Radio Havana Cuba-26 April 2001 Via NY Transfer News * All the News That Doesn't Fit Radio Havana Cuba - News Update - 26 April 2001 . *FIDEL CASTRO ON ANTI-CUBA "HUMAN RIGHTS" RESOLUTION *ARGENTINES PROTEST GOVERNMENT'S VOTE AGAINST CUBA IN GENEVA *UKRAINIAN UN AMBASSADOR THANKS CUBA FOR ASSISTANCE TO CHERNOBYL VICTIMS *UN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION NAMES CUBAN EXPERT TO RIGHTS STUDY PANEL *US FEDERAL COURT REFUSES TO STOP MILITARY EXERCISES IN VIEQUES *MEXICAN SENATE APPROVES INDIGENOUS RIGHTS LEGISLATION SOME CALL INADEQUATE *GREENPEACE LAUNCHES BOYCOTT AGAINST OIL FIRMS SUPPORTING US ON EMISSIONS *RADIO HAVANA CUBA HONORED BY LATIN AMERICAN STUDENT ORGANIZATION Viewpoint: *WORLD BANK, IMF SHOULD FORGIVE DEBTS OF WORLD'S POOREST COUNTRIES . *FIDEL CASTRO ON ANTI-CUBA "HUMAN RIGHTS" RESOLUTION Havana, April 26 (RHC)--Cuban President Fidel Castro has asserted that the most appropriate place for the recent anti-Cuba resolution adopted at the United Nations Human Rights Commission is the toilet. During a special appearance Wednesday evening in a televised roundtable discussion on the resolution, the Cuban leader emphasized the lack of dignity, sense of independence and honesty on the part of the four Latin American nations that voted against Cuba, taking particular aim at Argentina. Pointing to Argentina's explosive social and economic crisis, immense foreign debt and massive unemployment, and comparing that country's social indicators with those of Cuba, Fidel Castro said that Argentine Foreign Minister Adalberto Rodriguez Giavarini closely cooperated in lobbying against Cuba with U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell -- whom he called the commander-in-chief of Latin America's lackeys. With respect to Costa Rica, which withdrew its consul in Havana due to Cuba's criticism of that country's anti-Cuba vote, the Cuban leader said this Central American nation has more to lose than Cuba -- it loses its dignity, its integrity and its prestige. He said that in terms of the realities of this world, the government of Costa Rica hasn't even learned to read, while in terms of independence and vision of the future, it knows less than Cuban elementary school students. The leader of the Cuban Revolution thanked Mexico, Peru, Colombia and Brazil for abstaining, while praising the Venezuelan people and their President, Hugo Chavez, for voting in favor of Cuba without hesitation. In reference to Europe, President Castro said the anti-Cuba vote came as no surprise, although -- in reference to France's original threat to abstain in the UN vote if the resolution did not mention the harmful effects of the U.S. blockade against Cuba,it revealed the Old Continent's increasing reluctance to toe Washington's line obediently. He said Europe is worried about the threat of another arms race stemming from Washington's Star Wars Project, about the U.S.'s withdrawal from the Kyoto Protocol on global warming, and about the new U.S. administration's Cold War language with respect to China and Russia. The Cuban leader also took particular aim at Canada, whose Prime Minister, Jean Chretien, attempted to justify Cuba's absence at the Third Summit of the Americas. He said late Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau would disapprove of Ottawa's Cuba policy, and that Trudeau would never have ventured to say, as did Chretien, that he spent 4 hours trying to give advice to someone who hadn't requested it. He said Trudeau would also never have sought justifications for excluding from an international gathering a dignified country that hadn't asked to participate. In reference to the Third Summit of the Americas, Fidel Castro challenged Canada and other regional leaders to democratically submit the proposal to a popular referendum -- to allow the voices of the masses to be heard. And in reference to the Summit's so-called Democracy Clause, the Cuban leader said it was essentially motivated by fear in the face of growing social explosions in this hemisphere. *ARGENTINES PROTEST GOVERNMENT'S VOTE AGAINST CUBA IN GENEVA Buenos Aires, April 26 (RHC)--Argentine youth from the ruling political party, the Radical Civic Union, have strongly criticized their government's vote against Cuba at the United Nations Human Rights Commission in Geneva. Speaking with reporters in Buenos Aires, the president of the party's youth organization, Marcelo D'Ambrosio, had harsh words for the administration of President Fernando de la Rua. He said that Argentina's vote in favor of Washington's anti-Cuba resolution in Geneva was a violation of the historic and fundamental principles of his political party -- emphasizing that respect for self-determination and non-interference into the internal affairs of other nations are basic principles. D'Ambrosio paid a visit to the Cuban diplomatic mission in the Argentine capital and met with Havana's Ambassador to Buenos Aires, Alejandro Gonzalez. The Argentine political leader expressed his solidarity with the Cuban people, stressing that the government in Buenos Aires does not represent the sentiments of the Argentine people. Ambassador Alejandro Gonzalez said that Cuba deeply appreciates the solidarity received from many sectors of Argentine society -- including social, political and cultural organizations. *UKRAINIAN UN AMBASSADOR THANKS CUBA FOR ASSISTANCE TO CHERNOBYL VICTIMS United Nations, April 26 (RHC)--The Ukrainian Ambassador to the United Nations, Volodymir Yelchenko, has expressed his country's appreciation