HAVANA, Cuba, April 20 (acn) Latin American and European lawyers are attending the 5th International Meeting on Constitution, Democracy and Political Systems, inaugurated at the University of Havana on Tuesday.
Participants include representatives from professional organizations from Brazil, Cuba, the United States, Chile, Italy, Mexico and Norway, according to information provided to ACN by Cuba's National Association of Jurists (UNJC).
The processes of regional integration in Latin America, from a constitutional perspective, is one of the main issues to be tackled at the event, which will run until Thursday under the auspices of the UNJC's Cuban Society of Constitutional and Administrative Law.
The source added that another of the themes for debate, as part of the delegates' objective of continuing the analysis of issues of contemporary reality, will be the analysis of the social and political transformations in the continent and their expression of constituent will.
It recalled that this kind of assessment will be made taking doctrinal, scientific, legal, sociological and historical criteria, begun at previous meetings, held in 1993, 2003, 2005 and 2007 as a starting point.
The event's organizers are promoting the exchange of knowledge, information and experiences among jurists, journalists, sociologists, philosophers, political scientists and other professionals and students interested in the analysis and interpretation of different phenomena in
countries, regions, or in this globalized world.
Created in 1977, the UNJC has non-governmental and legal status. It draws together 12,000 jurists, who are professors, researchers, lawyers, judges, district attorneys, notaries, consultants and advisors, among other categories.
(Inaugurarán mañana encuentro internacional sobre legalidad Lino Luben
Pérez)
martes, 21 de abril de 2009
Cuba Calls for World Cooperation at Portugal´s Communications Forum
HAVANA, Cuba, April 21 (acn) Cuba is defending the setting up of preferential telephone tariffs for underdeveloped nations at the International Forum on Telecommunications, underway in Lisbon, Portugal.
The Cuban proposal is aimed at supporting Third World nations, particularly those affected by the global economic crisis, in their infrastructure modernization efforts on the basis of their own
telecommunications services.
During the meeting, public officials, leaders and experts in the sector will focus on ways to cushion the effects of the current financial situation.
Cuban representatives at the Lisbon gathering will also call for closing the gap standing between industrialized and underdeveloped nations as to the access to information technologies and databases.
Cuban delegation member to the forum, Juan Fernandez, said that his country will ask the International Telecommunications Union to demand that developed countries should meet their commitment of contributing 0,7 percent of their Gross Domestic Product to the Official Assistance for Development.
The assistance for development must be contributed without any conditioning and by respecting national priorities and strategies for development drawn up in each country, according to the Cuban proposal, which also adds that the international body must guarantee that favored
nations use part of the assistance for the development of communications, so crucial for modern life.
During the Lisbon meeting, which runs until next April 24, Cuba will denounce Washington’s discriminatory actions that ban the island Internet connection and access to public Websites, a measure linked to the nearly-50-year US economic, financial and commercial blockade of the
Caribbean nation.
Participants will hear the island´s demand for equality in Internet access for all nations and the proposal that the International Telecommunications Rules include the prohibition of discriminatory measures as a compulsory requirement for all states and enterprises
around the world, said Pedro Oliva, member of the Cuban delegation to the forum.
In statements to the Cuban News Agency, Oliva said that the International Telecommunications Union declared such proceedings as illicit, during a recent forum on standardization. Participants at that meeting adopted a resolution expressing that such a policy denies the right of the states
to using the Internet resources, which are practically essential in today´s world.
Studies published by the media explain that the Internet band width allowed to Cuba by the United States is only as large as any being used by a single enterprise, or even similar to those owned private users who count on that resource in other parts of the world.
Meanwhile, Cuba undergoes Internet access limitations imposed by the US, which include services so basic as Google applications like Google Toolbar, Google Desktop and others, as well as public software programs, and other resources. Downloading such programs or resources from Cuba would receive the permanent message reading: “Thanks for your interest,
but the product that you're trying to download is not available in your country.”
