From: NY Transfer News <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
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Date: Thu, 30 Aug 2001 19:40:07 -0400 (EDT)
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Subject: [CubaNews] NY Transfer's RHC News Update-30 August 2001
Via NY Transfer News * All the News That Doesn't Fit
Radio Havana Cuba - News Update - 30 August 2001
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*FIDEL CASTRO HEADS LARGE DELEGATIN TO DURBAN CONFERENCE ON RACISM
*DELEGATES TO DURBAN CONFERENCE AWAIT FIDEL'S COMMENTS
*RELATIONS INCREASE BETWEEN CUBA AND BARBADOS
*MIAMI AUDIENCES DEPRIVED OF CUBAN MUSICAL GROUPS
*UPCOMING SCHOOL YEAR LOOKS PROMISING
*BRAZILIAN LEGISLATORS SET TO REJECT MISSILE BASE TREATY WITH THE U.S.
*CHINA CRITICIZES U.S. INTENTION TO DROP 1972 ABM TREATY
*CORRUPTION SCANDAL ROCKS EL SALVADOR'S JUDICIAL SYSTEM
*ITALIAN AUTHORITIES INVESTIGATE ABUSE OF PROTESTERS IN GENOESE HOSPITALS
*GOVAN MBEKI, ANC ACTIVIST AND FATHER OF SOUTH AFRICAN PRESIDENT, DIES
*GUATEMALAN CHILDREN'S RIGHTS ORGANIZATION RECEIVES DEATH THREATS
*SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC AGAIN REFUSES TO RECOGNIZE INTERNATIONAL COURT
Viewpoint:
*THE STATE SECTOR REMAINS CUBA'S MAJOR EMPLOYER
.
*FIDEL CASTRO HEADS LARGE DELEGATIN TO DURBAN CONFERENCE ON RACISM
Durban, August 30 (RHC)--Cuban president Fidel Castro has flown to Durban,
South Africa, at the head of a large delegation participating in the United
Nations conference on racism, which begins, tomorrow.
The conference, which will be opened by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, is
being attended by at least 15 heads of state along with high-level
delegations from most other countries. The United States and Israel are
boycotting the event due to the inclusion in the agenda of discussion on
what Arab nations term Israeli-style apartheid against the Palestinian
population in the Middle East.
Racism and discrimination affect 250 million people across the globe,
according to human rights organizations. The full title of the conference,
the World Conference on Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and All
Forms of Intolerance, describes its scope. Two of the most controversial
aspects of the gathering are the inclusion of debate on reparations for
slavery -- which are seen by former colonial powers as opening a floodgate
of litigation -- and discussion on caste systems.
Aside from the issue of Israel, slave trade reparations was another
preoccupation of US Secretary of State Colin Powell, himself descended from
slaves, prior to making the announcement he would not be attending the
conference as planned. India has objected to the inclusion of language
referring to caste systems, while Nepal has been congratulated for
acknowledging that it has a caste system problem that should be addressed in
Durban. Among other nations suffering from caste systems are Pakistan, Sri
Lanka, Japan, Nigeria, Mauritius and Senegal.
In the US, African-American groups are strongly criticizing Washington's
decision not to send a high-level delegation to the conference. The Reverend
Joseph Lowery from the Black Leadership Forum said that the decision showed
an "attitude of arrogance and evasion of responsibility." The Forum sent a
delegation of its own to Durban.
Kofi Annan's spokesperson Fred Eckhard said on Wednesday that there is no
nation or society on the planet that does not suffer from some form of
racism or racial discrimination.
*DELEGATES TO DURBAN CONFERENCE AWAIT FIDEL'S COMMENTS
Durban, August 30 (RHC)--With the news that Cuban President Fidel Castro
will take part in the World Conference Against Racism in South Africa,
delegates to the international forum are reported to be eagerly awaiting his
words.
According to journalists in the South African city of Durban, where the
World Conference Against Racism will officially get underway tomorrow, a
number of participants have expressed their pleasure that the Cuban leader
will attend the sessions.
Fidel Castro is one of at least 15 heads of state that will take part in the
United Nations-sponsored conference. It was also announced that the
President of the Palestine National Authority, Yasser Arafat, would
participate in the international conference.
