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Date: Thu, 29 Nov 2001 05:49:39 -0500
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Subject: Radio Havana Cuba-28 November 2001
Radio Havana Cuba-28 November 2001
Via NY Transfer News * All the News That Doesn't Fit
Radio Havana Cuba - News Update - 28 November 2001
.
*MORE THAN 300,000 DEMONSTRATE IN HAVANA AGAINST TERRORIST U.S. LAW
*FIRST DEPUTY PRESIDENT OF NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF BURKINA FASO BEGINS VISIT
*CUBA-GUYANA MIXED COOPERATION COMMISSION CONCLUDES SESSIONS IN HAVANA
*EXPERTS DISCUSS TREATMENT OF HIP FRACTURES
*CUBA CALLS FOR MORE EFFECTIVE SOLUTIONS TO ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS
*GROWING NUMBER OF TOURISTS VISIT THE EASTERN CUBAN CITY OF BARACOA
*U.S. ATTORNEY GENERAL UNDER INCREASING FIRE FOR CIVIL LIBERTIES VIOLATIONS
*MEXICAN PRESIDENT ORDERS INVESTIGATION INTO PAST HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES
Viewpoint:
*THE TRUTH BEHIND WASHINGTON'S CLAIMS AGAINST CUBA FOR COMPENSATION
.
*MORE THAN 300,000 DEMONSTRATE IN HAVANA AGAINST TERRORIST U.S. LAW
Havana, November 28 (RHC)-- More than 300,000 Cubans demonstrated in
front of the U.S. Interests Section in Havana Tuesday afternoon,
protesting the Cuban Adjustment Act. During an address to the crowd,
many of them dressed in black to mourn the recent drowning deaths of
another 30 victims -- Cuban President Fidel Castro described the U.S.
legislation as "a terrorist law."
The leader of the Cuban Revolution, also wearing a black armband,
said that information on the tragic boat accident in which 30 people
disappeared, came from news reports -- given that Washington never
gives Cuba information on such victims at sea. He emphasized that
among those missing from the capsized speedboat, taking them to
Florida, were 13 children.
Fidel Castro noted that since the Cuban Adjustment Act was passed by
the U.S. Congress in 1966, hundreds and perhaps thousands of Cubans
have drowned trying to make the dangerous journey through the Florida
Straits. He said that the law -- on the books for Cubans only --
encourages illegal immigration and unnecessary risk and actually
awards those who reach the United States.
The Cuban leader said that illegal Cuban immigrants touching land in
the U.S. are automatically granted residency after one year --
something that is not granted to immigrants from any other country.
He also mentioned that U.S. officials are now even allowing Cubans to
enter the United States if they arrive by air with false documents.
All they have to do is say they are Cubans as soon as they arrive at
the airport. The Cuban president asked how it was possible for U.S.
authorities to safeguard their country when they allow this type of
disorder and chaos -- noting that many with criminal records and who
would have never met the basic requirements for immigration have been
handed residency in the United States.
Addressing the crowd of more than 300,000 gathered at the Jose Marti
Anti-Imperialist Tribunal, the Cuban leader referred to the most
recent victims of Washington's hostile policies: the 13 children,
torn from their country. He condemned the U.S. law that leads to "the
cruel deaths of so many Cuban children." He said that while there
will always be people everywhere willing to risk their lives to
immigrate illegally, encouraging them to do so can never be
justified.
Fidel Castro said that the Cuban Adjustment Act constitutes "a crime
against humanity." The Cuban president concluded his speech by saying
that the U.S. legislation is "not only a murderous law, but is also a
terrorist law; one that fosters the worst kind of terrorism because
it deliberately and without remorse kills innocent children."
*FIRST DEPUTY PRESIDENT OF NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF BURKINA FASO BEGINS VISIT
Havana, November 28 (RHC)-- Roch Marc Christian Kabore, Deputy
President of the National Assembly of Burkina Faso began a visit to
Cuba today, invited by the Central Committee of the Cuban Communist
Party.
Roch Marc Christian Kabore is also Executive Secretary of the
National Congress for Peace and Democracy.
During his stay on the island, which runs until December 4th, the
African leader is scheduled to meet with high-ranking Cuban officials
and visit places of social and economic interest.
*CUBA-GUYANA MIXED COOPERATION COMMISSION CONCLUDES SESSIONS IN HAVANA
Havana, November 28 (RHC)-- The 21st meeting of the Cuba-Guyana
Inter-governmental Mixed Cooperation Commission wrapped up on
Wednesday with the presence of the Guyanese Minister of Trade and
International Cooperation, Clement Rohee.
The Guyanese minister, who arrived in Cuba last Sunday, also met on
Wednesday with Cuban Deputy Foreign Minister Remirez de Estenoz.
During his stay on the island, Rohee has met with Raul de la Nuez,
Cuban Minister of Foreign Trade and Antonio Carricarte, President of
the Cuban Chamber of Commerce.
*EXPERTS DISCUSS TREATMENT OF HIP FRACTURES
Havana, November 28 (RHC)-- More than 800 delegates from 28 nations
are participating here in Havana in the 1st Congress of the Cuban
Society of Orthopedics and the American Fracture Association.
