RHC Weekend-09/10 February 2002 Via NY Transfer News * All the News That Doesn't Fit Radio Havana Cuba - Weekend News Update - 09/10 February 2002 . *ECUADORAN UNIVERSITY AWARDS PRESIDENT CASTRO HONORARY DEGREE *FIDEL CALLS ON UNIVERSITIES TO DEVISE SOLUTIONS TO GLOBAL PROBLEMS *LAWYERS WARN ARGENTINE PRESIDENT ON ANTI-CUBA VOTE IN GENEVA *PRESIDENT OF CUBAN PARLIAMENT MEETS FRENCH SENATORS *EU'S MOST STINGING CRITICISM TO DATE OF WASHINGTON'S FOREIGN POLICY *FORMER TOP ENRON EXEC SUBPOENAED BY US CONGRESS, BUT NOT EXPECTED TO TALK *THOUSANDS AGAIN ON THE STREETS OF VENEZUELA IN SUPPORT OF HUGO CHAVEZ *ARGENTINE PRESIDENT'S CONCILIATORY SPEECH SENDS THOUSANDS TO PROTEST *ISRAELI PEACE ARMY ON THE MOVE *Viewpoint: US "WAR ON TERRORISM" - CRITICISM GROWS AMONG ALLIES . *ECUADORAN UNIVERSITY AWARDS PRESIDENT CASTRO HONORARY DEGREE Havana, February 9 (RHC)--Cuban President Fidel Castro was presented with an honorary degree granted by the University of Cotopaxi, Ecuador, for his extraordinary services to humanity. During Friday's closing session of the 3rd International Convention on Higher Education - University 2002 -, Francisco Ulloa, Dean of the Ecuadoran educational institution, described Fidel Castro as "the leader of Latin America" and referred to the Cuban Revolution as a vivid example of how much regional governments can do for the benefit of their peoples. Speaking with delegates at the closing session, the Cuban leader explained that at a time when everything humanity has achieved is being seriously threatened, from national identity and culture to the very existence of mankind, universities are to play a key role in reverting that situation by inculcating knowledge, as well as values, in the new generations as a way to prepare them for their role as the builders of a new, more humane society. President Fidel Castro added that the universities and the professionals we are capable of training there can come up with fresh ideas and solutions to today's problems. The educational forum gathered in Havana 1,225 delegates and guests, representing 252 centers of higher education from some 37 nations. Cuban Minister of Higher Education, Dr. Fernando Vecino Alegret, invited participants in University 2002 and the world university community, in general, to a new encounter here in Havana in February 2004 to exchange views and learn more about each other's experiences in the development of new initiatives to improve higher education. The event's final document ratifies this type of gathering as an appropriate framework to examine the main challenges to higher education in today's world and underscores a consensus reached by participating nations on the need to work together toward finding solutions to existing, as well as emerging problems. For five days, participants in the 3rd International Convention on Higher Education focused their debates on the need to work toward improving the quality of higher education and the formation of values in the new generations as a way to achieve a more adequate social and human development. *FIDEL CALLS ON UNIVERSITIES TO DEVISE SOLUTIONS TO GLOBAL PROBLEMS Havana, February 9 (RHC)--Fidel Castro said universities, as the highest centers of knowledge, have to necessarily be involved in solving the growing problems that the world is facing today. "I have the feeling, the certainty, that this 21st century is going to be much more difficult than the 20th century," said the Cuban President, adding that that universities will have to deal with ever more serious problems. The 20th century was a terrible century for humanity, stressed Fidel Castro, noting that that it was during this century that the world's great problems emerged, growing problems that continue to demand a solution today, which can only come from the universities. President Castro told the representatives of the some 250 universities from 36 countries that were attending the Third Havana Convention on Higher Education that universities could and should struggle to save humanity from what he described as an impending catastrophe. "The universities have accumulated enough knowledge to be able to study and explain the new realities, because the more wide-spread the understanding of these problems the greater the chances of steering the world away from its fate. This is why we in Cuba speak today of a battle of ideas, because ideas, only ideas, can bring solutions, which weapons will certainly not bring." Fidel Castro said it was ridiculous to believe that the way things were going now the world could be governed for long. The world will become ungovernable, he cautioned, and "there's no time to lose while it is still possible perhaps, and I stress perhaps, to change the course of events before it is too late." *LAWYERS WARN ARGENTINE PRESIDENT ON ANTI-CUBA VOTE IN GENEVA Buenos Aires, February 9 (RHC)--The Buenos Aires' Association of Lawyers warned Argentine President Eduardo Duhalde of recent statements by some of his government's officials that, they charge, "imply an open interference in the internal affairs of Cuba." In a document entitled "Argentina's future vote in the Cuba case," the association of lawyers termed as "very disturbing" the position adopted by the Argentine Foreign Relations Ministry regarding human rights in the Caribbean island. The document refers to statements made two weeks ago in Washington by Argentine Foreign Minister Carlos Ruckauf and his Secretary for International Economic Relations Martin Redrado advocating the imposition of sanctions for presumed human rights violations on the island. In the document, the Buenos Aires Lawyers Association says the United States government is responsible for the 40-year long imposition of a genocidal policy, which violates the human rights of the entire Cuban people. The Argentine lawyers warned that the statements of the foreign