On Wednesday, during one of the last sessions of the NGO Forum in Durban,
the Secretary General of the Organization of Solidarity with the Peoples of
Africa, Asia and Latin America (OSPAAAL) read a statement in support of the
Palestinian people. On behalf of all Cuban non-governmental organizations,
Juan Carretero strongly criticized the Israeli government for its
intransigence in negotiating peace. The secretary general of OSPAAAL equated
Zionism with racism and called on Tel Aviv to immediately stop its attacks
against the Palestinian people.
*RELATIONS INCREASE BETWEEN CUBA AND BARBADOS
Havana, August 30 (RHC)--The visiting Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign
Minister of Barbados, Billie Miller, told reporters in the Cuban capital
that relations between her country and Havana continue to grow.
The Barbadian official arrived Tuesday for an official visit. She met with
Cuban Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque and also held talks with Ricardo
Alarcón, President of the Cuban Parliament, as well as other officials.
On Wednesday, the deputy prime minister and foreign minister of Barbados
addressed the inauguration of the 13th Annual Assembly of the Caribbean
Broadcasting Union (CBU). The meeting is being held at the Havana Libre
Hotel and will run through Friday.
*MIAMI AUDIENCES DEPRIVED OF CUBAN MUSICAL GROUPS
Havana, August 30 (RHC)--Concerned about security for concertgoers and
Cuban musicians from the island, Miami promoters have cancelled a number of
upcoming concerts scheduled for that city.
An article published in this morning's edition of Juventud Rebelde notes
that in response to threatening phone calls and letters Jon Stoll, the
director of the Carefree Theater in West Palm Beach, has cancelled an
appearance by the Cuban group Irakere. The popular band was scheduled to
perform on September 8 but, Jon Stoll told Juventud Rebelde, extremist
elements in the Cuban-American community have forced him to cancel the show.
According to reports from Miami, another concert hall was forced to cancel
the appearance of a Cuban group from the island. The King Center for the
Arts, located in Melbourne, has called off a concert by the Cubanismo
Orchestra.
Just a few days ago, the National Ballet of Cuba announced that, due to
security threats, they would not perform at the Jackie Gleason Theatre in
Miami Beach, and the Latin Grammys have been relocated to Los Angeles for
September at an estimated cost to the city of Miami of $40 million.
*UPCOMING SCHOOL YEAR LOOKS PROMISING
Havana, August 30 (RHC)--Despite continued economic limitations on the
island, the upcoming school year looks quite promising. According to Cuban
Minister of Education Fernando Vecino Alegre, goals set for the new school
year -- which gets underway on Monday, September 3 -- will be surpassed.
Vecino told reporters in Havana that the Cuban government has earmarked
important resources this year, investing in equipment and other materials,
particularly on the university level. New video equipment and computer
networks have been added this year, along with increased supplies of
textbooks and other materials.
The minister added that university dormitories have been repaired, upgrading
the living conditions of scholarship students both in the capital and in the
countryside.
*BRAZILIAN LEGISLATORS SET TO REJECT MISSILE BASE TREATY WITH THE U.S.
Rio de Janeiro, August 30 (RHC)--The Brazilian government has intensified
its efforts to try to prevent the nation's parliament from rejecting a
treaty that will permit the United States to use the Alcántara military base
for sending missiles into space. Many legislators consider the plan a
violation of Brazil's sovereignty.
The Minister of Science and Technology, Ronaldo Sardenberg, told the daily
newspaper O Globo that the entire future of his country's space program
would be placed in jeopardy if parliament rejects the treaty.
The so-called Technological Safeguard Accord was signed in April by Brasilia
and Washington but requires the ratification of both houses of Brazil's
legislature. A number of politicians believe the treaty represents
subordination to US interests and, in the words of deputy Waldir Pires, a
"gross violation of national sovereignty."
One of the issues causing the most objections is Washington's insistence
that the base be for the exclusive use of the United States and that it be
the sole authority to determine who else may be allowed to use it. Brazilian
customs would be forbidden to inspect any containers, equipment and
materials destined for the base from the US. There would be no exchange of
technological information with Brazil and any money made by the government
in leasing the base to Washington could not be used in Brazil's own space
satellite program. There are only eight such stations in the world with
commercial potential, said Waldir Pires, and this is an excellent
opportunity for Brazil to enter this market.
