[Imc-dc-discuss]Former CIA agent promotes Cuba travel, Free the Five, RHC...
Brent R. Widener III
widener_b at yahoo.com
Mon, 3 Dec 2001 07:29:36 -0800 (PST)
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Compañero <companyero@mindspring.com> wrote:
Take a break in Cuba from anxieties, tensions and fears
BY GABRIEL MOLINA
Granma International - November 29, 2001
PHILIP Agee, director of the only U.S.-owned independent travel agency [in Cuba],
invited U.S. citizens and other tourists to "take a break from anxiety and tension and
come to Cuba," a country "well known for having the safest streets in the western
hemisphere."
The famous CIA dissident stated that Cuba is under no threat of violence, in reference
to the September 11 events that have left the United States, Canada and Europe in a
state of fear and anxiety.
He calls on prospective U.S., Canadian and European visitors to enjoy the "fabulous
beaches, the ideal weather this time of year, Havana™s charm, the warmth and sympathy of
the Cuban people... where people walk the streets without fear at any time of day or
night. Common sense naturally requires a little discretion, besides, in the main tourist
areas, there is always a policeman not far away." Agee recommends flying to Havana with
non-U.S. carriers such as Iberia, British Airways and Air France for Europeans; U.S.
citizens can fly Mexicana and Air Jamaica via Cancún or Montego Bay or Cubana from
Nassau with pre-paid tickets arranged by his agency.
Tickets and tourist cards can be picked up at the airports of these gateway cities to
Havana. The agency offers packages designed especially for families to take a break from
the crisis. Prices range from $150 USD per person for a four day-three night visit, with
costs increasing for longer stays.
Agee believes that the decision by Continental Airlines to increase flights to 20 a week
is "a strong sign of their confidence in the growth of Cuba as a destination for
travelers from the United States." He added that this also indicates confidence in Cuba
as a safe country for visitors.
The author of CIA Diary affirmed that the National Lawyers Guild and the Center for
Constitutional Rights, both based in New York, have jointly established the "Wall of
Lawyers" to help travelers to Cuba who are contacted by the Treasury Department, where
one of two actions is usually taken.
1. A "requirement to furnish information" letter to travelers suspected of unlicensed
travel to Cuba
2. A "pre-penalty notice threatening a fine, frequently reaching $7,500 USD.
"Everyone should know that they should refuse to give the self-incriminating information
demanded," he explained. In case of receiving the pre-penalty notice, people should
exercise their right to ask for a hearing within 30 days after the letter™s date. The
National Lawyer Guild has forms prepared in response to whatever letter the Treasury
might send concerning unlicensed travel to Cuba; these forms can be accessed at
www.cubalinda.com.
"The record of the past five years is that after a hearing is requested, the Treasury
Department files away the case because no appeals hearings have been held, nor have any
judges been appointed to hold such hearings. Up till now, the processing for all such
cases has stopped at that stage." Agee also reveals that "each year, tens of thousands
of U.S. citizens come to Cuba without licenses" despite laws preventing them from
getting to know the fascinating country.
Faced with this situation, "lying is an offence. Americans can refuse to answer
questions from government agencies or the justice system by citing the Fifth Amendment
of the Constitution that guarantees the right to refrain from self-incrimination. Thus
one has the legal right to refuse to answer any questions from the Department of the
Treasury. If the department tries to impose a fine for visiting Cuba without a license,
one has the right to a hearing.
"If one requests an hearing within the 30-day allowed period, the case ends." Agee
explained that this is because "procedures for hearings" have never been set up....at
least until now. So the case has to be filed away with no additional action, and the
affected person need not pay any fine.
"Several journalists whom I know, including one from AP, have in recent weeks called the
Treasury Department Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) spokeswoman Tasia Scolinos,
for comment on the number of hearings held for people who receive pre-penalty notices
and on the fines upheld against them. She has refused to take the calls and has not
returned calls. In other words she is avoiding confirmation that no hearings have been
held and that no fines have been imposed when travelers to Cuba without licenses request
a hearing within 30 days of the date of the pre-penalty notice," Agee clarifies.
When asked if applying the "trading with the enemy act" is a real or virtual declaration
of war against Cuba, Agee replies: "Under this law, which dates back to World War 1, the
President can prohibit all financial transactions with a country he designates as an
˜enemy.™ Its original purpose was to stop U.S. trade with Germany."
He adds that "such a designation is not a declaration of war," which is a decision that
"only Congress can make. Nevertheless this law can allow absurd situations such as the
designation of Cuba as an ˜enemy™ even though the Pentagon has declared that Cuba is no
threat to the security of the United States."
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
= = = = = =
CubaLinda.com online Travel Agency
http://www.cubalinda.com
Former CIA agent attempts to draw U.S. tourists to Cuba over Internet - CNN 6/26/00
http://www.cnn.com/2000/US/06/25/cuba.tourism/
Producing the Proper Crisis, by Philip Agee
http://serendipity.magnet.ch/cia/agee_1.html
CIA Diary; Inside the Company by Philip Agee, a review
http://www.thirdworldtraveler.com/CIA/CIA_Diary_Agee.html
Granma Internationalarticle
http://www.granma.cu/ingles/noviem4/49agee-i.html
==============================================
Petition to President George W. Bush
President Bush,
We call on you to release the Five Cubans: Antonio Guerrero
Rodríguez, Fernando González Llort, Gerardo Hernández Nordelo, Ramón
Labañino Salazar and René González Sehwerert, unjustly imprisoned in
the U.S. for defending the Cuban people against terrorist acts.
Petición al Presidente George W. Bush
Presidente Bush,
Le hacemos un llamado para la liberación de cinco cubanos que han
sido injustamente juzgados por defender al pueblo de Cuba de actos
terroristas y que se encuentran actualmente presos en cárceles
norteamericanas. Sus nombres son Antonio Guerrero Rodríguez,
Fernando González Llort, Gerardo Hernández Nordelo, Ramón Labañino
Salazar y René González Sehwerert.
Name/Nombre Address/Dirección
City/Ciudad Country/País
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
_____________________
Please mail the petition back to: Free the Five! Committee (This is
not an e-mail petition)
2489 Mission St., Room 24, San Francisco, CA 94110, USA
Por favor envíe la patición por correo al Comité Libertad para los
Cinco! (No envíe esta petición a travéz de correo electrónico)
2489 Mission St., Room 24, San Francisco, CA 94110, USA
=========================================
NEXT ROUND OF US-CUBA MIGRATORY TALKS TO TAKE PLACE IN HAVANA ON MONDAY.
Havana, (RHC)-- The Cuban government confirmed today that the bi-annual round of
migratory talks with the United States will take place on Monday, 3rd December, in
Havana. The meeting's objective is to examine the function and efficacy of the existing
migratory agreement between the two countries. However, according to political analysts
here in Havana, the meeting will be overshadowed by the recent tragedy in which 30
Cubans, including 13 children, drowned during an illegal human trafficking operation.
The migratory agreements of 1994-95 require that the U.S. issue 20,000 visas annually to
Cubans and that they will repatriate all illegal immigrants intercepted on the sea or at
the Guantanamo Naval Base in the east of Cuba. Havana, for its part, agreed to impede by
new dissuasive methods the illegal departures and to socially rehabilitate, without
legal consequences, those Cubans returned by the United States. A total of 132,586
Cubans have traveled to the U.S. legally under this agreement.
CUBA PREPARES FOR ANNUAL TOURIST RUSH AFTER HURRICANE MICHELLE.
