RHC Weekend-02/03 February 2002 Via NY Transfer News * All the News That Doesn't Fit Radio Havana Cuba - Weekend News Update - 02/03 February 2002 . *VICENTE FOX TO BE WELCOMED TO CUBA ON SUNDAY *BENIN'S FOREIGN MINISTER SATISFIED WITH CUBAN VISIT *CUBAN ENTERS GUINNESS BOOK OF WORLD RECORDS WITH LONGEST CIGAR *CUBA'S ANTI-DENGUE EFFORT IS EXTENDED TO EASTERNMOST GUANTÁNAMO PROVINCE *ARGENTINA'S SUPREME COURT RULES FREEZING OF BANK ACCOUNTS UNCONSTITUTIONAL *ARGENTINE DEPUTIES DEMAND ABSTENTION IN GENEVA VOTE ON CUBAN HUMAN RIGHTS *UK SEEKS ASSURANCES FROM WASHINGTON TO AVOID FURTHER WAR *INTERNATIONAL MISSION REVEALS EFFECTS OF PLAN COLOMBIA *DELEGATION OF ISRAELI JEWS AND ARABS MEET WITH YASSER ARAFAT *FAO CALLS FOR MORE POLITICAL WILL TO FIGHT HUNGER *Viewpoint: WAR AND PEACE - COLOMBIA, CUBA AND THE UNITED STATES . *VICENTE FOX TO BE WELCOMED TO CUBA ON SUNDAY Havana, February 2 (RHC)--The president of Mexico, Vicente Fox will arrive in Cuba on Sunday on an official visit at the invitation of Cuban President Fidel Castro. This is Vicente Fox's first visit to Cuba as President of Mexico. He last visited the island in 1999 when he was governor of the Mexican State of Guanajuato. The Mexican President's delegation will include Mexico's First lady, Martha Sahagun de Fox, Foreign Relations Secretary, Jorge Castaneda, and other top officials of the Mexican government. The Mexican president and his delegation will participate in an intensive program during his short visit to the island. On the day of his arrival, President Fidel Castro will receive the visitors at an official welcoming ceremony at the Palace of the Revolution where the two delegations will engage in official talks about the present situation in relations between the two countries. They will also take the opportunity to review existing accords between Mexico and Cuba, with a view to extending and strengthening links between the two countries. In the afternoon, the Mexican president will lay a floral tribute at the monument of Cuba's national hero José Martí and afterwards visit Old Havana to view the restoration work taking place there. President Fox's visit will also include a private meeting with Fidel Castro and a working dinner with the participation of officials from both countries. *BENIN'S FOREIGN MINISTER SATISFIED WITH CUBAN VISIT Havana, February 2 (RHC)--Benin's Foreign Minister, Antoine Kolawwole, Friday expressed satisfaction with his visit to the island after meeting with Cuban government minister, Ricardo Cabrisas. In comments to the AIN News Agency, Kolawwole praised the island's decision to increase bilateral links between both nations in the areas of trade and economic exchange at regional and international level. He also referred to important aspects of the proposals made by Cuban President, Fidel Castro, in the Group of 77 Summit, which included negotiations among the countries of the region except the United States. Benin's Foreign Minister recalled that his country's cooperation with the island began in 1974 adding that many leaders, doctors, professors and engineers from his nation had been professionally trained in Cuba. As part of the agenda, the African delegation visited Saturday the International School of Sports and Physical Education, Old Havana, and Africa House. *CUBAN ENTERS GUINNESS BOOK OF WORLD RECORDS WITH LONGEST CIGAR Havana, February 2 (RHC)--Cuban José Castelar Cairo, Friday, was officially recorded in the Guinness Book of World Records for the longest ever hand-rolled Havana cigar. Cairo, a cigar roller from Havana, received the recognition for his 11-meter long cigar. Accepting the Guinness World Record certificate for his unique product, the smiling and now famous cigar roller told RHC that he was surprised when the British Embassy in Havana called him to tell him of the distinction. "I wasn't expecting it," said 53-year old Cairo, adding he had not made the cigar to compete with anyone. Cairo explained that hand rolling the 11-meter long cigar had taken him nine days and enough tobacco leaves to have produced some 1,200 gran coronas, presently the largest of all Havana cigars. The Havana cigar roller said he expected his Guinness World Record cigar to attract visitors and buyers to his Morro Castle cigar, rum, and coffee shop. He predicted that other Cubans would now see him as an example and would work towards winning similar awards with other products. Cigar roller José Castelar Cairo received his official Guinness World Record certificate from the British Ambassador in Cuba, Paul Hare, for the longest cigar ever rolled during a ceremony Friday night at Havana's Morro Castle. *CUBA'S ANTI-DENGUE EFFORT IS EXTENDED TO EASTERNMOST GUANTÁNAMO PROVINCE Havana, February 2 (RHC)--Cuba's president, Fidel Castro announced Friday the necessity to extend sanitary and hygienic measures to the Cuban easternmost province of Guantánamo. The Cuban leader stressed that it is crucial to eliminate the Aedes Aegypti mosquito, the mosquito species that is the carrier of dengue fever. During Friday's round table aired live on Cuban television and radio, Fidel Castro urged Cubans to unite their efforts in order to control the situation, which could get worse if sanitary measures are not properly taken to fight the carrier insect. In spite of the campaign initiated three months ago in Havana, the Cuban leader announced that some 291 dengue cases have currently been registered and two people have died. He also recalled that at the beginning of the Taliban prisoners' transfer to the Guantánamo U.S. Naval Base, the Cuban authorities offered medical assistance to the U.S. government to prevent the prisoners from getting ill but it was rejected. The Cuban leader referred to the intensive plan that includes the elimination of garbage and debris, extensive fumigation