Radio Havana Cuba-18 January 2002 Via NY Transfer News * All the News That Doesn't Fit Radio Havana Cuba - News Update - 18 January 2002 . *NATIONAL WORKSHOP ON ROLE OF UNIVERSITIES IN THE BATTLE OF IDEAS *PERUVIAN FOREIGN MINISTER ARRIVES IN THE CUBAN CAPITAL *CUBA: A MODEL OF HOW TO DEAL WITH AND OVERCOME ECONOMIC CRISIS AND CHAOS *ANOTHER GROUP OF VENEZUELAN PATIENTS RETURNS HOME *ENRON SCANDAL INCREASINGLY DOGGING BUSH ADMINISTRATION *SOCIAL PROTEST BACK ON THE RISE IN ARGENTINA *PALESTINIAN NATIONAL AUTHORITY DEMAND INTERNATIONAL INTERVENTION TO STOP DISPROPORTIONATE ISRAELI MILITARY REPRISALS *WASHINGTON DENIES RUMORS THAT SAUDI ARABIA WANTS US TROOPS TO LEAVE *FAMILIES OF SEPTEMBER 11 VICTIMS CONTINUE TO PROTEST COMPENSATION PLAN *Viewpoint: DON'T HOLD YOUR BREATH . *NATIONAL WORKSHOP ON ROLE OF UNIVERSITIES IN THE BATTLE OF IDEAS Havana, January 18 (RHC)-- The commitment and responsibility of universities in the educational programs being developed in Cuba was top on the agenda at a national workshop held here in Havana. Cuban President Fidel Castro presided over the sessions of the "Second National Workshop: The University in the Battle of Ideas." Nearly 400 university professors and students from across the island attended the two-day workshop on Thursday and Friday, held at Havana's International Convention Center. During the sessions, participants discussed the role of universities and other higher-learning institutions in the island's educational system. It was pointed out that one of the main challenges of the universities has been to guarantee the quality of continuing education offered by the facilities. The Cuban president emphasized the importance of training courses for university teachers, which have now been set up across the island. Fidel Castro said that Cuba is being turned into a huge university. *PERUVIAN FOREIGN MINISTER ARRIVES IN THE CUBAN CAPITAL Havana, January 18 (RHC)-- Peruvian Foreign Minister Diego Garcia Sayan has arrived in Havana, beginning an official visit at the invitation of his Cuban counterpart, Felipe Perez Roque. Speaking with reporters upon his arrival at Jose Marti International Airport, the Peruvian official said that relations between Lima and Havana are "more than cordial" -- pointing to the many areas of assistance to his country by Cuba. And he said he was prepared to provide to the island whatever Peru could offer. Diego Garcia Sayan said it was an honor to visit Cuba at the beginning of 2002 -- the year in which the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries is being celebrated. Relations between Havana and Lima were re-established in 1972. During his stay in Cuba, Peru's foreign minister will meet with top government officials and tour places of social and economic interest. *CUBA: A MODEL OF HOW TO DEAL WITH AND OVERCOME ECONOMIC CRISIS AND CHAOS Mexico City, January 18 (RHC)-- Cuba is an example on how to deal with and overcome economic crisis without any interference from the IMF, the World Bank or any other international lending institution, according to Mexican legislator Alberto Anaya. The lawmaker returned to Mexico City on Thursday, after a week-long visit to Cuba at the head of a delegation from the Mexican Chamber of Deputies. Speaking with reporters, Alberto Anaya praised the economic reforms adopted by Cuba to pull itself out of the acute economic crisis affecting the island in the early 1990s. The island was affected by the collapse of the former socialist camp in Eastern Europe and the tightening of the Washington's economic blockade. In reference to the social programs implemented by Cuban authorities to alleviate the hardships, Anaya, who is also the President of the Mexico-Cuba Friendship Group, said other regional nations should follow Cuba's example. He termed as mutually beneficial all the contacts and meetings they had during their stay on the island, particularly their meeting with Cuban President Fidel Castro. The Mexican parliamentary delegation condemned Washington's 40-year blockade against Cuba and called for strengthened friendship and cooperation ties between Havana and Mexico City. *ANOTHER GROUP OF VENEZUELAN PATIENTS RETURNS HOME Havana, January 18 (RHC)-- A group of 47 Venezuelans returned home on Friday after receiving medical treatment in Cuba. Their treatment is part of a cooperation program put in place by Cuban authorities to provide specialized medical assistance for patients from the South American nation. According to Doctor Pedro Francisco Llerena, Director of the Las Praderas International Health Center, 1415 Venezuelan patients have already received medical treatment in Cuba under the comprehensive cooperation agreement signed by Cuban President Fidel Castro and his Venezuelan counterpart Hugo Chavez in late 2000. Of that total, 1196 have already returned home. John Pope Gutierrez was among the patients who returned to Venezuela on Friday. The 52-year-old man, who suffers from severe diabetes, told reporters that the five months he spent in a rehabilitation center in Cuba was the first time ever that he was treated as a patient and not a client, as happens in most countries around the world. Another group of 76 Venezuelans is expected today in Havana. They are to receive medical treatment in various health institutions across the island. *ENRON SCANDAL INCREASINGLY DOGGING BUSH ADMINISTRATION Washington, January 18 (RHC)-- A U.S. Democratic congressional leader affirmed Thursday that he documented 17 provisions in Vice President Richard Cheney's energy plan that benefited the scandal-ridden Enron firm. Representative Henry Waxman, the top Democrat on the House Government Reform Committee, reiterated his demand that the White House list in detail its contacts with the bankrupt energy trading company. But the George W. Bush administration again