Radio Havana Cuba-18 October 2001 Via NY Transfer News * All the News That Doesn't Fit Radio Havana Cuba - News Update - 18 October 2001 . *CUBA ISSUES CLARIFICATION ON RUSSIAN ANNOUNCEMENT OF CLOSURE OF LOURDES ELECTRONIC RADAR STATION ON THE ISLAND *FIRST CONGRESS OF YOUNG ARTISTS WRAPS UP IN HAVANA *SIXTH CONGRESS ON LEGAL ASPECTS OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY UNDERWAY IN GUANTANAMO *PARTICIPANTS IN IBEROEKA FORUM TOUR PLACES OF INTEREST IN HAVANA *DELEGATES FROM 33 NATIONS TO PARTICIPATE AT HAVANA'S INTERNATIONAL FAIR *THURSDAY BOMBING RAIDS IN AFGHANISTAN LEAVE LARGEST NUMBER YET OF INDEPENDENTLY CONFIRMED CIVILIAN VICTIMS *US CITY OF BERKELEY BECOMES FIRST TO OFFICIALLY OPPOSE BOMBARDMENT OF AFGHANISTAN *COLOMBIAN REBEL-GOVERNMENT PEACE PROCESS ONCE AGAIN HANGING BY A THREAD *PALESTINE NATIONAL AUTHORITY REFUSES TO EXTRADITE TO ISRAEL ASSASSINS OF ULTRA-RIGHT WING ISRAELI TOURISM MINISTER Viewpoint: *THE FOUR HORSEMEN OF THE APOCALYPSE ARE RIDING AGAIN WITH THE UNITED STATES AND BRITAIN AS SHIELD BEARERS . *CUBA ISSUES CLARIFICATION ON RUSSIAN ANNOUNCEMENT OF CLOSURE OF LOURDES ELECTRONIC RADAR STATION ON THE ISLAND Havana, October 18 (RHC) -- The government of Cuba has issued an official clarification concerning Russia's announcement that it would close its military electronic radar stations in Lourdes, Cuba and Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam. A front-page statement in the official Cuban news daily "Granma" noted that Russian Armed Forces General Staff chief, Commander Anatoly Kvashnin, declared that "Russis is withdrawing its military bases from Cuba and Vietnam as a result of the change in the international military-political situation, and in view of the savings in financial resources for the army and navy. To avoid any errors or confusion, Cuba stated that it would like to clarify that the two facilities should not have been lumped together in the Russian declaration because they differ greatly in their origins, functions and importance. Cam Ranh, says the statement, was a naval base built by the United States some 20 thousand kilometers away from its territory and leased to the Soviet Union in 1979 - noting that it is of barely any use for a country like Russia, which has had practically no surface vessel fleet since the USSR's demise. At this moment, stated the Cuban government, Vietnam faces no danger of military aggression from the United States. The statement goes on to say that the Lourdes Electronic Radar Station, on the other hand, was established in 1964, two years after the October Missile Crisis, and that the USSR did not pay a cent for the services it received from Cuba due to close cooperation between the two countries. Cuba recalled that in 1992, following the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Russian Federation unilaterally withdrew the military brigade that had remained in Cuba after the Missile Crisis as a result of negotiations with Washington, while at the same time expressing its interest in maintaining the Lourdes Electronic Radar Station as an important element for its strategic security - particularly as a means of verifying strict compliance with nuclear reduction and disarmament agreements. The official statement recalled that despite flagrant violations of agreements, economic losses and risks faced by Cuba, Havana allowed the facility to stay with no charge whatsoever. But Russia's reiterated interest in maintaining, expanding and modernizing the installation led to an agreement which included payment to Cuba in hard currency - though the amount barely constituted 3 percent of the damage caused to Cuba's economy by the disintegration of the socialist block and the USSR and the unilateral annulment of all agreements. Noting that the United States has relentlessly pressured Russia over the existence of this facility, the government of Cuba pointed out that Washington itself has maintained a military base in Cuban territory for over 100 years now and against the will of the Cuban people. Recalling that Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke of further developing and modernizing the facility during his visit to Cuba last December, the statement affirmed that only months later a curious change was observed in Russia's policy, which included non-compliance with its financial obligation and unjustifiable and exaggerated demands for a reduction in the amount paid for services rendered. It was at this stage, stated the Cuban government, that the current international crisis broke out, with Russia offering broad support and cooperation for the war unleashed by the United States. The Cuban government insisted that negotiations regarding the Lourdes Electronic Radar Station have yet to be concluded, warning that withdrawal of the station would be a message and a concession to the US government that would constitute a grave threat to Cuba's security. Cuba announced that it will refrain for the moment from making any judgments or criticisms regarding Russia's Thursday announcement, and will simply limit itself to offering absolutely factual information to the Cuban people, and to hoping that this disagreement can be resolved in a reasonable, fair and honorable manner. *FIRST CONGRESS OF YOUNG ARTISTS WRAPS UP IN HAVANA Havana, October 18 (RHC)-- The First Congress of the Hermanos Saiz Association wrapped up this evening at