RHC Weekend-16/17 March 2002 Via NY Transfer News * All the News That Doesn't Fit Radio Havana Cuba - Weekend News Update - 16/17 March 2002 . *PAHO EXPERT PRAISES CUBAN MEDICAL MODEL OF REHABILITATION *CIVIL AVIATION INSTITUTE OFFERS CONDOLENCES TO FAMILIES OF PASSENGERS WHO DIED IN PLANE CRASH *SATURDAY'S OPEN TRIBUNE HELD IN THE EASTERN CUBAN PROVINCE OF GRANMA *CARLOS LAGE IN GERMANY FOR A WORKING VISIT *JAPAN DONATES NEARLY HALF A MILLION DOLLARS IN AID *CHINA ACCUSES US OF 'NUCLEAR BLACKMAIL' *IRAN SAYS IT FAVORS DETENTE DESPITE US THREATS *UNITED ARAB EMIRATES OPPOSES ATTACK ON IRAQ *VIETNAMESE COMMUNIST PARTY MEMBERS CAN FORM PRIVATE BUSINESSES *ALARCON SAYS US CONTINUES TO PROTECT ITS TERRORIST POSADA CARRILES *PUERTO RICANS OPPOSE NEW MILITARY MANEUVERS IN VIEQUES *EU LEADERS SUPPORT WTO ACTION AGAINST US STEEL TARIFFS *MONTERREY: NGOs AGREE ASSISTANCE ESSENTIAL FOR POOR DEBTOR NATIONS . *PAHO EXPERT PRAISES CUBAN MEDICAL MODEL OF REHABILITATION Havana, March 16 (RHC)--According to Pan American Health Organization specialist, Dr Armando Vazquez, Cuba is a world example of integral rehabilitation. He praised the island's technical aspects, procedures, socialization and advanced technology. Dr. Vazquez classified the Second International Medical Congress on Physical Rehabilitation, which concluded Friday in Havana, as very successful. Cuban President Fidel Castro attended the Congress on Thursday evening and highlighted the important work done by participants, pointing out that Cuba leads the way internationally with the implementation of more than 70 social programs. During the closing ceremony, Dr. Vazquez highlighted the exchange of expertise and knowledge of the 600 physicians, occupational therapists and neurologists from 21 countries who participated in the event. The Pan American Health Organization official noted that the problem of disability and rehabilitation constitute one of humanity's greatest challenges. He said that the Congress holds out hope to thousands worldwide by joining efforts in working towards solutions to problems of society. Highlighting Cuba's achievements in the fields of health care and physical rehabilitation, Dr. Vazquez recalled that despite Washington's economic blockade against the island, Cuba has developed important medical and social programs to assist the disabled, including prevention project and early care and detection of problems. *CIVIL AVIATION INSTITUTE OFFERS CONDOLENCES TO FAMILIES OF PASSENGERS WHO DIED IN PLANE CRASH Havana, March 16 (RHC)--Cuba's Civil Aviation Institute has expressed its most profound condolences to families of passengers who died in a plane crash in central Cuba on Thursday. Sixteen people on board the small plane died in the accident, which occurred March 14 en route from Cienfuegos to Jardines de Rey in the Central Province of Villa Clara. All the bodies have been recovered from the crash site, but as of Saturday afternoon, identifications had not yet been completed. Funeral services will be held in Cuba at the request of the families. The Civil Aviation Institute is investigating the cause of the accident. *SATURDAY'S OPEN TRIBUNE HELD IN THE EASTERN CUBAN PROVINCE OF GRANMA Havana, March 16 (RHC)--Some 100,000 people from the Eastern Cuban Province of Las Tunas as well as from several municipalities of Granma Province, participated in Saturday's Open Tribune rally. During the demonstration, participants demanded the release of the five Cuban patriots, unfairly convicted by a Miami Court for supposedly endangering the U.S. National Security. In addition, participants protested against the Cuban Adjustment Act -- a law that allows Cubans only to obtain automatic residency if they manage to touch U.S. territory. Demonstrators also called for the elimination of the U.S. economic blockade imposed against the island for over 40 years. Speakers came out against the U.S. government's pressures on the rest of the world to push through an anti-Cuba resolution in the next session of UN Human Rights' Commission in Geneva. And the Cuban people condemned the designation of ultra-rightwing Otto Reich as Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemispheric Affairs, who they accused of being closely linked to the interests of the Anti-Cuba Miami Mafia. *CARLOS LAGE IN GERMANY FOR A WORKING VISIT Havana, March 16 (RHC)--Cuban Vice President Carlos Lage arrived in Berlin from Argelia on Saturday, where he will meet with top German government officials. During his stay, Lage will attend the inaugural gala of the International Tourism Fair slated for Saturday evening, in which outstanding artists from the Caribbean island will participate. The Cuban official has already met with the Minister of Cooperation and Development, Haidemaire Wieczorek-Zeul. He also met with the Minister for Technology and the Economy, Werner Muller. During these meetings, the two sides took a look at cooperation links between both countries, which are expected to strengthen even more in the future. Cuba is the guest of honor of the German Tourism Fair, a selection made as an acknowledgement to its development in this sector. *JAPAN DONATES NEARLY HALF A MILLION DOLLARS IN AID Havana, March 16 (RHC)--The sustained cooperation of Japan with the Cuba people was highlighted in Havana during the delivery this week of a donation worth $480,000. The donation will be made through the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and will contribute to repair the damages caused by Hurricane Michelle. During the ceremony, in which the excellent relations between the two countries was