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Date: Mon, 24 Dec 2001 01:49:16 -0500
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Subject: RHC Weekend-22/23 December 2001
RHC Weekend-22/23 December 2001
Via NY Transfer News * All the News That Doesn't Fit
Radio Havana Cuba - Weekend News Update - 22/23 December 2001
.
*40TH ANNIVERSARY OF CUBAN LITERACY CAMPAIGN
*CHINA DONATES BIOLOGICAL PESTICIDE FACTORY TO CUBA
*PARENTS OF LATIN AMERICAN MEDICAL SCHOOL STUDENTS MEET IN HAVANA
*ARGENTINA'S INTERIM GOVERNMENT ATTEMPTS TO COPE WITH CRISIS
*BUSH PROPOSES 43% INCREASE IN NATIONAL SECURITY SPENDING
*MIDDLE EAST UPDATE
*FORMER HEAD OF CHILEAN SECRET POLICE GRANTED BAIL
*RIGHT WING COLOMBIA PARAMILITARY GROUP INAGURATES A PARK
*IRAQ STATES THAT AN ATTACK BY THE UNITED STATES WOULD BE UNJUST
*INDIAN TROOPS ADVANCE TOWARDS BORDER WITH PAKISTAN
*WASHINGTON INTRODUCES NEW FIRE BOMB
*INTERIM GOVERNMENT SWORN IN AFGHANISTAN
*BRITISH VESSEL CARRYING NUCLEAR WASTE ON ITS WAY TO JAPAN
.
*40TH ANNIVERSARY OF CUBAN LITERACY CAMPAIGN
Havana, December 22 (RHC)--Cuban President Fidel Castro today spoke
about the outstanding success of the education system here in Cuba at
an event to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the completion of the
literacy campaign undertaken by the new revolutionary government in
1961.
The Cuban leader spoke to more than one hundred thousand people in
Havana who attended the celebration, held in an old military garrison
in Havana's municipality of Marianao.
He pointed out that before the triumph of the revolution, there were
more than a million illiterate people in Cuba, more than half a
million children without schooling and ten thousand teachers without
work. In December 1959, less than one year after the new government
had been in power, more than ten thousand classrooms had been set up
and school attendance for children between the ages of 6 to 12 years
rose from 50 % to almost 90 %.
Prisons that had been in use under previous governments were
converted into schools with a capacity to hold 40 thousand pupils.
President Castro stated that Cuba gave a commitment to the United
Nations that illiteracy would be eradicated in 1961. On June 6th of
that same year, free education was introduced for all Cuban citizens
and more than 267 thousand young volunteer teachers brought the
literacy scheme to more than a million Cubans throughout the country
who could not read or write.
The President recalled the name of 17 year-old voluntary teacher,
Conrado Benitez, who was the first to be assassinated by counter
revolutionaries on January 5th, 1961.
He also described the educational support that Cuba started to give
to Third world countries in 1971. In countries like Nicaragua where
the young Cuban volunteer teachers were also in grave danger of
assassination by mercenary soldiers. Angola was also mentioned as a
country that benefited from the educational work of the members of
the Che Guevara Internationalist Brigade.
Fidel Castro reminded those present that it was exactly on 22nd of
December 40 years ago that Cuba was declared free of illiteracy.
Cuba's President ended his speech by praising the sacrifice, the
solidarity and the value of the work achieved by the young voluntary
teachers.
*CHINA DONATES BIOLOGICAL PESTICIDE FACTORY TO CUBA
Havana, December 22 (RHC)-- A biological factory, the largest on the
island, donated by China, will be inaugurated in April of next year,
according to the Cuban Agricultural Ministry.
Agriculture Vice-Minister, Alfredo Gutierrez told the local press
that this plant would produce biological methods for the protection
of agriculture against pests and will benefit 400 thousand acres of
cultivated land annually.
The biological pesticide factory, located in the eastern province of
Matanzas, 100 kilometers east of Havana, will produce 500 tons of
pesticide every year, suitable for different types of cultivation
Co-operation agreements between Havana and Beijing have developed
rapidly in the last few years as a result of concession credits
granted to Cuba by the Chinese government.
Both countries have taken part in joint actions in important sectors
such as electronics, biotechnology, agriculture and education.
*PARENTS OF LATIN AMERICAN MEDICAL SCHOOL STUDENTS MEET IN HAVANA
Havana, December 22 (RHC)--The second meeting of the Latin American
School of Medicine's Parents Association, closed Friday with a
condemnation by the participants of the United States 42-year
blockade against Cuba.
The delegates also condemned what they called, the "unjust" prison
sentences passed on the five Cuban political prisoners in Miami.
The members of the Association of fathers, mothers and relatives of
the students attending the medical school, located just outside
Havana, come from 21 Latin American, Caribbean and African countries.
Around 3,390 students from 14 countries, comprising 68 ethnic groups,
are nearing the end of their two years of basic medical studies at
the Medical School in Havana. They will pass their third year in
different medical faculties throughout the country.
Among the topics discussed by the parents were the ratification of
academic titles and the perfecting of the selection process for the
new student intake.