(Aboga Cuba por colaboración internacional en comunicaciones)
The Cuban proposal is aimed at supporting Third World nations, particularly those affected by the global economic crisis, in their infrastructure modernization efforts on the basis of their own
telecommunications services.
During the meeting, public officials, leaders and experts in the sector will focus on ways to cushion the effects of the current financial situation.
Cuban representatives at the Lisbon gathering will also call for closing the gap standing between industrialized and underdeveloped nations as to the access to information technologies and databases.
Cuban delegation member to the forum, Juan Fernandez, said that his country will ask the International Telecommunications Union to demand that developed countries should meet their commitment of contributing 0,7 percent of their Gross Domestic Product to the Official Assistance for Development.
The assistance for development must be contributed without any conditioning and by respecting national priorities and strategies for development drawn up in each country, according to the Cuban proposal, which also adds that the international body must guarantee that favored
nations use part of the assistance for the development of communications, so crucial for modern life.
During the Lisbon meeting, which runs until next April 24, Cuba will denounce Washington’s discriminatory actions that ban the island Internet connection and access to public Websites, a measure linked to the nearly-50-year US economic, financial and commercial blockade of the
Caribbean nation.
Participants will hear the island´s demand for equality in Internet access for all nations and the proposal that the International Telecommunications Rules include the prohibition of discriminatory measures as a compulsory requirement for all states and enterprises
around the world, said Pedro Oliva, member of the Cuban delegation to the forum.
In statements to the Cuban News Agency, Oliva said that the International Telecommunications Union declared such proceedings as illicit, during a recent forum on standardization. Participants at that meeting adopted a resolution expressing that such a policy denies the right of the states
to using the Internet resources, which are practically essential in today´s world.
Studies published by the media explain that the Internet band width allowed to Cuba by the United States is only as large as any being used by a single enterprise, or even similar to those owned private users who count on that resource in other parts of the world.
Meanwhile, Cuba undergoes Internet access limitations imposed by the US, which include services so basic as Google applications like Google Toolbar, Google Desktop and others, as well as public software programs, and other resources. Downloading such programs or resources from Cuba would receive the permanent message reading: “Thanks for your interest,
but the product that you're trying to download is not available in your country.”
(Aboga Cuba por colaboración internacional en comunicaciones)
Cuban Doctors Conclude Successful Medical Mission in Surinam
HAVANA, Cuba, April 21 (acn) A group of seven Cuban doctors, who are part of the medical mission assisting the people of Surinam, concluded with success their 2-year internationalist work in that sister South American nation.
During the farewell ceremony at Surinam´s Public Health Ministry, Dr. Celsius Waterberg minister of the sector thanked the government of Cuba and the doctors in particular for the outstanding work they have undertaken in his country. The Cuban doctors have won the
acknowledgement of the Surinamese population, said Dr. Waterberg.
The health minister gave the Cuban medical doctors diplomas in recognition of their work during two years in different zones of Surinam, including remote forest areas of the country, according to a press release by the Cuban diplomatic mission in that country.
Meanwhile, Cuba ambassador to Surinam Andres Gonzalez Garrido congratulated the doctors for their noble work, their commitment and sacrifice and he said that all Cuban doctors, the ones that concluded their mission and those who are still offering their assistance to the
Surinamese people, have dignified the prestige conquered by Cuban health professionals.
The rest of the medical brigade will continue to work in the South American nation, as another group of specialists is expected to soon join in order to replace the seven doctors that have concluded their mission.
The ceremony was also attended by directives of different health care institutions, where the Cuban doctors are offering their services.
The Cuban medical brigade in Surinam is implementing the Integral Health Care Program, which includes the free-eye surgery initiative known as “Operation Miracle” with the participation of ten eye specialists. The group also cooperates in the teaching of Spanish and the training of
Athletics.
