Radio Havana Cuba-19 February 2002 Via NY Transfer News * All the News That Doesn't Fit Radio Havana Cuba - News Update - 19 Febuary 2002 . *FIDEL MEETS WITH MEDICAL PERSONNEL FOLLOWING MISSION IN HAITI *US, CUBAN LABOR LAWYERS GATHER IN HAVANA *CUBAN, BRITISH TRADE UNIONISTS ENGAGE IN FRATERNAL DIALOGUE *INFORMATICS 2002 CONVENTION UNDERWAY IN HAVANA *BUSH ARRIVES IN SOUTH KOREA TO PROTESTS AGAINST HIS "AXIS OF EVIL" REMARK *ARGENTINE GOVERNMENT THREATENS PROTESTORS OF BANK ACCOUNT FREEZE *PENTAGON CONSIDERING DISINFORMATION CAMPAIGN IN FOREIGN MEDIA: NY TIMES *VENEZUELA SAYSS OPPOSITION OF THREE MILITARY OFFICERS INSIGNIFICANT *US LAWMAKERS INVESTIGATING ENRON MAY SUMMON WALL STREET EXECUTIVES *Viewpoint: FTAA - ASSOCIATION OR SUBORDINATION? . *FIDEL MEETS WITH MEDICAL PERSONNEL FOLLOWING MISSION IN HAITI Havana, February 19 (RHC)--Cuban President Fidel Castro met with doctors and medical personnel who returned to Havana from Haiti on Monday. He praised the efforts of the 63 health professionals, who served in 41 remote, rural communities of Haiti for 14 months. The Cuban leader told the young doctors that they constituted a vanguard force, having graduated from medical school in 1999 and spending their first year practicing medicine in mountainous areas near Guantánamo. He noted that this was the first group of medical school graduates who completed an internationalist mission. During his talk with the Cuban medical personnel, Fidel Castro compared their spirit of sacrifice with that of their counterparts in more developed countries, noting that no other nation in the world can offer more than a handful of its health professionals to work in remote areas of other countries. The leader of the Cuban Revolution said the young doctors made a great contribution to the prestige of their country and added even more dignity to their noble profession. Dr. Ileana Morales, the Deputy Minister of Public Health, also attended the meeting. She reported that the Cuban doctors and medical personnel reduced the infant mortality rate to 6.2 for every 1000 live births in the communities where they worked -- noting that Haiti's infant mortality now stands at 74. The Cuban deputy minister of public health also revealed that the group of 63 health professionals in Haiti delivered more than 4000 babies, vaccinated over 30,000 people and treated more than 15,000 patients for hypertension. *US, CUBAN LABOR LAWYERS GATHER IN HAVANA Havana, February 19 (RHC)--The Third Bilateral Meeting of U.S.-Cuban Labor Lawyers is underway in Havana, with the participation of more than 40 attorneys and experts in labor law. Ricardo Alarcon, president of the Cuban Parliament, addressed delegates during the opening session. He reviewed the current status of relations between Havana and Washington -- emphasizing the need for mutual respect and self-determination. Pedro Ross Leal, secretary general of the Confederation of Cuban Workers (CTC), also spoke with participants at the annual meeting. He outlined some of the activities the U.S. labor lawyers will undertake during this week, including visits to work centers in Sancti Spiritus, Cienfuegos and Matanzas. Delegates were able to pick up a new book entitled "Labor Relations in Cuba," written by U.S. attorney Debra Evenson. Published following ten years of research, the book is considered to be one of the most comprehensive studies on unions and labor relations in Cuba. Based on a broad survey of Cuban law and literature and first-hand observations of the labor-relations process on the shop floor and at workers' meetings, the study examines labor policy and workers' rights and participation within the framework of Cuba's socialist system. *CUBAN, BRITISH TRADE UNIONISTS ENGAGE IN FRATERNAL DIALOGUE Havana, February 19 (RHC)--A large delegation of British trade unionists is currently in Cuba, invited by the Confederation of Cuban Workers (CTC). Eddie McDumoff, General Secretary of Local One of the London Transportation Union, is heading the visiting delegation. The British union leader referred to the many friends Cuba has all over the world and mentioned the numerous mobilizations of workers and solidarity campaigns in Britain to support the Caribbean island. Among issues discussed by the British unionists and their Cuban hosts include the situation of the international labor movement, neo-liberal globalization and its impact on the working class and the fight against the U.S.