The Cuban tourist industry, key in the reactivation of the island's economy, was hit
hard by Hurricane Michelle, especially in the center of the country. Tourism
installations were especially hard hit in Cienaga de Zapata, a swampy area on Matanzas'
southern coast and in the Carnarreos Achipeligo, specifically, one of the island's
premier resorts, Cayo Largo del Sur. After evacuating the tourists, a group of local
service workers, stayed on braving the storm protect the buildings. At the height of the
dangerous Class-4 hurricane they were left essentially incommunicado. Fortunately, no
one was injured. After the disastrous passage of Michelle, those workers joined forces
with others from different provinces to quickly begin recovery efforts on lovely Cayo
Largo, which boasts 25 kilometers of glorious white sand beaches. The ferocious storm
almost did away with an ambitious development plan underway on the southern key over the
past three years, under which the resort's hotels were to be remodeled. Engineers,
architects, technicians and construction workers have so far renovated almost 400 of the
key's existing hotel rooms. As part of the plan, a new hotel was to open each year. At
the end of the year 2000 the Sol Club Cayo Largo opened its doors, bringing the key's
room capacity to a few more than a thousand. By 2003 that figure is expected to triple.
Cuban tour officials in Cayo Largo say that bookings for the nine weekly flights to the
key are satisfactory. Those flights come mostly from Canada, Germany, Italy and
Argentina. Recovery workers are laboring feverishly to re-open facilities in time for
the upcoming high season and the first vacationers will most likely be lodged at the Sol
Club Cayo Largo, which is operated jointly by Cuba and the Spanish hotel chain, Sol
Melia. And even though all the hotels on Cayo Largo were severely damaged, vacationers
have already begun arriving on excursions from Havana and Varadero Beach. In that way, a
portion of the tour resort can be used immediately: its beaches and its nautical
activities, at least until the hotels can open their doors. Despite the serious damage
done by Michelle and the undeniable impact of the international economic crisis
aggravated by the events of September 11th in the United States, Cuba is working quickly
and efficiently to insure that it will be able to cope with tourist demand over the busy
winter months.
Fundamental obstacle to the island™s development.
Cuban Foreign Minister Felipe Pérez Roque demanded the unconditional lifting of the
anachronistic U.S. economic blockade in a speech given at the 56th ordinary session of
the UN General Assembly on November 27, 2001. Pérez Roque recalled that for the first
time in more than 40 years the United States government has authorized, as an exception,
the sale to the island of a certain quantity of foodstuffs, medicines and raw materials
for production of medicines. He explained that the gesture was made in the context of
the destructive consequences of the devastating Hurricane Michelle's recent assault on
the island. He confirmed that as a result, Cuba will be able to pay U.S. suppliers
directly in dollars, but due to the convolutions of the blockade, it is impossible for
Cuban vessels to transport the merchandise from U.S. ports, the most convenient means.
"The tangle of legal prohibitions imposed on Cuba by the blockade is so complex that
this obstacle cannot be overcome, even with good will on the part of both countries," he
asserted. He indicated that U.S. or third-nation ships would effect the delivery. Roque
also highlighted that the U.S. offer was an unusual gesture, having occurred for the
first time in 40 years of tense relations, and is appreciated for its justness. The
foreign minister stated that there is no hope for normal trade relations between the two
countries in the future unless the anachronistic blockade is completely lifted. Pérez
Roque said that Cuba wants to see the elimination of that coercive policy, which he
described as the main obstacle to economic developm ent and responsible for the
suffering and deprivations of millions of Cubans. He affirmed that Cuba wishes to
reestablish normal and mutually respectful relations with the United States and is
prepared to do so, given that it does not hold any futile feelings of hatred or
revengeful thoughts. However, Roque reiterated that the island is not willing to concede
its principles because it knows the price of its independence, for which it has fought
for 130 years. He declared that the elimination of the blockade and the end of the
economic war against Cuba requires that the U.S. government take the following
decisions: To abolish the Helms-Burton Act which, among other measures, imposes heavy
sanctions on third-country entrepreneurs trading with Cuba. To abolish the Torricelli
Act which, among other measures, prohibits access to U.S. ports to vessels from third
countries that have docked in Cuba. It also prohibits U.S. subsidiaries in third
countries from trading with Cuba. These are companies from which, up until 1992, Cuba
purchased some $700 million USD worth of goods annually, primarily foodstuffs and
medicines. To eliminate the absurd regulation that any products imported by the United
States must not be manufactured using Cuban raw materials. Is it really justifiable to
demand a Japanese automobile plant to certify that the steel utilized in its exports to
the United States does not contain Cuban nickel? Is it justifiable to demand that a
Canadian candy producer does not use Cuban sugar? To cease the morbid persecution
undertaken internationally by U.S. embassies and agencies to deter any possibility of
doing business with Cuba, and any attempt by Cuba to access new markets and receive
credits. To allow Cuba access to the U.S. and international financial system. If Cuba
had access to the $53 billion USD of loans that the international and regional financial
institutions have granted to Latin America and the Caribbean between 1997 and 2000, it
could have received credits of over $1,200 million USD, under more favorable conditions
than are currently available. To permit Cuba to employ the U.S. dollar for its external
transactions, not only with U.S. companies but likewise with third countries, something
currently prohibited by blockade regulations. Cuba is forced to constantly exchange
currency, thus incurring the consequent losses from exchange-rate fluctuations. To
authorize Cuba to freely purchase in the U.S. market like any other country. For Cuba,
this would mean annual purchases of over one billion USD on only a quarter of its
current imports, better prices, considerable savings on freight and insurance, and
easier transportation. To authorize Cuba to freely export to the U.S. market like any
other country. That would not only benefit Cuba with access to new markets, but would
also permit the U.S. to access Cuban products, such as the island's famous cigars or the
meningitis B vaccine, the only one of its kind in the world. To allow U.S. citizens to
travel to Cuba freely as tourists. This would permit Cuba to receive no less than 1.5
million visitors and for travelers to familiarize themselves with one of the safest and
most hospitable countries in the world. To return Cuban assets frozen by U.S. banks,
part of which have been arbitrarily stolen. To authorize U.S. companies to invest in
Cuba, where they will receive non-discriminatory treatment in relation to other foreign
investors, with all the guarantees laid down by Cuban legislation. To establish
regulations for the protection of Cuban trademarks and patents in the United States in
the light of international legislation regarding copyright. When that occurs, dishonest
acts like the theft of the Cuban Havana Club rum trademark by a U.S. company will not be
repeated. To eliminate discriminatory measures preventing Cubans resident in the United
States to travel freely to Cuba and economically assist their families on the island.
Cubans are now the only group within the United States against whom this measure is
applied. To negotiate fair and honorable agreements for the compensation of close to
6,000 U.S. companies and citizens whose properties were nationalized in the first years
of the Revolution as an indispensable sovereign step in the country's economic
development. It was precisely the blockade which prohibited U.S. citizens receiving the
corresponding indemnification. Cuba recognizes their rights and would be willing to come
to an agreement, bearing in mind the serious economic and human effects inflicted on our
country by the blockade.
MORE THAN 300,000 DEMONSTRATE IN HAVANA AGAINST TERRORIST U.S. LAW.
