From: NY Transfer News <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: [CubaNews] NY Transfer's RHC News Update-20 Sept 2001
Via NY Transfer News * All the News That Doesn't Fit
Radio Havana Cuba - News Update - 20 September 2001
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*ROUNDTABLE PARTICIPANTS WARN OF IMMINENT MILITARY ATTACKS BY US
*RELIGIOUS LEADERS IN AFGANISTAN INVITE OSAMA BIN LADEN TO DEPART
*DESPITE WIDESPREAD DOMESTIC OPPOSITION, PAKISTAN GOES ALONG WITH US WAR
*US WAR RHETORIC PROMPTS PAUSE IN VIEQUES CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE CAMPAIGN
*US REP BARBARA LEE CALLS FOR BROAD PUBLIC MOVEMENT AGAINST WAR
*CUBA AND BRAZIL SIGN AGREEMENTS TO FIGHT DRUG-TRAFFICKING
*PM OF ST. VINCENT/GRENADINES WRAPS UP OFFICIAL VISIT
*NEW SEMESTER BEGINS AT HAVANA'S LATIN AMERICAN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
*Viewpoint: BUSH'S WAR MACHINE MAKES READY FOR MORE KILLING
.
*ROUNDTABLE PARTICIPANTS WARN OF IMMINENT MILITARY ATTACKS BY US
Havana, September 20 (RHC)--Cuban journalists and experts in
international affairs warn that Washington is heading down the road
of no return -- but stressed that it still isn't too late to change
course.
During Wednesday evening's roundtable discussion -- broadcast live on
Cuban radio and television -- panelists examined the international
situation in light of last week's tragic events in New York and
Washington.
Randy Alonso, moderator of the nightly news program, read the
official note issued by the Cuban government on Wednesday entitled
"Everything is Not Yet Lost." The government statement said that "at
a time when the wisest choice is the serene and courageous search for
definitive solutions to terrorism and other tragedies based on
universal consensus, a harsh language full of rage and a spirit of
vengeance is being used by influential politicians and leaders in the
United States."
The statement, issued Wednesday by the Cuban government, notes that
"although the drums of war are loudly beating and seem to irrevocably
lead toward a bloody end, everything is not yet lost... But there is
not a minute to spare; there is little time left."
Panelists on the roundtable discussion aired by Cuban radio and
television Wednesday evening pointed out that the island has been the
direct victim of terrorist attacks for more than 40 years,
reiterating that Cuba has offered its condolences to the victims and
its willingness to help in an internationally coordinated effort
against terrorism.
*RELIGIOUS LEADERS IN AFGANISTAN INVITE OSAMA BIN LADEN TO DEPART
Kabul, September 20 (RHC)--Religious leaders in Afghanistan have
urged Osama Bin Laden to voluntarily leave the country, while
reiterating a threat to declare a Holy War against the United States.
The resolution followed a 2-day meeting of the Ulema, comprised of
some one thousand Muslim scholars, following US President George
Bush's "dead or alive" warrant against the Saudi Muslim
fundamentalist suspected of responsibility in the September 11
terrorist attacks.
Afghanistan's Taliban leaders have insisted on several occasions that
Bin Laden will not be turned over to US authorities without evidence
of his participation in the attacks, but stated that they would abide
by any decision of the country's Ulema, or council of religious
scholars. Washington has refused to share the evidence it claims to
have.
The Ulema's ruling did not specify a time limit for Bin Laden's
acceptance or rejection. According to observers, the decision seems
to be a compromise between religious leaders willing to risk US
military strikes to protect Bin Laden and those preferring to free
Afghanistan from such a threat. Washington has rejected the
resolution.