The meeting was addressed by high ranking government official, Dr.
Jose M. Miyar Barruecos, Dr. Carlos Dotres Public Health Minister and
Pedro Nunez Mosquera from the Cuban Foreign Ministry.
The parents and relatives unanimously expressed their appreciation of
the support and care given by the Cuban government to the students
attending the Latin American School of Medicine.
*ARGENTINA'S INTERIM GOVERNMENT ATTEMPTS TO COPE WITH CRISIS
Buenos Aires, December 22 (RHC))-Brazilian President Fernando
Enrique Cardoso said on Saturday that Argentina is moving quickly in
its decision making, in reference to the announcement that Adolfo
Rodriguez will be interim president in that south American country
until presidential elections are held in March.
The Brazilian president added that there is enough time until March
for a new government to be formed, but in the meantime even if it's a
temporary cabinet, it will have time to take the necessary measures
for the Argentinean people to feel more secure.
Government advisors said that Argentina's current interim president
has no interest in participating in March's presidential elections,
but he can open the way for the next president to continue with
economic reforms that would permit the country to improve its
economic situation.
During Friday's MERCOSUR Summit of heads of state and governments
held in Montevideo, Uruguay, Brazilian President Fernando Enrique
Cardoso said that Argentina needs to untangle its stalled exports and
adopt changes in its economic sector.
Meanwhile, the popular uprisings in Argentina, the collapse of its
government and another multibillion dollar bailout have raised doubts
about the effectiveness of the International Monetary fund and the
financial policies of the United States, according to Saturday's New
York Times.
The Times article says that Latin American and European government
leaders Saturday joined protestors in Buenos Aires, Wall Street
traders and financial experts in putting the blame for Argentina's
current crisis on the lending agencies and the former Clinton and
current Bush administrations.
These criticisms increase pressure on the IMF and the Bush
administration to draft a policy toward financial rescue efforts,
according to the New York Times.
Argentina urgently needed financial aid as its foreign debt reached
$130 billion, and is clearly unable to pay.
The IMF decision to freeze its economic program with Argentina was
strongly criticized by some blaming the financial institution for the
popular unrest in the country and worsening Argentina's economic
situation. On the other and there are those that opposed more loans
to the country, predicting that the South American nation will not be
able to pay any more loans.
*BUSH PROPOSES 43% INCREASE IN NATIONAL SECURITY SPENDING
Washington, December 22 (RHC)-US President George W. Bush will
propose an increase of 43 per cent in national security spending as
part of the next 2003 fiscal budget.
The US President's budget for the coming year would increase that
spending by at least $15 billion, while Congress is likely to
pressure for even more, according to budget experts.
For this year, the US Congress had approved some $20 billion in
national security spending, the majority coming after the September
11 terrorist attacks.
The budget will also include increased funding for bio terrorism and
funds destined for firefighters, and local police.
Tom Ridge, responsible for the new office for Homeland Security which
was created after the September 11 attacks, said that the White House
is preparing a significant increase to security spending.
*MIDDLE EAST UPDATE
Jerusalem, December 22 (RHC)-After two days of violence, thousands of
mourners attended funeral services Saturday for six Palestinians
killed by Israeli troops in the Gaza strip.
Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat has reportedly called for an end to
violence in an attempt to halt the critical situation in the region.
Meanwhile, Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said that with the
Palestinians have pledged to stop Hamas attacks, and that the next
move was up to Israel. Erekat said that he told Israeli Foreign
Minster Shimon Peres in a telephone conversation that he expected
Israel to stop its attacks against suspected Palestinian militants
and to lift its blockade of Palestinian towns and villages.
The Palestinian authority meeting on Friday in the West Bank town of
Ramallah issued a statement welcoming the Hamas fundamentalist
groups' commitment to stop attacks, calling it "an important
contribution."
In related news, Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat reaffirmed his
intention of attending Christmas mass in Bethlehem.
Speaking on the Voice of Palestine radio station, Arafat said that
his presence alongside other religious leaders at the Christmas mass
is important.
However, the Israeli government has said that if Arafat requests
permission to travel to Bethlehem, Tel Aviv will refuse or demand the
arrest of Palestinian leaders, who according to Israel are
responsible for the death of right wing tourism minister, Rehavam
Zeevi.
And finally, Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat has received a letter
from US President George W. Bush pointing out the challenges that the
Palestinians are facing and reaffirming the Palestinian right to an
independent state.
*FORMER HEAD OF CHILEAN SECRET POLICE GRANTED BAIL
Santiago de Chile, December 22 (RHC)--A Chilean judge has granted
bail to the former head of the notorious DINA secret police, Manuel
Contreras who is being tried for his part in the murder of a Chilean
general in Argentina.
The feared DINA was disbanded in l978 at the end of the Pinochet
dictatorship. Judge Jorge Rodriguez granted bail to the former
general who has been confined to house arrest for his part in the
Prats case and the disappearance of another man.
Argentinean judge, Marma Servini, who is investigating the murder of
General Prats and his wife in Buenos Aries in l974, has asked for
Contreras to be extradited to Argentina. She has also filed for the
extradition of other military brass believed to be involved in the
case. All are currently free on bail.