relations officials and, consequently, the country's position at the Geneva Human Rights Commission next April could constitute payment in exchange for promises of U.S. loans to lift the nation out of its current financial and social crisis. In reference to that crisis, the Argentine lawyers stressed that the human rights of the vast majority of the Argentine people are commonly disregarded. *PRESIDENT OF CUBAN PARLIAMENT MEETS FRENCH SENATORS Havana, February 9 (RHC)--A visiting delegation from the French Senate's France-Caribbean Friendship Group met with Cuban President Ricardo Alarcon Friday evening. The French legislators are in Cuba as invited guests to the Havana International Book Fair, which this year has France as its honorary participant. The French delegation is participating with a stand of books on the history of relations between France and the Caribbean area. The French visitors announced that once the book fair is over, they will donate a great part of the books to the Cuban Parliament's library and French language schools on the island. *EU'S MOST STINGING CRITICISM TO DATE OF WASHINGTON'S FOREIGN POLICY Brussels, February 9 (RHC)--The European Union commissioner in charge of Europe's international relations has launched a scathing attack on Washington's foreign policy. Commissioner Chris Patten has accused the Bush administration of a dangerous - in his words - "absolutist and simplistic" stance towards the rest of the world. As EU officials warned of a rift opening up between Europe and the US wider than at any time for half a century, Patten told the British news daily "Guardian" that it's time European governments spoke up and stopped Washington before it goes into what he called a "unilateralist overdrive." The EU commissioner said Gulliver can't go it alone, and that he thought it would not be helpful if Europe regards itself as so Lilliputian that it can't speak up and say it. Regarding Bush's "axis of evil" speech, Patten said he found it hard to believe that this is a thought-through policy, and that the phrase was deeply "unhelpful." He said that Europe's policy of "constructive engagement" is much more likely to bring results than a US policy which so far consists of "more rhetoric than substance." The former Conservative party chairman blasted Washington for showing much more interest in stamping out terrorism than in tackling terror's root causes. Media outlets around the world are calling the commissioner's remarks the most critical statement yet of what has become a growing sense of alarm in European capitals at the increasingly belligerent tone adopted by Washington. The "Guardian" quoted one unnamed senior EU official as saying that it's humiliating and demeaning if Europe feels it has to go and get its homework marked by Dick Cheney and Condi Rice, adding that the Old Continent has to stop thinking that the only policy to pursue is one that doesn't get vetoed by the United States. The British news daily reported that publicly the British government continues to stand shoulder to shoulder with Bush, but that members of the Labor Party are deeply troubled by Washington's aggressiveness. Patten's statements follow similar harsh criticism of the Bush administration by French Prime Minister Lionel Jospin and French Foreign Minister Hubert Vedrine. *FORMER TOP ENRON EXEC SUBPOENAED BY US CONGRESS, BUT NOT EXPECTED TO TALK Washington, February 9 (RHC)--The former chairman and chief executive of the scandal-ridden Enron firm is scheduled to appear under subpoena before a Senate subcommittee on Tuesday, but media outlets are asserting that there's no assurance he'll answer any questions. Senator Byron Dorgan, chairman of the Commerce Committee's consumer affairs panel, Friday said that he had not been told whether former executive Kenneth Lay would exercise his constitutional right against self-incrimination - though this is precisely what Lay is expected to do. Meanwhile, in an interview on the Enron scandal, renowned consumer activist Ralph Nader said he hated to say it, but "I told you so." After years of warning about the dangers inherent in a system that permits corporate political action committees to buy government favors in the form of deregulation, lax regulatory oversight and economic globalization, Nader told the news magazine "The Nation" that Enron is the supermarket of corporate crime in our time. He said the business community is embarrassed, investor confidence is severely shaken and politicians are scrambling to explain why they took those checks from Enron chief Kenneth Lay. "The Nation" noted that Nader continues getting a cold shoulder from Washington Republicans angered by his accusation that Bush campaign contributors are criminals, by Washington Democrats who believe that his renegade 2000 presidential race took votes away from them, and by the mainstream media. But now, it reported, the 67-year-old consumer activist is getting quite a hearing, appearing on NBC's Meet the Press, ABC's This Week and PBS's Firing Line. "The Nation" noted that during his presidential race, Nader called a press conference to which no press came. It also spoke of how his new book recollecting his candidacy and entitled "Crashing the Party: Taking on the Corporate Government in an Age of Surrender" is selling as if Nader were a rock star. *THOUSANDS AGAIN ON THE STREETS OF VENEZUELA IN SUPPORT OF HUGO CHAVEZ Caracas, February 9 (RHC)--Thousands of Venezuelans again took to the streets Friday evening to express their support for President Hugo Chavez as the conservative-led opposition tries to find a figure-head around whom they can rally. While Chavez supporters gathered in front of presidential headquarters in the historic center of the capital, Caracas, the opposition gathered in a rich neighborhood in eastern Caracas to rally behind Air Force Colonel Pedro