RHC Weekend-17/18 November 2001 Via NY Transfer News * All the News That Doesn't Fit Radio Havana Cuba - Weekend News Update - 17/18 November 2001 . *FIDEL SAYS FREE TRADE AREA OF THE AMERICAS MUCH WORSE THAN HE HAD IMAGINED *PEREZ ROQUE SAYS UN MEMBERS REJECT WASHINGTON'S BLOCKADE OF CUBA *CUBA FACES U.S. FOR WORLD AMATEUR BASEBALL CHAMPIONSHIP *US LAWMAKERS CALL IMMEDIATE HEARINGS ON SECRET MILITARY COURT PROPOSAL *CONTINUING OUTCRY AGAINST LONDON'S EFFORTS TO RESTRICT CIVIL LIBERTIES *RABBANI RETURNS TO KABUL PROCLAIMING HIMSELF LEGITIMATE HEAD OF STATE *ON-GOING CONTROVERSY, CONFUSION OVER DEPLOYMENT OF BRITISH TROOPS *MEXICO: VICENTE FOX FACES YET ANOTHER HUMAN RIGHTS CONTROVERSY *Viewpoint: WASHINGTON'S ON-GOING WAR DURING RAMADAN A SLAP IN THE FACE TO ARAB NATIONS, A TROUBLING SIGN FOR ALL THE THIRD WORLD . *FIDEL SAYS FREE TRADE AREA OF THE AMERICAS MUCH WORSE THAN HE HAD IMAGINED Havana, November 17 (RHC)-- After listening to experts and activists during a four-day gathering in Havana, Cuban President Fidel Castro affirmed that the Free Trade Area of the Americas is much more dangerous for Latin America than even he had imagined. The Cuban leader, closing Havana's Hemispheric Meeting to Oppose the Free Trade Area of the Americas, said the proposed deal is essentially a mechanism to make Latin American economies even more dependent on the United States -- calling it annexation. President Fidel Castro called on the 800 delegates from 27 regional countries to defeat the FTAA, through unity, determination, the promotion of plebiscites and the dissemination of information about the eventual effects of the agreement and of neo-liberal policies in general. He said he listened to some of those effects from speakers at the event, from "maquiladoras" -- or assembly plants that resemble sweat shops in Mexico, to the privatizations and spending cutbacks leaving Ecuadorians without a social net, to the catastrophic deterioration of living conditions, education and health in Argentina due to free market neoliberal policies. The Cuban leader took the opportunity in his closing speech to announce that the U.S. government has agreed to allow the sale of food and medicines to Cuba in the aftermath of Hurricane Michelle. In a recent response to the U.S. government's offer of humanitarian aid to Cuba, Havana expressed its gratitude for the gesture, but said it would prefer to buy the necessary goods in hard cash and using Cuban merchant vessels. Washington insisted on using U.S. ships or those from a third country, which Cuba eventually agreed to, explained President Castro. The Cuban leader said this is the first transaction of this nature in more than 40 years, and that he hopes that the obstacles to normal U.S.-Cuba relations posed by Washington's blockade will gradually reduce and finally disappear. *PEREZ ROQUE SAYS UN MEMBERS REJECT WASHINGTON'S BLOCKADE OF CUBA New York, November 17 (RHC)-- Cuban Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque says that most UN member-nations reject Washington's blockade of the island and express solidarity and admiration for Cuba's positions. Havana's top diplomat spoke with Prensa Latina News Agency on Friday, following the closing of the 56th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Cuba's foreign minister said he met with the heads of more than 50 delegations to the UN session during this past week, noting that many expressed interest in Cuba's recovery efforts in the wake of Hurricane Michelle. Felipe Perez Roque told Prensa Latina that the work of the Cuban delegation was "positive and intense," pointing to the working meetings he held with foreign ministers from Ibero-American countries, as well as the Movement of Non-Aligned Nations and the Group of 77. The Cuban foreign minister's packed agenda at the United Nations also included an exchange with leaders from the European Union, at the request of EU President and Belgian Deputy Prime Minister Louis Michel. It was agreed to resume the dialogue in Havana later this month. Perez Roque said he believes the meeting will take place in an atmosphere of understanding and respect for the island's independence. Havana's top diplomat also noted that working commissions of the UN General Assembly submitted ten draft resolutions -- including those on the right to food, against the use of unilateral force and in defense of international law. Perez Roque said that Cuba's annual resolution on the need to put an end to the U.S. economic blockade against the island is scheduled to be presented on November 27th. Regarding the fight against terrorism -- an issue widely discussed during this year's UN session -- the Cuban foreign minister emphasized that Havana has signed-on to three international conventions against terrorism, as recommended by the United Nations. He said he formally presented the conventions at UN Headquarters on Thursday. According to the Cuban Foreign Ministry, these three newly signed conventions are part of the seven passed by the National Assembly of People's Power last October 4th. Four other agreements against terrorism will be officially signed in the coming days -- part of Cuba's decision to sign all of the United Nations' conventions related to the fight against terrorism. Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque also announced that the Cuban Parliament would take up the discussion of new, more stringent legislation against terrorism when it meets again next month. However, the Cuban official reiterated that the problem of terrorism can only be confronted with real international cooperation, conducted in the framework of the United Nations. Noting that the so-called "war against terrorism" led by the United States and Britain totally ignores the United Nations, the Cuban foreign minister said that the need for profound reform and democratization of the world body is now more important than ever. *CUBA FACES U.S. FOR WORLD AMATEUR BASEBALL CHAMPIONSHIP Taiwan, November 17 (RHC)-- At the 34th World Amateur Baseball Championship, underway in Taiwan, Cuba pushed an undefeated Japanese team aside on Saturday and will now face the United States for the crown. In the all-important semi-final game against Japan, Cuba won by a score of three to one. At the same time, the U.S. took on Taiwan -- beating the host team 4 to one and clearing the way for the showdown on Sunday. Despite the 12-hour time-difference between Taiwan and Havana, millions of Cubans gathered around their TV sets to watch the game between Cuba and Japan -- which got underway around 5 a.m. Those who didn't set their alarms to see the start of the game were awakened a short time later by the shouts and screams of baseball fans. As word of Cuba's victory over Japan spread across the island early Saturday morning, people were already preparing to watch the decisive game against the United States, which begins at 3:30 in the afternoon in Taiwan -- 3:30 in the morning here in Havana. *US LAWMAKERS CALL IMMEDIATE HEARINGS ON SECRET MILITARY COURT PROPOSAL Washington, November 17 (RHC)-- Several members of the U.S. Congress have requested immediate hearings on President George Bush's decision to install secret military courts for foreign residents suspected of terrorism. Republican representative Robert Bar, from Georgia, said the president is taking actions without consulting Congress and without waiting to see if the recent broadening of police powers is sufficient to combat terrorism. Barr said he's concerned about the fundamental changes in federal laws and procedures, adding that the magnitude of this Executive Decree is staggering. Democratic representative from Michigan, John Conyers, affirmed that the country is on the verge of a calamity in the arena of civil rights. Conyers said the Bush administration has adopted a series of measures whose constitutionality are doubtful, and that place the Executive Power in the untenable role of legislator, district attorney, judge and jury. Senator Patrick Leahy, democrat from Vermont and chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, has called on the Justice Department to appear before Congress next November 28th. Meanwhile, as the Justice Department wants to interrogate some 5,000 persons legally residing in the US and maintains silence on more than 1,100 currently detained, California democratic representative Maxine Waters stated that this broadening of police powers literally constitutes a dismantling of the country's judicial system. Texas democratic representative Sheila Jackson said indefinite incarceration of mostly Arabs and Muslims in unrevealed detention centers seems more like cases of racial profiling. *CONTINUING OUTCRY AGAINST LONDON'S EFFORTS TO RESTRICT CIVIL LIBERTIES London, November 17 (RHC)-- Criticism of London's efforts to further restrict civil liberties continues on the rise. Amnesty International has termed as draconian the government's proposal to imprison people without charge or trial, in a new report leading up to Monday's debate on the issue in the House of Commons. The international human rights organization said the proposed emergency legislation would create a shadow criminal justice system without safeguards, noting that anyone deemed to be a terrorist or a threat to national security could be imprisoned based on evidence inadmissible in a trial and on a significantly lower standard of proof than is applied in criminal courts. Amnesty International is concerned about the government's proposal that people will be categorized as a national security risk and/or a terrorist based solely on the Secretary of State's beliefs or suspicions, noting that the criteria for such beliefs or suspicions are not put forth in the pending legislation and the basis for the beliefs and suspicions will be secret. Anyone so categorized will have their case heard in a closed hearing, some of which may take place in the absence of the person concerned and without full disclosure of the evidence to them, charged the organization. *RABBANI RETURNS TO KABUL PROCLAIMING HIMSELF LEGITIMATE HEAD OF STATE Kabul, November 17 (RHC)-- In yet another indication of Afghanistan's uncertain and possibly chaotic future, former Afghan President Burhanuddin Rabbani Saturday returned to Kabul proclaiming himself the legitimate head of state. Despite his promise to support a formation of a broad-based coalition government, Rabanni and his thousands of loyal, almost fanatic followers are successfully maneuvering to negotiate from a position of strength. The Afghan president deposed by the Taliban in 1996 reiterated his willingness to negotiate the formation of a broad-based government, but stated that such a move depended on what he called the seriousness of the United Nations. The statement has been interpreted as confirming a rift between Rabbani and the UN, which says that it's the Northern Alliance that's obstructing negotiations for a post-Taliban government. And though high-ranking UN officials admit that the world body has always recognized Rabbani's legitimacy, Francesc Vendrell - special UN assistant represtative for Afghanistan - affirmed that this doesn't mean he must assume control of a post-Taliban government. Meanwhile, observers are noting that the Pashtun majority and Shiite groups fear the ethnic Tajik and Uzbek Northern Alliance factions that seized Kabul will try to cling to power. And, according to many reports from Kabul, worried residents of the capital well remember the vicious factional