Vietnam News Dec 28
Hanoi Party Congress opens Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee Nguyen Phu Trong delivers a report at the congress. Hanoi opened its 13th Party Congress yesterday morning with the participation of 401 delegates representing more than 150,000 local Party members. Politburo Member and Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee Nguyen Phu Trong, in his political report delivered at the Congress, said that Hanoi would promote age-old culture and its Heroic title while stepping up industrialisation and modernisation to build a more prosperous, civilised and modern city. His report also highlighted important achievements recorded by the city in many fields. The city's economy has developed with pretty high growth rate. The economic structure has seen positive changes toward industrialisation and modernisation. Hanoi is one of the localities having high growth rate in all sectors and areas with its annual gross social products growth rate of 10.6%. The political, security and defence situation has been maintained. The infrastructure construction and the city's management have seen much progress. Achievements have also been made in the social culture with the title 'The City for Peace' given to Hanoi by UNESCO. Apart from the achievements, Mr Trong also pointed out the city's weaknesses and shortcomings concerning unstable economic development, slow settlement of the resolved burning issues on social evils, slow process of administrative reform and weak Party building work. Regarding the orientation for socio-economic development over the next ten years, Mr Trong said that Hanoi strives to obtain a rapid and sustainable economic growth rate. He also put forth main targets of the five year plan: the annual average GDP growth rate of between 10% and 11%, the industrial production value increases by about 14.5 to 15.5%; service sectors, 9% to 10%; export turnover, 16 to 18% and about 4,500 to 5,000 people will be admitted to the Party each year. Meanwhile in the opening speech, Deputy Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee Pham Loi said that on the City's Party Congress, the capital's people and army have strengthened the patriotic emulation movement. Hanoi has overfulfiled the socio-economic targets this year. Activities to celebrate the Thang Long-Hanoi founding anniversary have ended in success. He also said that the Hanoians' happiness and pride have been multiplied many times when Hanoi was awarded 'Heroic City' title by the Party and the State. Particularly the Politburo has recently issued a Resolution on orientations and tasks to develop Hanoi over the next ten years. This, he said, is a great honour and also creates favourabe conditions for the congress to discuss and map out plans and tasks for the city's development in the coming time. Prominent among those attending the congress were Party General Secretary Le Kha Phieu, Advisors to the Party Central Committee Do Muoi, Le Duc Anh and Vo Van Kiet, Prime Minister Phan Van Khai, National Assembly Chairman Nong Duc Manh, Permanent Member of the Politburo Standing Board and President of the Presidium of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Pham The Duyet and Vice President Nguyen Thi Binh. Hanoi, the heart of country: Party leader Communist Party of Vietnam General Secretary Le Kha Phieu has laid emphasis on the development of Hanoi as the core in Vietnam's national construction and defence strategy in the on-going process of industrialisation and modernisation. Addressing the 13th Hanoi Party congress, which was opened on December 27, in the presence of Advisors to the Party Central Committee Do Muoi, Le Duc Anh and Vo Van Kiet, Prime Minister Phan Van Khai, National Assembly Chairman Nong Duc Manh and others, Mr Le Kha Phieu said : The development and political stability of Hanoi has helped accelerate the growth and political stability of the northern region and the whole country and raise Vietnam's position. It has also helped gain our friends' love for and trust in Vietnam, the Party chief recalled. He lauded Hanoi's Party Committee and people, saying that Hanoi is worthy of being the capital city of a millennial civilization, the national political nerve-centre, and a major economic, cultural, scientific, educational and international exchange centre. It is worthy of being the heroic capital of a heroic nation. Hanoi is the heart of Vietnam's socialist system and a socialist stronghold of the whole country. It also symbolises the Vietnamese people's persistent political stance and has contributed to creating and multiplying the vitality of the country's political, economic, ideological and cultural policies, Mr Phieu said. The Party leader stressed that any vague viewpoints and hesitant attitudes towards Vietnam's path of national independence and socialism in all areas should be criticized frankly and openly. Hanoi posted a high GDP
Life, Work Gardens in Havana-Jan 5-NYC
From: NY Transfer News [EMAIL PROTECTED] Via NY Transfer News Collective * All the News That Doesn't Fit Please forward or repost The Brecht Forum and NY Transfer News present Accidental Internationalist REFLECTIONS OF AN AMERICAN WORKER IN THE CUBAN REVOLUTION: WORK, LIFE AND GARDENS IN HAVANA A Talk by Mike Fuller Friday, January 5, 2001 - 7:30 p.m. Brecht Forum - 122 West 27 Street, 10th Floor between 6th and 7th Avenues, New York City Mike Fuller is a United States citizen who has been living and working in Cuba since 1994, despite the U.S. government's blockade of and restrictions on travel to that island. Fuller will offer some insights on living and working in Cuba and being a full-fledged participant in the day-to-day social and economic life of the island. This translator, editor, interpreter and English teacher will reflect upon his jobs, family life and peak experiences over the last six years of massive transformations in Cuba. Tracing his personal history in U.S. and international progressive movements, he will discuss recent activities on that island and search for common spaces with participants. Fuller's talk is not meant to be a highly theoretical analysis, but rather an easy-going conversation about one person's life as a modest melody of resistance and an invitation for others to sing along. In addition to discussing his personal experiences in the Revolution, Fuller will also speak about the new Urban Garden Movement presently taking form in Havana. Since the collapse a decade ago of the Soviet Union, and the subsequent shortages of fuel, fertilizers and pesticides, the Cuban government has gradually made a shift from conventional growing of food crops to organic farming. Cuba is the only country in the world where the use of organic methods is national agricultural policy. As part of this policy, the government has also encouraged the development of a widespread urban gardening movement, to help provide Cuba's city dwellers with a reliable supply of fresh organic produce. Mr. Fuller will speak about this popular activity and will give a slide presentation showing the work being done in some of Havana's varied community gardens. Mike Fuller currently collaborates in Havana with Prensa Latina, a Cuban news agency; the Jose Marti International Journalism Institute; Infomed, the Ministry of Public Health telecommunications system; the National Translation and Interpretation Team; and Cubalinda.com, a travel agency set up by former CIA officer Philip Agee, designed to encourage Americans to resist the blockade and travel to Cuba. Suggested admission to this talk is on a sliding scale of $6-$10. Proceeds will benefit the new Urban Gardening Project at the Jose Marti Journalism Institute in Havana. A wine-and-cheese reception will follow the talk. Learn more about Cuba's Gardens at http://www.blythe.org and click on the Accidental Internationalist link. For more information, call the Brecht Forum: 212-242-4201 or email NY Transfer News: [EMAIL PROTECTED] -30- = NY Transfer News Collective * A Service of Blythe Systems Since 1985 - Information for the Rest of Us 339 Lafayette St., New York, NY 10012 http://www.blythe.org e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] = -- eGroups Sponsor -~-~ eGroups eLerts It's Easy. It's Fun. Best of All, it's Free! http://click.egroups.com/1/9698/0/_/_/_/977896871/ -_- Post comments to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Send an email to subscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe from this CubaNews group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ___ KOMINFORM P.O. Box 66 00841 Helsinki - Finland +358-40-7177941, fax +358-9-7591081 e-mail [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.kominf.pp.fi ___ Kominform list for general information. Subscribe/unsubscribe messages to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Anti-Imperialism list for geopolitics. Subscribe/unsubscribe messages: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] ___
Vietnam News Dec 27
Party leader reaffirms ties with Laos Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) General Secretary Le Kha Phieu has assured Laos's National Assembly Chairman Samane Vignaketh of Vietnam's unceasing efforts to constantly develop its ties with its neighbour. Vietnam always attached importance to further consolidating and developing the Vietnam- Laos relations for the benefit of each nation and for peace, stability, co-operation and development in the region and the world, Mr Phieu said while receiving the Lao National Assembly Chairman in Hanoi on December 26. Mr Phieu praised the result of the working sessions between the two National Assembly delegations, saying they were a positive contribution to developing the special solidarity and comprehensive co-operation between the two countries. He also expressed his belief that the Lao people would continue with new and greater achievements in making Laos a peaceful, independent, democratic, united and prosperous country. Mr Samane Vignaketh, who is on a week-long visit to Vietnam, reaffirmed the Laos's National Assembly's resolve to persistently strengthen and develop the special friendship and multi-faceted co-operation between Laos and Vietnam. He said he believed that the Vietnamese people would continue to record new and bigger successes through renovation and their industrialisation and modernisation programme to create a wealthy people, a prosperous country and an equitable, democratic and civilised society. (VNA) --- - President Luong meets PM Zhu Rongji Vietnam highly appreciated China's experience in socio-economic development and thought it useful to its own national construction and renovation, President Tran Duc Luong told Chinese Prime Minister Zhu Rongji in Beijing on December 26. President Luong, who is making a five-day official visit to China, also spoke highly of the Chinese government's effective help and co-operation with the Vietnam government in economic development, investment, trade and tourism. He believed the results from the comprehensive co-operation between Vietnam and China would continue to develop and in so doing meet the aspirations of the two Parties, governments and peoples, while promoting prosperity and happiness between the two countries and contributing to peace, stability and development in the region and the world. Prime Minister Zhu Rongji welcomed the outcome of the talks between President Jiang Zemin and President Tran Duc Luong, and their shared view about the important orientation for bilateral co-operation between the two countries in the 21st century. Prime Minister Zhu appreciated the joint effort of China and Vietnam to expand economic, commercial, tourism, scientific, technical, educational and training-co-operation. He said that he hoped this co-operation would be effectively expanded for the benefit of the two peoples. (VNA) --- - Vietnam, China to boost legislative co-operation President Tran Duc Luong (left) meets Chinese Chairman of the National People's Congress Li Peng. Both Vietnam and China hoped their legislative co-operation would be increasingly consolidated and expanded in many fields. The hope was expressed by visiting Vietnamese President Tran Duc Luong and Chinese Chairman of the National People's Congress Li Peng during their meeting in Beijing on December 26. The two parties held that the development of bilateral legislative ties would contribute to boosting the friendship and co-operation between the two Parties, States and peoples and meeting the aspirations and interests of both peoples, for peace, stability, co-operation and development in the region and the world at large. President Tran Duc Luong expressed his delight at the fine development of the relationship between the two countries in general and between the two legislative bodies in particular. He said that such relationship has helped each country perfect its own legal system and build a rule of law of the people, by the people and for the people. President Luong also expressed his joy at the great achievements recorded by the Chinese people in their open-door reform and socialism construction which was imbued with Chinese characteristics. He said he hoped that the Chinese people, under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, would successfully build a prosperous country with an increasing role and position in the international arena. Chairman Li Peng, for his part, thanked President Luong for his fine sentiments toward China and its people. He welcomed positive steps of development in the China-Vietnam relations in the recent past, especially since the historic Beijing meeting between Chinese Party General Secretary Jiang Zemin and his Vietnamese counterpart Le Kha Phieu, who defined the guideline of "neighbour friendship, comprehensive co-operation,
Turkey. Lies in the Turkish media about the Death Fast.
From: dhkcbureau [EMAIL PROTECTED] LIES LIE NO.1: "The lie that the Death Fast and the Hunger Strike have ended." "In Edirne 'F' Type Prison, those who wanted to carry out hunger strikes and Death Fasts soon abandoned their attempts." (Akit, December 23) LIE! In Edirne, Sincan, Kocaeli 'F' Type prisons and Bakirkoy prison for women and children, in Usak Prison where the political prisoners have not yet been sent to other prisons, and in all the hospitals where the Death Fast resisters are, THE HUNGER STRIKES AND DEATH FASTS ARE CONTINUING. A note to Akit, which is an Islamist newspaper: in these days of fasting: how can such lies be appropriate? (It is currently Ramadan in the Islamic world.) You can break your fast by drinking the blood of 30 revolutionaries (normally this is done by drinking water). Water does not suit you, the blood of revolutionaries does. LIE NO.2: "Ercan Kartal and Sadi Ozpolat, who were transported to Edirne 'F' Type Prison, have broken off their hunger strike." (Hurriyet and Milliyet, December 23) The resisters Ercan Kartal and Sadi Ozpolat are continuing their hunger strike. Those who create such news, write such news, have such news written and consent to having such news transmitted are COMMON LIARS. They are slanderers who strangers to decency, dignity, honour and respect. Again, the same newspapers write, "The stubborn attitude of the authorities caused them to be subjected to a body search and then be given a Number Zero haircut." This is not a stubborn attitude, this is torture! Look at Lie No. 1 by Akit, and Lie No. 2 by Hurriyet. Islamic Akit and the very secular Hurriyet are united in the way they tell lies. How much they are side by side with the state when it slaughters revolutionaries, how much they labour to defend the slaughter of revolutionaries. Hurriyet is known to be the newspaper of MIT and most of its headlines are saturated with the contra-guerrilla mentality. Everyone remember Hurriyet's photographs at the time of the Ulucanlar massacre, captioned "Five minutes before the riot started." Of the sources given above, Hurriyet has the most previous convictions in this regard. LIE NO. 3: Ecevit said, "In this way, death actions have been removed in the whole of Turkey," (Statement dated December 22). "The Death Fast was fake" (Headline in Milliyet newspaper, and various writers) It is unnecessary to say too much about this. The reply to this comes every day from hospitals where it is declared that "those on the Death Fast are refusing medical treatment". The basic answer will be in the form of our deaths. What will those who say now that "the Death Fast is fake" say when it is shown that they themselves are the FAKERS? In 1996, Sevket Kazan also said, "They are eating," and then they started to die. Twelve prisoners died. Nobody believes what Sevket Kazan says any more. Everyone who is now like Kazan was then will be shown to be contemptible. LIE NO. 4: "The state knew what the situation was in the prisons before it went in. It knew that the prisoners were not on the "death fast". (Aksam, December 23, Emin Pazarci) Finally they are really doing badly. They are dreaming up new lies to cover their old lies. But there are so many lies that they cannot save themselves from the contradictions in them. So the state also knew that there was no Death Fast in the prisons. So why was it stated that the operation was aimed at "returning the prisoners to life"? Because the Health Minister is a member of the MHP and said on TV, "Let them kick the bucket," it cannot be expected that such a person would say something humane. Those people who continue to utter these lies have the same mentality as those who say "let them kick the bucket". LIE NO. 5: "The lie that 'we could not go into the prisons for 10 years'", "Those prisons we could not enter for 10 years." (All the daily newspapers and columnists which support the murderous assault share this same lie). The prison administration protocols, documents on the results of roll calls and search warrants are held by the Justice Ministry. All these documents must be revealed. The statements by protective custody officials, former prosecutors and justice ministers are available. When it became clear that such statements were too far-fetched to be believed, the Justice Minister said, "Actually we went in, carried out searches but it was never completed." This lie that they could not go into the prisons for 10 years had two aims. First, it made a massacre appear justified. Two, this gave the opportunity for the system parties to engage in infighting and blame the DYP-SHP government. WARNING TO THOSE WHO ARE TELLING LIES! What will you do if they stopped telling these lies and proceeded to come up with other explanations? For example, before the December 19 operation it was said to be an "operation to save the lives of the Death Fasters", now they are saying the "state knew there was not a Death Fast". Do not defend this state
PROTEST THE TURKISH STATE.
From: "dhkc bureau" [EMAIL PROTECTED] ATTENTION, ATTENTION! TO THE ENTIRE POPULATION OF HUMAN BEINGS THE STATE IN TURKEY HAS CARRIED OUT A MASSACRE IN PRISONS. MORE THAN 30 POLITICAL PRISONER WERE MASSACRED. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF INJURED. HUNDREDS OF POLITICAL PRISONERS ARE ON DEATH FAST. MORE THAN 2000 POLITICAL PRISONERS ARE ON HUNGER STRIKE. PROTEST THE TURKISH STATE. OPPOSE THE MASSACRES. SAVE THE LIVES OF THE SURVIVED PRISONERS. CAMPAIGN FOR THE CLOSURE THE F-TYPE ( ISOLATION) PRISONS IN TURKEY NOW. YOU CAN GET PHOTOS, EXTRA DOCUMENTS AND INFORMATION FROM THE FOLLOWING INTERNET WEB SITES: SOME ARE TURKISH SOME ARE BOTH ENGLISH AND TURKISH. FOR CONTACT THE FOLLOWING E-MAIL ADDRESSES, TEL AND FAX NUMBERS ARE AVAILABLE. The addresses of our DHKC Bureaux: DHKC Bureau, England E-mails: [EMAIL PROTECTED] and [EMAIL PROTECTED] Telephone and fax numbers: Telephone: 0044 207 254 1266 Fax: 0044 207 254 1288 Address: BM Box 8253 London WC1N 3XX. DHKC Bureau, Belgium E-mail addresses: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ; [EMAIL PROTECTED] and [EMAIL PROTECTED] Internet site - www.dhkc.org Telephone and fax numbers: Tel: 0032 2 2802228 Tel/Fax: 0032 2 2300866 Fax: 0032 2 2802229 Address: Rue Belliard 197 bte 8 1040 Bruxelles Amsterdam, Holland Press Agency Ozgurluk - [EMAIL PROTECTED] Internet site: www.ozgurluk.org Telephone and fax numbers tel/fax 0031 20 676 1745 Address: Dusartstraat 38 1072 HT Amsterdam Also, in connection with the resistance, there is the Internet site of the prisoners' families in Turkey (TAYAD) as well as the IKM site in Europe (Committee For Struggle Against Torture Through Isolation), and information can also be obtained from these. (TAYAD): www.hucreiskencedir.cjb.net IKM in Turkish - www.hucreiskencedir.de IKM in English - http://www.noisolation.de www.ozgurluk.org To support the resistance and protest against fascism in Turkey's 'F' Type prison policy, faxes can be sent to the following institutions: Republic of Turkey Prime Minister's Office: Tel 0090 312 417 0476, Fax 0090 312 434 2110 Republic of Turkey Justice Ministry: Fax :0090 312 414 6257 Republic of Turkey Interior Ministry: Tel: 0090 312 425 4080, Fax: 0090 312 418 7696 ___ KOMINFORM P.O. Box 66 00841 Helsinki - Finland +358-40-7177941, fax +358-9-7591081 e-mail [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.kominf.pp.fi ___ Kominform list for general information. Subscribe/unsubscribe messages to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Anti-Imperialism list for geopolitics. Subscribe/unsubscribe messages: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] ___
Havana Radio news Dec 26. A Brecht Forum talk
X-Sender: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (Unverified) subject: Havana Radio news Dec 26A Brecht Forum Talk Via NY Transfer News * All the News That Doesn't Fit Radio Havana Cuba - News Update - 26 December 2000 . *NATIONAL ASSEMBLY RECOGNIZES WORK OF CUBANS IN 2000 *CUBA'S TRADE EXCHANGE SURPASSES $5 billion *TORRENTIAL RAINS KILL 2, CAUSE SERIOUS DAMAGE *CUBAN SONG CONTEST BEGINS *CUBAN WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL TEAM SELECTED BEST TEAM IN 2000 *CUBAN JAZZ ALBUM "INVITATION" PROMOTES CUBAN MUSIC . *NATIONAL ASSEMBLY RECOGNIZES WORK OF CUBANS IN 2000 Havana, December 26 (RHC)--The National Assembly of the People's Power approved a resolution to recognize the Cuban people's struggle during this past year. In an article published in Tuesday's Granma daily, the National Assembly says that with days away from the 42nd anniversary of the triumph of the Cuban Revolution - when the country's independence was finally achieved - the Cuban people over 2000 continued their struggle, in patriotic unity and resistance. The battle for the return of Elian Gonzalez to the custody of his father, when millions of men, women and children expressed their condemnation over the illegal detention of the Cuban child, was a concrete example of the country's unity. The Cuban people, cites the National Assembly resolution, maintained their struggle during 2000 with their continued condemnation of Washington's anti-Cuba policy and demanded an end to the criminal Cuban Adjustment Act. The island's continued economic recovery is also attributed to the Cuban people's efforts in developing the country. This and many other reasons prompted the National Assembly to congratulate its people for the historical victories achieved during the year. The National Assembly Resolution ends by saying that the Cuban Revolution enters a new millennium firm and secure. The Cuban people walk confident towards the future. *CUBA'S TRADE EXCHANGE SURPASSES $5 billion Havana, December 26 (RHC)--Cuba's trade exchange surpassed $5 billion with the involvement of over three thousand firms from 50 countries, according to the President of Cuba's Chamber of Commerce Antonio Luis Carricarte. He added that among some of the sectors that have improved on the island are oil, nickel, gas, steel and electricity. The Cuban official pointed out that there are currently over 4500 economic joint ventures with foreign investment, mainly with Spain, Canada, Italy, Britain and France. Referring to foreign trade the capacity to purchase increased although the figures that the island had in the 1980's still surpass the current situation. He said that ties with Latin America and the Caribbean represent between 25 to 30 per cent of the total exchange although priority is on CARICOM member nations. *TORRENTIAL RAINS KILL 2, CAUSE SERIOUS DAMAGE Havana December 26 (RHC)--The recent torrential rains that hit Cuba over the last four days have provoked the death of two people, injured four, and brought about the collapse of 135 homes rendering over 600 people homeless in Havana alone. In the central province of Villa Clara some 400 homes and multifamily buildings were damaged due to serious leaks. Potato and tobacco plantations were also damaged in the province. According to the island's Meteorological Institute the major rain fell in the town of El Santo in central Ciego de Avila province with 509 millimeters, Cayo Coco with 321 millimeters, Sagua la Grande with 306, and Baracoa Beach with 2477 millimeters. In Havana strong winds registering up to 60 kilometers per hour have also inflicted damage to the city. Experts predict less rain in the coming days. *CUBAN SONG CONTEST BEGINS Havana, December 26 (RHC)--The Adolfo Guzman Song Contest kicked off on Monday at Havana's Karl Marx Theater with the participation of Cuban composers and singers. During the first night of the competition 17 singers performed the songs of Cuban newcomers and professional composers, which were among over 800 pieces that competed to reach the finals. For the Radio and Television Institute, which co-sponsored the national contest along with the Karl Marx Theater, the contest was a complex challenge after having been postponed for a period ten years. This national song contest gives newcomers as well as renowned composers the chance of having their songs first heard among the Cuban people. The Adolfo Guzman Song Contest will resume Tuesday night and the winners will be announced on Wednesday. *CUBAN WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL TEAM SELECTED BEST TEAM IN 2000 Havana, December 26 (RHC)--Cuba's women's volleyball team, which is three time Olympic champion and Grand Prix winner, was selected as the island's Best Team for the year 2000. Awards also went to volleyball as sports of the year, individual sports with relevant results were boxing, track and field, judo and a special mention to wrestling and taekwondo. The Cuban Sports Institute and Sports Journalists Association also awarded Olympic gold
Indonesia. Police break up hotel strike on Christmas day - protests needed now
X-Sender: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Forward from mart. IMPORTANT. PLEASE DISTRIBUTE WIDELY! *** Subject: [gangbox] Urgent: Police break up hotel strike on Christmas day - protests needed now] LabourStart - http://www.labourstart.org *** Please forward this message to everyone you know; post it to other mailing lists and newsgroups. Thank you! *** Indonesian police have stormed the five-star Shangri-La Hotel in Jakarta in order to break up a peaceful, legitimate strike by hotel workers -- on the morning following Christmas Day. We have received an urgent appeal for worldwide trade union protests and information directly from the hotel workers and will be updating throughout the day at our special full coverage page of the events in Jakarta: http://www.labourstart.org/indonesia/shangrila.shtml Please make sure to visit the page, link to it, send protest emails and faxes urgently. Thanks. Eric Lee GANGBOX: CONSTRUCTION WORKERS NEWS SERVICE GANGBOX homepage:http://www.geocities.com/gangbox/ comments? email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] "UNION NOW, UNION FOREVER" *** Knowledge is Power! Elimination of the exploitation of man by man http://www.egroups.com/group/pttp/ POWER TO THE PEOPLE! Subscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Change Delivery Options: http://www.egroups.com/mygroups ___ KOMINFORM P.O. Box 66 00841 Helsinki - Finland +358-40-7177941, fax +358-9-7591081 e-mail [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.kominf.pp.fi ___ Kominform list for general information. Subscribe/unsubscribe messages to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Anti-Imperialism list for geopolitics. Subscribe/unsubscribe messages: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] ___
Korean Central News Agency Dec 27
TODAY'S NEWS (December.27.2000 Juche 89) [CONTENTS] * Removal of concrete wall demanded * Successful art exhibition * Plan to hurl police into scene of sit-in strike blasted * Anniversary of Korean Buddhists Federation marked * Reception given at Chinese consulate general * Rodong Sinmun on north-south joint declaration * Papers call for giving full play to advantages of Korean socialism For Spanish-speaking people * comite preparatorio nacional de peru por nacimiento de dirigente kim jong il * periodicos subrayan necesidad de desplegar superioridad de socialismo coreano Removal of concrete wall demanded Pyongyang, December 27 (KCNA) -- The All India Indo-Korean Friendship Association and the Indian Committee for Supporting Korea's Reunification issued a joint statement on December 19 demanding the removal of the concrete wall. The statement said: The Korean nation's desire for reunification is daily mounting after the north-south summit and the publication of the north-south joint declaration, but there still remains the concrete wall built by the South Korean authorities in the area south of the military demarcation line on the Korean peninsula. The concrete wall is a symbol of national division and the confrontation between the north and south and a product of the united states' "two Koreas policy" as it stands as a physical barrier keeping the blood ties of the nation severed and the country divided into two. It is only the Korean nation on our planet that is undergoing all sorts of misfortune and sufferings due to its split caused by outside forces. The All India Indo-Korean Friendship Association and the Indian Committee for Supporting Korea's Reunification strongly demand that the concrete wall built in the 20th century be pulled down as early as possible for the reunification of Korea. Successful art exhibition Pyongyang, December 27 (KCNA) -- An exhibition of art works of Kim Song Min, Kim Il Sung Prize winner, people's artiste and labour hero, is going on at the Pyongyang International House of Culture. He created a portrait of President Kim Il Sung with a sunny smile on his face in July Juche 83 (1994), thus winning the admiration of the world. Displayed at the exhibition are more than 50 works including figure paintings and landscapes, etc. His works draw particular attention of visitors for the depiction of people of diverse character, masterly strokes representative of the spirit of the times, striking contrast in colours, dynamic rhythm and daring conception. Among them is a Korean painting "Smelters In the Past" which was appreciated as the best Korean painting in the 1980s. This was his maiden work that entered the national exhibition. The work truthfully depicts the slave labour of smelters to show how the Korean people were driven hard like beasts of burden under the Japanese imperialists' military occupation. Also on display there are paintings listed as national treasures such as "A Flash Lightning Over Lake Chon On Mt. Paektu," which vividly portrays the majestic and beautiful view of Lake Chon and a strong flash lightning over it. Over the past 25 years he has produced more than 600 Korean paintings, enriching the treasure house of the Juche fine art. At present he is deputy director of the Mansudae Art Studio and chairman of the central committee of the Korean Painters Union. Plan to hurl police into scene of sit-in strike blasted Pyongyang, December 27 (KCNA) -- The Trade Union of Banking Industry of South Korea in an emergency statement on Dec. 23 demanded that the authorities withdraw at once a plan to hurl police into the scene of the sit-in strike called by unionists of the national bank and housing bank, a Seoul-based radio report said. Recalling that among at least 20,000 members of the bank trade unions now on strike are more than 8,000 women, the organization warned that the authorities and the bank management will be held responsible for all the consequences to be entailed by the police crackdown. Anniversary of Korean Buddhists Federation marked Pyongyang, December 27 (KCNA) -- A meeting took place here yesterday to mark the 55th anniversary of the Korean Buddhists Federation. Present there were office-bearers of the central committee and provincial, city and county committees of the federation, chief priests of temples across the country, monks and believers in Pyongyang and guests from different organizations. Pak Thae Hwa, chairman of the c.c, the Korean Buddhists Federation, made a report. He said that they are greeting the anniversary of the federation at a time when all the fellow countrymen are working hard to achieve national unity and the reunification of the country after the Pyongyang meeting and the publication of the June 15 north-south joint declaration. He reviewed the work done by the federation over the last 55 years and proposed
WESTERN MEDIA-MANIPULATION EXPOSED
Subject: Re: WESTERN MEDIA-MANIPULATION EXPOSED - Michel COLLON From: Arlene Johnson [EMAIL PROTECTED] My understanding is about this situation from sources who are more knowledgeable than I am about this region is that Milsosevic was supported by the US but then the US ceased supporting him. So, now, Kostunica was made president. The US controls nearly every election beginning with Italy in 1947 so it is just a matter of course, that the US especially control your election and make it impossible for the people to elect the one that they feel would be better because people's minds are manipulated by my government, the US. If an election takes place such as the recent on in Haiti did in which the best candidate wins, it doesn't take very long before that person is deposed by my government. The last time Jean Bertrand Aristide was elected he lasted in power only a few months. This is the reality right now. However, last night, I provided the password to access my entire periodical online by many people throughout the world because I do not tolerate what my government is doing to people throughout the world. One relatively secret organization wants to make the Balkan states the next Third World region. I suspect that was the reason why the various wars took place. None of us wants that so when we all come together, we will prevent that from happening because no country should be a Third World nation and no country should have war. I will say the password here again because it is vitally important. We have a new regime coming into the White House as everybody knows. The man is a common criminal. Most of you probably realize that his grandfather supported Hitler during the Second World War. You no more want his grandson to be in the White House than you wanted war in the Balkans. The password to my unique periodical is the word "freedom" without the quote marks for the first four quarterly editions. My periodical will hopefully will be available in February, 2001. I will send an Email when it is available so you won't have to wonder. Feel free to provide this password to anyone except the CIA-drugs listserv or the She Who Remembers listserv. I don't trust them. I think that they are diametrically opposed to peace. Peace, Arlene http://truedemocracy.net __ To unsubscribe, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED] ___ KOMINFORM P.O. Box 66 00841 Helsinki - Finland +358-40-7177941, fax +358-9-7591081 e-mail [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.kominf.pp.fi ___ Kominform list for general information. Subscribe/unsubscribe messages to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Anti-Imperialism list for geopolitics. Subscribe/unsubscribe messages: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] ___
Havana Radio Dec 22. More Coups
X-Sender: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (Unverified) Via NY Transfer News * All the News That Doesn't Fit Radio Havana Cuba - News Update - 22 December 2000 . *PARLIAMENTARY SESSIONS END IN THE CUBAN CAPITAL *CUBANS CELEBRATE TEACHER'S DAY *CUBAN SCIENTISTS DEVELOP REAGENTS FOR CHOLERA DIAGNOSIS *LOCAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM UNDERWAY IN CUBA . *PARLIAMENTARY SESSIONS END IN THE CUBAN CAPITAL Havana, December 22 (RHC)-- The 6th Ordinary Session of the Cuban Parliament wound up Thursday night after a one-day meeting. The 545 deputies approved the state's budget legislation plus the guidelines of the economic and social project for the year 2001. The state budget includes over 6.2 million dollars for educational and health programs, retirement benefits and social assistance. During the Parliamentary sessions, Cuban Economy and Planning Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez said that despite the unfavorable economic situation in the world, Cuba's Gross Domestic Product has grown to 5.6 of instead of the predicted 4.5. The Cuban Parliament granted recognition to the Cuban people for their battle for Elian Gonzalez' return to Cuba and they agreed to continue in their battle of ideas. The Cuban Parliament's also supported the extradition of terrorist Luis Posada Carriles and his accomplices who are detained in Panama for entering the country with false documents and attempting to assassinate Cuban President Fidel Castro during last month's Ibero-American Summit. *CUBANS CELEBRATE TEACHER'S DAY Havana, December 22 (RHC)-- Cubans are celebrating, Friday, Teacher's Day in commemoration of the literacy campaign, which was launched by the Cuban government in the early days of the Revolution with the participation of dozens of thousands of young people in the countryside. Meanwhile, Cuban Health Minister Carlos Dotres congratulated the sector's professors for their role in the well being of the Cuban people. The Cuban official presided at the national activity for Teacher's Day at the Victoria de Giron School of Medicine in Havana in which 118 professors from the country's health system took part. He added that despite the lack of resources resulting from Washington's blockade against the island, the people's health is the one of the Cuban government's priority. *CUBAN SCIENTISTS DEVELOP REAGENTS FOR CHOLERA DIAGNOSIS Havana, December 22 (RHC)-- Cuban scientists developed, for the first time, reagents for the laboratory diagnosis of cholera. According to Gilberto Moya Justiz, specialist in microbiology and head of the investigative team, the production of the reagents represents a saving of a quarter million dollars in imports. Speaking to Prensa Latina news agency, Moya Justiz explained that until now Cuba has imported the cholera reagents at a price ranging between 18 and 36 dollars for every milliliter, or about 30 drops. The Cuban reagents will guarantee that the national laboratory network will have enough of the diagnostic materials in the event of a cholera outbreak. *LOCAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM UNDERWAY IN CUBA Havana, December 22 (RHC)-- The Local Human Development Program underway in Cuba was characterized Wednesday in Havana as a cooperation project that has gone beyond expectations during a three party meeting with representatives from Italy, Cuba and the United Nations Development Program. All three parties are attempting to strengthen the mechanisms and instruments for local economic development, particularly with the generation of jobs in Old Havana, western Pinar del Rio and eastern Granma province. Thanks to the Local Human Development Program in the western province of Pinar del Rio local authorities have achieved the restoration of an aqueduct in the region of Minas de Matahambre, while work has been done to combat the drought in the eastern part of the island. In Old Havana, the cooperation project are dedicated to hygiene, medical emergencies and public lighting. (c) 2000 Radio Habana Cuba, NY Transfer News. All rights reserved. = NY Transfer News Collective * A Service of Blythe Systems Since 1985 - Information for the Rest of Us 339 Lafayette St., New York, NY 10012 http://www.blythe.org e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] === rhc-eng-234672000-Dec-22 23:49:33 " JC * from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] subject: One Coup follows another: The end of What? Delivered-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Date: Sat, 23 Dec 2000 02:43:11 -0500 From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: One Coup Follows Another: the End of WBAI? To: undisclosed-recipients:; One Coup Follows Another: the End of WBAI? Via NY Transfer News * All the News That Doesn't Fit source: Mitchel Cohen mitchelcohen @ mindspring.com 23 December 00:30 Dear Folks, Just received a call (followed by 20 emails) that Pacifica National Board Director Bessie Wash is right now at WBAI
Havana Radio Dec 23-24. Culture-Information
X-Sender: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (Unverified) Via NY Transfer News * All the News That Doesn't Fit Radio Havana Cuba - News Update - 23-24 December 2000 . *NATIONAL CELEBRATION OF TEACHER'S DAY IN VILLA CLARA *CONCERT DEDICATED TO THE TRIUMPH OF THE CUBAN REVOLUTION *CUBAN PARLIAMENT APPROVES $755 MILLION FOOD SUBSIDY FOR 2001 *CUBAN-ARAB FRIENSHISHIP ASSOCIATION DEMANDS ISRAELI WITHDRAWAL *125th ANNIVERSARY OF THE INGLATERRA HOTEL CELEBRATED IN HAVANA *MORE EMPHASIS IN 2001 ON ACCESS TO CULTURE AND THE FLOW OF INFORMATION . *NATIONAL CELEBRATION OF TEACHER'S DAY IN VILLA CLARA Havana, December 23rd (RHC)- Due to its excellent results in the education sector Villa Clara, in Cuba's central province, will be the site for the national celebration event for Teacher's Day on Saturday. Luis Ignacio Gomez, Cuba's Education Minister, affirmed that this province forged the path leading to quality of education and teaching plus a high level of scholarship with high academic results. In Villa Clara school attendance surpasses 98 percent, and many schools have been restored by the teacher's own efforts. This resulted in classes starting with a maximum of 20 students per class in primary schools and 30 in secondary school classes. It has guaranteed, without doubt, say observers, a better educational process. *CONCERT DEDICATED TO THE TRIUMPH OF THE CUBAN REVOLUTION Havana, December 23rd (RHC)-- Today's monthly concert performed by the Elementary School of Music, Manuel Saumell, will be dedicated to the 42nd anniversary of the Triumph of the Cuban Revolution. This traditional musical event will also celebrate the coming of the New Millennium and with it, the end of the year 2000 and the 20th Century. Piano and saxophone students joined by the chorus from the School of Music will give the performance. *CUBAN PARLIAMENT APPROVES $755 MILLION FOOD SUBSIDY FOR 2001 Havana December 23 (RHC)--The Cuban Parliament has approved a 755 million dollar Food Subsidy for the year 2001. In an editorial in today's newspaper Granma, the government's aim is to maintain stable prices for basic food products, it was affirmed. The paper recalls that despite the adverse circumstances and the ever-tightening U.S. economic war against Cuba, the island's government has never abandoned its policy of subsidizing in key sectors, such as the food industry. Granma points out that due to the Helms-Burton Law and other extraterritorial U.S. anti-Cuba legislation preventing U.S. farmers from selling their products to Cuba, the island has to pay over 100 million dollars extra annually to buy food products that could be purchased at significantly lower prices in the United States. Finally, the editorial recalls that 89 percent of calories, as well as 93 percent of proteins and the 80 percent of the fat that Cubans consume every year come from the national market and state subsidies. Other subsidized sectors in Cuba include energy and transportation, while others such education and health are totally free-of-charge. *CUBAN-ARAB FRIENSHISHIP ASSOCIATION DEMANDS ISRAELI WITHDRAWAL FROM OCCUPIED TERRITORIES Havana, December 23 (RHC)-- The President of the Cuban-Arab Friendship Association, renowned Cuban orthopedist Dr. Rodrigo Alvarez Cambras, demanded Israel's compliance with UN resolutions, calling for the withdrawal of all Israeli troops from the occupied Palestinian territories. Speaking to the press in Havana, Alvarez Cambras also condemned the U.S.-led blockade against Iraq. The Cuban-Arab Friendship Association works jointly with Cuba's Arab Association, assisting numerous students from the Middle East who are taking courses here in Cuba. *125th ANNIVERSARY OF THE INGLATERRA HOTEL CELEBRATED IN HAVANA Havana, December 23rd (RHC)--The Inglaterra Hotel, which opened its doors on December 23rd, 1875, will celebrate its 125th anniversary this Saturday with several activities, including the launch of their new winter menu. The hotel, designed and built by Cubans, incorporates many artistic features by top Cuban artists and craftspeople, which reflect the Island's commitment to combine tourism and culture. The four star hotel with 83 rooms is going into its 125th anniversary having fulfilled its main economic projections and contributing the equivalent of more than 100 thousand dollars in hard currency to the Cuban economy. This is the Havana's oldest hotel. It has cultural, historical and architectural value, which won it national monument status in 1982. Viewpoint: *MORE EMPHASIS IN 2001 ON ACCESS TO CULTURE AND THE FLOW OF INFORMATION Cuba's national educational system has been developed to guarantee complete training of all of its citizens, while actively expanding their cultural horizons. The Cuban Revolution began its social endeavors with this as its principal task. And this work, reinforced over the last four decades, has more force and emphasis than ever today. This constant improvement of the level of public
Korean Central News Agency Dec 25
TODAY'S NEWS (December.25.2000 Juche 89) [CONTENTS] * Kim Jong Il inspects KPA unit no. 2752 * Kim Jong Il sees art performance of KPA merited choir * Agreement signed between DPRK and Yugoslavia * Yang Hyong Sop meets Chinese state sport delegation * 2001 protocol on sport exchange signed between DPRK and China * Lecture held by Chongryon * New Korean documentary film released * Russian paper on Korean socialism * Evening gala held * Colorful functions held abroad * Wreath laid before Kim Jong Suk's bust * Mammoth sit-in strike in S. Korea * Celebrations held * UN appeal for aid package * Land leveling and rezoning progress apace * Anniversary of Kim Jong Il's work marked Kim Jong Il inspects KPA unit no. 2752 Pyongyang, December 25 (KCNA) -- General Secretary Kim Jong Il on December 24 inspected unit no. 2752 of the KPA honored with the title of "O Jung Hup's 7th regiment." Looking round the historic site of the unit twice honored with on-the-spot guidance of the President Kim Il Sung, Kim Jong Il noted with great satisfaction that soldiers have tended forests in the area they are stationed with good care to create a beautiful landscape. He went to a training ground and a technical lecture room of the unit and saw a drill of its soldiers. Greatly satisfied to see all the soldiers fully prepared as a-match-for-a-hundred combatants capable of reliably defending the socialist homeland by thoroughly carrying out the policy of the Worker's Party of Korea on training, he set forth highly important tasks which would serve as a guideline in further strengthening the people's army into invincible revolutionary armed forces. Then, looking round a servicemen's hall, education and bed rooms, a washroom-cum-bathroom, entertainment and supply service facilities, he took warm care of the living of the soldiers as their fathers would do. He expressed great satisfaction over the fact that the unit has not only built all the supply service facilities needed for the living of the soldiers but also created good conditions for meals through meticulous supply services and highly appreciated their achievements. Saying that the commanding officers of the unit have made signal successes by paying deep attention to managing the unit as those of the anti-Japanese guerrillas did, he told that all the units should follow their example. He gave a pair of binoculars and an automatic rifle to the unit as gifts and had a picture taken with its soldiers. He was accompanied by Jo Myong Rok, director of the general political department of the KPA, Kim Yong Chun, chief of the general staff of the KPA, Kim Il Chol, Minister of the People's Armed Forces, and general officers of the KPA. The visiting party also included Ri Yong Chol, Pak Song Bong and Jang Song Thaek, first vice department directors of the WPK Central Committee. Kim Jong Il sees art performance of KPA merited choir Pyongyang, December 25 (KCNA) -- General Secretary Kim Jong Il enjoyed an art performance given by the merited choir of the KPA together with KPA officers and men on December 24. Seeing the performance together with him were Jo Myong Rok, director of the general political department of the KPA, Kim Yong Chun, chief of the general staff of the KPA, Kim Il Chol, Minister of the People's Armed Forces, Ri Yong Mu, vice-chairman of the DPRK National Defence Commission, and general officers of the KPA. Also in the audience were Choe Thae Bok and Kim Kuk Thae, secretaries of the WPK Central Committee, department directors and first vice department directors and other leading officials of the WPK Central Committee, senior officials of the press, senior writers, journalists and editors. The KPA merited choir honored with "Kim Il Sung Order" put on the stage numbers including "Comrade Kim Jong Il Is Our Supreme Commander," "Desire of Soldiers," "March of Soldiers" and "Long March for Army-first Revolution." The performers sang praises of the immortal feats of Kim Jong Il who has ushered in a new era of a great turn in the history of building a prosperous and powerful nation by leading to victory the Juche-based cause of army building and the cause of socialism with his experienced and seasoned revolutionary guidance. He expressed great satisfaction over the fact that the artistes of the merited choir gave an excellent performance of high ideological and artistic value, which represents the faith and will of Korea and the revolutionary spirit of soldiers. Saying that the KPA merited choir has instilled matchless strength and valor into the people's army and people advancing under the uplifted red flag by taking the lead in the march in the era of army-first revolution over the past five years, and thus greatly contributed to accomplishing the revolutionary cause, he highly appreciated their success and expressed thanks to them. Agreement
