RHC Weekend-10 November 2001 Via NY Transfer News * All the News That Doesn't Fit Radio Havana Cuba - Weekend News Update - 10 November 2001 . *REPORT FROM REGIONAL CONFERENCE ON DRUG ENFORCEMENT IN HAVANA *CUBAN PRESIDENT RECEIVES UNITED NATIONS UNDER SECRETARY *AGRICULTURAL MINISTER OUTLINES PLAN TO REPLACE DAMAGED CROPS *CUBA AID COMMITTEE SET UP IN MIAMI *ITALY CUBA SOLIDARITY MEETING IN ITALY *NORTHERN ALLIANCE MASSES FOR ATTACK ON KABUL *US BOMBING KILLS AT LEAST 300 CIVILIANS NEAR KANDAHAR *HEADS OF MEDIA OUTLETS MEET WITH BUSH ADMINISTRATION *UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY OPENS IN NEW YORK *VENEZUELAN PRESIDENT CALLS NEOLIBERALISM "THE ROAD TO HELL" *PRO- AND ANTI-WAR DEMONSTRATIONS IN ITALY *HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF EUROPEANS PROTEST WTO MEETING HELD IN QATAR *THE WORLD MUST NOT IGNORE THE PALESTINIAN STRUGGLE - S.AFRICAN PRESIDENT *KYOTO PROTOCOL TO BE RATIFIED, DESPITE US REFUSAL TO ABIDE BY ITS TERMS *CHILE: CRACKS IN THE WALL OF SILENCE ON DICTATORSHIP'S ATROCITIES . *REPORT FROM REGIONAL CONFERENCE ON DRUG ENFORCEMENT IN HAVANA Havana, November 10th (RHC)- The Regional Conference on Caribbean Drug Enforcement and Control began Friday in Havana. At the inauguration ceremony of the two-day conference, the Cuban Minister of Justice, Roberto Diaz Sotolongo, said that the complex issues of drug control and enforcement will be discussed in an environment of unity, respect, and honesty. During the conference, participants from the different countries focused on strategies and programs to prevent the illegal consumption of drugs as well as the most efficient ways to fight drug trafficking and the subsequent money laundering. Delegates stressed the need to promote dialogue among Caribbean nations in order to lay the foundations for a strengthened Caribbean commitment to the international fight against drugs. Cuba has signed cooperation agreements in the field of illegal drug trafficking with 29 countries, including the Caribbean nations of Jamaica, Belize, Guyana, Barbados, the Dominican Republic and Trinidad and Tobago. The Conference finished Saturday in Havana's International Convention Center with participation from representatives of the United Nations, American Interpol, the Caribbean organization Caricom, UNICEF and the Pan-American Health organization. *CUBAN PRESIDENT RECEIVES UNITED NATIONS UNDER SECRETARY Havana, November 10 (RHC) --The Cuban President, Fidel Castro Saturday received Pino Arlacchi, undersecretary general of the United Nations for International Drug Control. Arlacchi is in Havana to attend the regional conference on drug enforcement and control.The Cuban leader and the UN official discussed drug trafficking, particularly in the Caribbean region, considered very vulnerable because of its geographical location between North and South America. The high-ranking UN official affirmed that the UN positively recognizes Cuba's struggle against international drug trafficking and also its recent ratification of the 12 international protocols in relation to terrorism. *AGRICULTURAL MINISTER OUTLINES PLAN TO REPLACE DAMAGED CROPS Havana, November 10 (RHC)-- The Cuban Agricultural Vice minister, Rodriguez Rollero outlined the ministry's strategy to replace the food crops lost as a result of Hurricane Michelle. He underlined the importance of replacing food supplies through the Urban Agriculture plan. The Urban Agriculture plan was introduced in Cuba at the beginning of the special period economic crisis that begin in the early 90s. Unused land in urban areas is prepared and used for growing vegetables. Already the Ministry has increased the area of urban agriculture by approximately 1,000 acres. In an interview with Granma newspaper, Rodriguez Rollero said that the Ministry has pledged that for the next year there will be more than 75 million kilograms of root and fresh vegetables, of which 50 million will be sold to the state. The Minister outlined the actions that the Ministry will take to fulfill their promise. To replace the loss of the banana crop, more than a million kilograms of potato tubers will be planted between the 20th and 22nd of November in the areas most affected by the hurricane. The potato crop will be ready for harvesting in the second half of February 2002. Vegetables with a short growth