squabbles among ethnic leaders when they toppled Afghanistan's Soviet-backed government. The squabbles led to a civil war that sparked almost daily attacks on Kabul that killed 50,000 residents in five year, while through banditry and lawlessness warlords carved up the country into their own personal fiefdoms. *ON-GOING CONTROVERSY, CONFUSION OVER DEPLOYMENT OF BRITISH TROOPS Kabul, London, November 17 (RHC)-- Afghanistan's Northern Alliance has reportedly rejected the presence of 85 British troops that arrived in Kabul, though London denies the report. According to Reuters news agency, a high ranking member of the Northern Alliance's intelligence services, Engeeneer Arif, stated Saturday that the contingent arrived without any previous coordination. Arif said only 15 of those troops will be able to remain in Kabul to help coordinate humanitarian efforts. The same report affirms that Northern Alliance Foreign Minister Abdullah Abdullah is holding sporadic telephone conversations with British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw. But according to the AFP news agency, datelined London, an unnamed foreign secretary spokesperson denied any discord with the new authorities in Kabul, insisting that all the British troops will remain there. Meanwhile, the Saturday edition of the British news daily "The Guardian" has affirmed that confusion clouds the role of British troops in Afghanistan and that the Northern Alliance is irritated by the lack of coordination with its authorities. The news daily also noted that, based on ambivalent statements from diverse government officials, the contingent's objectives, how many will eventually be deployed, and under what circumstances, are not clear. "The Guardian" reported that there also seems to be confusion about the role of 300 French troops that Friday were dispatched to Uzbekistan, noting that Uzbek President Islam Karimov said that he knows nothing about it, his government knows nothing about it, and all those who deal with such issues know nothing about it. *MEXICO: VICENTE FOX FACES YET ANOTHER HUMAN RIGHTS CONTROVERSY Mexico City, November 17 (RHC)-- The government of Mexico is under scrutiny once again following the recent assassination of prominent attorney and human rights activist Digna Ochoa and public death threats against other activists. The Inter-American Human Rights Commission had recommended that by Friday authorities should release from prison a Mexican army general condemned to 28 years in prison on charges of illicit enrichment and dishonor towards the military - though human rights activists say he was targeted for requesting the establishment of a special human rights office within the armed forces. Amnesty International and numerous other local and international human rights groups have taken up the banner of 54-year-old General Jose Gallardo, but Mexican authorities refused to heed the IHRC recommendation - stating that Gallardo can appeal his case. Gallardo told media outlets in telephone interviews that through intermediaries, President Vicente Fox offered to grant him a pardon, but he refused. He said he would not accept any resolution to his situation that results in impunity for the military officers who imprisoned him. The IHRC stated that if Mexico didn't comply, it would elevate the case to the Inter-American Human Rights Court. *Viewpoint: WASHINGTON'S ON-GOING WAR DURING RAMADAN A SLAP IN THE FACE TO ARAB NATIONS, A TROUBLING SIGN FOR ALL THE THIRD WORLD In a show of political juggling not deprived of cynicism, U.S. President George W. Bush conveyed "good wishes" to the Afghan people on the occasion of the Ramadan, as if the war unleashed by Washington against that country and its more than 1500 fatal victims were a mere illusion. More than 1.3 billion Muslims around the world began this Friday a month of fasting and prayers during which they commemorate what they call "the divine revelation" received by the Prophet Mohammed. This is a period when believers abstain from eating and even drinking liquids and refrain from other acts from sunrise 'til sunset, as they engage in a profession of faith that includes five daily prayers. The religious commemoration has this time arrived for the Afghans in the middle of Washington's on-going war against their country. The U.S. has decided not to heed the plea issued by millions of Muslims around the world who asked that the month-long sacred rites not be disturbed. It is true that after the fall of Kabul and the entrance of the Northern Alliance and their American protectors to that capital, the U.S. has cut down on its bombing, concentrating it mostly in the south, in Kandahar and other places where they assume that the Talibans remain strong. But the fact is that the Pentagon's war machinery has continued to bring destruction and suffering to this Muslim nation despite the Ramadan, in an action that combines both the usual U.S. imperial arrogance and a dose of clear racism along with contempt towards the Muslim world and its traditions. What's more, Washington's announced decision to continue with the war in open disregard of the profound significance of the Ramadan is indeed not only an insult to the Arab world but a troubling revelation of what the present times may have in stock for the non-industrial, underdeveloped, poor nations of the planet; an indication of the kind of disregard that our nations can expect for their people and their traditions from the U.S.-led rich world. But again, one wonders: Isn't it, after all, a sad re-confirmation of the old, yet invariably advancing and seemingly inevitable path that our nations have always been following? (c) 2001 Radio Habana Cuba, NY Transfer News. 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