China. People´s Daily Dec 26
Extracts. Tuesday, December 26, 2000, updated at 13:21(GMT+8) China to Build 18,000 km West Region Rail Network in 5 Years During the "10th Five-year Plan" period, China will invest nearly 100 billion yuan in railway construction in China's west regions and the railway network in these areas will be extended from the current 16,000 km to 18,000 km by 2005, said Sun Yongfu, vice-minister of Railways, at the National Railway Working Conference concluded in Beijing on December 24. Sun pointed out that since the "Eighth Five-year Plan", though rapid development has been made to the railway construction in the west region, the railway network in these areas is still small, technological level is low, the number of lines connected to the eastern regions and to other parts of the world is insufficient. During the "10th Five-year Plan" period, China will invest about 100 billion yuan in the construction of 28 railways in the west area, accounting for 40 percent of the total investment in large and medium-sized capital construction projects nationwide. A total of 2,600-km-long new railways including 1,300-km-long double-track railways and 500-km-long electrified railways will be hopefully completed by 2005 and the railway network in China's west will be expanded to 18,000 km. It's reported that the Ministry of Railways will focus on the following points during the "10th Five-year Plan" period, first, the construction of passageways linking the west with the east of China, including the double-track railways of Baoji-Lanzhou and Zhuzhou-Liupanshui, the Nanjing-Xi'an Railway and the Suining-Chongqing-Huaihua Railway; second, the construction of railway lines in the west region including Neijiang-Kunming Railway, the Shenmu-Yan'an Railway and the Qinghai-Tibet Railway. In addition, the reconstruction to existing railways will also be strengthened. By PD Online Staff Deng Gang Monday, December 25, 2000, updated at 20:18(GMT+8) China, Viet Nam Sign Joint Statement for Future Cooperation China and Viet Nam issued a joint statement in Beijing Monday, December 25. The following is the full text of the statement: Joint Statement on All-round Cooperation in the New Century Between the People's Republic of China and the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam The People's Republic of China and the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam (hereafter referred to as the "two sides") are socialist neighbors with long-standing traditional friendly relations. since the establishment of diplomatic ties 50 years ago, the relations between China and Viet Nam have continued to grow and develop. Since the normalization of relations in 1991 and on the basis of the principles enshrined in the Joint Communiques and Joint Statement issued during the meetings of high-level leaders in 1991, 1992, 1994, 1995 and 1999 respectively, the traditional friendly relations of mutual trust, equality and mutual benefit between the two counties have developed rapidly in all fields and there have been frequent exchanges between departments at all levels. In February 1999, the General Secretaries of the two Parties set the principle guiding the development of this bilateral relationship in the 21st century, namely, "long-term stability, orientation towards the future, good-neighborliness and friendship and all-round
Vietnam News Dec 26
President Tran Duc Luong welcomed in Beijing President Tran Duc Luong and his entourage arrived in Beijing on December 25 morning, beginning an official friendly visit to China. The visit is being made at the invitation of the Chinese president, Jiang Zemin. President Luong was given a red carpet welcome at the Peoples Great Hall in Beijing and received by President Jiang Zemin who invited him to review the Guard of Honour. The Chinese president then introduced his guest to Deputy Prime Minister Qian Qichen, Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan and other Chinese senior officials at the welcoming ceremony. --- - President holds talks with Chinese leader Talks held between Vietnamese and Chinese delegations. Vietnam's President, Tran Duc Luong, held talks with China's President, Jiang Zemin, in Beijng on December 25. President Tran Duc Luong, who is leading a high-ranking delegation on an official five-day visit to China, had his private meeting with Jiang Zemin soon after arrival. In the friendly, sincere and frank atmosphere, the two Presidents briefed each other about the socio-economic development of their countries, and discussed at length ways to deepen the friendship and comprehensive co-operation between them to a new height of development in the 21st century. President Jiang Zemin welcomed President Tran Duc Luong's official visit to China on behalf of the Chinese Party, State and people, saying it was of significant importance as it would help boost friendship and all-round co-operation between the two countries. In reply, President Tran Duc Luong thanked the Chinese Party and State leaders and people for their warm and friendly welcome. He expressed his delight at visiting a beautiful country, where he had seen with his own eyes the great achievements recorded by the Chinese people since the People's Republic of China was founded 50 years ago, particularly in the 20 years of pursuing the policy of reform and openness. He wished to see the Chinese people, led by the Communist Party of China (CPC) and with President Jiang Zemin playing the core role, successfully complete resolutions mapped out at the CPC's 15th congress, and in so doing, continue to win greater victories in the cause of economic development that would help raise the international role and prestige of China and take great China into the 21st century. President Jiang said that he appreciated the major achievements recorded by the Vietnamese people through Doi Moi, Renovation, industrialisation and modernisation to realise the goal of "a wealthy people, a strong nation, a fair and civilised society" under socialist-oriented line. He wished to see the Vietnamese people, led by the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV), obtain further major achievements in welcome of the new millennium and the forthcoming CPV 9th congress. The two Presidents noted with satisfaction the strong and deeper development of neighbourly friendship and comprehensive co-operation between their two countries, particularly after the historic meeting between CPV General Secretary Le Kha Phieu and CPC General Secretary Jiang Zemin in Beijing in February 1999. The signing of the joint statement setting the framework for all-round Sino-Vietnam co-operation was the materialisation of the motto "neighbourly friendship, comprehensive co-operation, long-lasting stability and future-oriented thinking" that was creating a driving force taking the friendly and co-operative bilateral ties to a new height. Presidents Luong and Jiang agreed that the signing of the Border Treaty between their countries last December and the Agreement on the Demarcation of the Territorial Waters, Exclusive Economic Zones and Continental Shelves in the Bac Bo (Tonkin) Gulf confirmed during President Luong's visit to Beijing would help create pre-conditions for the making both the land and Gulf borders into borders of peace, friendship and long-lasting stability. This would in turn strengthen mutual trust and understanding, facilitate the development of each country and make an important contribution to the cause for peace, co-operation and development in the region and the world. The two Presidents lauded the new, encouraging steps between the two countries in the development of economic and commercial relations and shared the same important views about detailed orientations for further promoting economic, commercial and investment co-operation commensurate with the aspirations and potentials of both peoples. They reaffirmed continued encouragement and assistance to localities, sectors and the commerce of their countries to accelerate co-operation and joint ventures, particularly in economy, trade, science-technology, tourism, culture and education. The two Presidents reaffirmed the policy to accelerate the trend for peace, co-operation and development in Southeast Asia, the Asia-Pacific and other parts
ML Update , Vol:3; No.51; 27- 12- 2000. 1/2
: ML Update A CPI(ML) Weekly News Magazine Vol.-3; No.-51; 27-12-2000 Editorial Let the New Year Hasten the Total Rout of the Sangh Parivar If the end of 1999 had been marked by the IC-814 hijack episode, Y2K comes to an end with the stunning strike by a section of Kashmiri militants on the Lal Qila. While the NDA government's Kashmir and Pakistan policies alternate between cold war and hot pursuit, between the so-called soft and hard options ranging from Vajpayee's bus diplomacy through Kargil war to the latest gesture of ceasefire, it is evident that the NDA government remains as clueless regarding Kashmir as ever. Meanwhile, for all the hard/effective state rhetoric of Advani and other Sangh Parivar ideologues, Y2K will also be remembered for the humiliating spectacle of the Indian state being held to ransom by the sandalwood smuggler Veerappan. The saffron regime is, of course, trying hard to project an image of India's growing international stature with displays of strategic proximity to the US. Internally, the might of the Indian state is sought to be demonstrated through systematic persecution of the minorities and bulldozing of the sources of livelihood and other democratic rights of the weak, disadvantaged, toiling masses. The BJP is however desperate to camouflage its barbarity in the guise of benevolence. Having all along denounced the 'individual' cult in the Congress and all other personality-based parties, the BJP now projects the Prime Minister as a benevolent emperor, who celebrates his birthday by doling out welfare schemes for his hapless subjects like rural roads project (Rs. 60,000 crore Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana), additional food subsidies (Rs. 2,300 crore Antyodaya Anna Yojana) and literacy plans (Netaji Subhash Saksharta Mission). All these 'new clothes' are however only accentuating the emperor's nakedness. The BJP's pretension to be a party with a difference, its claim to liberate the society from terror, hunger and corruption, has all been exposed as a cruel and ugly fraud on the nation. Consequently, resentment runs high among vast sections of the society and in every corner of the country. Faced with all round exposure and resistance, and with Assembly elections round the corner, the BJP has returned to the magic wand of Ayodhya. The VHP and all other Sangh Parivar vandals are readying for yet another bloodbath. Vajpayee of course maintains that his government would abide by whatever the court says. The nation has once paid the price for misreading this deceptive legalism of the fascists. The history of the rise of the Sangh Parivar has been replete with instances of saffron transition from the parliamentary to the extra-parliamentary and vice versa, of combination of independent assertion with united front tactics. If once again the Sangh Parivar is indicating its readiness to hit the streets, the secular-democratic resistance must not lag behind. The RSS has remained banned for several years, often the saffron zealots have been banished to political wilderness. But the Sangh Parivar is yet to be handed over a decisive and comprehensive defeat. Let the new year hasten the process of a total rout of the saffron fascists. Let the nation take a lesson from its biggest enemy within. If the Sangh Parivar has been able to survive periods of isolation and partial defeat, it is because of the opposition's uncritical reliance on legalism, and confinement of popular resistance to narrow parliamentary confines. Beyond the parliamentary world of shadow-boxing and the routine noise of third front, let secular-democracy prevail over the fascists in the battle of the barricades. Let the first year of the new century be a year of more resolute resistance and more resounding victories. Party Launches "Lutera Bhagao, Krishi Bachao" Agitation Party has appealed to all secular democratic forces to thwart the heinous conspiracy of Sangh Parivar commanders like Vajpayee, Advani, Sudarshan, Laxman and Uma Bharati through their web of false and misleading statements and called for country-wide observance of December 31 as "Oust Saffron, Save the Nation" day by burning the effigies of Atal Bihari Vajpayee in every village and every nook and corner of the country. The extension of the ongoing economic reforms to the agricultural arena has landed the country into an unprecedented agrarian crisis. Even as the foodgrains rot in FCI godowns, millions of Indians languish in absolute poverty, malnutrition and even sheer starvation, and large sections of small farmers are being forced into distress sale, the government is effectively subsiding the nexus of traders and millers or the foreign consumer. Against this backdrop CPI(ML) will spearhead a "Lutera Bhagao, Krishi Bachao" (Oust the Looters, Save Agriculture) campaign with a view to forging a militant solidarity of the agrarian labourers and deprived farmers. The Party will press for large-scale introduction of
Turkey. HUNGER STRIKERS CAN DIE
From: Press Agency Ozgurluk [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: "[Ozgurluk.Org]" HUNGER STRIKERS CAN DIE Selection: ANADOLU AGENCY NEWS 25 DECEMBER 2000 Monday Turkey SABAH ALL PRISONS WILL BE F TYPE Justice Minister Hikmet Sami Turk said that amnesty is an opportunity to improve the prison system in Turkey. ''Efforts will be speeded up to transfer the ward system into room system in all prisons,'' said Turk. MILITARY SAYS TURKEY CAN JOIN EU IN 2010 A group of high ranking military officials from France came to Turkey last month. French military officials asked their Turkish counterparts when Turkey will be ready for EU. Turkish military officials said that the preparations can last for 10 years. CUMHURIYET - TURK SPEAKS Justice Minister Hikmet Sami Turk staged a press conference at the Justice Ministry about the interventions in 20 prisons held between December 19-22 that were called ''Operation Return to Life''. Turk said that the operation would always be mentioned as one of the great successes of cooperation among state units. Turk said that security forces and gendarmerie had successfully concluded this perfectly organized operation by respecting human life. HUNGER STRIKERS CAN DIE Selcuk KozagaclI, a lawyer who visited Sincan F type prison yesterday said that the condition of nearly 70 hunger strikers is very critical. ''Mass deaths are coming,'' he said claiming that some inmates might have died because of the strike and this could have been hided from public. RADIKAL -- NUMBER OF DEATH FASTERS INCREASES Justice Minister Hikmet Sami Turk called on those who are on hunger strike and death fast to give up their protest. Before the operation return to life was staged, 290 of inmates were on death fast and 800 of them were on hunger strike. Now the former increased to 353 and the latter increased to 2,184. -BOMB ATTACKS STAGED IN VARIOUS PARTS OF ISTANBUL ISTANBUL - The bomb attacks staged on two Automatic Telling Machines (ATMs) of banks caused material damage in Istanbul on Sunday. Unknown assailants placed a bomb in ATM of Pamukbank in Sisli district which later exploded. No casualties were reported, but there is material damage in the ATM. Experts said that the bomb was a hand made, time bomb. A molotov cocktail was put in the ATM of Demirbank branch in Esenler district. The fire that broke out due to the explosion was extinguished by citizens. Police started an investigation in the two districts to capture the assailants. Meanwhile other assailants placed bombs in a bank and in front of the garage gate of a flat in Maltepe district. The explosions caused material damage in both buildings. Officials said that the target of the attack can be the Liberal Democrat Party's Maltepe centre which was beside the garage. Experts said that the bomb was hand made and pipe bomb. ZAMAN - -12 MORE INMATES DISCHARGED FROM HOSPITAL ISTANBUL/KADIKOY - Twelve more inmates who were injured and hospitalized during the operation return to life staged in Umraniye prison were discharged from hospital on Sunday. The inmates who were treated at Haydarpasa Numune Hospital were discharged from hospital and sent to another prison. The treatment of nine other inmates in the prison continues. Tight security measures have been taken by police in Haydarpasa Numune Hospital and relatives of patients are not still allowed to enter the hospital. -NUMBER OF INMATES WHO WERE TRANSFERRED TO F TYPE PRISON IN KOCAELI, INCREASES TO 357 IZMIT - Number of inmates who have been transferred to the F type prison in northwestern Kocaeli province following last week's intervention in prisons, increased to 357. Sources told the A.A correspondent on Monday that transfer of 357 members of terrorist organizations from Bayrampasa, Bursa, Gebze, Canakkale and Umraniye prisons to F type prison in Kocaeli was concluded. The F type prison in Kocaeli has a capacity of 368 inmates. -- Press Agency Ozgurluk In Support of the Revolutionary Peoples Liberation Struggle in Turkey http://www.ozgurluk.org DHKC: http://www.ozgurluk.org/dhkc ___ KOMINFORM P.O. Box 66 00841 Helsinki - Finland +358-40-7177941, fax +358-9-7591081 e-mail [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.kominf.pp.fi ___ Kominform list for general information. Subscribe/unsubscribe messages to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Anti-Imperialism list for geopolitics. Subscribe/unsubscribe messages: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] ___
China. People´s Daily Dec 27
Extracts. Wednesday, December 27, 2000, updated at 09:33(GMT+8) Jiang on Anti-corruption Campaign -- Jiang Zemin, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, Tuesday called on governments at all levels to continue to fight against corruption with a firm hand in the new era to safeguard the achievements of reform and development. Jiang, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks while addressing the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection's fifth plenary session. Wei Jianxing, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and secretary of the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, presided over the session. The session was also attended by other senior Chinese Party leaders Li Peng, Zhu Rongji, Li Ruihuan, Hu Jintao and Li Lanqing. Jiang reviewed the country's efforts to fight corruption during the past years, saying that important experience has been obtained. He urged all Party members to bear the awareness of the importance of the anti-corruption campaign and persevere to carry through the drive. He also noted that the endeavor to fight corruption and build a clean government is a long-lasting and arduous task, which should be carried out in the whole process of reform and opening up. He stressed that three major jobs in the drive should be done well, namely, educating officials of self-discipline, investigating major cases and correcting the malpractice in various departments and sectors. Problems which the masses complain about the most should be dealt with in time, Jiang reiterated. Jiang also reviewed the nearly 80 years of the CPC's history. In the first 28 years, the Party led the people to fight for the founding of New China. In the latest more than 50 years, the CPC has played the role of a ruling party, leading the people for socialist construction. Jiang emphasized that the shift of the position and responsibility of the Party and those of Party members have brought up a new task for Party building. Jiang warned that it is more difficult for the party in power to improve Party building and management, and this has been proved by both history and experience. He urged Party members to guard against the negative effect of the shift in position and always adhere to the Party's tenet to maintain the Party's vigor. Jiang noted that the prominent problem for a party in power is how to ensure that Party members and officials have a correct understanding of interests. He said that a qualified Party member should serve the people heart and soul, and never act against the will and benefit of the masses. The Party's anti-corruption drive represents the will of the broad masses. Party committees at all levels should actively seek effective ways and methods to supervise officials and educate them in an effort to prevent the occurrence of corruption from the source, he said. Jiang also called for more stringent enforcement of laws and regulations, pointing out that anti-corruption should be considered during the promulgation of major reform policies, laws and regulations, and the socialist democratic political system and legal system should be strengthened. Tuesday, December 26, 2000, updated at
Korean Central News Agency Dec 26
TODAY'S NEWS (December.26.2000 Juche 89) [CONTENTS] * Bouquets laid before bust of Kim Jong Suk * Kim Jong Il sends gifts to officials of Chongryon * Over 120 works of Kim Jong Il brought out * Sports tournament for Osandok Cup closes * Christmas masses held * Japanese reactionaries' tampering with history * Many publications computerized * Dismantlement of concrete wall urged * County well known to nation * Federal formula, most reasonable way of Korea's reunification * Japan urged to drop its wrong attitude towards its past crimes For Spanish-speaking people * miembros de embajada de cuba depositan ramo de flores ante busto de camarada kim jong suk * editadas mas de 120 obras de dirigente kim jong il Bouquets laid before bust of Kim Jong Suk Pyongyang, December 26 (KCNA) -- Jose Manuel Inclan Embade, Cuban ambassador to the DPRK, and members of the embassy laid bouquets before the bust of the great communist revolutionary fighter Kim Jong Suk at the Revolutionary Martyrs' Cemetery on Mt. Taesong on December 25 on the occasion of her 83rd birth anniversary. After placing bouquets, they paid a silent tribute to her who made an immortal contribution to the sacred struggle for the revolutionary cause of Juche. Kim Jong Il sends gifts to officials of Chongryon Pyongyang, December 24 (KNS-KCNA) -- A meeting was held in Tokyo on December 23 to convey the new year gifts sent by the great leader Kim Jong Il to the officials of the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan (Chongryon) and the patriotic traders and industrialists. So Man Sul, first vice-chairman of the central standing committee of Chongryon, said in a speech that the gifts are associated with the deepest trust and the greatest expectation of Kim Jong Il for the officials of Chongryon and the patriotic traders and industrialists. He extended the highest glory and the warmest thanks to the leader. Referring to the successes made in the work of Chongryon, he said that they are the result of the devoted services the Chongryon officials, patriotic traders and industrialists and compatriots have made, deeply convinced that they are sure to win if they trust and follow Kim Jong Il only. He called on the officials of Chongryon and compatriots to energetically carry out the patriotic work of Chongryon in the new year Juche 90 as intended and wished by the leader. Over 120 works of Kim Jong Il brought out Pyongyang, December 26 (KCNA) -- The great leader Kim Jong Il published many works indicating the road to be followed by the Korean revolution and the world revolution, a result of his outstanding ideological and theoretical activities in the 1990s. The Worker's Party of Korea Publishing House has brought out at least 120 works out of them. Kim Jong Il clearly proved the inevitable triumph of socialism as a science at a time when socialism collapsed in a number of countries due to renegades of revolution in the early 1990s, taught a historical lesson in building socialism and set out tasks and ways to defend and glorify Korean-style socialism. This was an immortal contribution to saving the cause of socialism from a crisis and triumphantly advancing it. Typical of those works are "Socialism Is a Science", "the Historical Lesson in Building Socialism and the General Line of Our Party", "Abuses of Socialism Are Intolerable", "Our Socialism Centred on the Masses Shall Not Perish" and "Socialism Is Lifeline of Our People." When the President Kim Il Sung demised, the nation's greatest loss, Kim Jong Il published "the Great Leader Comrade Kim Il Sung Is Always With Our People", "Let Us Always Hold the Great Leader in High Esteem and Accomplish His Cause" and other famous works, thus inspiring them to implement his last instructions in order to accomplish the revolutionary cause of Juche. Kim Jong Il also authored many other famous works clearly teaching the truth of the great Juche idea and ways to embody it and giving lucid answers to the issues arising in political, military, economic, cultural and all other fields. Sports tournament for Osandok Cup closes Pyongyang, December 26 (KCNA) -- A sports tournament for Osandok Cup which was opened on December 20 to mark the 83rd birth anniversary of the great communist revolutionary fighter Kim Jong Suk closed. Its participants competed in at least 20 events including basketball, volleyball, table-tennis and marathon in Pyongyang and various local areas. They displayed to the full their own sport methods and high technique. Prizes were awarded to the sports teams and athletes, who distinguished themselves, at a closing ceremony held in Chongjin on December 24. Christmas masses held Pyongyang, December 26 (KCNA) -- Christmas masses was held at Pyongyang Pongsu Church yesterday. Present there were Rev. Kang Yong Sop, chairman of the c.c., the Korean
China. People´s Daily Dec 25
Extracts. Monday, December 25, 2000, updated at 12:39(GMT+8) Vietnamese President Arrives in China for Official Visit Vietnamese President Tran Duc Luong arrived in Beijing Monday (Dec. 25) morning for a five-day official goodwill visit at the invitation of Chinese President Jiang Zemin. Jiang is to hold talks with Luong later today. This is Luong's first China tour after he assumed the presidency. Besides Beijing, he will also tour Shanghai and Xiamen. Monday, December 25, 2000, updated at 10:07(GMT+8) Chinese State Councilor Concludes Visit to Iraq Chinese State Councilor Ismail Amat and his accompanying delegation concluded a three-day visit to Iraq and is expected to leave Baghdad for home December 24 evening. During his meeting with Iraqi President Saddam Hussein on Saturday morning, Amat expressed "deep sympathy from the Chinese government and people for the Iraqi people under sanctions." "We are willing to continue to make efforts for an early settlement to the Iraqi issue," he said. China cherishes the friendly and cooperative relations with Iraq and is willing to expand bilateral cooperation in political, economic, cultural and other fields, said Amat. Amat also handed over a letter from Chinese President Jiang Zemin to Saddam Hussein. For his part, Saddam reiterated Iraq's long-term policy of developing relations of friendship and cooperation with China, and expressed belief that there will be broad prospects for bilateral cooperation. The Chinese official also held separate talks with Iraqi Vice President Taha Yassin Ramadan and Deputy Prime Minister Tareq Aziz on Saturday, and visited a children's hospital in Baghdad to have a better understanding of the sufferings of the Iraqi people under decade-old U.N. sanctions. Iraq has been under stringent United Nations sanctions ever since it invaded neighboring Kuwait in 1990. Amat and the 70-member delegation arrived in Baghdad Friday afternoon by plane, which also brought 10 tons of humanitarian aid to the sanctions-stricken country. Monday, December 25, 2000, updated at 10:21(GMT+8) "One Country, Two Systems" Successful in Hong Kong, Macao The success of China's "one country, two systems" policy in Hong Kong and Macao proves the policy is a great one, said Russia's consul-general in Hong Kong, Konstantin Vnukov. "The policy is proceeding smoothly in Hong Kong and Macao, leading to an obvious improvement in Macao's social security and growth in its economy for the first time in four years," said Vnukov. He has just returned to Hong Kong from Macao where he attended the celebrations marking the first anniversary of the Special Administrative Region (SAR). He said the successes in Macao show the "one country, two systems" policy, under which two different social systems co-exist and complement each other, is a wise and healthy strategy. Hong Kong is an international commercial, financial and IT centre, Vnukov said. "To continuously push forward the relationship between Hong Kong and Russia is of great importance to the future development of both sides," he said. Figures show that since the founding of the Consulate of the Russian Federation in Hong Kong in 1994, trade between the two has grown by 40 per cent each year.
Vietnam News Dec 25
President leaves for China on a state visit State President Tran Duc Luong leaves Hanoi today for an official visit to China at the invitation of his Chinese counterpart, Jiang Zemin. The president is accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Cong Tan; Foreign Minister Nguyen Dy Nien; Head of the Presidential Office Nguyen Canh Dinh; Minister of Planning and Investment Tran Xuan Gia; Minister of Fisheries Ta Quang Ngoc; Acting Head of the Home Affairs Department of the Party Central Committee Pham Quoc Anh; Deputy Minister of Industry Le Quoc Khanh; Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Environment Hoang Van Huay; Assistant to the President Nguyen Van Thanh; General Director of the Vietnam News Agency Ho Tien Nghi; Chief Negotiator of the Governmental Delegation on Vietnam-China Border Issues Le Cong Phung and Vietnamese Ambassador to China Bui Hong Phuc. Christmas celebrated nationwide Mr Pham The Duyet meets Cardinal Pham Dinh Tung. Christmas has been celebrated with great joy these days throughout the country. Mr Pham The Duyet, permanent member of the Politburo Standing Board of the Communist Party of Vietnam and president of the Presidium of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee paid Christmas visits to the Episcopal Council and the northern Protestant General Council in Hanoi on December 23. At the Episcopal Council, Mr Duyet met with Cardinal Pham Dinh Tung, head of the council. Mr Duyet conveyed Christmas greetings from Party General Secretary Le Kha Phieu, President Tran Duc Luong, Prime Minister Phan Van Khai and National Assembly Chairman Nong Duc Manh to Cardinal Pham Dinh Tung and Vietnamese Catholics nationwide. He wished the cardinal and the Catholic community a merry Christmas. He praised the Catholics for their practical contributions to national construction. He said he hoped that the cardinal and the Episcopal Council would continue to encourage the Catholics to make more contributions to the country. Cardinal Pham Dinh Tung, on behalf of the Catholic community, thanked the Party and State for the attention to the community and promised to encourage the Catholics to take an active part in the course of national construction. Mr Duyet paid visits to the northern Protestant General Council, the Hanoi Protestant Council, visited the family of the late Shepherd Bui Hoanh Thu, former deputy head of the Protestant General Council and Shepherd Hoang Kim Phuc, head of the Protestant General Council. In Hanoi, a delegation of the municipal Party and People's Committees and Fatherland Front headed by Nguyen Phu Trong, Politburo member of the Party Central Committee and Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee, paid a visit to the northern Protestant General Council. Mayor Hoang Van Nghien also called on Cardinal Pham Dinh Tung, head of the Vietnam Episcopal Council and Archbishop of Hanoi's diocese. On this occasion, the municipal Committee for Solidarity of Vietnamese Catholics reviewed three years implementing the movement 'Building good Catholic parishes, good life and fine religion' among the Catholics. It also encouraged Catholics in 62 parishes in Hanoi to live the gospel amidst the nation and participate in all movements launched by the municipal authorities. In Ho Chi Minh City, tens of thousands of Catholics and Protestants in more than 200 Catholic parishes and 40 Protestant councils organised various activities to celebrate the day. A delegation of Ho Chi Minh City Fatherland Front and a delegation of the Board for Religious Affairs made well-wishing visits to Catholics and Catholic dignitaries in the city. The Women Union chapter visited and presented gifts to nuns in the city. Meanwhile in Phat Diem diocese in northern Ninh Binh province, more than 138,000 Catholics celebrated Christmas in their parishes as the headquarters, the Phat Diem Church is under repair. The provincial Party and People's Committees, and Fatherland Front visited local priests on this occasion. This year's Christmas celebrations were serves as the preparations for the marking of 100th anniversary of Phat Diem diocese on April 19, 2001. Christmas was solemnly held in other localities in the country. Ho Chi Minh City Party Congress closes Ho Chi Minh City closed its seventh Party Congress on December 23, after five days of sittings. The congress, which drew 400 delegates, representing more than 101,560 local Party members, agreed to the city's main goals of yearly 11% GDP growth in the next five years and a per-capita yearly income of US $2,000 in the year 2005. Other targets include a 13% yearly increase from the industrial and construction sectors, 9.5% from services and trade and 20% from export turnover. The congress elected a 51-member executive committee of the city's Party Committee, seventh tenure, with Nguyen Minh Triet as secretary and Vo
U.S., British Planes Hit Iraq
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] U.S., British Planes Hit Iraq By WAIEL FALEH .c The Associated Press BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) - U.S. and British warplanes struck targets in southern Iraq on Friday, and Baghdad said the attack killed one person and injured two others. The U.S. Central Command headquarters said in a statement that the warplanes, patrolling the no-fly zone in southern Iraq, attacked a radar system and anti-aircraft sites with precision-guided weapons. The command, based in Tampa, Fla., had no report of casualties and still was assessing the damage. ``We go to great lengths to avoid injuries,'' said Maj. Jeff Blau at MacDill Air Force Base. An Iraqi military spokesman said the warplanes struck ``civil and service installations in the provinces of Basra and Nasiriya, resulting in the killing of one civilian and the injury of two others,'' according to the Iraqi News Agency. ``Our heroic (anti-aircraft) missile units confronted the enemy warplanes, forcing them to leave our skies for Saudi Arabia and Kuwait,'' the unidentified spokesman said. The report did not say where the casualties occurred. Basra is 340 miles south of Baghdad and Nasiriya is 248 miles south of the capital. The U.S. Central Command said the sites ``were targeted to further degrade Iraq's ability to jeopardize coalition pilots and aircraft.'' U.S. and British jets have been patrolling no-fly zones over northern and southern Iraq in a program designed to protect Kurdish and Shiite groups against government forces. Baghdad has been challenging the planes since late 1998, saying the zones violate its sovereignty and international law. AP-NY-12-22-00 1625EST ___ KOMINFORM P.O. Box 66 00841 Helsinki - Finland +358-40-7177941, fax +358-9-7591081 e-mail [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.kominf.pp.fi ___ Kominform list for general information. Subscribe/unsubscribe messages to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Anti-Imperialism list for geopolitics. Subscribe/unsubscribe messages: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] ___
Hungerstriking prisoners in Turkey left to freeze
From: Press Agency Ozgurluk [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: "[Ozgurluk.Org]" Hungerstriking prisoners in Turkey left to freeze ANADOLU AGENCY NEWS 24 DECEMBER 2000 Sunday CUMHURIYET (LEFT) INSIDE OF F TYPE DREADFUL Lawyers who visited F type prisons in Sincan and Edirne said that the first group death-fasting inmates had been sent to F type prisons and those people were left to death in cells. Noting that there was a serious chaos in prisons, lawyers said many death-fasting inmates were about to die. Lawyers said that heating system in prisons did not work, and inmates who wore sheet were brought to rooms to speak with them were facing the risk of being frozen to death. Noting that they observed that inmates had been exposed to torture, lawyers claimed that death toll was more than 40. -- Press Agency Ozgurluk In Support of the Revolutionary Peoples Liberation Struggle in Turkey http://www.ozgurluk.org DHKC: http://www.ozgurluk.org/dhkc ___ KOMINFORM P.O. Box 66 00841 Helsinki - Finland +358-40-7177941, fax +358-9-7591081 e-mail [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.kominf.pp.fi ___ Kominform list for general information. Subscribe/unsubscribe messages to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Anti-Imperialism list for geopolitics. Subscribe/unsubscribe messages: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] ___
[Ozgurluk.Org] THE UN GIVE WAY TO TURKISH MAFIA PRESSUR
From: Press Agency Ozgurluk [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: "[Ozgurluk.Org]" THE UN GIVE WAY TO TURKISH MAFIA PRESSUR We translated this because we did not see this message in any other paper. THE UN GIVE WAY TO TURKISH MAFIA PRESSURE AMSTERDAM The United Nations, after political pressure, stopped an investigation into the ties between Turkish terrorism and organised crime. "The political sensitivities are to great that even the writing of a confidential report would cause diplomatic problems, according the narcotics chief the UN, Pino Arlacchi. He writes this in a letter, of October 16, to the Dutch UN-ambassador in Vienna. Given the circumstances, it is advisable not to write a report at all, he continues. Justice spokesmen in parliament want clarity from the ministers of Foreign Affairs and Justice. An official of the Terrorism Department of the UN was in the Netherlands, at the end of August, also for investigating the Turkish ties with organised crime. In a letter of November 28, from the head of judicial and police co-operation, the department of Foreign Affairs writes to the Dutch experts involved: Thanks for your co-operation. But the investigation was halted. CDA-spokesperson W. van de Camp (Christian- Democrats) says it is unacceptable that a UN-office stops investigating because of fear for diplomatic turbulence. Thats giving in to organised crime. The D66-parliamentarian B. Dittrich (Social-Liberals) speaks of an ostrich- policy and demands clarification from the minister of Foreign Affairs. According to Dittrich, there have been clues earlier that high circles in Turkey were involved in criminal practices and it cannot be that now there is pressure from this circuit to stop such an investigation. The Green-Left delegate F. Halsema wants Foreign Affairs to demand an explanation from the UN and says that stopping the investigation cannot be accepted like that. Also the PvdA-delegate E. Kalsbeek (Social-Democrats) assumes that the minister will come with an explanation for the Chamber, although she does not have the illusion that he will do so in public. According the VVD-spokesperson J. Niederer (Conservative Liberals), such an UN-investigation can only be stopped if Turkey shows that aspects of state security are involved. During a lecture in Washington, in the autumn, the Dutch criminologist F. Bovenkerk showed once again how close elements of the Turkish state are linked with organised crime. Other investigators share this view, as was shown in a recent paper, published by the Department of Justice. The directorate of the UN-Drug Office, which last week criticised the Dutch policy of tolerance, was not available for comments. Insiders point to the fact that investigations into ties between the Turkish Mafia organisations and the Grey Wolves meet with great resistance usually. Investigations which stumble upon such ties are frequently stopped because of sensitivities. The recent investigation of the prosecution and the police in Amsterdam, involving a raid in a mosque, is therefore called courageous by them, and very remarkable. The investigating judge last night ruled that eleven of the original 23 detainees in this case will remain in custody. The investigation is now also spreading to possible fraud with subsidies by Turkish institutions and attempts by criminals to in infiltrate mosque boards. Kurt van Es and Jos Verlaan Het Parool. December 8, 2000 ___ KOMINFORM P.O. Box 66 00841 Helsinki - Finland +358-40-7177941, fax +358-9-7591081 e-mail [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.kominf.pp.fi ___ Kominform list for general information. Subscribe/unsubscribe messages to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Anti-Imperialism list for geopolitics. Subscribe/unsubscribe messages: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] ___
World 'progress' under US brutality. Cuba
from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] subject: World 'progress' under US brutality. Cuba (My Xmas present to 'christian' Washington -JC) At last, we know that the US is NOT a democracy. Its Black/poor population lives in fear or in jail mainly for smoking marijuana but either way they are abused and deliberately forced away from the polling stations and from those jobs that robots can do My earliest teenage memories of US music came from the African wonderfully talented Louis Armstrong, Bessie Smith, Billie Halliday, Ellington, Count Basie blues and Dixieland jazz. Now we have re-made videos of them from the 1920's, in which the scene shows their brothers-sisters and the KKK white-slave cotton bosses and the popularity of this music. Now we know how and why US presidents are unable to show any concern for black labor, its education and health care. The KKK is still powerful, as are extreme-right, mafia- corrupted politicians.The blacks can eat in jail or the Marine corps. It is possible that US hospitals/doctors can charge up to $50,000 for an operation, just because the surgeon is 'very talented' and rarely makes a mistake. Did you know that in Cuba no-one pays for health and education, the 118 specialist professors can do the same operations and teach at one of 21 Medical Universities on the island. Next years's budget for educational and health programs, retirement benefits and social assistance will cost $6billion (Six!). The hospitals and schools maintenance is included in 'social assistance. But here there are no trillionaires, billionaires, or even moderately rich people like millionaires.And there is no advertising, no corrupted greedy politicians, no starvation, no waste -the sugar cane produces sugar, paper -but also 52 other value-added assets. On the other hand, the intelligence-limited USA, when thinking of Cuba, can only think of murder and deliberate withholding of a few food products, and special medical drugs. Is that envy on a huge scale? Perhaps, if it were a sign of remorse, all US corporation CEO's based at home or in foreign lands should jump out the top windows, as they did in 1929, but weighed down this time by all their fortunes melted into gold to make sure they stay down? Shakur says "the whole cultural imperialism that is going on today where people whether they're in Senegal, South Africa, Indonesia, are looking at this USA vision of the world that is totally distorted, totally unreal, that really diminishes and minimalises the cultural values and wisdom of people all over the world, and sells this kind of McDonald-ized vision of the world that everybody is supposed to aspire to. British PM, Tony Blair dropped a bombshell in Warsaw by announcing that Europe should have its own Rapid Reaction Force (RRF). The great lover of American brutality and its nuclear umbrella that protects Europe (from what?)-Thatcher the Iron Lady -was aghast at his plans to allot 12,500 British troops for that force. "We are in a new era. Today we have to deal with those problems we inherited from that time -the boom and bust economics, the social division, the chronic under-investment in our public services. A sensible, modern attitude to Europe is what we need." On BBC radio he is quoted as clarifying words "more money for social justice -education and better health for the people. This of course is what Fidel Castro's people are trying in vain to help all nations to understand, that people cared for and educated do not need armaments. The Americans are furious of course. The US Pentagon, CIA, corporations and politicians have laid out plans for all the 200 or so foreign nations. Peace, protection of the environment, the air, the rivers, forests, birds, insects and seas have no place in their sordid, greed-drunken, criminal terrorist thoughts and actions. It seems to me that Europe has begun to realise what a dreadful waste of resources and people NATO and the other US-led, probably- corrupted leaders, brought to Europe via the Balkans. Albania and Bulgaria had socialist leaders until the money bags arrived. Some EU leaders have been found out with up to $500 million in private banks -goodness knows how much they have in Swiss banks and Caymen islands. German and Turkey presidents have a lot to answer for, but so has Israel, Chile, Peru, Kazakstan, Argentina, Guatemala, Panama, El Salvador and many others. Turkey will be admitted to NATO because the US needs them there, not so much for their good looks, but because the Kurdish section in Turkey will have to be totally genocided in case they start to bomb the chosen US oil pipeline passing through Moslem Turkey from Central Asia, Caspian area. The US allows them to have NO human rights. Germany's Minister Fischer should have known better about US General Savimbi's situation in Angola, not to have promised German loans as soon as Angola stops the war. Then, with no knowledge of Africa and its recent history, he goes off to
Turkish prison strike continues
Date: Mon, 25 Dec 2000 04:43:58 +0100 From: Press Agency Ozgurluk [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sunday, 24 December, 2000, 23:34 GMT Turkish prison strike continues Anti-prison reform protesters clashed with the police The Turkish Government says more than 350 prison inmates are still refusing food, five days after the security forces launched raids on jails across the country to end the protest. Troops regained control on Friday of the last of 20 prisons, leaving a total of 26 prisoners and two police officers dead. The inmates want to stop transfers to new maximum security prisons where they say they will exposed to attacks by guards, who are often accused of committing abuses. Justice Minister Hikmet Sami Turk warned that the government would not back down from the transfer plans. Dead end Mr Turk said that following the storming of the jails, 1,005 prisoners were transferred to three of the new prisons and that nearly 400 had quit their hunger strike. He said the jails had been raided to "rescue the prisoners" - many of whom, he insisted, had been forced to fast by extreme left-wing groups. Mr Turk said that 353 continued their two-month long "death-fast", and that more than 1,600 others were carrying-out a hunger strike of solidarity, taking just minimal amounts of sugar. "Some inmates continue their acts in the trap of fanaticism into which they had fallen," he said. Condemnation The minister urged the strikers to put an end to their protests and to realise that they had reached a dead end. "If their condition deteriorates we will do whatever is necessary for medical intervention," he warned. The European Commission has expressed concern over the crackdown. Turkey's attempt to gain membership of the EU depends on improving its human rights record and democratic institutions. Human rights groups have also condemned the assault. Amnesty International has called for a full and independent inquiry into the raids. -- Press Agency Ozgurluk In Support of the Revolutionary Peoples Liberation Struggle in Turkey http://www.ozgurluk.org DHKC: http://www.ozgurluk.org/dhkc ___ KOMINFORM P.O. Box 66 00841 Helsinki - Finland +358-40-7177941, fax +358-9-7591081 e-mail [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.kominf.pp.fi ___ Kominform list for general information. Subscribe/unsubscribe messages to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Anti-Imperialism list for geopolitics. Subscribe/unsubscribe messages: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] ___
Turkey. DHKC Statement: 136