to Cuba for the "generous assistance" given to victims of the Chernobyl nuclear accident. Marking the fifteenth anniversary of the nuclear disaster -- which occurred on 26 April 1986 -- Yelchenko noted that Cuba immediately offered medical assistance to victims of the accident. The Ukrainian ambassador took part in a panel with his counterparts from Belarus and the Russian Federation, who also thanked Cuba for helping citizens of their countries affected by the nuclear disaster. The Cuban Revolution has given special medical treatment to more than 15,000 adults and children who are suffering from the effects of the accident that took place 15 years ago today. Cuba has also provided highly advanced technological assistance and offers its facilities at the Tarara Beach Resort, located on the outskirts of Havana. All of the services supplied by Cuba are provided free of charge. On the same panel, held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, the Coordinator for International Cooperation on Chernobyl, Kenzo Oshima, called on other nations of the world to follow the example of Cuba. Oshima stated that his office works with a task force made up of 19 agencies of the United Nations -- to mitigate the long-term effects of the disaster. *UN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION NAMES CUBAN EXPERT TO RIGHTS STUDY PANEL Geneva, April 26 (RHC)--The Geneva-based United Nations Human Rights Commission has designated a member of the Cuban delegation to conduct an important study regarding human rights and societal responsibilities. Miguel Alfonso, a professor at the Superior Institute of International Relations in Havana, told Prensa Latina News Agency that he feels highly honored by the designation. Alfonso stated that his selection by the Commission is a recognition of Cuba's seriousness and dedication in the area of human rights. The designation of Cuba's delegate was made official with a vote, specifically requested by the European Union. Cuba received an overwhelming 34 votes in favor, only 14 votes against and four abstentions. According to Prensa Latina, Miguel Alfonso will conduct a study regarding individual and collective human rights as well as the duties and responsibilities that each person has to society. The Cuban delegate to the United Nations commission emphasized the study has particular importance for Third World countries which are searching for alternatives to the definition of individual rights imposed on the rest of the world by Washington. The Cuban Revolution has always insisted that real human rights consist of guaranteed health care, education and basic human needs. *US FEDERAL COURT REFUSES TO STOP MILITARY EXERCISES IN VIEQUES Washington, April 26 (RHC)--A U.S. Federal Court in Washington has refused to stop U.S. military exercises in the Puerto Rican island-municipality Vieques. Judge Gladys Kessler ruled against a legal challenge submitted by Puerto Rican Governor Sila Maria Calderon affirming that the U.S. Navy's target practice in Vieques violates U.S. and Puerto Rican laws on noise pollution. Judge Kessler, however, did ask the Navy to not program any additional exercises until the Department of Health examines the effects of the target practice on the health of Vieques residents. The ruling came after the Federal Judge accepted jurisdiction in the case and refused a U.S. government petition to grant jurisdiction to a federal court in Puerto Rico. Puerto Ricans, meanwhile, have launched another civil disobedience campaign to protest another round of target practice to begin Friday. A group of Vieques residents and Puerto Rican political leaders have penetrated the Navy's exclusion zone in the island-municipality, including the Mayor of Vieques, Damaso Serrano, and Puerto Rican Senator Norma Burgos. Serrano, a Vietnam War veteran and member of the ruling Popular Democratic Party, said he will remain in the target practice zone until he's arrested, and that after he's arrested he won't post bail. Senator Burgos is vice president of the annexionist New Progressive Party, but is increasingly seen as a dissident within that political organization. Among the Vieques residents who have penetrated the exclusion zone is Mirtha Sanes, sister of the Puerto Rican civilian killed by a stray U.S. bomb in April, 1999. The U.S. Navy is planning to begin another round of target practice this weekend with the launching of 600 bombs and the firing of one thousand 500 shells from 5-inch cannons. *MEXICAN SENATE APPROVES INDIGENOUS RIGHTS LEGISLATION SOME CALL INADEQUATE Mexico City, April 26 (RHC)--The Mexican Senate has unanimously approved a constitutional reform initiative in the arena of indigenous rights and culture, but according to many sources if falls short of the demands of Zapatista rebels in Chiapas. According to Zapatista legal advisor Magdalena Gomez, the measure only went half-way with respect to the original San Andres Accords signed in 1996 by the Zapatistas and the Congressional Chiapas Peace Commission. Gomez, an attorney who specializes in indigenous affairs, pointed out that the text substituted approving the use and control of natural resources in indigenous lands and territories, to the use of those resources where the indigenous population resides or occupies. The change implies that indigenous populations will have no control over land right outside their communities, even if that land is legally theirs. Gomez also said that the text does not guarantee the full exercise of the indigenous