(Finaliza misión en Suriname grupo de médicos cubanos)
During the farewell ceremony at Surinam´s Public Health Ministry, Dr. Celsius Waterberg minister of the sector thanked the government of Cuba and the doctors in particular for the outstanding work they have undertaken in his country. The Cuban doctors have won the
acknowledgement of the Surinamese population, said Dr. Waterberg.
The health minister gave the Cuban medical doctors diplomas in recognition of their work during two years in different zones of Surinam, including remote forest areas of the country, according to a press release by the Cuban diplomatic mission in that country.
Meanwhile, Cuba ambassador to Surinam Andres Gonzalez Garrido congratulated the doctors for their noble work, their commitment and sacrifice and he said that all Cuban doctors, the ones that concluded their mission and those who are still offering their assistance to the
Surinamese people, have dignified the prestige conquered by Cuban health professionals.
The rest of the medical brigade will continue to work in the South American nation, as another group of specialists is expected to soon join in order to replace the seven doctors that have concluded their mission.
The ceremony was also attended by directives of different health care institutions, where the Cuban doctors are offering their services.
The Cuban medical brigade in Surinam is implementing the Integral Health Care Program, which includes the free-eye surgery initiative known as “Operation Miracle” with the participation of ten eye specialists. The group also cooperates in the teaching of Spanish and the training of
Athletics.
(Finaliza misión en Suriname grupo de médicos cubanos)
Cuba Claims Rights for Havana Club Trademark in U.S
HAVANA, Cuba, April 20 (acn) Representatives from 10 countries and from the European Communities reiterated in Geneva their call for the United States to observe the ruling of the World Trade Organization (WTO) relevant to Cuban claims for its rights over the Havana Club trade mark.
The issue is related to Washington's persistence of Section 211, which permits the Bacardi company to takeover the Cuban rum brand Havana Club, in spite of having being disqualified by the WTO Solution of Differences Court seven years ago.
Jorge Ferrer, secretary of the Cuban mission in Geneva said on Monday at a meeting of the organization that the situation has not changed and that this year's reports by the defendant have only made an ambiguous reference to the topic, reported PL.
The diplomat explained that at the end of March, according to media outlets, an American federal judge rejected a demand made by the island's CUBAEXPORT, which is the legitimate owner of the Havana Club brand, against the Foreign Assets Control Office of the U.S Treasury
Department.
Five years after the promulgation of Section 211, it was considered as a violation of the fundamental principles of the Paris Convention and the WTO Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights.
The derogation of that Section has been demanded several times at the WTO headquarters.
This year, the US attitude was questioned as well by the European Communities (representing 27 members of the continental bloc), and by China, Brazil, Ecuador, Venezuela, India, Costa Rica, Thailand, Mexico and Vietnam.
In his statements, Ecuador's representative said the dispute is the oldest pending issue of the organization.
(Reiteran reclamo a EE.UU. respecto a Cuba)
The issue is related to Washington's persistence of Section 211, which permits the Bacardi company to takeover the Cuban rum brand Havana Club, in spite of having being disqualified by the WTO Solution of Differences Court seven years ago.
Jorge Ferrer, secretary of the Cuban mission in Geneva said on Monday at a meeting of the organization that the situation has not changed and that this year's reports by the defendant have only made an ambiguous reference to the topic, reported PL.
The diplomat explained that at the end of March, according to media outlets, an American federal judge rejected a demand made by the island's CUBAEXPORT, which is the legitimate owner of the Havana Club brand, against the Foreign Assets Control Office of the U.S Treasury
Department.
Five years after the promulgation of Section 211, it was considered as a violation of the fundamental principles of the Paris Convention and the WTO Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights.
The derogation of that Section has been demanded several times at the WTO headquarters.
This year, the US attitude was questioned as well by the European Communities (representing 27 members of the continental bloc), and by China, Brazil, Ecuador, Venezuela, India, Costa Rica, Thailand, Mexico and Vietnam.
In his statements, Ecuador's representative said the dispute is the oldest pending issue of the organization.
