Radio Havana Cuba-26 July 2000 02:00 Via NY Transfer News * All the News That Doesn't Fit Radio Havana Cuba - News Update - July 2000 *FIDEL HIGHLIGHTS SIGNIFICANCE OF MONCADA GARRISON 47 YEARS AGO *ALLEGED CUBAN INTELLIGENCE AGENTS IN VENEZUELA *MOST OUTSTANDING LEADER OF THE 20th CENTURY: FIDEL CASTRO *RICARDO ALARCON MEETS WITH PASTORS FOR PEACE CARAVANISTAS *CUBAN MEDICAL PERSONNEL OFFER THEIR SERVICES IN CAMBODIA *THROUGHOUT BRAZIL, ACTIVITIES IN SOLIDARITY WITH CUBA *CUBAN-AMERICAN ALLIANCE EXPRESSES ITS SOLIDARITY WITH CUBA *SANTIAGO DE CUBA CELEBRATES 485th ANNIVERSARY *Viewpoint: G7+RUSSIA SUMMIT: LOTS OF GLITTER BUT NO SUBSTANCE *FIDEL HIGHLIGHTS SIGNIFICANCE OF MONCADA GARRISON 47 YEARS AGO Havana, July 25 (RHC)-- Cuban President Fidel Castro participated in Monday's roundtable discussion -- broadcast live on Cuban radio and television -- concerning the July 26th 1953 attack on the Moncada military garrison and its significance for the Cuban Revolution. Fidel Castro complemented the roundtable's historical analysis of the rebel attack on the Moncada, with a number of previously unknown details surrounding the organization and execution of the assault. The Cuban leader said that the attack was the necessary spark that ignited Cuban consciousness to action, turning what was initially a military setback into a revolutionary victory six years later. The Cuban leader examined in detail the difficult circumstances under which the young revolutionaries prepared for the assault 47 years ago, attacking dictator Fulgencio Batista's second largest and most powerful military barracks, located in Santiago de Cuba. Panelists pointed out that Fidel Castro, in opting to defend himself at his trial following the defeat at Moncada, turned his accusers into the accused. Standing before the military court and delivering what would become known as his famous defense speech entitled "History Will Absolve Me," Fidel issued an impassioned indictment of the abject poverty and state-sponsored violence in which Cubans were forced to live, and in which many Latin Americans still live today. The Cuban leader noted that the march scheduled for this Wednesday morning, July 26th, will be both bigger than previous demonstrations and more significant than the historic Moncada attack, which gave birth to the Cuban Revolution. He called on all Havana residents to participate in the popular mobilization and affirmed that this year's July 26th commemorations will mark the beginning of the battle to end the U.S. blockade of Cuba. *ALLEGED CUBAN INTELLIGENCE AGENTS IN VENEZUELA Havana, July 25 (RHC)-- Cuban President Fidel Castro has issued an official statement concerning the alleged presence of Cuban intelligence agents in Venezuela. According to the statement, last July 21st -- just nine days before presidential elections in Venezuela -- a sensationalist news item appeared. The story, bordering on the scandalous, reported that Cuba had deployed 1500 intelligence agents in that sister nation to "indoctrinate" Venezuelan civilians and members of the military. How jealous the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency must have been. With tens of billions of dollars, stated the Cuban leader, the CIA would never be capable of such a feat. Fidel Castro said there is no doubt: once again Miami's Cuban-American mafia, following its colossal blunder with the kidnapped six-year-old boy that resulted in such an enormous defeat for them, is now involved in a new and ridiculous outrage with its allies and friends in Venezuela. The Cuban leader asked who it is they want to hurt and who do they want to help with this maneuver? Naturally, the Venezuelan people -- who do not let themselves be easily fooled -- know why this absurd, desperate and cynical charge has surfaced. Cuban President Fidel Castro went on to say that although the objective is obviously not to harm Cuba -- steeled in the fight against all types of mercenaries and criminals at the service of those who the Venezuelan people know well -- the fact that an effort is launched to deceive "the few idiots remaining in this world, to use our country as an instrument to influence Venezuela's political process on the eve of important elections, gives us the right to issue this statement." The Cuban leader made reference to the alleged Cuban intelligence official in Venezuela -- Juan Alvaro Rosabal Gonzalez - who, according to news cables, defected and then heralded the story about the 1500 Cuban agents. After providing the age, place of birth, and other personal data, Fidel Castro said that Rosabal Gonzalez finished his basic studies before age 20, is never known