cycle of three months will also be planted, including sweet potato, squash, corn and vegetables such as cabbage, tomatoes and radishes. The Minister stated that the Cuban Ministry of Agriculture is committed to do everything possible to ensure adequate food supplies for the population in spite of the devastation caused by Hurricane Michelle to the agricultural sector. *CUBA AID COMMITTEE SET UP IN MIAMI Miami, November 10 (RHC)-- A committee made up of several long established groups has been set up in Miami to organize sending material aid to Cuba. The aid will be sent, without conditions, to those provinces most hit by Hurricane Michelle. The main organizers are Cuban residents in Miami. The committee, who sees itself as a humanitarian organization includes the Miami based Jose Marti Alliance, the Antonio Maceo Brigade, the Association of Cuban Workers, the Cuban American Alliance and Jewish Solidarity. In an email message to Granma, Cuba's daily newspaper, the committee announced that they would hold a press conference in Miami on Monday to publicize their intention to send aid to Cuba. The first shipment will leave for Havana next Wednesday. *ITALY CUBA SOLIDARITY MEETING IN ITALY Havana, November 10 (RHC)-- Members of 86 affiliates of the Italy Cuba Friendship society met in the Italian city of Viareggio this weekend. The meeting coincided with the 40th anniversary of the organization. Among the most notable agreements from the meeting was to continue the fight against the US blockade against Cuba and to develop a campaign to liberate the five Cuban patriots jailed in the United States. The 200 participants reaffirmed their links between regions of Italy and some Cuban provinces. Sergio Corrieri, President of ICAP and Maria Flores, Cuba's ambassador to Italy represented Cuba at the event. *NORTHERN ALLIANCE MASSES FOR ATTACK ON KABUL Kabul, November. 10 (RHC) -Northern Alliance troops, after routing Taliban forces from the strategic city of Mazar I Sharif on Friday night, were massing Saturday for an offense on the Afghan capital. After obtaining its first "victory" in more than a month of relentless bombing of Afghanistan by U.S. and British planes, the Northern Alliance is preparing to advance on Kabul. Meanwhile, U.S. planes carried out multiple bombing raids on the nearby Bagram north of the capital. *US BOMBING KILLS AT LEAST 300 CIVILIANS NEAR KANDAHAR Islamabad, November 10, (RHC)--In southern Afghanistan local press reports that at least 300 civilians have been killed in U.S. bombing raids in three towns near the city of Kandahar. According to the Afghan Islamic press agency, as of early Saturday 133 bodies had been recovered in the town of shah Aga, 70 kilometers northeast of Kandahar, the spiritual capital of the Taliban regime. According to eyewitnesses, two neighboring villages were demolished by U.S. bombs in the past three nights. U.S. war planes bombed the villages in the Jakrez district. 70 homes were reported destroyed in the town of Asmaan Zai. *HEADS OF MEDIA OUTLETS MEET WITH BUSH ADMINISTRATION Los Angeles, November 10 (RHC) - -Washington appears to be attempting to enlist Hollywood in its war against Afghanistan. Heads of media outlets will meet in Los Angeles on Sunday with U.S. government representatives to look at ways to further cooperation in Washington's so-called, " war against terrorism". Saturday's Los Angeles Times reports that some 40 media and entertainment executives will hold a private meeting in the swanky Los Angeles neighborhood of Beverly Hills with Karl Rove, an assistant of U.S. president George Bush. Just days after the September 11th attacks in the United States, Rove called the major media outlets together to coordinate uniform messages about the United States. According to the article in Saturday's Los Angeles Times, the Bush administration wants to involve the nation's entertainment industry in his anti-terrorism campaign through the creation of public announcements. Among the high-powered media transnationals participating in the closed-door meeting will be Song Pictures Entertainment, MGM, Viacom, Inc., Fox, NBC, ABC, CBS, and Dream Works. *UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY OPENS IN NEW YORK New York, November 10 (RHC) --The United Nations Secretary General, Kofi Annan on Saturday opened the 54th session of