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10/29/09 - Prensa Latina (Habana) - DIRECT FROM HAVANA (AM)

LATIN AMERICAN NEWS AGENCY, SA
P R E N S A L A T I N A
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Morning Transmission
Thursday, October 29, 2009
For up to the minute news: www.plenglish.com



CUBA-NATIONAL NEWS CUBA
UN Vote, a Call to Obama to Lift Blockade on Cuba
Energy Efficiency Exhibit in Cuba
US Stance on Cuba Blockade Absurd
LatAm-China Friendship Forum in Cuba
UN-CUBA: If Blockade, There Will be Condemnation

INTERNATIONAL NEWS


LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN
Panama Increases HIV/AIDS Prevention
Mexico and Egypt Tighten Ties
Sean Penn to Film Carpentier Novel
Preliminary Deal on Honduras Crisis Denied
Lula-Chavez Summit Strengthens Alliance
Uruguay Parties Start Meetings for Run-off

US, CANADA, EUROPE
US Lawmakers: New Sanctions against Iran

AFRICA AND THE MIDDLE EAST


ASIA AND AUSTRALIA


*************************************

CUBA-NATIONAL NEWS CUBA

UN Vote, a Call to Obama to Lift Blockade on Cuba

Brasilia, Oct 29 (Prensa Latina) Brazilian journalist Beto Almeida
asserted that the overwhelming vote against the economic blockade
imposed by the United States against Cuba is a strong call to President
Barack Obama to end this criminal policy.

The United Nations General Assembly approved by 187 votes in favor,
three against and two abstentions (Micronesia and Marshal Islands) the
resolution "Need to End the Economic, Trade and Financial Blockade
imposed by the United States of America against Cuba."

In the vote, support for Cuba increased by two as compared to that in
2008, while the United States was left alone in the company of Israel
and Palau.

This is the 18th consecutive time for the same number of years that the
plenary session of this world forum rejects the siege imposed by
Washington against the Caribbean island for almost half a century.

"This overwhelming vote in the UN General Assembly is a strong call to
Obama to finally put an end to this criminal blockade, also for him to
be in tune with the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize that he recently received,"
Almeida said.

He pointed out that some day, the history of a country (Cuba) will be
written in detail, explaining that in spite of extremely harsh
restrictions imposed by the most extended blockade in history, has
achieved a high educational and public health development rate.

The Brazilian journalist also emphasized that the history of a country
(Cuba) that in spite of this blockade sends doctors and teachers to all
the continents of the world, while those who want to maintain that seige
just send assassins and weapons for repression.

"As a black man, President Obama should feel encouraged by this UN vote
to understand the historical right the Cuban people has conquered with
its international solidarity towards several other countries, and also
when 350 million Cubans went to Africa, origin of the US president's
ancestors, to defeat apartheid, one of the most infamous systems of
repression and discrimination in modern times," Almeida pointed out.

After recalling that Obama was elected on the basis that he was
proclaiming change, the Telesur station director in Brazil said the UN
vote is also a call to change the US foreign policy of oppression and
aggression against the Cuban people.

Energy Efficiency Exhibit in Cuba

Havana, Oct 29 (Prensa Latina) The Latin American Energy Organization
(OLADE) executive secretary, Carlos A. Florez , and the Minister of
Basic Industry, Yadira Garcia, chaired the opening of the energy
efficiency exhibit in this capital.

The exhibition shows experiences of Cuba, Argentina and other countries
in the area in the development of an awareness and culture about
necessity of saving energy sources.

This exhibit is part of the IV Forum of Regional Energy Integration
(FIER), opened in the Hotel National on Wednesday, and represents one of
the events combined to the XL Meeting of Ministers of OLADE, which will
be effected next Friday in order to identify and spread efficient
technologies that could be apply in the 26 countries member of that
entity.

There will be analyzed proposal, recommendations and conclusions of
collateral meetings made this week.

It will be also discussed normative and structural aspects which
guarantee the success of efficiency programmes in the area.

The Cuban Minister of Basic Industry, welcomed the participating in the
IV Forum, and spoke about Energetic Revolution advances in the island,
such as the replacement of electrical appliances for other more
efficient.

The Executive Secretary of OLADE exposed a masterly conference about
global and regional energy and stressed the importance of Latin American
integration in the sphere.

There were also exhibits of OLADE experts from Guatemala, Brazil and
Mexico, which exposed experiences and policies in their countries.

The IV Forum participating, divided in four groups, will do a trip in
order to know the island work in generation, transmission and efficient
distribution of energy.

US Stance on Cuba Blockade Absurd

Caracas, Oct 29 (Prensa Latina) It is absurd and practically risible the
US government's stance on the economic blockade imposed against Cuba for
nearly 50 years, Venezuelan People's Ombudsman Gabriela Ramirez affirmed
on Thursday.

If what is happening were not so tragic, it could be rated as
paradoxical and practically risible the argument put forward on
Wednesday by the US Department of State that the blockade would be
lifted when there is democracy in Cuba, Ramirez told Venezolana de
Television via telephone.