Havana, (RHC)-- More than 300,000 Cubans demonstrated in front of the U.S. Interests
Section in Havana Tuesday afternoon, protesting the Cuban Adjustment Act. During an
address to the crowd, many of them dressed in black to mourn the recent drowning deaths
of another 30 victims -- Cuban President Fidel Castro described the U.S. legislation as
"a terrorist law." The leader of the Cuban Revolution, also wearing a black armband,
said that information on the tragic boat accident in which 30 people disappeared, came
from news reports -- given that Washington never gives Cuba information on such victims
at sea. He emphasized that among those missing from the capsized speedboat, taking them
to Florida, were 13 children. Fidel Castro noted that since the Cuban Adjustment Act was
passed by the U.S. Congress in 1966, hundreds and perhaps thousands of Cubans have
drowned trying to make the dangerous journey through the Florida Straits. He said that
the law -- on the books for Cubans only -- encourages illegal immigration and
unnecessary risk and actually awards those who reach the United States. The Cuban leader
said that illegal Cuban immigrants touching land in the U.S. are automatically granted
residency after one year -- something that is not granted to immigrants from any other
country. He also mentioned that U.S. officials are now even allowing Cubans to enter the
United States if they arrive by air with false documents. All they have to do is say
they are Cubans as soon as they arrive at the airport. The Cuban president asked how it
was possible for U.S. authorities to safeguard their country when they allow this type
of disorder and chaos -- noting that many with criminal records and who would have never
met the basic requirements for immigration have been handed residency in the United
States. Addressing the crowd of more than 300,000 gathered at the Jose Marti Anti-
Imperialist Tribunal, the Cuban leader referred to the most recent victims of
Washington's hostile policies: the 13 children, torn from their country. He condemned
the U.S. law that leads to "the cruel deaths of so many Cuban children." He said that
while there will always be people everywhere willing to risk their lives to immigrate
illegally, encouraging them to do so can never be justified. Fidel Castro said that the
Cuban Adjustment Act constitutes "a crime against humanity." The Cuban president
concluded his speech by saying that the U.S. legislation is "not only a murderous law,
but is also a terrorist law; one that fosters the worst kind of terrorism because it
deliberately and without remorse kills innocent children."
CUBA CALLS FOR MORE EFFECTIVE SOLUTIONS TO ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS.
Havana, (RHC)-- Daniel Codorniu, First Vice Minister of the Ministry of Science,
Technology and the Environment called for a more effective use of science and technology
to solve current environmental problems. The Cuban official participated in the 14th
Meeting of the Executive Committee of the Inter-American Research Institute on Climatic
Change, which continues its sessions in the Cuban capital with the participation of
representatives from the United States, Brazil, Canada, Argentina, Panama, Cuba and
Venezuela. The vice-minister praised the work of the Inter-American Research Institute
on Climatic Change over its ten years of existence. He also issued a call to work
towards improving the projects promoted by the institute to facilitate scientific
cooperation among member nations, as well as a better understanding of the impact of
climate change in the regional environment. Cuba participates actively in four projects
of the Inter-American Research Institute on Climatic Changes, dealing with the impact of
the climatic phenomenon called El Nino, climatic variability, ecosystems and pollution.
The results have contributed to designing the Cuban national program on climate change
and the evolution of the environment and have also favored more exchange between Cuban
experts and their counterparts from the region.
GROWING NUMBER OF TOURISTS VISIT THE EASTERN CUBAN CITY OF BARACOA.
Havana, (RHC)-- Some 40,000 tourists have visited the eastern city of Baracoa so far
this year. Baracoa, located in Cuba's easternmost province of Guantanamo, was the first
village declared by the Spanish colonizers as the Cuban capital. Compared to previous
years, the number of visitors to the city increased by four thousand this year. The
major flow of tourists comes from France, Germany, Italy and Spain and most of them
repeat their visit. According to official statistics provided by the Cuban Tourism
Ministry, hotel revenues in Baracoa surpass five million dollars, nearly 30 percent more
than in previous years. In comments to reporters, guests have expressed their preference
for the charms of Baracoa's colonial architecture. Tourists also commented about the
excellence of the Alejandro de Humboldt National Park, the main bio-diversity center in
the region, whose flora and fauna are considered among the most significant in the
entire world. Baracoa is an ideal place to experience ecological tourism. It encompasses
nearly 75,000 hectares. UNESCO has declared Baracoa the largest of the six biosphere
reserves in the Caribbean.
THE TRUTH BEHIND WASHINGTON'S CLAIMS AGAINST CUBA FOR COMPENSATION.
Tuesday's vote by the United Nations General Assembly in its usual overwhelming
condemnation of the United States economic blockade against Cuba, involved a slightly
different scenario this year. Although the voting was identical to last year at 167 to 3
with 3 abstentions, the address made by the Cuban Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque
was different in that he made direct reference to compensation offered by Cuba to those
U.S. nationals and companies whose lands and property were nationalized by the new
government in 1959. In the 14 points made by Perez Roque for a lifting of the blockade,
the last one stresses the need to negotiate with Cuba "a fair and honorable arrangement
to provide compensation to the nearly 6,000 U.S. companies and citizens whose properties
were nationalized in the first years of the Revolution". The backbone of the 1996 anti-
Cuba legislation known as the Helms-Burton Law focuses on this issue of nationalized or
"expropriated" property. It takes a high moral ground in insinuating that the 1959
government "stole" the property and the law seeks to sanction anyone of any nationality
who profits from or does business on or with such property. Yet for the past four
decades succeeding Washington administrations have not been honest enough to acknowledge
that from the outset of Cuba's Revolution and its total independence and full
sovereignty from foreign interests, the new government offered compensation to all those
affected - including U.S. citizens and companies. Other countries accepted the
compensation, but Washington - under pressure from U.S. landowners with property in Cuba
- refused to accept Havana's terms. Cuba clearly needed to nationalize certain essential
services on the island for security reasons - such as the electricity and telephone
companies, as well as offset the huge imbalance on the control of food production
imposed by a 75 percent foreign ownership of arable land - and the resulting
compensation terms were based on calculations from tax assessment values declared by the
owners themselves. However, these assessments had not been adjusted for some 40 years
prior to l959 - the mostly U.S. owners profiting enormously from the resulting tax
breaks. Wanting the full current value of the land - although they had never honestly
declared its real worth - these owners sought to bleed Cuba drier than they had already
done in the years preceding the arrival of Fidel Castro. A total of five U.S. sugar
companies owned or controlled more than two million acres in Cuba before the Revolution.
Thus the island's most important cash crop was almost completely controlled by U.S.
interests. The Agrarian Reform Law and the subsequent nationalization of lands and
property quickly regained ownership and distribution rights for the people of Cuba and
placed the nation's economy firmly in their hands. Cuba's generous offer of 20-year
government bonds at 4.5 percent interest (in comparison, the 1958 value of U.S.
investment grade corporate bonds was much lower at 3.8 percent) was scorned by the
greedy landowners and the U.S. government they controlled. After putting up with more
than a year of destabilization and attacks from Washington, Havana eventually
nationalized all U.S. owned property in late October 1960 in direct response to the
imposition of a U.S. embargo against the island on October 19th of the same year. For
the past 10 years the continuing U.S. economic blockade against Cuba has been condemned
by the world community voting in the United Nations as inhuman and illegal and contrary
to every aspect of international law. One of Washington's stated reasons for maintaining
this blockade has been the issue of land compensation. As always in the case of
U.S./Cuba relations, a little digging reveals the truth.
Alleged Rescue of 30 Illegal Emigrants was False.
