Children Demand an End to Child Labor at UN Headquarters

GENEVA, June 12.— More than 600 children gathered in front of the UN headquarters in Geneva on the World Day against Child Labor to demand an end to this illegal practice, EFE reported.

The children entered the UN building to attend the plenary session of the International Labor Organization (ILO), "on behalf of all the children of the world."

This event is the last of a long list of activities organized in this city to promote awareness among citizens, with a focus on children, regarding child labor.

The ILO dedicated its conference to the World Day against Child Labor, especially to girls.

This organization estimates that some 100 million girls are victims of child labor in the world.

Lazo Calls for Rational Use of Resources During the Summer

Politburo member Esteban Lazo Hernández said that organizations should offer the Cuban people, especially the youth, a summer vacation plenty of leisure, cultural and sports activities, but making better use of resources, savings and with austerity.

Lazo, who is also Vice President of the Council of State, presided over a meeting with representatives of the Young Communist League (UJC), student and grassroots organizations, as well as heads of ministries and institutions involved in the summer recreational programs.

Lazo noted the importance of prioritizing the help to those damaged by the hurricanes that hit the country last year, especially in those areas where schools and houses have not been repaired.

He said that the facilities devoted to cultural and youth activities in each municipality and people’s council, should host multiple activities. Here’s where the most important event are to take place.

Although this summer finds Cuba at a complex juncture economically speaking, he said that it coincides with the vacation of students and workers, and therefore, all the facilities, movie theaters, social clubs, TV and radio shows, should increase their offers to the public, but they should also continue to save resources and meet the electricity plan.

Julio Martínez, UJC first secretary, presented the initial program, which calls for integration and creativity, and will be devoted to the 50^th anniversary of the Cuban Revolution. (AIN / Alina Martínez)

Chávez Denounces Separatist Plans in Venezuela

CARACAS, June 14.–– President Hugo Chávez warned today that the Venezuelan oligarchy is making efforts to revive separatist plans in the southwestern states of Zulia and Táchira, PL news agency reported.

"We are not going to allow them to turn Táchira, or Zulia, into a lair for paramilitary soldiers," said Chávez during the Aló, Presidente program, which was broadcasted from the La Bandera Primary Unit of Social Property, in Táchira.

Chávez also called on the governors to fulfill their duties and mentioned that the people, the Armed Forces and the Constitution would combat the separatist plans. He also denounced a campaign of certain mass media against the Bolivarian Armed Forces, in an attempt to divide it.

Chávez also said that more than a million Venezuelan youths had enrolled the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) after a process that began on May 8 and will end on Sunday.

JOINT ANSWER TO THE CRISIS

CARACAS, June 14.–– Venezuelan President, Hugo Chávez, said today that the current world crisis demands rigor, attention, knowledge, efforts and the joint search of solutions.

In his Sunday column Las Líneas the Chávez (Chávez´Lines), the president spoke of the recently concluded Petrocaribe Summit, held last Friday in Saint Kitts and Nevis, with the attendance of 18 heads of state and government.

About Petrocaribe he said that, "It is one of the new bases for integration, which will allow for building a modern system of economic relations in Latin America, and at the same time, it will raise the banners of Caribbean dignity and freedom higher and higher."