Radio Havana Cuba-30 January 2001 Via NY Transfer News * All the News That Doesn't Fit Radio Havana Cuba - News Update - 30 January 2001 . *FIDEL CASTRO BLASTS NEOLIBERALISM, CALLS FOR ALTERNATIVE MODELS *ALARCON: "THE FUTURE WILL BE SOCIALIST OR THERE WILL BE NO FUTURE" *DJIBOUTI'S FOREIGN MINISTER CALLS FIDEL A "LIVING LEGEND" *HAVANA'S TENTH INTERNATIONAL BOOK FAIR GETS UNDERWAY ON FRIDAY *WORLD SOCIAL FORUM FORGES NEW INTERNATIONAL ALLIANCE AGAINST GLOBALIZATION *ECUADOR: INDIGENOUS LEADER ARRESTED AMID MASSIVE ANTI-GOVERNMENT PROTESTS *WILL U.S. GOVERNMENT ASSASSINATIONS AGAIN BE PERMITTED? *Viewpoint: CUBA IS PREPARED FOR A NEW WAVE OF U.S. AGGRESSION . *FIDEL CASTRO BLASTS NEOLIBERALISM, CALLS FOR ALTERNATIVE MODELS Havana, January 30 (RHC)-- Cuban President Fidel Castro has condemned neo-liberal economic policies and called on world leaders to find alternative models of development. The leader of the Cuban Revolution took the floor during the first day of sessions of the Third International Meeting of Economists on Globalization and the Problems of Development, which got underway in Havana on Monday. Fidel Castro pointed out that while the defenders of neo-liberal economic theory claim that their policies have led to prosperity in recent years, more than 224 million people live in poverty in Latin America -- of whom 110 million are children. The Cuban leader noted that the economies of Latin America are actually getting worse, not better, for the great majority of poor people. The keynote address was delivered by Jose Antonio Ocampo, the executive secretary of the Latin American and Caribbean Economic Commission (CEPAL). Ocampo stated that profits must be subordinated to social needs, focusing on the economic, social and cultural rights of society. The head of CEPAL emphasized that all people must have access to education, health care and employment. Commenting on the themes of globalization and development, Jose Antonio Ocampo noted that poverty has risen throughout the Third World, stating that the lack of economic growth is frustrating for underdeveloped nations. Experts from 36 countries and representatives of ten international organizations, including the World Bank, are attending the Third International Meeting of Economists on Globalization and the Problems of Development here in the Cuban capital. Debates will run through Friday, February 2nd. *ALARCON: "THE FUTURE WILL BE SOCIALIST OR THERE WILL BE NO FUTURE" Porto Alegre, January 30 (RHC)-- Cuban Parliament President Ricardo Alarcon has proclaimed that the future will be socialist or there simply will be no future. Alarcon spoke before a crowd of thousands of delegates to the World Social Forum in Porto Alegre, Brazil over the weekend. The leader of the Cuban Parliament affirmed that Cuba would continue to work for a globalization of solidarity and human values. And Ricardo Alarcon stated that Havana will use every opportunity in international forums to denounce the lies of neo-liberal economic theories. Calling neo-liberal globalization the imposition of Washington's economic theories on the rest of the world, the Cuban Parliament president said that U.S. imperialism is trying to take over the economies of all nations. Alarcon characterized neo-liberalism as the beginning of the end of representative democracy, stating that the wealthy only see consumers and not citizens. The head of Cuba's Parliament noted that in countries dominated by neo-liberal economics, political participation is at an all time low. He said that people don't elect their so-called representatives in those countries, only money does. Speaking at the World Social Forum in Porto Alegre, Brazil, Ricardo Alarcon also mentioned the sad situation of millions of immigrants, legal or undocumented, who are forced to search for better economic opportunities in the wealthy, industrialized countries. And he warned of an increase in human trafficking, especially of women and children. Concerning the planet's future, the president of Cuba's Parliament told delegates that a new world order must and will be socialist. Alarcon said that civilization itself would disappear if we are unable to overthrow the empire and open the way toward more humane and sustainable development models. He predicted that the socialism of the future will be diverse and multicolored, and not come from the imposition of dogmatic theories. And Ricardo Alarcon concluded by saying that "socialism is the perfection of democracy and the realization of humanity's dreams". *DJIBOUTI'S FOREIGN MINISTER CALLS FIDEL A "LIVING LEGEND" Havana, January 30 (RHC)-- Shortly before returning to his country, the visiting Foreign Minister of Djibouti, Ali Abdi Farah, told reporters that he believes Cuban President Fidel Castro "is a living legend". The African diplomat said he was very impressed with his visit to Cuba, especially his meeting with Fidel Castro. Ali Abdi Farah stated that the leader of the Cuban Revolution has made and