populations' autonomy and self-determination. Though the vote was unanimous, the left-of-center Party of the Democratic Revolution placed on record their recognition that the text does not respect the original proposal. The influential Mexican news daily La Jornada also sustained that the reform constitutes a clear reduction of the objectives agreed to in San Andres, stating in an editorial that it will soon be known if the determination of legislators to minimize indigenous demands was a correct decision or a tragic and historic error. The Zapatistas have yet to issue a public statement on the issue, as the Lower House of the Mexican Congress gears up to debate the legislation. *GREENPEACE LAUNCHES BOYCOTT AGAINST OIL FIRMS SUPPORTING US ON EMISSIONS Paris, April 26 (RHC)--Greenpeace has launched an international boycott against five U.S. oil firms that support Washington's unilateral withdrawal from the Kyoto Protocol on global warming. In a press release from Paris, Greenpeace has called on consumers to boycott the products of Exxon/Mobil, Chevron, Texaco, Conoco and Phillips until these firms withdraw their support of President George Bush's refusal to abide by an international agreement favoring the protection of the environment. The international ecology organization said these firms must now decide which is more important: the consumers who pay their salaries, or George Bush who takes their campaign donations. Greenpeace said U.S. citizens can express themselves at the ballot box, but consumers outside the United States must do so in the market. *RADIO HAVANA CUBA HONORED BY LATIN AMERICAN STUDENT ORGANIZATION Havana, April 26 (RHC)--Radio Havana Cuba, the international shortwave voice of the Cuban Revolution, has received a special distinction from the Continental Organization of Latin American Students (OCLAE). During a ceremony to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Radio Havana Cuba, OCLAE President Ihosvani Diaz Romero stated that the work of the shortwave radio station has been instrumental in forging unity among Latin American students and youth. Romero recalled that over the past four decades, Radio Havana Cuba has disseminated the truth about the island's revolutionary process and laid bare the dirty maneuvers of U.S. imperialism. The Director of Radio Havana Cuba, Milagro Hernandez, told those gathered for the special ceremony that future projects include improving the radio station's programming and a more in-depth treatment of issues related to the Third World, especially Africa. Radio Havana Cuba, which will commemorate its 40th anniversary on May 1st, International Worker's Day, broadcasts on shortwave frequencies in nine languages. Its first transmissions, as an experimental, short-wave radio station, were broadcast during the U.S.-sponsored Bay of Pigs invasion in April, 1961. . Viewpoint: *WORLD BANK, IMF SHOULD FORGIVE DEBTS OF WORLD'S POOREST COUNTRIES Differences between words and deeds are becoming ever more irreconcilable in this global village. The president of the World Bank, James Wolfensohn, has proclaimed that his institution will work "in the medium and long term to fight poverty and to help institute structural reforms" in Third World nations. In an interview published in the French newspaper Le Monde, Wolfensohn explained however, that the World Bank would have to close down if it were required to forgive the debts of the 62 poorest countries. "We don't have money for that, it would mean 29 billion dollars alone for the World Bank and that is its capital" argues the guru of Third World finances after reminding readers that 65% of those debts have already been forgiven and repayment has dropped from seven to two percent of the Gross Domestic Product of the debtor nations. Coincidentally, just days ago the organization "Drop the Debt" revealed that the International Monetary Fund and World Bank in fact DO have the capacity to cancel the nearly 51 billion dollars owed by the world's poorest countries. Based on research done by a London accounting firm, Drop the Debt reported that forgiving one hundred percent of the debt would cost the IMF 368 million dollars a year and the World Bank 353 million dollars. According to Adrian Lovett who heads Drop the Debt, the old excuse of being unable to do it has been completely discredited. Lovett also stressed that the losses could be tempered by various options, including reserves used to generate extra earnings, without affecting the capacity of the two financial institutions to fulfill their objectives. Last year World Bank president Wolfensohn declared that the United States and Europe fail to understand that if there is not massive investment in the developing world, there can be no peace for the next 20 years. At that time the financier told the French daily Liberation that the problems of the poor nations are everyone's problems. Currently three billion human beings live on less than two dollars a day, and more than a billion of those must survive on less than a dollar a day. Meanwhile in Paris, economists have just confirmed something already known: development assistance dropped last year by 1.6% compared with the year before. Paradoxically, obtaining official development assistance -- an obligation assumed by the rich countries in l970 -- is today like begging for alms that barely alleviate the situation, while too often that aid is used as an instrument of blackmail and pressure. (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-14166 2001-Apr-27 02:37:01