refused, claiming that the request is a "partisan waste of taxpayer money." Waxman has been asking Cheney since April to turn over records on whom he met with as he developed the national energy strategy, and Cheney has consistently refused to do so - though the White House finally admitted in early January that the vice president had met with unnamed Enron executives on six occasions. The admittance, and a subsequent Justice Department announcement of a criminal investigation, has sent the Enron scandal snowballing after having been largely ignored in the mainstream media. Enron has been the largest single donor to President Bush, whose administration is now under intense scrutiny in those same media outlets. The Washington Post reported Friday that Enron's influence reached deep into the administration. Noting that Lawrence B. Lindsey was Bush's top economic adviser during the presidential campaign while also a paid consultant to Enron, the news daily affirmed that this cozy relationship served as one more reminder of the political influence and reach of the once-giant energy company - whose ties extended deep into Bush's staff, appointments, Cabinet members, friends, family and his own past. It also noted that according to financial records, 35 administration officials have held Enron stock, a few with six-figure holdings. Following an extensive analysis of the ties between Enron and Bush and his entourage, The Washington Post reported that even since its bankruptcy filing, the vestiges of Enron continue to touch those around the president. Bush's brother, Florida Governor Jeb Bush, flew to Houston this week for a 500-dollar-per-person fundraiser at the home of a former Enron president. *SOCIAL PROTEST BACK ON THE RISE IN ARGENTINA Buenos Aires, January 18 (RHC)-- Renewed protests have continued on the rise in Argentina, with at least two people wounded by rubber bullets, seven riot police injured and Molotov cocktail attacks against the homes of two high-ranking political leaders. The clashes occurred in Santiago del Estero and Cordoba provinces, while protesters also took to the streets in Formosa, Jujuy, San Juan and the greater Buenos Aires. In Cordoba, protesters threw rocks and Molotov cocktails at the home of Humberto Roggero, the Justicialista Party's ranking House Deputy, while the home of Vice Governor Edelmiro Pauletti suffered a similar attack. The protests come amid government efforts to gradually ease restrictions on bank withdrawals, one of the aspects of Argentina's socio-economic crisis that has most angered the population. Authorities fear that a massive run on bank accounts would bankrupt Argentina's crippled financial system. President Eduardo Duhalde reiterated Thursday that the country on the brink of a bloodbath. He said his new administration has been left with a ticking time-bomb that could explode at any moment. If it does explode, added Duhalde, not only will no one be able to take their money out of banks, but the country's productive apparatus will collapse to the point where it will take decades to recuperate. Another target of popular anger is Argentina's Supreme Court, where Thursday thousands gathered to again demand the removal of its justices accused of having tolerated abuse and corruption during the 10 year administration of former President Carlos Menem and the two years of former President Fernando de la Rua. The renewed protest movement comes as authorities continue investigating large private banks, airports and transportation firms suspected of engaging in multi-billion dollar capital flight and other illegal operations that led to Argentina's current financial crisis. British, French, Spanish and American firms are under scrutiny, including American Airlines and Citibank. *PALESTINIAN NATIONAL AUTHORITY DEMAND INTERNATIONAL INTERVENTION TO STOP DISPROPORTIONATE ISRAELI MILITARY REPRISALS Ramallah, January 18 (RHC)-- The Palestinian National Authority has again demanded urgent international intervention to stop what it affirms is disproportionate Israeli reprisals. Following a suicide attack by a Palestinian gunman who killed six Israelis and wounded 45, Israeli troops launched renewed attacks in autonomous Palestinian territory, again surrounding the residence of Yasser Arafat and bombarding autonomous government installations. Chief Palestinian peace negotiator Saeb Erakat accused Europe and the United States of shirking on their responsibility to bring stability to the region in the face of terrorism and Israeli aggression. The so-called Brigades of the Al Aqsa Martyrs -- in reference to the Palestinians killed a year and a half ago during protests against the presence of Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon at a Muslim holy site -- claimed responsibility for the suicide attack in the Israeli town of Hadera. But Tel Aviv is again placing the blame on Arafat and his Palestinian National Authority. Observers and news correspondents are asserting that both sides seem incapable of breaking the vicious circle of violence in the region. From his own office, Arafat could reportedly hear the exchange of gunfire between Israeli troops and Palestinian activists as the occupation soldiers surrounded his official residence with army tanks. Israel also used F-16 fighter jets in renewed attacks, killing at least 2 Palestinians and wounding 45. One of Sharon's spokespersons said Israel will now give the Palestinians an unforgettable lesson. *WASHINGTON DENIES RUMORS THAT SAUDI ARABIA WANTS US TROOPS TO LEAVE Washington, January 18 (RHC)-- Washington has denied rumors that authorities in Saudi Arabia are getting nervous about U.S. military presence in their country. Quoting mostly unnamed Saudi and U.S. officials, The Washington Post reported Friday that Saudi Arabia's rulers may soon ask U.S. military personnel to