Soto, who two days ago publicly criticized the government and called for the president's resignation. But Soto's supporters dwindled to a handful when it was announced that the military officer will report to his commander, as he has been ordered to do. Air Force commander, General Regulo Anselmi, Thursday gave Soto 72 hours to report to his headquarters, saying that if he refused he would be considered a deserter and arrested. Ruling party legislators had called on the Venezuelan people to massively take to the streets and denounce what they called the spectacle that had been mounted around Soto. Venezuelan Vice President Diosdado Cabello said the Chavez supporters would remain in the vicinity of the presidential palace as long as necessary. *ARGENTINE PRESIDENT'S CONCILIATORY SPEECH SENDS THOUSANDS TO PROTEST Buenos Aires, February 9 (RHC)--Argentine President Eduardo Duhalde Friday evening tried to rally the nation behind a plan to change the country's political system, but his speech was met with massive protests. Speaking on national television, Duhalde expressed outrage over the mismanagement of the economy by Argentina's ruling circles and the decadence that has disgraced the country's political leaders, calling for a "second republic" and profound changes to the constitution. But thousands of Argentines responded in the early hours on Saturday banging pots and pans in the latest peaceful protest against what they're calling a "government of thieves." Many protesters called for a complete renewal of the political system, from the president to the Supreme Court - demanding that banks return their deposits intact. One giant homemade banner held up by protesters as they marched down Buenos Aires' elegant avenues after midnight read: "We've been raped by politicians, banks and judges." One protester told a local TV station that Argentines are starving, there are 14 million poor, the hospitals are out of supplies, pharmacies are closing and the corrupt politicians continue robbing them. Besides the capital, similar street demonstrations occurred in major cities like Rosario, Santa Rosa, Santiago del Estero and Cordoba. *ISRAELI PEACE ARMY ON THE MOVE Tel Aviv, February 9 (RHC)--Israeli army reservists who have refused to serve in occupied Palestinian territories Saturday participated in a rally in Tel Aviv called by leftist political parties to protest Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's policy toward Palestinians. Leading up to the rally, the first Israeli to refuse to serve in occupied territories, 20-year-old Noam Kuzal, told the British news daily "Guardian" how it took two 28-day stretches in prison and a total of 7 months to convince the Israeli army that he couldn't serve for moral reasons. Since then, more than 400 Israelis have refused service in occupied territories, including 187 reservist officers in the past month alone. This week, 125 of them signed a petition published in the "Yediot Aharonot" newspaper saying that they would not fight to rule, expel, destroy, blockade, assassinate, starve and humiliate an entire people. Kuzal told the "Guardian" that the occupation is corrupting Israel, that the more violent and racist the army acts in the occupied territories, the more violent and racist Israelis act between themselves. In response to those on the Israeli left who argue that it is better for "moral" Israelis like himself to serve in the West Bank and Gaza than to leave the Palestinians at the mercy of soldiers aligned with Jewish settlers, Kuzal said he didn't think being a good moral guy makes much difference to a Palestinian who has just had his house destroyed or has been stuck at a roadblock for six hours with 11 kids to feed -- adding that an occupier is an occupier. He said he is prepared to protect Israel's northern borders with Lebanon, but not prepared to suppress a civilian population and deny them their most basic human rights. *Viewpoint: US "WAR ON TERRORISM" - CRITICISM GROWS AMONG ALLIES "A system in which some countries get richer and richer while others are set aside is neither bearable nor acceptable." The statement, though obvious, might not attract all the attention the issue deserves, but this time it came from French president Jacques Chirac. Chirac added that it is "morally and politically necessary" that all industrialized nations earmark 0.7% of their annual gross domestic product to aid underdeveloped nations - a commitment made 30 years ago, which only the Netherlands, Norway, Luxembourg, Denmark and Sweden have complied with. Chirac's remarks are part of an increasing wave of harsh criticism of U.S. foreign policy by European Union leaders in recent days. This week, French Prime Minister Lionel Jospin and Foreign Minister Hubert Vedrine called on Washington to abandon its unilateralism and return to a multilateral focus for the sake of a more just, secure and balanced world. To top it off, the European Union commissioner in charge of Europe's international relations, Chris Patten, has accused Washington of a dangerous "absolutist and simplistic" stance towards the rest of the world. Chirac's declarations grow in importance taking into account that they were made only a few days after the celebration of the World Economic Forum, which took place this year in New York's luxurious Waldorf-Astoria hotel. Curios as it may seem, a survey carried out among participants in the Forum revealed that a third of the businessmen and politicians consulted agreed that the current process of globalization does not benefit poor countries and described the situation as a time bomb. A time bomb indeed, with the timing device clicking under Washington's unilateral positions and its incapacity to attack the roots of the world's problems: injustice and poverty. (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-22906 2002-Feb-10 02:58:06