From: dhkcbureau [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] s: Date: December 23, 2000Statement: 136 Those who are uttering victory chants over our dead bodies are rejoicing in vain YOU ARE NOT THE ONES WHO HAVE FINISHED ANYONE OR CAN DEFEAT ANYONE! The authorities are celebrating over our dead bodies. Before the eyes of the entire world, our country has witnessed one of the most comprehensive attacks in its history. We are replying to this attack with one of the biggest acts of resistance in our history. Thousands of revolutionary prisoners and every single one of our comrades in the wrote pages in the history books on December 19. Hundreds wrote their heroic names in the legend of the December 19 resistance. Tens of thousands of soldiers and police, equipped with heavy weaponry as though they were launching a military operation against the beaches of Cyprus, killed, threw people in cells but did not make people surrender. Victory is ours from this day forward. With something like 30 martyrs, hundreds wounded and on the 65th day of hunger, we are continuing our march towards death and victory, with hundreds more resisting the murderous attack by starting hunger strikes and Death Fasts. The massacre was not just directed at the prisoners but at the whole people. The resistance which began on October 20 as an Indefinite Hunger Strike and was converted into a Death Fast followed all the classical patterns since that time that are characteristic of such actions. The authorities, who do everything on the orders of the imperialist monopolies, who take on new roles in the Middle East, Balkans and Caucasus in the name of imperialism, want to create an environment in which the imperialists and monopolies can easily engage in plunder, and this cannot be done without defeating the opposition forces. The opposition which is part of the system was not a problem for them, in the final analysis. So it was the revolutionary and democratic opposition which had to be annihilated. The prisons were always a priority target for having a special place in the material and moral conception of our revolutionary struggle. The prisoners from our front gave the appropriate response to this attack. The resistance was started on October 20, the announcement of the Death Fast by 100 Free Captives on November 19 marked a new escalation in the resistance. In connection with this we saw the democratic opposition grow step by step. This was the point at which the plans of the imperialists and the oligarchy came to nothing. The resistance had spread beyond being a prison resistance, and people were starting to say "the system is disintegrating". The oligarchy, to get back the initiative, prepared for a massacre and began to play games about intervening. They tried to create conditions for this with propaganda about "pressure from organisations". At this point, from trade union confederations to legal political parties, various democratic associations said "Quit," not to the authorities but to the revolutionaries, and they tried to create "pressure from public opinion" so the situation was such that the authorities could intervene. In this way the authorities found the circumstances needed to carry out an intervention and massacre. They saved the day for themselves today, but tomorrow belongs to those who have resisted. On December 19 the authorities went over to the attack and carried out the most comprehensive prison operation in the history of the Republic of Turkey. The state behaved with insane boldness in massacring hundreds of prisoners. We were up against a government that can run nothing and has no authority anywhere but wants to prove itself by carrying out a slaughter. It burned, destroyed and killed. The authorities showed their true face. However, they showed that they can conduct bans, repressions, slaughter and violence. They tore down and burned their own prisons, saying, "I made them surrender, I conquered." Is this anything other than an image of powerlessness? What could be simpler than slaughtering human beings who were already behind the four walls of prisons? The authorities are shouting their victory chants. True, if destroying their own prisons is a victory, they won a victory. True, if slaughtering dozens of prisoners behind prison walls is a victory, they won a major victory. But this is not a victory that any government can profit from. Today they saved themselves, tomorrow they will lose. The revolutionaries were right. Today everyone is admitting that the revolutionaries turned out to be right. They were right. Because they recognise this government for what it is. From life, they recognise those who have worked to organise the people's fight for liberation. They know that in this country there is fascism, both secret and open. Various mass organisations, trade unions, chambers and intellectual circles have erred or simply been deceived into not recognising this reality, or despite knowing that
Korean Central News Agency Dec 24
TODAY'S NEWS (December.24.2000 Juche 89) [CONTENTS] * Commemorations held * Commemorative seminars held abroad * Epic praising feats of Kim Jong Suk created * Papers observe anniversary of Kim Jong Il's election as KPA Supreme Commander * Wreaths laid For Spanish-speaking people * 9 aniversario de eleccion de dirigente kim jong il como comandante supremo de epc Commemorations held Pyongyang, December 24 (KCNA) -- An evening gala of the Ministry of the People's Armed Forces was held at Jonsung Square on Dec. 23 on the occasion of the 9th anniversary of the great leader Kim Jong Il's election as Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army. It was attended by Jo Myong Rok, director of the KPA general political department, Kim Yong Chun, chief of the KPA general staff, Kim Il Chol, Minister of the People's Armed Forces, leading officials of the People's Armed Forces, KPA generals, officers and soldiers. The square turned into a veritable sea of soldiers dancing to the tune of such songs as "Glory to the Dear Leader," "Song of Best Wishes," "Song of Three Prides," and "the Guerrilla March," etc, vice marshals and generals of the KPA joined dancers, thus bolstering up the festive atmosphere. A music and dance performance was given by the song and dance ensemble of the Ministry of People's Security at the Ponghwa Art Theatre on the same day on the occasion of the 9th anniversary of his election and the 83rd birth anniversary of the great communist revolutionary fighter Kim Jong Suk. Commemorative seminars held abroad Pyongyang, December 24 (KCNA) -- Seminars were held in different countries from Dec. 10 to 15 to commemorate the 9th anniversary of the great leader Kim Jong Il's election as Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army and the 83rd birth anniversary of the great communist revolutionary fighter Kim Jong Suk. The seminars were sponsored by the Peruvian Association for the Study of Revolutionary Activities of Comrade Kim Jong Suk, the Peruvian Committee for Supporting the Independent and Peaceful Reunification of Korea, the Association for the Study of Self-reliance of Pakistan, the Egyptian Committee for the Study of the Juche Idea and the Catania branch of the Italian Committee for the Study of the Juche Idea. Present there were prominent figures of political, social and academic circles in those countries, among them Victor Oliva Miguel, secretary general of the revolutionary socialist party of Peru. Akrak Aktar Hamidi, chairman of the Association for the Study of Self-reliance of Pakistan, said that Kim Jong Il is a veteran and seasoned political leader, an outstanding military strategist and iron-willed commander. Amata, chief of the Catania branch of the Italian Committee for the Study of the Juche Idea, noted that Kim Jong Il's army-first politics is a lifeline of the Korean people in their struggle for the building of a powerful socialist nation. Teresa Otidiano, chairperson of the Peruvian Association for the Study of Revolutionary Activities of Comrade Kim Jong Suk, said that it is a great pride and glory for the women revolutionaries around the world to deeply study the revolutionary history of Kim Jong Suk, comrade-in-arms intensely loyal to the great leader Kim Il Sung and an anti-Japanese heroine. Her revolutionary feats will shine long with history, she stressed. Epic praising feats of Kim Jong Suk created Pyongyang, December 24 (KCNA) -- An epic "the Cause of Kim Jong Suk Will Be Everlasting" (written by Li Pom Su) was published on the occasion of the 83rd birth anniversary of the great communist revolutionary fighter Kim Jong Suk. Singing of Kim Jong Suk's feats for the building of the army, the epic says that her cause of building the army will shine for all ages. After the liberation of Korea she, true to the idea and line of the army building advanced by the great leader President Kim Il Sung, led officials to build the army in a Korean way, by rooting out flunkeyism and dogmatism, it notes. She was always with arms in her lifetime and was the first to hold aloft the banner of devotedly defending the leader. Learning from her spirit, many devoted guardians have grown up, the epic says. It tells about the motherly love shown by her for soldiers, which is carried forward by the respected marshal Kim Jong Il. The greatest feat she performed for the revolution is that she gave birth to Kim Jong Il, successor to the cause of the Korean revolution. In the crucible of the hard-fought anti-Japanese war she brought up him as a son of guerrillas and commander, it says. Papers observe anniversary of Kim Jong Il's election as KPA Supreme Commander Pyongyang, December 24 (KCNA) -- Papers here today editorially observe the 9th anniversary of the great leader Kim Jong Il's election as Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army. Rodong Sinmun, the organ of
Turkish press gets coup jitters
From: Press Agency Ozgurluk [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: "[Ozgurluk.Org]" Turkish press gets coup jitters BBC: Saturday, 23 December, 2000, 11:03 GMT Turkish press gets coup jitters photo Police used water cannon to break up leftist protests The Turkish Government's decision to use force to end the stand-off with striking inmates in the country's prisons has caused increasing unease in parts of the press. Article: A number of left-leaning papers expressed concerns about the government's handling of the prison crisis, with at least one commentator suggesting that the ground was being prepared for a military coup. "Turkey is falling apart at the seams," a columnist wrote in the centrist mass-circulation Milliyet. "In the wake of the incidents over the amnesty bill, F-type prisons, and the hunger strikes, there is growing doubt about the strength of the government." Writing in the liberal mass circulation Sabah, Cetin Altan said recent events were familiar. "Casting an oblique glance around us, we too are coming to the conclusion that the ground is being prepared for the introduction of a military diktat," he wrote. "It is always the same: first comes utter chaos and then a military diktat. Today's developments instill such a fear in our minds, whether we like it or not." Global impact Mr Altan said the Turkish state had been slow in coming to grips with the impact of globalisation. "After the transition to a military diktat, a schism could be created in the country and after a bloody shock wave similar to a civil war, Nato and US forces could intervene to pacify the country. Then it would be easier for the country to change the status quo," he wrote. "The new cadres to come to power would speedily solve the Cyprus and the Aegean problems, as well as the problem of the southeast, that is, the Kurdish problem." "We should not have let the 20th century pass us by with such a shameful fiasco," Mr Altan concluded. No conspiracy A columnist in the mass-circulation left-wing Cumhuriyet appeared to agree. Ilhan Selcuk said that in times of grave national events Turks always say that 'Our country is experiencing the biggest crisis of the history of the Turkish Republic'. "When you start hearing this said over and over again, it is not a prophecy that something will happen... Turkey is experiencing a crisis as big as any in the past," Selcuk wrote. "The hidden forces of the state swing into action... the urge to live takes over. Are we at that point again?" But writing in Milliyet, Hasan Cemal took a less apocalyptic view. "Is it a conspiracy? ... Please don't bother with conspiracy theories. We should well know that the cure for such poison is the transparency of a democratic regime and a government clearly under the rule of law," he wrote. Confusion A number of papers pointed to what they saw as confusion in leading government circles over the events leading up to the decision to launch theown, as well as to discrepancies in the official casualty toll. "For instance, Internal Affairs Minister Sadettin Tantan denied anyone was on a hunger strike while Justice Minister Hikmet Sami Turk said the protests had reached a critical point and the operation was unavoidable," Melik Asik wrote in Milliyet. Radikal newspaper reported that, according to Eren Keskin, the chairman of the Istanbul Human Rights Organisation, 54 prisoners had apparently "gone missing" during the course of the operations. "We asked the chief prosecutor where these people were. He said he did not know," the paper quoted Mr Keskin as saying. -- Press Agency Ozgurluk In Support of the Revolutionary Peoples Liberation Struggle in Turkey http://www.ozgurluk.org DHKC: http://www.ozgurluk.org/dhkc ___ KOMINFORM P.O. Box 66 00841 Helsinki - Finland +358-40-7177941, fax +358-9-7591081 e-mail [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.kominf.pp.fi ___ Kominform list for general information. Subscribe/unsubscribe messages to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Anti-Imperialism list for geopolitics. Subscribe/unsubscribe messages: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] ___
Vietnam News Dec 23
President visit to China to strengthen Vietnam-China co-operation: FM spokesperson The visit to China by President Tran Duc Luong scheduled for December 25-29 will create a new impetus for further strengthening the mutual trust, co-operation and friendship between Vietnam and China. So said the Foreign Ministry's spokesperson Phan Thuy Thanh at a regular news briefing in Hanoi on December 21, announcing to local and foreign reporters the coming official visit to China by President Tran Duc Luong. During the visit, President Luong will meet with his Chinese counterpart, Jiang Zemin, Chairman of the National People's Congress Li Peng and Premier Zhu Rongji. A joint statement on the framework of co-operation in the 21st century between the two countries will be signed during the visit. The two sides will also sign an agreement on the Bac Bo (Tonkin) Gulf delineation, an agreement on fishing co-operation in the Bac Bo Gulf, an agreement on co-operation in the use of atomic energy for peaceful purpose, and an agreement on co-operation between Vietnam News Agency and Xinhua News Agency of China. President Luong's coming visit to China, Ms Thanh said, will take place in the context of strong and intensive steps of development in the relationship between the two countries, especially since the China visits by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Le Kha Phieu in February 1999 and by Prime Minister Phan Van Khai in September this year, and the Vietnam visit by Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji in December 1999. The coming visit to China by President Luong reflects Vietnam's consistent policy to attach importance to its comprehensive co-operation with China, maintain and boost the positive and stable development of the two countries' relations. The visit will translate the line of good neighbourliness, comprehensive co-operation, long-lasting stability and looking towards the future into concrete areas of co-operation between the two countries in the 21st century, she added. (VNA) Vietnam, Ukraine promote scientific co-operation President Tran Duc Luong, on December 22, requested Ukrainian scientists to continue giving training assistance to Vietnam, which, he said, would contribute considerably to Vietnam's industrialisation and modernisation. The State leader made the request while receiving Academician B E Paton, president of the Ukraine Academy of Sciences and president of the International Union of Academies of Sciences, in Hanoi on December 22. Scientific co-operation between the two countries has proved fruitful for years as a number of Vietnamese scientists who studied in Ukraine are now holding important positions in scientific research and educational institutions in Vietnam. The East European country has helped Vietnam in mechanics, material technology and transferred to Vietnam bio-technology and chains of medicine production, which Mr Luong described as of practical significance. Academician B E Paton, in turn, pledged to continue assistance to Vietnam's scientific and technological establishments despite Ukraine's own difficulties. On this occasion, an accord on social science co-operation between the National Centre for Social Sciences and Humanities of Vietnam and the Ukraine Academy of Sciences was signed. (VNA) Christmas message asks Catholics to serve the people's happiness The Committee for Solidarity of Vietnamese Catholics has called upon all Catholics to continue participating in the emulation movement "Let's unite to build a new healthy life in residential areas and live up to religious teachings and a good life." In its letter of greetings to the Catholic community of this year's Christmas Day, the committee asks Catholics to live the Godspel amidst the nation to serve the people's happiness. The letter also calls on each sect of the Catholic community to reaffirm their mission of "living, witnessing and announcing happy news" according to the teachings of the Vietnam Episcopal Council. Meanwhile, the Ho Chi Minh City Women's Union on December 20 and 21 made well-wishing visits to major Catholic orders in the city. Other activities including a get-together of 260 priests and Catholics in Ho Chi Minh City's Tan Binh district. (VNA) ___ KOMINFORM P.O. Box 66 00841 Helsinki - Finland +358-40-7177941, fax +358-9-7591081 e-mail [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.kominf.pp.fi ___ Kominform list for general information. Subscribe/unsubscribe messages to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Anti-Imperialism list for geopolitics. Subscribe/unsubscribe messages: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] ___
Korean Central News Agency Dec 22
TODAY'S NEWS (December.22.2000 Juche 89) [CONTENTS] * For. guests visit exhibition of mementoes on Kim Jong Suk's activities * Exploits of Kim Jong Il and Kim Jong Suk lauded * Cuban ambassador hosts reception * Foreign diplomats visit exhibition and museum * Singing gathering of youth and students held * National fine art exhibition opens * Letters carved on rock on Mt. Kumgang * Japan's arms buildup plan under fire * Preservation of national character called for For Spanish-speaking people * embajador cubano ofrece banquete * tercera ronda de conversaciones de expertos militares norte-sur For. guests visit exhibition of mementoes on Kim Jong Suk's activities Pyongyang, December 22 (KCNA) -- Women of various embassies and missions of international organizations here visited the Exhibition of Mementoes on the Revolutionary Activities of the great communist revolutionary fighter Kim Jong Suk on December 21 on the occasion of her 83rd birth anniversary. They were deeply moved to look round photos showing revolutionary activities of Kim Jong Suk, woman commander of Mt. Paektu, and books dealing with her ideological and theoretical exploits. The wife of the Lao ambassador said that Kim Jong Suk set a noble example in devotedly defending the leader by dedicating herself to safeguard the headquarters of the revolution during the historic "arduous march" in the period of the hard-fought anti-Japanese revolutionary struggle. The acting representative of the UNDP noted that Kim Jong Suk was a great revolutionary fighter who devoted all her life to the victory of the Korean revolution. The wife of the Syrian charge d'affaires ad interim said that the revolutionary exploits she performed for the sacred cause of the country's liberation and the freedom and happiness of the people will be immortal. Exploits of Kim Jong Il and Kim Jong Suk lauded Pyongyang, December 22 (KCNA) -- Yehiya Jakariya Hairallah, chairman of the Egyptian Committee for the Study of the Juche Idea, issued a statement on Dec. 16 on the occasion of the 9th anniversary of the leader Kim Jong Il's election as Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army and the 83rd birth anniversary of the great communist revolutionary fighter Kim Jong Suk. In the statement he said that in the DPRK the revolutionary cause of President Kim Il Sung is being fully and creditably carried forward thanks to the immortal feat of Kim Jong Suk for the country and people. The Korean people led by Kim Jong Il, successor to the president, are now dynamically advancing along the road chosen by themselves, meeting all challenges of history, he said. M.M. Verma, director of the Indian Centre for the U.N. Studies, in his statement on Dec. 14 said: The DPRK has defended socialism in fierce confrontation with the imperialists and laid a solid foundation for the building of a powerful nation. It is a victory of the great army-first politics of Kim Jong Il. The KPA led by him will always emerge victorious. Cuban ambassador hosts reception Pyongyang, December 22 (KCNA) -- Jose Manuel Inclan Embade, Cuban ambassador to the DPRK, yesterday hosted a reception at the embassy on the occasion of the 9th anniversary of the leader Kim Jong Il's election as Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army. Invited to the reception were Kim Il Chol, Minister of the People's Armed Forces, Pak Kyong Son, vice department director of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, Kung Sok Ung, Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs, generals and officers of the KPA. Jose Manuel Inclan Embade in his speech said Kim Jong Il's election as Supreme Commander of the KPA was the greatest historic event. We will make positive efforts to boost the friendly relations between Cuba and the DPRK true to the intention of the two leaders, he said. Kim Il Chol said in his speech that Cuban brothers and sisters' joining the Korean people in celebrating the significant day makes them feel once again how profound the Cuban people's reverence and trust in Kim Jong Il are and how particular and deep the class and comradely ties between the two armies and peoples are, and went on: We will as ever make positive efforts to steadily boost the traditional relations of friendship and cooperation with Cuba, true to the noble intention of Kim Jong Il. Foreign diplomats visit exhibition and museum Pyongyang, December 22 (KCNA) -- The military attaches' corps here yesterday visited the exhibition of gifts of the Ministry of the People's Armed Forces and embassy officials in charge of cultural and friendly relations the revolutionary museum and the exhibition of the ministry on the occasion of the 9th anniversary of the leader Kim Jong Il's election as Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army and the 83rd birth anniversary of the great communist revolutionary fighter Kim Jong Suk. Displayed at the
Vietnam News Dec 22
Vietnam, Laos to promote relations Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) General Secretary Le Kha Phieu says the Vietnamese Party and State wants to see the close relations between Laos and Vietnam further strengthened in the interests of the two peoples. At a reception on December 20, Mr Phieu told Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Somsavat Lengsavad, that a stronger development of Vietnam-Laos bilateral relations would also benefit peace, national independence, democracy and social progress in the world. Deputy Prime Minister Somsavat Lengsavad, who is also a member of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party Central Committee (LPRP CC) is leading a delegation from the LPRP CC's External Relations Commission on an official visit to Vietnam. Mr Phieu praised efforts made by the CPV's Commission for External Relations and its Lao counterpart in implementing the tasks assigned by the two Parties. He said the efforts had made positive contributions to the development of the special friendship and solidarity and comprehensive co-operation between the two countries. After briefing the General Secretary about talks held earlier with officials from the CPV's Commission for External Relations, Somsavat Lengsavad pledged that Laos would do its best to promote the special ties. At the talks, the guests and hosts exchanged views about regional and international issues of common concern and the two Parties' co-operation programme. Mr Somsavat Lengsavad and the director of CPV's Commission for External Relations, Nguyen Van Son, signed a co-operation programme for 2001 by which Vietnam and Laos will broaden the exchange of information, experience, Party-related documents and studies. (VNA) --- - President praises Lao achievements President Tran Duc Luong spoke highly of Laos's socio-economic achievements, particularly in agriculture, and its enhanced international status when receiving Lao National Assembly Chairman Samane Vignaketh in Hanoi on December 21. The president also expressed his appreciation of the unceasing development of the traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive co-operation between the Parties, States and peoples of Vietnam and Laos. In response, the Lao NA chairman thanked the Vietnam government, State and people for their help to Laos's national construction. He said that he hoped the time-honoured traditional friendship and comprehensive co-operation between the two peoples would be further strengthened in the 21st century. Earlier, a high-ranking delegation from the Lao National Assembly, led by Chairman S Vignaketh, paid floral tributes to President Ho Chi Minh at his Mausoleum. The delegation also held working sessions with Minister of Planning and Investment Tran Xuan Gia and Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Huy Ngo. The delegation will leave Hanoi on December 23 for the northern mountain provinces of Tuyen Quang, Ha Giang and Yen Bai. (VNA) --- - NA chairman receives foreign MPs National Assembly Chairman Nong Duc Manh received in Hanoi on December 20 the heads of five foreign parliamentary delegations, who took part in a December 18 and 19 seminar on reforming parliamentary organisations and operations. Chairman Manh said he wanted to learn from their experiences and hold further in-depth meetings, in a bid to lift the performance of the NA's functional bodies. He added the seminar had been an excellent opportunity to promote mutual understanding between the highest legislative bodies in the five countries, namely Sweden, Indonesia, Cambodia, Laos, the Republic of Korea, and Vietnam. The heads of the visiting delegations told Chairman Manh that they were impressed with the growing bilateral ties between legislative offices in Vietnam and those of their respective countries. Chairman Manh suggested that future seminars should be organised to allow a greater variety of workshops to be held, covering a wider range of parliamentary activities. He asked the Swedish and Cambodian head delegates to convey his thanks to the Swedish Speaker Brigitta Dahl for inviting him to visit Sweden, and the Cambodian Parliamentary Speaker Prince Norodom Ranariddh for inviting him to attend an international peace conference to be sponsored by the Cambodian Parliament at the end of next month. He said he gladly accepted the invitations. (VNA) --- - Defence Ministry meets foreign military attaches The Defence Ministry gave a reception to foreign military attaches in Hanoi on December 21 for the 56th anniversary of the founding of the Vietnam People's Army (December 22). Deputy Defence Minister Lieutenant General Nguyen Huy Hieu thanked the military attaches and ambassadors for their promotion of friendship
China. People´s Daily Dec 23
Ectracts. Saturday, December 23, 2000, updated at 12:20(GMT+8) UNFPA Official Inspects South China Region An official of the United Nations Populations Fund (UNFPA) said that she was satisfied with the results of the program fund utilized in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in south China. Julia Taylor, program official of the UNFPA made the remarks during her inspection of this autonomous region in south China. Accompanied by officials from Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), the UNFPA official inspected Tian'e County on December 19 to increase her understanding of the childbirth health situation of women in the area. The UNFPA program, which aims to improve women's health and the local economy, has been implemented in 15 counties in China's 13 Provinces and autonomous regions. Tian'e County received 490,000 yuan (59,000 U.S. dollars) in funds in July this year, and offered health awareness sessions to 1,000 women. China to Foster National Defense Awareness among People China's legislature started Friday, December 22, to promote a newly proposed law on national defense education among people nationwide, with a view to improving their awareness of national defense. When explaining the draft law to the 19th plenary meeting of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, which opened Friday morning, Defense Minister Chi Haotian said that every citizen should learn a basic knowledge on national defense. China's national defense education will focus on patriotism, heroism and dedication to the motherland, said Chi, also vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC). According to the draft law, the State Council will be responsible for the education of all civilians, while the CMC will oversee the education of service men. The draft law also sets September 7 as the National Defense Education Day. China signed the humiliating Xinchou Treaty with the Western forces on September 7, 1901. Primary and middle schools, as well as colleges and universities should include the national defense education into their overall education programs. In addition, students in high schools and universities must receive military training during their campus life. Meanwhile, various newspapers, radio and television stations are urged to promote knowledge on national defense, Chi said. Nationwide museums, memorial halls, cultural organizations and other institutions should provide any convenience possible to visitors for the education. Hegemonism and power politics still exist in the world, warned Chi, citing that necessary education on national defense is extremely important for enhancing cohesion among the people. Unauthorized Gold Marketing Not Permitted: BOC Without authorization from the State Council and Bank of China, no companies or organizations are entitled to set up gold exchange markets, said a spokesman from BOC Friday in Beijing, adding that various online deals and local activities to set up gold markets on their own must be stopped immediately. Referring to some media releases on China's developing gold marketing, the spokesman said reform of gold administration system is the intrinsic demand and due course of developing a market economy. But it involves many critical issues regarding gold production, circulation, administration, reserve, and taxation. The setting up of a gold market, in particular, directly concerns the interests of enterprises engaged in gold production, circulation and consumption, therefore full preparations must be made. Presently close study and market investigations are still needed for certain policies to back up market reform. Before new reform plans and administrative policies are launched, all activities concerning gold production, circulation and consumption must be conducted in accordance with "Regulations of the People's Republic of China With Regards to Control of Gold and Silver" as well as other related regulations, he emphasized. ___ KOMINFORM P.O. Box 66 00841 Helsinki - Finland +358-40-7177941, fax +358-9-7591081 e-mail [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.kominf.pp.fi ___ Kominform list for general information. Subscribe/unsubscribe messages to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Anti-Imperialism list for geopolitics. Subscribe/unsubscribe messages: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] ___
Turkey. Guardian article on prison crackdown, and DHKC letter in response
Delivered-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Delivered-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Date: Fri, 22 Dec 2000 14:58:00 - From: STEVE KACZYNSKI [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: "[Ozgurluk.Org]" Guardian article on prison crackdown, and DHKC letter (Forwarding) The article on page 12 of "The Guardian" on December 22, "400 inmates make last stand in Turkey" by Suzan Fraser, read like the pure product of a Turkish government press briefing. The article says soldiers shouted through megaphones to prisoners to get them to surrender, "Think of your parents waiting in front of the prison". Since these same soldiers and police have frequently assaulted the relatives of prisoners over the years, especially during prison visits, it is doubtful whether they enjoy much credibility. The government has done its best to stress its alleged lack of control in the prisons to justify its assault now, which a number of human rights organisations like Amnesty International have criticised. In fact, wardens could search prisoners' compounds when they wished to. The government's real problem is that thousands of highly politicised prisoners are concentrated together. In the end the government is targeting the political ideas the prisoners hold. That is why it wants to put the prisoners in isolation cells. The article claims the prisoners have little support. But hundreds of people have been arrested in Turkey for demonstrating against the assault by state forces, and it is in fact dangerous to be a supporter of the prisoners. In London, where the same degree of repression does not exist, protests and demonstrations, including the occupations on the 20th which attracted some British media attention, have involved a significant section of the Turkish-speaking community in this country. The article only mentions the DHKP-C, which stands for "Revolutionary People's Liberation Party-Front", not "Army-Front" as given in the article. In fact prisoners from the Communist Party of Turkey (Marxist-Leninist) or TKP(ML), and the Communist Workers' Party of Turkey (TKIP) were also on the Death Fast, and TKP(ML) prisoners are certainly among those known to have been killed. Incidentally, the death toll is far higher than the official figures given. You cite Turkish newspaper claims (hardly the most reliable source) that senior DHKP-C members live in Britain and Belgium. In both countries, there are active DHKC Information Bureaus. Our Bureau in London has publicised the state in Turkey's use of torture and disappearances for years and our office even has a sign and a flag outside. When the press in Turkey makes claims about our organisation in Europe, it often happens that European police forces then raid homes, offices and associations. We hope that so liberal a newspaper as "The Guardian" is not lending itself to such a shameful proceeding. We consider the US and European governments to be accomplices in the crime of the authorities in Turkey. DHKC (Revolutionary People's Liberation Front) London Information Bureau 97 Kingsland High Street, Dalston, E8 2PB. (0207) 254 1266 [EMAIL PROTECTED] 400 inmates make last stand in Turkey Government approves amnesty to cut overcrowding in jails as protests at all but one prison are crushed Suzan Fraser in Ankara Friday December 22, 2000 Soldiers pressed defiant inmates to end their standoff in the last Turkish prison holding out against authorities, after more than 150 left-wing inmates in another jail surrendered. Prisoners across the country had embarked on a two-month hunger strike to protest at plans to move them from huge, packed prison wards to small cells. After three days of raids on more than 20 prisons, 400 inmates remained barricaded in Istanbul's Umraniye prison. The standoff at Canakkale prison in western Turkey ended earlier yesterday, with the interior ministry saying that two more prisoners had been found dead, taking the official death toll in the raids to 19 inmates and two soldiers. NTV television showed some of the Canakkale inmates jumping out of a hole soldiers had smashed in a prison wall and crawling towards the heavily armed security forces. Earlier, soldiers shouted "Life is beautiful" and "If you are not thinking of yourselves, think of your parents waiting in front of the prison" through megaphones, the daily Milliyet reported. Parliament yesterday approved an amnesty that will nearly halve the country's prison population of 72,000 and help end overcrowding. Parliament passed the amnesty bill for the second time after President Ahmet Necdet Sezer had previously vetoed it. Turkish presidents cannot veto a bill twice. Officials have said it is vital for Turkey to reduce jail numbers as it struggles to regain control of prisons where inmates often live in wards that house up to 100 people. Political groups frequently run wards like indoctrination centres and bar warders from entering. Poorly paid
Havana Radio Dec 21.
X-Sender: [EMAIL PROTECTED] X-Apparently-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [CubaNews] Havana Radio Dec 21. subject: Havana Radio Dec 21. Migration. Kirsty killed Via NY Transfer News * All the News That Doesn't Fit Radio Havana Cuba - News Update - 21 December 2000 . *FIDEL ADDRESSES FEDERATION OF UNIVERSITY STUDENTS ON 78th ANNIVERSARY *JOSE MARTI ORDER AWARDED TO PRIMA BALLERINA ALICIA ALONSO *ORDINARY SESSION OF THE CUBAN PARLIAMENT UNDERWAY IN HAVANA *UNDP EXPERTS REVIEW COOPERATION PROGRAM WITH CUBA *Viewpoint: MIGRATION TO US HELPS PERPETUATE A SYSTEM OF EXPLOITATION . *FIDEL ADDRESSES FEDERATION OF UNIVERSITY STUDENTS ON 78th ANNIVERSARY Havana, December 21 (RHC)-- Cuban President Fidel Castro presided on Wednesday over the main activity to mark the 78th anniversary of the Federation of Cuban University Students, FEU, held in Havana. During the activity, Fidel highlighted the important role being played by Cuban students, especially those who make up the recently constituted social work brigades. He stressed that those students are involved in extraordinarily humane work, made possible by Cuban society. Addressing over 3000 university students, President Castro commented on recent statements by U.S. President Bill Clinton, regarding Washington's blockade of Cuba. The Cuban leader said that the U.S. president wasn't being honest when he claimed that it had been impossible to improve relations with Cuba during his mandate because of the incident involving two small U.S. aircraft in 1996. Fidel recalled that the two planes -- belonging to the Miami-based terrorist organization known as Brothers to the Rescue -- were shot down after Cuban authorities had repeatedly warned the White House and the intruders that Cuba would no longer allow violations of its airspace. President Castro termed as "foolish" Clinton's allegations that his party's defeat in the recently held presidential elections was due to the support given by the U.S. government to the return to Cuba of six-year-old Elian Gonzalez. He commented that the elections rather than being lost were actually stolen. The Cuban president stressed that the entire electoral process was rife with irregularities and fraud and that it was the direct action of the Miami-based Cuban- American National Foundation. Referring to rumors in the United States that the younger generations of Cubans are preparing for a post-Castro Era, Fidel affirmed that Cuba is actually preparing for a post-Bush, post-Imperialism Era, since the powerful northern empire lacks both strength and intelligence to destroy the Cuban Revolution. *JOSE MARTI ORDER AWARDED TO PRIMA BALLERINA ALICIA ALONSO Havana, December 21 (RHC)-- Cuban President Fidel Castro granted the Jose Marti Order to Prima Ballerina Absoluta Alicia Alonso for her contribution to the creation of the Cuban National Ballet School and for a life dedicated to training the younger generations of Cubans in the highest artistic and patriotic values. Upon receiving the distinction, the highest granted by the Cuban Council of State, Alicia said that it was an honor to be granted an order that bears the name of such a brilliant personality. President Castro, for his part, stated that Alicia Alonso is a glory of Cuban Culture and praised her contribution to the development of ballet in Cuba. *ORDINARY SESSION OF THE CUBAN PARLIAMENT UNDERWAY IN HAVANA Havana, December 21 (RHC)-- Cuban President Fidel Castro is participating in the 6th Ordinary Session of the Cuban Parliament that began Thursday at Havana's International Convention Center. This is the last session this year of the Cuban Parliament, also known as the General Assembly of People's Power. Cuban lawmakers are debating the national budget and the economic and social plans for the year 2001. Prior to this plenary meeting, the Cuban Parliament's ten Permanent Work Commissions met earlier in the week with the top authorities in various Cuban ministries and institutions, such as the Ministries of Planning and the Economy and Finances and the National Bank. *UNDP EXPERTS REVIEW COOPERATION PROGRAM WITH CUBA Havana, December 21 (RHC)-- Experts from the United Nations Development Program, the UNDP, met in Havana with representatives from Cuba and Italy to complete the third phase of a human development program, implemented on the island by the UNDP and Italy. The project, which runs until next year, includes the creation of new jobs in Old Havana and the provinces of Pinar del Rio and Granma. Thanks to UNDP cooperation, the Minas de Matahambre aqueduct in the westernmost province of Pinar del Rio was started up again. The UN program has also played a crucial role in the eastern province of Granma helping to alleviate the impact in drought-stricken areas. *Viewpoint: MIGRATION TO US HELPS PERPETUATE A SYSTEM OF EXPLOITATION Migratory issues will be at the center of world attention in the beginnings of the third millennium and they will be a
Granma: Political dialogue with Putin
X-Sender: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (Unverified)
Subject: Granma: Political dialogue with Putin
subject: Granma: Political dialogue with Putin.
© Copyright. 1996-2000. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. GRANMA INTERNATIONAL/
ONLINE EDITION - December 18, 2000
Political dialogue paves way for economic cooperation
¥ Wreath for national hero Jose Mart'i
¥ Tour of Biotechnology Center ¥ Rest in Varadero
BY MIREYA CASTANEDA (Granma International staff writer)
Putin, president of the Russian Federation, affirmed that one of the
results of his official visit to Cuba is the reactivation of
political dialogue which is paving the way for economic cooperation.
The Russian head of state gave an anxiously awaited press 10th
conference in just a half an hour, due to the pressures of a Ibero-
American tight agenda; immediately afterwards he was to leave for a
tour of the Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Center.
Putin arrived at the press conference in a room at the Palace of
(available only the Revolution, after placing a wreath at the Jose
Marti monument and touring the memorial dedicated to the life of the
Cuban national hero.
The dialogue began with the almost obligatory question as to
Putin's general appraisal of the results of his official visit at
the invitation of President Fidel Castro.
The Russian leader said that although he had previously spoken on
that aspect, he could offer further details.
"Unfortunately, in recent years relations with Cuba have been
characterized by political and economic stagnation," he stated
directly, "but I would say that this visit is the first step in
activating bilateral dialogue in both spheres, as well as to
facilitate Russia's relations with Latin America, where many
countries wish to see a more active position on our part," he
observed, in reference to the current unipolar world.
"I would like to note that there are no problems between Russia and
Cuba in the political sphere; on the contrary, they are close in
terms of international solutions," Putin emphasized.
In the context of economic relations, the Russian president spoke of
the need to appreciate the legacy of some years back, in a clear
reference to the Soviet stage, commenting that there are still many
problems dating from that period to be solved.
He noted that an analysis was needed of what to do with
unfinished projects in which millions of dollars have been invested,
giving the example of the Juraguay nuclear energy plant, where
"Russia has invested $30 million USD just for its conservation. We
have to discuss whether our investment will be for maintenance or to
make it fully operational," he commented.
Continuing on the economic theme, the Russian president stated that
they are disposed to assess new possibilities like
telecommunications.
THE DEBT WILL BE RESOLVED IN A SPIRIT OF FRIENDSHIP
Asked about the Cuban debt with Russia, Putin responded that the
issue is in the hands of experts and, while it has not been
resolved as yet, this will take place in a spirit of friendship.
He added that there is a willingness to offer Cuba the most
beneficial payment plan within international norms.
The previous afternoon the Russian leader, accompanied by
President Fidel Castro, visited the Electronics Operations
Center. Also taking part in the tour were Marshal Igor Sergeev,
who is Russian defense minister, and General of the Army Ra¦l
Castro.
The base has been functioning for some time now and does so in
line with international standards, Putin noted, going on to say
that it is an information center servicing Russia's defense
system and, to an extent, Cuba's as well, and as it is
functioning well, both countries have agreed to maintain it.
A Canadian journalist had two questions for Putin, the first on
what she perceived as a Russian-Cuban alliance against the United
States and another on his imminent visit to Canada.
"I regret that your analysis is misdirected," Putin
replied incisively, "because Russia and Cuba have no alliance
whatsoever against any third country."
In relation to the United States, he explained that known
discrepancies do exist, reiterating as examples attempts to
change the anti-ballistic missile defense treaty, matters related
to international security, that Russia and Cuba do not consider
the concept of humanitarian intervention as correct, and the need
to take into account the issue of poor countries, so as to attain
a balance in the current world.
In response to the second question, Putin said that Canada is a
neighboring country in the northern hemisphere with which Russia
shares problems and maintains a positive dialogue, although trade
relations are as yet insufficient.
A large group of Russian journalists accompanied the official
delegation that traveled with President Putin, and they made use
of the press conference to discuss national issues, among them
the new budget ("passing it is a positive sign, the important
thing is to fulfill
Vietnam News Dec 21
Talks held between Vietnamese and Lao NA delegations. Laos's National Assembly Chairman Samane Vignhaketh held talks with his host, Chairman Nong Duc Manh in Hanoi on December 20 to further boost co-operation between two countries. Host and guest expressed their joy and happiness at both their personal meeting and at the constant development of relations between their countries, relations they described as "comprehensive and time-honoured". National Assembly Chairman Manh said his Lao counterpart's visit was a step forward in the bilateral relationship and an opportunity to discuss both bilateral and multi-lateral relations. The National Assembly and people of Vietnam always treasure the co-operative ties with Laos and will try their best to preserve that special relationship eternally, Said he. Mr Samane Vignhaketh said his visit was a manifestation of the friendship and co-operation between the two parliaments and the two peoples. He believed that the time-treasured multifaceted co-operation would help the two countries, side by side, firmly advance towards the new millennium despite challenges ahead. (VNA) Vietnam attends Greek Communist Party Congress A delegation of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) led by Pham Van Tho, member of the Party Central Committee, visited Athens for the 16th Congress of the Greek Communist Party from December 14-17. The head delegate extended greetings from the CPV Central Committee to the congress and best regards from CPV General Secretary Le Kha Phieu to General Secretary Aleka Papariga and Honorary President Harilaos Florakis of the Greek Communist Party. The delegation held working sessions with senior officials of the Greek Communist Party. They congratulated Aleka Papariga on her re-election as general secretary of the Party. The delegation also exchanged views with international delegates at the congress. (VNA) Mongolia honours Vietnamese Mongolia's Silver Star for Peace medal has been presented to the president of the Vietnam-Mongolia Friendship Association, Hoang Minh Thang, and its former president, Nguyen Quang Sang. The medals were presented by the president of the Mongolia Union of Peace and Friendship Organisations, Chuluun Batjargal, at a ceremony in Hanoi on December 20. Present at the ceremony were acting President of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations Vu Xuan Hong and Mongolia's ambassador to Vietnam, Avaadorjiin Tsolmon . Hoang Minh Thang expressed his thanks at receiving the precious award and said he would do his best to contribute to developing friendly relations between Vietnam and Mongolia. (VNA) Deputy minister visits Belgium, Luxembourg Deputy Minister of Culture and Information Tran Chien Thang paid working visits to Belgium and Luxembourg on December 17 and 18. While in Belgium, he worked with the general high commissioner in charge of international relations of the French-speaking Belgian community, P Suinen on cultural co-operation between the two countries. He was also received by Brussels Mayor Marion Lemesrer. In Luxembourg, Thang held working sessions with officials of the Ministry of Culture and the University of Teaching and Research and discussed future projects. He toured a number of cultural establishments in the two capitals. (VNA) Hanoi party chief meets Catholic cardinal Hanoi Communist Party Chief Nguyen Phu Trong and other senior officials of the city, on December 19, visited Cardinal Pham Dinh Tung, president of the Vietnam Episcopal Council, to mark Christmas and the ending of Holy Year - 2000. The city's Party leader said he hoped Episcopal Council and Vietnamese Catholic priests and believers would continue to promote the tradition of 'God Respect and Patriotism,' joining hands with all residents to build a civilised and beautiful Hanoi. Mr Trong, who is also a Politburo member of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee, also briefed the Cardinal on the city's success in socio-economic development this year. Cardinal Tung told the city's leader about the Catholics' preparations for Christmas and the Episcopal Council's annual meeting, slated for early next year. (VNA) ___ KOMINFORM P.O. Box 66 00841 Helsinki - Finland +358-40-7177941, fax +358-9-7591081 e-mail [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.kominf.pp.fi ___ Kominform list for general information. Subscribe/unsubscribe messages to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Anti-Imperialism list for geopolitics. Subscribe/unsubscribe messages: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] ___
Joint message of solidarity. Please distribute widely.