(Reiteran reclamo a EE.UU. respecto a Cuba)
French Organization Asks US to Lift Blockade against Cuba
HAVANA, Cuba, April 21 (acn) The French solidarity with Cuba organization, CubaSiFrance, has asked the U.S government to adopt a respectful attitude towards the Cuban people by putting an end to the economic, commercial and financial blockade against the island, which it described as criminal and unjustifiable.
A communiqué issued by the organization on Monday said Washington should pay more attention to the UN's resolutions that have systematically requested the end of the blockade kept against the island for nearly five decades.
In addition, the document points to the illegal occupation of Guantanamo Bay, where the U.S government has kept a naval base against the will of the Cuban people, says a report by PL from Paris.
In relation to the human rights issue, the French organization said Cubans cannot be lectured on how to exercise human rights because since the triumph of the Revolution important aspects like education, health and general cultural values have been guaranteed for all the people.
(Exhortan a Washington a eliminar el bloqueo a Cuba)
A communiqué issued by the organization on Monday said Washington should pay more attention to the UN's resolutions that have systematically requested the end of the blockade kept against the island for nearly five decades.
In addition, the document points to the illegal occupation of Guantanamo Bay, where the U.S government has kept a naval base against the will of the Cuban people, says a report by PL from Paris.
In relation to the human rights issue, the French organization said Cubans cannot be lectured on how to exercise human rights because since the triumph of the Revolution important aspects like education, health and general cultural values have been guaranteed for all the people.
(Exhortan a Washington a eliminar el bloqueo a Cuba)
May Day International Brigade Visits Cuba Late April
CIENFUEGOS, Cuba, April 20 (acn) The 4th May Day International Brigade, made up by more than 200 travelers from several countries, arrives in Cuba at the end of April to participate in celebrations for the workers' day.
Kenia Serrano Puig, ICAP national president, said after participating in the central celebration to mark the date in Havana, the brigade will travel to the city of Cienfuegos, where they will learn aspects about the economic and social life of the province and will be engaged in agricultural work, among other activities.
The program for the visit of the brigade that began in 2006 was coordinated in Cuba by the Friendship Institute (ICAP).
During their stay in the island, from April 27 to May 10, the brigade will also participate in an International Solidarity Meeting organized by the Cuban Workers Federation, said Serrano.
(Visitará brigada de solidaridad varios territorios de Cuba)
Kenia Serrano Puig, ICAP national president, said after participating in the central celebration to mark the date in Havana, the brigade will travel to the city of Cienfuegos, where they will learn aspects about the economic and social life of the province and will be engaged in agricultural work, among other activities.
The program for the visit of the brigade that began in 2006 was coordinated in Cuba by the Friendship Institute (ICAP).
During their stay in the island, from April 27 to May 10, the brigade will also participate in an International Solidarity Meeting organized by the Cuban Workers Federation, said Serrano.
(Visitará brigada de solidaridad varios territorios de Cuba)
Feverish Dreams
I could find no explanation for the euphoria expressed by some of the participants at the Port of Spain Summit.
I put in a lot of effort and I read the famous Declaration of the Commitment approved at that “Summit of the Americas”. I had heard the press conference that was presided over by the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Patrick Manning, which was also attended by the illustrious Stephen Harper, the Prime Minister of Canada, and the presidents of Mexico and Panama, Felipe Calderon and Martin Torrijos respectively. According to them, this Summit has been the most extraordinary ever held.
Some kind of miracle should have been worked out, I said to myself. The philosopher’s stone has just been discovered. Why should we worry for one more second? No one should think that this happened out of mere chance. Don’t we know how to read and write? It was the OAS which saved us all; it has been so stated in 13 out of the 97 subparagraphs contained in the 67 pages of the final declaration.
