Radio Havana Cuba, Tuesday, November 16, 1999 Via NY Transfer News Collective * All the News that Doesn't Fit CUBANEWS FROM RADIO HAVANA CUBA E-mail: rhc@radiohc.org http://www.radiohc.org The following items are taken from Radio Havana Cuba's news service for Tuesday, November 16, 1999. Today's stories: 1.- HEADS OF STATE AND GOVERNMENTS OF IBERO-AMERICA SIGN DECLARATION OF HAVANA 2.- CUBAN PRESIDENT FIDEL CASTRO TELLS IBERO-AMERICAN COLLEAGUES THAT HE POLITELY LISTENS TO THEIR ADVICE TO ABANDON SOCIALISM, BUT WITH THE SMILE OF MONA LISA AND THE BIBLICAL PATIENCE OF JOB 3.- SPANISH PRESIDENT PRAISES THE SUCCESS OF THE IBERO-AMERICAN SUMMIT 4.- PRESIDENT OF THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC DELIVERS LECTURE AT UNIVERSITY OF HAVANA 5.- DECLARATION APPROVED BY IBERO-AMERICAN JOURNALISTS IS PRESENTED TO 9th IBERO-AMERICAN SUMMIT HEADS OF STATE AND GOVERNMENT 6.- HAVANA'S ARCHBISHOP MEETS WITH BRAZILIAN PRESIDENT 7.- PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERATION OF CUBAN WOMEN EXPRESSES SATISFACTION OVER DISCUSSIONS ON CHILDREN AND WOMEN AT IBERO-AMERICAN SUMMITS 8.- OPENING ARGUMENTS BEGIN IN U.S. FEDERAL COURT AGAINST SEVEN CUBAN-AMERICANS ACCUSED OF PLOTTING TO ASSASSINATE CUBAN PRESIDENT FIDEL CASTRO HEADS OF STATE AND GOVERNMENTS OF IBERO-AMERICA SIGN DECLARATION OF HAVANA Havana, November 16(RHC)-- The heads of State and governments of Latin America, Spain and Portugal signed the Declaration of Havana -- the final document of the 9th Ibero-American Summit --concluding the important two-day meeting in the Cuban capital Tuesday evening. The closing session of the 9th Ibero-American Summit was addressed by Cuban President Fidel Castro and the presidents of Ecuador, Mexico, Surinam, Spain and Panama -- Jamil Mahuad, Ernesto Zedillo, Jules Wijdenbosch, Jose Maria Asnar and Mireya Moscoso, respectively. The speakers unanimously praised the organization of the Summit and the words cooperation, friendship, unity, democracy and hope were repeated by the leaders during the closing session. Cuban President Fidel Castro called the Havana gathering "productive and fruitful," contributing to the consolidation of friendly relations between all countries. The leader of the Cuban Revolution noted the positive changes that the Summits have brought about in the community of Ibero-American nations. All heads of State, foreign ministers who came on behalf of absent leaders and representives of international institutions related to the main subject of the meeting had the opportunity to voice their views in discussions that the Cuban president described as "frank and profound." Fidel Castro said that "all of us came out as friends at the end of the working-sessions." During the closing ceremony of the 9th Summit, the late Ecuadorian painter Oswaldo Guayasamin was named "The Painter of Ibero-America." Among the points included in the Declaration of Havana -- signed along with eight other special documents -- is the establishment of a Secretariat of Ibero-American Cooperation, with offices in Madrid, Spain. The Ibero-American leaders agreed to adopt a global and regional strategy to confront the economic inequalities produced by globalization and strongly rejected the application of unilateral and extraterritorial laws or measures that violate international law. Panamanian President Mireya Moscoso addressed the heads of State and governments, announcing that the next Ibero-American Summit, which will be held in her country, will focus on children and youth. The 9th Ibero-American Summit... concluding this evening here in the Cuban capital. CUBAN PRESIDENT FIDEL CASTRO TELLS IBERO-AMERICAN COLLEGUES THAT HE POLITELY LISTENS TO THEIR ADVICE TO ABANDON SOCIALISM BUT WITH THE SMILE OF MONA LISA AND THE BIBLICAL PATIENCE OF JOB Havana, November 16(RHC)-- During the formal inauguration of the 9th Ibero-American Summit in the Cuban capital Tuesday morning, President Fidel Castro told his Ibero-American colleagues that he politely listens to their advice to abandon socialism, but "with the smile of Mona Lisa and the Biblical patience of Job." In a 15-minute speech, the Cuban leader stated that Cuba was granted the site of the 9th gathering because no one believed that the island's socio-economic