From: NY Transfer News <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
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Date: Mon, 9 Apr 2001 23:51:11 -0400 (EDT)
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Subject: [CubaNews] RHC News Update-09 April 2001
Via NY Transfer News * All the News That Doesn't Fit
Radio Havana Cuba - News Update - 09 April 2001
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*ARGENTINE SOLIDARITY ACTIVISTS PETITION GOVERNMENT TO BACK CUBA IN GENEVA
*ANOTHER GROUP OF VENEZUELAN PATIENTS ARRIVE IN HAVANA
*PABLO MILANES: A STANDING OVATION IN COSTA RICA
*KEVIN COSTNER COMES TO HAVANA
*GARCIA EMERGES AS BIG SURPRISE IN PERU'S ELECTIONS
*CANADA FACES LEGAL CHALLENGE AGAINST STRONG-ARM TACTICS AGAINST PROTESTS
*CHINA-US SPY PLANE DISPUTE ENTERS SECOND WEEK; NO SOLUTION IN SIGHT
*Viewpoint: US LATIN AMERICA POLICY COULD BACKFIRE
.
*ARGENTINE SOLIDARITY ACTIVISTS PETITION GOVERNMENT TO BACK CUBA IN GENEVA
Mercedes, April 9 (RHC)--More than 500 people attended the inauguration of
the Casa de Amistad Argentina-Cubana (Argentina-Cuba Friendship House) over
the weekend -- calling on the administration of President Fernando de la Rua
to vote favorably for Havana during the upcoming vote on alleged human
rights violations in Cuba.
During the event, a petition was circulated and signed by hundreds of
Argentines -- demanding that their country vote "no" on the U.S.-sponsored
resolution at the United Nations Human Rights Commission in Geneva.
According to Cristina Canata, a member of the board of directors of Casa de
Amistad, the petition calls on the government to respect the dignity and
honor of the Argentine and Cuban peoples.
During the solidarity activity, which took place in Mercedes, some 100
kilometers west of Buenos Aires, Cuba's Ambassador to Argentina was a
special guest of honor. Ambassador Alejandro Gonzalez stated that the
opening of the Casa de Amistad helped to break the blockade imposed on the
island by the United States over the past 40 years.
Havana's ambassador to Buenos Aires thanked the Argentine people for their
expressions of solidarity with the Cuban Revolution. And Alejandro Gonzalez
affirmed that the Cuban people will never bow down to the dictates of
Washington.
Whatever happens at the upcoming vote in Geneva, the Cuban ambassador to
Argentina said, the people of Cuba are well aware that it is the government,
and not the Argentine people, casting the vote at the UN Human Rights
Commission.
*ANOTHER GROUP OF VENEZUELAN PATIENTS ARRIVE IN HAVANA
Havana, April 9 (RHC)--Another group of 49 Venezuelan patients arrived in
the Cuban capital on Sunday. The arrival of this eighth group of Venezuelans
brings the total number of patients treated in Havana since November last
year to 355.
The treatment of patients from Venezuela is seen as part of Cuba's
solidarity with its Latin American and Caribbean sisters and brothers. The
patients receive specialized medical care for however long it is necessary,
free of charge.
Since the medical flights began back in November, Venezuelan patients have
been provided with medical care in 19 institutions across the island.
Amilcar Carvajal, the Venezuelan coordinator of the health agreements
between Havana and Caracas, told reporters at Jose Marti International
Airport that his country is very pleased with the attention received in
Cuba. He noted that there is a backlog of requests to go to Cuba -- with
more than 5000 patients on the list for future flights.
Carvajal added that Venezuela is also grateful for the training being given
to hundreds of young medical students from his country, currently studying
at the Latin American School of Medicine, located on the outskirts of
Havana.
*PABLO MILANES: A STANDING OVATION IN COSTA RICA
San Jose, April 9 (RHC)--One of Cuba's most renowned singer/songwriters,
Pablo Milanes, has received the praise of critics and concert audiences
alike -- following what local media are calling a "magnificent performance."
Pablo Milanes brought more than 4000 fans to their feet during a concert in
San Jose, the Costa Rican capital. The concert, held in an amphitheatre of a
downtown hotel, was given wide coverage by the press, as well as national
radio and television stations.
A founder of the Cuban New Song Movement of the 1960's -- along with Silvio
Rodriguez, Vicente Feliu and Noel Nicola -- Pablo Milanes included the song
"Gracias a la Vida" by Chilean singer Violeta Parra as part of his
repertoire.
One of Cuba's most prolific and internationally renowned songwriters, Pablo
Milanes performed last week at the Ruben Dario Theater in Managua, the
Nicaraguan capital. Following his successful performances in Costa Rica, he
continues his Central American concert tour in Panama.
*KEVIN COSTNER COMES TO HAVANA
Havana, April 9 (RHC)--U.S. actor Kevin Costner arrives in Havana Monday
afternoon to attend the premier of his latest movie, "Thirteen Days." The
film is about the October 1962 missile crisis between the United States, the
Soviet Union and Cuba.