will continue making history - affirming that Fidel has led a revolutionary process for more than forty years in Cuba;a process that - in his words - "has truly benefited his people". Referring to the social achievements of the Cuban Revolution, Djibouti's top diplomat said that the island's accomplishments clearly prove that the Cuban people have clearly chosen the correct path. Ali Abdi Farah said that the radical transformations carried out in Cuba since 1959 have been very positive -- reflected by the fact that the island has the greatest number of doctors per capita in the world. The foreign minister of Djibouti characterized his four-day visit to the island as a tremendous success, pointing out that during his stay he signed bilateral agreements with Havana in the areas of health, education, sports and economic cooperation. *HAVANA'S TENTH INTERNATIONAL BOOK FAIR GETS UNDERWAY ON FRIDAY Havana, January 30 (RHC)-- Final preparations are being made for the 10th International Book Fair in the Cuban capital, which gets underway on Friday, February 2nd. The annual event will be held at the San Carlos de la Cabaņa fortress, overlooking Havana Bay and next to El Morro. More than 1400 titles and nearly a half million copies will be on sale to the Cuban public -- known to be robust readers. Titles will not only be available in Spanish, but also English, French, Italian and other languages. Books sold in national currency in Cuba are extremely inexpensive and, each year at the Fair, book lovers are known to carry home huge shopping bags full of their favorite titles. Havana's 10th International Book Fair runs through February 10th. *WORLD SOCIAL FORUM FORGES NEW INTERNATIONAL ALLIANCE AGAINST GLOBALIZATION Porto Alegre, January 30 (RHC)-- Organizers of the alternative World Social Forum in Brazil stated Tuesday that the gathering constitutes the beginning of an international action against neo-liberalism in the search for a more just and dignified future for humanity in this new millennium. Observers are reporting that despite the heterogeneous makeup of the thousands of participants, consensus at the Forum went further than expected, and a new world alliance has been forged. The final declaration states that Porto Alegre represents the struggle for a new world that is possible, in which human beings and nature will be at the center of the international community's concerns. Activists at the event said they will be in Buenos Aires in April during the preparatory summit for the creation of a free trade zone of the Americas, and that they will be in Quebec for this gathering's ministerial meeting -- coming together in the Second Conference of the Peoples of the Americas. They also declared their intention to be in Genoa, Italy for the meeting of the Group of Seven most industrialized nations, which will coincide with the national week in favor of the abolition of foreign debts. And Colombian activists invited the Porto Alegre activists to participate next August in a march for peace in their country to protest Washington's interference in Colombian affairs. As far away as Germany, Christian dignitaries at a meeting of the Central Committee of the World Council of Churches saluted what they called the prophetic voice that echoed from Porto Alegre -- a voice, they said, that must be listened to. Porto Alegre was officially closed with an ovation for renowned French farmers leader Jose Bove, who was ordered to leave Brazil for his role in the recent destruction of five acres of genetically-engineered soy crops. This Brazilian city will also host the Second World Social Forum next year. The traditional World Economic Forum at Davos, meanwhile, came to a close amid the criticism of NGO representatives who were allowed to participate. Amnesty International secretary general Pierre Sane and other NGO leaders told the corporate leaders at Davos that the people have no other alternative but to shout and scream, and even to resort to violence, when their voice is not heard. A Greenpeace representative said Davos once again demonstrated that corporate leaders are more interested in the cooling down of the United States economy than in global warming. And the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions, grouping 150 million labor activists worldwide, asked what is the message that this Forum is sending when it holds a gathering surrounded by police, high-powered water hoses, helicopters and barbed wire. In one of the last debates at the Davos gathering, representatives of informatics firms proposed supplying poor homes with computers to fight the poverty of education. But one computer expert at the event reminded participants that the computers would have to work without electricity -- since most of those homes have none -- and would be handled by illiterates. *ECUADOR: INDIGENOUS LEADER ARRESTED AMID MASSIVE ANTI-GOVERNMENT PROTESTS Quito, January 30 (RHC)-- Authorities in Ecuador have arrested indigenous leader Antonio