Rescue of 30 Illegal Emigrants was False. Havana. Panamanian authorities belied today
the alleged rescue by a ship of that nationality of Cuban people who were illegally
travelling to the United States. Randy Alonso, Moderator of the Round Table on Radio and
Television in Cuba, said the Panamanian Deputy Foreign Minister Armodio Arias had
confirmed on Monday the falseness of the rumor being told by the Mafia , and the so
badly called "Radio Martí" and counter revolutionary elements. Cuba´s enemies called
the relatives of the victims in their origin towns to create false expectations when
they assured that their relatives had been in perfect health state. The panelists
criticized the criminal action of that evil procedure , protected at the end by the
"Cuban
Adjustment Law" , which calls to the dangerous adventure to leave the homeland on
unsafe means. During
the last decade, dozens of children lost their lives in similar travels, being taken by
irresponsible parents ,
encouraged by the Miami´s slogans , city with one of the highest index of poverty,
criminality and violence.
>From January 1st , 1998 until today, 398 minors have been sent back in virtue of the
migration agreements ,
but in this figure the disappeared ones are not registered , in the turbulent waters of
the Florida Strait , or the
accepted ones to reside in the Northern country and the ones who touch North American
lands after such a
dangerous travel. This year, 73 smuggling operations of peoples coming from the South
of USA and the Cuban
authorities , avoided 173 illegal exists, including the capture of 22 smugglers. The
panelists continued saying
that from April 1998 , until October 31, last Cuba took 113 prisoners, half of them were
severely sanctioned ,
and the rest are facing a trial.
167 countries vote in UN against U.S. blockade of Cuba.
This Tuesday, for the 10th consecutive time, the 56th regular session of the United
Nations General Assembly
condemned the genocidal U.S. policy of economic blockade against Cuba. The draft
resolution - presented by
the island to that UN body with the title "The need to put an end to the economic,
commercial and financial
blockade imposed by the United States of America against Cuba" - received 167 votes in
favor. There were
three abstentions (Latvia, Micronesia and Nicaragua) and 16 member-states were absent
fpor the voting. Like
last year, the only countries voting against the resolution were the United States, its
faithful ally Israel, and the
Marshall Islands, demonstrating the U.S. government's almost total isolation within the
world community on
this issue. The Cuban resolution received the same number of favorable votes this year
as it had last year
(167), and one less abstention. This time, eight African nations and four Asian nations
were denied the right to
vote, because they are overdue in paying their UN dues. Cuban Foreign Minister Felipe
Pérez Roque spoke to
the Assembly's plenary session, presenting the island's arguments against Washington's
coercive measures.
He termed the blockade the main obstacle to his country's normal development and the
cause of the Cuban
people's suffering. The resolution calls on the U.S. government to halt its stubborn
blockade of more than 40
years. The text alludes to the damages occasioned by this policy and U.S. legislation
such as the Torricelli
and Helms-Burton Acts, as well as the stepping up of those forms of aggression since
January 20, 2001, when
the new administration took over the White House. It also urges all states to abstain
from promoting and
applying laws and measures that run counter to the UN Charter and international law, as
well as restricting free
trade and navigation, among other considerations. The United States' economic war has
caused direct
damages calculated at more than $70 billion USD. Even though this is the 10th time that
the General
Assembly has rejected the blockade against Cuba, since 1992 the White House has turned a
deaf ear to those
universal demands for justice.
CUBA EXPRESSES SATISFACTION WITH 11th IBERO-AMERICAN SUMMIT IN PERU.
Havana. Cuban Vice President Carlos Lage returned to Havana Sunday night, following the
conclusion of the
11th Ibero-American Summit of Heads of State and Governments in Lima, Peru. Lage headed
the Cuban
delegation to the important regional meeting; Cuban President Fidel Castro decided not
to attend the Summit,
as he has been personally directing recovery efforts on the island in the wake of
Hurricane Michelle -- the worst
storm to hit Cuba in more than 50 years. Shortly before leaving the Peruvian capital,
Carlos Lage held a news
conference and expressed Cuba's satisfaction with the results of the latest Ibero-
American Summit. He noted
that the Declaration of Lima calls for an end to the U.S. economic blockade of Cuba and
Washington's
extraterritorial legislation known as the Helms-Burton Law. The final document also
condemns terrorism in all
its forms and manifestations, and the Cuban vice president affirmed that Havana has also
repeatedly
condemned all terrorist actions. Speaking with reporters in Lima shortly after the
conclusion of the 11th Ibero-
American Summit over the weekend, Cuba's vice president rejected the false arguments of
the enemies of the
Cuban Revolution, who are saying that the island is now isolated from the rest of Latin
America. Carlos Lage
noted that Cuba maintains diplomatic relations with all Latin American nations except
for one. He also pointed
out that Cuba is a member of the Association of Caribbean States (ACS) and has signed
numerous
cooperation agreements with the Caribbean Community, CARICOM. The Cuban vice president
said that the
U.S.-proposed Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) further deepens neo-liberal
policies, which have been
applied for two decades now in Latin America, with tragic and very negative results for
the region's poor. Asked
about the possibility of purchasing food and medicine from the United States after
Hurricane Michelle hit Cuba
earlier this month, Lage said that Havana appreciated Washington's respectful attitude
in offering humanitarian assistance for the first time in more than 40 years. The Cuban
vice president said that arrangements are now being made to purchase the food and
medicine, but stressed that this is an isolated event. Carlos Lage said that there is no
reason to believe that this represents a change in U.S. policy toward Cuba.
