HAVANA, Cuba, April 17 (acn) Guinea Bissau’s media and news websites broadcast a march carried out in the city of Bissau to demand the release from jail of five Cuban antiterrorists held in the U.S for more than ten years now.
The demonstration was organized by leaders of Guineans who graduated in the island and organizations of solidarity and friends of the Cuban Revolution. Diplomats and Cuban health experts working in that country also participated in the action.
After a wide and immediate report on national television and the main national radio stations, the demonstration in favor of the release of the Five, as the imprisoned men are called, was featured by the Gazeta De Noticias daily, an important publication widely read by the Portuguese-speaking country.
That paper and other publications, even though they are private media, frequently publish articles about Cuba in solidarity with the Caribbean nation.
Gerardo Hernandez, Rene Gonzalez, Fernando Gonzalez, Ramon Labañino and Antonio Guerrero have been in U.S prisons since 1998, when they were arrested and later sentenced in a biased trial in Miami, for having penetrated anti-Cuba organizations of that American city to avert
criminal actions against the Cuban people.
(Amplia cobertura a marcha en favor de Los 5)
viernes, 17 de abril de 2009
ALBA Opens Doors to Common Currency and Backs Up Cuba
HAVANA, Cuba, April 17 (acn) The Bolivarian Alternative of Our Americas (ALBA) concluded a meeting today that opens the doors to a common virtual currency and closed ranks alongside Cuba on its fight against the American blockade.
The group assured that there is no consensus about the final draft resolution of the Summit of the Americas beginning today, because it doesn’t cover the world crises and excludes Cuba, PL reported.
After the signing of an outline agreement about the Unique System of Regional Compensation of Payments (Sucre, Spanish acronyms) the task of putting into practice the program in September, with pilot projects, was left in the hands of ministers and experts.
At the closing of the Cumaná Summit, 400 kms east of Caracas, Venezuelan president, Hugo Chavez, explained that the Sucre should lead to the creation and the boosting of production units in the member countries of the group.
The pilot projects, according to the outline, will be oriented to meet current needs, in particular related to food and financial support for the Alba Bank.
The Summit also approved a document harshly criticizing the exclusion of Cuba from the Summit of the Americas, in contradiction to the world consensus against the U.S economic blockade and the attempts to isolate the island.
It also called for unity to end with the economic, commercial and financial blockade, including the Helms-Burton Law, so as to be consistent with 17 consecutive U.N resolutions.
After highlighted that Washington’s attempts to isolate Cuba have failed, the ALBA counties noted that there is no reason why Cuba should not be part of the Summit of the Americas.
Participating in the ALBA summit were the president of Bolivia, Evo Morales; Cuba, Raul Castro; Honduras, Manuel Zelaya; Nicaragua, Daniel Ortega; and Venezuela, Hugo Chavez; Dominica’s Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skerrit also attended the meeting.
In addition, Paraguay’s president Fernando Lugo; Saint Vicent and the Grenadines’s Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves, who announced his incorporation into the group; and Ecuador’s foreign minister, Fander Falconí, took part in the Cumaná summit as guests.
ALBA abre puerta a moneda común y respalda a Cuba
The group assured that there is no consensus about the final draft resolution of the Summit of the Americas beginning today, because it doesn’t cover the world crises and excludes Cuba, PL reported.
After the signing of an outline agreement about the Unique System of Regional Compensation of Payments (Sucre, Spanish acronyms) the task of putting into practice the program in September, with pilot projects, was left in the hands of ministers and experts.
At the closing of the Cumaná Summit, 400 kms east of Caracas, Venezuelan president, Hugo Chavez, explained that the Sucre should lead to the creation and the boosting of production units in the member countries of the group.
The pilot projects, according to the outline, will be oriented to meet current needs, in particular related to food and financial support for the Alba Bank.
The Summit also approved a document harshly criticizing the exclusion of Cuba from the Summit of the Americas, in contradiction to the world consensus against the U.S economic blockade and the attempts to isolate the island.
It also called for unity to end with the economic, commercial and financial blockade, including the Helms-Burton Law, so as to be consistent with 17 consecutive U.N resolutions.
After highlighted that Washington’s attempts to isolate Cuba have failed, the ALBA counties noted that there is no reason why Cuba should not be part of the Summit of the Americas.