*DESPITE WIDESPREAD DOMESTIC OPPOSITION, PAKISTAN GOES ALONG WITH US WAR
Islamabad, September 20 (RHC)--Pakistani military leader Pervez
Musharraf has for the first time announced his intention to fully
cooperate with Washington's war on terrorism, but popular reaction is
threatening to destabilize the country. Musharraf issued a desperate
appeal in the name of what he called the wisdom of Islam, justifying
his decision to open Pakistan's airspace to US military aircraft, by
citing what he called the nuclear threat from India due to the
dispute over Kashmir and the need to revitalize the economy.
Washington has reportedly agreed to lift limited economic sanctions
against Pakistan following several nuclear tests in 1998, which would
allow the country to obtain a multi-billion dollar loan from
international lending agencies. Nevertheless, the immense majority of
Pakistani Muslims -- 96% of the population -- seems to be adamantly
unwilling to join forces with Washington against Afghanistan. Radical
Islamic groups have called for a campaign of nationwide strikes and
street demonstrations beginning Friday.
*US WAR RHETORIC PROMPTS PAUSE IN VIEQUES CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE CAMPAIGN
San Juan, September 20 (RHC)--Due to the war rhetoric in the United
States, the 15 organizations in Puerto Rico calling for the
demilitarization of Vieques have decided to suspend their civil
disobedience actions during the US Navy's next round of target
practice in the island-municipality. Bombardments will recommence in
Vieques on September 24, the fourth session of military exercises
this year.
Puerto Rican activists have decided that in the face of an
exaggerated military deployment following the September 11 terrorist
attacks in New York and Washington, the security of protesters would
be at risk. The organizers of previous civil disobedience campaigns
believe the warlike atmosphere in the United States would lead to the
violent repression of peaceful demonstrators by a US military
justifying the use of Vieques for its war on terrorism.
More than one thousand Puerto Ricans and Americans have been
arrested, tried and incarcerated for participating in civil
disobedience actions in which activists secretly penetrate the target
range area in Vieques, often delaying or interrupting the military
exercises.
*US REP BARBARA LEE CALLS FOR BROAD PUBLIC MOVEMENT AGAINST WAR
Berkeley, California, September 20 (RHC)--The only member of the US
Congress to vote against President George Bush's war drive has called
for a broad public movement against war. In statements to "The Daily
Californian," California Representative Barbara Lee said she is
turning to her constituency in Berkeley to "rise up" and lead the
nation in a renewed pacifist movement, adding that her city has
always led in terms of clarity on foreign policy issues.
She called Berkeley an enlightened city, expressing hope that its
people see that they have the power to do something. Regarding her
lone vote against granting Bush multi-billion dollar funds and
virtually unlimited power to wage war, Lee said it was an agonizing
decision and that she's been called a traitor. She added she has
received thousands of e-mails and telephone calls from people who
both criticize and applaud her position.
The interview coincided with an editorial in "The Daily Californian"
entitled "Barbara Lee: A Voice of Reason, A True Patriot," which
asserted that the congressional representative voted against Bush's
request to void many of the checks and balances that ensure the fair
running of US democracy.
The editorial went on to say that Lee gave a voice to those who feel
alone in their convictions that the United States should not plunge
headlong into war, while arguing that giving the President more power
to wage war unchecked will do nothing to prevent more attacks of
terror on US soil.
*CUBA AND BRAZIL SIGN AGREEMENTS TO FIGHT DRUG-TRAFFICKING
Havana, September 20 (RHC)--Cuba and Brazil have signed new
agreements to fight drug-trafficking. According to members of a
bilateral commission that concluded a two-day meeting on Wednesday,
the agreements involve the exchange of information, technical,
professional and scientific assistance and the training of personnel.
The new agreements between Havana and Brasilia also include
cooperation in the areas of treatment and rehabilitation of drug
addicts, as well as community prevention programs.
The Brazilian delegation -- led by Dr. Joao Solano, National
Secretary of Health, and made up of police officials from the South
American nation -- met with the Executive Secretary of Cuba's
National Drug Commission, Jorge Reyes Vega, and Roberto Diaz
Sotolongo, Cuban Minister of Justice.