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<P> <B><I>Compañero <companyero@mindspring.com</I></B><B><I>></I></B> wrote: </P>
<P>Take a break in Cuba from anxieties, tensions and fears<BR>BY GABRIEL MOLINA<BR>Granma International - November 29, 2001<BR>PHILIP Agee, director of the only U.S.-owned independent travel agency [in Cuba],<BR>invited U.S. citizens and other tourists to "take a break from anxiety and tension and<BR>come to Cuba," a country "well known for having the safest streets in the western<BR>hemisphere."<BR><BR>The famous CIA dissident stated that Cuba is under no threat of violence, in reference<BR>to the September 11 events that have left the United States, Canada and Europe in a<BR>state of fear and anxiety.<BR><BR>He calls on prospective U.S., Canadian and European visitors to enjoy the "fabulous<BR>beaches, the ideal weather this time of year, Havana™s charm, the warmth and sympathy of<BR>the Cuban people... where people walk the streets without fear at any time of day or<BR>night. Common sense naturally requires a little discretion, besides, in the main tourist<BR>areas, there is always a policeman not far away." Agee recommends flying to Havana with<BR>non-U.S. carriers such as Iberia, British Airways and Air France for Europeans; U.S.<BR>citizens can fly Mexicana and Air Jamaica via Cancún or Montego Bay or Cubana from<BR>Nassau with pre-paid tickets arranged by his agency.<BR><BR>Tickets and tourist cards can be picked up at the airports of these gateway cities to<BR>Havana. The agency offers packages designed especially for families to take a break from<BR>the crisis. Prices range from $150 USD per person for a four day-three night visit, with<BR>costs increasing for longer stays.<BR><BR>Agee believes that the decision by Continental Airlines to increase flights to 20 a week<BR>is "a strong sign of their confidence in the growth of Cuba as a destination for<BR>travelers from the United States." He added that this also indicates confidence in Cuba<BR>as a safe country for visitors.<BR><BR>The author of CIA Diary affirmed that the National Lawyers Guild and the Center for<BR>Constitutional Rights, both based in New York, have jointly established the "Wall of<BR>Lawyers" to help travelers to Cuba who are contacted by the Treasury Department, where<BR>one of two actions is usually taken.<BR><BR>1. A "requirement to furnish information" letter to travelers suspected of unlicensed<BR>travel to Cuba<BR><BR>2. A "pre-penalty notice threatening a fine, frequently reaching $7,500 USD.<BR><BR>"Everyone should know that they should refuse to give the self-incriminating information<BR>demanded," he explained. In case of receiving the pre-penalty notice, people should<BR>exercise their right to ask for a hearing within 30 days after the letter™s date. The<BR>National Lawyer Guild has forms prepared in response to whatever letter the Treasury<BR>might send concerning unlicensed travel to Cuba; these forms can be accessed at<BR>www.cubalinda.com.<BR><BR>"The record of the past five years is that after a hearing is requested, the Treasury<BR>Department files away the case because no appeals hearings have been held, nor have any<BR>judges been appointed to hold such hearings. Up till now, the processing for all such<BR>cases has stopped at that stage." Agee also reveals that "each year, tens of thousands<BR>of U.S. citizens come to Cuba without licenses" despite laws preventing them from<BR>getting to know the fascinating country.<BR><BR>Faced with this situation, "lying is an offence. Americans can refuse to answer<BR>questions from government agencies or the justice system by citing the Fifth Amendment<BR>of the Constitution that guarantees the right to refrain from self-incrimination. Thus<BR>one has the legal right to refuse to answer any questions from the Department of the<BR>Treasury. If the department tries to impose a fine for visiting Cuba without a license,<BR>one has the right to a hearing.<BR><BR>"If one requests an hearing within the 30-day allowed period, the case ends." Agee<BR>explained that this is because "procedures for hearings" have never been set up....at<BR>least until now. So the case has to be filed away with no additional action, and the<BR>affected person need not pay any fine.<BR><BR>"Several journalists whom I know, including one from AP, have in recent weeks called the<BR>Treasury Department Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) spokeswoman Tasia Scolinos,<BR>for comment on the number of hearings held for people who receive pre-penalty notices<BR>and on the fines upheld against them. She has refused to take the calls and has not<BR>returned calls. In other words she is avoiding confirmation that no hearings have been<BR>held and that no fines have been imposed when travelers to Cuba without licenses request<BR>a hearing within 30 days of the date of the pre-penalty notice," Agee clarifies.<BR><BR>When asked if applying the "trading with the enemy act" is a real or virtual declaration<BR>of war against Cuba, Agee replies: "Under this law, which dates back to World War 1, the<BR>President can prohibit all financial transactions with a country he designates as an<BR>˜enemy.™ Its original purpose was to stop U.S. trade with Germany."<BR><BR>He adds that "such a designation is not a declaration of war," which is a decision that<BR>"only Congress can make. Nevertheless this law can allow absurd situations such as the<BR>designation of Cuba as an ˜enemy™ even though the Pentagon has declared that Cuba is no<BR>threat to the security of the United States."<BR><BR>= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =<BR>= = = = = =<BR><BR>CubaLinda.com online Travel Agency<BR>http://www.cubalinda.com<BR><BR>Former CIA agent attempts to draw U.S. tourists to Cuba over Internet - CNN 6/26/00<BR>http://www.cnn.com/2000/US/06/25/cuba.tourism/<BR><BR>Producing the Proper Crisis, by Philip Agee<BR>http://serendipity.magnet.ch/cia/agee_1.html<BR><BR>CIA Diary; Inside the Company by Philip Agee, a review<BR>http://www.thirdworldtraveler.com/CIA/CIA_Diary_Agee.html<BR><BR>Granma Internationalarticle<BR>http://www.granma.cu/ingles/noviem4/49agee-i.html<BR>==============================================<BR>Petition to President George W. Bush<BR>President Bush,<BR><BR>We call on you to release the Five Cubans: Antonio Guerrero<BR>Rodríguez, Fernando González Llort, Gerardo Hernández Nordelo, Ramón<BR>Labañino Salazar and René González Sehwerert, unjustly imprisoned in<BR>the U.S. for defending the Cuban people against terrorist acts.<BR><BR>Petición al Presidente George W. Bush<BR><BR>Presidente Bush,<BR><BR>Le hacemos un llamado para la liberación de cinco cubanos que han<BR>sido injustamente juzgados por defender al pueblo de Cuba de actos<BR>terroristas y que se encuentran actualmente presos en cárceles<BR>norteamericanas. Sus nombres son Antonio Guerrero Rodríguez,<BR>Fernando González Llort, Gerardo Hernández Nordelo, Ramón Labañino<BR>Salazar y René González Sehwerert.<BR><BR><BR>Name/Nombre Address/Dirección<BR>City/Ciudad Country/País<BR>______________________________________________________________________<BR>______________________________________________________________________<BR>______________________________________________________________________<BR>______________________________________________________________________<BR>______________________________________________________________________<BR>______________________________________________________________________<BR>______________________________________________________________________<BR>______________________________________________________________________<BR>______________________________________________________________________<BR>______________________________________________________________________<BR>______________________________________________________________________<BR>______________________________________________________________________<BR>_____________________<BR><BR>Please mail the petition back to: Free the Five! Committee (This is<BR>not an e-mail petition)<BR>2489 Mission St., Room 24, San Francisco, CA 94110, USA<BR><BR>Por favor envíe la patición por correo al Comité Libertad para los<BR>Cinco! (No envíe esta petición a travéz de correo electrónico)<BR>2489 Mission St., Room 24, San Francisco, CA 94110, USA<BR><BR>=========================================<BR>NEXT ROUND OF US-CUBA MIGRATORY TALKS TO TAKE PLACE IN HAVANA ON MONDAY.<BR>Havana, (RHC)-- The Cuban government confirmed today that the bi-annual round of<BR>migratory talks with the United States will take place on Monday, 3rd December, in<BR>Havana. The meeting's objective is to examine the function and efficacy of the existing<BR>migratory agreement between the two countries. However, according to political analysts<BR>here in Havana, the meeting will be overshadowed by the recent tragedy in which 30<BR>Cubans, including 13 children, drowned during an illegal human trafficking operation.