Dear comrades and friends, This is a draft text of a protest letter in support of the political prisioners in Turkey. Because of the urgency of the matter we need to act very fast. If you like to be included in the list of signatures let me know on or off-list as soon as possible. If you would like to send your own protest messages you can use these FAX numbers: Staatspräsident Sezer, Türkei: Fax: 0090 312 427 13 30 Ministerpräsident Bülent Ecevit: Fax: 0090 312 417 04 76 Justizminister Hikmet Türk: Fax: 0090 312 418 5667, email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Innenminister Sadettin Tantan: Fax: 0090 312 418 1795 Generaldirektor der Haftanstalten Ali Suat Ertosun: Fax: 0090 312 414 63 01, email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] For communision == Sven Buttler, Marxist-Leninist List [EMAIL PROTECTED] -- Protest letter We are very concerned about the recent massacres carried out by police forces in prisons all over Turkey. The prisioners that have been under attack for several days now embarked upon a hungerstrike in order to protest the inhuman conditions in Turkish prisions. The Turkish authorities want to silence the prisioners and indeed the whole Turkish people to uphold the cheap pretence of being a democratic state. We condemn the recent undemocratic and coward actions against the prisoners and demand an immediate moratorium of attacks. Stop the fascist attacks! For a democratic and free Turkey! Signatures so far: - P.V.Srinivas Incharge International relations Communist Party of India (Marxist_Leninist) India mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sven Buttler, Germany Alan Dover, New Zealand Charles F. Moreira Javad Eskandarpour, USA Per Rasmussen, Denmark http://w1.1559.telia.com/~u155900373/ ___ KOMINFORM P.O. Box 66 00841 Helsinki - Finland +358-40-7177941, fax +358-9-7591081 e-mail [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.kominf.pp.fi ___ Kominform list for general information. Subscribe/unsubscribe messages to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Anti-Imperialism list for geopolitics. Subscribe/unsubscribe messages: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] ___
Solidarity with the Turkish people
From: "Bill Howard" [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Solidarity with the Turkish people [STOPNATO.ORG.UK] Date: Thu, 21 Dec 2000 23:59:49 - Solidarity with Turkish people and youth From Communist Youth of Greece, 22/12/00 12:01:25 Athens, December 21, 2000 Press release of KNE Solidarity with the Turkish people KNE denounces in the most vehement way the murderous attack of the Turkish repression forces that led in the assassination of lots of political prisoners. It denounces the more general authoritarian and anti-democratic decline of the Turkish regime, which receives the all-sided support of the American and European imperialists. These developments constitute the natural evolution of the "European course" of Turkey, that was recently reconfirmed once more, in a period that the construction of the European Union becomes more reactionary day by day. The German - inspired origin of the so-called "white cells", does not leave the smallest doubt on this very fact. The Government of PASOK, the same government that handed over Ochalan and opened the way to NATO in the Balkans, bears serious responsibilities because it supported this "European course" on the name of the false "Greek- Turkish rapprochement". KNE calls upon the youth and its mass structures to express their solidarity with the struggle of the Turkish people and youth ; to demand the freeing of all political prisoners, the restoration of the democratic rights and freedoms. To further strengthen the solidarity and common struggle with the Turkish youth and people against the "new order". KNE invites the youth to participate massively in the demonstration that is going to be held on Friday, December 22 in Athens Athens, December 20, 2000 The press bureau of the CC of KNE KNE Communist Youth of Greece 11, Kotopouli str - Athens 10432 tel: +301-5282523 / fax: +301-5241526 http://www.forthnet.gr/kne-odigitis/ Back __ To unsubscribe, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED] ___ KOMINFORM P.O. Box 66 00841 Helsinki - Finland +358-40-7177941, fax +358-9-7591081 e-mail [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.kominf.pp.fi ___ Kominform list for general information. Subscribe/unsubscribe messages to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Anti-Imperialism list for geopolitics. Subscribe/unsubscribe messages: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] ___
USA. URGENT PELTIER ACTION!
l From: "LPDC" [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: URGENT PELTIER ACTION! 202-456- WHITE HOUSE COMMENT LINE EXTREMELY URGENT PELTIER ACTION: GOVERNOR JANKLOW OF SOUTH DAKOTA MET WITH PRESIDENT CLINTON TO OPPOSE CLEMENCY FOR PELTIER WHITE HOUSE REPORTS THAT CLINTON FOUND JANKLOW TO BE A RELIABLE SOURCE JANKLOW IS KNOWN AS A MODERN DAY "INDIAN FIGHTER" AND FOR THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT MADE IN THE EARLY 1970's: "THE ONLY WAY TO DEAL WITH THE INDIAN PROBLEM IN SOUTH DAKOTA IS TO PUT A GUN TO THE AIM LEADERS' HEADS AND PUTLL THE TRIGGER." FLOOD THE WHITE HOUSE WITH CALLS IN OPPOSITION TO JANKLOW'S STANCE ON CLEMENCY!!! HERE ARE SOME TALKING POINTS: 1. I am calling to express my outrage with Governor Janklow's meeting with President Clinton, opposing clemency for Leonard Peltier. 2. According to the LA Times, the President found Governor Janklow to be a "credible important point of view" 3. Janklow has a long standing reputation as being anti-Indian. In fact, Janklow is well known for his comment, "the only way to deal with the Indian problem in South Dakota is to put a gun to the AIM leaders' heads and pull the trigger." 4. Janklow was condemned by the United States Commission on Civil Rights for spreading misinformation to the media and public about the shoot-out. Most of what he reported was found to be totally false. He is not a reliable or a neutral source. 5. The tribal council of the Pine Ridge Oglala Lakota Nation has consistently supported clemency for Peltier. The president elect, John Yellow Bird Steele, and President Salway have written the president in support of clemency. These are the truly credible and important points of view which should be taken into account. 6. I want to encourage the President to base his decision on the merits of Peltier's case, which fully justify clemency, and not on the biased misinformation of Janklow. NOTE: We do not know if Pres. Clinton is truly leaning toward a denial. According to an interview he did last night with Dan Rather, he has not yet made up his mind. DO NOT give up hope! Please keep up all of your great work. Let's reach out to as many as possible to broaden our base for the phone call campaign. Thank you! --LPDC Clemency for Peltier Likely to Fail Pleas: Clinton is leaning toward rejecting a pardon for the killer of two FBI agents, officials say. Case underscores the rift between the president and Freeh. By ERIC LICHTBLAU, Times Staff Writer WASHINGTON--President Clinton appears ready to reject convicted killer Leonard Peltier's bid for clemency, but the debate over the Native American activist's future has inflamed already tense relations between the White House and FBI Director Louis J. Freeh, officials said Wednesday. Freeh has been lobbying hard for Clinton to reject pleas from Hollywood, Native American groups and civil rights leaders for a pardon for Peltier, who is imprisoned for the murders of two FBI agents on a South Dakota Indian reservation in 1975. But White House sources said that Clinton is leaning strongly toward rejecting the clemency request within the next week or so--not because of Freeh's recommendation but in part on the basis of information from others familiar with the case. Native Americans said they remain confident that Peltier will be freed because he is an innocent man. Friend Sees Defeat Setting Back Relations Ernie Stevens Jr., a close friend of Peltier who is on the executive committee of the National Congress of American Indians, said that pardoning Peltier would remove a "black eye in an ugly era" that many Native Americans hope to move past. If Clinton rejects that bid, "I think it really sets us back in tribal-United States relations," said Stevens, who lives in Temecula, Calif. In fact, Clinton and White House staff members were so unimpressed by Freeh's recommendation--and the manner in which it was leaked to congressional Republicans--that the advice has been virtually discarded, according to a senior White House official familiar with the clemency discussions. "Freeh's credibility on this issue is not particularly high and his ability to sway the president is not particularly high," said the official, who asked not to be identified by name. "The manner in which [Freeh] offered his advice, by leaking it through [Capitol Hill] rather than by even bothering to send it over here to the White House, was just small-minded." An FBI spokesman denied the White House version of events, saying that Freeh's recommendation on clemency was hand-delivered to the White House on Dec. 5. But the fact that Clinton and Freeh have had trouble working together on an issue as fundamental as a presidential pardon indicates that, in the closing weeks of the administration, relations between the two are even more fractured than many realized. The tension is attributable in large part to Freeh's repeated position that an independent counsel should have
Stalin
From: New Worker Online [EMAIL PROTECTED] On the hundred and twenty first anniversary of Stalin's birth ANDY BROOKS takes a brief overview of his life and achievements THE TWENTIETH century was one of great upheavals, world wars and revolutions. It was the century of great revolutionary changes; popular movements inevitably linked with the leaders thrown up by their times -- Lenin, Stalin, Mao Zedong, Kim II Sung, Ho Chi Minh and Fidel Castro. It was the century in which the ideas of Marx and Engels were put into practice, the century when torch of the Paris Commune lit the flames of revolution across the globe. The memory of all these leaders is subjected to denigration and abuse by the hired hands of the bourgeois media and academic world. The unholy alliance of bourgeois politicians, social democrats, Trotskyites and revisionists stoke fires of their own every day to produce a seemingly endless torrent of lies about the great revolutions that shook the world and the people who led them. The name of Joseph Stalin heads the list. colossal achievements Their hatred of Stalin should not surprise us. He led the world's first socialist state from 1924 until his death in 1953. During those decades the Soviet Union was the hope of working people across the world. The colossal achievements of the Soviet Union led by Stalin was living proof of the validity of the socialist system. The Soviets swept out the capitalists and land-owners and unleashed the immense potential of the workers and peasants to build a new life for themselves. While the economies of the imperialist world crashed the people of the Soviet Union saw their living standards rise twelvefold. While the imperialists prepared for another world war, against themselves and eventually against the USSR, the Soviet Union worked tirelessly for collective security and peace. While the imperialists mercilessly plundered Africa and Asia the Soviet Union helped the world communist cause and the national liberation movement. The oppressed nations or the Czarist empire were freed and lived as equals in a Union of Soviet Socialist Republics which guaranteed everyone work, education, science and culture. The socialist system created new men and women who rebuilt the country after the destruction of the Civil War; who struggled to create the industries needed for the future; who sacrificed themselves by the millions to defend the Soviet Union and defeat fascism in the Second World War. early days Joseph Vissarionovich Djugashvili was born on 21 December 1879 in the town of Gori in the Czarist province of Georgia. He came from humble origins. His father was a peasant who later worked in a shoe factory in the Georgian capital, Tbilisi. His mother came from a peasant family. Neither could read or write. But Joseph Vissarionovich was brilliant at primary school. He was recommended for admission into the leading school in Georgia which was run by the Georgian Orthodox church. The Tbilisi Seminary was a centre for Georgian nationalism and opposition to the Czar's regime. Here the young man turned to Marxism and revolution. "My parents were uneducated, but they did not treat me badly by any means. But it was a different matter at the Orthodox theological seminary which I was then attending. In protest at the outrageous regime and the Jesuitical methods prevalent at the seminary, I was ready to become, and actually did become, a revolutionary, a believer in Marxism as a really revolutionary teaching," he said later. In his second year at the seminary, when Stalin was just 15, he made contact with underground Marxist circles. Three years later, in 1897, he joined the first socialist organisation in Georgia. Stalin started by setting up Marxist study groups for students and workers. In 1899 he was expelled and became a full-time revolutionary worker. He called hirnself "Stalin" -- meaning "Steel" in Russian -- most Bolsheviks adopted movement names to work underground. The Caucasus was seething with discontent. The Georgians and other peoples of the region were doubly oppressed by the Russian colonial and largely feudal administration and the Russian and local exploiters who were plundering the new industries in the province. Tbilisi was an administrative and railway centre serving the oil-town of Baku, on the Caspian Sea. Stalin plunged into militant revolutionary activity. In 1901 he was elected to the first Committee of the Russian Social-Democratic Labour Party. He organised illegal strikes. He was sent to Siberia many times, escaping twice to return to the Caucasus. In 1905 Stalin first met Lenin at the Bolshevik Congress in Czarist Finland. In 1912 at the Prague Conference which led to the final break between the Bolsheviks and Mensheviks within the Russian Social-Democratic Labour Party, Stalin was chosen to head the Bolsheviks' Russian Bureau. He published the first edition of Pravda and organised the new
NATO Forces Kill Civilians In Kosovo
From: Rick Rozoff [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: NATO Forces Kill Civilians In Kosovo [STOPNATO.ORG.UK] Pravda.RU 14:18 2000-12-19 NATO FORCES KILL CIVILIANS IN KOSOVO A serious incident took place on Saturday night in Leposavic, northern Kosovo, between Serb civilians and Belgian forces from the NATO Kfor peacekeeping force. The incident was provoked by the imprisonment of a Serb by Kfor forces. The NATO barracks were surrounded by a furious group of Serb civilians, who have accused NATO of favouring the Albanians and discriminating against the Serbs. In the middle of the disturbance, Belgian soldiers in the NATO force opened fire, killing one civilian (Milan Jokovic, 20 years old) outright and seriously wounding another (Mladen Obradovic, 19), while a third civilian (Trifun Milenkovic, 42) died of a heart attack. Meanwhile in southern Serbia, the Albanian terrorist group U«PMB continues to launch attacks on Serbian targets from their strongholds deep within Kosovo. NATO has proved useless in controlling the Albanians and the case was taken to the United Nations Organization, which has decided to launch a series of ìdebatesî on the issue. The Yugoslav and Serbian authorities have decided to launch a massive operation against these terrorists, in case the UNO does not manage to react. Judging from past experience, it would seem better to launch this operation now, because waiting for the United Nations Organization to perform, when unauthorized to do so by NATO, is a lost cause. The situation in the Balkans can be blamed fair and square on NATO. In a gross error of judgement, a very serious miscalculation of the situation was made when it was decided to enter Kosovo, sovereign territory of the state of Yugoslavia, freeing the Albanian eagle to fly all over the Balkans, something which 500 years of history had been trying to prevent. The incidents of last weekend were certainly not premeditated murder by NATO troops, but rather acts by frightened young soldiers, out of their element and too deeply involved in conflicts and cultures which have nothing to do with them. Nobody expects NATO to understand the Balkans, but nobody asked them to intervene. What is totally unacceptable is that civilians have to pay the price of death for demonstrating against the terrorists who are destroying their country and stealing their livelihoods. Timothy Bancroft-Hinchey Pravda.Ru Lisbon __ Do You Yahoo!? Yahoo! Shopping - Thousands of Stores. Millions of Products. http://shopping.yahoo.com/ __ To unsubscribe, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED] ___ KOMINFORM P.O. Box 66 00841 Helsinki - Finland +358-40-7177941, fax +358-9-7591081 e-mail [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.kominf.pp.fi ___ Kominform list for general information. Subscribe/unsubscribe messages to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Anti-Imperialism list for geopolitics. Subscribe/unsubscribe messages: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] ___
China. People´s Daily Dec 21
Extracts. Thursday, December 21, 2000, updated at 10:45(GMT+8) Jiang Zemin Receives Credentials of DPRK Ambassador Jiang Zemin, President of the People's Republic of China has received credentials from Choe Jin Su, newly appointed DPRK Ambassador to China, Xinhua reports today (Dec.20,2000). Hu Jintao Urges More Efforts from Youth for Modernization Vice President Hu Jintao Wednesday, December 20, called for the Communist Youth League of China (CYLC) to earnestly mobilize young people to exert their enthusiasm and creativity towards the country's modernization drive. When speaking at the fourth plenum of the CYLC Central Committee, Hu, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, said that the youth, as the most active and vigorous force in the country, are playing a more and more important role in economic development as China speeds up the reform and opening-up. The CYLC should guide young people to show their utmost fortitude and bravery to unswervingly make effort for the country's economic and social development, Hu said. Hu also stressed that the youth groups focus on the work of cultivating skilled young people, helping them improve their professional level and enrich their experience. Meanwhile, the youth groups should establish a smooth system for supporting, awarding and promoting skilled young people, Hu said. The young people were also urged to be firmly rooted with patriotism, collectivism and socialism, and have correct outlook on the world, life and value. In addition, Hu encouraged the youth groups to devote themselves into the grassroots of the mass and solve practical problems for them. Before the plenum, Hu met with leaders of CYLC local committees,who were awarded by the CYLC Central Committee this year, and the annual ten most outstanding young people nationwide. UN to Look into Human Rights Violations by Israel Against Palestinians The United Nations has set up a three-member commission of inquiry to gather information on human rights violations by Israel in the occupied Palestinian territories. According to a UN press release Tuesday, the inquiry commission will begin its work soon and present its conclusions and recommendations in an effort to prevent a repetition of such violations. "The inquiry commission is expected to complement the various efforts being undertaken towards establishing a just and lasting peace in the Middle East by contributing to the cause of promotion and protection of human rights," the commission said. The three members are appointed on the basis of their independence and objectivity, the press release said. They are John Dugard of South Africa at Leiden University, Holland; Richard Falk of the United States of America, a professor of International Law at Princeton University, USA; and Kamal Hussein of Bangladesh, former Foreign Minister of Bangladesh. The inquiry commission was set up in accordance with a resolution entitled "Grave and massive violations of the human rights of the Palestinian people by Israel," which was adopted by the Commission on Human Rights at its fifth Special Session and endorsed by the UN Economic and Social Council on November 22, 2000. Official: Beijing to Improve Public Safety Beijing should give top priority to improving public safety for its bid to host the 2008 Olympic Games, said Jia Qinglin, secretary of the Beijing Municipal Committee of the Chinese Communist Party, Wednesday. The focus of the improvements should be on the prevention of crime, said Jia at the municipal work conference on politics and law held Wednesday. The police along with other departments should strive to maintain a secure environment and social order to prepare for the 2008 Olympic Games and to implement the 10th Five-Year Plan, said Jia. The Beijing municipal government has focused on building a strict, efficient, and capable police force to ensure public safety, he said. The secretary also called on all Beijing citizens to make contributions to public security by enhancing campaigns against crimes. On April 7, 1999, the Beijing Olympic Bid Committee formally presented Beijing's bid report to Juan Antonio Samaranch, president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) at the IOC's Lausanne-based headquarters. ___ KOMINFORM P.O. Box 66 00841 Helsinki - Finland +358-40-7177941, fax +358-9-7591081 e-mail [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.kominf.pp.fi ___ Kominform list for general information. Subscribe/unsubscribe messages to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Anti-Imperialism list for geopolitics. Subscribe/unsubscribe messages: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED]
wwnews Digest #206 1/2
WW News Service Digest #206 1) Turkish Police Deadly Assault on Prisoners by [EMAIL PROTECTED] 2) Movement Responds to Anti-Peltier Campaign by [EMAIL PROTECTED] 3) California Energy Crisis: Free Market Failure by [EMAIL PROTECTED] 4) U.S. Mercenaries March into Colombia by [EMAIL PROTECTED] 5) An Ode to the Old Year and New by [EMAIL PROTECTED] 6) Big Layoffs Announced Just Before Holidays by [EMAIL PROTECTED] - Via Workers World News Service Reprinted from the Dec. 28, 2000 issue of Workers World newspaper - TURKISH POLICE LAUNCH DEADLY ASSAULT ON FASTING PRISONERS By John Catalinotto At 4 a.m. on Dec. 19 the Turkish government sent police and army riot squads armed to the teeth into 20 prisons where over 1,100 political prisoners were conducting a hunger strike. Almost 300 prisoners were on a death fast. As of 7 p.m., the assault had left 20 people dead, including 18 prisoners and two police, according to BBC News. The prisoners were protesting plans to separate inmates into individual cells--the so-called Type-F prisons. They demanded to remain in dormitory prisons where they could continue to have contact with each other. While the regime presented the assault as an attempt to stop the hunger strikers from dying, other reports say troops opened fire on some of the prisoners and beat many more. Police were armed with explosives and heavy weapons, according to reports from Turkish revolutionary groups. In some prisons the fasting prisoners set themselves on fire. In all places they fought back against the vicious attack from the Turkish state. According to Turkish Justice Minister Hikmet Sami Turk, two prisoners in Istanbul's Bayrampasa prison died after setting themselves on fire. A third inmate was shot and killed by soldiers in Istanbul's Umraniye prison after setting himself on fire and rushing toward soldiers, he said. Prisoner or prisoner-support sources have not yet verified Turk's statements as to how the prisoners died. TYPE-F MEANS TORTURE, ISOLATION The revolutionary and anti-imperialist prisoners have been on a hunger strike since Oct. 20 to stop their transfer to Type-F prisons. The new prisons are modeled on U.S. maximum- security, behavior-modification prisons. These impose high- tech total isolation in order to break down prisoners' morale and control them politically. This total isolation of all prisoners combines physical and psychological torture. Members of three leftist groups in Turkey started this hunger strike. Imprisoned members of the Revolutionary People's Liberation Party-Front (DHKP-C), the Communist Party of Turkey-Marxist-Leninist (TKP-ML) and the Communist Workers Party of Turkey (TKIP) have called for the death fast. These groups were followed by other organizations with political prisoners, including the Kurdish Workers Party (PKK). And the action has spread outside the prisons. About 12,000 of the almost 72,000 prisoners in Turkey are political prisoners. These include members of different communist organizations, Kurds, writers, journalists and members of Muslim groups. The Turkish state imposes truly horrible conditions on the leftist and Kurdish political prisoners, turning prisons into centers of torture. Prison guards and soldiers frequently murder prisoners. Last year prison guards and soldiers attacked political prisoners in Ulucanlar prison, killing 10 of them. According to a Reuters report from Istanbul, an official of the Human Rights Association, which closely monitors prisons, said she knew of at least five deaths from self- immolation or gunshot wounds during raids on several jails. "The so-called life-saving operation by the Justice Ministry is causing deaths," she said. Relatives of leftist prisoners gathered outside Bayrampasa and denounced the raids and the transfer plan, as well as an amnesty law that would mostly release non-political prisoners. "The goal is clear: they want to kill my children," one woman said. Turkish immigrants in Western Europe have already demonstrated support for the prisoners. An Italian organization has called a demonstration before the Turkish embassy in Rome. Prisoner-support groups have called upon the European left to demonstrate solidarity with the prisoners. Turkey, a NATO member, is a client state of the Western imperialist powers and has especially close ties to the United States and Germany. Both Western powers supply weapons and training to the Turkish army even as it crushes the movement in Kurdistan. The Pentagon used Turkish air bases to launch air attacks on Iraq and Yugoslavia. For these reasons, the Turkish left also holds West European and U.S. imperialism responsible for the crimes of the Turkish state. - END - (Copyleft Workers World Service: Everyone is permitted to copy and distribute verbatim copies of this document, but changing it is not allowed. For more information contact Workers World,
Call for Jakarta Conference June 7-10, 2001
Date: Tue, 19 Dec 2000 00:35:58 -0500 (EST) From: Socialism From Below [EMAIL PROTECTED] From: ASIET [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: ASIET [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Call for Jakarta Conference June 7-10, 2001 ASIA PACIFIC PEOPLESí SOLIDARITY CONFERENCE ìFighting Neo-Liberalism in the Asia-Pacific.î Jakarta, Indonesia 7-10 June, 2001 Come to Jakarta in June 2001! Join the struggle to globalise resistance to the neo-liberal offensive! The conference will be held between June 7-10, 2001 and will be organised by the Indonesian Centre for Reform and Social Emancipation (INCREASE ). The conference will be held in the city of Jakarta. From within Indonesia, the conference will be supported by the affiliates of INCREASE, namely, the National Student League for Democracy (Liga Nasional Mahasiswa untuk Demokrasi, LNMD), the National Peasant Union (Serikat Tani Nasional, STN), the Indonesian National Front for Labour Struggle (Front Nasional Perjuangan Buruh Indonesia, FNPBI), the People's Cultural Network (Jaringan Kerja Kebudayaan Rakyat, JAKKER), the People's Youth Movement (Gerakan Pemuda Kerakyatan, GPK), and the People's Legal Aid Foundation (Lembaga Bantuan Hukum Rakyat, LBHR). Aims of the Conference INCREASE sees the conference as having several complimentary aims. First, INCREASE intends the conference to raise awareness within Indonesia about the nature and role of neo-liberal ecnomic policies, as well as the role of the international financial institutions - such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Bank and the World Trade Organisation (WTO) - in forcing neo-liberal policies upon the peoples of the Third World in general and Indonesia, in particular. In this context INCREASE hopes the conference will provide a forum whereby Indonesian organisations waging campaigns to improve the welfare and empowerment of the people can come to see their campaigns as linked to the generalised fight against neo-liberalism. Second, INCREASE hopes that the discussion among Indonesian organisations, intellectuals and activists at the conference as well as between the Indonesian participants and overseas participants will help advance the process of the progressive movement in Indonesia being able to develop its own alternatives to the IMF prescribed neoliberal strategy being enforced at the moment. Third, INCREASE wished the conference to also function as a vehicle for deepening the cooperation between progressive forces in the Asia Pacific region. Where feasible we also hope that it can help develop cooperation between the Asia Pacific and other major areas, such as Europe, North America and Latin America. At the moment, we have commitments from partner movements in South Korea, the Philippines, Pakistan, East Timor and Australia that they will attend and speak at the conference. We also have confirmations of attendance from activists in the United States and the Netherlands. We expect further confirmations in the next few months. INCREASE hopes that concrete measures to deepen and concretise cooperation will develop out of the conference. Fourth, INCREASE wishes to introduce the international participants to the struggle for reform and social empowerment, for fundamental social change, in Indonesia. In addition to panels and workshops on a range themes relevant to the general analysis and struggle against neoliberalism, there will also be many panels and workshops that will relate these issues to Indonesia. There will be speakers from all sectors of society and from the progressive political parties and currents in Indonesia. We intend that some of the affiliates sectoral organisations of INCREASE will organise 7-10 exposure programmes in their areas of activity immediately after the conference. Conference themes Some of the specific themes of the conference will include: * The nature of the current crisis in liberalism * Why is neo-liberalism the capitalists current preferred solution * The nature of the international financial institutions * Relations between (a) Europe and Asia-Pacific and (b) the US and Asia-Pacific * The impact of neo-liberalism in developed as well as developing countries * The role of the military in defending neo-liberal regimes * Strategies for fundamental social change: democratic revolution; popular power; socialism etc * How to achieve international collaboration in struggle * The role of feminist struggle * The social economic crisis and the environmental impact * Trade union organising and worker mobilising * Peasant union organising; land issues; and peasant campaigning * Political strategies and mass mobilising * Culture and struggle The conference will be an open, public, live-in conference. The agenda will be decided by the INCREASE conference organising committee, in consultation with partner organisations. INCREASE is, of course, in hearing suggestions for additional themes and topics. There will be a strong cultural component in the conference programme. We
TURKEY: STATE LAUNCHES MASSIVE ATTACK ON DEATH FASTERS
From: "dhkcbureau" [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [L-I] TURKEY: STATE LAUNCHES MASSIVE ATTACK ON DEATH FASTERS URGENT CALL FOR ACTION At all of Turkey's prisons the state has started to massacre by using weapons and bombs. In all the prisons where the Death Fast resistance is taking place, this morning an assault by the police and the military was started at 4 am. This inhumane attack in the prisons where the Death Fast has been taking place for 61 days will cost hundreds of lives. Against the attack all the political prisoners started to resist. Until now the state has only succeeded in Ankara Ulucanlar Prison where two political women prisoners were on the Death Fast. They were taken to hospital by using excessive force. All the other prisoners in Ulucanlar have been transferred to the other prisons. The attack of the state has not succeeded so far in the other prisons. After the attack was launched, particularly in Umraniye Prison, the Death Fast resisters have started to burn themselves to death. On December 16, they had already announced that if an attack has launched by the state they would burn themselves to death. The bloody face of fascism in our country is once again revealed clearly with this attack aimed at massacre. Fascism could never have the courage before for such an attack. TO ALL OUR PEOPLE THE STATE IS OPENLY MASSACRING OUR PEOPLE. THE GOVERNMENT OF ECEVIT HAS DECLARED A NEW WAR TARGETING OUR PEOPLE.. ALL THOSE WHO CONSIDER THEMSELVES HUMAN MUST DO SOMETHING AGAINST THE ATTACK OF THE STATE. All the countries and institutions which supported and pumped courage into the Turkish state to launch this attack, are responsible of the massacre. The European Union and European Parliament, which have started to welcome Turkey as a candidate member, supported this massacre directly or indirectly. TO ALL EUROPEANS THIS IS THE STATE YOU COLLABORATE WITH. YOU TOO ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE MASSACRE. AT LEAST NOW SEE THE BLOODY FACE OF THE STATE IN TURKEY AND DO NOT CARRY THE BURDEN OF BEING SILENT AGAINST THIS MASSACRE. YOU HAD EXPERIENCED FASCISM IN YOUR HISTORY, DO NOT BE LATE ONCE AGAIN. We call upon all our people and everyone who considers herself/himself a human being to condemn the state in Turkey and do whatever they can do. We are on Hunger Strike in many cities of Europe. We had said that these Hunger Strike tents would be converted into funeral parlours with the news of each new martyr. NOW WE CALL UPON EVERYONE TO GATHER IN THESE TENTS. In Holland: Eendrachtsplein, Rotterdam. In Belgium: DHKC Brussels Information Bureau In Britain: Manor House, London ___ Leninist-International mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] To change your options or unsubscribe go to: http://lists.wwpublish.com/mailman/listinfo/leninist-international ___ KOMINFORM P.O. Box 66 00841 Helsinki - Finland +358-40-7177941, fax +358-9-7591081 e-mail [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.kominf.pp.fi ___ Kominform list for general information. Subscribe/unsubscribe messages to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Anti-Imperialism list for geopolitics. Subscribe/unsubscribe messages: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] ___
Vietnam News Dec 19
Party leader visits residents in HCM City Party General Secretary Le Kha Phieu yesterday visited residents in quarter 4 in Binh Thach district and Ho Van Hue tenement in Phu Nhuan district, Ho Chi Minh City. This was part of his trip to the city to attend the seventh Congress of the Ho Chi Minh Citys Party Committee. General Secretary Phieu heard reports on achievements recorded by the people of the quarter 4, an outstanding quarter, for the past five years. He also inquired after their heath and livelihood and praised their spirit of mutual assistance. He said he wished that the quarter would obtain sustainable developments towards prosperity and civilisation. Mr Phieu called on and presented gifts to Cham ethnic minority people in the quarter and visited Ho Van Hue tenement. President values Heroic Mothers contributions President Tran Duc Luong expressed profound gratitude of the Party and State to the sacrifices and devotions by Vietnamese Heroic Mothers and families with contributions to the struggle for the national independence. During a meeting with Vietnamese Heroic Mothers and contributors to the country from the Central Highlands province of Dac Lac in Hanoi on December 18, President Luong inquired after their health and living conditions and was happy at the mutual assistance of people of ethnic minority groups in the province, which helped many families to get out of hunger and poverty. The president also asked the provincial authorities to pay more attention to the spiritual as well as material life of the Vietnamese Heroic Mothers, families, and of the war invalids and families of war martyrs. The Heroic Mothers expressed their gratitude to the Party, State and President Luongs attention paid to them. They further affirmed to continue encouraging and educating their offspring to follow the revolutionary tradition, thus making a contribution to the national renovation and building a richer and stronger country. Vietnam treasures co-operation with Iraq, says president President Tran Duc Luong receives Iraqi Trade Minister Mohammed Mehdi Saleh. Vietnam always treasures its friendship and co-operation with Iraq, said President Tran Duc Luong while receiving Iraqi Trade Minister Mohammed Mehdi Saleh in Hanoi on December 18. President Luong thanked the Iraqi government and people for their support to Vietnam and expressed the Vietnamese people's solidarity with the Iraqi people in their just struggle for national independence and territorial integrity. He expressed the hope that the Vietnam-Iraq traditional friendship and co-operation would be further developed to their mutual benefit and for peace, stability and development in each region. President Luong asked Minister Saleh to convey his best regards to President Saddam Hussein and expressed his wishes that under the latter's leadership the Iraqi people would continue overcoming every difficulty and obtaining greater achievements in their national defence and construction. Trade Minister Saleh expressed joy at the achievements of the Vietnamese people in the past struggle for national independence and in national construction. He briefed President Luong about Iraq's political and socio-economic situation and affirmed the Iraqi people's determination to continue with their struggle for national independence and territorial integrity while constantly boosting co-operation with Vietnam. (VNA) Cu Chis excellent pupils presented scholarships PM Phan Van Khai presents scholarships to excellent pupils in difficulties. Prime Minister Phan Van Khai participated in a ceremony to present scholarships granted by the Governmental Office, the Ha Tien Cement Company No 1 and others donors to 400 excellent pupils in difficulties of Cu Chi district, Ho Chi Minh City on December 17. The prime minister urged the pupils to learn harder in order to become good citizens, thus making active contributions to national construction, deserving to be children of a locality that has revolutionary traditions and made great achievements during the countrys resistance wars. More than 10,000 martyrs died on the land of Cu Chi so that their children can be able to go to schools, the prime minister stressed. The authorities and people of Cu Chi have always attached importance to education and training work. Since 1996, the district has set up an Education Sponsoring Fund with the participation of 82 donors to help excellent pupils in difficulties. The Vietnam Unilever group has announced a two-year educational sponsoring programme worth over VND 3 billion for the district. The programme includes providing US $50,000 as scholarships to study abroad to Cu Chis young talents in the 2000-2002 period and building a modern kindergarten worth VND 2.5 billion in An Nhon Tay, a poor village of the district. Other units such as Kymdan Company, the Association for Poor Patients also sent gifts to Cu Chis excellent pupils.
INDIA : ML Update, Vol:3; No50; 20 12- 2000. 2/2
From: "cpiml" [EMAIL PROTECTED] ... In US strategy India fits in as a counterveiling force against China. Indian foreign policy response is quite vague on this quuestion. Though, of late, Sino-Indian relations have considerably improved, there is a strong pro-US lobby in India which raises the bogey of China's expansionist designs, makes a hue and cry over the Tibet question, presents China as India's main trade rival etc. We did welcome India's refusal to sign NPT and CTBT because, as a sovereign country, India should have the freedom to decide its course and not succumb to US dictates. But the threat of a nuclear race hotting up in South Asia is looming large before us. Despite the Gujral docrine promising good neighbourly relations and despite making a beginning in talks with Pakistan, nothing concrete is expected to emerge. Outstanding problems between India and Pakistan, including the Kashmir dispute, can only be solved within a broader framework of cooperation that includes developing SAARC as a powerful regional economic bloc and concluding a bilateral NPT with Pakistan. India should also explore the potential of strategic cooperation with China in order to accelerate the process of multi-polarity. But it is highly unlikely that India's present ruling dispensation, attached as it is with numerous overt and covert ties with West, will tread this path. The impact of globalisation is already being felt in Europe where the unemployment rate has gone up to 11% (in absolute tems 20 million persons are without jobs), a figure comparable to that of the pre-Seond World War Great Depression. France, where the unemployment rate has reached 12%, is the worst hit. This coupled with a drastic reduction in social welfare has given rise to waves of protests and strikes. ... The crisis of neo-liberalism is also evident in country after country in Africa, Latin America and Asia. This has given rise to a lot of dissension among the high priests of neo-liberal orthodoxy and Japan has reprotedly begun to quesion the wisdom of the neo-liberal package of macroeconomic stabilisation and structural adjustment. ... Unemployment in the USA remained at the rate of 6% but the proportion of low-wage service sector jobs has increased. Jobs are being created but many are temporary jobs without any security and without a future. Japan which till recently was paraded as a model of economic progress -- and Indian capitalists missed no opportunity to preach to their workers about the cooperative attitude of the Japanese workers that is supposed to have worked wonders in Japan -- has lost much of its shine. The Asian 'tiger' economies, assidously projected as the model for developing countries, are now caught in a web of crises. ... The Tigers have started showing signs of tiredness and in the coming years militant working class actions are bound to intensify. In fact, a run on Third World currencies and sudden flight of capital resulting in a debilitating impact on the economy, first witnessed in a very acute form in the case of Mexican meltdown, is becoming a wider phenomenon rendering many Third World economies highly vulnerable in the era of globalisation. On the whole, in seven years of globalisation the growth record of the world economy has remained lacklusture -- the average growth rate in this period being lower than the rate in the 1970s. !DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN" HTMLHEAD META content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1" http-equiv=Content-Type META content="MSHTML 5.00.2314.1000" name=GENERATOR STYLE/STYLE /HEAD BODY bgColor=#ff DIVFONT size=2nbsp; P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN-TOP: 19.85pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"SPAN style="COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Univers Condensed'"ML/SPAN I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"Update/I/BB style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Surya"?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /o:p/o:p/SPAN/B/P P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN-TOP: 19.85pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Modern"A CPI(ML) Weekly News Magazine/SPAN/BSPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Surya"o:p/o:p/SPAN/P P class=MsoNormal style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify"B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Univers Condensed'"Vol.-3; No.-50; 20-12-2000o:p/o:p/SPAN/B/P P class=MsoNormal style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify"B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Univers Condensed'"nbsp;o:p/o:p/SPAN/B/P P class=MsoNormal style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify"B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Univers Condensed'"Editorial:o:p/o:p/SPAN/B/P P class=MsoNormal style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify"B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Univers Condensed'"nbsp;o:p/o:p/SPAN/B/P P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0.05in; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"SPAN style="COLOR:
CP of Greece. Solidarity Statement with the Palestinian People taken in Athens meeting
Subject: CP of Greece, Solidarity Statement with the Palestinian People taken in Athens meeting SolidNet The purpose of the Solid Net ( Solidarity Network ) is to inform on the activities as well as the ideological and political views of different Communist and Workers Parties on National and International issues. All articles in the SolidNet are the responsibility of the authors and in no way commit this Web Site. [EMAIL PROTECTED], http://www.solidnet.org CP of Greece, Solidarity Statement with the Palestinian People taken in Athens meeting - From: Communist Party of Greece http://www.kke.gr, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Solidarity Statement with the Palestinian People taken in Athens meeting We representatives of Communist and Workers Parties of the Southern and Eastern Mediterranean, the Gulf Region and the Red Sea, meeting in Athens on 16th December 2000 at the fringes of the 16th Congress of the Communist Party of Greece, declare our condemnation to the Israeli bloody aggression on the Palestinian people, and confirm our full support with their legitimate just struggle for independence and national sovereignty and the return of the Palestinian refugees according to the resolutions of the international legitimacy and condemn the American policy that take the side of its strategic ally Israel. We salute the just struggle of the Palestinian people and its heroic steadfastness and great sacrifices in facing the Israeli aggression, and we appeal to all peace-loving and freedom forces all over the world to accelerate their solidarity activities with the Palestinian people to: 1. Stop the Israeli aggression and its bloody crimes and lift the Israeli military, economic sanctions imposed on the Palestinian people. 2. Continue the struggle and pressure on all levels to force the Israeli government to abide to the international legitimacy especially resolutions 242,338,194 and implement them to ensure the complete Israeli withdrawal from all Arab territories in Syria and Lebanon occupied since the 5th of June 1967, and demolish all its settlements and establish the Palestinian independent sovereign State with Eastern Jerusalem as its capital. 3. Provide immediate international Protection to the Palestinian People to ensure their security until their independence. 4. Form international investigation commission to investigate the Israeli occupation, and punish the criminals according to the International Law and Geneva agreement. 5. Demand the UN sponsor to the future negotiations to brake the American monopoly in leading the negotiations, due to the American role in taking bluntly the side of Israel in its aggression. Athens, 16th December 2000 Egyptian Communist Party AKEL of Cyprus Communist Party of Greece Tudeh Party of Iran Iraqi Communist Party Communist Party of Kurdistan-Iraq Communist Party of Israel Jordanian Communist Party Lebanese Communist Party Palestinian Peoples Party Communist Party of Sudan Syrian Communist Party Syrian Communist Party -- eGroups Sponsor -~-~ eLerts It's Easy. It's Fun. Best of All, it's Free! http://click.egroups.com/1/9699/0/_/22961/_/977250729/ -_- Knowledge is Power! Elimination of the exploitation of man by man http://www.egroups.com/group/pttp/ POWER TO THE PEOPLE! Subscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Change Delivery Options: http://www.egroups.com/mygroups ___ KOMINFORM P.O. Box 66 00841 Helsinki - Finland +358-40-7177941, fax +358-9-7591081 e-mail [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.kominf.pp.fi ___ Kominform list for general information. Subscribe/unsubscribe messages to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Anti-Imperialism list for geopolitics. Subscribe/unsubscribe messages: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] ___
Iraq brands future US secretary of state as war criminal.
Iraq brands future US secretary of state as `war criminal` BAGHDAD, Dec 18 (AFP) - An Iraqi government newspaper on Monday branded the US secretary of state-designate, retired General Colin Powell, as a "war criminal" and said his nomination was a sign that American diplomacy was in decline. "The choice of Colin Powell, an arrogant military man who understands nothing of how to manage political affairs, ... proves the new US administration has nothing new to offer, except for continued aggression against the will of independent peoples," charged Al-Jumhuriya. It accused Powell of being a "war criminal," apparently for his leading role in the 1991 Gulf conflict which evicted Iraqi occupation forces from Kuwait. "All the indications are that American diplomacy is in a state of decline in the face of the forces defying the agressiveness of the United States," said the Iraqi daily. On Saturday, US President-elect George W. Bush nominated Powell, a Gulf War hero for the United States and former chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, as his secretary of state. Powell promptly delivered a blunt warning to Iraq's leadership. "Saddam Hussein is sitting on a failed regime that is not going to be around in a few years' time ... We are in the strong position, he is in the weak position," said Powell. "We will work with our allies to re-energize the sanctions regime," which has been in force since Iraq invaded Kuwait in 1990, he added. An Iraqi information ministry spokesman said Sunday Powell had "ignored the fact that the (US-led Gulf War) coalition has fallen apart" and that only Britain continued to support the hard line against Iraq. "The current international mood is against US policy and maintaining the embargo," he said. -- Iraq shrugs off warning from Colin Powell BAGHDAD, Dec 17 (AFP) - An Iraqi military official on Sunday shrugged off a warning from US secretary of state-designate Colin Powell that President Saddam Hussein's rule was coming to an end. "Powell's threats do not frighten us and they will not make us bow," the commander of Iraq's air defences, General Shahin Mohammad Yassin, said at a news conference in Baghdad. "Let him make threats. Others have done the same before him," Yassin said, referring to the outgoing administration of US President Bill Clinton. Such threats only "make us (Iraq) more determined." On Saturday, president-elect George W. Bush, who is to take office in January, nominated Gulf War hero and former chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, retired General Colin Powell, as his secretary of state. Powell, joining a team that also includes vice president-elect Dick Cheney, who was defence secretary during the 1991 war against Iraq, promptly delivered a blunt warning to Iraq's leadership. "Saddam Hussein is sitting on a failed regime that is not going to be around in a few years' time," he said. "The world is going to leave him behind, and that regime behind", Powell added. "I don't know what it will take to bring him (Saddam) to his senses, but we are in the strong position, he is in the weak position," Powell said. __ To unsubscribe, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED] __ To unsubscribe, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED] !doctype html public "-//w3c//dtd html 4.0 transitional//en" htmlSTOP NATO: °NO PASARAN! - HTTP://WWW.STOPNATO.ORG.UK P HRCENTERSTRONGListBot Sponsor/STRONG/CENTERHRP b/bnbsp; brbWhich is a totally accurate description of the General who said/b brb"The number of dead (Iraqis) don't interest me."nbsp; This is the sadist/b brbwho proudly buried thousands ofnbsp; Iraqis alive in the desert, and/b brbprevailed over the infamous "Highways of Death."nbsp; It is also/b brban appropriate and accurate definition of our vice president elect,/b brbour current president and his secretary of state, his nationial security/b brbadvisor and the secretary of defense (i.e. secy. of war), just as it is of our/b brbnotorious Mr. Kissinger, all of whom will never see their day/b brbin an international court ofnbsp; justice for their war crimeswhich is/b brbexactly WHY the US will not sign on to the court.nbsp; The Guarantee that our/b brbwar criminals have total immunity is their license to continue killing and/b brbdestroyingnbsp; the powerless and defenseless around the world with/b brb"gung ho" American enthusiam and "pride."/b brbnels/b br--- pFrancisco Javier Bernal wrote: blockquote TYPE=CITESTOP NATO: iexcl;NO PASARAN! - a href="HTTP://WWW.STOPNATO.ORG.UK"HTTP://WWW.STOPNATO.ORG.UK/a p=== ListBot Sponsor == brStart Your Own FREE Email List at a href="http://www.listbot.com/links/joinlb"http://www.listbot.com/links/joinlb /a
Havana Radio news/views Dec 18.Panama releases terrorists?
Subject: Havana Radio news/views Dec 18.Panama releases terrorists?
from: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
subject: Havana Radio news/views Dec 18. Panama releases terrorists?
Via NY Transfer News * All the News That Doesn't Fit
Radio Havana Cuba - News Update - 18 December 2000
.
*FIDEL CASTRO OFFICIALLY INAUGURATES JOINT VENTURE ENERGAS PLANT
*BURUNDI'S MINISTER FOR FOREIGN RELATIONS AND COOPERATION VISITS CUBA
*WORKING COMMISSIONS WIND UP DISCUSSIONS PRIOR TO PARLIAMENTARY
SESSIONS
*WEB SITE ON THE 1961 BAY OF PIGS INVASION
*SUSPICIOUS LEGAL MANEUVERS TO RELEASE TERRORISTS IN PANAMA
.
*FIDEL CASTRO OFFICIALLY INAUGURATES JOINT VENTURE ENERGAS PLANT
Matanzas, December 18 (RHC)-- Cuban President Fidel Castro
officially inaugurated the ENERGAS plant and the Cardenas-Matanzas
oil pipelines on Sunday, located in Matanzas province. The Cuban
leader stated that the installations are an example of what is
currently being done to improve the island's economy.
The plant -- which produces electricity, gas, sulfur and solvents --
is a Cuban-Canadian joint venture with high-level technology, all in
compliance with environmental protection.
Speaking to the workers of the ENERGAS plant about the island's
energy situation, the Cuban leader pointed out that the country's oil
production has already reached the figure of three million tons,
adding that next year it will reach four million.
President Fidel Castro added that the Cuban-Canadian plant is of
great importance. He said it shows us the way we should go to
continue producing electricity -- something that is decisive for the
economic and social development of the country.
The Cuban president also inaugurated the Cardenas-Matanzas oil
pipelines -- with an extension of 75 kilometers and a capacity of up
to two and a half million tons of heavy oil a year.
*BURUNDI'S MINISTER FOR FOREIGN RELATIONS AND COOPERATION VISITS
CUBA
Havana, December 18 (RHC)-- Burundi's Minister for Foreign Relations
and Cooperation, Severin Ntahomuvukiye, is currently visiting the
island. On Monday, the Burundi official placed a floral wreath before
the monument of Cuba's National Hero, Jose Marti.Cuban Deputy Foreign
Minister Jose Guerra Menchero accompanied the African nation's
foreign minister.
The Burundi foreign minister arrived in Havana Sunday night. During
his stay, he will meet with Cuban Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque
and other government officials.
*WORKING COMMISSIONS WIND UP DISCUSSIONS PRIOR TO PARLIAMENTARY
SESSIONS
Havana, December 18 (RHC)-- Ten working commissions of the Cuban
Parliament will wind up two days of meetings and exchanges prior
opening parliamentary sessions, scheduled to begin on Thursday in the
Cuban capital.
The working sessions included discussions about life on the island,
the Cuban economy, press and communications.
During Thursday's Parliamentary sessions at Havana's
International Convention Center, parliamentarians will discuss and
approve the guidelines for the 2001 economic and social budget.
Cuban Deputy Foreign Minister Jorge Bolanos told reporters on Sunday
that the island has diplomatic relations with 171 countries, with 101
missions abroad.
