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FBIS3-50615_0 | Colombian Health Minister Comments on Visit | Language: Spanish Article Type:BFN [Text] Colombian Public Health Minister Juan Luis Londono de la Cuesta is currently visiting Cuba. The minister and the delegation accompanying him will visit approximately eight health and research centers. Minister Londono today met with the Cuban Public Health Ministry directorate and Foreign Minister Roberto Robaina. Public Health Minister Londono told this newscast that his visit to Cuba is to: [Begin Londono recording] Try to find channels for commercial trade that will allow us to improve our commercial relations between Colombia and Cuba and take advantage of the outstanding work you have developed in the field of health. We are going to try and gain knowledge of your contribution in the fields of pharmaceuticals, primary health care, and hospital care. We are trying to learn more and take advantage of the experience you have in these areas. [end recording] Minister Londono also talked about the public health situation in Colombia. [Begin Londono recording] In Colombia we have several problems. Perhaps the most important achievement is our reduction in the morbidity and mortality rate in transmitted diseases which are typical because of the poverty. We have been able to reduce these diseases considerably in the past 15 years. However, we are now, unfortunately, being affected by the trauma of violence in the country. More people are getting killed in Colombia than in any other country of the world. Not only are more people getting killed but the hospitals are constantly treating more and more wounded people. This has completely changed [words indistinct]. [end recording] Minister Juan Luis Londono and the delegation accompanying him will return to Colombia on 11 January. |
FBIS3-50629_0 | Officials React to Febres-Cordero's Statements | Language: Spanish Article Type:BFN [From "The Voz Andes" newscast] [Text] The U.S. Government denied an alleged summons to Ecuadoran Foreign Minister Diego Paredes 12 days ago for him to appear before the State Department in Washington. A communique from the U.S. Embassy in Quito stated the meeting held by Undersecretary of State Alexander Watson and Foreign Minister Diego Paredes was requested by the Ecuadoran minister and not by a summons from the Washington official. Undersecretary Watson did not summon Foreign Minister Paredes, said the diplomatic communique which sought to end a controversy which, besides Paredes, involved President Sixto Duran-Ballen and former president Leon Febres-Cordero. After newspapers reported Paredes' visit to Washington on 22 and 23 December, Febres-Cordero said the objective of the visit was to heed a summons by the U.S. State Department and that he had firm evidence of the affair. The former president, who is the current mayor of Guayaquil, said Paredes was warned that U.S. aid could be suspended if a dictatorship was established in Ecuador. Paredes contradicted the former president and asked him to present evidence to support his assertion and Duran-Ballen, after confirming his foreign minister's statements, asserted the whole affair was an idiocy produced by a sick mind. Today Febres-Cordero complained about the adjectives and said Paredes' trip was suspicious, untimely, and inexplicable and said Duran-Ballen does not know what happens around him, including the field of foreign relations. During an interview in Guayaquil, Duran-Ballen said: I rule the country in accordance with the Constitution and do not need to request permission from any country with regard to the actions I must undertake within the country or in foreign relations. On Monday afternoon, the U.S. Embassy clarified the origin of the Paredes-Watson meeting which, according to the Ecuadoran foreign minister's version, was requested by him to review topics regarding bilateral relations. According to former president Febres-Cordero's version, during the meeting Paredes was reprimanded for a supposed refusal of the Ecuadoran Government to execute the decisions made by Congress, thus, establishing a dictatorship. |
FBIS3-50636_0 | Defense Secretariat Communique | Language: Spanish Article Type:BFN [Text of communique issued by the Mexican National Defense Secretariat, SDN, on 4 January; place not given; from the "Good Afternoon From Mexico" newscast] [Text] The clashes between the transgressors of the law and Mexican Army troops continue. On 3 January the aggressor groups tried several times to recover the city of Ocosingo by staging intermittent attacks which were repelled by the troops. The military personnel are currently -- at 1300 -- receiving sporadic fire from snipers in some buildings and on rooftops, mainly the Church and the Municipal Presidency. It is known that some other groups are still hidden on the outskirts of Ocosingo. Up to this moment, the number of casualties inflicted on the said group amount to 35 dead and an undetermined number of wounded. As has already been reported, they evacuate their wounded and their corpses when possible. Furthermore, 35 weapons, 15 grenades, a large amount of ammunition of diverse calibers, and knives, as well as silencers, gas masks, and radio equipment have been seized. In the military field of the 31st Military Zone, located 10 km southeast of the city of San Cristobal [De Las Casas], the military personnel have endured constant harassment from isolated shots and have captured, on those occasions, eight armed individuals who form part of the aggressor groups. These men, including a minor, were immediately delivered to the authorities of the Federal Attorney General's Office. During the night of 2 January, the aforementioned military installation, including the housing areas, received intermittent rifle fire from snipers. In San Cristobal [De Las Casas], the situation is completely calm. Up to this moment and since the beginning of the military operations, two officers and five soldiers have died and two officers and 14 soldiers have been wounded. On the other hand, 59 dead have been counted among the members of the transgressor groups, and eight of them have been captured. To these [numbers] we have to add the 27 deaths inflicted by the aggressor group on the civilian population and the local police during the takeover of the four municipal capitals on the first day of the year. |