Pires said that the worst part of the agreement was the fact that Washington
required Brasilia to bar use of the base to any country sanctioned by the
Security Council of the United Nations, or any country deemed by the US to
sponsor terrorism. These are political conditions, not technical ones, said
the legislator.
*CHINA CRITICIZES U.S. INTENTION TO DROP 1972 ABM TREATY
Geneva, August 30 (RHC)--China today criticized the United States plan to
create a missile defense system, thereby violating the 1972 accords signed
by Washington and Moscow in the ABM Treaty. Beijing also defended
multilateral negotiations in any discussions on disarmament, saying that
taking a unilateral position would not resolve the problems the world faces.
Speaking at the Disarmament Conference currently under way in Geneva,
Switzerland, Hu Xoiadoi, the Chinese representative to the meeting, said
that along with other members of the UN Security Council -- including
Russia, Great Britain, and France -- China recognized the 1972 ABM Treaty as
a key to the strategic stability of the world. He added that abandoning the
treaty, as threatened by US President George Bush, would have a "profoundly
negative effect on international security in the 21st century and could
place in danger the interests of all nations."
The Chinese representative went on to blast the "cold war mentality" of the
world's most powerful country, saying that all nations had the right to
defend themselves as long as it was not to the security costs of another,
and that the collective security of all countries constituted the only
authentic safety net that existed. Hu Xoiadoii expressed concerns that Bush
may set off a space arms race and leant his support to a Russian proposal to
create a multilateral commission as a negotiating instrument between
nations. Washington strongly opposes any such commission.
*CORRUPTION SCANDAL ROCKS EL SALVADOR'S JUDICIAL SYSTEM
Havana, August 30 (RHC)--In El Salvador, a corruption scandal involving the
State Prosecutor's office has thrown the criminal justice system into chaos.
The sale of false attorney degrees has led to the investigation of 160
judges, 70 prosecutors, 12 parliament legislators and an undetermined number
of ministerial advisors. According to Salvadoran analysts, it is almost
impossible to effectively apply the law in such an atmosphere of corruption
and disorganization.
Investigators have determined that the National University, the University
of the Americas, New San Salvador University, the Military School, and the
School of Business Administration all provided false documents to graduates
who had not completed the required course work.
A total of 1,849 degrees in law are being investigated, with only 183 so far
reviewed. The president of El Salvador's Supreme Court, Agustin Garcia, said
that anyone found to be in possession of fabricated degree certificates
would be removed or suspended from their legal functions.
Last year, a similar investigation by the National Civil Police led to the
elimination of 1,400 officers.
*ITALIAN AUTHORITIES INVESTIGATE ABUSE OF PROTESTERS IN GENOESE HOSPITALS
Rome, August 30 (RHC)--The ongoing investigation of Italy's security forces
in the weeks following the violence and death that accompanied the July G-8
Summit in Genoa has uncovered police abuse against activists in the
hospitals where they were being treated for injuries.
The prosecutor's office of Genoa is investigating complaints made by
individuals, doctors and journalists following the violence that took place
on the streets as security forces battled anti-globalization demonstrators,
many of whom were consequently hospitalized. Officers reportedly struck and
otherwise abused patients in the hospitals they were taken to, said
statements.
At least one hundred protesters have been charged in their role for what the
prosecutor's office said was deliberate violence, especially during the
night of July 21st. A commission set up by the Italian parliament is
investigating the violence, after legislators condemned the actions of
police and protestors alike.
The Genoese Chief of Police, Gianni de Gennaro, has been accused of knowing
in advance the likely outcome of sending in security forces to break up a
group of protesters holding out in a school. Dozens of young people were
injured in that assault.
Some 17 police officers have been informed that they are charged with
unnecessary use of force in their handing of demonstrators, with authorities
saying the number could rise.
*GOVAN MBEKI, ANC ACTIVIST AND FATHER OF SOUTH AFRICAN PRESIDENT, DIES
Johannesburg, August 30 (RHC)--One of the leaders of the anti-apartheid
movement and long-time member of the African National Congress, Govan Mbeki,
has died at the age of 91 years in his home at Port Elizabeth, South Africa.
Mbeki, the father of the nation's president Thabo Mbeki, was a comrade in
arms of Nelson Mandela and an activist since 1935, when he joined the ANC.
He was one of the composers of the ANC's 1941 demand for a change in the
nation's political system to improve South African society. The document was
the basis for the ANC proclamation adopted in 1955.