*RIGHTWING COLOMBIA PARAMILITARY GROUP INAGURATES A PARK
Bogota, December 22 (RHC)--A rightwing death squad has openly
inaugurated a park in the the Port of Ribereno in Barrancabermeja,
some 400 kilometers north of Bogota.
According to the "El Diaro" newspaper, an ultra-rightwing armed
group in broad daylight on Saturday named the park after its leader,
Fidel Castano, who is also known as "Johny." The article says that
the organization collected money to build the park from various
sectors of the city.
A local human rights group reports that the so-called, Colombian
United Self-Defense group is responsible for the murders of at least
370 people in Puerto Ribereno, where the country's largest oil
refinery is located.
*IRAQ STATES THAT AN ATTACK BY THE UNITED STATES WOULD BE UNJUST
Baghdad, December 22 (RHC)--Iraq stated today that if the United
States decides to attack it, the rest of the world would witness an
injustice. Iraqi deputy Prime Minister, Tarek Aziz, told journalists
in Baghdad that the United States has always launched attacks against
Iraq and if they decide to do it again the world will see that there
is no justification for such an aggression.
Aziz also criticized France's decision to support the new package of
economic sanctions against Iraq proposed by the United States and
Great Britain. Iraq has been living under a strict international
economic embargo imposed against it by the United Nations in l990
after it invaded neighboring Kuwait. International medical experts
charge that more than 500,000 Iraqi children have died as a direct
result of the measure.
Washington and London are now proposing to replace that embargo with
a package of "selective measures" which they claim will alleviate the
suffering of the people. Iraq however, doesn't agree and is calling
for the complete lifting of sanctions.
*INDIAN TROOPS ADVANCE TOWARDS BORDER WITH PAKISTAN
Islamabad, December 22 (RHC)--Pakistan's Air Force was placed on the
alert Saturday as Indian army troops were reportedly advancing
towards the border with Pakistan. According to Pakistani television
reports, the troops include tanks and artillery.
All the country's air force bases are in a state of alert in order to
protect the country's air space said a high-ranking member of the
Pakistani military. The general warned that if India commits an
aggression, air, land and sea forces are ready to respond.
Tensions between India and Pakistan flared after a suicide-commando
attack on the Indian Parliament on December 13th claimed 14 lives,
among them five commando members. New Delhi blamed the attack on
separatist groups in Kashmir.
*WASHINGTON INTRODUCES NEW FIRE BOMB
Washington, December 22 (RHC--The United States announced on Friday
its latest high tech killer: a new bomb that absorbs oxygen and sends
a ball of flame into caves where they believe Bin Laden and his
supporters may be hiding.
The laser-guided bomb contains an explosive capable of penetrating to
great depths.
Pentagon sources say that ten of these new weapons have been
transported to Afghanistan. The horrifying bombs contain two
explosives and a highly flammable chemical which ignites a killer
flame that flashes through enclosed spaces, like caves and tunnels,
killing all life inside without destroying the structures.
The United States used an earlier version of the bomb in Vietnam. The
Pentagon claims that this latest version was designed specifically
for use against terrorism.
*INTERIM GOVERNMENT SWORN IN AFGHANISTAN
Kabul, December 22 (RHC)--The president of the Afghan Interim
Council, Hamid Karzai, who was sworn in today as the leader of
Afghanistan, pledged to respect all international laws and UN
conventions and to fight against terrorism.
Speaking in Kabul to 2000 people who attended the swearing-in
ceremony, the tribal leader of the Patunes, the country's largest
ethnic group, also promised that his government would respect Islamic
laws and customs.
Karzai gave a brief history of Afghanistan, mentioning 23 years of
war. The new president of the Afghan Interim Council listed some of
the objectives of his administration including respect for women's
rights. "Not only will we respect those rights," he said, " we will
work so that woman can exercise them."
The new Afghan leader also listed as priorities the rebuilding of the
country's education system and the creation of an army.
*BRITISH VESSEL CARRYING NUCLEAR WASTE ON ITS WAY TO JAPAN
Panama, December 22 (RHC)-The British ship "Pacific Sandpiper"
carrying nuclear waste is reportedly on its way to Japan after
passing through the Panama Canal Friday night.
Panama Canal authorities announced that the vessel passed through the
canal under strict security measures in cooperation with all the
Panamanian institutions in the region.
According to Panamanian authorities the British ship complied with
all regulations of the International Maritime Organization and the
International Atomic Energy Agency.
However, Greenpeace ecology group activist, Juana Cooke said that her
organization has questioned the security measures taken by Panamanian
authorities.
She said that the Pacific Sandpiper entered the Panama Canal from the
Caribbean Sea some 80 kilometers north of Panama City into the
Pacific Ocean. Cooke recalled that the last two ships carrying
nuclear waste passed through the Canal at night.
Sandpiper is scheduled to arrive in Japan in the first two weeks of
January.
(c) 2001 Radio Habana Cuba, NY Transfer News. All rights reserved.
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