of streets and houses, repairs to water leaks and other similar measures. Students, youth organization leaders and military personnel are coordinating the action. *ARGENTINA'S SUPREME COURT RULES FREEZING OF BANK ACCOUNTS UNCONSTITUTIONAL Buenos Aires, February 2nd (RHC)--Argentina's Supreme Court has declared unconstitutional the government's controversial decision to freeze bank accounts. The decision has forced President Eduardo Duhalde to delay the announcement of his economic program and to give bank employees Monday and Tuesday off. The Supreme Court ruled that the financial restrictions are a violation of constitutionally protected private property rights. The Argentinean government characterized the decision as "very serious" protesting that it renders their economic strategy "useless." Argentina's House of Deputies called the Supreme Court's decision "opportunist" claiming that it is a reaction to the political trial underway by the Parliament against 28 judges that make up the country's highest judicial institution who are accused of embezzlement of government funds. With the Supreme Court decision, Argentineans will now be able to withdraw their bank savings, which according to some analysts, will provoke financial bankruptcy as the country does not have the necessary funds to cover its obligations. *ARGENTINE DEPUTIES DEMAND ABSTENTION IN GENEVA VOTE ON CUBAN HUMAN RIGHTS Havana, February 2 (RHC)--Deputies of Argentina's Peronist Party on Saturday presented a proposal demanding that the Argentinean government abstain from voting in favor of any resolution condemning Cuba for human rights violations in the UN Human Rights Commission. Jorge Obei, Argentinean deputy from the province of Santa Fe and vice president of the Justicialista Party, urged Argentina to regain its sovereignty in matters of foreign policy. The Argentinean foreign minister has been sharply criticized for "selling" his country's vote against Cuba at the UN Human Rights Commission hearing in Geneva to be held in a few weeks, in exchange for Washington's help to pull Buenos Aires out of its financial mire. *UK SEEKS ASSURANCES FROM WASHINGTON TO AVOID FURTHER WAR London, February 2 (RHC)--At a meeting in Washington with US Vice President Dick Cheney, and other officials from the Bush administration, Britain's Foreign Secretary, Jack Straw has urged caution on the part of the United States about the expansion of the war against terrorism and asked for clear and concise evidence before extending the campaign. Straw said that without sufficient evidence, Britain would not support an attack against Iraq, Iran or any other country that - according to the United States - supports or approves of international terrorism. He underlined that military action must only be taken as a result of evidence that demonstrates that no other alternative exists and added that Britain will continue to work with government officials in Teheran and President Mohammad Khatami, to bring an end to international terrorism. The Secretary General of NATO, Lord Robertson, declared, at the opening session of the World Economic Forum in New York, that the United States has failed to give sufficient evidence to justify any military action against Iraq. In Paris, the French foreign Minister, Hubert Vedrine, also stated that the Bush government had not given clear enough evidence to accuse Iraq of any possible links with terrorism. *INTERNATIONAL MISSION REVEALS EFFECTS OF PLAN COLOMBIA Quito, February 2 (RHC)--The death of seven children in Ecuador figure among the presumed effects caused by the application of the U.S. "Plan Colombia" according to an international mission. A document issued by the Latin American Human Rights Commission reveals serious health problems in the northern border provinces of Sucumbios, Carchi and Esmeraldas, stemming from "indiscriminate fumigation fomented by Plan Colombia." A mission of non-governmental organizations that visited the northern Ecuadorian provinces January 26th to the 29th also found a "an increase in violence, insecurity and militarization." The International Human Rights Federation, Peace Service and Justice-Latin America, The Washington Office of Latin America and another six international and regional organizations made up the delegation. According to experts, the group made a series of recommendations on how to prevent the human rights violations that are occurring with the implementation of the anti-drug and counterinsurgency programs sponsored by the United States. The mission discovered that since mass fumigation was renewed on January 12, seven children have died as a result of skin problems, diarrhea and vomiting. Many young people are reportedly having school and behavioral problems. The report also notes that important yucca and potato crops are being destroyed. *DELEGATION OF ISRAELI JEWS AND ARABS MEET WITH YASSER ARAFAT Ramallah, February 2 (RHC)--Some 300 Jewish and Arab Israelis met today in Ramallah, the West Bank, with the president of the National Palestine Authority, Yasser Arafat, to denounced the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories. The Israeli delegation is part of a movement, which is named after the Arabic word for coexistence. The meeting took place in a conference room near Arafat's office, which has been blockaded by Israeli tanks since December 3. The members of the Israeli delegation arrived on foot after the Israeli army prohibited their buses from crossing a highway at the entrance of the autonomous city, according to Israeli military radio. Meanwhile, it was revealed that a secret meeting had occurred on Wednesday in Jerusalem when Israeli Prime Minister, Ariel Sharon received three Palestinian leaders to discuss "security issues." On Friday Israeli radio announced the meeting with Palestine