Havana's International Convention Center. The gathering brought together dozens of the island's best cultural workers. According to the president of the Organizing Committee for the Congress, Alpidio Alonso, the primary objective of the four-day meeting was to examine and promote cultural projects that conserve national identity and independence. He praised the participation of numerous cultural workers and community leaders from across the island. The leader of the Havana-based cultural organization also noted that his Association is working with young people who are making new recordings of rap and rock music. He pointed out that there is a new generation of Cuban artists working in theatrical productions and musical presentations. Alpidio Alonzo also noted that today, October 18th, is the cultural association's 15th anniversary. On this date in 1986, the organization -- which now has over 3000 members -- was formed in the Cuban capital. The Hermanos Saiz or Saiz Brothers Association takes its name from Luis and Sergio Saiz, two Cuban teenagers who were killed in 1958 by Batista's police forces. The two brothers were young writers and poets and were involved in the struggle against the dictatorship. *SIXTH CONGRESS ON LEGAL ASPECTS OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY UNDERWAY IN GUANTANAMO Guantanamo, October 18 (RHC)-- The Sixth Congress on Legal Aspects of Information Technology is underway in Guantanamo. Nearly 100 delegates will take part in the meeting, which will run through Saturday, the 20th. The Congress is being sponsored by the Cuban Union of Jurists. Participants will attend workshops on legal matters relating to computer technology and the use of information. They are also scheduled to visit places of historic and cultural interest. *PARTICIPANTS IN IBEROEKA FORUM TOUR PLACES OF INTEREST IN HAVANA Havana, October 18 (RHC)-- Representatives from 21 member nations of the IBEROEKA Projects, who are participating in the Second Forum IBEROEKA 2001, toured places of scientific interest in the Cuban capital on the final day of an encounter aimed at boosting technological cooperation among Ibero-American nations. Delegates also toured the Center for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering and the Carlos J. Finlay Institute for Molecular Immunology and Research. For three days, the participants in IBEROEKA 2001 debated the medicinal use of biotechnology, disposable biological materials and pharmaceutical chemistry. *DELEGATES FROM 33 NATIONS TO PARTICIPATE AT HAVANA'S INTERNATIONAL FAIR Havana, October 18 (RHC)-- Some 33 nations, 13 official delegations and 25 chambers of commerce have already confirmed their participation at Havana's 19th International Fair, set for October 28th through November 4th. The event's organizing committee estimates that the number of participants will increase as CARICOM member nations confirm their participation. They also announced the presence for the first time at the fair of New Zealand, Croatia and the United States. Abraham Maciques, main coordinator of Havana's International Fair, reported that 1300 foreign companies and more than 400 Cuban firms will participate in the exhibition fair, which will also include representatives from the European Union. The ever-growing numbers of foreign business executives at the Havana Fair is further evidence that the event is seen as a unique opportunity to discuss business operations with their Cuban counterparts. It also provides an opportunity to promote Cuban exports and strengthen cooperation ties with trade partners from around the world. *THURSDAY BOMBING RAIDS IN AFGHANISTAN LEAVE LARGEST NUMBER YET OF INDEPENDENTLY CONFIRMED CIVILIAN VICTIMS Islamabad, October 18 (RHC) -- Thursday's bombing raids against Afghanistan resulted in the largest number of independently confirmed civilian casualties. Moments after a missile strike against the capital, Kabul, one resident told the Pakistan-based Islamic news agency AIP that he had lost 5 members of his family in an attack that destroyed 6 homes in a residential neighborhood on the southeastern outskirts of the capital. Other residents reportedly spoke of the death of an 8 year old girl in a neighborhood on the eastern outskirts. Again basing its report on eyewitnesses, the AIP news agency also reported 13 civilians killed and 12 wounded during an attack against Kandahar, the Taliban regime's spiritual center. The Saudi Arabian TV chain Al-Jazira transmitted images of mutilated bodies following the bombardment of Kabul, as well as rescue workers pulling bodies and human remains from beneath destroyed buildings. The Saudi network warned its viewers about the gory nature of the scenes before transmitting them. *US CITY OF BERKELEY BECOMES FIRST TO OFFICIALLY OPPOSE BOMBARDMENT OF AFGHANISTAN Berkeley, October 18 (RHC) -- The U.S. city of Berkeley has become the country's first city to officially pronounce itself against the bombardment of Afghanistan. Despite receiving numerous death threats by phone and e-mail, the Berkeley City Council approved a resolution calling on President George W. Bush to suspend the military strikes, while also calling on the United Nations to take legal action against Osama Bin Laden, his Al Qaida terrorist organization and the Taliban regime. City officials said the resolution was passed due to concern for the lives of innocent people in