forum, as President Fidel Castro was scheduled to deliver the event's
closing speech late Friday evening.
*CUBAN PRESIDENT MEETS WITH VISITING U.S. STUDENTS
Havana, December 7 (RHC)-- Cuban President Fidel Castro stressed
that the over 40 years of Cuban revolutionary work is based on the
principles of freedom, independence and sovereignty.
Speaking in Havana with a group of 750 students and professors,
representing 200 U.S. universities, Fidel Castro reiterated the
importance of youth as the protagonists of the new century, which he
described as the most difficult in the history of humanity.
The U.S. visitors arrived in Cuba onboard the cruise ship Universe
Explorer as part of an educational program called "Semester at Sea"
under the auspices of the University of Pittsburgh.
Responding to questions by the U.S. students, the Cuban leader
reiterated Cuba's position against terrorism and against war and
pointed to the countless terrorist acts planned and carried out
against the island from U.S. territory.
The Cuban leader pointed to the importance of this type of contact
between U.S. and other youths the world over. The Cuban president
said that it is important that young people from the United States
travel the world over because since they are from the most powerful
economic, technological and military power on earth, they can
contribute greatly to preserving the human species and building a
better future for generations to come.
*US BUSINESS INTERESTED IN NORMAL US-CUBA TRADE RELATIONS - ALARCON
Havana, December 7 (RHC)-- Cuban Parliament President Ricardo
Alarcon maintains that it is the U.S. economic sector that is
demanding permission from Washington to do business with Cuba.
Reflecting on recent statements by U.S. President George W. Bush that
he will veto any bill in the Congress to allow financing of U.S.
entities for eventual sales to Cuba, Alarcon said the Cuban people
are not surprised. He explained that since his inauguration in
January of this year, President Bush has promised to further tighten
the U.S. blockade against the island.
For over 40 years, the United States has maintained an economic,
financial and trade blockade against Cuba. The vast majority of the
international community has rejected the U.S. Cuba policy and for ten
consecutive years has voted overwhelmingly in the United Nations
General Assembly to demand that it be lifted.
The president of the Cuban Parliament or the General Assembly of
People's Power, said that the U.S. business community, particularly
in the agricultural sector is demanding an end to the blockade.
*CUBANS PAY HOMAGE TO INDEPENDENCE HEROES
Camag�ey, December 7 (RHC)-- As on each December 7th for the past 12
years, Cubans paid homage to their heroes who died in the war of
independence, on the occasion of the death in combat on December 7th
1867 of Antonio Maceo.
Maceo -also known in Cuba as the Bronze Titan-- was the Cuban general
who alongside Dominican general Maximo Gomez led the Mambi Army in
the first phase of the Cuban war of independence against Spanish
colonialism in the 19th century.
On Friday morning, members of the Pioneers children's organization,
veterans of the war of independence, family members of fallen heroes
and residents of eastern Camag�ey province, gathered at the local
cemetery to place floral wreaths on the graves that hold the remains
of the Cuban men and women who, following the example of Antonio
Maceo, fought and died for Cuba's independence.
*23rd FESTIVAL OF NEW LATIN AMERICAN FILM DRAWS TENS OF THOUSANDS
Havana, December 7 (RHC)-- Havana's prestigious International
Festival of New Latin American Film is drawing thousands of film fans
daily to the city's 20 movie houses.
Thousands of enthusiastic film lovers are streaming into the
capital's movie theaters as the 23rd International Festival of New
Latin American film is into its fifth day.
Along with Cuban and visiting film buffs, participating in the
ten-day movie extravaganza are large delegations of directors, actors
and other film professionals from Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, Italy,
the United States and other nations.
Among the crowds' favorite movies so far is an Uruguayan-Spanish-
Cuban production, En La Puta Vida, by Uruguayan first-time director,
Beatriz Flores Silva. The film tells the story of a young Uruguayan
single mother who dreams of opening a beauty salon in Montevideo.
Out of desperation she turns to prostitution and ends up practically
enslaved in Spain.
Another crowd-pleaser is a Chilean-Spanish production, Loco Fever, by
Andres Wood. It is about a tiny, isolated town in southern Chile
where a small and valuable mollusk, known as the "loco" is found.
Once a year divers frantically collect the precious delicacy for the
few days that hunting is allowed. This frenzied quest for money
changes the entire town, affecting everyone in it. The movie is at
the same time hilarious and tragic, painting a fascinating picture of
life in a desolate town in Chilean Patagonia.