Speaking before the Cuban Parliament's International Relations
Commission, Bolanos emphasized the importance of the island's
membership in the Africa, Caribbean and Pacific Group, the ACP --
which enjoys a privileged economic relationship with the European
Union.
Bolanos stressed this year's victory at the United Nations General
Assembly when the U.S. blockade against the island was condemned by
157 of its member nations. The Cuban official said that this was a
good example of the international community's condemnation of
Washington's anti-Cuba policies.
*WEB SITE ON THE 1961 BAY OF PIGS INVASION
Havana, December 18 (RHC)-- An interactive Web site on the 1961 Bay
of Pigs invasion has been inaugurated in Havana. The event was part
of activities to commemorate the 40th anniversary of that crucial
episode in the history of relations between the United States and
Cuba.
The Web site includes full information on the mercenary invasion and
Cuba's defense operations, as well as videos, photos and interviews
with some of those involved from both sides. It also includes a call
on experts and officials in the United States and Cuba, who were
involved in the historical circumstances that led to the Bay of Pigs
invasion. They have been invited to participate in a scientific
conference entitled "Giron: 40 Anos Despues" ("Bay of Pigs: 40 Years
Later"), to be held March 20th through the 25th here in Havana. The
Web site address is: www.playagiron.cu.
Jose Ramon Fernandez, President of the Organizing Committee of
Activities on the 40th Anniversary of the Bay of Pigs Invasion,
explained that the interactive Web site is the result of the joint
work of four Cuban institutions: Cuba's History Institute, the Center
for Studies on the United States, the State Security Research Center
and the Center for
Korean Central News Agency Dec 19
TODAY'S NEWS (December.19.2000 Juche 89) [CONTENTS] * Kim Jong Il directs land realignment project in South Hwanghae Province * U.S. Army secretary's remarks flayed * Anniversary of Kim Jong Il's election as Supreme Commander commemorated * Remark of U.S. ambassador to S. Korea * Three principles of Korea's reunification * History of 20th century indicts Japan * DPRK boasts edifices bearing word "youth" * Brilliant life of Kim Jong Suk * WPK praised as ever-victorious party For Spanish-speaking people * kim jong il dirige sobre terreno arreglo de tierra de provincia de hwanghae de sur * historia de siglo 20 acusa a japon Kim Jong Il directs land realignment project in South Hwanghae Province Pyongyang, December 19 (KCNA) -- General Secretary Kim Jong Il on Monday gave on-site guidance to the land leveling and realignment project in South Hwanghae Province. He went round Yonan and Chongdan counties and other parts of the province and acquainted himself in detail with the progress of land realignment project. Feasting his eyes on the vast expanse of standardized fields, he was greatly satisfied to note that soldier-builders and people intensely loyal to the party and the revolution have done a lot of work in such a short span of time by fully displaying the revolutionary spirit of fortitude, the revolutionary spirit of soldiers, and highly praised their proud feats. Then he advanced highly important tasks that would serve as a guideline in accelerating the socialist rural construction including land realignment and bringing about a radical turn in agricultural production. Saying that the land leveling and rezoning project started by our party is an important work to obtain new arable land for increased grain output and realize the comprehensive mechanization of agriculture, he stressed the work should be dynamically pushed forward without a let-up through a mass drive. Now that rich experience has been gained through the land realignment projects in Kangwon, north Phyongan and south Hwanghae provinces it is possible to realign the land across the country in a short span of time if the organizational and political work is conducted among the masses in keeping with a high degree of their revolutionary enthusiasm, he said, urging all the provinces, cities and counties to work hard to finish the land realignment by their own efforts. He also set forth tasks to be fulfilled to increase the grain output in the realigned paddy and non-paddy fields. Learning about the specific agricultural situation of the province, he said it is very important to boost agriculture in the province, the largest granary of the country. And he urged industrial establishments and other relevant units to satisfactorily supply necessary farm materials to it in time. The province is favorable for double cropping as its soil is fertile and climate mild, he said, pointing out that no portion of this precious land should remain idle and double cropping should be introduced on a large scale with main stress on grain. Then he put forth tasks to be carried out to build all rural villages well as befitting socialism. Noting that officials and agricultural workers in the province have done a lot of work to implement the "theses on the socialist rural question in our country", he earnestly called for turning all the rural villages into modern socialist villages good to work and live in so as to hand them down to posterity. Accompanying him were secretary Kim Kuk Thae, department director Jong Ha Chol and first deputy department directors Pak Song Bong and Jang Song Thaek of the Worker's Party of Korea Central Committee and generals of the Korean People's Army Hyon Chol Hae and Pak Jae Gyong. On the spot he was received by vice marshal of the KPA Ri Yong Mu, chief secretary of the south Hwanghae provincial committee of the WPK Kim Un Gi, Col. Gen. of the KPA Sim Myong Su, vice-Minister of Agriculture Choe Sang Byok and leading officials of the province and counties. U.S. Army secretary's remarks flayed Pyongyang, December 19 (KCNA) -- The South Korean Measure Committee on the Mass Killings of Civilians in Rogun-ri released a statement on December 15 denouncing U.S. Army secretary Caldera for having denied the shooting orders related to the case, the Seoul-based "Yonhap News" (internet) reported. The statement noted that Caldera made remarks distorting the truth despite evident testimonies of U.S. Korean War veterans. His remarks are intended to evade or downplay the U.S. military and government's responsibility for the massacres and water down and distort the case. They are a sinister behavior to shift the blame onto war veterans, it held. The statement urged the South Korean authorities to announce the results of the investigation into the case at once and take a strong counteraction against the U.S. side seeking
China. People´s Daily Dec 20
Extracts. Tuesday, December 19, 2000, updated at 21:09(GMT+8) China Still Faces Grim Population Situation China can hardly be optimistic about its population situation in the coming five years, with its population increasing by 10 million annually, said Zhang Weiqing, minister in charge of the State Family Planning Commission Tuesday, December 19. Whether the low birth rate can be stabilized is a matter of great importance and it will affect the overall situation, Zhang said at a press conference held by the Information Office of the State Council. Zhang said that the comparatively low education level of the population as a whole can not be changed within a short period of time. With the increasing pressure on employment and an aging population, the contradiction between population, socio-economic development, resource utilization and environmental protection would appear to be an acute one. He said that the society in China is not yet fully aware of the importance of solving the population problem, without a considerable number of people entirely changing their concept of childbearing. The family planning management system, working style, the quality of service delivery as well as the quality of family planning workers cannot fully meet the requirements of the current situation. Therefore, there is an urgent need to speed up the reform and improvement of the program, said Zhang. When explaining China's future population policies, Zhang said that it is essential to stabilize the low birth rate and improve the health of the new born. Policy decisions should be made with the integration of the population and development. Decisions should bring the population and family planning program in line with the overall plan for socio-economic development. In accordance with the main family planning policy, a series of auxiliary policies favorable to the sound implementation of the family planning program have to be formulated, said Zhang. He stressed that legislation is an urgent need for the implementation of the population and family planning program. It is necessary to speed up the formulation of relevant national laws and regulations. Efforts should be made to set up a relatively complete legal system in the population and family planning field in the coming five years, so that the program could be managed in accordance with the law. A breakthrough is to be made in implementing the population and family planning program in west China during the large scale development of the region, said Zhang. In addition, quality services for family planning and reproductive health are to be offered, and activities for promoting new marriage customs are to be further carried out throughout the country. Zhang added that it is necessary to strengthen the control of migratory population with better services and pay more attention to the aging of the population. Wednesday, December 20, 2000, updated at 11:55(GMT+8) "One Country, Two Systems" Be Adhered to as Indivisible Concept: Jiang President Jiang Zemin said December 20 at a meeting marking the first anniversary of Macao's return to China that the "one country, two systems" should continue to be adhered to as a basic principle in handling Macao affairs. "`One country, two systems' is an indivisible concept," he said. The term "one country" means two
The Militarization of the European Union: A civilizational mistake.
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: The Militarization of the European Union: A civilizational mistake Network members - Here is an excellent analysis by Jan Oberg of the EU's drive to militarize itself in the wake of the war in Kosovo. Important links are made here between military and economic motives. Steve Staples http://www.transnational.org/pressinf/2000/pf107_EUmilitarisation.html The Militarisation of the European Union: A civilisational mistake PressInfo # 107 December 7, 2000 By Jan Oberg, TFF director It was quite predictable that the EU would militarise itself. In fact, one of the world's leading peace researchers, TFF adviser Johan Galtung, predicted that in his book about the EU from 1972, "A Superpower in the Making." It is not in the nature of big powers to see greatness in nonviolence, dialogue, tolerance or in playing the role of one among many. The EU - - whose main players are former colonial powers and present nuclear powers and/or culturally violent - - began their militarisation some ten years ago with the French-German military co-operation, and it got another boost with the French-British agreement in 1998 in Saint Malo. And today's EU Nice Summit is likely to put the militarisation of EU on an irreversible path, most likely to a new Cold War. Today it is the so-called Eurocorps which is formally in charge of NATO/KFOR in Kosovo. Internally, the EU struggles with ever deeper vertical integration, i.e. more and more standardisation and harmonisation of ever more areas, and with horizontal integration of more and more countries. Externally, it decided a year ago at its summit in Finland to become a world player by setting up a sizeable military Rapid Reaction Force by the year 2003. There are various proposals in the direction of a "United States of Europé" (USE), there is a common currency, a common foreign and security policy, common or harmonised laws, a structure with functions that look increasingly like a super-state with a President. There is a stepped up civilian and military industrial integration and rationalisation. And at its summit in Nice in southern France, beginning December 6, a European Charter is on the table. Rhetoric and reality We are told that a European "Army" is not in the offing. But can the EU really move on with integration in virtually all other regards and not end up having something that looks surprisingly much like an integrated military? If so, it will be unique in history. Isn't it in the nature of defence and military matters that they require more centralisation, central control, harmonisation, interoperability, standardisation and integration than most civilian spheres? The Headline Goals for the force in the year 2003 was planned a year ago at 60.000 troops. Already committed, however, are almost 70.000. With reservists this will add up to 225.000 under arms. And not exactly traditional peace-keeping arms. Among other resources, Sweden for instance has assigned AJS 37 Viggen fighters, a submarine, corvettes and a mechanised battalion. Britain has pledged 18 warships and up to 72 combat aircraft. Ministers tell the citizens that it is for disaster relief, humanitarian aid, natural catastrophes, mine clearing and peacekeeping. It will serve as a back-up for diplomacy and it will only be used as a last resort when everything else has been tried to avert conflicts from erupting into violent struggle. But if it is modelled upon the case of Kosovo, that is the example par excellence of the failure of preventive diplomacy, of diplomacy backing up force. The civilian aspects of crisis management We are also told that the EU's most important part is civilian and that civilian crisis management, coupled with early analysis, early warning and violence-preventive diplomacy is the main thing; however, the present structure and balance of resources does not bear out that point. Earlier, the Commission has developed an inventory of 25 categories (encompassing 300 specific actions) for civilian crisis management. Among them we find virtually anything such as counter-terrorism operations, support to free media, training of intelligence and judicial staff as well as conflict resolution training centres. So, some priorities had to be set up. According to the documents from the EU Feira European Council summit in June this year, an Interim Committee for civilian aspects of crisis management had its first meeting only three days before the Summit (June 16) and could hardly have developed much of an identity. Appendix 3 of the Feira document approaches the civilian aspect in this manner: "The reinforcement of the Union's capabilities in civilian aspects of crisis management should above all, provide it with adequate means to face complex political crises by: - acting to prevent the eruption or escalation of conflicts; - consolidating peace and internal stability in periods of transition - ensuring complementarity
Korean Central News Agency Dec 18
TODAY'S NEWS (December.18.2000 Juche 89) [CONTENTS] * Greetings to Slovene Prime Minister * Kim Jong Il praised as captivating leader * Establishment of diplomatic relations between DPRK and UK hailed * Secretary of U.S. Army denies shooting orders for Rogun-ri mass killings * Anti-reunification remarks condemned * Many films produced * Repeal of SL urged in S. Korea * Removal of concrete wall urged For Spanish-speaking people * comunicado conjunto de cuarta ronda de conversaciones a nivel de ministro * vana ilusion de japon Greetings to Slovene Prime Minister Pyongyang, December 18 (KCNA) -- Hong Song Nam, premier of the DPRK cabinet, on Dec. 15 sent a message of greetings to Janez Drnovsek upon his reelection as Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia. The message wished him greater success in his responsible work. Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Paek Nam Sun sent a message of greetings to his counterpart of Slovenia Dimitrije Rupel. Kim Jong Il praised as captivating leader Pyongyang, December 18 (KCNA) -- The Egypt-Korea Friendship Association published a bulletin on Dec. 10 to mark the 9th anniversary of the great leader Kim Jong Il's election as Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army. Kim Jong Il is a brilliant commander possessed of far-sighted wisdom and matchless courage and will, the bulletin said, and went on: His organizing ability and commanding art are very extraordinary. The iron discipline and perfect order in which the whole army and country and all people act as one on the instruction of the Supreme Commander have been established in the DPRK. And the revolutionary commanding system and military discipline have been established and the strong sense of organization and discipline has prevailed within the people's army. All these would have been unthinkable without his distinguished leadership ability. Benevolent and army-first politics is his peculiar political mode. What attracts particular attention is the policy of giving priority to the army. He is, indeed, an ideal statesman and fascinating leader perfectly possessed of literary and military accomplishments. Establishment of diplomatic relations between DPRK and UK hailed Pyongyang, December 18 (KCNA) -- Rodong Sinmun today in a signed commentary hails the recent opening of diplomatic relations between the DPRK and the United Kingdom. This event is a result of the independent foreign policies and activities of the two countries, the commentary observes, and goes on: Independence, peace and friendship are the idea of the consistent foreign policy of the Worker's Party of Korea and the government of the DPRK. Guided by this idea, the DPRK has developed friendly relations with different countries of the world advocating independence and invariably maintained the stand to develop friendly relations with those capitalist countries that respect the DPRK's sovereignty and are friendly to it. The normalization of relations between the DPRK and countries of the European Union will positively help expand and develop relations with them in various fields and ensure peace and security in northeast Asia and, furthermore, in the rest of the world. There is increasing concern of the international community for the DPRK and it has become an irresistible trend of the times for different countries to improve relations with the DPRK. The DPRK government will as ever develop the relations of friendship, cooperation and good-neighborliness with all countries of the world that advocate independence, respect the DPRK's sovereignty and are friendly to it. Secretary of U.S. Army denies shooting orders for Rogun-ri mass killings Pyongyang, December 18 (KCNA) -- Caldera, secretary of the U.S. Army, when interviewed by a U.S. Daily on Dec. 14 denied shooting orders related to the mass killings of civilians in Rogun-ri, according to the South Korean "Yonhap News" (internet). He said that an investigation of Rogun-ri case that occurred in the summer of 1950 has been made for over 1 year but did not find conclusive evidence that the then u.s. soldiers had orders to shoot civilians. "Yonhap News" recalled that McCloskey, member of the U.S. private advisory panel in charge of supervising the investigation of Rogun-ri case, had noted in early December he strongly disagrees with the hazy conclusion of an investigation team of the U.S. Army that they did not find enough evidence that the U.S. soldiers had orders to shoot civilians. McCloskey, saying that the Pentagon was too quick to dismiss the testimony of U.S. Korean war veterans, asserted that there is no question that there were orders, "Yonhap News" held. Anti-reunification remarks condemned Pyongyang, December 18 (KCNA) -- Some countries surrounding Korea recently made remarks harmful to Korea's reunification to throw a wet blanket over the
China. People´s Daily Dec 19
Extracts. Tuesday, December 19, 2000, updated at 12:23(GMT+8) Jiang Zemin to Arrive in Macao for Anniversary Celebrations Chinese President Jiang Zemin is scheduled to arrive in Macao by special plane Tuesday afternoon to attend the celebrations of the 1st anniversary of the establishment of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR). Jiang, who is also General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and Chairman of the Central Military Commission, will fly into Macao from Beijing in the company of SAR Chief Executive Edmund Ho Hau Wah. During his December 19-21 stay in Macao, Jiang is scheduled to attend a banquet later Tuesday and a grand gathering celebrating the SAR's first anniversary Wednesday morning, and meet with some local celebrities. Jiang's upcoming visit to Macao has become a hot topic for local residents and hit the headlines of major local newspapers. Large red lanterns and banners with welcoming words for Jiang are seen in downtown areas in the coastal city with strong festive flavor. Macao returned to the motherland on December 20, 1999, when Jiang attended a ceremony here and declared that China resumed the exercise of sovereignty over Macao. Top 10 Chinese News Events of 2000 The editor-in-chiefs and deputy editor-in-chiefs of 11 major Beijing-based newspapers, 2 national news agencies and 2 national radio stations December 18 selected China's Top 10 News Events of the year 2000. The following are the events in descending order of significance: 1. The 5th Plenary Session of the 15th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China held during October 9-10 mapped the blueprint for the country's development in the 2001-2005 period. Chinese President Jiang Zemin pointed out at the plenary session that in the new century China will build a well-to-do society in an all-around way. 2. A State Council meeting on developing China's western regions was held from January 19-22. The meeting urged all localities to take every opportunity to accelerate economic development in China's western regions. The meeting also initiated the developing the west movement all around the country. 3. The China-Africa Cooperation Forum -- Ministerial Conference Beijing 2000 was held from October 10-12 and was attended by nearly 80 ministers from African countries and leaders of about 20 international and African regional organizations. The documents adopted at the forum mapped out the development course for the long-term, stable and mutually-beneficial Sino-African partnership in the 21st century. The forum provided a good opportunity for China and African countries to coordinate their positions on the challenges of globalization, promoting world peace and development, and protecting the interests of developing countries. 4. China wrapped up its amazing Olympic run on October 1 in Sydney with 59 medals, including 28 golds, 16 silvers and 15 bronzes, finishing third behind the United States and Russia. 5. Cheng Kejie was executed on September 14 by the No.1 Intermediate People's Court of Beijing after the confirmation and approval by China's Supreme People's Court. Cheng, former vice-chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, was found guilty of accepting huge sums of bribes, in collaboration with his mistress Li Ping. 6. Twenty-five separate cases of multi-billion-dollar smuggling scams in the east China port city of Xiamen were openly handled on November 8. Fourteen people involved in the cases were sentenced to death. Investigations found that the Lai Changxing smuggling group and others had smuggled refined oil, vegetable oil, cars and cigarettes worth 53 billion yuan (approximately US$6.4 billion) and evaded customs duties of up to 30 billion yuan since 1996. 7. China has basically reached its three-year object of turning its large and medium-sized state-own enterprises (SOE) from losing money into profit-making ones, thanks to the government's "pro-active fiscal policy" and various reform measures, declared Sheng Huaren, minister in charge of the State Economic and Trade Commission, on December 11. SOEs are expected to see a yearly profit of 230 billion yuan (approximately US$28 billion) in 2000; most of the 14 industries such as textiles, petrochemical, machinery, electronic,
Iraq. The Biggest Robbery Of The Century.
From: "Francisco Javier Bernal" [EMAIL PROTECTED] The Biggest Robbery Of The Century by Rafiq A Tschannen Daily Star (Bangladesh), 9th December DURING the gulf war 1991 the USA has destroyed the water distribution system of Iraq and thereby violated the Geneva war convention. Only recently an American High School teacher submitted a study which proved that the wilful destruction of a whole country was carried out with a strategic calculation. Nearly ten years later the whole population of Iraq continues to pay the price of the stubbornness of the USA and Iraq's leader Saddam Hussain. There is no end in sight in this situation. On the contrary during the US election campaign both candidates were eager to outdo each other in their anti-Iraq feelings. And quietly the robbing of Iraq continues as the work of the UNCC United Nations Compensation Commission shows, an obscure entity, which sucks off one third of all Iraqi export earnings. The UNCC has existed for the last ten years and remains nearly unknown to the public. But actually this discretely operating institution is one the most important instruments in the destruction strategy against Iraq. The economic sanctions against Iraq are being covered by the media. We see on TV malnourished children and hospitals where the most basic items are missing. We see a whole country and a whole culture being permitted to deteriorate further and further. But hardly any journalist seems to be interested in the work of the UN Compensation Commission and in their doubtful legality and their dubious practices. And this in spite of the fact that since December 1996, 11 billion dollars, approximately one third of the export earnings of Iraq, have flown into the coffers of this commission. In April 1991, shortly after the defeat of Iraq, the UN security council decided that according to international law Iraq will be liable for all losses, damages which other states, individuals, or foreign corporations have had as an immediate result of the Iraqi invasion and occupation of Kuwait. For the determination of such damages the UN compensation commission was created. The board of this commission is made up of representatives of the 15 members of the UN security council. The executive council, which has been dominated by its US members right from the start, is supposed to inform the commission, although disinform would be the more appropriate term. The method chosen by the Security Council is without parallel in history at least not since the Versailles Agreement at the end of World War I, which laid the foundation for the Second World War. In article 231 of the Versailles agreement Germany was made to pay. Hitler took advantage of this agreement that went too far. It was easy for him to point out that "enough is enough". The United States had not ratified the Versailles agreement, but today is carrying on in the same way "Iraq will pay!" How will this time? Iraq is not even recognized as a defendant party". Every petty criminal has the right of defence but the country of Iraq has no say in how and how much the country is bled. Every year 50 million dollars are being deducted from the Iraqi export earnings to finance the activities of the commission. Excellent salaries of the commission members and their travelling arrangements in business class are financed. For the first time in the history of countries since the Second World War a state has absolutely nothing to say about a juristic case that directly relates to it. Iraq has no right to vote at the UN because it did not pay its dues. At the same time the USA is in arrears for over one billion dollars. Just another small example of the double standards prevailing today. One law for the super power and another law for the rest of the world. No doubt Iraq does have a duty to provide compensation. But how can a law case be fought and presented without giving the other side a right to present their own case? For instance: The state of Kuwait had presented a claim for 21.6 billion dollars in 1994. Baghdad was given a summary of the claim five years later in 1999. The Iraqi Government was given a dateline of 19th September 2000. Iraq requested permission to use some fund out of the commission's funds actually Iraq's own export earnings! to pay for a legal office to scrutinize all the documents. The commission refused. After a long discussion finally Iraq was given one hour on 14th December 1999 to present its point of view. One hour to treat a 20 billion dollar claim! In spite of Russian and French reservations the compensation was fixed at 15.9 billion dollars. The UN Secretary General had recommended in 1991 that Iraq "be informed about all claims and to be given the right
Turkish prisoners reported near death in hunger strike
From: Press Agency Ozgurluk [EMAIL PROTECTED] Turkish prisoners reported near death in hunger strike The Associated Press ANKARA, Turkey (December 17, 2000 6:16 a.m. EST http://www.nandotimes.com) - A prisoners' group said Saturday that dozens of prisoners on a 58-day hunger strike are near death. Some 250 prisoners linked to left-wing groups are refusing everything but water to protest transfers from their dormitory-style open wards to one- or three-person cells. The prisoners say the cells would leave them vulnerable to abuse by authorities. Mediation efforts ended Friday over what Justice Minister Hikmet Sami Turk called the prisoners' "unacceptable" demand to be housed in 20-person rooms. The government wants to break up large wards, which it cannot control and where riots and hostage-takings are frequent. "Only hours are left till death," a statement from Ozgur Tayad, a solidarity group for prisoners' families said. It said the prisoners would not abandon the strike until their demand is met. Umit Erkol, head of an Ankara-based physicians' association whose members have visited some of the prisoners, said "we can expect the worst now." The independent Human Rights Association said about 20 prisoners were in critical condition. -- Press Agency Ozgurluk In Support of the Revolutionary Peoples Liberation Struggle in Turkey http://www.ozgurluk.org DHKC: http://www.ozgurluk.org/dhkc ___ KOMINFORM P.O. Box 66 00841 Helsinki - Finland +358-40-7177941, fax +358-9-7591081 e-mail [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.kominf.pp.fi ___ Kominform list for general information. Subscribe/unsubscribe messages to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Anti-Imperialism list for geopolitics. Subscribe/unsubscribe messages: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] ___
Havana Radio news/views Dec 16-17
X-Sender: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (Unverified) subject:Havana Radio news/views Dec 16-17. Via NY Transfer News * All the News That Doesn't Fit Radio Havana Cuba - Weekend News Update - 16-17 December 2000 . *CUBA PULLS THE PLUG ON DIRECT PHONE CALLS FROM THE US *FIDEL CASTRO AWARDED HEALTH ACTIVIST DIPLOMA *CUBAN-VENEZUELAN MIXED COOPERATION COMMISSION MEETING CONCLUDES *MINISTER OF CUBAN ARMED FORCES MEETS WITH RUSSIAN COUNTERPART *INTERNATIONAL JAZZ FESTIVAL UNDERWAY IN HAVANA *NATIONAL CAMPAIGN TO COLLECT RECYCLED MATERIALS CONCLUDES . *CUBA PULLS THE PLUG ON DIRECT PHONE CALLS FROM THE US Havana, December 16 (RHC)-- Cuba has every legitimate right to cut direct, long-distance telephone calls from the United States. During a special roundtable discussion, aired live on Cuban radio and television last night, a panel of journalists and experts on international affairs examined the decision to cut the cord on direct communications, which went into effect at 12:01 a.m. on Friday. One panelist on the roundtable -- Eduardo Dimas, a political commentator on radio and television in Havana -- recalled that since 1966, Cuba has maintained telephone links with the U.S. despite the fact that payments were never made. Dimas said that Cuba did not receive a single cent for the phone service and that the money was frozen in U.S. bank accounts until 1994. Journalists taking part in the televised program Friday night noted that in 1999, a judge in Miami ordered that the frozen funds be used to pay the families of four members of the terrorist group Brothers to the Rescue. The four were shot down, despite repeated warnings that they were violating Cuban territorial airspace, on February 24, 1996. It was revealed that Judge Lawrence King is in the pay of the right wing Cuban-American community in southern Florida. After warning that telephone service would be cut if the bills were not paid to ETECSA, a Cuban-Italian joint venture, it was announced that phone service would be disconnected beginning on Friday, December 15th. Several panelists pointed out that the right-wing Cuban-Americans in Miami are now raising hell -- claiming that Havana has unilaterally taken this measure at a time when relatives in southern Florida want to call their families on the island and wish them a Merry Christmas. Reinaldo Taladrid, a television commentator, said that the Miami mafia is not reporting on the long history of stormy relations in communications between the two countries... trying to make it seem like Cuba is cutting the cord on telephone calls at this time of year to punish the families of Cubans on the island. Taladrid pointed out that when one doesn't pay their bill, services are terminated. And he pointed out that even in the United States, if one doesn't pay their gas bill, their heat is turned off -- even in the dead of winter, right around Christmas-time. The right-wing campaign coming out of Miami and Washington, designed to make Cuba into the bad guy, was quickly dismissed as nothing more than a weak propaganda effort. During the roundtable discussion on Friday, panelists also examined the desperate attempts by Miami to try to free international terrorist Luis Posada Carriles, who is being held in Panama for planning to assassinate Cuban President Fidel Castro. The participants pointed to the campaign -- led by an attorney and former attorney general of Panama -- who has been paid to try to defend Posada Carriles and his accomplices. It was noted that attempts to defend the jailed terrorists in Panama and free them on bail purposefully ignore the long history of Luis Posada Carriles in attacks against the Cuban Revolution. *FIDEL CASTRO AWARDED HEALTH ACTIVIST DIPLOMA Havana, December 16 (RHC)-- Delegates to the First National and Regional Conference on Health Promotion have granted Cuban President Fidel Castro the Health Activist Diploma "for his tireless efforts and his active participation in the promotion of adequate and high- quality health care assistance not only for his people, but also for all peoples of the world." The First National and Regional Conference on Health Promotion, which concluded on Friday here in the Cuban capital, gathered representatives from nine countries, including Mexico, other nations from Central America and the Caribbean. For two days, participants in the conference exchanged their experiences in the fight against tobacco, alcohol and drug addiction. Experts also reviewed current national programs against sexually transmittable and other preventable diseases. Other Cuban personalities who were also given the diploma for their active participation in health promotion are Dr. Carlos Dotres, Health Minister, Vilma Espin, President of the Cuban Women's Federation and Juan Contino, National Coordinator of the Committees for the Defense of the Revolution (CDRs). The President of the Conference Organizing Committee, Dr. Jose Pinon, pointed to Cuba as a vivid example of what can
Korean Central News Agency Dec 16
December.16.2000 Juche 89 [CONTENTS] * Greetings to President of Niger * Commemoration function held in Nigeria * Delegation of south side leaves * Joint communique on 4th round of inter-Korean ministerial talks released * Kim Jong Suk's feats praised * Ethiopian President supports Korea's reunification * Women's meeting for earlier opening of Japan-DPRK diplomatic relations held * "Theory of principal enemy" denounced * Japan's intention to place SDF on war footing * S. Korean organizations call for repeal of SL * Halt to U.S. forces' firing exercise demanded * Abolition of SL in S. Korea called for * China will support Korean people's struggle * KCNA on sinister plot of Japanese reactionaries Greetings to President of Niger Pyongyang, December 16 (KCNA) -- The south side's delegation headed by Unification Minister Pak Jae Gyu left here today after participating in the fourth round of the inter-Korean ministerial talks. It was seen off at the airport by delegates of the north side to the talks. Commemoration function held in Nigeria Pyongyang, December 16 (KCNA) -- The fourth round of the north-south ministerial talks, which opened in Pyongyang amid the expectation and concern of the public at home and abroad, closed today. At the talks, both sides reviewed the work done for the implementation of the historic north-south joint declaration and reached an agreement on the proposals made from the viewpoints of reconciliation, cooperation, unity and reunification. At the talks, heads of the delegations of the two sides signed the agreements on the protection of investment between the two sides, on the prevention of double taxation on the income between the two sides, on the settlement of accounts between the two sides and on the procedures for the settlement of disputes between the two sides which were reached at the second working-level contact for north-south economic cooperation held on Nov. 10. A joint communique on the 4th round of the north-south ministerial talks was released at the talks. The communique says: The 4th round of the north-south ministerial talks was held in Pyongyang from Dec. 12 to 16, Juche 89 (2000). At the talks the two sides reviewed the last six months' work for the implementation of the historic north-south joint declaration and agreed as follows after sharing the understanding that they are committed to positively implement the joint declaration, greeting 2001: 1. The north and the south agreed to form and operate a committee for the promotion of north-south economic cooperation with a view to ensuring the balanced development of national economy and co-prosperity. This committee will be made up of 5-7 members to be headed by vice-minister-level official from each side and have its first round of contact in Pyongyang around December 26, 2000. It will take up and solve such practical matters arising in the immediate economic cooperation as cooperation in the field of power industry, the issue of relinking railways and roads, the construction of an industrial district in Kaesong and the issue of pushing ahead with the project for the prevention of flood damage in the area along the River Rimjin. 2. The north and the south agreed to cooperate with each other in the field of fisheries. As regards the proposal made by the north side to offer part of its fishing ground in the east sea of Korea to the south side for a certain period, those officials concerned of the authorities of the two sides agreed to have a contact in the area of Mt. Kumgang at an early date to discuss the matter. 3. The north and the south agreed to recommend a contact between Taekwon-do organizations of the two sides to discuss the exchange of Taekwon-do demonstration teams. 4. The north and the south agreed to conduct on an experiment basis the work of confirming whereabouts of separated families and relatives and exchange of correspondence. The work will involve a hundred persons from each side in January and February, 2001 and about 300 persons from each side will write to each other in march, 2001. 5. The north and the south will exchange the third visiting groups of separated families and relatives, 100 persons from each side, in late February, 2001. 6. The north side will send a team to tour Mt. Halla in March, 2001 and an economic study team in the first half of 2001. 7. The north and the south agreed to separately go through the formalities for the effectuation of the agreements on the protection of investment between the north and the south, on the prevention of double taxation on the income between the two sides, on the settlement of accounts between the two sides and on the procedures for the settlement of
Korean Central News Agency Dec 17
TODAY'S NEWS (December.17.2000 Juche 89) [CONTENTS] * New feature film produced * Seminars held in Tanzania and Ethiopia * Pyongyang declaration's vitality increases * Japan's claim to Tok Islet rejected * Punishment of Japan's war criminals called for * Repeal of SL demanded * Japan urged to drop its bid to sit on UNSC For Spanish-speaking people * farsa de intriga de fuerzas conservadoras de japon * exhibicion de fotos y proyeccion filmica New feature film produced Pyongyang, December 17 (KCNA) -- Some days ago the April 25 Film Studio of the Korean People's Army produced part 4 (Choe Hyon) of the multi-part feature film "the Nation and Destiny" part 53. The film depicts the heroic battles fought by Choe Hyon and KPA servicemen behind the enemy lines to protect the safety of the supreme headquarters after it went over to a counterattack from the entire front line under the preeminent operation plan of the President Kim Il Sung during the Fatherland Liberation War (June 1950-july 1953). It truthfully represents the indomitable fighting spirit of the first and second generations of the revolution who devotedly defended the party and the leader and stresses that comradely love and the sense of obligation centered on the leader serves as a source of inexhaustible strength of the revolutionary armed forces. A preview of the film took place at the People's Palace of Culture yesterday. Senior party and state officials and other cadres and Pyongyangites saw the film. Seminars held in Tanzania and Ethiopia Pyongyang, December 17 (KCNA) -- Seminars were held by the Tanzanian National Coordinating Committee of the Juche Idea Study Groups and the Addis Ababa Group for the Study of the Juche Idea of Ethiopia on December 8 and 9 separately to mark the 9th anniversary of the great leader Kim Jong Il's election as Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army and the 83rd birth anniversary of the great communist revolutionary fighter Kim Jong Suk. The chief of the Addis Ababa Group for the Study of the Juche Idea of Ethiopia in his speech said that world politicians are now praising him as a general type statesman. He went on: The DPRK considers the military affair as the most important state affair and gives top priority to strengthening the army. This politics is the political mode which can be created only by Kim Jong Il, general type statesman. Only victory and glory are always in store for the Korean people guided by Kim Jong Il, general type politician with literary and military accomplishments. The secretary general of the Tanzanian National Coordinating Committee of the Juche Idea Study Groups in his speech said: The world records many heroines, but no great woman performed such great exploits as Kim Jong Suk did. What occupies the most important place in her history of revolutionary struggle and her feats was that she ensured President Kim Il Sung's safety and brought about the future of modern Korea by giving a steady continuity to the revolutionary cause of Juche. Pyongyang declaration's vitality increases Pyongyang, December 17 (KCNA) -- The Pyongyang declaration "Let us defend and advance the cause of socialism" has gives a strong impetus to progressive parties and people around the world in their struggle for socialism with great attraction. The Pyongyang declaration was adopted by leaders and representatives of progressive parties including communist parties and workers' parties of many countries in April Juche 81 (1992). This declaration represented the resolution of the communist parties and workers' parties to fight it out for the future of humankind with firm confidence in the cause of socialism. No sooner had the declaration been published than over 150 media of more than 60 countries gave wide publicity to it. The number of political parties which signed the declaration at the time of its adoption was 70 and it reached 170 one year after its adoption. 251 political parties have signed it up to this date. The progressive parties including communist parties and workers' parties of various countries took the Pyongyang declaration as the charter of socialism and their action program and are working hard to put it into practice. The political parties of various countries including Russia and Romania keep pace with each other in the movement for rebuilding socialism, boosting their relations on the basis of the declaration. Many progressive parties including the Communist Party of the Russian Federation, the Norwegian Communist Party and the New Communist Party of Great Britain sent their delegations to the DPRK to learn from experience in its party building and socialist construction. A gathering of officials of progressive parties from more than 20 countries took place in Moscow to mark the fifth anniversary of the publication of the declaration. It adopted a statement
Vietnam News Dec 16
President praises public security force President Tran Duc Luong praised the public security force for its contribution to the national revolutionary cause while he made a speech at the 56th meeting of the force held in Hanoi on December 14 and 15. The meeting was to review the work of the force in 2000 and prepare for 2001. Mr Le Minh Huong, member of the Politburo and minister of public security chaired the meeting. Participants reviewed the work they have done in 2000 in providing security services to activities of the State and in preventing and fighting crimes as well as fighting with other counter revolutionary forces and the "Peaceful Evolution" movement. The president said the year 2001 will bring a lot of challenges to the public security force and urged the force to be more vigilant, especially in the fight against crimes and drug trafficking. He also urged each officer and man of the force to improve political capacity and professional skills to meet the increasing demand of the job in the new situation. PM values donors' assistance to Vietnam The Vietnamese government highly valued the assistance of international donors reserved for Vietnam, said Prime Minister Phan Van Khai during a meeting in Hanoi yesterday with delegates to the Consultative Group Meeting for Vietnam held in Hanoi on December 14 and 15. Prime Minister Khai said that since the first Consultative Group Meeting for Vietnam held in Paris in October, 1993, to date, Vietnam has received US $17 billion in credit aid from international donors through their eight meetings. Thanks to that, Vietnam has seen positive changes in infrastructure, education and health care. This has also helped to narrow the gap between the rural and urban areas, eradicate hunger and reduce poverty for people in mountainous areas as well as create more jobs for labourers. Mr Khai expressed his belief that with the coming credit supported from international donors together with efforts made by the whole nation, Vietnam would surely fulfil the socio-economic development plan set for the next ten years, including doubling GDP by 2010. The prime minister thanked donors for their successful organisation of this year's meeting in Vietnam. Donors to support Vietnam US $2.4 billion Donor countries and international development organisations have indicated about US $2.4 billion for Vietnam's hunger eradication and poverty reduction and development programme at the closing session of the Consultative Group Meeting for Vietnam in Hanoi on December 15. The donors also agreed to meet Vietnamese leaders next year to discuss the five year plan of the Vietnamese government for the 2001-2005 period and to set up a joint programme for the plan to provide donations to Vietnam. During the two-day meeting, delegates expressed their support for the Vietnam's programme to continue eradicating hunger and reducing poverty, speed up economic reform and ensure the improvement of people's living standard in the 21st century. The donors focused their discussions on long-term strategic issues crucial to Vietnam's future, which were mentioned in the Vietnamese government's report. The delegates congratulated Vietnam's achievements in restoring the high growth rate and supported reforms adopted by the Vietnamese government. They also welcomed Vietnam's progress in building co-operative relations for the benefit of the country. Prominent among people attending the closing session were permanent Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, Minister of Planning and Investment Tran Xuan Gia, director of the World Bank in Vietnam, Andrew Steer, and representatives from the Asia Development Bank, the International Monetary Fund, the United Nations Development Programme and concerned ministries and branches of Vietnam. Vietnam, China meet on border issues Assistant to the Foreign Minister and leader of the Vietnamese government delegation to the negotiation of the Vietnam-China territorial borders, Le Cong Phung, and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, met in Hanoi from December 12-14. At the friendly, frank and mutual understanding talks, the two discussed concrete measures to fulfil the borderline demarcation with a view to the signing of an agreement on the Tonkin Gulf demarcation within this year, as agreed by their top leaders. Vietnam and China have basically completed the substantial issues relating to the border demarcation. Foreign Minister Nguyen Dy Nien warmly received Assistant to the Foreign Minister of China Wang Yi on December 15. (VNA) Vice president announces victory in polio fight Vice President Nguyen Thi Binh announced that Vietnam had eliminated polio at a ceremony held in Hanoi on December 15. The ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Phan Van Khai; Shigere Omi and San Tae Han, Director and Honorary Director of the Western Pacific Region of the World Health Organisation, WHO; Director of the Western Pacific Region of the United
wwnews Digest #204 1/2
WW News Service Digest #204
1) Economic bad news: Can nothing be done?
by "WW" [EMAIL PROTECTED]
2) Gov't vs. Mumia advocate: Clark Kissinger jailed
by "WW" [EMAIL PROTECTED]
3) Protesters defend WBAI against Pacifica management
by "WW" [EMAIL PROTECTED]
4) Day of Rage in West Bank, Gaza
by "WW" [EMAIL PROTECTED]
5) Taking credit for Yugoslav coup
by "WW" [EMAIL PROTECTED]
6) Cuba set to cut phone service to U.S.
by "WW" [EMAIL PROTECTED]
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Via Workers World News Service
Reprinted from the Dec. 21, 2000
issue of Workers World newspaper
-
ECONOMIC BAD NEWS: CAN NOTHING BE DONE?
By Gary Wilson
It's hard to compete with the election news, but bad
economic news is starting to make some headlines.
The question is, what does it mean and can't something be
done about it?
The reports range from grim to grimmer. A study by UCLA's
Anderson Business Forecast says there is a 60 percent chance
of a sharp recession in 2001. The study says that the
downturn will sweep all sectors of the economy, including
the "seemingly untouchable" high-tech industries.
Another report goes even further. The current Esquire
magazine has a report titled "Nine Signs We're Already in a
Recession." According to CBS.MarketWatch.com's Paul Farrell,
the signs listed in Esquire are convincing; a recession has
already begun.
The Wall Street Journal had an in-depth report Dec. 4
titled: "Despite New-Economy Tools, Overcapacity May Loom."
OVERCAPACITY MEANS OVERPRODUCTION
Overcapacity is another way of saying overproduction, the
term used by Karl Marx to describe the source of capitalist
economic crises.
The Wall Street Journal report is very detailed in showing
that not only is there a looming crisis of overproduction,
but the old capitalist boom-bust cycle is rearing its ugly
head. In fact, it never went away, no matter what they said
before.
"Vehicle factories from Detroit to Newark, Del., sit idle as
the industry struggles with bloated inventories," the
Journal reports. "On Friday the Big Three auto makers
reported their weakest sales so far this year. A broader
survey of purchasing managers released the same day shows
that U.S. manufacturers ranging from textile makers to paper
mills slowed their pace in November for the fourth
consecutive month."
The Journal says: "During past booms, business executives
tended to get carried away, building too many new stores and
factories even as demand for their goods softened. That
worsened the blow when the bust finally came and they were
forced to shutter their unused capacity.
"This time around was supposed to be different," the Journal
reports.
"New technologies, such as sophisticated software programs
that track sales, inventory and supply lines, were supposed
to give companies better, more timely information about
their markets. That was going to let them fine-tune
production to demand, and thus smooth out--or even eliminate-
-the old boom-bust cycles.
"Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan, for one, has
repeatedly espoused this theory," the Journal continues.
"Yet new pockets of overcapacity emerge each passing week."
The Journal adds, "It sounds a bit hauntingly like Japan,
where corporate titans confidently expanded through the
1980s, proclaiming a new era of higher growth. When
financial and property markets collapsed and consumer demand
plunged in the early 1990s, companies were stuck with far
more capacity than needed, helping deepen an economic
quagmire from which Tokyo has yet to emerge."
BOOM-BUST CYCLE BUILT INTO CAPITALISM
A capitalist recession can have a devastating effect on the
working class. Factories and offices are closed; workers are
laid off. Homelessness and hunger spreads.
This is not something that anyone wants. So why does it
happen? Why can't the new high-tech methods prevent
overproduction?
The problem is built into the way capitalism works, so there
is no way to prevent it without putting an end to capitalism
and replacing it with socialism.
Here's what happens and why the problem is built into
capitalism.
As Marx noted, the unique feature to the capitalist economy
that makes it different from all previous economies--and the
future socialist economy--is that all commodities produced
for a capitalist economy are made to be sold for money.
Before capitalism, anything produced was made to meet a
need.
The possibility of a capitalist crisis comes from the fact
that a commodity may fail to be sold.
