HAYANA, Cuba: Singapore and Cuba have pledged to enhance bilateral cooperation following Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's two-day visit to the island country in the Caribbean.
Mr Lee's last visit to Cuba was some 30 years ago, as a student under the Kennedy School's Mason Programme. This time, he returned to Havana as part of Singapore's ongoing efforts to explore new markets in Latin America.
During his visit, he met several Cuban leaders, including President Raul Castro, who shared his perspective of the Caribbean.
Mr Lee described relations between both countries as friendly.
Singapore-Cuba trade links amount to just S$5 million a year due largely to trade sanctions imposed by the US.
"The embargo comes up from time to time in the UN for a vote and we have voted against the embargo in the UN because we do not consider it the right thing to do," said Mr Lee.
PM Lee noted that although Cuba has picked itself up after the fall of the Soviet Union, the country still has considerable challenges ahead.
"This government has decided they want to persist in their model of the economy," Mr Lee explained. "They don't want to follow the Chinese or the Vietnamese.
"They are looking to boost their agricultural production - to boost rice production particularly, because rice is one of their staple foods - and try to become more self sufficient and save on current exchange."
Mr Lee added that the Cubans are "very serious-minded, talented people", and that they will find a way to make a living for themselves.
Mr Castro has requested for PSA to be involved in Cuba's project to move its port from Havana to Marial.
PM Lee said: "The Cubans are moving their port from Havana, the old city... and build a bigger port at Marial. I think they would like PSA to be involved in the project, so this is something we would look at."
The Cuban president has also accepted an invitation from Mr Lee to visit Singapore.
Although there are no strong economic links between Singapore and Cuba, both sides have quite an established partnership in science and technology, such as the area of dengue research.
Singapore's National Environment Agency is collaborating with the Institute of Tropical Medicine "Pedro Kouri" on research into vector control and monitoring.
Source: channelnewsasia.com/
Cuba Twitter,this blog offers users news social, economic, political, sports and cultural developments that take place in Cuba and in third world nations,Cuba Twitter
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Colombia says Venezuela imposes Cuba-like embargo
Deported miners' case stokes diplomatic tensions (Recasts with Uribe; changes byline, dateline, pvs CARACAS)
By Patrick Markey
BOGOTA, Dec 2 (Reuters) - Colombian President Alvaro Uribe accused Venezuela on Wednesday of imposing an illegal trade blockade similar to the U.S. embargo on Cuba after his Andean neighbor said Colombia was engaged in "psychological war."
The criticism was Uribe's strongest yet since Venezuela and Colombia began sparring several months ago in a dispute that has damaged their $7 billion a year in bilateral trade and heightened fears of a violent clash along their frontier.
Chavez, a fierce U.S. critic allied with Cuba, has ordered Colombian imports cut as his government protests Uribe's plan to allow U.S. troops more access to bases for joint initiatives against cocaine lords and leftist rebels.
OPEC-member Venezuela relies heavily on Colombian food products, but Chavez is seeking alternative imports from Brazil and Argentina.
"In Venezuela, there is an embargo against the Colombian economy. It is an illegal, unjust embargo," Uribe told local radio. "People criticize the embargo against Cuba, well now there is a Venezuelan blockade against Colombia."
Uribe said other nations were taking advantage of the crisis to replace Colombian market share. Exports to Venezuela fell 56 percent in October compared with a year earlier.
The latest exchange to test ties between the feuding South American nations came when Colombia said this week that Venezuelan troops had deported more than 400 illegal Colombian and Brazilian miners from makeshift gold camps.
ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE
Colombia called it a violation of rights. But Venezuelan Vice President Ramon Carrizalez said on Wednesday the miners were damaging the Yapacana national park of Amazonas state.
Illegal gold mining is common in Venezuela and Colombia, where miners use water jets and mercury to filter gold, leaving behind deforested areas and polluted waterways and rivers.
"It is senseless that a routine activity in this country like the expulsion of illegal miners, people who are destroying the environment, be used as part of a media and psychological war, intimidation and threat to our nation," Carrizalez said.