Due to the increased number of hip fractures over the past several
years, the experts have come to the conclusion that there is, what
they call, an orthopedic epidemic. They are seeking new solutions
such as the internal fixative treatment, developed by renowned Cuban
orthopedist Rodrigo Alvarez Cambra.
The use of the internal fixative in Cuba over the past five years has
demonstrated that this technique guarantees a faster recovery of the
patient and his/her subsequent return to social life.
The internal fixer minimizes risks, especially in older patients.
*CUBA CALLS FOR MORE EFFECTIVE SOLUTIONS TO ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS
Havana, November 28 (RHC)-- Daniel Codorniu, First Vice Minister of
the Ministry of Science, Technology and the Environment called for a
more effective use of science and technology to solve current
environmental problems.
The Cuban official participated in the 14th Meeting of the Executive
Committee of the Inter-American Research Institute on Climatic
Change, which continues its sessions in the Cuban capital with the
participation of representatives from the United States, Brazil,
Canada, Argentina, Panama, Cuba and Venezuela.
The vice-minister praised the work of the Inter-American Research
Institute on Climatic Change over its ten years of existence. He also
issued a call to work towards improving the projects promoted by the
institute to facilitate scientific cooperation among member nations,
as well as a better understanding of the impact of climate change in
the regional environment.
Cuba participates actively in four projects of the Inter-American
Research Institute on Climatic Changes, dealing with the impact of
the climatic phenomenon called El Nino, climatic variability,
ecosystems and pollution. The results have contributed to designing
the Cuban national program on climate change and the evolution of the
environment and have also favored more exchange between Cuban experts
and their counterparts from the region.
*GROWING NUMBER OF TOURISTS VISIT THE EASTERN CUBAN CITY OF BARACOA
Havana, November 28 (RHC)-- Some 40,000 tourists have visited the
eastern city of Baracoa so far this year. Baracoa, located in Cuba's
easternmost province of Guantanamo, was the first village declared by
the Spanish colonizers as the Cuban capital.
Compared to previous years, the number of visitors to the city
increased by four thousand this year. The major flow of tourists
comes from France, Germany, Italy and Spain and most of them repeat
their visit.
According to official statistics provided by the Cuban Tourism
Ministry, hotel revenues in Baracoa surpass five million dollars,
nearly 30 percent more than in previous years.
In comments to reporters, guests have expressed their preference for
the charms of Baracoa's colonial architecture. Tourists also
commented about the excellence of the Alejandro de Humboldt National
Park, the main bio-diversity center in the region, whose flora and
fauna are considered among the most significant in the entire world.
Baracoa is an ideal place to experience ecological tourism. It
encompasses nearly 75,000 hectares. UNESCO has declared Baracoa the
largest of the six biosphere reserves in the Caribbean.
*U.S. ATTORNEY GENERAL UNDER INCREASING FIRE FOR CIVIL LIBERTIES VIOLATIONS
Washington, November 28 (RHC)-- U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft
is coming under increasing fire by lawmakers critical of the
so-called "anti-terrorism campaign" launched by the Justice
Department.
According to reports from Capitol Hill, Ashcroft will be called
before the Senate Judiciary Committee during the first week of
December to explain recent measures to allegedly fight terrorism. The
Chair of the Senate Committee, Senator Patrick Leahy, a Democrat from
Vermont, said that the attorney general owes the country an
explanation.
A number of senators and representatives have said that recent
actions to fight terrorism go too far in curtailing civil liberties.
For example, more than 1000 people remain incarcerated after being
rounded up following the events of September 11th.
Political observers point out that U.S. President George W. Bush's
recent order allowing secret military tribunals to try non-citizens
has drawn fire from both Democrats and Republicans, as has Justice
Department approval of monitoring conversations between defense
lawyers and their clients.
Senator Leahy recently told reporters that when Washington talks
about secret military tribunals, the U.S. ends up -- in his words --
"looking more and more like some of the things that we are fighting
against."
On Tuesday, faced with growing criticism over his refusal to identify
people jailed since the September 11th attacks, Attorney General John
Ashcroft provided for the first time the names of 93 people charged
with crimes arising from the government's investigation. Ashcroft
also released an accounting of the 548 people who remain in custody
across the United States on immigration charges that arose in the
terror investigation. But that list included only the nationalities
and the charges, not the names.
The top Justice Department official spoke one day before the Senate
Judiciary Committee began a series of hearings into the government's
law-enforcement efforts.
In related news, a Justice Department memo outlined the questions for
federal investigators to ask 5000 male foreigners, ages 18 to 33. The
men come from the Middle East and other countries and entered the
United States after January 1st this year. While they are reportedly
not suspected of any crimes, officials said they hope the young
foreigners can provide them with information.
The Justice Department memo, first reported by the U.S. news daily
The Detroit Free Press, tells investigators to ask whether the person
knows anyone who has fought in a war; anyone who acted in a
"surprising or inappropriate way" to the September 11th attacks;
anyone involved in terrorism or willing to carry out terrorist
attacks; or anyone with access to guns, explosives or chemical or
biological weapons such as anthrax.
