Radio Havana Cuba-18 August 2000 23:30 Via NY Transfer News * All the News That Doesn't Fit Radio Havana Cuba - News Update - 18 August 2000 23:30 *CUBA DENOUNCES U.S. SILENCE IN THE FACE OF ADJUSTMENT ACT'S HUMAN TRAGEDIES *DEMOCRATIC PARTY CONVENTION: SPITTIN' IMAGE OF THE REPUBLICANS *MONUMENT IN HONOR OF SALVADOR ALLENDE TO BE UNVEILED IN HAVANA *BRAZILIAN MINISTER OF SECURITY AND SOCIAL ASSISTANCE VISITS CUBA *CUBAN TELEVISION AIRS VIDEO OF ELIAN GONZALEZ ENJOYING HIS FAMILY REUNION *COMPAY SEGUNDO MAKES HEADLINES IN ROME *WRESTLER LAZARO RIVAS COULD WIN OLYMPIC MEDAL *Viewpoint: DEMOCRATIC OR REPUBLICAN PLATFORM? TWEEDLEDEE OR TWEEDLEDUM... *CUBA DENOUNCES U.S. SILENCE IN THE FACE OF ADJUSTMENT ACT'S HUMAN TRAGEDIES Havana, August 18 (RHC)-- Cuba has denounced Washington's silence and increasingly perverse conduct in the face of on-going human tragedies resulting from the criminal Cuban Adjustment Act. A full, front-page editorial in this morning's edition of the Cuban news daily Granma, entitled "Another Sinister and Enigmatic Drama," denounces Washington's official silence concerning the recent discovery off the coasts of Florida of the bodies of two young Cubans partially devoured by sharks. The editorial notes that the first misleading information on the tragedy came on August 10th from the Associated Press and again on August 11th in an EFE cable. After four days of silence, these and other news agencies reported that the two youths were Cubans who apparently perished in another incident of the trafficking of human beings: speedboats leaving Florida and charging as much as 10,000 dollars a head to pick up illegal Cuban immigrants. The Granma editorial pointed out that there is still a great deal of mystery surrounding the tragedy, as other news sources in Miami speak of two hospitalized survivors and another ten Cubans who perished. Were they all in the same boat as the two who were partially devoured by sharks? Those boats usually carry more than ten persons and sometimes more than 15 or 20. But, charges the editorial, Washington refuses to provide information concerning Cuban citizens who lose their lives, suffer accidents or disappear without a trace as a result of the Cuban Adjustment Act. Cuban authorities said there is still no official news concerning a small Cuban child who was taken unconscious to a Florida hospital several weeks ago, following several days without food or water on a key near the Bahamas where she and 36 other Cuban citizens were abandoned by those involved in human contraband. The front-page Granma editorial charged that this diabolical withholding of information constitutes a disdain for and a violation of Cuban laws as well as flagrant non-compliance with the migratory accords signed by Washington and Havana. It is also the result, says the editorial, of the U.S. government's fear of Cuba's denunciations of the Cuban Adjustment Act and of Washington's criminal and unsustainable Cuba policy. Finally, the editorial blasts the alleged humanitarian offer of Miami's ultra-right wing Cuban-American community to contribute to the cost of the funeral for one of the two victims, since the body of the second victim was apparently never recovered. These individuals are the same who tried to keep Elian Gonzalez in the United States, and the same people who fanatically defend the Cuban Adjustment Act and constantly encourage Cubans to make the dangerous journey across the Florida Straits. *DEMOCRATIC PARTY CONVENTION: SPITTIN' IMAGE OF THE REPUBLICANS Havana, August 18 (RHC)-- A roundtable discussion was broadcast live on Cuban radio and television Thursday evening, examining the Democratic National Convention, which was wrapping up in Los Angeles. Journalists and experts on international affairs analyzed the four day affair, which wound up Thursday night with the acceptance speech of presidential candidate Albert Gore. Panelists noted that both the Democratic and Republican parties are working to secure what is called "the Latin Vote" -- given that the latest U.S. census shows that Latinos make up 12 percent of the population. Mariachi bands played for the delegates to the Los Angeles convention and the Democratic and Republican candidates even brushed up on what little Spanish they could say. Special attention was given to the running mate for Democratic candidate Albert Gore -- his vice presidential candidate, Joseph Lieberman. Rolling a video clip from a major U.S. network, the Cuban audience saw an interview with Joe Garcia, the newly-appointed president of the Miami-based, mafia organization -- the Cuban-American National Foundation. The head of the Cuban-American National Foundation stated that while his constituents traditionally vote Republican, this election will pose a dilemma in that Lieberman is a very good friend of the right wing, terrorist organization. Joe Garcia pointed out that Joseph Lieberman has never voted pro-Cuba -- casting his vote as a senator from the state of Connecticut in favor of Radio Marti, in favor of TV Marti, in favor of the Torricelli Bill and in favor of Helms-Burton. In fact, the head of the Cuban-American National Foundation admitted that some of his people would probably vote for the Democratic ticket, simply because Joseph Lieberman will appear on the ballot as the vice presidential candidate. Panelists also examined what has become known as "the money trail" -- the millions of dollars that fund the campaigns of both political parties, to win favors and buy allegiances. The roundtable discussion on the Democratic National Convention and the U.S. electoral system was aired live on Cuban radio and television, as well as the international shortwave frequencies of Radio Havana Cuba. *MONUMENT IN HONOR OF SALVADOR ALLENDE TO BE UNVEILED IN HAVANA Havana, August 18 (RHC)-- A monument in honor of slain Chilean President Salvador Allende will soon be unveiled in Havana's Vedado neighborhood. The bronze statue was donated by Chilean sculptor Monica Bunster. The monument will be officially inaugurated September 11th -- the 27th anniversary of the right wing military coup that overthrew the