-proposed Free Trade Area of the Americas. The Confederation of Cuban Workers maintains fraternal relations with over 200 trade union organizations from Africa, Asia, Canada, Latin America and the Caribbean. *INFORMATICS 2002 CONVENTION UNDERWAY IN HAVANA Havana, February 19 (RHC)--The 8th International Convention on Computer Science -- "Informatics 2002" -- got underway in the Cuban capital on Monday with the participation of more than 600 delegates from 40 nations. The event -- which runs through Sunday, February 24th -- is seen as an excellent opportunity to establish commercial agreements and contracts among computer experts the world over. The main speaker at Monday's inaugural session was Abdul Waheed Khan, Deputy Director of UNESCO's Communications and Information Program. He spoke about the role of computers and other information technologies in today's world. Cuban Vice President Carlos Lage addressed the delegates following the words of the UNESCO official. Lage said that the knowledge and use of computer technology is indispensable for development, emphasizing that new technological advances have an extraordinary impact on society. Expressing his concern about the lack of access to advanced computer technology in many Third World countries, the Cuban vice president pointed out that only eight percent of the world's six billion people have Internet access. Carlos Lage said that in the United States and Canada, there are 56 computers and 70 telephone lines for every 100 people -- while the entire continent of Africa has less than one computer and only two telephone lines for every 100 inhabitants. Cuba's vice president said that more than a century after its invention, half of the planet's population does not have access to a telephone. New technologies -- rather than becoming instruments to create a more just order and achieve global development -- have only widened the gap between rich and poor; creating what Lage called "the digital gap." And he noted that this gap has become a huge canyon, multiplying inequalities and actually making it more difficult to overcome the obstacles to development. Other activities taking place parallel to the Convention on Computer Science include 12 congresses and scientific events, as well as a commercial fair. *BUSH ARRIVES IN SOUTH KOREA TO PROTESTS AGAINST HIS "AXIS OF EVIL" REMARK Seoul, February 19 (RHC)--Amid anti-American demonstrations, US President George W. Bush arrived Tuesday in South Korea at a tightly secured US military base in downtown Seoul from where he saw none of the protests. One of the expressions of the anger spreading over Bush's "axis of evil" remark was a large banner depicting the US president with snakes in his hair and missiles protruding from his mouth and ears. In anticipation of his arrival, students, religious groups and labor associations held protests over the weekend, in one case occupying the office of the American Chamber of Commerce. And the anti-American sentiments are also being expressed by the mainstream media. The South Korean news daily "Munhwa Ilbo" ran a cartoon over the weekend of the Statue of Liberty holding warplanes instead of a torch, while the moderate "Korea Times" editorialized that the US anti-terror campaign appeared to be going in the wrong direction. Mainstream criticism of Bush's foreign policy is being called surprising given that South Korea is considered among the most steadfast of US allies. A survey by the country's ruling party found that South Koreans believed, by a margin of 3 to 2, that Bush's characterization of North Korea was inappropriate. South Korea's government appears uneasy amid the overt anti-Americanism, with riot police using shields to surround protesters trying to burn US flags - as though to prevent such scenes from being photographed. The demonstrations have become so pronounced that South Korean President Kim Dae Jung recently made a public call for restraint. Bush, meanwhile, began toning down his "axis of evil"-type rhetoric during his speech to the Japanese Parliament as he was wrapping up his visit to that nation. He told Japanese lawmakers that he seeks an Asia "where military force is not used to resolve political disputes." He is expected to continue what has been called a somewhat muted tone on Wednesday when he rallies US troops patrolling the heavily armored demilitarized zone dividing the Korean peninsula into north and south. Bush's presidential counselor Karen Huges told news correspondents that the nearly final draft of the president's speech does not contain the words "axis of evil," though she denied that omission of the phrase is any kind of sign that Bush was backing off his hard line. *ARGENTINE GOVERNMENT THREATENS PROTESTORS OF BANK ACCOUNT FREEZE Buenos Aires, February 19 (RHC)--The government of Argentina has threatened to crack down on Argentines involved in a wave of protests demanding the