Marx wrote: "A man who has produced does not have the choice
of selling or not selling. He must sell. In the crisis there
arises the very situation in which he cannot sell or can
only sell below the cost price or must even sell at a
positive loss." ("Theories of Surplus Value," Part 2, p.
503)
Attempts to "plan" capitalist production in order to prevent
such a crisis from happening have all failed.
Planning isn't the problem. The new technologies certainly
make the
wwnews Digest #204 2/2
Even the New York Times, no friend of the Palestinians, noted this determined response. "As this long period of violence produces a mounting toll of death, injury and property damage," the Times wrote Dec. 10, "the Palestinian population grows steadily angrier and the voices of moderation get even quieter...A fresh wave of rage is breaking on the shores of accumulated humiliation and resentment." "Three years of progress [in the Palestinian economy] have been wiped out in two months of conflict," said Terje Rod Larsen, the UN special coordinator for the Middle East, who presented the UN report in Gaza on Dec. 4. PALESTINIANS LOSE $500 MILLION IN WAGES Israeli restrictions on Palestinian goods and workers have cost the Palestinians more than $500 million in lost wages and sales since the new uprising, the Al-Aqsa Intifada, began Sept. 28. Unemployment has tripled. About 190,000 Palestinians have lost their jobs, and 760,500 dependents no longer have regular household incomes. Close to half of the population live on $2 a day or less, according to the UN. Palestinian economic activity has been cut in half, with an estimated $388 million drop in local economic output. Israel is barely transferring tax payments to the Palestinians from custom duties and other taxes on goods bought and sold in Palestinian territories. These payments, which usually average more than $50 million a month, meet the entire Palestinian government payroll, including doctors, teachers and police. In the past seven weeks the transfers came to no more than $8 million. Excluded from the UN's estimate of financial damage to the Palestinian economy is the tens of millions of dollars in damage to Palestinian "buildings, infrastructure and vehicles, due mainly to the Israeli Army's use of heavy weapons, including rockets, tank shells and high-caliber automatic weapons," according to the report. In the first six weeks of the Palestinian uprising Israeli attacks resulted in the partial or total destruction of 431 private homes, 13 public buildings, 10 factories and 14 religious buildings, the UN said. DESTROYING OFFICES AND TREES On Nov. 20, for example, Israeli missiles fired from helicopters wrecked Gaza police stations, TV studios and office suites. The Israeli Army bulldozed fields of eucalyptus trees and fruit orchards. Barak called this "a broad operation against Palestinian Authority infrastructure in Gaza." (New York Times, Nov. 22) He visited Gaza the next day to personally assess its results. According to the Palestinian Center for Human Rights, Israeli bulldozers destroyed about 600 acres of agricultural land in the Gaza Strip alone. But this Israeli "bomb and destroy" campaign reaches beyond Gaza. When the West Bank town of Beit Jala was bombed and strafed from U.S.-supplied Cobra helicopters in mid-November, a factory was hardest hit. Israeli rockets have also targeted greenhouses, under the guise that these plastic-covered wooden frames provide shelter for Palestinian snipers. Olive groves have been destroyed with the same excuse. And Israeli settlers, acting as an unofficial arm of the military, have been firing on Palestinians in the West Bank trying to harvest their olive crops. (Wall Street Journal, Nov. 7) This year saw a bumper crop of olives after two years of drought. Many Palestinians who survived by selling their olives were in serious debt and dependent on this crop to remain solvent. For other Palestinians, olives are a subsistence crop, one of the few things to be relied upon in lean times. On Nov. 1, Israeli tanks fired more than a dozen rockets at the Oasis Casino complex in Jericho, also hitting the new Intercontinental Hotel there. Jericho, the crossroads between Israel, Jordan and the Palestinian territories, was being developed as a tourist center. Two months ago, it had 2,500 visitors daily and its casino was thriving. Now this has stopped. Additionally, the Palestinian Health Ministry reports that out of the 10,000 Palestinians injured by Israeli soldiers, more than 900 sustained serious physical or neurological injuries requiring long-term health care. Many Palestinians feel that this maiming is deliberate, and meant to place lifetime burdens on the families of those who will care for the seriously wounded. U.S. SUPPLIES ISRAELI WEAPONS The Israeli Army uses the U.S.-made M-16 rifle, which has a range of more than a mile. According to Palestinian doctors, a major source of the maiming injuries is using these high- velocity bullets at close range. Washington not only supplies the weapons used to kill and maim, U.S. aid of $10 million a day actually keeps the Israeli state afloat. The U.S. views Israel as a battering ram against the Arab revolution, securing Wall Street's grip on Middle Eastern oil. Even now, while sponsoring a new commission to "establish peace" in the Middle East, Washington is far from an "honest broker" in the region. While providing the weapons used to pummel the
Havana Radio news/views Dec 15. Terrorism
from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] subject: Havana Radio news/view Dec 15. Internat'l Terrorism Via NY Transfer News * All the News That Doesn't Fit Radio Havana Cuba - News Update - 15 December 2000 *MEMBERSHIP IN THE ACP AN IMPORTANT STEP *AGRICULTURAL SPECIALISTS FROM NORTH CAROLINA CONTINUE THEIR CUBAN VISIT *CUBAN, U.S. STUDENTS URGE NORMALIZATION OF RELATIONS *CARLOS LAGE EXPECTS CUBAN ECONOMY TO GROW 5.6 PERCENT THIS YEAR *BOOK ON CUBA'S PRIMA BALLERINA TO BE LAUNCHED DECEMBER 26TH *22ND FESTIVAL OF NEW LATIN AMERICAN CINEMA ANNOUNCES WINNERS *Viewpoint: THE FIGHT AGAINST INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM . *MEMBERSHIP IN THE ACP AN IMPORTANT STEP Havana, December 15 (RHC)--Cuba has characterized as a very important step its membership in the Africa, Caribbean and Pacific Group, ACP. Cuban Minister without Porfolio, Ricardo Cabrisas explained that the announcement in Brussels that the island had been accepted to join the organization on Thursday, had not been a surprise due to the fact that the Caribbean nations had been working together to have Cuba accepted into the ACP group for a long time. The Cuban official said that the changes made in the organization are aimed so that the work and focus of the ACP group is not exclusively limited to its relation with the European Union, but more towards a North-South relationship. Cabrisas recalled that Cuba is part of the Caribbean with the region's nations maintaining good ties with Havana, the development of which, said the Cuban Minister, is the island's priority. He stressed that the Caribbean nations have reiterated their condemnation of Washington's blockade against the island and defend Cuba as part of the Caribbean family. Ricardo Cabrisas pointed out that Cuba will also continue to strengthen its ties with African and Pacific nations. The Africa, Caribbean and Pacific Group is made up of former European colonies. *AGRICULTURAL SPECIALISTS FROM NORTH CAROLINA CONTINUE THEIR CUBAN VISIT Havana, December 15 (RHC)-Agricultural specialists from the U.S. state of North Carolina currently visiting the island, met with members of Cuba's Chamber of Commerce and local members of the Ministry of Tourism on Thursday in the western province of Matanzas to explore trade possibilities. The Cuban authorities offered first hand information on investment in the island to the 25 tobacco, pork, poultry and sweet potatoes producers from North Carolina. State Senator Allen Wellons who heads the delegation praised the excellent tourist conditions at the province's Varadero Beach Resort where the group spent some time. *CUBAN, U.S. STUDENTS URGE NORMALIZATION OF RELATIONS Havana, December 15 (RHC)-- Cuban and US students urged on Thursday in Havana for the normalization of relations between their two countries. The participants of the Second Exchange Meeting between Cuban and U.S. students discussed the U.S. blockade and referred to the issue of the U.S. Naval base in eastern Guantanamo. John Tredway, professor and director of an exchange project between Cuban and U.S. students from Oregon, said that the group's objective is to promote dialogue between the two countries leading to bilateral peace and friendship. *CARLOS LAGE EXPECTS CUBAN ECONOMY TO GROW 5.6 PERCENT THIS YEAR Havana, December 15 (RHC)-- Cuba's Vice President Carlos Lage announced on Friday that the island's economy will expand by 5.6 percent this year despite the hike in oil prices and the fall of sugar prices on the international market. Speaking before the Fifth Congress of the Association of Cuban Economists, Lage explained that this has been a difficult and complex year. He pointed out that despite the difficulties, the main economic figures have not deteriorated. The island's industries are working more efficiently, showing a marked decrease in energy consumption in important sectors of the economy such as nickel. Carlos Lage said that with the steady growth of the island's GDP there is exists a general optimism in the country's development. *BOOK ON CUBA'S PRIMA BALLERINA TO BE LAUNCHED DECEMBER 26TH Havana, December 15 (RHC)--A book entitled "Alicia Alonso, Reality and Myth" by writer Miguel Cabrera will be launched on December 26th at the Melia Varadero Hotel, in Varadero Beach resort. The book covers the artistic life of the General Director of Cuba's National Ballet Company, Alicia Alonso. The book will also includes excerpts of pieces dedicated to Cuba's prima ballerina by some of the island's top writers such as Dulce Maria Loynaz, Lezama Lima, Alejo Carpentier, Juan Marinello and Nicolas Guillen. At the time of the launching, Cuba's National Ballet Company will announce the schedule of their performances in Varadero Beach resort. *22ND FESTIVAL OF NEW LATIN AMERICAN CINEMA ANNOUNCES WINNERS Havana, 15 Dec (RHC)--The juries of the 22nd Festival of New Latin American Cinema announced their category winners at a Press conference this morning in Havana. The main awards are
China. People´s Daily Dec 17
Extracts. Sunday, December 17, 2000, updated at 11:41(GMT+8) Chinese Province to Close Polluting Enterprises East China's Anhui Province will, on January 1, close enterprises that fail to reach the national effluent standards during an upcoming provincial inspection of industrial enterprises. "Reaching the national effluent standard is the lifeline for enterprises," Vice Governor of Anhui Huang Yuezhong said. According to Huang, by the end of this November, the total amount of industrial pollutants in Anhui was the same as that of 1995, and 6,110 of the 6,275 industrial enterprises due to reach the effluent standard this year have so far achieved the goal. Huang also indicated that much remains to be done since there are still some enterprises lagging behind in curbing pollution. The inspection will be conducted on December 20-28. Sunday, December 17, 2000, updated at 10:39(GMT+8) Palestinian, Israeli Officials Meet on Reviving Peace Talks Senior Israeli and Palestinian officials met late Saturday as part of the underway contacts between the two sides to revive the Palestinian-Israeli talks, Israel radio reported. The meeting between Israeli Foreign Minister Shlomo Ben-Ami and caretaker Prime Minister Ehud Barak's senior advisor Gilad Sher on the one side, and chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat and chief of the Palestinian Preventive Security in Gaza Strip Col. Mohammad Dahlan on the other, was held at an undisclosed location in Israel. Ben-Ami met late Thursday night with Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat at the Erez checkpoint between Gaza and Israel and discussed ways of returning to the negotiating table. During their four-hour talks, Arafat hoped a final status agreement can be reached before U.S. President Bill Clinton leaves office in January next year. Also on Saturday, Erekat said that the Palestinian side wants to hold a summit with Israel and the United States to reach an accord on the final status of the Palestinian territories. Palestinian and Israeli officials have resumed contacts since last week which had stopped by the ongoing bloody clashes between Palestinian protesters and Israeli forces that broke out on September 28. Saturday, December 16, 2000, updated at 22:47(GMT+8) Government Solicits Public Opinion on Five-Year Plan The State Development Planning Commission (SDPC) Saturday, December 16, invited representatives from all walks of life across the country to voice their suggestions and advice on the drafting of the 2001-2005 Five-Year Plan. Participants include academicians, entrepreneurs, professors, servicemen, farmers, and officials at grassroots levels, representing more than 4,000 writers of suggestion letters, of whom the oldest is 86 and the youngest only 10. The discussions focused on the manufacturing sector, diversified ownership, marine development strategy, people's lives, agriculture and the rural economy, scientific and technological innovations, the strategy to develop western China, and herbal medicines. SDPC Minister Zeng Peiyan and other officials attended the meeting. "Public involvement and transparency in the process of codifying the Five-Year plan is not only conducive to scientific and democratic decision-making, but also to the implementation of the plan," Zeng said. In October, the SDPC
China. People´s Daily Dec 16
Extracts. China Hopes Bush Extends Good Ties China believes the US policy towards China previously followed by the two major political parties will continue after George W. Bush assumes the presidency. Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan made the comment Friday during a meeting with former US Secretary of State Lawrence S. Eagleburger. Tang said Sino-US relations are currently at an important juncture. Developing relations with China is a common theme between Republicans and Democrats in the US. Administrations of each party all adhere to the one China policy, Tang was quoted as saying by a foreign ministry spokesman. Tang said he highly values the progress achieved by the two states in the development of bilateral relations in the past decade. During the Republican administration of President Nixon, China and the US opened the gate to developing relations and made a historic breakthrough in bilateral relations, Tang said. In addition, he said that during the Democrat administration of President Carter, China and the US established diplomatic relations and in the later administrations of presidents Reagan, Bush and Clinton, Sino-US relations have witnessed further development. We believe that after Bush's election as president, the US bipartisan China policy will continue, Tang said. The foreign minister said it is important to maintain stability and develop Sino-US relations. We are looking forward to working with the new US Government to promote the development in a sustained, sound and stable manner based on the three China-US Joint Communiques, Tang said. Stressing that the Taiwan question has always been the most important and sensitive question in Sino-US relations, he said the US Government should honor previous commitments. It should support the peaceful reunification of China, which is of vital importance to overall Sino-US relations and for stability in the Taiwan Straits. Eagleberger said that the US shoulders, as does China, responsibility for improving and developing bilateral relations. Eagleberger said the US-China relationship is now the key and most important of all its bilateral relations. He said that he would make every effort to improve and develop Sino-US relations.(China Daily) Ministry Declares War on Gangsters Cracking down on gangsterism will be a major task for the Ministry of Public Security (MPS) in the next two years, said a high-profile official from the ministry, showing the ministry's firm determination to eradicate criminal gangs. Jia Chunwang, minister of public security, made the statement at a teleconference held last week in Beijing. Together with the Supreme People's Court, the Supreme People's Procuratorate and the Ministry of Justice, Jia's ministry has declared war on criminal activities involving gangs. The MPS hopes that such activities will be brought under control within the two-year timeframe. Cai Shaoqing, an expert on the history of gangsterism in China, from Nanjing University, estimates that there are currently tens of thousands of gang members in the country. Such criminal activities severely endanger public security and constitute a menace to peaceful life, the MPS says. Gang members always employ atrocious means by which to tyrannize common people and have become local dictators in some places. Some gangs even collude with overseas counterparts, according to an official with the MPS. In some places, cases of government officials conspiring with criminal gangs have also been reported. Police sources also indicate that many criminal groups in Beijing involve students aged between 14 and 16. Most crimes committed by gangs are serious offenses such as robbery, kidnapping, trafficking in narcotics and smuggling. In September, the police in Southwest China's Chongqing Municipality shattered a gang which made a series of bank-robberies in Chongqing, Wuhan, and Changsha. The gangs are being charged with murdering 28 people and severely injuring 21 others in tens of cases since 1992. (China Daily) West Municipality Stresses Pollution Control The mega city in southwest China Chongqing has intensified its efforts to control pollution by shutting down four industrial polluting sources on December 15 in the city. The four polluting sources that were closed down were an old cement mill, an asphalt refinery, a chemical pulp manufacturing workshop of a copperplate paper mill and two old generator units of the Chongqing Power Plant. Situated in the upper reach areas of the Yangtze River, China's largest, Chongqing has long been famous for its long-term foggy weather all year around. Foggy weather makes frequent appearances in the city due to huge daily emissions of industrial soot and dust, which intermingle with rich vapor rising from two rivers, the Yangtze and its tributary Jialing River confluent at Chongqing. In recent years, the city's government issued the Chongqing Environment Protection Regulation, the Regulation
Libya News and Views Dec 15
Friday, 15 December, 2000: Sixty-seven countries have signed up to the UN convention against organized crime, signaling their agreement to crushing cross-border criminality but two protocols, one of which outlaws human trafficking, are proving a sticking point for many states. The 67 states, including the European Union, signed the agreement in a gathering in Palermo, Italy, over the past two days. During conference plenary sessions, Libya's delegation denounced "more or less official crimes ... committed by certain big powers", such as "the bombing of peaceful villages," and international financial organizations which allegedly "starve people." [AFP] ___ KOMINFORM P.O. Box 66 00841 Helsinki - Finland +358-40-7177941, fax +358-9-7591081 e-mail [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.kominf.pp.fi ___ Kominform list for general information. Subscribe/unsubscribe messages to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Anti-Imperialism list for geopolitics. Subscribe/unsubscribe messages: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] ___
Striking Vorkuta miners ask for solidarity now!
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Date: Fri, 15 Dec 2000 06:21:06 EST Subject: Striking Vorkuta miners ask for solidarity now! RUSSIA INFO-LIST from International Solidarity with Workers in Russia - [EMAIL PROTECTED] ISWoR web-site - http://members.aol.com/ISWoR/english/index.html ** *** URGENT APPEAL! - 15 December 2000 Yesterday, mineworkers at Europe's largest mine "Worgaschorskaya" in the Vorkuta region have gone on indefinite strike. The strike is organised by the all-Russia trade union, Zaschita. The striking workers have occupied the surface areas of the mine. As workers of other shifts arrive for work, they are joining in the occupation. The basic demands of the Zaschita strikers are simply payment of their wages for October and November, as the winter weather bites deeper. The miners declare they will fight to the end! Zaschita appeals to the workers movement in Russia and the world over to immediately send protest and solidarity messages, faxes, telegrams, e-mails. 007-82151-76675 (faxes for both protest and solidarity letters) - Vorkuta, settlement mine(shaft) "Worgaschorskaya", administration (protest) - Vorkuta, settlement mine(shaft) "Worgaschorskaya", trade union «Zaschita» (support) 007-82151-56104 - The telephone of trade union "Zaschita" s. "Worgaschorskaya" - - - - - - - - - - - - E-mail messages of solidarity to [EMAIL PROTECTED] will be forwarded to the Zaschita office. The Russia Info-List will get a detailed report as soon as it is available. ** *** The RUSSIA INFO-LIST puts out information and analysis from a wide range of sources. ISWoR takes no responsibility for the accuracy of reports. If you want to help in our practical solidarity work, contact: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Box R, 46 Denmark Hill, London, SE5 8RZ, England ** ** ___ KOMINFORM P.O. Box 66 00841 Helsinki - Finland +358-40-7177941, fax +358-9-7591081 e-mail [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.kominf.pp.fi ___ Kominform list for general information. Subscribe/unsubscribe messages to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Anti-Imperialism list for geopolitics. Subscribe/unsubscribe messages: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] ___
Vietnam News Dec 15
Brass Ho Chi Minh statues presented The Armys Party Committee, the Defence Ministry held a presentation ceremony of brass Ho Chi Minh statues to ministries, branches, sectors and organisations at the central level in Hanoi on December 14. Politburo member and director of the Vietnam Peoples Army General Department of Politics, Senior Lieutenant General Pham Thanh Ngan addressed the ceremony, highlighting that on the 110th birth anniversary of President Ho Chi Minh and in line with the aspiration of officers and men of the Vietnam Peoples Army, the Armys Party Committee, the Defence Ministry has cast brass Ho Chi Minh statues to present them to ministries, sectors, branches and provinces nationwide. This is a work of deep political and ideological significance, of spiritual value and long lasting with time. This also expressed the remembrance and deep gratitude of the entire Party and people to Uncle Ho. PM praises Youth Union for its activities Prime Minister Phan Van Khai praised the Youth Union Central Committee for their effective organisation of activities this year, the Young Peoples Year. He affirmed that through these practical and useful activities, the Youth Unions movements have been developed with the higher number of the outstanding Youth Unions members admitted to the Party than the previous years. Working with the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union Central Committee on the result of the work in the Young Peoples Year 2000 in Hanoi on December 14, Prime Minister Khai asked the Youth Union Central Committee to map out more suitable and effective measures of education and training, thus being able to meet the demand of the new period. One of the most important task, he said, was to educate revolutionary ideal, tradition and virtue for the youth, making each young person always proud of the Vietnam Communist Party and the nations glorious tradition. He added that the youth should also have a thorough grasp and mastery of the scientific and technological advance. With these conditions, the young people could shoulder the heavy responsibility to successfully build socialism and fulfil the national industrialisation and modernisation. The prime minister also asked the Youth Union to co-ordinate with concerned agencies to resolutely push back social evils, especially drug issues among young people, build a cultural life for young people, contributing to creating a healthy social environment. Mr Vu Trong Kim, first secretary of the Youth Union Central Committee informed the prime minister about the deployment and implementation of the programmes and targets set in the Young Peoples Year for young people nationwide. These programmes include young peoples volunteer movements to help the poor and the mountainous and remote areas, their participation in the construction of Ho Chi Minh Highway. Although, the movements have brought fruitful results in many fields, many problems are still unresolved. Consultative Group meeting for Vietnam opens Deputy PM Nguyen Tan Dung addressing the meeting. The Consultative Group (CG) for Vietnam opened its meeting in Hanoi on December 14. Participants at the two-day meeting include Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, and representatives of the World Bank (WB), 41 bilateral and multilateral donor organisations and nations, and many observers. This year's CG Meeting is the eighth of its kind since Vietnam resumed its relationship with the international donor community in 1993. It is an opportunity for the donor community and the Vietnamese Government to assess and exchange views on Vietnam's socio-economic development in the past year and development plans for the coming time. Donors' policies and views will be presented to the participants. Discussions at the meeting will focus on an economic framework and an institute for rapid and sustainable development in Vietnam until 2010, development of human resources, infrastructure, rural and environmental development, partnership relations in the coming decade, and official development assistance (ODA) demands and commitments. In recent years, ODA to Vietnam has risen each year despite a fall in ODA around the world. In the last seven years, the world community has pledged ODA worth US $15.4 billion. In the 1996-2000 period alone, Vietnam disbursed more than US $6 billion to develop its socio-economic infrastructure and implement its poverty alleviation and hunger elimination programme. Addressing the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung said that Vietnam has devised a five-year plan (2001-2005) and a socio-economic development strategy for the coming decade, and was determined to continue accelerating economic renovation and realising national industrialisation and modernisation in a bid to avoid being left behind in the regional and global development process. He asked the meeting to spend proper time discussing Vietnam's socio-economic development strategy for the next
Turkey. DHKC 133
Date: Fri, 15 Dec 2000 16:21:03 +0200 From: DHKC [EMAIL PROTECTED] Date: December 13, 2000 Statement: 133 THE FASCIST AUTHORITIES' ATTACKS AND PROVOCATIONS CANNOT BREAK THE DEATH FAST RESISTANCE On December 11, 2000, the Prime Minister of Turkey, ECEVIT, gave the order to attack. The MHP (Nationalist Movement Party - "Grey Wolves") were used as a strike force in these attacks. All governing parties took a share in this plan of attack. On the one side, Ecevit's government was giving the impression to public opinion, both domestic and international, that they were sensitive and wanted a solution, while on the other it gave the order to launch an assault. On December 11, Ecevit's real face was revealed. Ecevit threatened everyone who supported the Death Fast resistance - people, the press, everyone. He said, "While public opinion remains interested in this Death Fast resistance, it will not come to an end." The meaning of this is that "nobody should engage in democratic opposition and nobody should react to anything, and no media organs should write or say anything about the Death Fast." This reality must not be expressed, and any massacre and torture can take place in complete silence. People could be put in the 'F' Type prisons, be tortured there, have their minds destroyed and nobody would know about it. The press would have no power and they would be in the habit of taking orders from the murderous authorities and engaging in counter-propaganda in the interests of the system. The people would be starved of information except for a series of lies concocted about the Death Fast resisters. But the reality was a death-bed. Those who were marching towards death were also speaking. No demagogy and lies can be more effective than this march towards death. The resisters exposed the real face of the authorities with their power. This state which places no value on people or the country is helpless, fearful and mendacious. It was trying to smear the Death Fast resisters. The state was saying to the Death Fast resisters: "Don't pity yourselves." But none of the Death Fast resisters listened to the state's call. They have no beliefs and values to die for, unlike the Death Fast resisters. The Death Fast resisters want nothing for themselves. They only want a democratic and independent country. They were not engaging in demagogy and they were not telling lies. They never engaged in blackmail. In every statement on their deathbeds, they repeated, "WE WILL DIE BUT WE WILL NOT SURRENDER TO FASCISM." There is no other light, power or reality in the world than this. That is why Ecevit and the lies recorded by his fascist partners in government lost credibility, not in days but even within hours. Those who are accustomed to telling lies and demagogy call what they do "psychological warfare", and their litany of lies is endless. They deceitfully called upon the Death Fast resisters' families, talking endlessly of the value of life and humanitarianism and claiming they were defending the lives of the prisoners. Themselves stupid and illiterate, they tried to make other people the same. It was as though these prisoners' families did not live in this country, as if the authorities had not massacred thousands of people - old and young, men women and children - without discrimination. They massacred, made people disappear, tortured, detained and then again massacred those that they had put in prison. Turkey was steeped in blood. The prisons in Turkey were filled to the brim with revolutionaries. And now, these same people were appealing to the mothers and fathers of prisoners. Those making such calls, whether in government or opposition, have massacred and tortured us. They are murderers and torturers, and everything is clearly visible. The families of the resisters knew very well that this was the naked reality. They couldn't bribe, they couldn't deceive any of the families. The attacks on the Death Fast started on December 12, taking a form just like those before the September 12, 1980 coup, during the Nationalist Front government. Ecevit, together with the MHP fascists, to break the Death Fast resistance attacked the families and relatives and other forces of the people supporting them. During this attack, the police and the MHP organised in the ranks of the police were the real architect of the attacks. It was just like the Nationalist Front times, when the fascists attacked the people together with the police. Together they destroyed the buildings and offices of the parties which are on the side of the people. These official and civilian fascist attacks went on for hours in full view of the world's media. And here the government had the same role as in the Nationalist Front before September 12. Fascist attacks and massacres were not limited to this. Outside Turkey, in many European countries there are actions to support the Death Fasters and hunger strikes are taking place in tents; the MHP fascists abroad
Turkey. LONDON: NEWSPAPER OFFICE OCCUPIED, DEC. 15
4 PM: THE LONDON OFFICES OF THE TURKISH DAILY NEWSPAPER HURRIYET HAVE BEEN OCCUPIED BY IKM (COMMITTEE OF STRUGGLE AGAINST TORTURE THROUGH ISOLATION) IN ORDER TO SUPPORT THE PRISONERS IN TURKEY WHO ARE ON DAY 57 OF THEIR DEATH FAST AGAINST ISOLATION CELLS. THE ACTION IS STILL GOING ON. HURRIYET IS AT D'ARBLAY STREET, SOHO. DHKC LONDON INFORMATION BUREAU (0207 254 1266) ___ Leninist-International mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] To change your options or unsubscribe go to: http://lists.wwpublish.com/mailman/listinfo/leninist-international ___ KOMINFORM P.O. Box 66 00841 Helsinki - Finland +358-40-7177941, fax +358-9-7591081 e-mail [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.kominf.pp.fi ___ Kominform list for general information. Subscribe/unsubscribe messages to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Anti-Imperialism list for geopolitics. Subscribe/unsubscribe messages: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] ___
Colombia News 12/8 2/2
the Colombian government and a leading paramilitary force, the United Colombian Self Defense Leagues (known by its Spanish acronym, AUC) which the FARC has been fighting. The meeting was held ostensibly to gain release of a group of congressmen kidnapped by paramilitary forces last month. The FARC has claimed that in meeting with paramilitary leaders, the Colombian government shows a lack of interest in curbing paramilitary terrorism. FARC spokesmen even accused the half-dozen congressmen reportedly kidnapped last month by the AUC of having staged their own kidnappings in order to facilitate the meeting between Interior Minister Humberto de la Calle and AUC head Carlos Castano. But the FARC also places blame on U.S. policy in the region and said its decision to cut off peace negotiations was influenced by the U.S. Plan Colombia. Though the U.S. calls that absurd, it's clear that the future of the peace process will have a serious impact on the success or failure of the counter-narcotics campaign . Warring factions have not spared U.S. representatives from their terrorizing activities, either. A bomb was found along the road last week hours before U.S. Sen. Paul Wellstone, D-Minn., and U.S. Ambassador Anne Patterson were to visit the notoriously violent town of Barrancabermeja, in what officials called an apparent assassination attempt. The peace freeze came as the U.S. also announced it was delaying the implementation of the Plan Colombia until January and a high level State Department delegation visited Bogota to finalize points in the plan. Originally the plan was expected to start early this month. Undersecretary of Defense Brian Sheridan in Bogota said U.S. and Colombian authorities had agreed to postpone the plan until January, when 33 of 60 helicopters included in the $1.3 billion aid package approved by Congress will arrive in Colombia and will be available for the Colombian armed forces. Fierce fighting between guerrillas and paramilitaries has raged throughout the last two months in Putumayo, where most of Plan Colombia will be concentrated. Hundreds of residents have fled for Ecuador, since all roads to central Colombia are dangerous and controlled by one side or the other. Some who haven't left remained trapped by the rebels or the paramilitaries. Putumayo was selected as the primary site of Plan Colombia because an estimated 216 square miles are planted with high-yield coca plantations, and over half of the entire Colombian coca production is harvested in this province. About 300,000 people are employed in jobs related to cocaine production. "Putumayo is the FARC's Wall Street," said a foreign diplomat. "This is not an area of small plantations, but of heavy cultivation." The area has practically been a war zone since Sept. 21, when paramilitaries took over important coca producing towns, killing those citizens they knew were guerrilla collaborators. In La Dorada, a key drug-producing town, the paramilitaries had killed up to 40 people suspected of leftist sympathies as of late October. U.S. and Colombian officials say the drug traffickers who depend on the crops produced in Putumayo had grown unhappy with the guerrillas and their control over the coca production prices. "The narcos brought the paramilitary because they didn't like the FARC controlling the market," said a U.S. government official. The area's residents have been living at the mercy of the warring parties. The government has airlifted supplies, but the needs are still greater. It took 56 days after the guerrillas took over Pasto Mocoa highway for the Colombian army to reopen it. The road, an important one that connects Putumayo with the rest of the country, was littered with abandoned vehicles left after combat had stopped their owners on their routes. Even after the army asked for the vehicle owners to return, the cars remained. Plan Colombia is expected to unleash the biggest military offensive to date in Southern Colombia. Fumigation planes protected by helicopters will spray bountiful coca plantations in the region, which is controlled by the FARC. Colombian mobile military units, trained by the U.S., will push into the territory and try to clean the area. But how well the Colombian military will fare is not known. They have faced several military setbacks recently. The guerrilla ambush that left 53 soldiers dead and one destroyed Black Hawk helicopter last month has left foreign diplomats and Colombian military experts wondering what they can expect in the next few months, when the war is expected to get worse. "Putumayo is going to be one of the toughest areas militarily," according to Alfredo Rangel, a respected military analyst who advises the Colombian armed forces. "When the army goes into that area to fight the FARC and end the coca plantations it will ignite the conflict beyond anything we have seen," he added. Looming in the background of the decision to freeze negotiations are reports that all
Colombia News 12/8 2/2
the Colombian government and a leading paramilitary force, the United Colombian Self Defense Leagues (known by its Spanish acronym, AUC) which the FARC has been fighting. The meeting was held ostensibly to gain release of a group of congressmen kidnapped by paramilitary forces last month. The FARC has claimed that in meeting with paramilitary leaders, the Colombian government shows a lack of interest in curbing paramilitary terrorism. FARC spokesmen even accused the half-dozen congressmen reportedly kidnapped last month by the AUC of having staged their own kidnappings in order to facilitate the meeting between Interior Minister Humberto de la Calle and AUC head Carlos Castano. But the FARC also places blame on U.S. policy in the region and said its decision to cut off peace negotiations was influenced by the U.S. Plan Colombia. Though the U.S. calls that absurd, it's clear that the future of the peace process will have a serious impact on the success or failure of the counter-narcotics campaign . Warring factions have not spared U.S. representatives from their terrorizing activities, either. A bomb was found along the road last week hours before U.S. Sen. Paul Wellstone, D-Minn., and U.S. Ambassador Anne Patterson were to visit the notoriously violent town of Barrancabermeja, in what officials called an apparent assassination attempt. The peace freeze came as the U.S. also announced it was delaying the implementation of the Plan Colombia until January and a high level State Department delegation visited Bogota to finalize points in the plan. Originally the plan was expected to start early this month. Undersecretary of Defense Brian Sheridan in Bogota said U.S. and Colombian authorities had agreed to postpone the plan until January, when 33 of 60 helicopters included in the $1.3 billion aid package approved by Congress will arrive in Colombia and will be available for the Colombian armed forces. Fierce fighting between guerrillas and paramilitaries has raged throughout the last two months in Putumayo, where most of Plan Colombia will be concentrated. Hundreds of residents have fled for Ecuador, since all roads to central Colombia are dangerous and controlled by one side or the other. Some who haven't left remained trapped by the rebels or the paramilitaries. Putumayo was selected as the primary site of Plan Colombia because an estimated 216 square miles are planted with high-yield coca plantations, and over half of the entire Colombian coca production is harvested in this province. About 300,000 people are employed in jobs related to cocaine production. "Putumayo is the FARC's Wall Street," said a foreign diplomat. "This is not an area of small plantations, but of heavy cultivation." The area has practically been a war zone since Sept. 21, when paramilitaries took over important coca producing towns, killing those citizens they knew were guerrilla collaborators. In La Dorada, a key drug-producing town, the paramilitaries had killed up to 40 people suspected of leftist sympathies as of late October. U.S. and Colombian officials say the drug traffickers who depend on the crops produced in Putumayo had grown unhappy with the guerrillas and their control over the coca production prices. "The narcos brought the paramilitary because they didn't like the FARC controlling the market," said a U.S. government official. The area's residents have been living at the mercy of the warring parties. The government has airlifted supplies, but the needs are still greater. It took 56 days after the guerrillas took over Pasto Mocoa highway for the Colombian army to reopen it. The road, an important one that connects Putumayo with the rest of the country, was littered with abandoned vehicles left after combat had stopped their owners on their routes. Even after the army asked for the vehicle owners to return, the cars remained. Plan Colombia is expected to unleash the biggest military offensive to date in Southern Colombia. Fumigation planes protected by helicopters will spray bountiful coca plantations in the region, which is controlled by the FARC. Colombian mobile military units, trained by the U.S., will push into the territory and try to clean the area. But how well the Colombian military will fare is not known. They have faced several military setbacks recently. The guerrilla ambush that left 53 soldiers dead and one destroyed Black Hawk helicopter last month has left foreign diplomats and Colombian military experts wondering what they can expect in the next few months, when the war is expected to get worse. "Putumayo is going to be one of the toughest areas militarily," according to Alfredo Rangel, a respected military analyst who advises the Colombian armed forces. "When the army goes into that area to fight the FARC and end the coca plantations it will ignite the conflict beyond anything we have seen," he added. Looming in the background of the decision to freeze negotiations are reports that all
Havana Radio news/views Dec 13-14. US 'democracy'
X-Sender: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (Unverified) From: John Clancy [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Havana Radio news/views Dec 13-14. US 'democracy' Via NY Transfer News * All the News That Doesn't Fit Radio Havana Cuba - News Update - 13 December 2000 . *CUBA HAS ONE OF LOWEST INFANT MORTALITY AND HIGHEST LIFE EXPECTANCY RATES *RUSSIAN FEDERATION PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN ARRIVES IN HAVANA LATE TONIGHT *CUBA WILL CONTINUE TO DENOUNCE WASHINGTON'S COMPLICITY IN TERRORISM *INTERNATIONAL JAZZ FESTIVAL "PLAZA 2000" KICKS OFF IN HAVANA *CUBAN ECONOMISTS DEMAND THE EXTRADITION OF INTL TERRORIST POSADA CARRILES *CUBA HOSTS CHINESE DELEGATION *Viewpoint: DEMOCRACY ... US STYLE . *CUBA HAS ONE OF LOWEST INFANT MORTALITY AND HIGHEST LIFE EXPECTANCY RATES Havana, December 13 (RHC)--Cuba has been placed among the 23 countries in the world with the highest life expectancy of 76 years, according to Cuba's Health Minister Carlos Dotres. The Cuban Health official made the statements during the inauguration of the first national conference of Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean. With the participation of some 300 delegates from nine countries, Dotres offered a master conference that outlined the universal character of the free and accessible Cuban public health care system. The Cuban Health Minister also added that the island was placed among the first 19 nations in the world with the lowest infant mortality rate despite Washington's almost 40-year old economic blockade against the island. Dr. Leonardo Perez, representative of the International Health Promotion and Education Association, said that the conference included exchanges of experience and knowledge between doctors, nurses, technicians, teachers, journalists and other specialists. Other participants to the event include the President of the Federation of Cuban Women, the coordinator of the Committees for the Defense of the Revolution, and Dr. Gabriel Montalvan, representative of the World Health Organization in Cuba, among other important figures. *RUSSIAN FEDERATION PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN ARRIVES IN HAVANA LATE TONIGHT Havana, December 13 (RHC)-- The president of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, is due to arrive in the Cuban capital late Wednesday night, leading a delegation of more than 80 business representatives. The Russian leader is visiting Cuba at the invitation of his Cuban counterpart, President Fidel Castro. Earlier this week, during an interview in Moscow, Vladimir Putin stated that his country's relations with Havana are excellent and will be even better with this visit to the island. The Russian president added that he always thought the deterioration of relations some ten years ago between Russia and Cuba was a mistake and called for a renewal of those traditional relations. And the Russian leader called for an immediate end to the U.S. economic blockade of Cuba. Putin stated that Washington's blockade cannot be rationalized from any point of view -- emphasising that U.S. sanctions are illegal according to international law. The Russian president told reporters in Moscow that Cuba is his country's principle trading partner in Latin America and that he has intentions of reenforcing those ties during his visit to Havana. *CUBA WILL CONTINUE TO DENOUNCE WASHINGTON'S COMPLICITY IN TERRORISM Havana, December 13 (RHC)-- Cuba will continue to denounce terrorism practiced by the United States against the island. During a speech at the United Nations on Tuesday, Cuba's Ambassador to the world body, Bruno Rodriguez, called on all member-nations to fight against terrorism -- specifically pointing to U.S.-sponsored terrorist activities against the island. The UN ambassador spoke in favor of a resolution against all forms of terrorism. Cuba voted in favor of the resolution, which was passed by an overwhelming majority. Bruno Rodriguez put the issue of terrorism in its proper context -- condemning the terrorist activities of Luis Posada Carriles and noting that he had received training and assistance from the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency. Following the Cuban ambassador's comments, the U.S. delegation asked for the floor and said that Cuba was out of order. The U.S. representative, Robert B. Rosenstock, claimed that the Cuban ambassador was falsely accusing Washington of sponsoring terrorism. He said that Washington was tired of hearing what he called "the same old diatribes" from Cuba. UN Ambassador Bruno Rodriguez responded with a heated response, listing -- with facts and specific dates -- exactly when Luis Posada Carriles and his terrorist accomplices were in the United States and received aid and assistance from numerous U.S. administrations. Rodriguez said that Posada Carriles had received direct support from the Reagan, Bush and Clinton administrations. The United Nations moderator of the discussion interceded after the ten-minute limit expired, asking that Cuba's ambassador wrap up his speech. Bruno Rodriguez
Korean Central News Agency Dec 15
TODAY'S NEWS (December.15.2000 Juche 89) [CONTENTS] * Remark of director general of Japan Defence Agency * South side's delegation feted * Photo exhibition and film show held * Review of six months after adoption of June 15 inter-Korean joint declaration * Concert wins acclaim * DPRK praised by British political figure * Improper attitude of U.S. denounced * U.S. anti-personnel mines massively laid For Spanish-speaking people * balance de 6 meses posteriores a la publicacion de la declaracion conjunta norte-sur * acto conjunto de participantes en gran simposio de obreros de norte y sur de corea Remark of director general of Japan Defence Agency Pyongyang, December 15 (KCNA) -- Director general of the Japan Defence Agency Saito at a press interview underscored the "need to increase Japan's military capability," asserting that "North Korea is maintaining and strengthening its military muscle." In this regard Rodong Sinmun today in a signed commentary observes: Saito's utterance reflects evil practices of the Japanese reactionaries to justify their wrongdoings by faulting others. It is the Japanese reactionaries who justify their militarist moves by hurling mud at others, the commentary notes, and goes on: Their call for "increased military capability" under the pretext of "threat from North Korea" is just like a thief crying "stop the thief." The threat of war and destruction is coming not from the DPRK but from Japan to the Korean peninsula. The enactment of the law related to a war which restores the right of belligerency and the right to participate in a war, expansion of armaments, deployment of "Self-Defence Forces" in the western area and frequent military exercises staged under the simulated conditions of an "emergency on the Korean peninsula" and so on clearly indicate what Japan seeks in its moves. What the Japanese reactionaries are now doing only adds to the crimes committed in the past. The Korean people will bear this in mind and surely force them to pay for them. South side's delegation feted Pyongyang, December 15 (KCNA) -- Senior councilor of the DPRK cabinet Jon Kum Jin, head of the north side's delegation to the north-south ministerial talks, hosted a reception at Pyongyang Koryo Hotel yesterday for the south side's delegation to the fourth round of the talks. Invited to the reception were members of the south side's delegation headed by Unification Minister Pak Jae Gyu. Present there were Jang Jae On, chairman of the central committee of the DPRK Red Cross Society, Song Sok Hwan, vice-Minister of Culture, Kim Jong Ung, vice-Minister of Public Health, Choe Yun Sik, vice-chairman of the Pyongyang City People's Committee, officials concerned and members of the north side's delegation. Speeches were made at the reception. Photo exhibition and film show held Pyongyang, December 15 (KCNA) -- The DPRK Ministry of Foreign Trade arranged a photo exhibition and film show on December 14 to mark the 9th anniversary of the great leader Kim Jong Il's election as Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army and the 83rd birth anniversary of the great communist revolutionary fighter Kim Jong Suk. Invited there were economic and trade officials of various embassies in Pyongyang. The participants looked round photos showing the energetic external activities conducted by Kim Jong Il to bring about a turning phase of the struggle for the country's reunification and the final victory of the Korean revolution. Also on display were photos on the Korean people's proud achievements made in the efforts to glorify the 55th anniversary of the Worker's Party of Korea as a grand festival of victors. The participants watched a documentary film on the on-site guidance given by Kim Jong Il to revolutionary battle sites in the area of Mt. Paektu. Review of six months after adoption of June 15 inter-Korean joint declaration Pyongyang, December 15 (KCNA) -- Six months after the historic Pyongyang meeting and the publication of the north-south joint declaration evidently show who, in Korea, truly hopes for reconciliation, unity, peace and reunification and has been faithful to the joint declaration and who has been seeking to bring the inter-Korean relations back to confrontation, going against the declaration. This is stressed in an article titled "Nothing can stop nation's advance towards 21st century, century of independence and reunification" published six months after the adoption of the declaration. The article says: In the past six months the North Korea has made all its possible efforts with sincerity to smoothly implement the agreed points clarified in the inter-Korean joint declaration. But, some political quarters of the south have engaged themselves in the moves to put the brake on its implementation. Citing facts to fully disclose such
wwnews Digest #203 1/3