FBIS3-50661_0 | Says Removal `Illegal' | Language: Spanish Article Type:BFN [Article by Francisco Valeriano Giron] [Text] Tegucigalpa -- According to President Rafael Leonardo Callejas, General Luis Alonso Discua, head of the Armed Forces, is concerned about the results of the Human Rights Commission report. President Callejas met yesterday with Discua, with whom he discussed the report, but did not give any details of the content of their discussion. Callejas stated that he has been a loyal advocate of human rights in Honduras and said that the report should help reconcile Hondurans, because it lacks legal validity to identify any culprits. Callejas said the document contains the facts, but attention must be given to the state's decisions in this regard, such as the court trials, the decisions issued, and the amnesties granted, which protect the rights of many people who have been identified as presumed culprits. Callejas reiterated that the report should not be used to generate hatred and resentment among Hondurans or divisions. He said: "Rather, it should be the basis for the unification of Hondurans." Callejas expressed his concern over certain statements that have been made in various media. According to Callejas, these statements seek to assign responsibilities based on assumptions, which is the sole responsibility of the courts. Asked about if this was going to be a "let us start anew" incident, Callejas said that above all justice must prevail, but what is important is that everything leads to a national reconciliation. Regarding the amnesties granted by his and Jose Azcona's government, Callejas clarified that they cover some of the crimes involving individuals that were included in the report. The rest will be up to the courts to decide but based on factual and concrete evidence. Although Callejas supports the idea that justice must prevail, he believes that Hondurans should not be divided and that the report should seek mainly to reunify Hondurans. Callejas believes that one cannot judge based on simple assumptions, but the courts should always have the last word. Discua Maintains Firm Position When asked whether Discua's position could be jeopardized by the developments and certain problems within the armed institution, Callejas said he is unaware of such an extreme situation, adding "there has been no action shedding doubt on the legitimacy of the current Armed Forces commander." Callejas said that it is absolutely illegal to call for Discua's temporary suspension from his post as requested by the Committee of Relatives |
FBIS3-50680_1 | New Foreign Policy Seeks `Cooperation' With U.S., Chile | affect the traditional way Bolivia has faced and carried out the nation's foreign affairs. This is one of the new Foreign Ministry conclusions provoked by the realization that "the world is going through a process of a general reorganization of relations between countries, regions, continents, and hemispheres." The document says this period is characterized by a growing interdependence that "is not always free of asymmetrical situations that sometimes are quite contrasting" and usually are not mentioned. The document says Bolivia must adopt, now and in the future, positions that have been proven successful recently and were based on peace policies implemented after World War II. Aranibar's administration admits that since the recovery of democracy in 1982 the country has made "significant political and economic progress, which are determinant factors for Bolivia's insertion into the international community and reflect "an understanding of generalized trends." The document points out that, consequently, the government's foreign policies are based on respect for the democratic system and human rights, preservation of and respect for the pluralistic identity of peoples, and the need for economic cooperation between nations. These decisions have paved the way for "the logic of coalition and integration," replacing "the logic of confrontation. The latter being the basic tone that characterized "Bolivia's old international policy," which must be overcome. The document also points out that the Foreign Ministry has embarked on the task of "professionalizing" its services in order to overcome "improvisations" as part of the new Foreign Ministry responsibility to help attract investments and establish beneficial trade agreements. The document finally lists Foreign Ministry goals based on reality and "operational" possibilities as follows: 1) Give preference to relations with neighboring countries and the other Latin American and Caribbean nations and 2) Participate in the reconstruction of relations with the United States. The third point refers to improving relations with the EC. The fourth and last point refers to national participation in subregional integration efforts, as well as in GATT and other international organizations. The document cites the United States and Chile as areas of crucial problems for the country. It indicates that the "basic guidelines have the purpose of replacing the concept of 'reciprocal suspicion' with a more cooperative concept and to diversify, with a true and advantageous number of issues, the possibilities for exchange and integration beyond the issues of drug trafficking and the landlocked problem, which have become real obsessions." |
