Radio Havana Cuba-19 April 2001 Via NY Transfer News * All the News That Doesn't Fit Radio Havana Cuba - News Update - 19 April 2001 . *CUBA IN NO WAY FEELS CONDEMNED AT HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION - PEREZ ROQUE *CUBA CELEBRATES 40th ANNIVERSARY OF VICTORY AT BAY OF PIGS *VENEZUELAN MILITARY DELEGATION ARRIVES IN CUBA *IMPORTANCE OF TOURISTS' HEALTH, AND HEALTH TOURISM *CUBANS REACT TO UN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION VOTE *BUENOS AIRES CONDEMNED FOR VOTE AGAINST CUBA IN GENEVA *US CONGRESSMAN ROBERT TORRICELLI UNDER INVESTIGATION FOR CORRUPTION *PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES DROP PATENT SUIT IN S.AFRICAN SUPREME COURT *HONDURAN DEATH SQUADS ENGAGE IN SO-CALLED "SOCIAL CLEANSING" *Viewpoint: CUBA CONSIDERS UN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION VOTE A VICTORY . *CUBA IN NO WAY FEELS CONDEMNED AT HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION - PEREZ ROQUE Havana, April 19 (RHC)--Cuban Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque has insisted that Cuba in no way feels condemned at the United Nations Human Rights Commission, and that Cuba has the moral authority to look directly into the eyes of its self-proclaimed judges. The statement came following the narrow passing of an anti- Cuba resolution at the Commission, with 22 votes in favor, 20 against, ten abstentions and one nation absent. Perez Roque reiterated Cuba's condemnation of Washington's intense pressures against other countries to approve a selective, discriminatory and vengeful document, whose backdrop, he added, is the U.S. government's failure to defeat Cuba in other terrains and convert the island into its docile backyard. The Cuban Foreign Minister recalled that exactly 40 years ago Cuba was engaged in battle against mercenaries trained, financed and organized by Washington, and that today the U.S. government uses the UN Human Rights Commission in a desperate effort to justify its blockade and economic war against the island. The vote was on the verge of being postponed due to the insistence of some countries, including several in Europe, to include a mention of the harmful effects of the U.S. blockade against Cuba. That mention was finally not included, though the six European nations in the Commission voted in favor of condemning Cuba nonetheless. In Geneva, Carlos Amat stated that it is clear that the vote does not respond to a real concern about the issue of human rights. If that were the case, he continued, it would be others, including the real authors of this anti-Cuban resolution and their allies, who would be responding before this commission. The Cuban ambassador noted that once again the United States has used the Czech Republic to carry out the humiliating role of holding the fig leaf to hide this indecent action. Carlos Amat said that Cuba's work in the arena of human rights and dignity for its people is all the more outstanding when considering that during the past 40 years Cuba has had to face direct military aggressions from the United States, sabotage and terrorist actions, assassination plots against its leaders, a ruthless economic war and an unprecedented campaign of lies and slander. Vote Tally, UN Human Rights Commission, April 18, 2001: AGAINST THE RESOLUTION (20): Algeria Burundi China Cuba India Indonesia Liberia Libya Malaysia Nigeria Pakistan Qatar Russia Soudi Arabia South Africa Swaziland Syria Venezuela Vietnam Zambia IN FAVOR OF THE RESOLUTION (22): Argentina Belgium Cameroon Canada Costa Rica Czech Republic France Germany Guatemala Italy Japan Latvia Madagascar Norway Poland Portugal South Korea Romania Spain Uruguay United "Kingdom" "United" States ABSTAINED (10): Brazil Colombia Ecuador Kenya Mauritius Mexico Niger Peru Senegal Thailand ABSENT (1): Dem.Rep. of the Congo *CUBA CELEBRATES 40th ANNIVERSARY OF VICTORY AT BAY OF PIGS Havana, April 19 (RHC)--The Cuban Revolution is celebrating a double victory -- the moral victory at the UN Human Rights Commission in Geneva yesterday and today's celebration of the 40th anniversary of the victory at the Bay of Pigs. On this date in 1961, mercenary forces -- organized, financed and supported by the United States -- were crushed on the beaches of Playa Giron -- also known as the Bay of Pigs. A special commemoration was held early Thursday morning at Playa Giron, where veteran combatants were awarded special medals for their participation in the battle. The leader of the Cuban Revolution delivered an address to more than 12,000 gathered at the spot where U.S.