the U.N. General Assembly with a call to remember the struggle against poverty, AIDS and environmental. Annan, addressing at least 43 head of state and government and 115 foreign ministers, first mentioned the pain suffered by residents of New York, the host city in the attacks of September 11th. But he stressed that during the war on terrorism the world must not forget its other problems. "It would be a kind of victory for the terrorists" he noted, " if the United Nations and its member nations focused all their energy on the war against terrorism". The UN General Secretary stressed that poverty, AIDS and the environment remain as urgent now as before September 11th. Brazil's president, Fernando Henrique Cardoso called for the globalization of solidarity to maintain peace and for the recognition of a Palestinian State. After noting that neither the victims nor the perpetrators of terror must be forgotten the Brazilian leader affirmed that for globalization to be sustainable, it requires a feeling of justice that is not lopsided like it is today. Other Latin American leaders, including Vicente Fox of Mexico, Uruguayan leader, Jorge Batlle, and others stressed that it is the United Nations that should head the fight against terrorism. *VENEZUELAN PRESIDENT CALLS NEOLIBERALISM "THE ROAD TO HELL" New York, November 10 (RHC)--Venezuelan president, Hugo Chavez, told the 54th session of the United Nation's General Assembly, that more than a way towards economic development, neoliberalism is the road to hell, since it has increased the misery of millions of Latin Americans. Referring to the U.S. bombings against Afghanistan, the Venezuelan president called for a "war against war" as a way to achieve world peace. Chavez also urged nations to agree to eliminate hunger, poverty and disease in the world and to contribute to building education and health care. He condemned the September 11th terrorist attacks in the United States and to fight world terrorism but without a " double standard" . *PRO- AND ANTI-WAR DEMONSTRATIONS IN ITALY Rome, November 10 (RHC) - - Italians demonstrated en mass today both against the U.S. war against Afghanistan and in favor of the bombings. At least 20,000 marched through the streets of the Italian capital picking up supporters on the way, protesting against the United States' bombing of Afghanistan. Meanwhile in the huge Piazza del Populo, tens of thousands Italians gathered for a pro-United States demonstration organized by the right-wing Partito Forza Italia, headed by billionaire media magnate, Silvio Berlusconi. Italy has pledged troops, planes and ships to support Washington's war against Afghanistan. And in the German city of Berlin, thousands demonstrated today against the bombings of Afghanistan. Protestors also called on the German government not to offer military support for the so-called " war on terrorism". Participants held aloft signs reading, "Stop the war" and "fight poverty, not the poor". The German government has announced that it will provide logistical support, with nearly four thousand German soldiers and health personnel; a plan that must be passed by Parliament. *HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF EUROPEANS PROTEST WTO MEETING HELD IN QATAR Paris/Geneva, November 10 (RHC) - - Tens of thousands of Europeans participated in protests today against the World Trade Organization ministerial meeting in Doha, the capital of Qatar. Under tight security measures, some eight thousand demonstrators gathered in the streets of Paris chanting slogans like "the world is not a commercial product" or "WTO, the mad cow of capitalism". According to the organizers protestors were also demonstrating against what they called the criminalization of opponents to the globalized economy. Meanwhile in Geneva, Switzerland, some 5000 people met to oppose globalization of the world economy and the WTO. Farmers, trade union leaders and students addressed the rally, which was held in front of the headquarters of the Credit Suisse Bank. Geneva is also the headquarters of the World Trade Organization. *THE WORLD MUST NOT IGNORE THE PALESTINIAN STRUGGLE - S.AFRICAN PRESIDENT New York, November 10 (RHC)-South African President Thabo Mbeki has urged the world not ignore the sacrifice of the Palestinians' struggle. The South African President made the