go home and deprive the United States of regular use of the Prince Sultan Air Base, from which American power has been projected into the gulf region and beyond for more than a decade. According to the article, Michigan Democratic Senator Carl M. Levin, chairman of the Armed Services Committee, said this week that the U.S. should consider moving its forces out the kingdom and find a place that's more hospitable - affirming that the Saudis don't want the Americans to stay there. Saudi Arabia has come under intense fire in many US media outlets that accuse the country of directly or indirectly sponsoring terrorism, while the country's royal family has a special obligation to the Muslim world as guardian of Islam's two most holy places: Mecca and Medina. The Saudi's sensitivity about their independence and their ethnic identity has led to numerous restrictions on Washington's use of their facilities, including telling the United States not to use planes based in Saudi Arabia for bombing raids against Iraq -- which have continued sporadically for the last decade. *FAMILIES OF SEPTEMBER 11 VICTIMS CONTINUE TO PROTEST COMPENSATION PLAN New York, January 18 (RHC)-- Relatives of those killed in the September 11th World Trade Center attacks are increasingly voicing their anger over what they say is an unjust financial compensation plan. Hundreds of them gathered Thursday in New York with local political leaders to demand a change in the plan that they fear will leave many families with nothing for their loss. The gathering is being called the strongest show of dissatisfaction from families of the victims, who in recent weeks have held press conferences, rallies and enlisted political support in the effort to alter the federal government's Victim Compensation Fund. New York's Republican Governor George Pataki told the crowd that he deeply believes the plan does not do justice to the victims and their families. Fund regulations for families giving up their right to sue would also reduce compensation by any income received from life insurance policies, pension plans or death benefits -- an aspect of the plan that has drawn the most fire from critics. The families have also complained about much higher benefits received by the family members of top executives who worked at the World Trade Center as opposed to lower-level employees. *Viewpoint: DON'T HOLD YOUR BREATH Never before in history, has the breach between rich and poor been so gaping. Poverty has become the rule and prosperity, the exception. This dichotomy is now characteristic of our era. Journalist Ignacio Ramonet, director of Le Monde Diplomatique, notes that the 225 richest people in the world are worth more than a trillion dollars, or the equivalent of the earnings of 47 per cent of the world's poorest populations: some 2.5 billion people. It is hard to imagine, but there exist individuals who are richer than entire countries: taken together, the fortunes of the world's 15 richest people are more than the total Gross Domestic Product of all of Sub Sahara Africa. According to the exhaustive "Lugano Report," capitalism's principal challenges in this century are the population explosion, economic growth without the corresponding well-being of all, potential environmental disaster, the rise of social inequality, arms trafficking, terrorism, money laundering and corruption. Paradoxically, there are many that happily ignore these sobering truths. As though living on another planet, the principal gurus of the financial world, the director of the International Monetary Fund, Horst Koehler and the president of the World Bank, James Wolfensohn, on Thursday agreed that "there is much real progress" in the international struggle against poverty. The statement was made in the closing of a conference on world problems, which was sponsored by the two international lending institutions. Koehler noted that " it is indispensable to work together to improve people's living conditions" and he claimed that his institution is " committed to this process." Also during the closing of the four-day meeting in Washington, D.C., World Bank president, -Wolfensohn affirmed that the message the gathering is sending out is that "the process known as Strategies to Reduce Poverty, is moving forward." Also on Thursday it was learned that the Paris Club did in fact reduce Tanzania's debt with Club members by 737 million dollars. That makes Tanzania only the fourth country to have received such "charity," after Uganda, Bolivia and Mozambique. Naturally, Woldfenshon stressed that "free trade will be a great contribution to this task." Of course, during the meeting the developed countries were urged to open up their markets to the products of the poor nations in order to help mitigate the poverty in which the great majority live. They were also encouraged to increase development assistance, which is only .2 per cent of their combined Domestic Gross Product. Koehler stated that "it is unconscionable that the United States, Japan and the European Union spend billions of dollars to maintain some marginal activities that benefit only a few of its citizens, but devastate some agricultural sectors that are fundamental for the peace and development of the poor countries." But perhaps the most interesting of his statements was his recognition that "in this post September 11th world, there is a need to deal with poverty and its consequences of desperation and alienation." "It is not only a moral imperative or an economic and social necessity, he noted, "but an important concern for all who struggle for national and global security and for peace." The question is: will the International Monetary Fund and World Bank change their methods and objectives? Don't hold your breath... (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-7475 2002-Jan-19 04:30:08