Afghanistan. The resolution calls on the U.S. government to bring before the United Nations criminal charges against the Taliban regime for providing a safe haven for terrorists. Berkeley Mayor Shirley Dean said that during the 10 days the resolution was debated her office received anonymous threatening phone calls and e-mail messages, particularly since the University of California student newspaper "The Californian" reported that she had affirmed that the United States government is terrorist - which she denied having said. *COLOMBIAN REBEL-GOVERNMENT PEACE PROCESS ONCE AGAIN HANGING BY A THREAD Bogotá, October 18 (RHC) -- Colombian guerrilla leader Manuel Marulanda has ordered his peace negotiators to suspend talks with the government due to military harassment of the demilitarized zone. Amid calls from conservative political and business sectors to suspend the peace process, President Andres Pastrana last week ordered a three-month extension of his government's legal recognition of the demilitarized zone - though with certain conditions. One of those conditions was a stepped up military control of the area's perimeter by land and air. Marulanda stated, however, that government soldiers have entered the demilitarized zone, that the vehicles of rebel leaders and peace negotiators have been followed and that these controls place rebel forces at risk each time they have to mobilize for an encounter with government peace negotiators. He said military aircraft are carrying out non-stop flights over the municipality in the demilitarized zone where peace negotiations have been taking place. The Colombian government, in a quick response to the denunciation, accused the rebels of being afraid of peace and reiterated its decision to maintain the stepped up military control of the demilitarized zone. Local observers and media outlets in Colombia are commenting that the rebel-government peace process is once again hanging by a thread. *PALESTINE NATIONAL AUTHORITY REFUSES TO EXTRADITE TO ISRAEL ASSASSINS OF ULTRA-RIGHT WING ISRAELI TOURISM MINISTER Jerusalem, October 18 (RHC) -- The Palestine National Authority has refused to turn over to Israel the assassins of ultra-right wing Israeli Tourism Minister Rejavam Zeevi. Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon issued an ultimatum to Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, but Palestinian authorities said that neither they nor Israel are under obligation to extradite their citizens. The Palestine National Authority has never accepted an Israeli extradition request. Palestinian security forces have reportedly arrested some 30 activists from the Palestine Popular Liberation Front, which claimed responsibility for the assassination. Meanwhile, Palestinian authorities have denounced an Israeli plot to assassinate Yasser Arafat, as the Israeli army again stepped up military pressure in occupied territories. In an attack again the West Bank cities of Ramallah and Jenin three Palestinians were killed, including a 12-year-old girl. Three of the girls' friends playing with her at the time were wounded. Viewpoint: *THE FOUR HORSEMEN OF THE APOCALYPSE ARE RIDING AGAIN WITH THE UNITED STATES AND BRITAIN AS SHIELD BEARERS Hunger, war, death and disease, the mythic four horsemen of the Apocalypse are galloping across the sky again, this time the loyal shield bearers of the leaders of the world's two most powerful nations: the United States and Great Britain. In a collection of paintings by M.P. Cornelius known as Frescos from the Porticals of Berlin Cemetery, the destruction of the human race by those four evils is vividly depicted. The medieval paintings can't hold a candle to the horrifying reality of the third millennium which, while it is spawning war and destruction in central Asia, hunger and death are spreading across the globe and disease is threatening to destroy entire African nations. Humans have rarely had to face such a difficult situation, practically surrounded by the four evils, while powerful nations push on with their testing of the most modern deadly means of destruction in revenge for the cruel, inhuman actions of last September 11th in New York and Washington. Fortunately voices of protest are beginning to be heard, though thus far lacking sufficient force. Meanwhile, there are important issues to be dealt with. As international attention is distracted, it seems as though the death of tens of thousands of people everyday from hunger, AIDS , tuberculosis and malaria, no longer matter. Important meetings, like the Non-Aligned Summit and the meeting against hunger that was to have been held soon in Rome, have been put on the back burner. Vital themes like solidarity with the poorest peoples of the world and the survival children, pale against news of war. Though good news is increasingly absent, the struggle for the betterment of humankind goes on. However, despite everything, we in Cuba are sure that humankind will survive and that the malevolent horsemen of the Apocalypse, along with their shield bearers, will be defeated and sooner or later humanity will take another step towards development and the construction of a just society. Cuba, not as isolated at some may think, is working to become a beacon that lights the way through the darkens that has descended. (c) 2001 Radio Habana Cuba, NY Transfer News. 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