The two nations' dispute centers around a decision by Colombia to allow U.S. troops more access to military bases. Uribe says the deal is an extension of U.S. aid to help end his country's long guerrilla war and fight the cocaine business.
That, says Chavez, sets the stage for potential U.S. aggression against socialist-run Venezuela from Colombia, one of the firmest Washington allies in the region.
There have been a series of mysterious killings on the border -- where Colombian rebels and paramilitaries, plus drug-trafficking and smuggling bands operate -- and accusations of spying. Chavez has told his army to prepare for conflict.
Few expect a major war, but fears of violence are growing.
"The risk of a military clash between Colombia and Venezuela has risen in recent weeks from low to moderate, and is increasing," Jane's Intelligence Weekly said recently.
"A small incident, most likely on the border, could yet spark wider conflict, with Colombia now considering counter measures to address Venezuela's military superiority. International mediation would nevertheless be likely to forestall any descent towards all-out war." (Additional reporting by Andrew Cawthorne in Caracas) ((For factbox on tensions see [ID:nN023254])) ((andrew.cawthorne@thomsonreuters.com; +58 212 277 2700; Reuters Messaging: andrew.cawthorne.reuters.com@reuters.net))
Source: reuters.com/
By Patrick Markey
BOGOTA, Dec 2 (Reuters) - Colombian President Alvaro Uribe accused Venezuela on Wednesday of imposing an illegal trade blockade similar to the U.S. embargo on Cuba after his Andean neighbor said Colombia was engaged in "psychological war."
The criticism was Uribe's strongest yet since Venezuela and Colombia began sparring several months ago in a dispute that has damaged their $7 billion a year in bilateral trade and heightened fears of a violent clash along their frontier.
Chavez, a fierce U.S. critic allied with Cuba, has ordered Colombian imports cut as his government protests Uribe's plan to allow U.S. troops more access to bases for joint initiatives against cocaine lords and leftist rebels.
OPEC-member Venezuela relies heavily on Colombian food products, but Chavez is seeking alternative imports from Brazil and Argentina.
"In Venezuela, there is an embargo against the Colombian economy. It is an illegal, unjust embargo," Uribe told local radio. "People criticize the embargo against Cuba, well now there is a Venezuelan blockade against Colombia."
Uribe said other nations were taking advantage of the crisis to replace Colombian market share. Exports to Venezuela fell 56 percent in October compared with a year earlier.
The latest exchange to test ties between the feuding South American nations came when Colombia said this week that Venezuelan troops had deported more than 400 illegal Colombian and Brazilian miners from makeshift gold camps.
ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE
Colombia called it a violation of rights. But Venezuelan Vice President Ramon Carrizalez said on Wednesday the miners were damaging the Yapacana national park of Amazonas state.
Illegal gold mining is common in Venezuela and Colombia, where miners use water jets and mercury to filter gold, leaving behind deforested areas and polluted waterways and rivers.
"It is senseless that a routine activity in this country like the expulsion of illegal miners, people who are destroying the environment, be used as part of a media and psychological war, intimidation and threat to our nation," Carrizalez said.
The two nations' dispute centers around a decision by Colombia to allow U.S. troops more access to military bases. Uribe says the deal is an extension of U.S. aid to help end his country's long guerrilla war and fight the cocaine business.
That, says Chavez, sets the stage for potential U.S. aggression against socialist-run Venezuela from Colombia, one of the firmest Washington allies in the region.
There have been a series of mysterious killings on the border -- where Colombian rebels and paramilitaries, plus drug-trafficking and smuggling bands operate -- and accusations of spying. Chavez has told his army to prepare for conflict.
Few expect a major war, but fears of violence are growing.
"The risk of a military clash between Colombia and Venezuela has risen in recent weeks from low to moderate, and is increasing," Jane's Intelligence Weekly said recently.