statement on Saturday during the 54th UN General Assembly in New York, adding that long-term action to end terrorism should be centered on a rapid solution to all global conflicts. He said that the situation in the Middle East demands an urgent and lasting solution. Meanwhile, a Palestinian was reportedly wounded after a bomb went off while he was transporting an explosive close a Jewish settlement in the south of the Gaza Strip. Another seven Palestinians were wounded in clashes with Israeli soldiers. Meanwhile, Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat were to agree for the first time before the UN General Assembly on the need to create a Palestinian state in order to resolve the Middle East Conflict. The Israeli ultra right rejects the right of Palestinian's self-determination. Some 700 Palestinians and close to 200 Israelis, among them civilians and soldiers, have died since the beginning of the second Intifada which began over a year ago. *KYOTO PROTOCOL TO BE RATIFIED, DESPITE US REFUSAL TO ABIDE BY ITS TERMS Havana, November 10 (RHC)-World environment and Energy Ministers have reportedly reached an agreement which would ratify the Kyoto protocol to limit global warming, paving the way for its implementation next year. After difficult negotiations in Marrakech, Morocco the two-week UN sponsored conference on climate change provides detailed guidelines for the treaty aimed at limiting humanity's negative impact on the earth's climate. The agreement commits signatories to limiting toxic gas emissions that damage global warming by trapping heat in the atmosphere, by an average of 5 per cent by the year 2012. The 15 European Union member nations said that they will ratify the Kyoto treaty by 2002, but the protocol must be ratified by at least 55 countries responsible for 55 per cent of the world's carbon dioxide emissions. Russia and Japan have already joined the rest of the countries. The two countries' participation at the Climatic Summit was crucial after the US refused to ratify the protocol that protects the ozone layer. The United States heads the list of countries that produce toxic gas emissions destroying the ozone layer which protects life on the planet against the sun's ultra violet rays. Ecology groups as well as developing nations have stated that the summit was key for the future of the planet and expressed satisfaction over the outcome. The head of the Belgium mission and currently president of the European Union, Olivier Deleuze warned of the dangers if the summit hadn't been successful. The outcome, he says would have been disastrous for the international community. The Kyoto protocol is based on the agreements of the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. *CHILE: CRACKS IN THE WALL OF SILENCE ON DICTATORSHIP'S ATROCITIES Santiago de Chile, November 10 (RHC)-Chilean military and police have begun admitting that the disappearance of over 10 thousand people during the dictatorship was a serious human rights violation. After the arrest of former dictator Augusto Pinochet in London on the order of a Spanish judge who accused the Chilean dictator of genocide, torture and terrorism, the Chilean Armed Forces and police agreed to sit down with human rights lawyers to try and resolve the problem of the country's disappeared. Though the military had previously recognized the abuse, did not admit that the military or police had made mistakes. However, the current Director General of the Carabineros or Chilean Federal Police, Manuel Ugarte, on Friday admitted that the detention and disappearance of thousands who opposed the military dictatorship was a "mistake" and said that he regretted that the situation continues to plague the Chilean people. A few days after his announced retirement as chief of the Chilean police, Ugarte, who reportedly did not participate directly in the military regime or in the human rights violations during the Pinochet dictatorship, was the first to publicly claim responsibility in the name of the Carabineros. According to figures complied by the organization, Families of the Detained and Disappeared, the majority of the cases of disappearances were the responsibility of the Chilean police, the army and the former Secret Police organization, DINA. (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-13083 2001-Nov-11 04:21:44