to have held down a job and was involved in criminal activities -- arrested in 1992 for theft and cattle rustling. In 1997, Rosabal Gonzalez traveled to Venezuela at the invitation of a citizen of that country. President Fidel Castro said Rosabal Gonzalez's attorney, Ricardo Koesling -- with close ties to Miami's ultra-right wing Cuban-American National Foundation -- knows the rest of the story. The Cuban leader said now Koesling is announcing that there are another five defectors from the phantom army of Cuban intelligence officials. Cuban President Fidel Castro said that if the attorney is trying to make money with this story, Cuba will pay him one million dollars if can prove the existence in Venezuela of just one of the alleged 1500 Cuban agents. *MOST OUTSTANDING LEADER OF THE 20th CENTURY: FIDEL CASTRO Havana, July 25 (RHC)-- Cuban President Fidel Castro will be awarded the Benito Juarez International Award for being the 20th century's most outstanding leader and greatest defender of the people's sovereignty. Sponsored by 270 organizations from over 23 countries, the Benito Juarez Award was created in 1987 on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the African National Congress. The award is granted to the most prominent leader in the fight for peace, self-determination and sovereignty. The Benito Juarez International Award has been previously granted to personalities such as Nelson Mandela and Nobel Peace Prize winner Rigoberta Menchu. According to Bertha Zapata -- who is heading a Mexican delegation in Havana that will present the award to Fidel Castro on Wednesday, July 26th -- the leader of the Cuban Revolution is "one of the most outstanding figures in the fight for the peoples of Africa, Asia and Latin America, confronting this century's largest empire." *RICARDO ALARCON MEETS WITH PASTORS FOR PEACE CARAVANISTAS Havana, July 25 (RHC)-- Cuban Parliament President Ricardo Alarcon met with members of the 10th Pastors for Peace Caravan in Havana on Monday. During a lively discussion, Alarcon referred to historic aspects of U.S.-Cuba relations and the attempts by successive U.S. administrations, since 1959, to destroy the Cuban Revolution. Ricardo Alarcon also discussed the efforts being made by Cuba to overcome the criminal and genocidal economic blockade imposed on the island by Washington. The leader of the Cuban Parliament met with the caravanistas at the headquarters of the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples, ICAP. Earlier in the day, members of the Pastors for Peace caravan toured the Latin American School of Medicine, located on the outskirts of Havana -- where nearly 2000 medical students from Central America and the Caribbean are studying free-of-charge. *CUBAN MEDICAL PERSONNEL OFFER THEIR SERVICES IN CAMBODIA Havana, July 25 (RHC)-- The first group of Cuban medical personnel have left for Cambodia -- offering their services free-of-charge in the Asian nation. Some 1700 Cuban health specialists are working in 13 countries around the world as part of the island's integral health plan. Cambodia is the first Asian country where Cuban doctors are being sent; medical personnel are currently working in eight Latin American and Caribbean countries and five African nations. By the end of this year, 2500 Cuban specialists will be serving in 20 countries -- providing health services in the most remote areas of each country. Meanwhile, Cuban physicians are teaching future doctors of the Third World at Havana's Latin American School of Medicine, where nearly 2000 medical students are studying free-of-charge. *THROUGHOUT BRAZIL, ACTIVITIES IN SOLIDARITY WITH CUBA Rio de Janeiro, July 25 (RHC)-- Activities in solidarity with Cuba are being held throughout Brazil on the occasion of the 47th anniversary of the attack on the Moncada and Carlos Manuel de Cespedes Garrisons, which sparked the beginning of the Cuban people's struggle against the Batista dictatorship. The Jose Marti Cultural Association in Rio de Janeiro is sponsoring a conference to discuss the historic events that took place in Cuba on July 26, 1953. Another event will be held on Thursday, with the participation of important Brazilian union leaders. In the city of Porto Alegre, activities include a dinner celebrating the date and the inauguration of an art exhibition. A documentary video entitled "Cuba Files Suit against the U.S. Government for Human Damages" will also be shown as part of the activities. *CUBAN-AMERICAN ALLIANCE EXPRESSES ITS SOLIDARITY WITH CUBA Havana, July 25 (RHC)-- Members of the Cuban-American Alliance, an organization based in the United States, continue their visit to