"A small incident, most likely on the border, could yet spark wider conflict, with Colombia now considering counter measures to address Venezuela's military superiority. International mediation would nevertheless be likely to forestall any descent towards all-out war." (Additional reporting by Andrew Cawthorne in Caracas) ((For factbox on tensions see [ID:nN023254])) ((andrew.cawthorne@thomsonreuters.com; +58 212 277 2700; Reuters Messaging: andrew.cawthorne.reuters.com@reuters.net))
Source: reuters.com/
Cuba: Tireless Fighter Against AIDS
More than 33 million people in the world suffer from the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, AIDS. And although the number of new cases of infection has decreased by 17 percent over the past eight years, AIDS is still a serious health problem worldwide.
A report issued by the United Nations and the World Health Organization (WHO) states that despite the encouraging results achieved in recent years, people can't be overly confident because almost three million people became infected with the virus last year, and about two million died because of this disease.
In Cuba, the number of people infected has slowly decreased thanks to the preventive programs implemented on the island. United Nations experts have acknowledged the work that Cuba has carried out to prevent and fight HIV/AIDS, its initiatives, strategies and the development of programs to reduce the impact of the disease.
Ana Maria Navarro, UNAIDS representative for Cuba and the Dominican Republic, noted that the island is an example in the region due to its low infection rate. The expert also pointed out the value of culture and its contribution to the prevention of the disease.
For his part, Roberto Galvez, United Nations representative in Cuba, highlighted the work of the Cuban government and health authorities from the beginning of the outbreak of the epidemic in the 1980's.
He praised the national strategy "ITS-VIH-SIDA Plan" based on four basic concepts: epidemiological vigilance, education for health, medical attention and research.
Cuban health authorities don't neglect epidemiological vigilance, because although the island registers the lowest rate of HIV prevalence of the Caribbean and is among the 22 less-affected countries of the world, the disease grows in a sustainable way.
On Tuesday, December 1st, the world will be celebrating the World Day Against AIDS. Cuba prepares new actions to contribute to the education and information of its people, with the aim of further reducing the number of people infected with the disease.
Taken from Radio Havana Cuba
Source: periodico26.cu/
A report issued by the United Nations and the World Health Organization (WHO) states that despite the encouraging results achieved in recent years, people can't be overly confident because almost three million people became infected with the virus last year, and about two million died because of this disease.
In Cuba, the number of people infected has slowly decreased thanks to the preventive programs implemented on the island. United Nations experts have acknowledged the work that Cuba has carried out to prevent and fight HIV/AIDS, its initiatives, strategies and the development of programs to reduce the impact of the disease.
Ana Maria Navarro, UNAIDS representative for Cuba and the Dominican Republic, noted that the island is an example in the region due to its low infection rate. The expert also pointed out the value of culture and its contribution to the prevention of the disease.
For his part, Roberto Galvez, United Nations representative in Cuba, highlighted the work of the Cuban government and health authorities from the beginning of the outbreak of the epidemic in the 1980's.
He praised the national strategy "ITS-VIH-SIDA Plan" based on four basic concepts: epidemiological vigilance, education for health, medical attention and research.
Cuban health authorities don't neglect epidemiological vigilance, because although the island registers the lowest rate of HIV prevalence of the Caribbean and is among the 22 less-affected countries of the world, the disease grows in a sustainable way.
On Tuesday, December 1st, the world will be celebrating the World Day Against AIDS. Cuba prepares new actions to contribute to the education and information of its people, with the aim of further reducing the number of people infected with the disease.
Taken from Radio Havana Cuba
Source: periodico26.cu/
Cracking Cuba
Political and civil rights abuses committed by the Cuban government have continued unabated in the three years since Raul Castro took over from his older brother, Fidel. U.S. travel and trade bans, therefore, must be lifted.
Although these conclusions -- both included in the recent Human Rights Watch report, "New Castro, Same Cuba" -- may seem incongruous, they are not. Rather, they illustrate that the economic pressure that failed to yield either regime change or human rights reforms over more than four decades of Fidel Castro's rule is just as ineffective today as it has always been. Instead of continuing a failed policy, the Obama administration should craft a new one of incentives for Cuba to improve its human rights record.