A series of US independent films brought to Cuba by the Utah-based
Sundance Institute opens on Saturday.
*US LEGISLATORS NARROWLY GRANT BUSH CONTROVERSIAL FAST TRACK TRADE POWERS
Washington, December 7 (RHC) -- By just one vote, the US House of
Representatives gave President George W. Bush fast track trade
negotiating power, sparking outrage among labor leaders, human rights
activists and environmental groups. The vote also sparked outrage
among some legislators who deplored the use of the threat of
terrorism to argue in favor of fast track, while at the same time
questioning the patriotism of those who opposed the move.
In a last-minute speech on the House floor before the 215 to 214
vote, Republican Speaker Dennis Hastert told lawmakers that they
could support their president who is fighting a courageous war on
terrorism or they could undercut the president at the worst possible
time. Democratic Representative Charles Rangel angrily denounced what
he called the inference that to vote against the piece of legislation
is unpatriotic.
With the last minute change of decision of a number of legislators
who had originally vowed to vote against the measure,
anti-globalization groups charged that vote buying and political
manipulation secured the Bush administration victory. The "Seattle
Coalition", which came together during the 1999 protests against the
World Trade Organization, stated that it will never be known how many
millions of dollars in political contributions were made to secure
the vote.
Coalition leader Sarah Anderson said former President Bill Clinton
used the same tactics to obtain approval of the North American Free
Trade Agreement. She said those tactics led to a wave of resentment
that resulted in to two defeats in Clinton's bid to obtain fast
track, and in a proliferation of anti-free trade organizations.
With Senate approval pending, Anderson predicted that the same
process will repeat itself. Labor leader John Sweeney, president of
the AFL-CIO, accused the Republicans of selling themselves to big
business, and of closing the year with a shameful vote of punishment
against workers who will loose more jobs, against human rights and
against the environment.
*AFTER SENATE HEARING, STRONG CRITICISM OF ASHCROFT'S ANTI-TERROR MEASURES
Washington, December 7 (RHC) -- At a US Senate hearing Thursday,
Attorney General John Ashcroft suggested that anyone criticizing
secret military tribunals for suspected foreign terrorists is aiding
the enemy. The insinuation brought tough responses from legislators
and civil rights activists who oppose to series of anti-terrorist
measures that many believe are unconstitutional.
Democratic Senator Patrick Leahy stated that he wanted to protect
American freedoms that could be trampled on and make sure the
government has good reason before snooping around in bank records,
tax returns and e-mails. The chairman of the Senate Judiciary
Committee said authorities can be both tough on terrorists and true
to the Constitution, that this is not an either or choice.
The non-governmental Center for National Security Studies stated that
the attorney general's implication is clear: if you do not march in
lock step with the government, you are supporting terrorists. An
editorial in the Los Angeles Times entitled "Ashcroft's Bad Answers"
asserted that the attorney general stonewalled questions with defiant
answers and baited his critics during the hearings.
The editorial pointed out that a government of the people is based on
checks and balances, the understanding that liberties can be
protected if the people's business is conducted in public, that
Americans want a detailed explanation of how temporary infringements
on freedoms are justified by tangible security gains. But instead, it
continued, Ashcroft arrogantly told Congress that there are some
areas where he cannot and will not consult legislators and the
nation.
*TENSIONS BETWEEN WASHINGTON AND NEW HEAD OF INTERIM AFGHAN GOVERNMENT
Kabul, December 7 (RHC) -- Developments surrounding the fall of the
last Taliban stronghold in Kandahar has led to tensions between
Washington and the head of Afghanistan's new interim government. The
Pentagon has expressed skepticism over Pashtun leader Hamid Karzai's
announcement that Taliban soldiers fled Kandahar with their weapons
in violation of the surrender accord, and that Taliban supreme leader
mullah Mohamed Omar has also disappeared.
Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld suggested that he believes a deal
was made, and if so, the US would distance itself from the new Afghan
transition administration headed by Karzai. News outlets around the
world are reporting that the alleged deal between Karzai and Omar,
who are both from the Pashtun tribe, has clearly unnerved Washington
and placed it in a delicate situation since US authorities had
committed themselves to backing the new interim government.
Karzai has expressed opposition to an eye-for-eye policy in
Afghanistan. Meanwhile, there are reports of a power struggle among
rival opposition groups to control Kandahar. A spokesman for one of
the local commanders, the former governor Gul Agha, said their forces
had taken over part of the city following fighting with supporters of
another commander, Mullah Naquibullah, who oversaw the Taliban's
surrender.