FBIS3-50713_0 | Spokesman, Human Rights Ombudsman Discuss Events | Language: Spanish Article Type:BFN [Report by Juan Carlos Santoyo] [Text] We arrived in San Cristobal de las Casas, Chiapas State, after a long journey, as has been the case in the past days. We learned that Eloy Cantu Segovia, the federal government's official spokesman in San Cristobal de las Casas, will give a news conference. He told us, as we reported to our listeners moments ago, that Jorge Madrazo Cuellar, president of the National Human Rights Commission, would visit San Cristobal. We will give details of Madrazo's news conference later. He reported that there were clashes overnight, that clashes continued at about 0400, especially in the mountain areas near San Cristobal de las Casas. It was also reported that the rebels managed to corner a squad that was attacking these law violators, but the Mexican Army rescued them. Cantu admitted that there are still areas where uncertainty prevails. The rebels continue to operate out of and to hide in houses, as was the case in Ocosingo. Members of the Zapatista National Liberation Army [EZLN] are hiding in houses there and holding its occupants hostage to protect their own lives. He said that the bodies of 20 EZLN members were found in Ocosingo. According to the observations and estimates we made on 4 January, the EZLN sustained more than 30 dead here. Cantu added that the rebels have sustained 61 dead so far. This is the figure registered by the Mexican Army, which managed to arrest 34 subversives. As for Jorge Madrazo Cuellar's visit here, Cantu said that the priority is to ensure a respect for human rights and the civilian population. He added that greater guarantees will be granted to reporters to allow us to perform our work. Cantu also reported that in a few hours there will be shipments of food, potable water, and food to the residents of Ocosingo, which will mark its fifth day under siege, so to speak, or amid clashes. Cantu profoundly regretted the incidents involving our fellow reporters who were sent here. He added that each incident will be investigated. We will now hear Jorge Madrazo Cuellar, president of the National Human Rights Commission, during his news conference. Madrazo said that he came with other officials of this commission to register complaints and reports on human rights violations during the clashes. Madrazo reaffirmed that each of these reports will be investigated, because human rights |
FBIS3-50719_0 | Electric Generators Being Repaired | Language: Spanish Article Type:BFN [Text] Workers of the Electric Plants Maintenance Enterprise are repairing two broken generators, one at the Antonio Maceo Plant in Santiago de Cuba and the other at the Maximo Gomez Plant in Mariel. A NATIONAL NEWS AGENCY dispatch adds that the work being conducted in the boiler rooms of the aforementioned plants should be completed during the first half of 1994. This extensive technical availability repair program is accompanied by other special measures to make it possible to stabilize generation in those plants that use national crude. |
FBIS3-50723_0 | Vice President's Remarks on U.S. Ties Supported | Language: Spanish Article Type:BFN [From the "Commenting on the News" feature by Miguel de la Guardia for the "Evening Information Review" program] [Text] Frequently, it has been said that secret or diplomatic contacts have been made to improve relations between Cuba and the United States, which have been historically at odds since the victory of the socialist revolution in Cuba 35 years ago. Apparently there were some secret contacts during the administration of President James Carter, according to Carlos Rafael Rodriguez, vice president of the Council of Ministers of Cuba, who revealed this in a recent interview. Interviewed by GRANMA, the Cuban leader revealed some details of that communication, although he considered it very unlikely that there will soon be positive changes in Washington's attitude toward Havana. At that time, a secret meeting had been arranged between the high-ranking Cuban leader and then-U.S. Secretary of State Cyrus Vance, to be held at the apartment of then-U.S. Ambassador to the UN Andrew Young in New York City. At that time, a surprising accusation by President Carter was made against Cuba. He accused the Havana Government of being involved in an internal conflict in the African republic of Zaire. Vance, coming from a meeting with Soviet Foreign Minister Andrey Gromyko, was informed by the selfsame Carlos Rafael Rodriguez of what Carter had said, which also suprised the secretary of state. Consequently the negotiations were suspended. It was later seen that Cuba had nothing to do with the Zaire problem, but the moment for negotiating was over, Carlos Rafael Rodriguez explained. We recall that those were the days in which Reagan's campaign for the presidency focused on accusing Carter of having a soft hand on foreign policy matters. Reagan based his campaign on Carter's inability to free the U.S. hostages being held by the Iranian Government, which became a scandal as a result of publicity by the large contingent of U.S. media influenced by the nation's extreme right. Carter thought it was necessary to harden his foreign policy positions, thereby foiling the secret negotiations with Secretary of State Cyrus Vance. Carlos Rafael Rodriguez stated that the current administration of President William Clinton believes that the Cuban revolution might collapse at any minute and that is why it has not shown any interest in promptly settling differences with Cuba. Carlos Rafael Rodriguez ruled out the violent outcome the Republican administrations of Reagan and Bush |