Those who had hoped that the younger Castro's ascent would bring an era of political liberalization have been disappointed. According to Human Rights Watch, only the government's tactics have changed. Raul Castro continues to stifle political dissent, most notably using an Orwellian provision of the criminal code that allows for arrest and sentencing before a crime has been committed. The government has imprisoned more than 40 people under this "dangerousness" offense for violating Cuban socialist norms, such as failing to join party organizations or attend pro-government rallies. Scores of other prisoners are being held for writing articles critical of the government or pushing for labor rights, including 53 people still held from a 2003 crackdown by Fidel Castro, the report says. Activists "are subjected to systematic due process violations, including abusive interrogations, the denial of legal counsel and sham trials." Even Cuba's most famous blogger, Yoani Sanchez, was beaten and prohibited from leaving the country to accept an award last month.
The Obama administration, to its credit, has relaxed travel restrictions on Cuban Americans, lifted limits on remittances and resumed limited negotiations on issues such as migration, but the engagement stopped there. Meanwhile, the Spanish government, which takes over the rotating presidency of the European Union in January, has indicated that it is seeking gestures from the Cuban government that would allow for normalization of relations with the EU.
It would be best if the U.S. and the EU forged a common policy pushing for the release of political prisoners and other human rights improvements, while making clear they do not seek re- gime change. Frequent contact between peoples and the free flow of goods and ideas are the best means to create pressure for change. As Human Rights Watch notes, the U.S. embargo has too long served the Castros as a pretext for cracking down on dissidents. Try something else.
Source: latimes.com/
Although these conclusions -- both included in the recent Human Rights Watch report, "New Castro, Same Cuba" -- may seem incongruous, they are not. Rather, they illustrate that the economic pressure that failed to yield either regime change or human rights reforms over more than four decades of Fidel Castro's rule is just as ineffective today as it has always been. Instead of continuing a failed policy, the Obama administration should craft a new one of incentives for Cuba to improve its human rights record.
Those who had hoped that the younger Castro's ascent would bring an era of political liberalization have been disappointed. According to Human Rights Watch, only the government's tactics have changed. Raul Castro continues to stifle political dissent, most notably using an Orwellian provision of the criminal code that allows for arrest and sentencing before a crime has been committed. The government has imprisoned more than 40 people under this "dangerousness" offense for violating Cuban socialist norms, such as failing to join party organizations or attend pro-government rallies. Scores of other prisoners are being held for writing articles critical of the government or pushing for labor rights, including 53 people still held from a 2003 crackdown by Fidel Castro, the report says. Activists "are subjected to systematic due process violations, including abusive interrogations, the denial of legal counsel and sham trials." Even Cuba's most famous blogger, Yoani Sanchez, was beaten and prohibited from leaving the country to accept an award last month.
The Obama administration, to its credit, has relaxed travel restrictions on Cuban Americans, lifted limits on remittances and resumed limited negotiations on issues such as migration, but the engagement stopped there. Meanwhile, the Spanish government, which takes over the rotating presidency of the European Union in January, has indicated that it is seeking gestures from the Cuban government that would allow for normalization of relations with the EU.
It would be best if the U.S. and the EU forged a common policy pushing for the release of political prisoners and other human rights improvements, while making clear they do not seek re- gime change. Frequent contact between peoples and the free flow of goods and ideas are the best means to create pressure for change. As Human Rights Watch notes, the U.S. embargo has too long served the Castros as a pretext for cracking down on dissidents. Try something else.
Source: latimes.com/
Ugandan president visits Cuba
HAVANA, Nov. 30 (Xinhua) -- Invited by Cuban Leader Raul Castro, Ugandan President General Yoweri Kaguta Museveni arrived in Cuba Monday for an official visit.
Museveni was received at the Jose Marti International Airport in Havana by Cuban Vice Foreign Minister Rigoberto Sierra Diaz, along with other officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
During his stay in the Greater Antilles, which will last three days, the Ugandan president will hold official talks with his Cuban counterpart, Raul Castro and pay tribute to Cuban national hero Jose Marti.
Source: xinhuanet.com/
Museveni was received at the Jose Marti International Airport in Havana by Cuban Vice Foreign Minister Rigoberto Sierra Diaz, along with other officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
During his stay in the Greater Antilles, which will last three days, the Ugandan president will hold official talks with his Cuban counterpart, Raul Castro and pay tribute to Cuban national hero Jose Marti.