The spokesman said they did not recognize Naquibullah's authority.
While Karzai told foreign news correspondents that they city would be
pacified, reports quoting eye-witnesses say there has been shooting
and checkpoints have appeared on various roads in Kandahar.
*FIRST REPORTS OF DEATH FROM STARVATION IN AFGHANISTAN
Geneva, December 7 (RHC) -- The first reports of death from
starvation are coming in from Afghanistan, as Amnesty International
accuses western powers of shirking on their responsibility to aid war
refugees. United Nations officials in Geneva Friday announced that at
least 177 mostly children have died in northern Afghanistan in recent
days in the Baghe Sherkat refugee camp near the northeastern city
Kunduz.
World Food Program officials stated that Kunduz is the region most
affected by the country's close to 3-year drought, and that now
thousands of refugees there are facing the harsh winter in worse than
precarious conditions. In London, meanwhile, Amnesty International
reminded the international community - particularly Britain and the
United States - of its responsibility in the protection of Afghan
refugees on the border with Pakistan.
According to the human rights organization, the promises of
international aid made at the beginning of the war have not
materialized. A statement the organization released Friday at its
headquarters in London affirmed that thousands of refugees have no
shelter and insufficient food, and that the UN High Commissioner for
Refugees only has enough money to provide minimal aid until the end
of this month.
Viewpoint:
*VENEZUELAN, CUBAN-AMERICAN EXTREMISTS ATTACK CHAVEZ GOVERNMENT
Extreme rightwing business sectors, false, corrupt union leaders and
Cuban-American extremists based in Miami, have been relentlessly
attacking the Venezuelan government headed by President Hugo Chavez.
Just as Rome was not built in a day, a country that was sacked and
corrupted by former governments requires time before the achievements
of a new leadership begin to be manifested.
The Venezuelan business community has ruthlessly exploited this in an
attempt to destroy a system, which while not threatening businesses
with destruction, definitely restrains their greedy ambitions. And
so, from the very the first day that the government of President
Chavez was voted overwhelmingly into office three years ago,
conspiracies against the new administration began.
Latin Americans are well acquainted with this scenario because it has
affected numerous peoples of the region. The situation in Venezuela
recalls events that occurred in Guatemala when democratic governments
came to power after the Revolution of October 20, l944.
They were governments that were demonized for having the audacity to
open schools, build roads, distribute land to peasants, extend rights
to workers and, above all, initiate a timid competition against U.S.
transnationals. And on the governments that attempted those reforms,
the conspirators pinned the label of "communist".
Then with their neighbors looking complacently on, Guatemala was
invaded, the democratically elected governments were deposed to
install military regimes and business interests that bathed the
nation in blood. That operation was repeated in more or less the same
manner in the Dominican Republic against the government of Juan
Bosch, against Salvador Allende in Chile, Maurice Bishop in Grenada
and now Hugo Chavez in Venezuela.
Governing Fifth Republic Movement parliamentarians charge that
notorious politician, Carlos Andres Perez, tired and jailed for
corruption and currently in exile in Santo Domingo, constantly
receives emissaries of extreme right-wing Venezuelans, like his
former advisor, Thor Voorsen and the organizer of the march called
for Friday in Caracas, Alejandro Pena Esclusa,. The former president
has even received a U.S. lawmaker who travels frequently to the
Dominican Republic.
It is said that groups of rightwing Cuban Americans from Miami have
collected a million dollars to finance Friday's march and the big
business work stoppage planned for Monday. Three ominously
influential men met recently with Andres Perez in Santo Domingo. They
were the head of the Venezuelan Chamber of Commerce, Pedro Carmona,
along with a Nicaraguan businessman, who is linked to arms
trafficking, the grandson of a former banker of Cuban origin, Orlando
Castro and a representative from the United States.
It is from these meetings that directives are issued and it is
probable that speeches are written there against the Chavez
government. Though the situation is tense in Venezuela, one can be
sure that the people remember what has happened to other democratic
governments in the region.
They remember that when a conspiracy against such a government
succeeds, the people have paid with their blood, pain and suffering.
All Latin Americans who love peace and justice know that this must
not happen in the land of the liberator Simon Bolivar.
(c) 2001 Radio Habana Cuba, NY Transfer News. All rights reserved.
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