<BR>The migratory agreements of 1994-95 require that the U.S. issue 20,000 visas annually to<BR>Cubans and that they will repatriate all illegal immigrants intercepted on the sea or at<BR>the Guantanamo Naval Base in the east of Cuba. Havana, for its part, agreed to impede by<BR>new dissuasive methods the illegal departures and to socially rehabilitate, without<BR>legal consequences, those Cubans returned by the United States. A total of 132,586<BR>Cubans have traveled to the U.S. legally under this agreement.<BR>CUBA PREPARES FOR ANNUAL TOURIST RUSH AFTER HURRICANE MICHELLE.<BR>The Cuban tourist industry, key in the reactivation of the island's economy, was hit<BR>hard by Hurricane Michelle, especially in the center of the country. Tourism<BR>installations were especially hard hit in Cienaga de Zapata, a swampy area on Matanzas'<BR>southern coast and in the Carnarreos Achipeligo, specifically, one of the island's<BR>premier resorts, Cayo Largo del Sur. After evacuating the tourists, a group of local<BR>service workers, stayed on braving the storm protect the buildings. At the height of the<BR>dangerous Class-4 hurricane they were left essentially incommunicado. Fortunately, no<BR>one was injured. After the disastrous passage of Michelle, those workers joined forces<BR>with others from different provinces to quickly begin recovery efforts on lovely Cayo<BR>Largo, which boasts 25 kilometers of glorious white sand beaches. The ferocious storm<BR>almost did away with an ambitious development plan underway on the southern key over the<BR>past three years, under which the resort's hotels were to be remodeled. Engineers,<BR>architects, technicians and construction workers have so far renovated almost 400 of the<BR>key's existing hotel rooms. As part of the plan, a new hotel was to open each year. At<BR>the end of the year 2000 the Sol Club Cayo Largo opened its doors, bringing the key's<BR>room capacity to a few more than a thousand. By 2003 that figure is expected to triple.<BR>Cuban tour officials in Cayo Largo say that bookings for the nine weekly flights to the<BR>key are satisfactory. Those flights come mostly from Canada, Germany, Italy and<BR>Argentina. Recovery workers are laboring feverishly to re-open facilities in time for<BR>the upcoming high season and the first vacationers will most likely be lodged at the Sol<BR>Club Cayo Largo, which is operated jointly by Cuba and the Spanish hotel chain, Sol<BR>Melia. And even though all the hotels on Cayo Largo were severely damaged, vacationers<BR>have already begun arriving on excursions from Havana and Varadero Beach. In that way, a<BR>portion of the tour resort can be used immediately: its beaches and its nautical<BR>activities, at least until the hotels can open their doors. Despite the serious damage<BR>done by Michelle and the undeniable impact of the international economic crisis<BR>aggravated by the events of September 11th in the United States, Cuba is working quickly<BR>and efficiently to insure that it will be able to cope with tourist demand over the busy<BR>winter months.<BR>Fundamental obstacle to the island™s development.<BR>Cuban Foreign Minister Felipe Pérez Roque demanded the unconditional lifting of the<BR>anachronistic U.S. economic blockade in a speech given at the 56th ordinary session of<BR>the UN General Assembly on November 27, 2001. Pérez Roque recalled that for the first<BR>time in more than 40 years the United States government has authorized, as an exception,<BR>the sale to the island of a certain quantity of foodstuffs, medicines and raw materials<BR>for production of medicines. He explained that the gesture was made in the context of<BR>the destructive consequences of the devastating Hurricane Michelle's recent assault on<BR>the island. He confirmed that as a result, Cuba will be able to pay U.S. suppliers<BR>directly in dollars, but due to the convolutions of the blockade, it is impossible for<BR>Cuban vessels to transport the merchandise from U.S. ports, the most convenient means.<BR>"The tangle of legal prohibitions imposed on Cuba by the blockade is so complex that<BR>this obstacle cannot be overcome, even with good will on the part of both countries," he<BR>asserted. He indicated that U.S. or third-nation ships would effect the delivery. Roque<BR>also highlighted that the U.S. offer was an unusual gesture, having occurred for the<BR>first time in 40 years of tense relations, and is appreciated for its justness. The<BR>foreign minister stated that there is no hope for normal trade relations between the two<BR>countries in the future unless the anachronistic blockade is completely lifted. Pérez<BR>Roque said that Cuba wants to see the elimination of that coercive policy, which he<BR>described as the main obstacle to economic developm ent and responsible for the<BR>suffering and deprivations of millions of Cubans. He affirmed that Cuba wishes to<BR>reestablish normal and mutually respectful relations with the United States and is<BR>prepared to do so, given that it does not hold any futile feelings of hatred or<BR>revengeful thoughts. However, Roque reiterated that the island is not willing to concede<BR>its principles because it knows the price of its independence, for which it has fought<BR>for 130 years. He declared that the elimination of the blockade and the end of the<BR>economic war against Cuba requires that the U.S. government take the following<BR>decisions: To abolish the Helms-Burton Act which, among other measures, imposes heavy<BR>sanctions on third-country entrepreneurs trading with Cuba. To abolish the Torricelli<BR>Act which, among other measures, prohibits access to U.S. ports to vessels from third<BR>countries that have docked in Cuba. It also prohibits U.S. subsidiaries in third<BR>countries from trading with Cuba. These are companies from which, up until 1992, Cuba<BR>purchased some $700 million USD worth of goods annually, primarily foodstuffs and<BR>medicines. To eliminate the absurd regulation that any products imported by the United<BR>States must not be manufactured using Cuban raw materials. Is it really justifiable to<BR>demand a Japanese automobile plant to certify that the steel utilized in its exports to<BR>the United States does not contain Cuban nickel? Is it justifiable to demand that a<BR>Canadian candy producer does not use Cuban sugar? To cease the morbid persecution<BR>undertaken internationally by U.S. embassies and agencies to deter any possibility of<BR>doing business with Cuba, and any attempt by Cuba to access new markets and receive<BR>credits. To allow Cuba access to the U.S. and international financial system. If Cuba<BR>had access to the $53 billion USD of loans that the international and regional financial<BR>institutions have granted to Latin America and the Caribbean between 1997 and 2000, it<BR>could have received credits of over $1,200 million USD, under more favorable conditions<BR>than are currently available. To permit Cuba to employ the U.S. dollar for its external<BR>transactions, not only with U.S. companies but likewise with third countries, something<BR>currently prohibited by blockade regulations. Cuba is forced to constantly exchange<BR>currency, thus incurring the consequent losses from exchange-rate fluctuations. To<BR>authorize Cuba to freely purchase in the U.S. market like any other country. For Cuba,<BR>this would mean annual purchases of over one billion USD on only a quarter of its<BR>current imports, better prices, considerable savings on freight and insurance, and<BR>easier transportation. To authorize Cuba to freely export to the U.S. market like any<BR>other country. That would not only benefit Cuba with access to new markets, but would<BR>also permit the U.S. to access Cuban products, such as the island's famous cigars or the<BR>meningitis B vaccine, the only one of its kind in the world. To allow U.S. citizens to<BR>travel to Cuba freely as tourists. This would permit Cuba to receive no less than 1.5<BR>million visitors and for travelers to familiarize themselves with one of the safest and<BR>most hospitable countries in the world. To return Cuban assets frozen by U.S. banks,<BR>part of which have been arbitrarily stolen. To authorize U.S. companies to invest in<BR>Cuba, where they will receive non-discriminatory treatment in relation to other foreign<BR>investors, with all the guarantees laid down by Cuban legislation. To establish<BR>regulations for the protection of Cuban trademarks and patents in the United States in<BR>the light of international legislation regarding copyright. When that occurs, dishonest<BR>acts like the theft of the Cuban Havana Club rum trademark by a U.S. company will not be<BR>repeated. To eliminate discriminatory measures preventing Cubans resident in the United<BR>States to travel freely to Cuba and economically assist their families on the island.