constitutionally-elected president. The Salvador Allende monument will stand on the same avenue where Cuban President Fidel Castro and his Venezuelan counterpart Hugo Chavez last November unveiled a statue of Venezuelan independence leader Simon Bolivar. *BRAZILIAN MINISTER OF SECURITY AND SOCIAL ASSISTANCE VISITS CUBA Havana, August 18 (RHC)-- Brazilian Minister of Security and Social Assistance Waldeck Ornelas began a three-day official visit to Cuba on Thursday, designed to analyze a bilateral cooperation program. Upon his arrival in Havana, Ornelas told reporters that Cuba's primary health system has been introduced in Brazil with the aid of specialists from the island. The Brazilian Minister of Security and Social Assistance and his Cuban counterpart Alfredo Morales, will study possibilities of improving work programs put into effect in Brazil, mainly in sectors related to legislation and administration. During the Brazilian official's visit to Cuba, he will also meet with Cuban Deputy Foreign Minister Jorge Bolanos, Finance and Price Minister Manuel Millares, and other government officials. *CUBAN TELEVISION AIRS VIDEO OF ELIAN GONZALEZ ENJOYING HIS FAMILY REUNION Havana, August 18 (RHC)-- Cuban television aired a video of six-year-old Elian Gonzalez and his family on vacation as part of his recovery process. The young boy was held hostage by ultra-right wing Cuban Americans in Miami for five months against his father's will. The video was shot discreetly to avoid disrupting Elian's activities at Varadero Beach Resort and in the boy's hometown of Cardenas. Images show Elian playing with dolphins and swimming in the ocean with members of his family. The video, which was presented on Thursday night during the daily roundtable discussion, recalled that Elian Gonzalez will begin the second grade next month in Cardenas. *COMPAY SEGUNDO MAKES HEADLINES IN ROME Rome, August 18 (RHC)-- Ninety-three year old Cuban musician, Francisco Repilado, internationally-known as Company Segundo, is making headlines in Rome after singing with Italian-Ugandan musician Lou Bega. According to an article published in the Italian daily newspaper, Il Messagero, although 78 years separate the two musicians, their common love for music has united them. Compay told journalists in Rome that he will never abandon the roots of the Cuban Son rhythm. He added that popular music is the treasure that has made his music famous around the world. *WRESTLER LAZARO RIVAS COULD WIN OLYMPIC MEDAL Havana, August 18 (RHC)-- Cuban wrestling has its hopes pinned on world champ in Greco-Roman style -- Lazaro Rivas. Rivas, a 54-kilo division specialist took part in the Atlanta Olympics at the age of 17 and finished in fifth place. He has been selected as best gladiator in 1999 by the International Federation after winning the world championship and gold at the Winnipeg Pan American games. Ha Tae Yeon, from South Korea and 1998 world champ, will be one of his main rivals in Sydney, along with Brabdon Paulson of the United States, Ter Myrtchyan from Germany and Boris Amertsomov of Russia. Previous Olympic champs Hector Milian in 130 kilos in Barcelona and Filiberto Azcuy in the 69-kilo division in Atlanta, will be part of the Cuban wrestling team alongside Rivas. *Viewpoint: DEMOCRATIC OR REPUBLICAN PLATFORM? TWEEDLEDEE OR TWEEDLEDUM... No one, inside or outside the United States, was expecting the Democratic Party's electoral platform to offer voters true social reform for the upcoming November elections. The fact that there are two major parties in the United States is merely an attempt to hide the truth: that there is really only one party in the United States -- one that protects the interests of the wealthy. In fact, it would be more honest to simply present a single political program and the same candidates. The democratic platform presented in Los Angeles differs little from the one the Republicans presented two weeks ago in Philadelphia and then only in the slightest nuances. The Democratic platform, upon which Al Gore's aspirations to the presidency are based, is only half as long of that of George W. Bush's Republican platform. However, the contents are essentially the same. The Democrats stress the need to implement programs to reform the current education and health systems; the same that were promoted by U.S. President Bill Clinton. A Republican-led Congress and the actions of big corporations scuttled the programs, fearing that any such change would negatively affect their interests. However, education and health reforms are urgently needed. Some 45 million U.S. citizens -- including more than 13 million children -- live without guaranteed health, education and social services. Regarding foreign policy, similarities between the two political platforms are even greater. Both parties favor the creation and development of the controversial anti-missile protection system, which is currently underway. They also agree on maintaining Washington's aggressive, interventionist policy -- the mainstay of U.S. foreign policy many years. And in their Cuba policy, the Democrats agree with the Republicans to maintain an anti-Cuba policy of interference. The plan is to continue supporting and financing a small group of wealthy, right wing extremists based in Miami. Both Democrats and Republicans insist on ignoring the democratic nature of Cuba's revolutionary government, where the people are directly involved in the activities of their government. They also choose to ignore that general and mid-term elections have been held in Cuba since 1976 and that more than 95 percent of the island's seven million voters voluntarily participate in every election. At any rate, all of this comes as no surprise to the Cuban people who have had to learn to confront and deal with Washington's maneuvers. It makes little difference to Cubans whether the next U.S. president is Al Gore or George W. Bush. They have been facing the same enemy for the last forty years, whether the leader is wearing donkey's ears or an elephant's trunk. (c) 2000 Radio Habana Cuba, NY Transfer News. 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