Speaking with reporters in Havana, the head of the Brazilian
delegation said that bilateral cooperation between Havana and
Brasilia in the fight against drug-trafficking is a good example of
what can be accomplished in this area internationally.
*PM OF ST. VINCENT/GRENADINES WRAPS UP OFFICIAL VISIT
Havana, September 20 (RHC)--The Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the
Grenadines, Ralph Gonsalves, wrapped up his official four-day visit
to the island on Thursday.
During his last full day in the Cuban capital, the Caribbean leader
attended the signing of important cooperation accords between Havana
and Kingston and met with numerous high-ranking Cuban officials.
The new agreements cover the areas of construction, agriculture,
fishing, tourism, sports, transportation and trade. Details of the
accords were worked out during the Second Session of the Bilateral
Mixed Commission between Cuba and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
The accords were signed by Marta Lomas, Cuba's Minister of Foreign
Investment and Economic Cooperation, and Louis Straker, St. Vincent
and the Grenadines Deputy Prime Minister and head of Foreign
Relations and Commerce. Attending the signing ceremony with Prime
Minister Gonsalves was Cuba's Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque.
Earlier in the day, Gonsalves and his delegation visited the
International School of Sports and Physical Education. They also met
with Cuba's Minister of Culture, Abel Prieto, and the island's
Minister of Tourism, Ibrahim Ferradaz.
Observers noted that this four-day official visit to Cuba by the
Caribbean leader was not only significant in advancing bilateral
relations, but also in promoting regional integration. The prime
minister has visited Cuba on a number of occasions in the past, but
this was his first official visit since taking office in March this
year.
*NEW SEMESTER BEGINS AT HAVANA'S LATIN AMERICAN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
Havana, September 20 (RHC)--Students at the Latin American School of
Medicine headed back to classes on Thursday. A total of 3,284
students are enrolled in the first and second year of medical studies
at the school, located just outside of the Cuban capital.
According to Nancy Nunez Pirez, the Director of International
Relations for the Latin American School of Medicine, more than 1,000
third-year students have fanned out into the Cuban countryside to
begin internships at local clinics. Students are working in the
provinces of Pinar del Río, Matanzas, Villa Clara, Cienfuegos, Santi
Spíritus and Camaguey.
She noted that there are medical students from 24 countries enrolled
at the school this year, including young people from four African
countries: Nigeria, Cape Verde, Guinea Bissau and Equatorial Guinea.
Students from Central America and the United States are also
beginning their classes at the School.
*Viewpoint: BUSH'S WAR MACHINE MAKES READY FOR MORE KILLING
The long arm of Washington's vengeance is about to deal a deadly
blow to Afghanistan, where the presumed author of the September 11
attacks against the United States, Osama Bin Laden, is reportedly in
hiding.
The threat is very real. All the borders with surrounding states have
been closed to Afghanistan and its fanatically religious Taliban
regime is being pushed by George W Bush into a corner which will give
him an excuse to send in the bombers. At the time of writing this
editorial, the US president is expected to speak to the nation on
Thursday evening. Many fear it will be to announce some type of
military action against Bin Laden and Afghanistan and thus likely set
off a holy war of further massive bloodshed.
The Afghan people are the ones who are most likely to suffer most if
Bush strikes hard. There are 24 million of them living under some of
the most miserable conditions on the planet. A full six million
currently face starvation, while almost four million are refugees in
camps along the Pakistani and Iranian borders. United Nations refugee
sources say that a war would add to this misery to such an extent
that it would convert Afghanistan into the worst humanitarian crisis
on the planet.
This is Washington's target. By all accounts it won't be a war but a
genocide. Cuba agrees that justice must be brought down upon those
who planned and carried out the attacks on New York and Washington,
but not at the cost of more civilian lives. We do not believe that
this is the justice the people of the United States are seeking.
(c) 2001 Radio Habana Cuba, NY Transfer News. All rights reserved.
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