WW News Service Digest #203 1) Election Battle Exposes Fraudulent System by [EMAIL PROTECTED] 2) Oklahoma's Death-Row Double Standard by [EMAIL PROTECTED] 3) Turkish Repression Made in USA by [EMAIL PROTECTED] 4) Racist Attack on Voting Rights Looms Large by [EMAIL PROTECTED] 5) Solidarity Delegation Meets with FARC L:eader by [EMAIL PROTECTED] 6) Thousands March in NYC for Mumia Peltier by [EMAIL PROTECTED] - Via Workers World News Service Reprinted from the Dec. 21, 2000 issue of Workers World newspaper - ELECTION BATTLE EXPOSES FRAUDULENT SYSTEM By Fred Goldstein The accidental deadlock between George W. Bush and Al Gore has brought to the surface the ugly underside of capitalist election politics. It should be a good beginning lesson to the masses of people about how fraudulent the whole process is. To begin with, Bush lost the popular vote by 300,000 and won the presidency. Second, he won the vote in Florida, and perhaps elsewhere, by a racist Republican conspiracy to exclude thousands and thousands of votes by African Americans. This conspiracy also affected Jewish voters and other poor and working-class voters who lived in heavily Black districts in Florida. Third, he won by the timely intervention of a one-vote reactionary majority of a reactionary institution, the U.S. Supreme Court. Fourth, the saintly high court, which is supposed to be above getting involved in partisan capitalist politics, was rolling around in the political mud fighting a tooth-and- nail partisan battle. Fifth, the people just found out that state legislatures have the power to override any popular vote by simply choosing their own electors to the Electoral College. WHAT THE STRUGGLE WAS REALLY ABOUT These are only some of the more glaring surface problems that appeared. While various pundits were describing the struggle as a battle over great legal principles or precepts of democracy, the real character of the struggle was described by Business Week in its Dec. 11 issue. "Let's be honest here," wrote this mouthpiece of big business. "The dispute over whether George W. Bush or Al Gore won Florida, and thus the presidency, is not about great Constitutional issues. It's not about federalism, or the separation of powers between the courts and the legislatures, or even a correct reading of the Florida Election code. At this late state of the game, it's about just one thing: who can best manipulate the levers of power to win...And once again, wrapped up in this naked power struggle is the U.S. Supreme Court. "Gore is at a great disadvantage in this," continued Business Week. "He has the support of some local election officials and a few Florida judges. But Bush has hooks everywhere. He has Florida Secretary of State Katherine Harris, who certified his election two weeks ago and who just happened to be his state campaign co-chairman. He has his brother, the governor of Florida, to certify a slate of Bush electors... He has both houses of the Florida legislature and the U.S. House of Representatives...And, it seems, he has five justices of the U.S. Supreme Court, all of whom were either appointed by his daddy or by Ronald Reagan, his daddy's old boss." So much for all the legal niceties. Justice Antonin Scalia and his grouping stopped the recount ordered by the Florida Supreme Court on the grounds of "irreparable harm" to Bush. Losing the vote by counting is "irreparable harm" to be sure. But then again elections do involve counting votes and winners and losers. Both sides of the court agonized over "equal protection under the law" and "due process" without ever bringing up the publicly known and thoroughly documented massive disqualification of voters in African American precincts. This has been a non-subject in the court proceedings, in the campaigns of both Bush and Gore and in the mainstream capitalist media. GORE REFUSED TO CHALLENGE DISENFRANCHISEMENT The Gore forces rallied under the slogans "count every vote" and "every vote should count." But they steadfastly refused to challenge the disenfranchisement of voters in majority Black districts, whose ballots were rejected at a rate of one in five, compared to voters in majority white districts whose ballots were rejected at a rate of one in 14. This is prima facie evidence of discrimination on a massive scale. To the Gore forces, as part of the ruling-class establishment, the prospect of opening up a struggle against racism was worse than the prospect of losing the election. It is pure hypocrisy for the Bush forces to talk about "equal protection under the law" when this racist governor of Texas has sent people to death whose lawyers slept through their trials; who executed Shaka Sankofa (Gary Graham), whose innocence was virtually proven on television and in the print media; and whose brother outlawed affirmative action in Florida. Nor did Clinton and Gore care much
Vietnam News Dec 14
Party chief underscores unity and democracy Vietnam Communist Party General Secretary Le Kha Phieu has stressed the importance of ensuring solidarity, unity and democracy within the Party, saying the nation would be stronger only if each Party cell was united and healthy. Mr Phieu was speaking with senior officials as part of a working visit to mid-land Vinh Phuc province on December 13. Underscoring democratic centralism, criticism and self-criticism, Mr Phieu said that the Communist Party's goal was to struggle and work for the interest of the people and the nation. All Party members should have a single ideal and work for a common goal, putting aside individualism and partialism, he said. Praising Vinh Phuc province for having achieved significant economic growth, Mr Phieu called for more concerted efforts from the province's Party officials to make it a more wealthy and prosperous. Vinh Phuc is now preparing to hold its provincial Party congress. (VNA) Government plans to tighten ODA management The government had devised a plan to revise its regulations for the management and use of Official Development Assistance, ODA, to meet donors' requests and conform to Vietnam's regulations governing investment and construction, Investment and Planning Minister Tran Xuan Gia has told the Dau Tu (Investment,) newspaper. Interviewed by the newspaper as a prelude to a donors' consultative group meeting to be held in Hanoi on December 14 and 15, the minister emphasized that the meeting would be of special importance because it would review Vietnam's achievements in a decade of renovation and its management and use of ODA since 1993. Mr Gia said the participants planned to take a more longer-term view than usual and focus on Vietnam's strategy for the coming decade, while discussing the country's needs and guidelines for ODA in the next five years. The government and donors had signed ODA agreements worth about US $12.4 billion or 82% of the total package pledged by donors in 1993-99, in a bid to effectively use the aid by the end of last October. Mr Gia said about US $1.68 billion of ODA had been disbursed so far this year, but greater efforts must be made to quicken disbursement and remove such impediments as re-settlement and ground levelling. The amount of pledged ODA rose from US $1.81 billion in 1993 to US $2.1 billion, excluding US $0.7 billion in support of economic reforms, this year. Completed ODA projects had helped develop socio-economic infrastructure and accelerate poverty alleviation and hunger elimination programmes. In addition, the government had used ODA to boost agricultural and rural development as well as expand medical and educational services, transport and energy. About 25% of ODA was used to develop the electricity sector. (VNA) Vietnam, China friendship associations boost co-operation The friendship associations of Vietnam and China have pledged to strengthen their co-operation so as to help develop comprehensive relations between the two countries. Acting President of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations, Nguyen Xuan Hong, and Deputy Chairman of the China Association for International Friendly Contacts, Zhu Liang, have just discussed co-operation between the two associations. Zhu Liang led a working delegation to Vietnam from December 5-10. The delegates were received by member of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee (CPVCC) and Director of the CPVCC's Commission for External Relations, Nguyen Van Son. They also had working sessions with officials of the CPVCC's Commission for Culture and Ideology, friendship associations and officials of Ho Chi Minh City and northern Quang Ninh province. (VNA) Dong Thap provides VND 32 billion for flood relief The southern province of Dong Thap has spent VND 32 billion drawn from its budget to overcome the flood consequences. To date, 17,000 households, which had to evacuate in the flood, have returned to their homes. People have step-by-step stabilised their lives and restored production. Units in the province have helped rebuild about 250 collapsed houses. As for people killed by the flood, the province has supported the family with one dead person with VND 2 million as stipulated by the government. Tidal waves pull down houses in Quang Ngai Tidal waves encroached over 100 metres deep in the land and pulled down 11 houses in Pho Thach commune, Quang Ngai province on December 12. The tropical depression was responsible for the tidal waves. The local administration asked the relevant sectors to provide emergency relief aid in a bid to help these affected households buy food and arrange temporary houses for them. ___ KOMINFORM P.O. Box 66 00841 Helsinki - Finland +358-40-7177941, fax +358-9-7591081 e-mail [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.kominf.pp.fi ___ Kominform list for
wwnews Digest #203 3/3
smaller than Vermont and New Hampshire combined. Colombia itself is roughly the size of Texas, New Mexico and Oklahoma combined. The meetings took place in a FARC encampment some distance from San Vicente del Caguan. A FARC official known as Lucas picked up the visitors and drove them to the camp. He had formerly worked as an accountant in one of Colombia's large cities. Lucas said that in the mid-1980s he had run for public office as a member of the Patriotic Union party. Somehow he managed to survive three right-wing assassination attempts. Rather than die a useless death, he decided to join the revolutionary army and fight for social change. The most painful thing was not being able to see his children grow up. Lucas is also a singer-songwriter. During a cultural activity in the evening, he sang a number of songs in a startlingly clear and appealing voice. His songs, both romantic and political, were interrupted at 7 p.m. The assembled young soldiers turned on the television news, as they do daily. They laughed at the predictable references to themselves as "drug traffickers." During the day, the visitors had seen yucca and plantain cultivations and chicken coops and pigpens, of which the soldiers were extremely proud. "This is what they refer to as our 'drug crops' on the news," a guide told the group with amusement. GOV'T CLOSED OTHER DOORS TO STRUGGLE What led the government to recognize the demilitarized zone? On many occasions during the decades-long conflict, rebel groups have called for a negotiated settlement or a political opening to allow them to participate in a peaceful political process. The government response until recently had been either a flat rejection, treachery, or a military ambush followed by annihilation of revolutionaries who were branded as "armed bandits." The most extreme example of this phenomenon came during the mid-1980s, when a broad coalition of groups representing the rural and urban working classes of Colombia formed a legal opposition party to contest local and national elections. The need for this kind of representation was so great that within months, the Patriotic Union was on its way to election victories at every level, from city council posts to the national presidency. However, within a few years, over 4,000 leaders of this group were assassinated. They ranged from small-town mayors, trade-union leaders and rural community leaders to senators and presidential candidates. This left no opening for political opposition other than the path of armed struggle. Colombia had become a democracy of assassins. With all other options for political representation closed, many Colombians and leaders of popular organizations turned to the FARC as a realistic alternative. As support for the revolutionary movement has grown, the government of Colombia was finally forced to agree to the FARC's demands for peace talks aimed at a political solution. PEOPLE SPEAK OUT AT HEARINGS Part of the FARC's approach to the peace talks has been to set up regularly scheduled hearings where people from all over the country can present issues they want FARC negotiators to raise on their behalf in talks with the government. This includes everything from money for building the local infrastructure in San Vicente to a halt to compliance with International Monetary Fund demands for privatizing the administration of health care and social security. A major concern raised at these hearings has been the danger of spraying Fusarium Oxysporum. This is a fungus the Pentagon has already been using in Colombia, supposedly aimed at wiping out coca plant cultivation. Plan Colombia intends to implement the spraying of this fungus on a massive scale. Environmental scientists who spoke with the delegation stated that the consequences of such a campaign could be devastating and far-reaching. The department of Putumayo and other areas where initial massive sprayings are anticipated are Amazon Basin watersheds. They said it is impossible to predict the results of the widespread introduction of an alien fungus into one of the planet's most biologically diverse ecosystems. GLIMPSE OF THE FUTURE? San Vicente del Caguan is a town of approximately 30,000 people. Their main source of work is the many cattle ranches in the area. During the period of demilitarization, a number of dramatic changes have occurred. Residents said that prior to the demilitarization, between nine and 15 homicides took place in the town per week. Some said they were mostly due to barroom fights and personal disputes. Others said that many of the deaths were at the hands of right-wing paramilitary squads who killed people suspected of sympathizing with the revolutionary cause. After the zone was cleared of government troops, paramilitary squads and police, the homicide rate dropped to zero. Residents attributed this turnaround to a new climate of optimism and confidence. The visitors arrived in San Vicente on a Tuesday
U.S. war crimes in Korea: Call for people's investigation grows
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: "International" [EMAIL PROTECTED] Date: Thu, 14 Dec 2000 19:34:46 -0500 CALL TO ACTION BY INTERNATIONAL ACTION CENTER AND KOREA TRUTH COMMISSION People's Investigation of U.S. War Crimes Against Korea Grows International Grass Roots Groups Organize for June 23rd NYC War Crimes Tribunal DOES YOUR GROUP WANT TO BE LISTED AS AN ENDORSER? Since September of 1999, evidence of 160 instances of US led military attacks on Korean non-combatants during the Korean war have surfaced. Hundreds of thousands of children, women, and aged people are believed to have been massacred as a result of orders from U.S. military brass. Because of the right wing atmosphere whipped up during the McCarthy era, an anti-war response in the United States never came about, and these horrific crimes never reached the U.S mass media. Consequently, Washington and their long series of south Korean client regimes have been able to suppress the Korean peoples cry for justice. On June 23rd, 2001 south Korean activists (including some who are survivors of such attacks), and Koreans from Japan, the United States and other Korean communities around the world, will meet in New York City to take part in a war crimes tribunal. The tribunal will be the culmination of a peoples investigation of the role of the US led military during the war. The investigation has included a series of trips to south Korea during which activists visited massacre sites, interviewed survivors, and saw evidence that refuted the U.S. contention that the numbers of those Korean civilians killed by US led troops during the war have been exaggerated, and that any killings were the result of panic or poor training of troops. They also attended demonstrations against the continued division of Korea and against the continued presence of 37,000 U.S. troops. They will be joined by former US Attorney General Ramsey Clark and other progressive and anti war activists. Representatives from the 15 other countries that participated in the war will also be present. They will put the Washington DC war-makers on trial for their crimes against the Korean people. TO ENDORSE THE CALL for the June 23rd War Crimes Tribunal e- mail [EMAIL PROTECTED] and type Korea War Crimes Tribunal in the subject line. CALL TO ACTION In September of 1999, the associated press began publishing a series of articles that were the results of a long investigation of an incident that took place at the south Korean village of NoGun-ri in July of 1950. Hundreds of villagers were pinned beneath a bridge for 3 days as US military forces strafed them from aircraft, raked them with machine gun fire, and fired mortars at them. It is believed that some 400 villagers were massacred. This My Lai-like episode was only the most prominent among many that were brought out by the AP in the ensuing months. There is evidence that the mass executions of perhaps 100,000 prisoners by the south Korean regime was done with the complicity of their sponsors in Washington DC. What emerged in the AP series and from other sources was not mistakes by panic stricken troops as the current US investigation of NoGun-ri implies but rather a systematic campaign of extermination that targeted the broad and progressive Korean resistance movement. This movement was fighting against the U.S. imposed division of their 5,000 year old culture, and against being colonized by the United States after they had fought so long and hard to be free of Japanese imperialism. Like the Palestinian Intifada, and like the peoples movement of Colombia today, the Korean people wanted self-determination. The International Action Center, and the Korea Truth Commission to Investigate U.S. War Crimes have jointly called for this important war crimes tribunal in order to expose the true nature of the U.S. war against Korea. This call for action is not for the sake of posterity but to strengthen the worldwide struggle for self-determination today. What happened in Korea is scarcely different than the U.S. bombing of a pharmaceutical factory in August of 1998 in Sudan, or the carnage at the Highway of Death during the U.S. war against Iraq in 1991. Only a peoples campaign in solidarity with the Korean fight for self- determination and justice can end the continued U.S. presence and domination of northeast Asia. We hope that your organization can endorse this very important organizing effort and can join with us on June 23rd in New York City. TO ENDORSE THE CALL for the June 23rd War Crimes Tribunal e- mail [EMAIL PROTECTED] and type Korea War Crimes Tribunal in the subject line. Or fill out the following form: ___ Yes, add my name/my organization's name to the endorsers' list for June 23rd. Name: __ Name of organization: ___ (* if for identification purposes only) Yes, I can contribute to help this mobilization (suggested donation for endorsing organizations: $100, $50, or $25 depending
Fascism and Police working together in Turkey
Subject: "[Ozgurluk.Org]" Fascism and Police working together in Turkey Sender: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Police clamp down on prisoners in Ankara ANKARA, Dec 12: At least five people were injured and 66 were detained on Tuesday when Turkish riot police violently clamped down on two rival groups of protesters demonstrating here over controversial prison reforms, the Anatolia news agency reported. Our coment: all people arrested are non-fascist Violence erupted when police refused to allow some 300 protestors to march from Kizilay square in downtown Ankara to the nearby justice ministry to protest planned prison reform, which has prompted a nationwide hunger strike in the country's troubled jails. When the group, mainly prisoners' relatives, refused to disperse, truncheon-wielding police officers moved in on the protestors and used water cannons and tear gas to end the protest, Anatolia said. Footage broadcast on the all-news NTV channel showed riot police hitting and kicking protestors, including women, who had fallen down during the melee. Two journalists, two police officers and an unspecified number of protestors were injured during the clashes, Anatolia added. Meanwhile, a second group of protestors, making the signs of the infamous extreme-right "Grey Wolves" youth movement and chanting slogans in favour of the prison reform, attacked the anti-reform protestors, who retaliated. The two groups threw stones and attacked each other with metal bars for two hours, after which riot police, helped by dogs, moved in to separate them, the agency said. The windows of some shops, public buildings and cars were also smashed during the fighting, while some shopkeepers opted to close their business for the day, Anatolia said. NTV said that officers once again resorted to water cannons and even fired shots into the air to restore calm. Once police had arrived, the anti-reform protestors took refuge in the buildings of two minor left-wing parties, whose windows were stoned by the other group. Police later searched the party buildings and detained 66 people, the report said. Tension over the government's much-disputed prison reform has been increasing since more than 200 prisoners went on a hunger strike 54 days ago to protest the plans. The plan involves the opening of new jails with cells for up to three people, replacing the existing large dormitories that sleep up to 60 prisoners. The prisoners fear that being split up will socially and physically isolate them and may lead to maltreatment and torture. Source: AFP -- Press Agency Ozgurluk In Support of the Revolutionary Peoples Liberation Struggle in Turkey http://www.ozgurluk.org DHKC: http://www.ozgurluk.org/dhkc ___ KOMINFORM P.O. Box 66 00841 Helsinki - Finland +358-40-7177941, fax +358-9-7591081 e-mail [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.kominf.pp.fi ___ Kominform list for general information. Subscribe/unsubscribe messages to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Anti-Imperialism list for geopolitics. Subscribe/unsubscribe messages: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] ___
Turkey. Mainstream Bullshit
Sender: [EMAIL PROTECTED] A leading Turkish news agency says that some left-wing prisoners have given up their hunger strike against prison reform. Under a government directive they must be taken to hospital for treatment. Members of the Kurdistan Workers' Party PKK, who are among two-hundred-and-fifty prisoners refusing food, gave up their hunger strike as many became dangerously ill. The leftist prisoners have been refusing food -- some for nearly fifty days -- over government plans to move them from open wards to small cells. On Tuesday about two-thousand police marched through Istanbul to demand better protection against guerrilla attacks. The protest followed a machine-gun attack on a police bus on Monday night, in which two policemen were killed and several others wounded. From the newsroom of the BBC World Service our comment: PKK is not involved in this hungerstrike -- Press Agency Ozgurluk In Support of the Revolutionary Peoples Liberation Struggle in Turkey http://www.ozgurluk.org DHKC: http://www.ozgurluk.org/dhkc ___ KOMINFORM P.O. Box 66 00841 Helsinki - Finland +358-40-7177941, fax +358-9-7591081 e-mail [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.kominf.pp.fi ___ Kominform list for general information. Subscribe/unsubscribe messages to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Anti-Imperialism list for geopolitics. Subscribe/unsubscribe messages: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] ___
Korean Central News Agency Dec 14
TODAY'S NEWS (December.14.2000 Juche 89) [CONTENTS] * 1st day sitting of 4th round of inter-Korean ministerial talks held * Greetings to Macedonian Foreign Minister * Joint soiree of north-south workers held * "International Kim Il Sung Prize" awarded to Guinean minister * Japan's call for "regional cooperation" dismissed as deceptive trick * Probe into death of S. Korean woman called for * Guinean President meets DPRK delegation * Kim Jong Il praised as sun of humankind * Exploits of Kim Jong Il and Kim Jong Suk praised * Korean pro-boxer retains his world championship * Grand gymnastic display and artistic performance praised * Exhibition of Koryo medicines and medicinal herbs * Implementation of three-point charter of national reunification called for 1st day sitting of 4th round of inter-Korean ministerial talks held Pyongyang, December 14 (KCNA) -- The first day sitting of the 4th round of the north-south ministerial talks was held in Pyongyang on December 13 amidst growing expectation and concern of the people at home and abroad for the implementation of the north-south joint declaration. Present there were the members of the north side's delegation headed by Jon Kum Jin, senior councilor of the cabinet of the DPRK, and its suite members and the members of the south side's delegation headed by Unification Minister Pak Jae Gyu and its suite members. At the talks both sides reviewed the implementation of the June 15 joint declaration for half a year after its publication and exchanged views on the matters which would serve as a lesson in implementing it. The talks will go on. On the same day, the south side's delegation saw the demonstration of Taekwon-do instructors and players of the north side at the Taekwon-do Hall and enjoyed a performance at the Pyongyang Circus Theatre. Greetings to Macedonian Foreign Minister Pyongyang, December 14 (KCNA) -- Paek Nam Sun, Foreign Minister of the DPRK, sent a message of greetings to Srdjan Kerim upon his appointment as Foreign Minister of the Republic of Macedonia. Extending warm congratulations to him, the message expressed the belief that the friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries would further develop on good terms in the future. It wished him great success in the performance of his new duty. Joint soiree of north-south workers held Kosong, December 13 (KCNA) -- A joint soiree of participants in the north-south workers' grand seminar for reunification was held on Mt. Kumgang today. Present at the soiree were members of delegations of the General Federation of Trade Unions of Korea, the Federation of South Korean Trade Unions and the South Korean Confederation of Trade Unions who participated in the north-south workers' grand seminar for reunification. At the soiree workers of the north and the south were pleased to share the will for reunification and patriotism and have a clear-cut goal of struggle at the first grand seminar for reunification and expressed their determination to demonstrate the wisdom and stamina of the working class, in the future, too and open up a new history of a reunified country. They sang songs reflecting the faith and will of working class and other people of Korea to put an end to the tragic division and achieve the reunification of the country in the spirit of independence and great unity of the nation, demonstrating that they are united in thought and desire for reunification. They intermingled with each other, singing songs, dancing and reciting poems, stirring up strong desire for reunification. Earlier, members of the south side's delegations visited sea-Kumgang and lagoon Samil in Mt. Kumgang and appreciated a circus performance. "International Kim Il Sung Prize" awarded to Guinean minister Pyongyang, December 14 (KCNA) -- "International Kim Il Sung Prize" was awarded to Dorank Diasseny Assifat, Minister of National Defence of the presidency of Guinea, who is also director general of the African Regional Committee for the Study of the Juche Idea. The prize was instituted to meet the ardent desire of the world progressive figures and people to glorify forever the immortal exploits performed by the President Kim Il Sung for humankind. It has been awarded since Juche 82 (1993) to prominent political and public figures and followers of the Juche idea of the world who have ardently espoused the immortal Juche idea founded by Kim Il Sung and worked hard to embody it and made outstanding contributions to achieving global independence and world peace. Dorank Diasseny Assifat received a diploma, a gold medal and a souvenir at a ceremony held in Conakry on December 8. Congratulatory speeches were made there by Lamine Sidime, Prime Minister of Guinea, Moussa Solano, Minister of Land Administration and Decentralization and Security, who is chairman of the Guinean
China. People´s Daily Dec 15
Extracts. Friday, December 15, 2000, updated at 09:58(GMT+8) Iran Offers Plan to Resolve POW Issue with Iraq Iran has proposed a plan to resolve the thorny issue of prisoners of war (POWs) that is still blocking the normalization of ties with Iraq 12 years after their bloody war, an official said on Thursday, December 14. The plan was welcomed by the Iraqi side during a recent meeting between officials of both countries, said Brigadier General Abdollah Najafi, head of Iran's commission for POWs. However, Najafi did not give details of the plan or disclose the date and place of the meeting, the Islamic Republic News Agency reported. He said the Iraqi side has pledged to study the plan and inform Iran's Foreign Ministry of its views in writing. The Iraqi delegation also expressed hope that the plan would be accepted by high-ranking Iraqi officials, he added. Iran and Iraq fought a devastating war from 1980 to 1988, claiming some 1 million lives on both sides. Since the end of the war, the two countries have released more than 90,000 POWs through the help of the International Committee of the Red Cross. But both sides still accuse the other of holding thousands of others. Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi paid a landmark visit to Baghdad in mid-October and held talks with Iraqi officials, during which the two sides agreed to reactivate all joint committees set up more than a year ago to resolve the lingering problems of the war. Friday, December 15, 2000, updated at 09:58(GMT+8) Arafat, French FM Discuss Situation in Palestinian Territories Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat met with visiting French Foreign Minister Hubert Vedrine on Thursday, December 14, to discuss the latest development of the situation in the Palestinian territories and ways of saving the peace process. During the meeting, Arafat stressed the necessity for France and the European Union (EU) to play a more effective role in helping promote the Middle East peace process, Palestinian Planning Minister Nabil Shaath said after the meeting. Vedrine, whose country is holding the rotating EU presidency, arrived in Gaza earlier in the day after a short visit to Egypt. He will further hold talks with Israeli officials. Shaath said that Arafat and Vedrine agreed on the necessity to adhere to the peace process and to exert every possible effort to help push the process forward. The Palestinian minister urged France to play an active role in helping stop the bloody clashes in the Palestinian territories and realize a just, lasting and comprehensive peace in the Middle East. The Palestinian territories have been rocked by nearly 11 weeks of clashes between Israeli troops and Palestinians, sparked by Israeli violation of Islamic holy sites in Jerusalem. The violence has left more than 310 people dead, most of them Palestinians. Vedrine expressed deep concern over the situation in the occupied Palestinian territories, noting that there were strong reactions in the European public opinion to the current situation. "I will discuss, upon my return home, a number of ideas with EU Mideast peace envoy Miguel Moratinos to find a way out of the current misery," he said. The French minister stressed EU's readiness to make every possible effort to help bring the peace process back
People's Voice Articles -- December 1-31, 2000 1/2
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed PEOPLES VOICE ON-LINE ARTICLES FROM THE COMMUNIST PRESS IN CANADA (The selected articles below are from the December 1-31/2000 issue of Peoples Voice, Canadas leading communist newspaper. Articles can be reprinted free if the source is credited. Subscription rates in Canada: $25/year, or $12 low income rate; for U.S. readers -- $25 US per year; other overseas readers -- $25 US or $35 CDN per year. Send to: Peoples Voice, 706 Clark Drive, Vancouver, Canada, V5L 3J1.) ___ In this Issue: 1/ CORPORATIONS LIKE LIBERAL WIN, SAYS FIGUEROA 2/ FRENZIED CAMPAIGNS BRINGS GAINS FOR CPC 3/ Editorial: OTTAWAS GREENHOUSE GAS BETRAYAL 4/ Editorial: ECONOMIC STORM WARNINGS 5/ TAKEN AWAY: UI CUTS HIT COMMUNITIES ACROSS CANADA 6/ PROGRESSIVE CANDIDATE NEARLY ELECTED TRUSTEE IN ST. CATHARINES 7/ STUDENT ISSUES ARE ALSO WORKING CLASS ISSUES 8/ ANOTHER REASON FOR STUDENT DEBT LOAD... 9/ NEW COMPLAINT AGAINST RACIST VANCOUVER COPS 1/ CORPORATIONS LIKE LIBERAL WIN, SAYS FIGUEROA PV Ontario Bureau The Nov. 27 election stopped the bid by the far-right Canadian Alliance (CA) to extend its electoral base beyond Western Canada, according to Miguel Figueroa, leader of the Communist Party. The ruling Liberals actually increased their majority in Parliament, taking more seats in Quebec and the Atlantic provinces. The CA made some small gains and retained their status as official Opposition, but failed to break the Liberal hold on Ontario, winning only two of the 103 seats in that province. Both the Tories under Joe Clark and the New Democrats, led by Alexa McDonough, suffered losses, and barely managed to keep their parliamentary party status. The Bloc Quebecois also dropped a number of ridings to the Liberals. The results clearly show that the Canadian people in the main rejected the right-wing policies advanced by Stockwell Day and the CA, and blocked their advance the only way they could -- by voting Liberal, Figueroa said on Nov. 28. The efforts of Day and the Alliance to peddle increased tax cuts and a get-tough law and order agenda completely fell flat with most Canadians. Their thoroughly reactionary economic and social policies -- which the Alliance had tried to conceal from public view -- were in large measure exposed during the campaign. Alliance policies in favour of privatizing the Medicare system, dismantling the Old Age Security pensions for seniors, and removing Aboriginal rights were widely criticized, as were the fundamentalist, anti-feminist, homophobic and racist positions of Day and other leading CA members. The Liberals were the primary beneficiaries of the anti-Alliance tide, but they hardly merited the peoples support, said Figueroa. In fact, the posturing of the Chrétien Liberals as the only force capable of defending public health care and the rest of the social safety net from right-wing attack, was a cheap lie. The Chrétien government has done more over the past seven years to erode and privatize public services, to cut taxes for the corporations and the wealthy, and to subordinate Canada more completely to U.S. economic and military control than any other government in Canadian history. The fact that so many Canadians felt compelled to vote Liberal is an indictment of the `first-past-the-post electoral system. We need to build a broad grassroots campaign for a system of proportional representation, or mixed-PR/constituency-based voting. Figueroa noted that corporate interests are generally pleased with the Liberals re-election, although they would have preferred a stronger showing for the Alliance, and possibly even a minority government which could be pressured to move more aggressively to introduce right-wing, pro-corporate policies. Big business will likely now pressure Chrétien into retiring, so that he might be replaced as Prime Minister by Paul Martin, an even more obedient flunkey of Bay Street. The losses suffered by the NDP resulted by two main factors, according to the CPC leader. First, there was the impact of polarization, which drove millions of working class and progressive voters to the Liberals to block any Right advance. Closely related to the first factor was the failure of the NDP leadership to put forward a clear left-wing alternative which could have galvanized working class enthusiasm and support. As a result, workers could see no appreciable difference between the Liberals and the increasingly right-leaning NDP. The attempt during the final moments of the NDPs campaign to sharpen its anti-corporate message was welcome, but it was too little, too late. The CPCs own campaign marked a big victory for the Party, Figueroa said. Considering all of the obstacles we faced -- our own lack of resources, the minimal exposure given to us and the other smaller parties by the corporate-owned
Demonstration against Nazi killers in Rotterdam 17 December
X-Sender: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Demonstration against Nazi killers in Rotterdam 17 December Mime-Version: 1.0 Status: [please, forward this to others. Come, if you can. If you cannot come, please consider sending a message of sympathy and comfort to the family/friends of the young person killed by the Nazis, to Antwerp at [EMAIL PROTECTED] or [EMAIL PROTECTED]] Demonstration against Nazi killers in Rotterdam 17 December There will be a big demonstration against the Turkish Gray Wolves and other violent Nazis in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, on Sunday 17 December. The demonstrators will gather at 13 h. [1 p.m.] at the Conradstraat exit of the Rotterdam Central Railway Station. People will come from many cities to Rotterdam. E.g., the demonstrators from Leiden will gather at 12.30 in the Central Station hall of Leiden. Please, bring anti-Nazi signs. This demonstration is in memory of Cafer Dereli, 22 years old, a hunger striker, political refugee from Turkey to Antwerp (Belgium), killed in Rotterdam by the Gray Wolves. Cafer was co-organizer of anti-fascist concerts in Antwerp. His young life was full of action against wars [of NATO against the Kurds and Yugoslavia] and social injustice [like promoted by the IMF and WTO]. Thousands of Rotterdam people were killed by Hitler's Nazis 1940-1945 [bombing of the city May 1940, deported Jews, resistance fighters, others.] Do not allow the Nazis to repeat their bloody history in Rotterdam, or elsewhere! Turkish Nazis murder in The Netherlands On Saturday 9 Dec. 2000, Turkish human rights activists held a hunger strike with local council permission, next to the town hall of Rotterdam, The Netherlands, to protest against torture of political prisoners in Turkey. After a [musical] Group Yorum concert in Rotterdam at the hunger strikers' place, they were attacked by a violent gang of "Gray Wolves", Turkish extreme Rightists, who stabbed to death one person and severely wounded three others [who will live, as we know now]. The Gray Wolves were founded by Colonel Türkes, an admirer of Adolf Hitler, during the Second World War. They claim the "Turkish race" is supposedly superior to, e.g., Kurds. They have a record of violence in Turkey, The Netherlands, and many other countries. They are part of a network of extreme Right violent groups like NPD in Germany, CD and Voorpost in The Netherlands, Ustasha in Croatia, Vlaams Blok in Belgium, KLA/UCK in Kosovo. A week ago, Amsterdam police has found that Gray Wolves play a big role in narcotics traffic, and has seized illegal drugs and weapons at the Amsterdam Gray Wolves headquarters, including the Ulu mosque, in the Zeeburg area. Nevertheless, some authorities in The Netherlands subsidize or otherwise support Gray Wolves. One factor here is their common support of NATO. The Gray Wolves are in the Turkish coalition government, and are big supporters of NATO, e.g., during the 1999 Yugoslavia war; when leftist Turks and Kurds in The Netherlands helped to organize peace demonstrations. The Dutch Ministers of Defence and Foreign Affairs, during the 1999 war, as now, were Messrs. De Grave and Van Aartsen, both members of the VVD party. This party this year held a meeting at the Gray Wolves' Ulu Mosque [see the local newspaper report, in Dutch, at http://www.zeeburgnieuws.nl/nieuws/vvd-ulu.html That party meeting claimed the Gray Wolves were not really bad. However, soon after this, the police found evidence of drugs, weapons, and trade in women forced into prostitution at the Ulu "mosque". Some Gray Wolves leaders had to be arrested. And now, the unprovoked murder of human rights activist/hunger striker Cafer Dereli. His photo and more information at web site [maybe at more sites by now] http://www.pvda.be [Dutch] and http://www.ptb.be [French] After the killing in Rotterdam, more supporters of the hunger strike rallied against the Nazis by surrounding the hunger strikers, to protect them from more Nazi violence. Sunday afternoon 10 December, there already was a demonstration to commemorate Cafer. Even though it was very short notice, over 400 people [according to Dutch TV, which broadcast images; 1000 according to organizers] marched against the murder in Rotterdam. A spokeswoman said that the hunger strike in Rotterdam in solidarity with Turkish political prisoners would continue, as would other actions. Do not let 1933-1945 return into the 21st century! Never again! Met vriendelijke groet/Best wishes, - Herman de Tollenaere - My Internet site on Asian history and "new" religions: http://homes.dsl.nl/~hermantl/ See also SIMPOS, information on occult tendencies' impact on society: http://www.stelling.nl/simpos/simpoeng.htm - ___ KOMINFORM P.O. Box
Korean Central News Agency Dec 13
TODAY'S NEWS (December.13.2000 Juche 89) [CONTENTS] * Greetings to congress of Communist Party of Greece * DPRK ambassador to China appointed * Kim Jong Il praised * South side's delegation to north-south ministerial talks feted * Japan's revised "agreement on mobilization for public security" assailed * Historical dictionary to be reprinted * Protest of Koreans in Tokyo * Measure committee for reinstatement and home visit formed * Mounting anti-U.S. feelings in S. Korea * Denunciation of Japan's crimes called for in S. Korea * U.S. refuses to apologize for massacre of S. Koreans * 2nd meeting of young Koreans in China * Removal of concrete wall called for * U.S. accused of derailing negotiations For Spanish-speaking people * "movilizacion de seguridad" es salida a ultramar Greetings to congress of Communist Party of Greece Pyongyang, December 13 (KCNA) -- The Central Committee of the Worker's Party of Korea today sent a message of greetings to the 16th congress of the Communist Party of Greece. The message extended warm congratulations to the congress and a comradely salute to all members of the party. It wished the Communist Party of Greece great success in its congress, expressing the belief that the good friendly and cooperative relations between the two parties would grow stronger and develop in the joint struggle for independence and socialism against imperialism. DPRK ambassador to China appointed Pyongyang, December 13 (KCNA) -- Choe Jin Su was appointed as Korean Ambassador E.P. to China, according to a decree of the presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly. Kim Jong Il praised Pyongyang, December 13 (KCNA) -- Political figures of different countries are highly praising the great Kim Jong Il as the leader of the world revolution. Serei Kosal, deputy general secretary of the Funcinpec Party of Cambodia, said that Kim Jong Il has confidently pushed ahead with the grand march to let the Korean people become Kim Il Sung's nation, the most proud one in the world, and build a reunified, prosperous and powerful nation with the most seasoned leadership in human history. Chaivat Sinsuwong, head of the delegation of the Palang Dharma Party of Thailand, said that it is thanks to the wise leadership of Kim Jong Il that the DPRK has firmly defended and consolidated socialism despite rigorous trials. Kim Jong Il has protected the destiny of socialism emerging from all difficulties and ordeals of history and he is the great sun of humankind, he stressed. Ivan Rodriguez, chairman of the central committee of the Dominican Worker's Party, said: The DPRK has firmly defended the national sovereignty and steered the struggle for global independence under the leadership of Kim Jong Il. This reality is a source of great strength and encouragement for humankind. Kim Jong Il is a veteran statesman in the present times, who is advancing the human cause of independence, the cause of socialism, with rare wisdom, outstanding strategy and matchless grit and the great sun who will glorify the 21st century. South side's delegation to north-south ministerial talks feted Pyongyang, December 13 (KCNA) -- Ryang Man Gil, chairman of the Pyongyang City People's Committee, hosted a reception at the People's Palace of Culture on Tuesday in honor of a south side's delegation to the 4th round of the north-south ministerial talks. He in a speech at the reception said that the talks will become more meaningful as they are resumed in Pyongyang half a year since the historic Pyongyang meeting and the adoption of the north-south joint declaration last June and at the turn of the century. He underscored the need for the north and the south to pool strength and make joint efforts to put an end to the disgraceful history of distrust and confrontation in the 20th century, which is drawing to its end, and make the upcoming 21st century a glorious century that will witness national reunification and the prosperity of a reunified country. Unification Minister Pak Jae Gyu who is chief delegate of the south side's delegation in his speech said that he set store by the June 15 joint declaration and reclarified his fixed will to successfully implement it and bring about south-north relations of peace, reconciliation and cooperation. Kang Nung Su, Minister of Culture, Kim Su Hak, Minister of Public Health, Jon Kum Jin, senior councilor of the cabinet of the DPRK who is heading the north side's delegation to the talks, An Kyong Ho, director of the secretariat of the Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland, officials concerned and delegates of the north side to the talks were present there. Japan's revised "agreement on mobilization for public security" assailed Pyongyang, December 13 (KCNA) -- The Japanese Defence Agency and the National Public Safety Commission sought a
China. People´s Daily Dec 14
Extracts. Thursday, December 14, 2000, updated at 10:32(GMT+8) Premier Zhu Rongji on Economic Issues -- Premier Zhu Rongji said next year China will cement and extend its achievement in getting State-owned enterprises (SOEs) out of difficulties and SOE reform, and attach more importance to the status of agriculture as the foundation of the national economy. During a recent inspection tour to east China, the premier also urged to accelerate the improvement of the social security system,and regulate the market economy order in order to achieve faster economic growth next year. Zhu inspected rural financial reform, enterprise reform and future development, social security system, and market economy order in Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces from December 7 to 13. He noted that as the economy takes a major turn for the better, the adjustment of agricultural structure could not meet the demand of the economic situation. There has been a slow increase in farmers' income and in some major grain-producing areas, farmers even earned less. He urged that the problems be solved immediately to avoid negative impact on the stability and development of China's rural areas, or even the national economy. He asked governments at all levels to vigorously push ahead the readjustment of the agricultural and rural economic structure; develop planting, breeding and high-yield agriculture suited to local conditions; try every means to extend the channels of raising farmers' income; further reform the circulation systems of agro-products; actively promote the rural fee-to tax reform and fundamentally reduce the burdens on farmers; and step up infrastructure construction in agriculture and rural areas to improve farmers' production and living conditions. On the Rural Credit Cooperative (RCC), the premier said that full play should be given to RCC's role as the main force in rural finance and the bond linking farmers. The RCC should adhere to its principle of serving agriculture, rural areas, and farmers. The RCC reform has achieved some positive results and quite a few problems are yet to be solved, Zhu said. The premier hailed as a remarkable achievement that China has basically realized its target to deepen the SOE reform and pull most of the large- and medium-sized SOEs out of difficulties within three years. The SOEs, however, need to transform their management mechanism, and raise their innovative capabilities, competitiveness and profitability, Zhu said, adding that there is still a long way to go for SOE reform and development. He encouraged large- and medium-sized SOEs to adopt a shareholding system by getting themselves listed, a move he said will help pool funds, transform management mechanisms, and place the operation of the SOEs under public supervision. He said that every entrepreneur should have a pioneering spirit and determination to blaze new trails to make a success of their enterprise. On the building of the social security system, the premier said that it is a major issue that impacts on China's reform, development and stability. He promised that laid-off workers of SOEs and retired workers will have their basic allowances and pension distributed adequately and punctually. The central government will make public information of allowance
Vietnam News Dec 12
PM honours devotion of Heroic Mothers, revolutionaries Prime Minister Phan Van Khai honoured the devotion, sacrifices and contributions made by Vietnam Heroic Mothers and veteran revolutionaries during the past struggle for national liberation and current national construction and defence. He was speaking at a reception extended to 73 Vietnamese Heroic Mothers and veteran revolutionaries from district 6, Ho Chi Minh City in Hanoi on December 11. After inquiring after health and living conditions of the Heroic Mothers and veteran revolutionaries, Prime Minister Khai briefed them about socio-economic achievements recorded after 15 years of implementation of the country's renovation. He also said he hoped that the Heroic Mothers and veteran revolutionaries would make more contributions to building a Vietnam of a rich people, a strong country and a just, democratic and civilised society. The Heroic Mothers and veteran revolutionaries expressed their feelings, aspirations and happiness at the achievement recorded in the national renovation process. They also promised to contribute their efforts and minds to successfully implement the Resolution set out by the district's Party Committee Congress. Vietnam attends 13th ASEAN-EU Ministerial Meeting Vietnamese Foreign Minister Nguyen Dy Nien, who is also president of the ASEAN Standing Committee, is attending the 13th ASEAN-EU Ministerial Meeting which opened in Vientiane, Laos on December 11. The two-day meeting drew foreign ministers from the 10 members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and ministers of the European Union (EU). In their opening speeches, Lao Prime Minister Sisavat Keobounphan and French Co-operation Minister Charles Josselin expressed satisfaction that the meeting had been held in the Lao capital on schedule. Lao Prime Minister Sisavat Keobounphan welcomed the delegates to the conference and expressed his thanks for the trust and assistance given by members of ASEAN and EU in helping Laos organise the conference. He said that the conference illustrated the political ties and mutual understanding in ASEAN-EU relations, thus supporting the ASEAN-EU long-term plans to overcome the challenges in the new millennium. The two parties discussed measures to boost co-operation in economics, trade and security, and the prospect for ASEAN-EU relations. EU partners were informed about the recent changes in ASEAN, particularly the implementation of the Hanoi Plan of Action in an effort of building ASEAN into a region of peace, prosperity and equal development. The European Union is the third most important economic partner of ASEAN after Japan and the United States, with exports from the EU exceeding US $45 billion in 1997. The EU imported goods worth over US $46 billion from the ASEAN in that year. However, bilateral trade dwindled somewhat during the Asian economic crisis, although it has gradually bounced back in recent times through increasing trade and investment. China Party delegation visits Vietnam A delegation of the Communist Party of China (CPC) led by Zheng Bijian, member of the CPC Central Committee and deputy director of the Central Party School, is visiting Vietnam from December 10 at the invitation of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV). The Chinese delegation paid floral tributes to President Ho Chi Minh at his mausoleum and visited his residence and office. The delegation was received by Nguyen Duc Binh, Politburo member and director of the Ho Chi Minh National Politics Institute on December 11. Mr Binh, who is also chairman of the Central Party Theoretical Council, expressed his appreciation of the exchange of opinions and experiences in theoretical and ideological work between the two Parties. He described it as useful for studying and solving problems arising during the process of renovation and open reform, thus contributing to building socialism in each country. Mr Binh reaffirmed that the Vietnamese Party, government and people have always attached importance to strengthening and developing the Vietnam-China relationship guided by "neighbourly friendship, comprehensive cooperation, long-term stability, and future-oriented thinking" as defined by Party General Secretary Le Kha Phieu and his Chinese counterpart, Jiang Zemin. For his part, Zheng Bijian expressed his belief that Vietnam would successfully implement the Resolution of the eighth National Party Congress and organise the ninth National Party Congress early next year, thus firmly entering into the 21st century. The Chinese delegation also had working sessions with the Party Central Committee's Commission for External Relations, the Commission for Culture and Ideology, the Ho Chi Minh National Politics Institute, and visited the northern border province of Quang Ninh and Ho Chi Minh City. (VNA) British State minister ends visit The State Minister for the Foreign Ministry of Great Britain and Northern Ireland John