Source: xinhuanet.com/
Florida International University concert features songs about Cuba
Classically Cuban: The World Sings to Cuba,' is the title of the upcoming Christmas concert sponsored by the Cuban Research Institute at Florida International University.
BY PARADISE AFSHAR
pafshar@MiamiHerald.com
Emilio Cueto has a deep passion for history, especially when it comes to his native Cuba.
``I collect and research things about Cuba and, among the things I collect is music that foreigners have written about Cuba,'' said Cueto, 65, a Washington, D.C., attorney.
For the second year in a row, he is sharing some of the music he has collected with music students at Florida International University. The music is part of the Cuban Research Institute's annual Christmas concert on Saturday evening.
Last year's theme focused on war; this year's concert, titled Classically Cuban: The World Sings to Cuba, has a more international flair.
``I am very excited about it because it is a way to share with people what we are about,'' said Cueto. ``There is so much more that we don't know [about Cuban culture] and the university is a manifest setting to explore it.''
The concert will include songs from 22 countries, four continents and seven languages that were written during the 19th and 20th centuries.
``Cuban music is well known and well researched and that's all well, but fewer people know that foreigners have written songs about it,'' said Cueto.
``They have been inspired by the country's women, palm trees or by taking poems from Cuban poets,'' he said.
Japan, Australia, Germany and Brazil are among the nations that will be represented. Performers such as vocalist Ernesto TresPalacios are happy to see that the concert will have such an international flair.
``I welcome everyone to come and take part. It's a concert that will warm the heart of anyone who has a love for the Cuban people and Cuban culture,'' said TresPalacios, 38, of Coral Gables.
TresPalacios is a classically trained opera singer who will be singing several songs in English, French, Italian, Spanish. Although the Cuban-American has never been to the island, he sees the allure.
``It's a very laid back culture. They don't even say their R's and S's because they don't have the time and it's too hot,'' he jokes.
FIU music professor Armando Tranquilino is the director of the show. He will perform as well.
``It's amazing that so many counties have written about this tiny island,'' said Tranquilino. ``A lot of this music hasn't been played in God knows how long.''
This is the second year that Tranquilino and Cueto have collaborated on the concert.
Cueto contacted the CRI last year because he had found songs about the Cuban war of independence. FIU then connected him with Tranquilino.
With the number of countries represented, Tranquilino said it was only fair that they play the music in alphabetical order by country, so no bias is shown.
The last song played will be I'll See You In C-U-B-A, by U.S. composer Irving Berlin.
``The song was written in the '20s during [the U.S. Prohibition era]. If you wanted to have a good time, you'd go to Cuba,'' said Tranquilino, who noted there will be a ``nice surprise'' at the end of that song.
``The topic is Cuba. The people of Cuban origin who come will be gratified to hear others sing songs about the country, and people from other counties will be gratified to know that their country sang to Cuba.''
Source: miamiherald.com/
BY PARADISE AFSHAR
pafshar@MiamiHerald.com
Emilio Cueto has a deep passion for history, especially when it comes to his native Cuba.
``I collect and research things about Cuba and, among the things I collect is music that foreigners have written about Cuba,'' said Cueto, 65, a Washington, D.C., attorney.
For the second year in a row, he is sharing some of the music he has collected with music students at Florida International University. The music is part of the Cuban Research Institute's annual Christmas concert on Saturday evening.
Last year's theme focused on war; this year's concert, titled Classically Cuban: The World Sings to Cuba, has a more international flair.
``I am very excited about it because it is a way to share with people what we are about,'' said Cueto. ``There is so much more that we don't know [about Cuban culture] and the university is a manifest setting to explore it.''
The concert will include songs from 22 countries, four continents and seven languages that were written during the 19th and 20th centuries.
``Cuban music is well known and well researched and that's all well, but fewer people know that foreigners have written songs about it,'' said Cueto.
``They have been inspired by the country's women, palm trees or by taking poems from Cuban poets,'' he said.
