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Havana, Cuba. Year 13 - Thursday, November 12, 2009.
Reflections of Fidel
HOW I regret having to criticize Obama, knowing that in that
country there are other potential presidents worse than him. I understand that
in the United States that office is currently a tremendous headache. Perhaps
nothing could explain it better than the information in yesterday’s Granma that
237 members of the U.S. Congress; in other words, 44% of them, are millionaires.
That does not mean that every one of them is obliged to be an incorrigible
reactionary, but it is very difficult that they might think like any of the many
millions of U.S. citizens who lack medical care, are unemployed or have to work
hard to earn a living.
Obama, of course, is not a beggar, he possesses millions of dollars. As a
professional he was outstanding; his domination of language, his eloquence and
his intelligence are undisputed. Despite being an African American he was
elected president for the first time in the history of his country in a racist
society that is suffering from a profound international economic crisis, the
responsibility for which falls upon itself.
It is not about being or not being anti-American, as the system and its colossal
media try to describe its adversaries.
The U.S. people are not responsible for, but the victims of an unsustainable
system and, what is worse, one that is now incompatible with the life of
humanity.
The intelligent and rebel Obama who had to endure humiliation and racism during
his childhood and youth understands that, but the Obama who is educated and
committed to the system and the methods that led him to the presidency of the
United States cannot resist the temptation to pressure, threaten and even
deceive others.
He is obsessive in his work; possibly no other president of the United States
would be capable of committing himself to a program as intensive as the one that
he proposes to undertake in the next eight days.
According to his program, a wide-ranging tour will take him to Alaska, where he
is to talk with troops deployed there; to Japan, Singapore, the People’s
Republic of China and South Korea; he is to take part in the meeting of the
Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Forum and the Association of Southeast
Asian Nations (ASEAN); he will have talks with the prime minister of Japan and
His Majesty Emperor Akihito in the Land of the Rising Sun; the president of
Indonesia, Susilo Bambang; of Russia, Dmitri Medvedev, and of the People’s
Republic of China, Hu Jintao; he will give speeches and press conferences; he
will carry his nuclear briefcase that we trust he will not need to use during
his accelerated tour.
His security adviser has informed that he is to discuss with the president of
Russia extending the START-1 Treaty, which expires on December 5, 2009. Certain
reductions in the enormous nuclear arsenal will doubtless be agreed, without
significance for the economy and world peace.
What is our illustrious friend thinking of taking on during his intensive voyage?
The White House has solemnly announced it: climate change, economic recovery,
nuclear disarmament, the war in Afghanistan, the risks of war in Iran and in the
Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. There is enough material here to write a
book of fiction.
But how is Obama going to resolve climate problems if the position of his
representation in the preparatory meetings for the Copenhagen Summit on
greenhouse gas emissions was the worst of all the industrialized and rich
countries, both in Bangkok and in Barcelona, because the United States has not
signed the Kyoto Protocol, nor is that country’s oligarchy disposed to genuinely
cooperate.
How is he going to contribute to the solution of the grave economic problems
affecting a large part of humanity, when the total debt of the United States –
which includes federal government, state and local governments, companies and
families – amounted at the end of 2008 to $57 trillion, equivalent to more than
400% of its GDP, and when that country’s budget deficit rose to close to 13% of
its GDP in the fiscal year 2009, a figure that Obama is doubtless aware of.
What can he offer Hu Jintao when his policy has been openly protectionist in
order to hit Chinese exports; when he is demanding at all costs that the Chinese
government should revalue the yuan, which would affect growing Third World
imports proceeding from China.
The Brazilian theologian Leonardo Boff – who is not a disciple of Karl Marx, but
an honest Catholic, one of those who is not prepared to cooperate with
imperialism in Latin America – recently affirmed: "…we are risking our
destruction and the devastation of the diversity of life."
"…almost half of humanity is now living below the poverty level. The richest 20%
consume 82.49% of all the Earth’s wealth and the 20% poorest have to sustain
themselves with a miniscule 1.6%." He quotes the FAO warning that "…in the
coming years there will be between 150 and 200 million climate refugees." And he
adds that in his estimate: "humanity is now consuming 30% more than its
reposition capacity… The Earth is showing unequivocal signs that it cannot take
any more."
What he affirms is a fact, but Obama and the U.S. Congress have not as yet heard
that.
What is he leaving us in the hemisphere? The shameful problem of Honduras and
the annexation of Colombia, in which country the United States is to install
seven military bases. They also established a military base in Cuba more than
100 years ago and still occupy it by force. On it they installed the horrific
torture center known worldwide, which Obama has been unable to close as yet.