The official, who is in Madrid, Spain, attending a meeting of NGOs
fighting for women's rights, wondered "what the US government means for
democracy when 187 countries are telling only three to lift the
blockade?"

On Wednesday at the UN General Assembly, "187 countries voted against
the blockade, only three in favor (the United States, Israel, and Palau
Islands), and two abstained (Marshall Islands and Micronesia)," she
remarked.

Ramirez said this actually allows people wondering how democracy is
conceived from the US empire.

According to conservative estimates, the blockade against Cuba has left
$96 billion in losses to the Cuban government and people.

LatAm-China Friendship Forum in Cuba

Havana, Oct 29 (Prensa Latina) The Second Forum on Latin American and
Caribbean Friendship with China is beginning in Cuba on Thursday, aimed
at strengthening the existing links between this region and the Asian
nation.

The event at the National Hotel in this capital, will last until
Saturday and is also targeted at making the development achieved by the
Chinese people in the last 60 years known.

China celebrated on October 1st 60 years of the new State shaping and
that it is currently showing excellent results in the social and
economic fields, despite the world financial crisis.

The Taganana Hall, at the hotel above, hosted the opening of the
Caledoscopio de China Reflections of modern Chinese way of life
photographic exhibition on Wednesday night.

UN-CUBA: If Blockade, There Will be Condemnation

United Nations, Oct 29 (Prensa Latina) The UN General Assembly begins
Thursday a new countdown for a year towards its 19th statement against
the US blockade on Cuba, unless Washington implements radical changes,
unpredictable so far.

The countdown started Wednesday, when the top entity registered the
highest vote in 18th consecutive years of resolutions at the UN.

With 187 votes in favor, three against (the United States, Israel and
Palau) and two abstentions (Marshall Islands and Micronesia), Cuba
reached Wednesday another unquestionable political and diplomatic
victory, for the first time with US President Barack Obama at the White
House.

"The blockade remains intact and is a massive, blatant and systematic
violation of human rights, an absurd policy that has caused shortages
and sufferings, and is ethically unacceptable," Cuban Foreign Minister
Bruno Rodriguez stated at the UN.

Addressing Obama directly, the minister rejected the US national
interest pretext used by the president to maintain the siege on Cuba.

"No responsible person could say that Cuba is a threat to national
security of the only superpower. All our force is that of right, truth
and reason," Rodriguez stressed.

The overwhelming majority against the US siege on the Caribbean island
was based on a resolution entitled "Necessity to Put an End to the
Economic, Financial and Trade Blockade Imposed by the United States of
America on Cuba."

About that text presented at the General Assembly, the minister pointed
out that supporting it is an act against that aggression and the use of
force, for peace, right and hope, an act of justice towards the heroic
people of Cuba.

The document called all States to abstain from promulgating and
applying laws and measures as the blockade, complying with the UN
Charter and the International Law, which reaffirm freedom of trade and
navigation.


INTERNATIONAL NEWS



LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN

Panama Increases HIV/AIDS Prevention

Panama, Oct 29 (Prensa Latina) The Panamanian health strategy gives
priority to prevention of sex transmitted diseases and HIV/AIDS,
scourges that are affecting the this country's population, official
sources reported.

According to the health minister, figures of the Epidemiology
Department revealed that 4,848 people were registered between 2001 and
2008, with asymptomatic infection by HIV.

The plan for the 2009-2014 period also includes medical asistance to
patients infected by the disease.

During the period between 1999 and 2008 the State has invested more
than $180 million in diagnosing and assisting infected people.

The plan also covers methodology and schedules, a critical route,
analysis of the current situation and national response to sex
transmitted diseases and HIV/AIDS.

Health Ministry General Secretary Felix Bonilla highlighted the
importance of this mechanism and the intention of involving all the
Panamanian society in taking actions to reduce the effects of this
epidemic.

In this reference, he maintained that not only the health institution
is responsible, but also the government entities, private sectors, civil
society and religious organizations.

Mexico and Egypt Tighten Ties

Cairo, Oct 29 (Prensa Latina) Mexico defended strengthening political
relations with Egypt and recongnized the importance of this nation to
reach the markets in Africa and the Middle East, a diplomatic source
reported.

A note of the Mexican embassy to Cairo informed that both countries'
commitment was ratified during a recently concluded meeting of the 6th
bi-national mechanism of consultations on common interest held in this
capital.

In the meeting that was headed by Mexican Deputy Secretary of Foreign
Affairs Lourdes Aranda Bezaury and Egyptian Vice minister of Foreign
Affairs Hesham Al-Zemeity, they reviewed bilateral, regional, and
international political and economic subjects.

Talks included issues such as disarmament, terrorism, organized crime,
reform of the UN Security Council and promotion of the International
Law, said a communique accessed by Prensa Latina.

The text also said the meeting confirmed willingness of both nations to
strengthen political dialogue, exchange information on the world and
national political and economic situations and other priorities of
foreign policy.

Both delegations also reviewed the most relevant issues of the
bilateral agenda, paying special attention to the legal framework
between Mexico and Egypt, the interest in increasing trade and
investment and strengtheing scientific-technical and
educational-cultural cooperation.