Kevin Costner produced the movie and stars as an advisor to then-U.S.
President John F. Kennedy. According to reports, Costner has invited Cuban
President Fidel Castro to the premier showing in Havana.
*GARCIA EMERGES AS BIG SURPRISE IN PERU'S ELECTIONS
Lima, April 9 (RHC)--Former Peruvian President Alan Garcia has emerged as
the big surprise in Sunday's elections, virtually assuring his candidacy in
a second round against Alejandro Toledo. Attorney Lourdes Flores was left in
third place, according to partial results predicting that Garcia will
continue increasing his lead over Flores.
Media outlets in Peru and the South American region are asking how the
former president, who was forced to flee into exile 9 years ago after
leaving the Peruvian economy on its knees and facing a proliferation of
guerrilla groups, can return home and in just 60 days guarantee his
candidacy in a presidential run-off. Garcia left Peru with a 7500 percent
inflation rate amid charges of corruption against his 1985 to 1990
administration.
Analysts are commenting that Garcia used his charisma and excellent oratory
ability. But according to the Argentine news daily La Nacion, Garcia's
electoral triumph is a sign of the volatile nature of politics in a country
where an individual of Japanese origin -- a reference to former President
Alberto Fujimori -- could rule for 10 years without anyone being sure
whether or not he was a Peruvian citizen.
*CANADA FACES LEGAL CHALLENGE AGAINST STRONG-ARM TACTICS AGAINST PROTESTS
Toronto, April 9 (RHC)--An attorney in Canada has petitioned the Supreme
Court of Quebec to prohibit the construction of a 4 and a half kilometer
cement wall with barbed wire to prevent anti-free market demonstrators from
getting near the upcoming 3rd Summit of the Americas. Montreal attorney Marc
Tremblay, a member of the ruling Liberal Party, stated that construction of
the barrier, which has been called the "Lockdown of Quebec," violates
Canadian laws guaranteeing freedom of expression.
Tremblay said the majority of demonstrators have vowed to protest
peacefully, and that Canadian police would have no trouble handling a
minority that may resort to violent methods. The Canadian attorney said the
real reason the barrier is being erected is so that the world won't see the
thousands of persons planning to protest free-market globalization.
And, he added, if the Canadian government believes that the security of the
heads of state participating in the gathering is in such danger, then Ottawa
should resort to its special laws in these types of situations and seek
parliamentary approval for their implementation. At the same time, a group
of renowned Canadian intellectuals is also gathering signatures to protest
police plans during the Summit.
Quebec officials estimate that between 30 and 40 thousand protesters will
converge on the city. Thousands of non-protesters, however, will have to
show special IDs to get to work or travel home.
*CHINA-US SPY PLANE DISPUTE ENTERS SECOND WEEK; NO SOLUTION IN SIGHT
Beijing, Washington, April 9 (RHC)--The China-U.S. dispute over Washington's
spy plane has entered its second week with no solution in sight. As Beijing
continues insisting on a formal U.S. government apology, authorities in
Washington are intensifying pressure against China -- warning that the
dispute will have long-term effects in relations between the two countries,
including in the sphere of trade.
U.S. President George Bush stated Monday that the possibility increases with
each day China retains the spy plane and its 24-member crew, while Secretary
of State Colin Powell said that an apology is beyond any type of
consideration. Beijing insists on the apology asserting that the spy plane
entered China's airspace without permission after colliding with a Chinese
fighter-bomber; Washington insists that the aircraft was involved in an
observation flight in international airspace.
Observers are commenting that Chinese exporters are beginning to express
concern, since China has accumulated an 84 billion dollar surplus in its
trade with the U.S.
*Viewpoint: US LATIN AMERICA POLICY COULD BACKFIRE
The George W. Bush administration's Latin America policy doesn't look
promising for the region. The so-called "new U.S. policy toward the
continent" has two principal points. One is the tough battle being waged in
Geneva in the United Nations Human Rights Commission to obtain an anti-Cuba
vote which could serve as a beginning to re-enforce Washington's already
aggressive policy against the island. The second point will be the Summit of
the Americas in which the U.S. is attempting to gather Latin America into a
Free Trade Treaty, which would serve to choke off what little freedom they
have left.
Within the twisted system that Washington is mounting comes the recent
designation of right-wing ideologue Otto Reich as Under Secretary of State
for Latin American Affairs. Reich was a member of the Reagan administration
and participated in the Iran-Contra scandal. He also helped to design the
notorious Helms-Helm Burton law which, among other draconian measures,
toughens Washington's economic blockade against Cuba.
According to some U.S. experts, appointing this man to head the nation's
relations with Latin America indicates a step toward an even tougher policy
against Cuba. That is why we see the appointment as going against improving
relations with the rest of the continent.
Cuba has lived for 40 years facing nine consecutive U.S. governments which
have tried to destabilize the island in a variety of ways, and so we are
prepared to continue doing whatever is necessary to deal with any new moves
against Cuba's independence, sovereignty and integrity.
(c) 2001 Radio Habana Cuba, NY Transfer News. All rights reserved.
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