ML Update. Vol:3; No.49; 13- 12- 2000. 2/2
The rally was attended among others by Party PB member Com. Swadesh Bhattacharya, CC members Com. Swapan Mukherjee and Kumudini Pati, Member of Central Secretariat Com. Ranjit Abhigyan, Delhi Party leaders including Com. Ranjan Ganguli, Rajiv Dimri, Santosh Rai, NN Thomas, Jita Kaur, Sunita and BKSingh Gautam and AISA leaders Com. Kavita Krishnan and Sunil Yadav. Delhi State Party Secy. Com. Rajendra Pratholi in his speech lambasted the senseless privatisation drive of the Delhi government in electricity, transport and water sectors and announced plans to intensify agitation against Master Plan and privatisation. International From Seattle to Nice : No to Globalisation The 15 European states' summit was held in Nice of France, the stronghold of extreme French rightists. The summit was aimed to reach an agreement on a legislation to create a common European army which would serve common imperialist interest and suppress the rights of EU workers. Without much trouble it mandated the creation of a rapid deployment force of 60,000 battle-ready troops capable of jumping into Kosovo-like trouble spots. But the thorny question of institutional reforms could not be resolved because the national interests clashed and there was a stalemate in the negotiations towards further expansion towards European integration, even after extending it four days beyond the scheduled two days of 7 and 8 December. Against these policies several thousands of protesters had flooded Nice form various part of the world. On Dec. 7, the day of beginning of the summit, teargas filled the streets leading to the convention centre and police fought battles with groups of protesters trying to scale steel road barriers. The French army denied any entry to around 1,000 Italian protesters. In the streets of Nice, there was violent battle between the protesters and the police, as a result of which several got injured, large number of cars were burnt, windows of several shops were broken and a bank was set on fire. The majority of the protesters marching under the sea of red banners and flags were workers belonging to trade unions. But there was another procession, mainly of unemployed youths and working farmers having some differences with the trade unionists on the status of the charter. However, both were resolute against capitalism, globalisation and liberalisation. Thus from Seattle to Nice, the saga of opposition against imperialist globalisation continues. On the Second Anniversary of Com. Vinod Mishra's Untimely Demise Delhi State Committee, CPI(ML) Organises a Seminar on Globalisation and People's Response Speakers : S.P. Shukla, Prabhash Joshi Yogendra Yadav, Kumudini Pati Speaker's Hall, Constitution Club 4 p.m., 18 December, 2000 Your presence is welcome. ___ KOMINFORM P.O. Box 66 00841 Helsinki - Finland +358-40-7177941, fax +358-9-7591081 e-mail [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.kominf.pp.fi ___ Kominform list for general information. Subscribe/unsubscribe messages to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Anti-Imperialism list for geopolitics. Subscribe/unsubscribe messages: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] ___
TDN on Hungerstrike of POW's in Turkey
From: Press Agency Ozgurluk [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sezer under pressure from all sides SEZER'S CHOICES: President Ahmet Necdet Sezer has three different choices. Sezer may approve the bill. He may take the public outcry into consideration and send the bill back to Parliament. Or he may approve the bill but at the same time he might apply to the Constitutional Court for its cancellation THE UNHAPPY MENTOR: 'This is not the amnesty that I asked for, my amnesty draft was aimed at saving the inmates from their fate,' Rahsan Ecevit who was the mentor of the amnesty bill says. She also adds that the recent bill is not an amnesty but a conditional release when responding to reaction on the Reprieve Bill Ankara - TDN Parliamentary Bureau President Ahmet Necdet Sezer is under pressure from politicians, victims' families and ambitious inmates to make the final move on the infamous Reprieve Bill. The bill had caused a number of controversies between political parties and even between the coalition partners. Rahsan Ecevit, the mentor of the bill on Monday said that, "This is not the amnesty that I asked for, my amnesty draft was aimed at saving the inmates from their fate." The countdown for the Reprieve Bill, which was passed in Parliament last week and sent to Sezer for approval, has begun. The coalition partners -- the Democratic Left Party (DSP), the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) and the Motherland Party (ANAP) -- and inmates families are waiting for the president to approve the bill amidst a huge public outcry urging the president to veto the bill. Sezer, former chief judge of the Constitutional Court appears to be applying to cancel the amnesty bills. It is expected that Sezer will make his decision based on the fact that the bill may be sent to the Constitutional Court. The bill will cover 35,000 inmates' conditional release in the short term and will gradually free many other inmates. However, the government's pledge to release inmates before the Bayram holiday would only be possible if Sezer approves the Reprieve Bill. The Parliament passed the bill on Dec. 8, and sent it to the Cankaya Palace immediately for the president's approval. According to the Turkish Constitution, the president has to make the decision within 15 days. Sezer has 12 more days in which to make his final decision. Sezer has three choices: Sezer may approve the bill. After it is published in the Official Gazette, the bill will be official. In this case, government will fulfill its promise to release tens of thousands of inmates before the feast of Ramadan. This decision will comfort coalition partners as well as inmates who are expecting the reprieve. Sezer may take the public outcry into consideration and send the bill back to Parliament. According to rumors in political circles, coalition partners who had hardly reached a reconciliation on the final wording of the reprieve bill, will have no say if Sezer vetoes the bill. Sezer may approve the bill but at the same timeht apply to the Constitutional Court for its cancellation. In this case, Sezer's possible move will pose a temporary relief for those who are supporting the amnesty. The court may either amend some articles of the bill or broaden its scope. It might also allocate some extra time to Parliament so that another amnesty bill can be prepared. Fasting inmates adamant, three in critical condition The justice minister's statement was expected to persuade the inmates to quit the death fast, but inmates decide to continue the fast. According to TAYAD, the death fast will be reinforced by other inmates Ecevit says demands of prisoners were unacceptable and urges them to end their 'death fast' Ankara/Izmir - Turkish Daily News Although, it was expected that Justice Minister Hikmet Sami Turk's announcements over the weekend that the implementation of F-type prisons would be postponed to end the massive death fasts, the inmates are still determined to continue their protests. On the 54th day of the death fast, three death fasters, Sevgi Erdogan in Usak Prison, Cem Yildiz and Zeynep Arikan in Umraniye have lost consciousness, and other inmates on the death fast are close to losing consciousness, the Association for Inmates' Families' Solidarity (TAYAD) said. Although, death fasters are already in the critical stage, the 203 inmates on the death fast have decided to continue the fast until their demands are accepted by the authorities. They are demanding the cancellation of the new cell-based F-type prisons, annulment of the State Security Courts (DGM) and the formation of a commission made up of doctors, lawyers, prisoners' relatives and representatives of nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) to inspect the prisons. But, officials are also being firm to not give further concessions to the death fasters. Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said on Monday that demands made by scores of hunger-striking prisoners whose health is failing were
Korean Central News Agency Dec 12
TODAY'S NEWS (December.12.2000 Juche 89) [CONTENTS] * Joint press statement on establishment of diplomatic relations between DPRK and UK * South side's delegation to fourth north-south ministerial-level talks here * Delegation of KEDO leaves * KCNA demands halt to moves to incite inter-Korean confrontation * Japan's military boss's reckless remark * Leap forward in potato farming called for * DPRK delegation visits Korean Hall in Tokyo * S. Korean students' growing distrust in "National Assembly" * New historical book published * Korean people's cause of reunification supported worldwide * Worsening environmental pollution by U.S. forces in S. Korea * Abolition of SL called for * Chilbosan Joint Venture Company commissioned * International solidarity called for * Rodong Sinmun on national reunification * Anti-reunification moves of S. Korea condemned Joint press statement on establishment of diplomatic relations between DPRK and UK Pyongyang, December 12 (KCNA) -- A joint press statement on the establishment of diplomatic relations between the DPRK and the United Kingdom was issued today. The joint press statement reads: The Democtratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and the United Kingdom (UK) held official talks in London on 7-12 December, 2000. These talks followed the announcement by Foreign Secretary, Robin Cook, on 19 October 2000 that the UK was ready to response positively to the invitation from Foreign Minister Paek Nam Sun to establish diplomatic relations with the DPRK. Agreement was reached in these talks to establish diplomatic relations between the DPRK and the UK with immediate effect. It was agreed that representation would be at ambassadorial level as soon as each side had made the necessary arrangements to open a resident mission in the other's capital. Meanwhile, each side would appoint a non-resident charge d'affaires a.i. Both sides agreed that the establishment of diplomatic relations would enable the DPRK and the UK to develop their bilateral links more effectively, and would provide greater opportunities for exchanges on issues of mutual interests and concern. South side's delegation to fourth north-south ministerial-level talks here Pyongyang, December 12 (KCNA) -- The south side's delegation headed by Pak Jae Gyu, Minister of National Unification, arrived here today to participate in the fourth round of the north-south ministerial-level talks. It was met at the airport by delegates of the north side. At the airport the south side's delegation issued a written statement on arrival. Delegation of KEDO leaves Pyongyang, December 12 (KCNA) -- The delegation of the Korean Peninsula Energy Development Organization (KEDO) that had participated in the high-ranking specialist negotiations between the DPRK and KEDO left today by air. KCNA demands halt to moves to incite inter-Korean confrontation Pyongyang, December 12 (KCNA) -- There are highly disturbing developments in South Korea to block the positive improvement of the inter-Korean relations. This gives rise to great concern among the public at home and abroad. The South Korean "Ministry of National Defence" in its "military white paper for 2000" again advocated the anti-north "theory of the principal enemy," talking about the non-existent "military threat" from it. And the "Minister of National Defence" at a "meeting of leading army officers" whipped up war hysteria by calling for strengthened "military posture." Even the "Ministry of National Unification" supposed to specially handle the reunification issue in South Korea conducted an opinion poll in a foolish bid to build up public opinion critical of the DPRK's political system. Meanwhile, the "Unification and Foreign Affairs and Trade Committee of the South Korean National Assembly" orchestrated such a provocative anti-north political drama as "adoption of a resolution urging the repatriation of POWs of 'ROK' Army and those kidnapped by the north." And some right-wing conservative media including "Chosun Ilbo" are chiming in with its smear campaign to fan up inter-Korean confrontation. They floated sheer lies about "political propaganda" of the north and "detention" of a journalist of "Chosun Ilbo" in an attempt to pull up the north over the reunion of the second visiting group of separated families and relatives. All this is part of their moves to mislead the public opinion at home and abroad and agitate confrontation. All the happenings in South Korea are anti-national and anti-reunification moves to dampen the desire of the entire nation for reconciliation, cooperation and unity between the north and south and reunification. Facts go to prove that all these anti-north rackets in South Korea are the deliberate and premeditated moves of those who are displeased with the improving inter-Korean relations. The
China. People´s Daily Dec 13
Extracts. Wednesday, December 13, 2000, updated at 12:34(GMT+8) Cuba's Economy Improves Despite US Blockage, Minister Says Cuba's economy is improving despite the US four-decade-old blockade, said Government Minister Ricardo Cabrisas Ruiz. Addressing the 13th session of Sino-Cuban joint commission for economic and trade relations here Tuesday, he said in this year's first six-month period, a 7.7 percent economic growth was registered, with an increase in productivity and reduced unemployment. Cabrisas thanked China for helping the Cuban people during their moments of hardship, praising bilateral cooperation in sugar industry, foodstuff, raw material and medicine in particular. During the meeting, both parties reviewed economic and commercial cooperation since the commission's previous meeting and explored possibilities for cooperation in new fields for next year. The Chinese delegation which includes a number of top entrepreneurs is headed by China's Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation Shi Guangsheng. The Chinese visitors and the Cuban delegation, which is composed of a number of government ministers as well as senior officials, are expected to sign a number of accords on Wednesday, by which China will help Cuba in seismic movement forecasts and hotel crediting. Tuesday's meeting focused on cooperation in the exploitation of hydraulics, oil and nickel resources, and better utilization of sugar cane residues. Cabrisas expressed the hope that Cuba could diversify its exports to China, for which he mentioned Cuban prestige products such as medicines, cigars, sugar industry derivatives and rum. Shi said China will continue to develop the economic and trade relations with Cuba on the basis of equality and mutual benefits, pledging a certain amount of economic assistance to Cuba within China's power. He believed that the economic and trade ties between the two countries will surely be strengthened through joint efforts. Wednesday, December 13, 2000, updated at 11:19(GMT+8) China, Japan Vow to Further Relations [Image] President Jiang Meets with Head of the Democratic Party of Japan -- China and Japan should make efforts to further bilateral ties in the new century, Chinese President Jiang Zemin said Tuesday, December 12. "A healthy, stable, and friendly Sino-Japanese relationship is not only conforms to the fundamental interests of the people of both countries and their future generations, but also contributes to the peace, stability and development in the Asia-Pacific region and the world at large," Jiang said. In a meeting with Hatoyama Yukio, head of the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ), Jiang described the current China-Japan relations as "maintaining a sound momentum" on the whole. Bilateral cooperation in various areas has further enriched their partnership of friendly cooperation oriented towards peace and development, he said. The Chinese President said that seeking a better Sino-Japanese relationship is the "common aspiration" of the people of the two countries, also "the historical responsibility" of the statesmen, especially statesmen of the younger generation. As long as the two countries "take the history as a
Yugoslavia. Interview with Professor Mihailo Markovic
From: "ILC" [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Interview with Professor Mihailo Markovic "Socialist roots will not be pulled out in Serbia" Philosopher and both member and left wing critic of SPS Belgrade, October 26th 2000 www.leninist-current.org/cgi-bin/ilc/news/viewnews.cgi?category=allid=97657 0100 = What were the reasons for the 5th of October? = What did you propose to Milosevic in order to change the directions of the events? = As the author of the still valid party programme of the SPS, you were advocating the equality of all forms of property. What do you mean by this and what does it mean for the future of Yugoslavia? = Regarding the coalition with the Radical Party a lot of criticism was raised against the SPS. Do you think that this coalition was necessary to preserve the unity of the country or do you regard it as an mistake? = You have been criticising openly the Dayton agreement. Now many people compare Dayton to Kumanovo. Do you believe that the national defence could have been carried on and the de-facto loss of Kosovo avoided? = How will the relation between Kostunica and Djindjic develop, as it is obvious that on one hand DOS could only win thanks to the nationalist rhetoric of Kostunica while the strongman in DOS is Djindjic who is also the agent of the West? = Do you think that the army, that has got a big reputation because it bravely defended the country, has passed completely to the enemy or there are still positions of patriotic and left forces inside the army? = Do you thing that Yugoslavia and the SPS will be transformed into ingredients of the New World Order, like other Eastern European countries and their formerly ruling parties, or will an antagonistic element remain? = Regarding the perspective of the left and anti-imperialist forces what is your advice to them after it was proved that the SPS could not be reshaped in this spirit? *** International Leninist Current (ILC) Corriente Leninista Internacional (CLI) PF 23, A-1040 Wien, Austria Tel Fax +43 1 504 00 10 [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.leninist-current.org http://www.antiimperialista.com ___ KOMINFORM P.O. Box 66 00841 Helsinki - Finland +358-40-7177941, fax +358-9-7591081 e-mail [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.kominf.pp.fi ___ Kominform list for general information. Subscribe/unsubscribe messages to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Anti-Imperialism list for geopolitics. Subscribe/unsubscribe messages: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] ___
wwnews Digest #202 1/2
WW News Service Digest #202 1) Gloria La Riva: Explain the causes of capitalist crisis by "WW" [EMAIL PROTECTED] 2) Tere Gutierrez: Victory to Colombian guerrillas by "WW" [EMAIL PROTECTED] 3) Monica Moorehead: Put fight against racism front and center by "WW" [EMAIL PROTECTED] 4) Fred Goldstein: Election morass shows need for Marxism by "WW" [EMAIL PROTECTED] 5) Imani Henry: Communist program fights all oppressions by "WW" [EMAIL PROTECTED] 6) Elijah Crane: Learning how to make a revolution by "WW" [EMAIL PROTECTED] - Via Workers World News Service Reprinted from the Dec. 14, 2000 issue of Workers World newspaper - OUR TASK: EXPLAIN THE CAUSES OF CAPITALIST CRISIS [Excerpts from a talk by Gloria La Riva at the Workers World Party Conference Dec. 2-3] We live in the richest society that has ever existed. The wealth of the United States far surpasses that of any earlier empire. And inside this richest society in history, 25 percent of all children--50 percent of all African American children--live in poverty. Millions go to sleep without their most basic needs met. Here we are in the pinnacle of capitalism, and millions are hungry and homeless. Almost 50 million have no health care at all and an equal number have health coverage that's so bad that for all practical purposes they have none. And this is in the big boom, the most prolonged capitalist boom ever, as the financial experts never tire of boasting. Unemployment, they say, is 4 percent. Forget about the 2 million people in prison who aren't counted, not to mention others who aren't counted at all. Twenty-five percent of all the world's prisoners are in the United States, which has just 4 percent of the world's population. Leaving aside the brutal military interventions all over the world, from looking at the domestic scene in the best of times we can say with certainty that capitalism is a doomed system. The "best of times" has left 40 percent of the 11 million people in Los Angeles County living in poverty. The boom is looking more than a little frayed. A TV station in San Jose, in the heart of Silicon Valley, is running an ad for a news series. It shows a young man riding a city bus. The voice-over says, "A month ago you were a 28- year-old millionaire. Today you're just a 28-year-old. Inside the dot-com bust." In San Francisco, the landlords and developers are jacking up the rents sky-high. The lowest rent for a newly vacated apartment is $2,000 a month and rising. That's in the poor areas. A new study of the Bay Area shows that a person needs a $28-an-hour job to live comfortably there. The minimum wage in California is one-fifth of that. What will a downturn, even a relatively mild one, mean under these circumstances? How will workers understand and interpret what is happening? This is where the Party comes in. As Lenin explained, we don't control the tempo of economic development or of spontaneous mass movements. But we do have a critical role. And that is to explain the root causes of unemployment, war, racism, sexism, lesbian, gay, bi and trans oppression, and environmental destruction. We have to explain how to organize a mass movement, a revolutionary movement, that not only fights back and resists, but fights to overturn this system. There is a growing movement that is rightly denouncing these crimes of capitalism and even naming the illness: capitalist greed. But what they propose as a solution is a milder form of capitalism. It's not so much because they like capitalism, but because they don't believe capitalism can ever be eliminated. If you talk to many of these activists, they aren't against socialism. But to them it seems like a dream, an impossibility. The truth, which we proclaim here today as we have throughout our Party's existence, is this: Socialism is the only alternative for humanity. With all the laws against monopolies that were passed in the United States at the turn of the last century, during the rise of imperialism and industrial capital, was the furious pace of monopolization of oil, auto, steel, the military, the banks, slowed down at all? There are all kinds of laws against monopoly practices, but there are now 457 billionaires. We are so involved in the movement that we sometimes forget that the average person knows nothing about socialism because they've never been exposed to it except in the most minimal way in school. The average person doesn't know that any socialist parties exist in the United States. Most people don't even know the profound history of struggles of workers and oppressed peoples in the United States, or the potential and necessity of struggle today. The question is not whether workers are open to Marxism. Our biggest concern should be that they haven't been exposed to Marxist ideas. And yet they instinctively understand their relationship to the bosses, to the government. They view
Korean Central News Agency Dec 11
TODAY'S NEWS (December.11.2000 Juche 89) [CONTENTS] * Greetings to President of Burkina Faso * 53rd board meeting of DPRK-China Hydro-power Company held * Korean nation's pride * Health-promoting rhythmic exercise * Rally calling for vital rights held * Probe into mass killings in Rogun-ri called for * Great man who glorified century * Withdraw "theory of principal enemy" For Spanish-speaking people * un gran hombre del siglo 20 * periodicos conmemoran dia mundial de derecho humano * vocero de crpp demanda la retirada de teoria de "enemigo principal" Greetings to President of Burkina Faso Pyongyang, December 11 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, President of the presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, on December 7 sent a message of greetings to Blaise Compaore, President of Burkina Faso, on its National Day. He in the message extended warm congratulations to the President, government and people of Burkina Faso on the National Day. Expressing belief that the friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries would further develop, he wished the President fresh success in his work for development and prosperity of the country. 53rd board meeting of DPRK-China Hydro-power Company held Pyongyang, December 11 (KCNA) -- The 53rd meeting of the board of directors of the DPRK-China Hydro-power Company was held in Pyongyang. Present at the meeting were chairmen and directors of the two sides to the board. A decision on the issues agreed upon at the meeting was signed today. Korean nation's pride Pyongyang, December 11 (KCNA) -- The Korean nation is a resourceful nation with stronger patriotism than any others' and excellent national culture and tradition as the ties of homogeneous nation have been carried forward throughout its history spanning 5,000 years, says Rodong Sinmun today in a signed article. It goes on: It was the first nation in the east to build a country and has an ancient history as a homogeneous one. The excavation of the tomb of king Tangun proved that the Korean nation is a civilized nation who built a country over 5,000 years ago. Advantages of the Korean nation are evidenced by the development of metal workmanship, Koguryo mural tombs, the development of astronomy and the creation of Hunminjongum (Korean alphabet), metal type, rain gauge, a tortoise ship and others. All of them instill pride and self-confidence into the nation. It is the brilliant tradition of the Korean nation that the Korean people have defended the sovereignty of the country and the dignity of the nation generation after generation. Recalling that Korea remains divided into the north and the south since the middle of the 20th century, the article says: The 55 year-long history of national division teaches a bitter lesson to all the Koreans that the country should be reunified for the development of the country and the prosperity of the nation. Health-promoting rhythmic exercise Pyongyang, December 11 (KCNA) -- Mass rhythmic exercise is widely popular with Koreans of all ages. The 5-minute, 15-movement routine starts with simple movements and develops into highly rhythmic ones. It has a good effect on the muscular system as it imposes a stretch of the whole body such as the wrist, ankle, arms, legs, shoulders, neck, breast and waist. It also benefits the cardiovascular system through quicker, stronger heart-beats. The routine is gradually wider and more intensive in movement so that the pulse is at 140 to 150, ending up at 170 to 180. A repetition of this process is prone to increase the breathing capacity and oxygen intake, a favourable impact on the respiratory system. The exercise is effective for step-down care and ageing prevention. An all-round, brisk muscular movement in time with lively music is liable to decrease the fatty fiber. Its full benefit will only be felt when its width and intensity meet the norm. In the exact tempo, the movements must be rhythmic, light, flexible and elastic. For full effect, the public is requested to make the exercise habitual. Rally calling for vital rights held Pyongyang December 11 (KCNA) -- A mass rally of the year 2000 was held in Seoul on December 9 with the attendance of at least 3,500 workers and peasants to call for ensurance of their vital rights and abolition of the "Security Law," according to Seoul-based "Radio No. 1." At the rally, the organizing committee said that the authorities have violated people's right to existence by shifting the responsibility for the economic crisis on to workers and peasants. The committee demanded the withdrawal of the "neo-liberalist policy," the ensurance of people's vital rights, abolition of the "Security Law" and immediate revision of the unequal "status of forces agreement." The participants made a demonstration march after the rally. That day the police
China. People´s Daily Dec 12
Extracts. Tuesday, December 12, 2000, updated at 10:04(GMT+8) US, Britain Attempt to Split Iraq: FM Iraqi Foreign Minister Mohammad Said Al-Sahaf has said the insistence of the United States and Britain on maintaining the two no-fly zones is aimed at dividing Iraq into three parts. The official daily Babil reported Monday that Al-Sahaf, addressing a gathering on Sunday at the Iraqi Foreign Ministry, said the US and Britain interpreted the articles of the United Nations resolutions at their own will. They have been wantonly violating Iraq's sovereignty and independence through the two no-fly zones, Al-Sahaf said. The two no-fly zones, covering 10 of the total 18 provinces in Iraq, were set up in the wake of the 1991 Gulf War by the US and its allies. Iraq was warned that its planes over the two air-exclusion zones will be shot down. US and British warplanes have since been policing the two zones with almost daily patrol. Baghdad virtually lost grip of the 10 provinces, including three in the north and seven in the south, and only controls the central part of the country. According to Iraqi reports, over 300 people have been killed in the air raids by the US and British jets in the no-fly zones and nearly 1,000 injured since December 1998, when the US and Britain launched large-scale air strikes against Iraq. The US and Britain continue to use the two no-fly zones to militarily contain the Iraqi regime, in addition to keeping in place the decade-old sanctions, triggered by Iraq's invasion of Kuwait in 1990. Monday, December 11, 2000, updated at 20:32(GMT+8) Senior CPC Official Meets Japanese Delegation Wei Jianxing, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, met Monday, December 11, with a delegation from Japan's International Labor Foundation led by its President Teruhito Tokumoto. Wei, also a member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee and president of the All-China Federation of Trade Unions (ACFTU), said that it is important to allow workers to enroll in trade unions at a maximum level, to safeguard their legal rights and interests, and to encourage them to make a contribution to the country in the 10th five-year plan period starting from 2001. He said that it is also essential to make progress in terms of establishing trade unions in new enterprises, safeguarding the legal rights and interests of workers who are facing economic difficulties, and setting up an effective mechanism for improving working relationships, while further improving legislation and policy-making related to the rights and interests of both workers and trade unions. Wei expressed the hope that Chinese trade unions and Japan's International Labor Foundation will further promote exchanges and friendship and learn from each other in related areas. Tokumoto said that China has made achievements in its reform and opening-up drive, and China has played an important role in overcoming the Asian financial crisis. He also expressed the hope that China will achieve even greater development. The Japanese guests are here at the invitation of the All-China Federation of Trade Unions. Monday, December 11, 2000, updated at 22:34(GMT+8) Iraq Condemns US, Britain for Maintaining Sanctions Iraq on Monday
Vietnam News Dec 11
NA eighth session closes The eighth National Assembly session ended at 3:45pm on December 9, with the playing of the national anthem. The closing session was addressed by National Assembly Chairman Nong Duc Manh and attended by General Secretary of the Vietnam Communist Party Le Kha Phieu, advisor to the CPV Central Committee Do Muoi, President Tran Duc Luong and Prime Minister Phan Van Khai. Earlier, the assembly carried four resolutions: two dealing with education, a programme of legal work for 2001, and tasks for 2001. Resolutions for the renewal of the general education curriculum and measures make junior high school education universal sparked the stormiest debates. Twenty-seven deputies representing 20 provinces and cities put their views about them. The resolution dealing with the socio-economic tasks for 2001 says the economy should grow quickly, be sustainable and accord with socio-cultural development. It says greater efforts should be make to solve burning social issues such as employment generation, poverty alleviation and the reduction of social vices and traffic accidents. The efforts should include the development of education, accelerate the scientific-technological revolution and management restructuring. It calls for a focusing on the settling of voter petitions so as to ensure social order and political stability. The resolution says this will mean restructuring agriculture, strengthening co-operatives in accordance with the Co-operatives Law and removing obstacles to the working of State-owned enterprises. It says: "Experiences should be drawn from reviewing the process of equitisation, selling contracts and leasing part of the State-owned enterprises so as to do it better". The resolution also encourages the growth of various economic sectors, renovation in management and the more efficient use of investment as well as national financial sources, including banking reform in an effort to reduce deficits. It says: "Welfare policies towards ethnic minority people and highlanders should be well implemented in the interest of national defence and social stability." The resolution emphasises that administrative reform, crack-down on wasteful spending and corruption, and efforts to improve the quality of justice must be quickened if the State mechanism is to be perfected. The assembly passed an Insurance Business Law, the Law to Prevention and Fight Drugs and resolutions dealing with a draft state budget during its almost one month of sitting. Cultural Heritage and Fire Prevention and Five Fighting Bills were also discussed. (VNA) Military Zone 7 marks founding anniversary The Military Zone 7 held a meeting on December 10 to mark its 55th founding anniversary (December 10, 1945 - December 10, 2000). Established in the first days of the anti-French resistance war, under the leadership of the Party, the armed forces of the Military Zone have unceasingly developed, overcome many hardships and achieved glorious feats of arms, contributing to winning victory in the historic Ho Chi Minh campaign in 1975 and bring about the South's liberation and the country's reunification. In the current process of national renovation, the armed forces of the Military Zone have also pooled all their efforts to build a strong, regular, crack and modern unit, to be absolutely loyal to the leadership of the Party and successfully carry out the two strategic tasks of socialist construction and national defence. Prominent among those attending the meeting were advisors to the Party Central Committee (PCC), Le Duc Anh and Vo Van Kiet, PCC former advisor Vo Chi Cong, Generals Vo Nguyen Giap and Mai Chi Tho, and Nguyen Minh Triet, Politburo member and Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee secretary. President Tran Duc Luong and Prime Minister Phan Van Khai sent flowers to congratulate the Military Zone. 'Asian Women for a Peaceful Culture' conference closes The Asian Women for a Peaceful Culture conference closed in Hanoi on December 9 after three working days, passing the Hanoi Declaration and the Asian Womens Action Plan for a Peaceful Culture and Sustainable Development. The Hanoi Declaration affirms the remarkable achievements made by Asian and the world women in the past century as well as their efforts for gender equality, development and peace. It warns that wars and conflicts still exist, affecting the lives of women and children, social welfare and development. The declaration stresses the tasks to address issues of violence, hunger and poverty, injustice and social discrimination for the goals of human security and peaceful culture. It makes clear that education plays an essential role in development and peace building, that mass media occupy a significant position in promoting gender equality and preventing wars and conflicts, strengthening the participation of women in building a peaceful culture. It emphasised the role of women in hunger elimination and poverty
China. People´s Daily Dec 10
DPRK Condemns Japan for Buying New Warships The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) has warned Japan against its decision to buy two large frigates, saying the move will spark an arms race in the Asia-pacific region and seriously disturb the overall stability there. The Japanese maritime self-defense force will reportedly buy two warships of aircraft carrier type in the period of the next arms buildup plan (2001-2005). The purchase will increase Japanese anti-submarine combat capacity and perform the function of commanding a fleet, the Korean Central News Agency said Saturday in an editorial. The planned building of such warships is aimed at render defunct Japan's peace constitution, which bans its overseas expansion, said the article, adding that the new frigates will increase its capacity to carry out military operations in any part of the world. The decision shows that Japan is turning itself into a military power and speeding up militarization for "overseas aggression," it noted. "If Japan escalates its arms buildup and its preparations for overseas aggression, it will not be able to escape deserved punishment," the editorial warned. Korean Reunification May Take Decades, Kim Dae-jung Says The winner of the 2000 Nobel Peace Prize, South Korean President Kim Dae-jung, predicted on Saturday that the reunification of the North and South of the Korean Peninsula could take decades to achieve, Swedish media reported. Kim, who is in the Norwegian capital of Oslo for the awards ceremony, was quoted as telling reporters that he doubted the reunification could happen during his term in office, which will end in February 2002. It may take 10 years, or 20 years, perhaps even longer to achieve the reunification, said Kim. But he also pointed out that five decades of division on the Korean peninsula after centuries of unity was "an aberration" and reunification was the "ultimate dream." South Korea will work harder with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) to help more separated families get reunions, Kim added. Kim, awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his reconciliation efforts on the Korean peninsula by the Norwegian Nobel Committee in October, will receive 9 million Swedish crowns (929,300 U.S. dollars). New Anti-blockade Protest in Cuba More than 50,000 Cubans staged a protest rally on Saturday in the city of Colon, western Cuba, demanding an end of the four-decade U.S. blockade to their country. Students, doctors, feminist leaders, teachers and peasants joined the protest. Some made speeches criticizing El Salvadoran President Francisco Flores and Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar. During the Ibero-American summit held in Panama City last month, Cuban leader Fidel Castro rejected a proposal raised by Flores for condemning Spain's Basque separatist group ETA's use of violence, arguing that the U.S. trade embargo against Cuba should also be condemned as terrorism. The protesters also requested the extradition of Luis Posada Carriles, who had been accused by Castro of plotting to assassinate him and then was arrested with three other complices in Panama City during the regional summit. The Cuban government has accused Carriles of being involved in several terrorist actions, including the 1976 bombing of a Cuban plane, which killed 73 people on board, and the 1997 bomb campaign. At the summit, Castro also criticized Flores for allowing Carriles to reside in his country. Cuban Vice President and Defense Minister Raul Castro also participated in the protest. Reports of US Company Entering Shanghai Postal Service Market Untrue A spokesman from the State Post Bureau (SPB) said in Beijing Friday, December 8, that recent reports about a US company being approved access to the postal service market in Shanghai do not tally with facts. Earlier reports on the Internet said that the US company Postnet has entered Shanghai's post service market, with support from Shanghai's post department. The spokesman said that the reports are groundless as Chinese laws stipulate that no companies or individuals are allowed to be involved in the mailing of letters or any similar activities without approval from the SPB. Postnet is a franchise business from Nevada State providing post, communications and commercial services as an alternative to government postal services, but its branch in Shanghai opened a so-called mailbox renting business which is, in fact, a form of mail delivery service. "Such activities are strictly prohibited by Chinese laws, as postal services concern a state's sovereignty, information security and its citizens' privacy," the spokesman said. Therefore, this branch is not in a position to do such business nor can it use the special mark EMS, he said, adding that the Shanghai Municipal Post Bureau has launched an investigation into the case. Non-CPC Parties Informed of Anti-Corruption Campaign
Cuba to Cut Telephone Ties to US
From: Gary Bacon [EMAIL PROTECTED] Delivered-To: mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] __ Cuba to cut phone communications with U.S. HAVANA, Dec 8 (Reuters) - Cuba will cut all phone ties with the United States from next week in retaliation for American companies' failure to pay dues charged by the island, Havana announced on Friday. A statement from Cuba's Council of State, read on state TV and radio, said communications would be suspended from Dec. 15. In October, Cuba slapped a 10 percent tax on the cost of telephone calls between the two countries in retaliation against legislation that would let the United States use frozen Cuban funds. Cuba warned at the time that all phone links could be cut if Washington resisted the tax. Under the October decree, Cuba's national phone company, Empresa de Telecomunicaciones S.A. (ETECSA), a Cuban-Italian joint venture, was to retain the additional funds generated by the 10 percent tax, which were to be charged on every minute of all phone calls between the two countries. ___ Holiday hang-up: Cuba to cut phone connection with U.S. Decision based on companies' failure to pay 10% surcharge By YVES COLON [EMAIL PROTECTED] Fidel Castro's government has delivered a lump of coal to Cuban families on both sides of the Florida Straits for the Christmas holidays, ordering phone links between the United States and the island cut by Dec. 16. A brief announcement published Friday in the Communist Party daily newspaper Granma said officials made the decision because U.S. companies have failed to pay a 10 percent surcharge that became effective at the end of October. Havana imposed the tax at the beginning of October in a transparent attempt to make up $58 million awarded in damages to the Miami relatives of the Brothers to the Rescue pilots ambushed by Cuban MiGs in 1996. Cuba had warned then that it would cut phone service if the tax was not paid. 'INHUMANE' "This is inhumane," said María Darias, who has been in the United States since February and talks to her daughter Magaly in Havana at least twice a week. "This is taking away my human connection to my daughter." Enrique López, a Cuban American who is president of the Coral Gables communications consultanting firm, AKL Group International, said Cuban officials made a conscious decision to cut service during the Christmas holidays, one of the most important to Cuban families who have been apart for decades. "Obviously, they're playing with people's emotions," said López. "For many people that phone call makes a difference. I expect they will get a backlash from their own people." The Cuban American National Foundation denounced Cuba's phone-cutoff decision, calling it a "cynical and extortionate" maneuver that demonstrates how far apart the two countries are from a normal relationship. In Washington, State Department spokesman Philip Reeker called Cuba's action "disappointing" and hoped the Havana government would reconsider. "It is unfortunate that while the world continues to open up to the people of Cuba, the Cuban government is threatening to deny Cuban citizens the ability to talk with family members," Reeker said. YEARLONG CUT In February 1999, Cuba made a similar cut in direct service that lasted more than a year, but had little impact because calls from the United States were routed through third countries. This time, though, the Cuban government said it is putting in place mechanisms that will impose the surcharge on those third countries or order them to hang up on all calls with a U.S. area code to Cuba. Several telephone companies, including ATT, Sprint, Telefonica of Puerto Rico, and Worldcom, among others, provide telephone service to Cuba. The majority of calls to the island originate in the U.S. because of better technology and lower costs. Under normal conditions, Cuba's telecommunications department and the companies agree on the rate to charge callers, now an average of 80 to 90 cents a minute, one of the highest rates in the region despite the island's proximity to the U.S. The companies pay Cuba a maximum of 60 cents a minute for every call, a rate codified in the telecommunications provision of the Cuban Democracy Act. The companies collect the fees in the United States and pay Cuba its share -- 45 percent of the $130 million, or about $80 million, generated each year by the calls. The surcharge would provide Cuba with an additional $30 million a year in revenue. The companies, however, said they could not pay the surcharge without violating the laws that regulate all economic transactions between the United States and Cuba. Gus Alfonso of ATT said phone company executives are still waiting to hear whether they can pay the surcharge from the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), a branch of the U.S. Treasury Dept., which administers and enforces economic and trade sanctions against targeted
Radio Havana Cuba-09 December 2000
Date: Sun, 10 Dec 2000 05:30:08 -0500 From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Radio Havana Cuba-09 December 2000 Radio Havana Cuba-09 December 2000 Via NY Transfer News * All the News That Doesn't Fit Radio Havana Cuba - News Update - 09 December 2000 . *USA'S MAJOR ELECTORAL SCANDAL OCCURS IN TERRITORY OF RIGHT-WING EXILES *FIDEL CASTRO, RICARDO ALARCON ATTEND UNVEILING OF JOHN LENNON STATUE *CARLOS LAGE MEETS IN HAVANA WITH DELEGATION FROM FRENCH SENATE *PEREZ ROQUE RETURNS FROM HONDURAS VISIT *DAY FIVE AT HAVANA FILM FESTIVAL *GRANMA EDITORIAL ON SUSPENSION OF CUBA-US TELEPHONE SERVICE . *USA'S MAJOR ELECTORAL SCANDAL OCCURS IN TERRITORY OF RIGHT-WING EXILES Havana, December 9 (RHC)--Cuban Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque told Notimex News Agency yesterday that it is very significant that the US State of Florida, where the majority of right-wing Cuban exiles live, is the site of the first major electoral irregularity in the history of the USA. Perez Roque added that Cuba has offered the US some unsolicited advice regarding the holding of clean elections. The Foreign Minister pointed out that Miami-Dade county and the Miami area have the largest number of powerful ultra-rightwing Cuban exiles, who -- even before the triumph of the Revolution -- were already corrupt. They had previous experience of electoral manipulation before arriving in Miami and now they effectively control the city. Perez Roque mentioned that George W. Bush is putting a great deal of emphasis on the support received by Cuban voters in Miami, ignoring the fact that only 170,000 Cubans cast their vote compared with the total of 6.5 million voters in Florida. However, they are very influential and have money to finance electoral campaigns. The Cuban Foreign Minister recalled that Vice Presidential candidate and Democrat, Joseph Lieberman, has also received large sums of money from the rightwing Cuban American National Foundation. Perez Roque paid a short visit to Honduras on Friday and met with President Carlos Flores and the Honduran Foreign Minister Roberto Flores. Perez Roque signed several cooperation agreements with the Central American nation covering culture, education and migratory issues. *FIDEL CASTRO, RICARDO ALARCON ATTEND UNVEILING OF JOHN LENNON STATUE Havana, December 9(RHC)-- Cuban President Fidel Castro attended the unveiling yesterday of the statue of John Lennon on Friday in a Havana park. The President of the Cuban Parliament, Ricardo Alarcon, spoke to the crowd gathered to mark the historic occasion. The ceremony took place on the 20th anniversary of Lennon's murder. He was shot to death in New York City on December 8th, 1980. Ricardo Alarcon said that John Lennon is best remembered for his efforts on behalf of world peace and tolerance. The President of the Cuban Parliament stated that John Lennon is especially popular in Cuba, where many musicians acknowledge his influence in their work. Lennon Park sits in the center of the city, in the tree-lined Vedado neighborhood. The statue of Lennon, sitting cross-legged on a park bench next to where others may sit, is a striking likeness of the legendary British singer and songwriter. Friday night at Havana's Jose Marti Anti-Imperialist Tribunal, a group of Cuban singers and songwriters performed Beatles songs in a free, open-air concert. The concert ended with the enthusiastic crowd singing along on such classics as "Imagine" and "Hey Jude." *CARLOS LAGE MEETS IN HAVANA WITH DELEGATION FROM FRENCH SENATE Havana, December 9(RHC)-- Cuban Vice President Carlos Lage met in Havana on Friday with the president of the French Senate, Cristian Poncelet. Lage told the press that relations between Cuba and France are at a good moment, especially on a parliamentary level, and he made reference to the possibility of extending these relations to other sectors. The Cuban Vice President affirmed that the parliamentary links between the two nations opened up commercial relations between France and Cuba, and he praised the position of the French government against Washington's blockade of Cuba. Lage also reported that despite the increase in oil prices, the Cuban economy has managed to overcome the crisis generated by that situation -- so much so, he added, that it has been able to maintain its growth, which should be some 5.6 percent by the end of the year. The Cuban leader, who also heads the Executive Committee of the Cuban Council of Ministers, pointed out that tourism continues to be the island's most important hard currency sector. He added that the island's oil industry is also doing very well due to increases registered in the island's oil and gas production. On Saturday, a cooperation accord was signed between Cuban Parliament President, Ricardo Alarcon, and the President of the French Senate, Cristian Poncelet. *PEREZ ROQUE RETURNS FROM HONDURAS VISIT Havana, December 9th(RHC)-- Cuban Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque has returned to Havana after