The Justice Department has been accused of racial profiling of Arabs
and citizens from Middle Eastern countries in its investigation
surrounding the tragic events of September 11th in New York and
Washington.
*MEXICAN PRESIDENT ORDERS INVESTIGATION INTO PAST HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES
Mexico City, November 28 (RHC)-- Mexican President Vicente Fox has
ordered a special investigation into the deaths and disappearances of
leftist activists, following an extensive report on government human
rights abuses prepared by the National Human Rights Commission, which
named 74 officials.
Although the commission spokesperson, José Luis Soberanes, said that
the report can only confirm 275 cases of torture and other abuses
that occurred during the 1970s and 80s, a total of 532 Mexicans taken
into custody by the authorities during that period subsequently
disappeared. He described in horrific detail the ordeal of a woman
who was raped and forced to watch the electroshock torture of her
husband and one-year-old daughter.
According to news reports from Mexico City, the Mexican president has
ordered the creation of a committee to investigate the compensation
of relatives of the victims. He has also ordered federal agencies to
release tens of thousands of documents that relate to the abuses of
past administrations.
During his election campaign, Fox vowed he would investigate past
human rights abuses; his election in December last year ended 71
years of rule by the Institutional Revolutionary Party, the PRI. But
many human rights activists remained skeptical, especially following
the October 19 slaying of prominent human rights lawyer Digna Ochoa,
after a series of death threats.
Edgar Cortez, director of the Jesuit-run Miguel Agustin Center for
the Defense of Human Rights, where Digna Ochoa worked, said that at
least "there is a recognition that there was a period of clear and
undeniable violations of human rights." He noted that previous
governments had often tried to ignore the issue. But he said he
wanted to see the results of the Mexican president's promises.
Viewpoint:
*THE TRUTH BEHIND WASHINGTON'S CLAIMS AGAINST CUBA FOR COMPENSATION
Tuesday's vote by the United Nations General Assembly in its usual
overwhelming condemnation of the United States economic blockade
against Cuba, involved a slightly different scenario this year.
Although the voting was identical to last year at 167 to 3 with 3
abstentions, the address made by the Cuban Foreign Minister Felipe
Perez Roque was different in that he made direct reference to
compensation offered by Cuba to those U.S. nationals and companies
whose lands and property were nationalized by the new government in
1959.
In the 14 points made by Perez Roque for a lifting of the blockade,
the last one stresses the need to negotiate with Cuba "a fair and
honorable arrangement to provide compensation to the nearly 6,000
U.S. companies and citizens whose properties were nationalized in the
first years of the Revolution".
The backbone of the 1996 anti-Cuba legislation known as the
Helms-Burton Law focuses on this issue of nationalized or
"expropriated" property. It takes a high moral ground in insinuating
that the 1959 government "stole" the property and the law seeks to
sanction anyone of any nationality who profits from or does business
on or with such property.
Yet for the past four decades succeeding Washington administrations
have not been honest enough to acknowledge that from the outset of
Cuba's Revolution and its total independence and full sovereignty
from foreign interests, the new government offered compensation to
all those affected - including U.S. citizens and companies. Other
countries accepted the compensation, but Washington - under pressure
from U.S. landowners with property in Cuba - refused to accept
Havana's terms.
Cuba clearly needed to nationalize certain essential services on the
island for security reasons - such as the electricity and telephone
companies, as well as offset the huge imbalance on the control of
food production imposed by a 75 percent foreign ownership of arable
land - and the resulting compensation terms were based on
calculations from tax assessment values declared by the owners
themselves. However, these assessments had not been adjusted for some
40 years prior to l959 - the mostly U.S. owners profiting enormously
from the resulting tax breaks. Wanting the full current value of the
land - although they had never honestly declared its real worth -
these owners sought to bleed Cuba drier than they had already done in
the years preceding the arrival of Fidel Castro.
A total of five U.S. sugar companies owned or controlled more than
two million acres in Cuba before the Revolution. Thus the island's
most important cash crop was almost completely controlled by U.S.
interests. The Agrarian Reform Law and the subsequent nationalization
of lands and property quickly regained ownership and distribution
rights for the people of Cuba and placed the nation's economy firmly
in their hands.
Cuba's generous offer of 20-year government bonds at 4.5 percent
interest (in comparison, the 1958 value of U.S. investment grade
corporate bonds was much lower at 3.8 percent) was scorned by the
greedy landowners and the U.S. government they controlled. After
putting up with more than a year of destabilization and attacks from
Washington, Havana eventually nationalized all U.S. owned property in
late October 1960 in direct response to the imposition of a U.S.
embargo against the island on October 19th of the same year.
For the past 10 years the continuing U.S. economic blockade against
Cuba has been condemned by the world community voting in the United
Nations as inhuman and illegal and contrary to every aspect of
international law.
One of Washington's stated reasons for maintaining this blockade has
been the issue of land compensation.
As always in the case of U.S./Cuba relations, a little digging
reveals the truth.
(c) 2001 Radio Habana Cuba, NY Transfer News. All rights reserved.
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