Japan, Australia, Germany and Brazil are among the nations that will be represented. Performers such as vocalist Ernesto TresPalacios are happy to see that the concert will have such an international flair.
``I welcome everyone to come and take part. It's a concert that will warm the heart of anyone who has a love for the Cuban people and Cuban culture,'' said TresPalacios, 38, of Coral Gables.
TresPalacios is a classically trained opera singer who will be singing several songs in English, French, Italian, Spanish. Although the Cuban-American has never been to the island, he sees the allure.
``It's a very laid back culture. They don't even say their R's and S's because they don't have the time and it's too hot,'' he jokes.
FIU music professor Armando Tranquilino is the director of the show. He will perform as well.
``It's amazing that so many counties have written about this tiny island,'' said Tranquilino. ``A lot of this music hasn't been played in God knows how long.''
This is the second year that Tranquilino and Cueto have collaborated on the concert.
Cueto contacted the CRI last year because he had found songs about the Cuban war of independence. FIU then connected him with Tranquilino.
With the number of countries represented, Tranquilino said it was only fair that they play the music in alphabetical order by country, so no bias is shown.
The last song played will be I'll See You In C-U-B-A, by U.S. composer Irving Berlin.
``The song was written in the '20s during [the U.S. Prohibition era]. If you wanted to have a good time, you'd go to Cuba,'' said Tranquilino, who noted there will be a ``nice surprise'' at the end of that song.
``The topic is Cuba. The people of Cuban origin who come will be gratified to hear others sing songs about the country, and people from other counties will be gratified to know that their country sang to Cuba.''
Source: miamiherald.com/
Cuba arrests son of late revolutionary leader
WASHINGTON - Cuba has arrested the son of the late revolutionary leader Juan Almeida on his way to a protest march, a clandestine human rights group said Sunday demanding that he be released at once for medical reasons.
The Cuban Committee on Human Rights and National Reconciliation (CCHDRN) said Almeida was arrested Friday, adding: "According to our preliminary investigations, he committed no crime."
The group asked that Almeida, 43, be set free immediately "taking into account that he suffers from a dangerous degenerative disease that could worsen under subhuman conditions of confinement."
Almeida's arrest follows a Human Rights Watch report earlier this month about the continued harassment and arrest of dissidents under President Raul Castro.
Titled "New Castro, Same Cuba," the report documents 40 arrests of dissidents since Raul took over from his ailing brother Fidel Castro in July 2006.
Almeida is one of nine children of commander Juan Almeida Bosque, who along with Fidel and Raul Castro formed the triumvirate of power after the 1959 revolution that ushered in Castro's communist dictatorship.
Juan Almeida was previously arrested in May when he attempted to join his wife in Miami, Florida. Two months ago he published a book in Spain on his experience with Cuban leadership.
He was arrested on Friday as he was walking to a public square in Havana to protest his trampled civil rights, the CCHDRN said, adding it did not known if any charges have been filed against him.
Source: asiaone.com/
The Cuban Committee on Human Rights and National Reconciliation (CCHDRN) said Almeida was arrested Friday, adding: "According to our preliminary investigations, he committed no crime."
The group asked that Almeida, 43, be set free immediately "taking into account that he suffers from a dangerous degenerative disease that could worsen under subhuman conditions of confinement."
Almeida's arrest follows a Human Rights Watch report earlier this month about the continued harassment and arrest of dissidents under President Raul Castro.
Titled "New Castro, Same Cuba," the report documents 40 arrests of dissidents since Raul took over from his ailing brother Fidel Castro in July 2006.
Almeida is one of nine children of commander Juan Almeida Bosque, who along with Fidel and Raul Castro formed the triumvirate of power after the 1959 revolution that ushered in Castro's communist dictatorship.
Juan Almeida was previously arrested in May when he attempted to join his wife in Miami, Florida. Two months ago he published a book in Spain on his experience with Cuban leadership.
He was arrested on Friday as he was walking to a public square in Havana to protest his trampled civil rights, the CCHDRN said, adding it did not known if any charges have been filed against him.
Source: asiaone.com/
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