I sustain the belief that before Obama concludes his mandate there will be six
to eight rightist governments in Latin America allied to the empire. Likewise in
the near future, the most right-wing sector in the United States will try to
limit his mandate to a period of four years. A Nixon, a Bush or somebody like
Cheney will once again be new presidents. Then one would see with all clarity
the significance of those absolutely unjustifiable military bases that are now
threatening all the peoples of South America on the pretext of combating drug
trafficking, a problem created by the tens of billions of dollars from the
United States being injected into organized crime and drug production in Latin
America.
Cuba has demonstrated that in order to combat drugs what is needed is justice
and social development. In our country, the crime figure per every 100,000
inhabitants is one of the lowest in the world. No other [country] in the
hemisphere can show such low indices of violence. It is known that in spite of
the blockade, none other possesses such high educational levels.
The peoples of Latin America will know how to resist the onslaughts of the
empire!
Obama’s tour would seem to be a science fiction story.
Fidel Castro Ruz
November 11, 2009
7:16 p.m.
Translated by Granma International
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Reflections oF Fidel
Honduras: dictatorship recruiting right-wing extremists as "observers"
IN order to cover up the invalidity of the upcoming November 29 elections, the usurping regime of Roberto Micheletti is heavily recruiting—via an association of pro-coup businesspeople — "observers" from right-wing extremist organizations.
"Between 300 and 500 observers have now been confirmed," was the headline on the daily La Prensa, owned by the local magnate, Jorge "Pepsi" Canahuati, while the author of an article inside the paper claimed, with pro-coup fervor, that "about 600" of these "international observers from Northern, South and Central America" will be present at the elections.
Finding such observers when all international agencies devoted to this activity have refused to cooperate has been entrusted by the military/business junta in Tegucigalpa to one of its most active partners, Amilcar Bulnes, president of the Honduran Council of Private Enterprise (COHEP).
Bulnes told the daily La Prensa — owned by his friend Canahuati — that the election process "is central to providing a better investment climate," which should be based on "social stability." This opinion is shared by the hierarchies of the army, police and death squads run by Billy Joya.
"They will come from the United States, Europe, Chile, Argentina, Colombia and Central America," Bulnes specified, revealing that two of them are among the most "eminent" representatives of the continent’s extreme right-wing forces: the former presidents of Guatemala, Alvaro Arzú, and of El Salvador, Alfredo Cristiani.
It has already been announced that the coup regime’s elections will feature representatives — also described as "observers" — from the neo-Nazi group UnoAmérica; the Latin American and Caribbean Network for Liberty, an appendage of the Liberty Foundation financed by the National Endowment for Democracy (NED); and the Foundation for Social Analysis and Studies, run by the former Spanish prime minister, José María Aznar.
The organization UnoAmérica, tied to the CIA and financed by the NED, was involved earlier this year in a plot to assassinate President Evo Morales of the Plurinational State of Bolivia.
Translated by Granma International
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Obama can and should free the Five, states Alarcón in Venezuela
CARACAS, November 10.— Ricardo Alarcón, president of the National Assembly of People’s Power, today called on the United States for a signal of change toward Latin America by releasing the five anti-terrorist prisoners and arresting two notorious terrorists.
Addressing the Venezuelan National Assembly, Alarcón affirmed that President Barack Obama can, should and has the moral, political, and legal right to exercise constitutional authority and release Ramón Labañino, Fernando González, Antonio Guerrero, Gerardo Hernández and René González.
Obama alone, who spoke of a fresh start in terms of relations with Cuba, must begin with that gesture, there should be no confusion, if he does not that would be confirmation of the same policy of terrorism, noted Alarcón.
The president of the Cuban parliament said that, instead of promoting war and constructing military bases, Obama should send the signal that the peoples of Latin America are waiting for: to free the Five and incarcerate Luis Posada Carriles and Orlando Bosch. He recalled that both Posada and Bosch participated in attacks such as the mid-flight explosion of a Cuban passenger airliner in 1976 and diverse crimes in Venezuela and Central America. He also mentioned that Posada Carriles ordered bombs to be placed in Havana.
On receiving Ricardo Alarcón and relatives of the Cuban anti-terrorist fighters, the National Assembly of Venezuela expressed its solidarity with the Five.
Venezuelan Parliamentary President Cilia Flores highlighted the contradiction that the Five are imprisoned in a country which presents itself as a leader in the battle against international terrorism while incarcerating those fighting against this phenomenon. (PL)
Translated by Granma International
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MIAMI
5
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31 countries suffering from severe insecurity food insecurity
MADRID, November 10.— Food prices in poor countries that are net importers are still very high, despite a strong 2009 cereal harvest worldwide, the UN Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) alerted on Tuesday. It affirms that critical food insecurity is affecting 31 countries, which require emergency aid.