Participating in the ALBA summit were the president of Bolivia, Evo Morales; Cuba, Raul Castro; Honduras, Manuel Zelaya; Nicaragua, Daniel Ortega; and Venezuela, Hugo Chavez; Dominica’s Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skerrit also attended the meeting.
In addition, Paraguay’s president Fernando Lugo; Saint Vicent and the Grenadines’s Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves, who announced his incorporation into the group; and Ecuador’s foreign minister, Fander Falconí, took part in the Cumaná summit as guests.
ALBA abre puerta a moneda común y respalda a Cuba
Cuban Revolutionary Cinema in Qatar
HAVANA, Cuba, April 17 (acn) Cuba offered a colloquium on the revolutionary cinematography of the last 50 years and signed a technical cooperation accord during the Al Jazeera Documentary Film Festival that ended on Thursday in Qatar.
The vice-president of the Cuban Film Institute (ICAIC) Luis González, highlighted to Prensa Latina news agency the work carried out by this entity over the last five decades, the production and prestige of which have increased internationally.
González described the rebuilding of the film industry on the archipelago as almost an act of heroism, due to the obstacles it has had to get around and underlined its basic principle of establishing cinema as an artistic expression, making it grow away from being merely a business.
During a talk broadcast live for the Arab audience of Al Jazeera, the channel with the longest range in the Middle East, the Cuban official said that his country’s producers prioritize education and the shaping of awareness in the public with ample creative freedom and committed to their
times.
He explained that the presidency of the 5th Al Jazeera International Documentary Film Festival asked for Cuba’s presence in the event to make its techniques known and to show the quality of the themes in its work.
He announced that, as part of ICAIC’s 50th anniversary celebrations, the institution has the presented Cuban cinema in various latitudes, as happened with classic and recent productions in Argentina and Italy, and will happen at the Havana Film Festival in New York.
During the event, which gathered 200 creators and some 100 works from 60 countries, Cuba also signed an agreement between the San Antonio de los Baños International Cinema and Television School (EICTV) and Al Jazeera’s Training Center.
(Muestran en Qatar prestigio del cine revolucionario cubano)
The vice-president of the Cuban Film Institute (ICAIC) Luis González, highlighted to Prensa Latina news agency the work carried out by this entity over the last five decades, the production and prestige of which have increased internationally.
González described the rebuilding of the film industry on the archipelago as almost an act of heroism, due to the obstacles it has had to get around and underlined its basic principle of establishing cinema as an artistic expression, making it grow away from being merely a business.
During a talk broadcast live for the Arab audience of Al Jazeera, the channel with the longest range in the Middle East, the Cuban official said that his country’s producers prioritize education and the shaping of awareness in the public with ample creative freedom and committed to their
times.
He explained that the presidency of the 5th Al Jazeera International Documentary Film Festival asked for Cuba’s presence in the event to make its techniques known and to show the quality of the themes in its work.
He announced that, as part of ICAIC’s 50th anniversary celebrations, the institution has the presented Cuban cinema in various latitudes, as happened with classic and recent productions in Argentina and Italy, and will happen at the Havana Film Festival in New York.
During the event, which gathered 200 creators and some 100 works from 60 countries, Cuba also signed an agreement between the San Antonio de los Baños International Cinema and Television School (EICTV) and Al Jazeera’s Training Center.
(Muestran en Qatar prestigio del cine revolucionario cubano)
Mexican President Says US Blockade of Cuba Should End
HAVANA, Cuba, April 17 (acn) Mexican President Felipe Calderon said on Thursday that Washington’s economic blockade of Cuba has failed and should be lifted.
According to Prensa Latina news agency, during a joint press conference with visiting US President Barack Obama after both leader held official talks, Calderon added that the elimination of the blockade would positively contribute to a change of relations between Washington and Havana.
“The US blockade began when neither Obama nor I had been born and it has not succeeded,” noted Calderon, who praised the recently partial measures adopted by the White House lifting travel restrictions of Cuban-Americans living in the US to the Caribbean archipelago.
The Mexican head of state explained that his country is friends with Cuba and the United States and it is ready to cooperate in the resolution of problems between both nations.
Calderon stressed that it is now time to look ahead for the good of hemispheric relations.
(Presidente mexicano contra el bloqueo a Cuba)
According to Prensa Latina news agency, during a joint press conference with visiting US President Barack Obama after both leader held official talks, Calderon added that the elimination of the blockade would positively contribute to a change of relations between Washington and Havana.