<BR>Cubans are now the only group within the United States against whom this measure is<BR>applied. To negotiate fair and honorable agreements for the compensation of close to<BR>6,000 U.S. companies and citizens whose properties were nationalized in the first years<BR>of the Revolution as an indispensable sovereign step in the country's economic<BR>development. It was precisely the blockade which prohibited U.S. citizens receiving the<BR>corresponding indemnification. Cuba recognizes their rights and would be willing to come<BR>to an agreement, bearing in mind the serious economic and human effects inflicted on our<BR>country by the blockade.<BR>MORE THAN 300,000 DEMONSTRATE IN HAVANA AGAINST TERRORIST U.S. LAW.<BR>Havana, (RHC)-- More than 300,000 Cubans demonstrated in front of the U.S. Interests<BR>Section in Havana Tuesday afternoon, protesting the Cuban Adjustment Act. During an<BR>address to the crowd, many of them dressed in black to mourn the recent drowning deaths<BR>of another 30 victims -- Cuban President Fidel Castro described the U.S. legislation as<BR>"a terrorist law." The leader of the Cuban Revolution, also wearing a black armband,<BR>said that information on the tragic boat accident in which 30 people disappeared, came<BR>from news reports -- given that Washington never gives Cuba information on such victims<BR>at sea. He emphasized that among those missing from the capsized speedboat, taking them<BR>to Florida, were 13 children. Fidel Castro noted that since the Cuban Adjustment Act was<BR>passed by the U.S. Congress in 1966, hundreds and perhaps thousands of Cubans have<BR>drowned trying to make the dangerous journey through the Florida Straits. He said that<BR>the law -- on the books for Cubans only -- encourages illegal immigration and<BR>unnecessary risk and actually awards those who reach the United States. The Cuban leader<BR>said that illegal Cuban immigrants touching land in the U.S. are automatically granted<BR>residency after one year -- something that is not granted to immigrants from any other<BR>country. He also mentioned that U.S. officials are now even allowing Cubans to enter the<BR>United States if they arrive by air with false documents. All they have to do is say<BR>they are Cubans as soon as they arrive at the airport. The Cuban president asked how it<BR>was possible for U.S. authorities to safeguard their country when they allow this type<BR>of disorder and chaos -- noting that many with criminal records and who would have never<BR>met the basic requirements for immigration have been handed residency in the United<BR>States. Addressing the crowd of more than 300,000 gathered at the Jose Marti Anti-<BR>Imperialist Tribunal, the Cuban leader referred to the most recent victims of<BR>Washington's hostile policies: the 13 children, torn from their country. He condemned<BR>the U.S. law that leads to "the cruel deaths of so many Cuban children." He said that<BR>while there will always be people everywhere willing to risk their lives to immigrate<BR>illegally, encouraging them to do so can never be justified. Fidel Castro said that the<BR>Cuban Adjustment Act constitutes "a crime against humanity." The Cuban president<BR>concluded his speech by saying that the U.S. legislation is "not only a murderous law,<BR>but is also a terrorist law; one that fosters the worst kind of terrorism because it<BR>deliberately and without remorse kills innocent children."<BR>CUBA CALLS FOR MORE EFFECTIVE SOLUTIONS TO ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS.<BR>Havana, (RHC)-- Daniel Codorniu, First Vice Minister of the Ministry of Science,<BR>Technology and the Environment called for a more effective use of science and technology<BR>to solve current environmental problems. The Cuban official participated in the 14th<BR>Meeting of the Executive Committee of the Inter-American Research Institute on Climatic<BR>Change, which continues its sessions in the Cuban capital with the participation of<BR>representatives from the United States, Brazil, Canada, Argentina, Panama, Cuba and<BR>Venezuela. The vice-minister praised the work of the Inter-American Research Institute<BR>on Climatic Change over its ten years of existence. He also issued a call to work<BR>towards improving the projects promoted by the institute to facilitate scientific<BR>cooperation among member nations, as well as a better understanding of the impact of<BR>climate change in the regional environment. Cuba participates actively in four projects<BR>of the Inter-American Research Institute on Climatic Changes, dealing with the impact of<BR>the climatic phenomenon called El Nino, climatic variability, ecosystems and pollution.<BR>The results have contributed to designing the Cuban national program on climate change<BR>and the evolution of the environment and have also favored more exchange between Cuban<BR>experts and their counterparts from the region.<BR>GROWING NUMBER OF TOURISTS VISIT THE EASTERN CUBAN CITY OF BARACOA.<BR>Havana, (RHC)-- Some 40,000 tourists have visited the eastern city of Baracoa so far<BR>this year. Baracoa, located in Cuba's easternmost province of Guantanamo, was the first<BR>village declared by the Spanish colonizers as the Cuban capital. Compared to previous<BR>years, the number of visitors to the city increased by four thousand this year. The<BR>major flow of tourists comes from France, Germany, Italy and Spain and most of them<BR>repeat their visit. According to official statistics provided by the Cuban Tourism<BR>Ministry, hotel revenues in Baracoa surpass five million dollars, nearly 30 percent more<BR>than in previous years. In comments to reporters, guests have expressed their preference<BR>for the charms of Baracoa's colonial architecture. Tourists also commented about the<BR>excellence of the Alejandro de Humboldt National Park, the main bio-diversity center in<BR>the region, whose flora and fauna are considered among the most significant in the<BR>entire world. Baracoa is an ideal place to experience ecological tourism. It encompasses<BR>nearly 75,000 hectares. UNESCO has declared Baracoa the largest of the six biosphere<BR>reserves in the Caribbean.<BR>THE TRUTH BEHIND WASHINGTON'S CLAIMS AGAINST CUBA FOR COMPENSATION.<BR>Tuesday's vote by the United Nations General Assembly in its usual overwhelming<BR>condemnation of the United States economic blockade against Cuba, involved a slightly<BR>different scenario this year. Although the voting was identical to last year at 167 to 3<BR>with 3 abstentions, the address made by the Cuban Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque<BR>was different in that he made direct reference to compensation offered by Cuba to those<BR>U.S. nationals and companies whose lands and property were nationalized by the new<BR>government in 1959. In the 14 points made by Perez Roque for a lifting of the blockade,<BR>the last one stresses the need to negotiate with Cuba "a fair and honorable arrangement<BR>to provide compensation to the nearly 6,000 U.S. companies and citizens whose properties<BR>were nationalized in the first years of the Revolution". The backbone of the 1996 anti-<BR>Cuba legislation known as the Helms-Burton Law focuses on this issue of nationalized or<BR>"expropriated" property. It takes a high moral ground in insinuating that the 1959<BR>government "stole" the property and the law seeks to sanction anyone of any nationality<BR>who profits from or does business on or with such property. Yet for the past four<BR>decades succeeding Washington administrations have not been honest enough to acknowledge<BR>that from the outset of Cuba's Revolution and its total independence and full<BR>sovereignty from foreign interests, the new government offered compensation to all those<BR>affected - including U.S. citizens and companies. Other countries accepted the<BR>compensation, but Washington - under pressure from U.S. landowners with property in Cuba<BR>- refused to accept Havana's terms. Cuba clearly needed to nationalize certain essential<BR>services on the island for security reasons - such as the electricity and telephone<BR>companies, as well as offset the huge imbalance on the control of food production<BR>imposed by a 75 percent foreign ownership of arable land - and the resulting<BR>compensation terms were based on calculations from tax assessment values declared by the<BR>owners themselves. However, these assessments had not been adjusted for some 40 years<BR>prior to l959 - the mostly U.S. owners profiting enormously from the resulting tax<BR>breaks. Wanting the full current value of the land - although they had never honestly<BR>declared its real worth - these owners sought to bleed Cuba drier than they had already<BR>done in the years preceding the arrival of Fidel Castro. A total of five U.S. sugar<BR>companies owned or controlled more than two million acres in Cuba before the Revolution.