In eastern Africa, the situation is particularly serious now that drought and conflict have resulted in 20 million people needing aid, according to the FAO. "For the world’s poorest people who spend up to 80% of their household budgets on food, the food price crisis is not yet over," said Hafez Ghanem, FAO deputy director general.
In East Africa the situation is of particular concern due to a poor harvest and a shortage of pasture due to drought in various areas, increased conflict, interruptions in trade and the persistence of high food prices.
According to the report – which this UN agency publishes every three months – approximately 3.8 million Kenyans are suffering from elevated or extreme food insecurity, many of them in pastoral and marginalized agricultural areas. In Ethiopia, the number of people requiring emergency food aid has reached 6.2 million.
In Uganda, approximately 1.1 million people have needed food aid. In Sudan and Darfur the precarious situation is worsening, given that 5.9 million people need food aid. (EUROPE PRESS).
Translated by Granma International
COCHABAMBA, November 9.— Bolivian President Evo Morales affirmed that the installation of U.S. military bases in Colombia is an open provocation to Latin America and, particularly, to those countries that are starting to bring dignity to their peoples and governments.
According to PL, Evo told the press that U.S. bases in Colombia are a threat to revolutionary social movements in the region and the governments of the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America (ALBA), and against Colombia itself, given the total impunity and immunity enjoyed by U.S. soldiers who are not charged according to the laws of the country if they commit a crime against that nation.
For Morales, the empire is looking to establish worldwide hegemony and crush revolutionary countries that are fighting for their liberation, independence and development. He refuted the claim that said bases have the essential mission of combating drug-trafficking, as the governments of the two signatory countries have tried to justify.
In the face of this danger, he called on all social sectors who believe in dignity and sovereignty for Colombia and Latin America to organize and fight against the presence of these bases in the region.
Translated by Granma International
Heavy rain in El Salvador leaves 91 dead and 60 missing
SAN SALVADOR, November 8. – The government minister of El Salvador, Humberto Centeno, officially reported on Sunday that the number of people dead as a result of the intense rainstorms that have lashed the country in the past few days has risen to 91. The rains were attributed to a low pressure system in the Pacific, intensified by the passing of Hurricane Ida. Ida alone caused the evacuation of 7,000 people, with 60 people reported missing to date, AP indicated.
The rainstorms in that Central American nation have most affected the departments of San Salvador and San Vicente. An orange alert was declared in the country, requiring families most exposed to danger to evacuate, Centeno explained at a press conference. He added, "It has been impossible to access many of the affected municipalities," although he did signal that search and rescue groups are working in all of the affected areas.
San Vicente’s highest ranking official, Manuel Castellanos, stated that dozens of people from that municipality had been transferred to shelters, that water and electricity services had collapsed, but that despite persistent rain, municipal workers had repaired various destroyed bridges and access roads.
Meanwhile, the mayor of Verapaz, Antonio Cerritos, told the country’s National Radio that the heavy rain also caused landslides on the Chichontepec volcano, situated in that region, burying several homes.
Translated by Granma International
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The true intentions behind the US-Colombia
Military Agreement *
Eva Golinger
AN official document from the Department of the US Air Force reveals that the military base in Palanquero, Colombia will provide the Pentagon with "…an opportunity for conducting full spectrum operations throughout South America…" This information contradicts the explanations offered by Colombian President Alvaro Uribe and the U.S. State Department regarding the military agreement signed between the two nations this past October 30. Both governments have publicly stated that the military agreement refers only to counter-narcotics and counterterrorism operations within Colombian territory. President Uribe has reiterated numerous times that the military agreement with the U.S. will not affect Colombia’s neighbors, despite constant concern in the region regarding the true objectives of the agreement. But the U.S. Air Force document, dated May 2009, confirms that the concerns of South American nations have been right on target. The document exposes that the true intentions behind the agreement are to enable the U.S. to engage in "full spectrum military operations in a critical sub-region of our hemisphere where security and stability is under constant threat from narcotics funded terrorist insurgencies…and anti-US governments…"
The military agreement between Washington and Colombia authorizes the access and use of seven military installations in Palanquero, Malambo, Tolemaida, Larandia, Apíay, Cartagena and Málaga. Additionally, the agreement allows for "the access and use of all other installations and locations as necessary" throughout Colombia, with no restrictions. Together with the complete immunity the agreement provides to US military and civilian personnel, including private defense and security contractors, the clause authorizing the US to utilize any installation throughout the entire country - even commercial airports, for military ends, signifies a complete renouncing of Colombian sovereignty and officially converts Colombia into a client-state of the U.S.