“The US blockade began when neither Obama nor I had been born and it has not succeeded,” noted Calderon, who praised the recently partial measures adopted by the White House lifting travel restrictions of Cuban-Americans living in the US to the Caribbean archipelago.
The Mexican head of state explained that his country is friends with Cuba and the United States and it is ready to cooperate in the resolution of problems between both nations.
Calderon stressed that it is now time to look ahead for the good of hemispheric relations.
(Presidente mexicano contra el bloqueo a Cuba)
The Partry in Camagüey recognizes to Highlighted workers in its dependences
by: Luis Naranjo / Camaguey Television
The daily consecration to the work of the Partry was worth to the recognition to a group of workers of different dependences of that Organism in Camagüey.
Titles since 5 up to 45 years for their dedication to the tasks of the Revolution and loyalty to the Homeland, were given to 65 workers and 12 squares of the Communist Partry of Cuba in the county.
Precise moment to greet the Anniversary 48 of the proclamation of the Socialist character of our country and of the foundation of the Partry.
Some of the partners that received recognition and takes 45 years working for the Organization is José Gilberto Hernández Rosabal who excited said to the press: “I began as employee until ending up being square professional and during the 45 years, I have consecrated myself to each task in the different commended positions. I think that the only thing that I have made is to fulfill my duty, to be faithful to the Revolution and the principles of the Parrty.”
And he added: “This title is a prize, I will always keep it like one of the most important recognitions in my life. Today accompanies me in this delivery my granddaughter and it should be a good example so that the youths continue the fight to strengthen the Revolution.”
With Julio César García presence, first secretary of the Partry in the territory of Camagüey, the member of the Provincial Desk Rosario Pentón Díaz expressed ”We will have future if there is socialist Revolution, with the Partry to the front, let us defend that future and let us trust the Partry in Raúl and Fidel. ”
The daily consecration to the work of the Partry was worth to the recognition to a group of workers of different dependences of that Organism in Camagüey.Titles since 5 up to 45 years for their dedication to the tasks of the Revolution and loyalty to the Homeland, were given to 65 workers and 12 squares of the Communist Partry of Cuba in the county.
Precise moment to greet the Anniversary 48 of the proclamation of the Socialist character of our country and of the foundation of the Partry.
Some of the partners that received recognition and takes 45 years working for the Organization is José Gilberto Hernández Rosabal who excited said to the press: “I began as employee until ending up being square professional and during the 45 years, I have consecrated myself to each task in the different commended positions. I think that the only thing that I have made is to fulfill my duty, to be faithful to the Revolution and the principles of the Parrty.”And he added: “This title is a prize, I will always keep it like one of the most important recognitions in my life. Today accompanies me in this delivery my granddaughter and it should be a good example so that the youths continue the fight to strengthen the Revolution.”
With Julio César García presence, first secretary of the Partry in the territory of Camagüey, the member of the Provincial Desk Rosario Pentón Díaz expressed ”We will have future if there is socialist Revolution, with the Partry to the front, let us defend that future and let us trust the Partry in Raúl and Fidel. ”
Raul Castro Underscores Regional Compensation System, the Sucre
HAVANA, Cuba , April 16 (acn) Cuban President Raul Castro today underscored the Unique Regional Compensation System known by its acronyms SUCRE , as he addressed heads of state and government at the Summit of the Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas (ALBA), held in Venezuela. The work undertaken by the ALBA plus Ecuador since November 2008 to set up the SUCRE is particularly significant, said the Cuban President, who described the initiative as a key factor to boost trade in the context of the regional integration mechanism, according to PL news agency.
The advances made in that first step are aimed at setting up a common monetary unit, said Raul Castro and ratified Cuba ’s vocation of solidarity towards Latin America and the Caribbean.
The regional integration initiative, ALBA, has instruments to face today’s world crisis, but he went on to warn that nobody would escape the crisis; however this group made up of six full member nations and another three with observer status has the tools to partially counter the effects of the crisis.
The crisis poses huge challenges of incalculable and unforeseeable dimensions, “so we have no other choice than to unite in order to face it,” he stressed as he warned that the economic and social crisis already has a global character, which is not only limited to the financial sector. It constitutes a world scourge with deep structural roots that include the collapse of the stock market and production, he said.
Such a situation leads to the freezing of growth and to economic recession along with the shrinking of world trade and the increase of unemployment and poverty, said the Cuban head of state. He added that the situation also affects thousands of millions of people in South countries, who are the ones who, as usual, will suffer the most from the consequences stemming from the irresponsible practice of deregulation and financial speculation and the imposition of neo-liberalism.