In his role as the head of the military arm of the ANC, Mbeki was arrested
in Johannesburg in 1963. He was sentenced -- along with Mandela and other
activists -- to life imprisonment on Robbens Island, but was freed in 1987.
*GUATEMALAN CHILDREN'S RIGHTS ORGANIZATION RECEIVES DEATH THREATS
Havana, August 30 (RHC)--Personnel from the Guatemalan non-government
organization the Community Alliance for the Development of Youth, which is
part of the international Save the Children fund, have received death
threats, according to their director Luis Felipe Irias.
An anonymous note addressed to Alba Valdez, who directs the urban programs
of the Alliance, arrived on August 21, composed using newspaper clippings.
It told personnel at the organization that they would be "eliminated." Last
June, unknown parties broke into Valdez' house without stealing anything.
The Community Alliance for the Development of Youth is a community
organization that seeks to train and educate young people, as well as defend
the rights of children and women and ensure that the government observes
human rights across the country.
*SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC AGAIN REFUSES TO RECOGNIZE INTERNATIONAL COURT
The Hague, August 30 (RHC)--The former president of Yugoslavia, Slobodan
Milosevic, appeared for the second time before an international tribunal in
the Hague, Thursday, charged with war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Milosevic, who has chosen to defend himself, once again refused to recognize
the legitimacy of the court presided over by the British judge Richard May.
He asked the judge if he was intending to cut off the microphone as he had
done during his previous appearance when Milosevic had begun making a
statement. He said he would like to read a prepared text on the illegality
of the world court to try him. When he was denied permission he said he
would distribute copies to the press.
The judge recognised the right of the former president to conduct his own
defense and rejected a prosecution request that the court appoint a defense
attorney. Milosevic has successfully demonstrated his command of English and
his ability to represent himself, ruled Judge May.
Milosevic announced that the court was nothing more than a political
tribunal and not a legal entity. He said that he had been placed in complete
isolation from his family and asked why they were no longer allowed to visit
him. He also said that he had been prevented from speaking to the press and
to those whom he said were his "legal counsel."
The judge explained that access to the press was never given to detainees
and that because he had not named any attorneys, Milosevic did not have
officially recognized legal counsel. When the former Yugoslavian leader
attempted once more to deny the legitimacy of the court, Judge May cut the
microphone and ordered the prisoner to submit his comments on paper.
For his part, the prosecuting attorney requested more time to prepare his
case as, he said, more unmarked graves were being discovered in and around
Belgrade that could modify the charges against Milosevic.
The next court appearance of Slobodan Milosevic is scheduled for late
October.
Viewpoint:
*THE STATE SECTOR REMAINS CUBA'S MAJOR EMPLOYER
As Latin America continues privatization, in keeping with the neoliberalist
philosophy, Cubans are retaining their fundamental links with the State
sectors.
Official data from the year 2000 show that in Cuba, 78% of the work force
are employed in factories, workshops and other state services units, while
the remainder work in the private sector, including self-employment,
cooperatives, and joint ventures.
Foreign investors, who have established 370 joint ventures with Cuban
companies, employ only 0.05% of the total Cuban workforce.
This is consistent with the official strategy of seeking outside investment
to complement the national development plan for the country, but without
conceding a major or central role in the economy to the foreign investor.
There have been moderate changes in the Cuban labor profile over the last
ten years. Today there are more people returning to work in the private
sector.
In 1981, 91.8% of the of the work force were employed in companies,
workshops and state service centres -- 13% more than the 1991 figure of 78%
-- and 5.5% of Cubans were involved in private production and services in
1981. Today, there are 13% in the private sector.
The cooperative sector is expanding as evidenced, by the rise in the number
of people in different forms of cooperative employment. In 1981 only, 1.1%
worked in in this way, compared with 8.5% in 1999.
This particular way of working has been greatly encouraged by the creation
of the agricultural Basic Units of Production Cooperative, a state
organization which actively supports agricultural workers and their families
who work 36% of the cultivated land.
These changes in employment demonstate the growth in the number of Cubans
who are earning their living in the private and cooperative area, but with
the state retaining its central role in the organization and coordination of
the Cuban workforce.
And, above all, it is the State which guarantees the maintainance of all
basic services to the population.
(c) 2001 Radio Habana Cuba, NY Transfer News. All rights reserved.
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