The Air Force document underlines the importance of the military base in Palanquero and justifies the $46 million requested in the 2010 budget (now approved by Congress) in order to improve the airfield, associated ramps and other installations on the base to convert it into a U.S. Cooperative Security Location (CSL). "Establishing a Cooperative Security Location (CSL) in Palanquero best supports the COCOM’s (Command Combatant’s) Theater Posture Strategy and demonstrates our commitment to this relationship. Development of this CSL provides a unique opportunity for full spectrum operations in a critical sub-region of our hemisphere where security and stability is under constant threat from narcotics funded terrorist insurgencies, anti-US governments, endemic poverty and recurring natural disasters."
It’s not difficult to imagine which governments in South America are considered by Washington to be "anti-US governments". The constant aggressive declarations and statements emitted by the State and Defense Departments and the US Congress against Venezuela and Bolivia, and even to some extent Ecuador, evidence that the ALBA nations are the ones perceived by Washington as a "constant threat". To classify a country as "anti-U.S." is to consider it an enemy of the United States. In this context, it’s obvious that the military agreement with Colombia is a reaction to a region the U.S. now considers full of "enemies".
COUNTERNARCOTICS OPERATIONS ARE SECONDARY
Per the U.S. Air Force document, "Access to Colombia will further its strategic partnership with the United States. The strong security cooperation relationship also offers an opportunity for conducting full spectrum operations throughout South America to include mitigating the Counter-narcotics capability." This statement clearly evidences that counter-narcotics operations are secondary to the real objectives of the military agreement between Colombia and Washington. Again, this clearly contrasts the constant declarations of the Uribe and Obama governments insisting that the main focus of the agreement is to combat drug trafficking and production. The Air Force document emphasizes the necessity to improve "full spectrum" military operations throughout South America – not just in Colombia – in order to combat "constant threats" from "anti-U.S. governments" in the region.
PALANQUERO IS THE BEST OPTION FOR CONTINENTAL MOBILITY
The Air Force document explains that "Palanquero is unquestionably the best site for investing in infrastructure development within Colombia. Its central location is within reach of…operations areas…its isolation maximizes Operational Security (OPSEC) and Force Protection and minimizes the US military profile. The intent is to leverage existing infrastructure to the maximum extent possible, improve the US ability to respond rapidly to crisis, and assure regional access and presence at minimum cost. Palanquero supports the mobility mission by providing access to the entire South American continent with the exception of Cape Horn…"
ESPIONAGE AND WARFARE
The document additionally confirms that the U.S. military presence in Palanquero, Colombia will improve the capacity of espionage and intelligence operations, and will allow the U.S. armed forces to increase their warfare capabilities in the region. "Development of this CSL will further the strategic partnership forged between the U.S. and Colombia and is in the interest of both nations…A presence will also increase our capability to conduct Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR), improve global reach, support logistics requirements, improve partnerships, improve theater security cooperation and expand expeditionary warfare capability."
The language of war included in this document evidences the true intentions behind the military agreement between Washington and Colombia: they are preparing for war in Latin America. The past few days have been full of conflict and tension between Colombia and Venezuela. Just days ago, the Venezuelan government captured three spies from the Colombian intelligence agency, DAS, and discovered several active destabilization and espionage operations against Cuba, Ecuador and Venezuela. The operations - Fénix, Salomón and Falcón, respectively, were revealed in documents found with the captured DAS agents. Approximately two weeks ago, 10 bodies were found in Táchira, a border zone with Colombia. After completing the relevant investigations, the Venezuelan government discovered that the bodies belonged to Colombian paramilitaries infiltrated inside Venezuelan territory. This dangerous paramilitary infiltration from Colombia forms part of a destabilization plan against Venezuela that seeks to create a paramilitary state inside Venezuelan territory in order to break down President Chávez’s government.
The military agreement between Washington and Colombia will only increase regional tensions and violence. The information revealed in the U.S. Air Force document unquestionably evidences that Washington seeks to promote a state of warfare in South America, using Colombia as its launching pad. Before this declaration of war, the peoples of Latin America must stand strong and unified. Latin American integration is the best defense against the empire’s aggression.
*The US Air Force document was submitted in May 2009 to Congress as part of the 2010 budget justification. It is an official government document and reaffirms the authenticity of the White Book: Global Enroute Strategy of the U.S. Air Mobility Command, which was denounced by President Chávez during the UNASUR meeting in Bariloche, Argentina this past August 28. I have placed the original document and the non-official translation to Spanish that I did of the relevant parts relating to Palanquero on the web page of the Center to Alert and Defend the People "Centro de Alerta para la Defensa de los pueblos", a new space we are creating to guarantee that strategic information is available to those under constant threat from imperialist aggression.
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Editor-in-chief:
Lázaro Barredo Medina
General Editor: Oscar
Sánchez.
SPONSOR: Teledatos-Cubaweb.
La Habana
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