Raul Castro accused the United States for making deliberate use of the privileges offered by the current international economic order, which allows that country to print money without any backing, along with warmongering and unsustainable consumerism.
In fact, the crisis is the foreseeable result of the capitalist system of production and distribution, and the neo-liberal policies worsened its scope, said Raul. He warned that, in the search for solutions, those responsible end up with increased power and wealth, while the exploited and the poorest assume the bulk of the cost.
The answer can not negotiated on the back of the United Nations by the leaders of the most powerful countries, or by means of administrative measures because their nature is structural and increasingly affect the economy of the globalized and inter-dependent planet, he pointed out.
Neither can the solution be the strengthening of financial institutions like the International Monetary Fund, whose disastrous policies contributed decisively to the genesis and development of the crisis. The solution given by the G-20 does not solve inequality or injustice, Raul stressed. It is the same rhetoric of North countries, of not implementing protectionist measures and handing out assistance that does not alter underdevelopment.
Raul Castro recalled that after a G-20 meeting, held six months ago in Washington, the World Bank had counted 73 protectionist actions implemented by members of the group, without any increase in official assistance for development.
The ALBA countries, said Raul, have the privilege of sharing a project based on integrated principles on the basis of equality and whose nature denies all the kinds of practice that generated the current crisis.
He explained that the ALBA nations do not have the capacity to structurally change the world economic order, but they can set up a new basis and build their own economic relations. “Our most important programs are not linked to financial speculation and uncontrolled market fluctuation,” he said.
PL news reports that participating in the Summit are Bolivia ’s Evo Morales, Honduras´ Manuel Zelaya, Nicaragua ’s Daniel Ortega, Venezuela ’s Hugo Chavez and Dominica ’s Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit.
Paraguay´s President Fernando Lugo, the Prime Minister of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Ralph Gonsalves and Ecuadorian Foreign Minister Fander Falconi, representing Rafael Correa, are attending as guests. Also present are the president of the UN General Assembly Miguel D´Escoto and the president of the ALBA Bank Bernardo Alvarez.
ALBA Countries Express Strong Support of Cuba against US Economic Blockade
HAVANA, Cuba, April 17 (acn)The countries making up the Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas (ALBA) expressed, during their summit in Venezuela, their strong support of Cuba´s struggle against the nearly-50-year US economic, commercial and financial blockade.
After listening to the statements by participants at the meeting, Cuban President Raul Castro thanked for the expressions of support that marked a large part of the Summit, which also analyzed the world economic crisis and its impact on the region.
Raul Castro recalled that almost all countries on the planet, with the exception of the United States and Israel and some other countries, condemn the blockade imposed by Washington on the Caribbean nation for nearly 50 years now.
He affirmed Cuba´s willingness to address any topic with the United States, under equal conditions and on the basis of respect for the right of the Cuban people to self-determination. In that direction, Raul included among the topics for negotiations the issue concerning the counterrevolutionaries incarcerated in Cuba, whom Washington refers to as “political prisoners.”
“If they want the release of those prisoners, who include some confessed terrorists, they must release our five heroes who are incarcerated for fighting terrorism and for defending the Cuban people, and then we will send them the so-called dissidents and their families,” said Raul Castro.
The Cuban President recalled that the five Cubans are held in US jails for collecting information on terrorist organizations in order to prevent criminal actions against Cuba.
Raul Castro particularly criticized the Organization of American States for its actions against Cuba as it backed US hostility and aggressions against the Caribbean nation. Blood has been oozing out of the Organization of American States since its very creation; Cuba is an example of that and there are many other examples, said the Cuban President who recalled the 1954 invasion on Guatemala after President Jacobo Arbenz tried to distribute land among the needed indigenous population.
He said that in April 16, 1961, the bombing of Cuban air bases took place as part of a military aggression organized by the United States, even when Cuba had not yet mentioned the word Socialism.
The Cuban President said that during the mourning ceremony to the victims of the bombing, Fidel Castro proclaimed Socialism and a huge mass of people expressed their determination to fight back the aggression at any cost.
He said that with the Bay of Pigs Invasion or Playa Giron as Cubans named it, the invaders expected to set up a beach head to pave the way for the Organization of American States to recognize a puppet government set up in Florida and give green light to the US military invasion.