return of their frozen bank accounts. The threat followed the most violent protest Monday since they began last December, with hundreds destroying some 12 banks in the financial center of Buenos Aires and in other provinces. Several armored trucks used to transport money were also assaulted, with protesters punching holes in the tires and breaking headlights and taillights. Presidential spokesman Eduardo Amadeo stated that the current administration has already tried dialogue, that the government is now attempting persuasion, and that the next stage will be repression. At the same time, he expressed what he called his absolute comprehension of the anger and desperation of those whose bank accounts are frozen. This anger and desperation, along with Argentina's extremely high levels of poverty and unemployment, ignited the popular revolt that in December brought down the administration of former President Fernando de la Rua. But current President Eduardo Duhalde not only maintained the freeze, but also adopted other withdrawal restrictions and converted dollar savings into devaluated pesos. Despite the warning, protesters were gathering Tuesday in the capital's richest neighborhood to protest against its banks, while hundreds of jobless Argentines blocked highways and held street rallies on the outskirts of Buenos Aires and in diverse cities like Salta, Jujuy and Mendoza. Also in Buenos Aires, health workers took to the streets to protest the lack of medicines and other needed materials in the capital's clinics and hospitals. In related news, the oil transnational Shell has risen the price of gasoline in defiance of an order just several hours earlier issued by President Duhalde. Duhalde said he will not permit price hikes in the sector, which could easily translate into stepped up prices for basic goods and services. The Argentine president said oil firms in the country enjoyed fat profits for many years, but that now it's time to act in solidarity with his bankrupt country. *PENTAGON CONSIDERING DISINFORMATION CAMPAIGN IN FOREIGN MEDIA: NY TIMES Washington, February 19 (RHC)--The Pentagon is developing plans to disseminate misinformation and disinformation to foreign media organizations as part of a new effort to influence public sentiment and policy makers worldwide, according to the Tuesday edition of "The New York Times." But the plan is facing opposition from some Pentagon officials who reportedly say it might undermine the Defense Department's credibility. The operation would be in the hands of the Pentagon's new and well-financed Office of Strategic Influence, which would assume a role traditionally led by civilian agencies - mainly the State Department. And, according to the Times, it was established in response to concerns in the administration that the United States was loosing public support overseas for its war on terrorism. Little information is available about the Office of Strategic Influence, and its multi-million dollar budget has not been disclosed, according to the article, which also reported that one of its purposes is to plant news items with foreign media organizations through outside concerns that might not have obvious ties to the Pentagon. Another proposal involved sending journalists, civic leaders and foreign leaders e-mail messages promoting American views and attacking unfriendly governments with return addresses that do not indicate they were sent by the Pentagon. But besides questioning even the legality of the plan, critics are also concerned about the reaction of friendly countries likely to strongly object to any attempts by the American military to influence media within their borders. *VENEZUELA SAYSS OPPOSITION OF THREE MILITARY OFFICERS INSIGNIFICANT Caracas, February 19 (RHC)--Venezuelan Interior and Justice Minister Ramon Rodriguez has termed as an insignificant expression of opposition the public statements by three military officers calling on President Hugo Chavez to step down. In statements to local media outlets Tuesday, Rodriguez said minority opposition groups would be unable to gather the constitutionally required number of signatures to convene a referendum to revoke the president's mandate in 2004, when Chavez will have completed half of his term. He nevertheless stated that the three military officers, currently under investigation, may have engaged in unconstitutional and subversive activities not in accordance with their condition as members of an army whose commander-in-chief is precisely the president. In other news, Chavez has declared a war on speculators as prices rose after last week's currency devaluation. Chavez is calling on his supporters to visit the