the island with the objective of expressing solidarity with the Cuban people. The group met on Tuesday with representatives of Cuba's Ministry of Foreign Investment and Economic Cooperation. Later, the delegation visited Old Havana. On Monday, the Cuban-American Alliance delegation met with the director of the Cuba Office at the Foreign Ministry, Jose Cabanas, who thanked the group for their support in the struggle to return six-year-old Elian Gonzalez. Cabanas also expressed appreciation for the group's continued work to end Washington's blockade against the island. They also met with representatives of Cuba's Foreign Ministry, the National Assembly and the University of Havana and discussed the situation on the island, relations between Cubans living in the United States and Cubans on the island, and ways to help end the criminal U.S. economic blockade. The delegation is scheduled to visit Matanzas and Varadero later this week, where they will meet with tourism officials and get a first-hand look at one of the island's most important economic sectors. *SANTIAGO DE CUBA CELEBRATES 485th ANNIVERSARY Santiago de Cuba, July 25 (RHC)-- Santiago de Cuba is celebrating its 485th anniversary with the inauguration of some 20 social and economic projects. Book sales and art exhibits are being held throughout the eastern Cuban city as part of activities to celebrate another anniversary of the city. And a cultural gala was held Monday evening at Santiago de Cuba's Heredia Theater. *Viewpoint: G7+RUSSIA SUMMIT: LOTS OF GLITTER BUT NO SUBSTANCE The recently held Summit of the G-7 plus Russia will be best remembered for its elegance rather than for taking concrete steps to reduce the ever-growing gap between the rich and the poor. It is common knowledge that the leaders of the world's most industrialized nations -- the United States, Canada, Japan, Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Italy and to a degree, Russia -- met over the weekend on the Japanese island of Okinawa in a 750,000,000 dollar enclave. It wouldn't be a surprise that such a luxurious feast appear in the next edition of the Guinness Book of World Records as "The Most Expensive Summit in History." Needless to say, so much money would have been better spent had it been earmarked to alleviate hunger in Africa. Worse still, the G-7 countries have once again missed a unique opportunity to solve urgent problems which threaten the very existence of the human race. Jubilee 2000, a group of international NGOs pressing for the suspension of the Third World foreign debt, stated that a pledge by U.S. President Bill Clinton -- to donate 300,000,000 dollars for school breakfasts in underdeveloped nations -- is a small, rather insignificant step. Jubilee 2000 director in the United Kingdom, Ann Pettifor, warned that U.S. aid would be of no use if the children to whom the relief is earmarked cannot go to classes because their families lack the necessary resources to pay the school fees imposed by the International Monetary Fund. The seven most industrialized nations and Russia have supposedly committed themselves to helping poor nations pay their foreign debts -- the same old promise of the summits held in 1997, 1998 and 1999. It is worthless that only nine countries have benefited from the initiative to suspend the debt of the poor -- a Foustian bargain involving a multitude of neo-liberal reforms including the privatization of key sectors, resulting in the elimination of the socio-economic net, basic food and transportation subsidies and full employment measures, among other economic shocks, which few Third World nations are prepared to absorb. The G-7 group also agreed to help underdeveloped nations gain access to new technology and improve their educational and health systems -- an empty promise in light of the fact that the very neo-liberal reforms they propose only serve to dramatically raise the costs of health care and education. Judging from the exuberant amount of wealth and resources in the hands of the world's industrialized capitalist class, it is little surprise that the gap between words and action continues to exacerbate the grave socio-economic conditions in which the vast majority of the world's masses find themselves. These unjust economic systems, accompanied by state-sponsored repression which serves to keep the have-nots in their place, is a product of a world order set up by the very nations that propose throwing symbolic sums of money at the symptoms, rather than deal with the root cause of the problem: neo-liberalism. (c) 2000 Radio Habana Cuba, NY Transfer News. 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