system would exist today. He said that during the first Summit in 1991 in Guadalajara, Mexico, he was a type of rare species, an intruder whose life was pardoned by allowing his participation. Fidel Castro said at that time, Cuba had been excluded from all gatherings in the Americas, that many looked at him with curiosity and even with pity, and that all doubted that his country could resist the collapse of the socialist camp. He said he was looked upon like the black sheep that represented a rebellious and tenacious people who for 30 years had separated themselves from the herd to search for their own path, but who were condemned to the slaughter house in a matter of weeks, or at best, months. The Cuban leader, nevertheless, praised that first gathering of Latin Americans that hadn't been convened by Washington. Cuban President Fidel Castro said that in 1991, no one mentioned the word globalization, everyone was talking about the Japanese miracle and the Asian Tigers, and Russia was entering into the fabulous stage of the purest democracy that would allow that nation rapid and limitless economic growth thanks to the policies of the International Monetary Fund and the economic wisdom of the West. The Cuban leader said capitalism had discovered the key to power and riches -- uninterrupted growth without recessions or crises. He added, with sarcasm, that it was the end of history. It was during those days, said President Castro, that both foolish and wise people advised Cuba to abandon socialism as the only alternative for possible salvation. But, he said, Cuba decided to struggle, and history has taught us all a lesson. SPANISH PRESIDENT PRAISES SUCCESS OF IBERO-AMERICAN SUMMIT Havana, November 16(RHC)--The President of Spain, Jose Maria Aznar, has praised the success of the Ibero-American Summit. During a news conference at Havana's PALCO Hotel, Aznar described the event as successful from all points of view and praised the atmosphere of consensus that prevailed among delegations during the negotiations of the final documents. Spain, he added, has a profound political confidence in the gatherings and is committed to contribute to future summits. The news conference subjects ranged from the Spanish King and Aznar's visit to Cuba, Spain's international cooperation and extraterritoriality in relations among nations included in the Final Declaration. Aznar also reiterated Madrid's rejection of the Helms-Burton Law and the U.S. blockade against Cuba. In terms of the meetings he's held with opponents of the Cuban government in Havana, he noted that everywhere he goes he tries to get different perspectives on the realities of the places he visits, but declined to comment why he only chose to talk with so-called dissidents, while refusing to meet with other members of the island's civil society. Aznar described Havana as a "marvelous city" and expressed his hopes to return to the Cuban capital in the future. PRESIDENT OF THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC DELIVERS LECTURE AT UNIVERSITY OF HAVANA Havana, November 16(RHC)-- Dominican President Leonel Fernandez gave a lecture on Monday in the University of Havana's Master Lecture Hall. The Dominican leader spoke about globalization and development, saying that human beings must be prioritized. President Fernandez told the gathered dignitaries and students that the greatest challenge of the 21st century is to find creativity and intelligence "in our own countries, with our own experiences -- which will permit us to prioritize humanity as our main concern." Fernandez congratulated Cuba on its training of the island's young people for present and future challenges. Earlier in the day, the President of the Dominican Republic placed a floral wreath at the base of a statue of Cuban-Dominican independence leader Maximo Gomez. DECLARATION APPROVED BY IBERO-AMERICAN JOURNALISTS IS PRESENTED TO 9TH IBERO-AMERICAN SUMMIT HEADS OF STATE AND GOVERNMENT Havana, November 16(RHC)-- A declaration approved by some 50 Ibero-American journalists was presented on Tuesday to the region's leaders who are participating in the 9th Ibero-American Summit. During the debates, Ibero-American journalists discussed their role in facing the challenges of technological