stores, supermarkets and warehouses and denounce those that are jacking up prices. On Monday, Venezuela's consumer protection agency ordered three Caracas stores closed for illegally raising prices. While the price of the dollar went up 9 percent, some price hikes are to the tune of 100 percent. Chavez read out several toll-free telephone numbers that citizens can use to lodge complaints directly to the government. Rising inflation would hit the pockets of Venezuela's poor majority, who have provided a bedrock of support for Chavez and his peaceful revolution. *US LAWMAKERS INVESTIGATING ENRON MAY SUMMON WALL STREET EXECUTIVES Washington, February 19 (RHC)--US lawmakers investigating the Enron scandal are reportedly gathering documents and preparing to summon Wall Street executives. After focusing on the role of accountants and insiders, Senate and House leaders want to look into Wall Street's role in Enron's rise and collapse, particularly at why Wall Street firms were issuing recommendations to buy Enron stock while they had detailed information about the bankrupt company's poor financial condition. Senator Byron Dorgan, chairman of the Senate Commerce subcommittee investigating Enron, said investigators are trying to determine whether Wall Street firms had a vested interest in pumping up Enron stock and if there was an attempt to deceive investors. Some of the firms unofficially named are Merill Lynch, which underwrote and invested in some of Enron's shady, off-the-books partnerships, Citigroup, which structured some of the deals to remove poorly performing assets from Enron's balance sheet, and Alliance Capital, which aggressively bought Enron shares for public pension funds as the stock tumbled in value. In short, lawmakers want to raise the question of whether Wall Street helped facilitate Enron's deceptive financial practices that led to the loss of jobs, pensions and life savings of thousands of its employees and huge losses for stock holders and investors. According to observers, however, taking on Wall Street is no easy matter due its powerful and influential lobbying force. *Viewpoint: FTAA - ASSOCIATION OR SUBORDINATION? Latin America and the Caribbean entered the Third Millennium with the imperial eagle flying over its divided republics. Paradoxically, the majority of the continent's population fails to perceive the danger. Perhaps they are too dazzled by the invitation to participate in what the United States is marketing as the creation of the world's largest free trade area. What's more, many regional politicians and business executives are champing at the bit over the possibility of accessing the rich U.S. market, where they expect to find the mythical kingdom of El Dorado. They ignore or are unable or unwilling to see that Washington's plan to institute the tyranny of the free market from Alaska to Patagonia hides the geopolitical goal of strengthening the neocolonial structure in Latin America, preserving it as an exclusive fiefdom. Fortunately, some are aware of the danger. In the opinion of former Organization of American States General Secretary, Joao Baena Soares, "the FTAA is not a proposal of association with the hegemonic power, but rather one of subordination." The veteran Brazilian diplomat warned that the Free Trade Area of the Americas would be a lethal blow to the hopes for integration of the peoples south of the Rio Grande. Baena Soares estimates that "the FTAA will do away with the South American Market, MERCOSUR, made up by Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay and Paraguay plus Bolivia and Chile as associates, because it will establish a much more restricted and centralized exchange in the United States." In an interview published Sunday in the Jornal do Brasil newspaper, the dean of Brazil's Estacio de Sa University noted: "I fail to see in the FTAA as it is conceived, advantages that we do not already have, as a market, in South America." He added that what sustains MERCOSUR are the people of the area who feel they are being benefited by the pact. In the late 19th Century, facing similar dangers, Cuban intellectual Jose Marti warned that whenever countries come together it is necessary to search out the hidden agenda, to examine the different political forces in each country because the person who participates without investigating, who desires union without knowledge, who makes recommendations in a single, confusing phrase, or who defends without the support of the people, will do harm to Latin America. Those who are eager to jump on the FTAA bandwagon would to well to heed Marti's words. (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-3596 2002-Feb-20 06:02:55