<BR>Thus the island's most important cash crop was almost completely controlled by U.S.<BR>interests. The Agrarian Reform Law and the subsequent nationalization of lands and<BR>property quickly regained ownership and distribution rights for the people of Cuba and<BR>placed the nation's economy firmly in their hands. Cuba's generous offer of 20-year<BR>government bonds at 4.5 percent interest (in comparison, the 1958 value of U.S.<BR>investment grade corporate bonds was much lower at 3.8 percent) was scorned by the<BR>greedy landowners and the U.S. government they controlled. After putting up with more<BR>than a year of destabilization and attacks from Washington, Havana eventually<BR>nationalized all U.S. owned property in late October 1960 in direct response to the<BR>imposition of a U.S. embargo against the island on October 19th of the same year. For<BR>the past 10 years the continuing U.S. economic blockade against Cuba has been condemned<BR>by the world community voting in the United Nations as inhuman and illegal and contrary<BR>to every aspect of international law. One of Washington's stated reasons for maintaining<BR>this blockade has been the issue of land compensation. As always in the case of<BR>U.S./Cuba relations, a little digging reveals the truth.<BR>Alleged Rescue of 30 Illegal Emigrants was False.<BR>Rescue of 30 Illegal Emigrants was False. Havana. Panamanian authorities belied today<BR>the alleged rescue by a ship of that nationality of Cuban people who were illegally<BR>travelling to the United States. Randy Alonso, Moderator of the Round Table on Radio and<BR>Television in Cuba, said the Panamanian Deputy Foreign Minister Armodio Arias had<BR>confirmed on Monday the falseness of the rumor being told by the Mafia , and the so<BR>badly called "Radio Martí" and counter revolutionary elements. Cuba´s enemies called<BR>the relatives of the victims in their origin towns to create false expectations when<BR>they assured that their relatives had been in perfect health state. The panelists<BR>criticized the criminal action of that evil procedure , protected at the end by the<BR>"Cuban<BR>Adjustment Law" , which calls to the dangerous adventure to leave the homeland on<BR>unsafe means. During<BR>the last decade, dozens of children lost their lives in similar travels, being taken by<BR>irresponsible parents ,<BR>encouraged by the Miami´s slogans , city with one of the highest index of poverty,<BR>criminality and violence.<BR>From January 1st , 1998 until today, 398 minors have been sent back in virtue of the<BR>migration agreements ,<BR>but in this figure the disappeared ones are not registered , in the turbulent waters of<BR>the Florida Strait , or the<BR>accepted ones to reside in the Northern country and the ones who touch North American<BR>lands after such a<BR>dangerous travel. This year, 73 smuggling operations of peoples coming from the South<BR>of USA and the Cuban<BR>authorities , avoided 173 illegal exists, including the capture of 22 smugglers. The<BR>panelists continued saying<BR>that from April 1998 , until October 31, last Cuba took 113 prisoners, half of them were<BR>severely sanctioned ,<BR>and the rest are facing a trial.<BR>167 countries vote in UN against U.S. blockade of Cuba.<BR>This Tuesday, for the 10th consecutive time, the 56th regular session of the United<BR>Nations General Assembly<BR>condemned the genocidal U.S. policy of economic blockade against Cuba. The draft<BR>resolution - presented by<BR>the island to that UN body with the title "The need to put an end to the economic,<BR>commercial and financial<BR>blockade imposed by the United States of America against Cuba" - received 167 votes in<BR>favor. There were<BR>three abstentions (Latvia, Micronesia and Nicaragua) and 16 member-states were absent<BR>fpor the voting. Like<BR>last year, the only countries voting against the resolution were the United States, its<BR>faithful ally Israel, and the<BR>Marshall Islands, demonstrating the U.S. government's almost total isolation within the<BR>world community on<BR>this issue. The Cuban resolution received the same number of favorable votes this year<BR>as it had last year<BR>(167), and one less abstention. This time, eight African nations and four Asian nations<BR>were denied the right to<BR>vote, because they are overdue in paying their UN dues. Cuban Foreign Minister Felipe<BR>Pérez Roque spoke to<BR>the Assembly's plenary session, presenting the island's arguments against Washington's<BR>coercive measures.<BR>He termed the blockade the main obstacle to his country's normal development and the<BR>cause of the Cuban<BR>people's suffering. The resolution calls on the U.S. government to halt its stubborn<BR>blockade of more than 40<BR>years. The text alludes to the damages occasioned by this policy and U.S. legislation<BR>such as the Torricelli<BR>and Helms-Burton Acts, as well as the stepping up of those forms of aggression since<BR>January 20, 2001, when<BR>the new administration took over the White House. It also urges all states to abstain<BR>from promoting and<BR>applying laws and measures that run counter to the UN Charter and international law, as<BR>well as restricting free<BR>trade and navigation, among other considerations. The United States' economic war has<BR>caused direct<BR>damages calculated at more than $70 billion USD. Even though this is the 10th time that<BR>the General<BR>Assembly has rejected the blockade against Cuba, since 1992 the White House has turned a<BR>deaf ear to those<BR>universal demands for justice.<BR><BR>CUBA EXPRESSES SATISFACTION WITH 11th IBERO-AMERICAN SUMMIT IN PERU.<BR>Havana. Cuban Vice President Carlos Lage returned to Havana Sunday night, following the<BR>conclusion of the<BR>11th Ibero-American Summit of Heads of State and Governments in Lima, Peru. Lage headed<BR>the Cuban<BR>delegation to the important regional meeting; Cuban President Fidel Castro decided not<BR>to attend the Summit,<BR>as he has been personally directing recovery efforts on the island in the wake of<BR>Hurricane Michelle -- the worst<BR>storm to hit Cuba in more than 50 years. Shortly before leaving the Peruvian capital,<BR>Carlos Lage held a news<BR>conference and expressed Cuba's satisfaction with the results of the latest Ibero-<BR>American Summit. He noted<BR>that the Declaration of Lima calls for an end to the U.S. economic blockade of Cuba and<BR>Washington's<BR>extraterritorial legislation known as the Helms-Burton Law. The final document also<BR>condemns terrorism in all<BR>its forms and manifestations, and the Cuban vice president affirmed that Havana has also<BR>repeatedly<BR>condemned all terrorist actions. Speaking with reporters in Lima shortly after the<BR>conclusion of the 11th Ibero-<BR>American Summit over the weekend, Cuba's vice president rejected the false arguments of<BR>the enemies of the<BR>Cuban Revolution, who are saying that the island is now isolated from the rest of Latin<BR>America. Carlos Lage<BR>noted that Cuba maintains diplomatic relations with all Latin American nations except<BR>for one. He also pointed<BR>out that Cuba is a member of the Association of Caribbean States (ACS) and has signed<BR>numerous<BR>cooperation agreements with the Caribbean Community, CARICOM. The Cuban vice president<BR>said that the<BR>U.S.-proposed Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) further deepens neo-liberal<BR>policies, which have been<BR>applied for two decades now in Latin America, with tragic and very negative results for<BR>the region's poor. Asked<BR>about the possibility of purchasing food and medicine from the United States after<BR>Hurricane Michelle hit Cuba<BR>earlier this month, Lage said that Havana appreciated Washington's respectful attitude<BR>in offering humanitarian assistance for the first time in more than 40 years. The Cuban<BR>vice president said that arrangements are now being made to purchase the food and<BR>medicine, but stressed that this is an isolated event. Carlos Lage said that there is no<BR>reason to believe that this represents a change in U.S. policy toward Cuba.<BR>===========================================***Cuba Information Access ***<BR>The current events in La Republica de Cuba...<BR>Where else are you going to get it ?<BR>companyero@mindspring.com<BR></P><BR><BR><P><FONT color=red face="Comic Sans MS" size=5><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: x-small"><STRONG> Free Leonard Peltier Now!</STRONG></SPAN></FONT></P>
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