underlined, the Cuban Minister for Foreign Investment and Economic Cooperation, Marta Lomas, said that this is the fourth time Japan provides aid for this purpose, which so far add up to $800,000. The agreement was signed between Japan's ambassador to Havana, Mutsuo Mabuchi, and UNDP permanent representative on the island, Luis Gomez-Echeverri. The new aid will make it possible to replace irrigation systems, to purchase construction materials for agriculture and to rebuild elements that will facilitate the production of seeds. *CHINA ACCUSES US OF 'NUCLEAR BLACKMAIL' Beijing, March 16 (RHC)--Using its strongest language against the United States in months, China accused Washington on Saturday of "nuclear blackmail." According to Chinese state television, Deputy Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing called in US Ambassador Clark T. Randt, Jr. and asked him to explain the recently unveiled Pentagon' Nuclear Policy Review, which disclosed US plans to use nuclear weapons against China, among several other countries, in case of a war. "China wants to make it very clear that it will never yield to foreign threats, including nuclear blackmail," the Chinese Deputy Foreign Minister was quoted as telling the US Ambassador. He was also quoted as saying "the days when China could be bullied are gone forever." China also complained about a recent visit to the United States by Taiwan Defense Minister Tang Yiau-ming. The Chinese Deputy Foreign Minister reportedly accused Washington of encouraging independence activists in Taiwan by allowing Tang in and letting him meet senior U.S. officials. China is said to have been particularly angry over Tang's talks with U.S. Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz, considered to be the highest-level documented U.S.-Taiwan defense talks in 22 years. The talks focused on U.S. arms sales to Taiwan. US President George W. Bush reaffirmed Washington's recognition of Chinese sovereignty during a visit to Beijing last month, but he also said Washington was ready to protect Taiwan if it was attacked. *IRAN SAYS IT FAVORS DETENTE DESPITE US THREATS Teheran, March 16, (RHC)-Iran's president, Mohamed Khatami, said Saturday that his country will continue with its policy of "international détente" despite the threats from "warlike" nations, like the United States. Upon returning from a five-day trip to Austria and Greece Khatami, speaking at the Teheran airport, indicated that he is determined to follow the policy of détente with the world even though the world's most powerful nation has threatened to use nuclear weapons against certain countries. The Los Angeles Times newspaper recently reported that the U.S. government had asked its military high command to draft plans for the possible use of nuclear arms against China, Russia, Iraq, North Korea, Iran, Libya and Syria. In his State of the Union speech delivered in January, U.S. President George Bush, dubbed Iran, Iraq and North Korea an "axis of evil," accusing them of developing nuclear weapons and therefore a "terrorist threat" to the United States. *UNITED ARAB EMIRATES OPPOSES ATTACK ON IRAQ Dubai, March 16, (RHC)--The president of the United Arab Emirates, Sheik Zayed Ben Sultan al Nahyan, today told U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney that he opposes an attack against Iraq. According to the nation's official news agency, WAM, a communiqué issued after Sheik Zayed met Cheney in Dubai, states that the president of the United Arab Emirates told the U.S. vice president that his country is against any military attack and he advised Washington to have "patience" with Baghdad. He also urged the United States to work harder to obtain peace in the Middle East and to end Israeli violence against the Palestinians. The document also reaffirms the United Arab Emirates support for the war against terrorism promoted by the United States. Cheney, who had arrived from Amman, Jordan, made a stopover of several hours in Dubai in order to meet with President Zayed. The U.S. vice president arrived today in Saudi Arabia, one of Washington's principal Arab allies, whose authorities have nevertheless come out against an attack on Iraq. The country has also presented a plan for peace in the Mid East. Cheney will meet with Saudi Crown Prince, Abdullah ben Abdulaziz. Cheney is seeking support for a US-led attack against Iraq and for Washington's anti-terrorist campaign. Experts say Riyadh is key if Washington is to gain the support of other Arab nations. On Friday, Abdullah told U.S. television that an attack against Iraq would not be "in the interests of the United States, of the mideast region or the rest of the world," because it would create "chaos," divide the country, and would be a source of additional problems. The Saudi leader had previously stated that any changes in Iraq should come from within rather than being induced by foreign forces, as the Bush administration advocates. The Saudi mideast peace plan is based on the recognition of the State of Israel by the Arabs in exchange for Israeli withdrawal from all the territories occupied in l967. Cheney, who began his visit to the region on Tuesday, has also stopped in Egypt and Yemen. On Sunday he leaves for Bahrain and Qatar. On Monday the U.S. vice president moves on to Kuwait and then Israel and Turkey. *VIETNAMESE COMMUNIST PARTY MEMBERS CAN FORM PRIVATE BUSINESSES Hanoi, March 16 (RHC)--Vietnam's ruling Communist Party has lifted its prohibition on members becoming private capitalists. Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung made the announcement today in Hanoi in a report carried by the widely read newspaper Tuoi Tre. The Deputy Prime Minister noted that although no official decision had been adopted by the Party during a Central Committee meeting at the beginning of the month, the Party would not sanction members who disregard the prohibition. The government official told the newspaper that the topic was sensitive and was currently being taken under consideration, but that for the moment, members of the Communist Party who go to work as private businessmen will still be considered as members in good standing. *ALARCON SAYS US CONTINUES TO PROTECT ITS TERRORIST POSADA CARRILES Mexico, March 16 (RHC)--The United States punishes some terrorists while protecting those they have created themselves, like Cuban-born Luis Posada Carriles. Ricardo alarcon, President of the Cuban Parliament speaking in Mexico City, said that Posada Carriles continues to be "a close friend of Washington's." Alarcon recalled that Posada Carriles, a known terrorist, has always had impunity and the protection of the U.S. intelligence services who are now attempting to have him extradited to El Salvador where he would be freed. The head of the Cuban Parliament added that Washington is pressing to keep Posada Carriles from going to trial to prevent information from surfacing -- such as his ties with the Central Intelligence Agency, and CIA complicity in the blowing up of a Cubana Airliner in mid-flight over Barbados in 1976. Posada Carriles was also responsible for placing explosives in Cuban hotels and restaurants which killed an Italian tourist in 1997, various assassination attempts against Cuban President Fidel Castro and sending illegal arms supplies to the Nicaraguan contras during the 1980s. *PUERTO RICANS OPPOSE NEW MILITARY MANEUVERS IN VIEQUES San Juan, Puerto Rico, March 16 (RHC)--The U.S. Navy has announced more military exercises on the Puerto Rican island of Vieques on April 1, according to the Caribbean island. The official announcement of the first military maneuvers of the year in Vieques was made on Friday and adds that the exercises will last 22 days. After six months of silence, the news of the military maneuvers is heating up the atmosphere in Puerto Rico, especially for those who for years opposed the U.S. military presence in the region. Massive demonstrations and civil disobedience against U.S. presence in Vieques is expected after the recent announcement. The spokesperson for the Committee for the Recovery and Development of Vieques, Robert Rabin, pointed out that this new announcement is a another threat against the health and security of the Vieques community and that he expected strong protests on behalf of the Puerto Rican people as well as the international community. *EU LEADERS SUPPORT WTO ACTION AGAINST US STEEL TARIFFS Barcelona, March 16 (RHC)--European Union leaders have come out in favor of taking action through the World Trade Organization against the United States' newly imposed steel tariffs. EU officials announced on Friday that they will seek compensation for President George Bush's tariffs on steel imports. The EU expressed its intentions in a letter written by its ambassador to the WTO, Carlo Trojan, to his US counterpart in Geneva, Linnet Deily. Deily reportedly said that compensation was not on the U.S. agenda. Brussels, supported by Japan, Brazil and Australia, has said that trade regulations are clear that countries that impose measures to protect a specific industry must offer compensation to maintain the overall trade balance. European Union Trade Commissioner Pascal Lamy, who this week accused Washington of preaching free trade while refusing to practice it, has said that EU member nations have the right to retaliate against the U.S. decision. *MONTERREY: NGOs AGREE ASSISTANCE ESSENTIAL FOR POOR DEBTOR NATIONS Monterrey, March 16 (RHC)--Poor nations' $1.4 trillion foreign debt is the most serious obstacle to development and must be eliminated, according to non-governmental organizations in Monterrey, Mexico. The First World Summit on Funding for Development, which officially gets underway on Monay, is also hosting the alternative summit of some one thousand NGOs called, "Global Forum: Financing for the Right of Sustainable Development with Equality." Friday's sessions concluded with NGO delegates from Cuba, who criticized measures that will be presented at the Monterrey Forum, supposedly to alleviate the foreign debt of the poorest nations. The Cuban delegation pointed out that so far those measures have been unsuccessful and they presented five measures that should be taken if there is a political will to solve the foreign debt problems. Among the proposals is the creation of a debtor's club, the cancellation of the debts of developing countries, compensation for economic and social inequalities arising from unfair policies they have been subjected to, drafting a new financial structure, and finally beefing up integration to allow the poor nations to become part of the world economy on an equitable basis. The Cuban delegation explained, however, that the cancellation of the foreign debt is not the only solution to the problem, and must be accompanied by a mechanism that guarantees a flow of sustainable resources. The forum ends Sunday with a march through the streets of Monterrey. The more than 3,000 representatives of some one thousand NGOs will remain in the Mexican city to demonstrate against the first World Summit on Funding for Development, which begins on Monday. (c) 2002 Radio Habana Cuba, NY Transfer News. 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