transformations and the growing deterioration of the region's quality of life. Delegates read a message sent by Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Argentine Adolfo Perez Esquivel, who stressed that it is the responsibility of journalists to confront globalization. HAVANA'S ARCHBISHOP MEETS WITH BRAZILIAN PRESIDENT Havana, November 16(RHC)-- Havana's Archbishop, Cardinal Jaime Ortega, met on Monday in the Cuban capital with Brazilian President Fernando Henrique Cardoso. The Cuban religious leader also met with Spanish King Juan Carlos in Spain's embassy in Havana. On Monday, Cardinal Jaime Ortega and the President of Cuba's Bishops Conference, Monsignor Adolfo Rodriguez, participated in the official inauguration ceremony of the Latin American School of Medicine, where some two thousand Latin American young people are studying free-of-charge. Meanwhile, the Brazilian press reported on the statements made by President Fernando Henrique Cardoso in Havana, condemning Washington's nearly 40-year blockade against Cuba. PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERATION OF CUBAN WOMEN EXPRESSES SATISFACTION WITH DISCUSSIONS ON CHILDREN AND WOMEN AT IBERO-AMERICAN SUMMITS Havana, November 16(RHC)-- The President of the Federation of Cuban Women, Vilma Espin, stated that she is satisfied that the issue of children and women has been included on the agendas of the Ibero-American Summits. The Cuban official recalled that at previous Ibero-American Summits, the problems of children in a globalized world have been discussed, especially in Latin America. OPENING ARGUMENTS BEGIN IN U.S. FEDERAL COURT AGAINST SEVEN CUBAN-AMERICANS ACCUSED OF PLOTTING TO ASSASSINATE CUBAN PRESIDENT FIDEL CASTRO Havana, November 16(RHC)-- Opening arguments got underway Monday in a U.S. federal in Puerto Rico against seven Cuban-Americans accused of plotting to assassinate Cuban President Fidel Castro two years ago. Last Friday, Puerto Rican attorneys selected a 12-member jury. The defense had requested last week that one of the seven, Angel Manuel Alfonso, be tried separately because of his declaration to federal authorities admitting he intended to kill the Cuban leader. But U.S. District Judge Hector Laffitte denied the motion on Friday. On October 27, 1997, four of the defendants were taken into custody aboard a cabin cruiser off Puerto Rico's West Coast en route to Venezuela's Margarita Island, where Fidel Castro was to attend the 7th Ibero-American Summit. In the cabin cruiser, the U.S. Coast Guard found a cache of high-powered sniper rifles, night-vision goggles and other military equipment. A subsequent indictment named three others in the plot, including Jose Antonio Llama, 67, the owner of the boat and an executive board member of Miami's ultra-right wing Cuban-American National Foundation. The defense attorneys of six of the seven claimed Monday that they were heading to Margarita Island to rescue any eventual deserters among the Cuban delegation participating in the Summit and that the weapons were necessary to protect themselves. But Judge Hector Lafitte ordered the jury to disregard any statements of a political nature. He told members of the jury that they are not being asked whether or not they like Fidel Castro, and should only consider the facts. A seventh defendant, Francisco Secundino Cordova -- also with close ties to the Cuban-American National Foundation -- is not present at court proceedings apparently due to failing health. Secundino and his son were arrested earlier this year and charged with drug-trafficking. The defendants and ultra-right wing sectors in Miami that are irritated with the trial proceedings have denounced the U.S. government for trying the seven middle-aged or elderly men for plotting to kill Fidel Castro when Washington has repeatedly tried to do the same thing. Judge Laffitte said the trial could last several months. [c] 1999, Radio Habana Cuba All rights reserved Articles cannot be reproduced, reprinted or published in any system without the consent of RHC. This prohibition includes the distribution of this material via Usenet News, "bulletin board" services, e-mail lists, print media, radio and television. 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