-supported mercenaries were beaten back, just 72 hours after the invasion began. Fidel Castro said that after the triumph of the Revolution in 1959, the people's victory at the Bay of Pigs is one of the greatest moments in Cuban history. Fidel noted that the victory at Playa Giron marked the first military defeat of U.S. imperialism in Latin America. And he emphasized that Cuba's moral victory at the United Nations Human Rights Commission on Wednesday is another important milestone. The Cuban leader condemned the shameless conduct of the U.S. delegation in Geneva -- attempting to bribe and coerce member nations to vote against Cuba. And he said that new revelations will soon be made to show exactly how low Washington stooped to narrowly win the vote in Geneva. *VENEZUELAN MILITARY DELEGATION ARRIVES IN CUBA Havana, 19th April (RHC)--A Venezuelan military transport ship docked in Havana this morning in what authorities are saying is the first time any Venezuelan military naval craft has visited Cuba. Venezuelan Vice-Admiral Hector Ramirez Perez, who is his nation's military Chief of Staff, was on board at the head of a delegation of 47 officials, along with both military and civilian personnel. The delegation will visit areas of construction across Havana, as well as see the restoration and remodeling of old buildings. Other visits will include gas, telephone and public transport programs that are currently underway in the capital. The President of the city's government or Poder Popular, Conrado Martinez Corona, warmly received the delegation. The Venezuelans will also pay a courtesy visit to Vice-Admiral Pedro M Perez Betancourt, who heads the Cuban Navy. They will then later place a wreath of flowers on the grave and monument of General Antonio Maceo, one of the island's independence heroes. The visit comes at a time when Venezuela is celebrating its 191st anniversary of independence and further cements the excellent relations both countries have forged since Hugo Chavez took the South American nation's presidency. *IMPORTANCE OF TOURISTS' HEALTH, AND HEALTH TOURISM Havana, 19th April (RHC)--The Caribbean Medical Association, which is holding its 6th congress in Havana, will this time be focusing on the health of the more than 30 million tourists that annually visit the region. The Cuban Minister of Tourism, Ibrahim Ferradaz, spoke to the delegates yesterday, during which he expressed his support for the Association's desire to help protect and improve the health of visitors to the Caribbean. The need to not only create a healthy climate in which to receive tourists but also to foresee possible problems, as well as to efficiently provide medical help and facilities, will be discussed. Ferradaz said that in the global arena in which we live the world has become smaller and the need for higher health priorities greater. Cuba has 100,000 workers involved in the tourism industry. Between 1990 and 2000, 10 million visitors came to the island. High on the agenda is the sanitation of food provided to tourists. Dr Carlos Dotres, Cuba's Health Minister, commented on the increasing number of foreigners coming to Cuba for medical intervention or care. This aspect of the island's tourism industry, which Cuba refers to as Medical Tourism, is an important part of the nation's budget. Only 1% of the island's hospital beds are taken up by Medical Tourism patients, so no conflict exists in terms of services offered to Cubans, said Dotres. In fact, he added, the dollars collected go toward maintaining the very expensive free public health care system that Cuba offers to its population. *CUBANS REACT TO UN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION VOTE Havana, 19th April (RHC)--Cubans are strongly reacting to the United Nations Human Rights Commission vote against the island yesterday. In a 20-to-22 vote, the commission invited Havana to "improve" its human rights record. It was not the outright condemnation that Washington sought. Many here feel that the United States effectively rigged the vote with the huge economic pressure it brought to bear on Third World nations. However, many international observers believe that the vote was anything but a victory for Washington, given how close it was and how many nations voted for Cuba rather than abstain. Last year's vote was 21 to 18 against Cuba, with 15 abstentions. The solidarity of nations such as South Africa was appreciated by Cubans but they showed disappointment with those nations, such as Guatemala, which have been the recipient of much of the humanitarian aid that Cuba has provided around the globe but which then bow to US pressure in circumstances such as these. A Cuban-sponsored resolution condemning Israeli violence against Palestine was also voted on yesterday, with the United States the only nation voting against. *BUENOS AIRES CONDEMNED FOR VOTE AGAINST CUBA IN GENEVA Havana, 19th April (RHC)--In the wake of Argentina's vote against Cuba in the United Nations Human Rights Commission yesterday, the government of President Fernando de la Rua is under internal political attack. Demonstrations in the streets and challenges by parliamentarians, accusing de la Rua of bowing to US pressure, were hard for the Argentinean leader to deny given the fact that he is now in Washington to sign his country into Washington's Free Trade Association of the Americas. Havana opposes the FTAA as another US effort to dominate the economies of Latin America. The Cuban ambassador to Argentina commented to the press yesterday that he could not understand how Buenos Aires was able to condemn Washington's blockade on Cuba and