On Mart, war, peace and economic justice
The following is an edited version of Cuban President Fidel Castro Ruz’s Jan. 29 speech to the International Conference for World Balance, held in Havana in honor of the 150th anniversary of the birth of José Martí.
International notes
Russia: Battle of Stalingrad remembered In a moving ceremony on Sunday, World War II veterans from across Russia were joined by political leaders and foreign ambassadors in marking the 60th anniversary of the Battle of Stalingrad.
Venezuelan workers say the tide is turning
PORTO ALEGRE, Brazil – The principal actors in work stoppages in Venezuela are the bosses – particularly in the oil industry – who do not represent the workers, a group of Venezuelan labor leaders told the World.
Bush policies blasted At UN
Faced with growing international skepticism, George W. Bush used much of his State of the Union Address in an attempt to build support for his drive to war with Iraq.
Food crisis in Africa
The United Nations estimates that in sub-Saharan Africa 38 million people are in danger of starvation within months. To give this some perspective, this figure is roughly equivalent to the population of Poland or Spain, and less than ten million less the entire population of the Republic of South Africa.
International notes
Britain: Greenpeace blocks military port / Greece: Demonstrators protest war, anti-labor policies / Turkey: A gain for civil liberties / Korea: Sides seek peaceful solution of nuclear issue / South Africa: Mbeki calls for peace / China: Airliner arrives from Taiwan
Venezuelans march to support their govt
Half a million Venezuelans converged on the capital city, Caracas, Jan. 23 to support the democratically elected government of President Hugo Chavez, and to protest a shutdown declared Dec. 2 by a business-led coalition.
Mexico sues U.S. in World Court
Mexico filed suit in the World Court of International Justice in the Hague against the United States, Jan. 21, for violating international law and the human rights of Mexican citizens in this country. Mexican citizens are rarely afforded the right to consult with their country’s counsul, Mexico charged.
NAFTA: good for who?
While celebrations were being held in Washington on the successes of the North American Free Trade Agreement’s first ten years by the business elites and the ex-presidents of Mexico, the United States and Canada who signed the international trade pact known as NAFTA into law in 1993 (Carlos Salinas, Bush Sr. and Brian Mulroney) -mass demonstrations were taking place in Mexico to declare the Mexican countryside in a state of economic, social and environmental emergency.
Remarkable initiatives in Brazil
Opinion It will not be easy to reform Brazil, due to the problems the new government has inherited. Lula and his team will face deteriorated economic and social circumstances that have their own dynamic, limiting the possible actions and the short-term horizon.