Sean Penn to Film Carpentier Novel

Caracas, Oct 28 (Prensa Latina) US actor-director Sean Penn is planning
to shoot in Venezuela a film based on one of the novels by Cuban writer
Alejo Carpentier, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez disclosed Wednesday.

The Venezuelan leader said, referring to a meeting he held with Penn on
Wednesday, that the US filmmaker expressed his intention to film on one
of Carpentier's greatest novels, a large part of it to be filmed on
location in Venezuela.

During an ceremony broadcasted by Venezuelan state-run television,
Chavez said the setting would be in the jungles and forests of the
Orinoco Delta, in Canaima National Park, without giving more details on
the project.

Carpentier arrived in Venezuela in 1945, where he lived for 14 years
and wrote "The Lost Steps," a beautifully told story, the real main
character of which is the Orinoco River, according to its author.

Preliminary Deal on Honduras Crisis Denied

Tegucigalpa, Oct 29 (Prensa Latina) Representatives of Honduran
constitutional President Manuel Zelaya denied on Thursday stories by
the de facto regime on the existence of a preliminary agreement to solve
the crisis caused by the coup.

"This is a move by the putschist regime. We have reached no agreement,"
said Victor Meza, head of Zelaya's delegation to the talks.

He explained that in the informal meeting both sides held with the US
Assistant Secretary of State for Latin America, Thomas Shannon, there
was no deal, the parties simply presented their viewpoints.

To the constitutional government, the talks finished last week, when de
facto President Roberto Micheletti refused to accept Zelaya's return to
power.

However, Micheletti's spokeswoman Vilma Morales stated that in the
meeting with Shannon, a preliminary agreement with some unfinished
formalities had been reached, so that Congress makes a stament on
Zelaya's return.

Zelaya's delegation rated those statements as a new maneuver by the
putschists to delay a solution to the conflict, and warned that there
would be no negotiating talks as long as there is no agreement on the
president's reinstatement.

Lula-Chavez Summit Strengthens Alliance

Brasilia, Oct 29 (Prensa Latina) The seventh quarterly presidential
summit between Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and
Venezuela's Hugo Chavez will strengthen even more their bilateral
strategic alliance.

Presidential spokesman Marcelo Baumbach told press about Lula's trip to
the neighboring nation from Thursday to Friday, and stated that his
visit would open space for a top-level in-depth discussion about
political issues of the bilateral agenda and of relevance for South
American integration.

Brazil and Venezuela are allies in overcoming poverty and seeking equal
opportunities, while yearning for balanced economic development and
working for an integrated South America and democratization of
international institutions, Baumbach noted.

Trade between the two countries has significantly increased in the last
few years, reaching $6 billion in 2008, he said.

The two presidents will examine the prospects of Venezuela's joining
the Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR: Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and
Uruguay), and the course of negotiations about the Trade Liberalization
Program, the spokesman stated.

The accord between PETROBRAS and PDVSA is a result of Brazil and
Venezuela's determination to speed up the bilateral energy alliance,
Baumbach stated.

Uruguay Parties Start Meetings for Run-off

Montevideo, Oct 29 (Prensa Latina) The campaign leaderships of Frente
Amplio (FA) and National Party (PN) set in motion their strategies
oriented to get the necessary votes to win the second round, scheduled
for November 29.

Both groups were the most voted in the October 25 elections, but none
of them reached a simple majority to win, so they will go to a run-off
on the last Sunday of November.

The PN approved that their representatives: Luis Alberto Lacalle, who
is in his second attempt for the presidency, and Jorge Larrañaga carry
out on Thursday the official launch of the campaign for the second
round.


US, CANADA, EUROPE

US Lawmakers: New Sanctions against Iran

Washington, Oct 29 (Prensa Latina) The Foreign Affairs Commission of the
House of Representatives approved a bill to sanction oil companies
selling fuels to Iran.

Iran has one of the main oil and gas reserves in the world. Although it
does not have the capacity to refine oil. That is why it imports most of
the gasoline it consumes.

This month, the House of Representatives gave green light to an
initiaitve that authorizes the local US governments to decide not to
invest in that country.

The New York Times reveled that President Barack Obama is studying new
diplomatic and economic sanctions against Iran, especially regarding oil
and restrictions to Iranian banks.

Quoted by The New York Times, officials of the democratic
administration said the White House is trying to pressure Teheran at the
United Nations, although China and Russia are against the measure in the
Security Council.

Washington is accusing Iran of developing weapons of mass destruction.
Persian authorities reject those statements and are in favor of the
project to generate energy.

Hillary Clinton, head of the US diplomacy, called recently upon Iran to
begin bilateral talks, and threatened to give a harsh response if that
nation continued his nuclear program.

ABC News television network revealed that the US Defense Department
could be speeding up plans for a possible attack on Iranian nuclear
stations.

According to the television news network, the Pentagon obtained funds
from the Congress to develop a an anti-bunker bomb, known as Massive
Ordnance Penetrator.





AFRICA AND THE MIDDLE EAST






ASIA AND AUSTRALIA






END
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