The countries that signed the Declaration reaffirm the principles and values of the UN Charter, the OAS Charter, the Inter-American Democratic Charter, the Monterrey Consensus on Financing for Development and the Millennium Declaration, and express their determination to intensify their struggle against poverty, hunger, social exclusion, discrimination and inequality and promote social inclusion and cohesion in order to improve the living standards of their peoples and attain development and social justice.
Likewise, they reaffirm the importance of promoting cooperation among States in a fraternal way in different spheres of inter-American relations, in conformity with the essential principles and purposes of the OAS Charter and recognizing their social, political and economic diversity.
They further stated that they have given instructions to their ministers, particularly those responsible for finances, planning and social development, to begin or strengthen the review of all national programs for social protection and inclusion and the eradication of poverty. They call upon the OAS, the Inter-American Development Bank (IADB) and other relevant finance and development regional and sub regional institutions so that they support these efforts within the scope of their respective mandates.
They call upon the Ministers of Labor so that, within the context of the Inter-American Conference of Ministers of Labor of the OAS, in cooperation with the consultative organs of workers and employers, and with the support of the ILO, as appropriate, they would support a working program to attain these objectives at the Sixteenth Inter-American Conference of Labor Ministers to be held in the year 2009.
The countries that signed the Declaration call upon the Ministers of Education so that, with the support of the OAS, specialized regional and international institutions as well as the civil society organizations, they could develop strategies aimed at making quality secondary education available to all youths by the year 2015 at the latest, specially to the most vulnerable groups and those with special educational needs.
They further stated that they will increase their efforts to prevent and combat all aspects inherent to the international problem of drugs and other related crimes by strengthening international cooperation and adopting a comprehensive and balanced approach, based on the principle of common and shared responsibility, in conformity with the principles enshrined in the UN Charter, the OAS Charter, international law and their applicable legal frameworks.
The countries that signed the Declaration renewed their commitment to combat poverty, inequality, hunger, and social exclusion in order to improve the living conditions of their peoples and strengthen democratic governance in the Americas, and committed themselves to upheld and fully implement the principles contained in the Inter-American Democratic Charter.
The countries reiterated their support to the goals contained in the Social Charter of the Americas and its Plan of Action, which are intended to offer all citizens more opportunities to benefit from sustainable development with equity and social inclusion. They encouraged the OAS to conclude the drafting of these instruments, and pledged to work in the interest of concluding negotiations and adopting these documents before the end of 2009.
They recognize the important role played by the OAS in the peaceful settlement of their differences, its participation in the promotion of a culture of democracy, peace, dialogue and non-violence in the region, and the role it played in the implementation of the Inter-American Democratic Charter.
The countries that signed the Declaration will see to it that yearly national reports about the actions carried out and the progress achieved in pursuing the specific goals identified in the Summit of the Americas continue to be submitted to the OAS.
Why should we be surprised to see that, thanks to the support and inspiration of such a meritorious institution, in the last subparagraph of page 67 of the Declaration it is reaffirmed that the Heads of State or Government of the Americas agree that this document should be known as “The Declaration of the Commitment of Port-of Spain”, and that it will be so approved on April 19, 2009.
Is it so that the OAS is a guarantee to the sovereignty and integrity of Latin American peoples? It always has!
Did it ever interfere in the internal affairs of any country in the hemisphere? It never has!
Is it true that it has always been a docile instrument of the United Sates? It never has!
Did any Latin American or Caribbean die because of its own fault? Not a single one of them did! Those are slanders, fabricated by the Castroist-Communist, which have emanated from Cuba, a country expelled from the OAS because its government proclaimed Marxism-Leninism in a country where there was never an election, where no one is entitled to vote or being elected, which lives under the rule of a tyranny that has blatantly confronted a country so weak, defenseless and poor as the United States for half a century. If Cuba does rectify its position, the selfless and noble government of the United States will not sell a single aspirin to Cuba. The OAS is a guarantee of the democratic rights of the long-suffering Cuban people.
April 20, 2009
1:46 p.m.
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