Liberation Organization's second in command, Abu Mazen, the president of the Palestinian Legislative Council, Ahmed Qrei and Yasser Arafat's economic advisor, Muhammad Rashid. The radio report said that during the three-hour meeting which was held in the old section of Jerusalem, the Palestinians asked Israel to end the policy of assassinating Palestinian activists, to stop military incursions into Palestinian areas and to lift the blockade imposed against Yasser Arafat, who has been confined in Ramallah since December 3. *FAO CALLS FOR MORE POLITICAL WILL TO FIGHT HUNGER New York, February 2 (RHC)--The General Director of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, Jacque Diouf, has reiterated that agriculture is important in achieving the goals of the upcoming summit on sustainable development. During a preparatory meeting in New York last week, Dr. Diouf said agriculture, forestry and fishing must be an integral part of all events leading up to the summit. The UN official added that environmental degradation and poverty are strongly linked. He said that initiatives to reduce poverty and hunger must be accompanied by sound environmental management. The FAO's principal issues of poverty and food insecurity are the major challenges to achieving the goals of the World Summit for Sustainable Development which will be held in South Africa from August 26th to September 4th. The FAO has repeatedly called for stronger political will and more financial resources to help developing countries achieve food security. *Viewpoint: WAR AND PEACE - COLOMBIA, CUBA AND THE UNITED STATES This week's peace summit that took place at Havana's Convention Center between members of the Colombian government and leaders of the guerilla Army of National Liberation, known by its Spanish acronym ELN, was described by Cuban Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque, as "historic for Colombia, Latin America and the international community." He also voiced his country's opposition to any kind of outside intervention in Colombia's affairs and underlined how important it was to respect the South American nation's sovereignty and independence. Although he didn't mention Washington by name, the Cuban foreign minister was echoing the concerns of Latin Americans in relation to the United States application of its now infamous Plan Colombia. The $1.3 billion plan that the US Congress approved in 2000 was purported to be an anti-drug trafficking package involving mostly military aid to government agencies to combat those mixed up in Colombia's rampant illegal drug industry. However, the arms have found their way into the hands of rightwing paramilitary squads that are often run by the army itself. The Plan has also created a regional defense imbalance that has led to a mini arms-race among neighboring countries. The helicopters and military training that were to be used against drug traffickers are being used, as most experts feared, against the ELN and its larger sister guerilla organization the FARC. Washington officials, responding to critics, tout this as an extension of the US war on drugs because they claim the guerillas deal in narcotics to fund their war against Bogotá. But rightwing groups such as the United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia or AUC are actively involved in the cultivation, processing and marketing of cocaine. They run the areas they control as fiefdoms and keep the local population loyal with constant killings. Even Colombia's Defense Ministry acknowledges that the AUC is the leading instigator of civilian massacres with more than 1,000 people killed by the group last year. This is the war the US now funds. Not a drug war - which was always good PR for domestic consumption - but covertly supporting efforts to crush leftwing groups hostile to Washington and its policy of regional dominance through projects such as the Free Trade Area of the Americas. And while the Bush administration seeks to gather together regional "allies" to condemn Cuba for so-called human rights violations, Havana hosts a peace summit in a concerted effort to bring about an end to one of Latin America's longest and most brutal conflicts. Unlike Washington, Cuba has not taken sides. Unlike Washington, Cuba does not pump millions of dollars into the maelstrom of civil war that has destroyed so many lives. Unlike Washington, Cuba does not fund massive herbicide spraying that ruins large tracks of arable land and seriously harms the health of those who farm it. In Ecuador, peasants living on the northern border with Colombia have reported the death of seven children in questionable circumstances after heavy spraying of the area. Chemicals are leaking into the region's drinking water supplies and into rivers where people bathe. Cuba has taken the position that a nation's sovereignty and independence should be maintained at all costs. It knows what it is talking about. It has fought two major independence wars and has maintained a revolution for the past 43 years fighting back US aggression and dominance. It can truly say that it is an independent and sovereign nation, unlike countries such as Argentina that buy US economic bailouts with promises to support Washington's obsessive condemnations of Havana. Cuba exports thousands of doctors and nurses to Latin America. It seeks to promote peace through health care as well as sponsoring summits and conferences. The United States exports millions of dollars of arms and weaponry to Latin America promoting war and misery in the region. It seeks to convince its population that it is waging a successful war on drugs hiding the fact that its own society is imploding and that the drug problem begins on its very own doorstep. (c) 2002 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-28262 2002-Feb-04 05:10:39