yet bow to US pressure to vote against Cuba on fabricated human rights issues, when the sole purpose was to diplomatically isolate the island in the same manner as the blockade attempts to do. One of Cuba's main concerns in Latin America and the Caribbean is with regional integration. Havana sees votes such as yesterday's as efforts by the US to split the region in a divide-and-conquer campaign. Apart from Argentina, the Latin American nations which voted against Cuba were Costa Rica, Guatemala and Uruguay. *US CONGRESSMAN ROBERT TORRICELLI UNDER INVESTIGATION FOR CORRUPTION Washington, April 19 (RHC)--U.S. Congressional Representative Robert Torricelli is reportedly under investigation on charges of corruption. According to Wednesday's edition of The New York Times, the New Jersey Democratic representative is accused of accepting tens of thousands of dollars in gifts without reporting them. The news daily states that among the gifts received by Torricelli are at least ten Italian suits, a Rolex watch worth $8,100s, an exotic rug price-tagged at $1,500, small gifts worth hundreds of dollars for his girlfriend and a 52-inch big-screen Toshiba television. In addition, Torricelli's fundraiser -- David Chang -- admitted to investigators that the New Jersey congressional representative pocketed tens of thousands of dollars in cash, given to him by campaign contributors. Chang also said that his boss spent money lavishly on so-called "official" trips, vacations and shopping sprees. Congressman Robert Torricelli -- of anti-Cuba fame, with his 1992 legislation tightening the screws on the Caribbean island -- came under investigation when Chang came forward after being accused of illegal campaign fundraising. A New Jersey businessman who has worked for Torrecelli for years, David Chang entered a guilty plea to charges of illegally collecting more than %53,000 in Torrecelli's political campaign. The New York Times reports that other people have come forward during the initial stages of the corruption investigation surrounding the controversial congressman, confirming the evidence and information obtained from Chang. At least two assistants to Chang have told judicial authorities that they were eye-witnesses to illegal activities by David Chang and Robert Torrecelli. On one occasion, an assistant to the New Jersey congressional representative said she was personally asked by Torrecelli to sign a statement claiming that the campaign gifts were actually loans --- thereby avoiding the legal requirement to report the gifts. According to federal campaign laws -- not to mention ethical norms in the U.S. Congress -- Senators and representatives are required to report any gift worth more than $50. There is also a legal limit -- at least on the books -- that prohibits receiving gifts valued at more than $100 from the same person more than once a year. According to The New York Times, agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, armed with search warrants, recently entered Torricelli's home and confiscated documents and a number of the expensive campaign gifts. Political observers say that most -- if not all -- congressional representatives in Washington, DC are guilty of receiving questionable campaign contributions, and that the Torricelli case may break open new investigations into the illegal activities of other lawmakers on Capitol Hill. *PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES DROP PATENT SUIT IN S.AFRICAN SUPREME COURT Pretoria, April 19 (RHC)--Pharmaceutical transnationals in South Africa have decided to withdraw their legal challenge against the government before the country's Supreme Court. The companies had challenged efforts by the South African government to produce low-cost generic AIDS medication. Just before going before the highest court in the land on Wednesday, it was announced that the two sides would try to reach an out-of-court settlement. Deliberations were postponed and representatives from Pretoria and the pharmaceutical companies met in a marathon, 24-hour meeting. The dispute had been brewing for more than a month, following an announcement by the South African Public Health Ministry that India and Brazil were ready to help in the manufacture of low-cost pharmaceutical products. The transnationals complained that such a move would be a violation of their patent rights -- and, more concretely, a violation of their ability to make huge profits. Human rights activists and the South African government itself argued that the pandemic of AIDS, particularly on the African continent, required the availability of free or at least inexpensive drugs to fight the deadly virus. On Thursday, South African Health Minister Manto Tshabalala said she was very pleased with the pharmaceutical companies' decision to withdraw their suit -- adding that the way would soon be open for patients to have access to much needed medications. *HONDURAN DEATH SQUADS ENGAGE IN SO-CALLED "SOCIAL CLEANSING" Tegucigalpa, April 19 (RHC)--At least 673 young people under the age of 22 have been killed over the past year and a half in Honduras. This