On that occasion US military aircraft flew over the combat zone, though they did not participate in the actions, while ships from the US navy were seen just three miles from the Cuban coast, Raul said and explained that such a situation was the reason why the OAS had not yet expelled Cuba since they expected to recognize the puppet government that would ask the OAS for help, and the US armed forces would have acted.
However, in January 1962 the United States broke relations with Cuba and just few days later the Organization of American States expelled Cuba from its membership, since they were planning an invasion by the US forces, and what prevented that invasion from taking place were the soviet missiles that were set up in Cuba, a fact proven by declassified documents, Raul Castro recalled.
Previously, the Cuban President reaffirmed his country rejection of returning to the Organization of American States as he had expressed during the Rio Group Summit, in Sauipe, Brazil. He said on that occasion he recalled a phrase by Cuban National Hero Jose Martí that he used in that direction: “Before Cuba joins the OAS, the North Sea and the South Sea should mix and a snake will be born from an eagles’ egg.”
Upon his arrival in Cumaná, the Cuban president stressed the coincidence of the ALBA Summit with the 48th Anniverssary of the April 1961 Bay of Pigs invasion, organized by the United States.
(Recibe Cuba apoyo del Alba en su lucha contra el bloqueo)
After listening to the statements by participants at the meeting, Cuban President Raul Castro thanked for the expressions of support that marked a large part of the Summit, which also analyzed the world economic crisis and its impact on the region.
Raul Castro recalled that almost all countries on the planet, with the exception of the United States and Israel and some other countries, condemn the blockade imposed by Washington on the Caribbean nation for nearly 50 years now.
He affirmed Cuba´s willingness to address any topic with the United States, under equal conditions and on the basis of respect for the right of the Cuban people to self-determination. In that direction, Raul included among the topics for negotiations the issue concerning the counterrevolutionaries incarcerated in Cuba, whom Washington refers to as “political prisoners.”
“If they want the release of those prisoners, who include some confessed terrorists, they must release our five heroes who are incarcerated for fighting terrorism and for defending the Cuban people, and then we will send them the so-called dissidents and their families,” said Raul Castro.
The Cuban President recalled that the five Cubans are held in US jails for collecting information on terrorist organizations in order to prevent criminal actions against Cuba.
Raul Castro particularly criticized the Organization of American States for its actions against Cuba as it backed US hostility and aggressions against the Caribbean nation. Blood has been oozing out of the Organization of American States since its very creation; Cuba is an example of that and there are many other examples, said the Cuban President who recalled the 1954 invasion on Guatemala after President Jacobo Arbenz tried to distribute land among the needed indigenous population.
He said that in April 16, 1961, the bombing of Cuban air bases took place as part of a military aggression organized by the United States, even when Cuba had not yet mentioned the word Socialism.
The Cuban President said that during the mourning ceremony to the victims of the bombing, Fidel Castro proclaimed Socialism and a huge mass of people expressed their determination to fight back the aggression at any cost.
He said that with the Bay of Pigs Invasion or Playa Giron as Cubans named it, the invaders expected to set up a beach head to pave the way for the Organization of American States to recognize a puppet government set up in Florida and give green light to the US military invasion.
On that occasion US military aircraft flew over the combat zone, though they did not participate in the actions, while ships from the US navy were seen just three miles from the Cuban coast, Raul said and explained that such a situation was the reason why the OAS had not yet expelled Cuba since they expected to recognize the puppet government that would ask the OAS for help, and the US armed forces would have acted.
However, in January 1962 the United States broke relations with Cuba and just few days later the Organization of American States expelled Cuba from its membership, since they were planning an invasion by the US forces, and what prevented that invasion from taking place were the soviet missiles that were set up in Cuba, a fact proven by declassified documents, Raul Castro recalled.
Previously, the Cuban President reaffirmed his country rejection of returning to the Organization of American States as he had expressed during the Rio Group Summit, in Sauipe, Brazil. He said on that occasion he recalled a phrase by Cuban National Hero Jose Martí that he used in that direction: “Before Cuba joins the OAS, the North Sea and the South Sea should mix and a snake will be born from an eagles’ egg.”
Upon his arrival in Cumaná, the Cuban president stressed the coincidence of the ALBA Summit with the 48th Anniverssary of the April 1961 Bay of Pigs invasion, organized by the United States.
(Recibe Cuba apoyo del Alba en su lucha contra el bloqueo)
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