Vargas. Interior Minister Juan Manrique said Vargas, president of the powerful Ecuadorian Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities, had entered terrain in which he will have to respond to the law -- but refused to specify charges. The arrest is threatening to radicalize the indigenous uprising in Ecuador, with leading activists of the organization insisting that now more than ever their protest will continue. The leader of the Popular Front coalition, Luis Villacis, has also been arrested, while authorities attempted to arrest indigenous leader Salvador Quishpe. Quishpe was seized at a market place, but workers and customers at the establishment surrounded police, forcing them to release the activist. Organizers of the protest that has been building since last January 2nd charged that authorities have a list of ten popular leaders with arrest warrants against them. Thousands of activists have converged on Quito, laid siege to other cities and blocked major roads and highways in Ecuador. But President Gustavo Noboa said he will in no way repeal the drastic price hikes in transportation, fuel and domestic gas agreed to with the International Monetary Fund. *WILL U.S. GOVERNMENT ASSASSINATIONS AGAIN BE PERMITTED? Washington, January 30 (RHC)-- The alternative media publication "From The Wilderness" has sounded the alarm on efforts in Washington to repeal Executive Orders specifically prohibiting assassinations by the United States government. The organization Independent Media Centers has also taken note of the bill HR 19, introduced by Georgia Republican Congressman Bob Barr on January 3rd of this month -- the first day ofthe new 107th Congress. "From The Wilderness" stated that the bold move, unreported and ignored by any major media, offers a chance for an early referendum on the new administration's full-speed run at a more violent and brutal foreign policy. Pointing out that acts of Congress are not required to nullify previous Executive Orders -- that it's only necessary to reverse one EO with another -- the alternative media outlet said the current bill indicates that the Bushadministration is seeking to add legitimacy to the move by implying that Congress and the American people support the action. It states that the appointment of career covert operative and Annapolis graduate Richard Armitage as Deputy Secretary of State under Colin Powell only underscores the clear message that the Bush administration is sending to the world. Richard Armitage was denied a 1989 appointment as Assistant Secretary of State because of his links to Iran-Contra and other scandals, including drug smuggling and the expansion of organized crime operations in Russia, Central Asia and the Far East. *Viewpoint: CUBA IS PREPARED FOR A NEW WAVE OF U.S. AGGRESSION The unstable state of the world economy and the situation created by the great polarization of wealth has widened even more the gap between the rich and the poor. That precarious situation has pushed humanity to the brink of a social explosion as we enter the new century and millennium. Cuban President Fidel Castro, speaking to some 300,000 Cubans on the outskirts of Havana last week, reiterated the island's firm position in the face of a new, more hostile U.S. government. While U.S. President George W. Bush has said that his administration will maintain Washington's more than 42-year policy of aggression against the island, Fidel Castro warned that judging from Bush's appointments and the people surrounding him, Cuba must be ready for a new era of attacks from right-wing extremists based in the United States. The Cuban leader pointed out that we must not leave a world of moral and environmental decay to the younger generations, saying that governments must create the natural and social conditions that are indispensable to assure a dignified life on this planet. A planet which is shared by all, regardless of ethnic origin, culture and religion. He stressed that it is not a matter of ideology, but rather a question of human survival. And the leader of the Cuban Revolution said there is not a minute to lose, pointing to the vicious struggle underway for commercial markets among the powerful nations. Fidel noted that the world's developed countries appear to be blind to the economic and social crisis that is rapidly developing. According to the Cuban president, the only possible alternative is a new world order based on fairness and solidarity, capable of sustaining the environment and safeguarding life on the planet. Cuba has entered a new century and millennium with a humane social and political program and is each day gaining more international respect as a fair and honorable nation that is willing to defend its cause against the most powerful enemies. Those who think they can go back in time and re-install neo-colonialism in Cuba, will find that they are sadly mistaken. (c) 2001 Radio Habana Cuba, NY Transfer News. 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