shocking news was revealed on Wednesday by the director of the non-governmental organization "Casa Alianza" in Tegucigalpa, Bruce Harris. Speaking with reporters in the Honduran capital, Harris said that most of the victims were targets of a so-called "social cleansing" -- in which death squads take to the streets and target kill orphaned or homeless children for killing. The director of the organization, which provides housing for young people throughout Latin America, said that these hit teams receive financial support from the business community in many countries -- killing young children in an attempt to "clean up" the streets and make the area look good for investors. Harris called on Honduran authorities to investigate the increasing cases of murder, pointing out that more than 60 percent of the killings are unsolved. The director of Casa Alianza -- in English, "Alliance House" -- told reporters in Tegucigalpa that there is no justification whatsoever for these killings. Instead, social programs to help get kids off the streets and into classrooms are needed. He noted that his organization shelters more than 1,500 young people each year in Honduras -- emphasizing that while Alliance House is providing an important service, it is still not the ultimate solution. Political analysts say that the increasing numbers of street children and cases of homelessness among youth -- not only in Honduras, but throughout Latin America -- are symptoms of neo-liberal economic policies that neglect basic human needs. *Viewpoint: CUBA CONSIDERS UN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION VOTE A VICTORY The difference in size between the United States and Cuba is so great that it is hard to imagine that the richest, most powerful nation in history would have to stoop so low as to push through an anti-Cuba resolution in the U.N. Human Rights Commission. What's more, though the United States has disseminated both in Cuba and abroad unprecedented negative propaganda aimed at destroying the image of the Cuban Revolution, the people continue to support their government and country. For the tenth time Washington has appeared before the United Nations Human Rights Commission to attack Cuba with a barrage of self-interested lies about supposed violations of the human rights of its citizens. Despite the U.S.'s massive efforts, most realize that the true facts are just the opposite: that Cuba is among the countries that most defends the basic rights of its people. The triumph of the Revolution in l959 did away with political assassinations and forcibly disappeared people, so common in other Latin American countries. In Cuba police don't attack demonstrations with anti-riot gear and water cannons or horses or dogs, nor do they commit many of the other violations of human rights that are so common in the countries that voted against the island in the U.N. Human Rights Commission in Geneva. Though the anti-Cuba resolution squeaked by with just 22 votes in favor and 20 against, never before has the United States had to exert so much pressure on other nations to get a measure passed against such a tiny nation. To achieve their shameful objective, Washington employed three methods: economic pressures against underdeveloped nations desperately needing U.S. collaboration, application of political pressures by threatening that those voting with Cuba would be subjected to resolutions of condemnation themselves in future sessions of the Human Right's Commission and the promise to donate funds for the fight against AIDS in countries that voted against Cuba, primarily those nations in sub-Saharan Africa which are decimated by the epidemic. Latin America was subjected to the greatest pressures, with U.S President George W. Bush personally telephoning Latin American presidents just two hours before the vote in Geneva. The U.S. leader reportedly threatened to suspend bilateral migratory pacts and other economic and financial aid to countries that failed to support Washington in its bid to condemn Cuba in the Human Rights Commission. Cubans are in agreement with their United Nations Ambassador in Geneva, Carlos Amat, who said after the passage of the anti-Cuba resolution: "I want to emphasize again that Cuba considers this to be a moral victory. That Cuba does not feel itself to be condemned, that it feels the solidarity of the millions worldwide who see Cuba as a reason for hope. Cuba does not accept, nor will it ever accept, a resolution that has been imposed by blackmail and pressure. Cuba has sufficient moral authority to look into the eyes of those who are trying to condemn us, because we know we are being subjected to revenge, and selective and discriminatory treatment." If the world's only superpower, employing all its efforts, is only able to achieve a narrow two-vote victory over a tiny island nation, it can hardly be claimed as a victory by Washington and its supporters. (c) 2001 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: nyt@blythe.org ================================================================= rhc-eng-6750 2001-Apr-20 01:53:49