FBIS3-50723_1 | Vice President's Remarks on U.S. Ties Supported | since the victory of the socialist revolution in Cuba 35 years ago. Apparently there were some secret contacts during the administration of President James Carter, according to Carlos Rafael Rodriguez, vice president of the Council of Ministers of Cuba, who revealed this in a recent interview. Interviewed by GRANMA, the Cuban leader revealed some details of that communication, although he considered it very unlikely that there will soon be positive changes in Washington's attitude toward Havana. At that time, a secret meeting had been arranged between the high-ranking Cuban leader and then-U.S. Secretary of State Cyrus Vance, to be held at the apartment of then-U.S. Ambassador to the UN Andrew Young in New York City. At that time, a surprising accusation by President Carter was made against Cuba. He accused the Havana Government of being involved in an internal conflict in the African republic of Zaire. Vance, coming from a meeting with Soviet Foreign Minister Andrey Gromyko, was informed by the selfsame Carlos Rafael Rodriguez of what Carter had said, which also suprised the secretary of state. Consequently the negotiations were suspended. It was later seen that Cuba had nothing to do with the Zaire problem, but the moment for negotiating was over, Carlos Rafael Rodriguez explained. We recall that those were the days in which Reagan's campaign for the presidency focused on accusing Carter of having a soft hand on foreign policy matters. Reagan based his campaign on Carter's inability to free the U.S. hostages being held by the Iranian Government, which became a scandal as a result of publicity by the large contingent of U.S. media influenced by the nation's extreme right. Carter thought it was necessary to harden his foreign policy positions, thereby foiling the secret negotiations with Secretary of State Cyrus Vance. Carlos Rafael Rodriguez stated that the current administration of President William Clinton believes that the Cuban revolution might collapse at any minute and that is why it has not shown any interest in promptly settling differences with Cuba. Carlos Rafael Rodriguez ruled out the violent outcome the Republican administrations of Reagan and Bush hoped to provoke, adding that the current policy of Clinton will face the same fate. This commentator agrees with the aforesaid position of the Cuban leader and predicts that it will be too late for Washington to improve relations, because Cuba is demonstrating it can once again defeat the empire's pressure. |
FBIS3-50724_2 | Opposition at Home, Abroad Viewed | world. I believe that everything should be seem from this perspective, which is a very broad vision, a vision that has to be flexible because it is subjected one way or another to the demands of a reality that changes very frequently and is at present very hostile. Cuba, of course, has to have the flexibility required to adapt to the emergencies of the times. [Roque] These are paths we cannot relinquish. We are discussing the alternatives advocated by the enemies of the Revolution. [Sexto] Something curious happens: While certain highly concerned Cubans fear that Cuba might be moving toward capitalism, fear that the Communist Party of Cuba, the Revolution, the Cuban social project might end up being a capitalist society, others, at home and abroad, are thinking about pushing Cuba toward capitalism. [Roque] What are the alternatives they advocate? [Sexto] We cannot speak of alternatives, we have to speak of an alternative. For example, what would be the program of a counterrevolutionary government in Cuba? [Roque] I can imagine it. [Sexto] I believe that any intelligent Cuban knows what the alternative is. I took the time to research the information, read magazines, read cables, and I made a synopsis of the alternative that a counterrevolutionary government might offer the Cuban people, who they claim are greatly burdened. [Roque] For example, there is the Cuban American National Foundation [CANF]. [Sexto] The CANF is the most powerful lobby in the United States. It is the most powerful for the simple reason that it has the most money and because until recently it enjoyed absolute support from U.S. administrations. It is a counterrevolutionary association created by businessmen. That is enough to make one apprehensive, for one to begin to worry. It is a group made up of businessmen that advocates an alternative for Cuba. [Roque] These businessmen, of course, make monthly contributions to the foundation. [Sexto] That group had up to a few years ago approximately 50,000 contributors, of course, businessmen. A few years back it had a membership of 276,000 people. All these figures should be taken with a grain of salt. There is no doubt that these figures may have been altered, there is no doubt that the CANF leaders might be saying that they have more supporters than what they have in reality. You know that Miami politics are a little extreme. [Roque] Coming back to the issue: the |
FBIS3-50743_1 | Official Clarifies Falklands Fishing Accord | or in the ones previously agreed upon; Great Britain cannot surpass the aforementioned amount, and therefore the establishment of the FOCZ will not cause any "damage." Moreover, it could well benefit Argentine fishing, because every ship the islanders send to the new zone will help reduce the number of ships operating between the islands and the continent -- up to now the busiest zone -- which will clearly benefit Argentine ships and help preserve the resources. As for the comment by David Tatham, it by no means entails increasing fishing above the 150,000 tonnes ceiling. In spite of what the article says, all it does is announce the price they will charge for each fishing license and a longer term for each permit -- factors related to their commercial policy, always within the fixed 150,000 tonnes limit... Argentina, in turn, has similar variables, and I would say much better ones than what the aforementioned article suggests. Thanks to our comparative advantages, better infrastructure, and a growing operative efficiency, we can offer licenses for longer periods at more attractive prices. This fact, during the past two years, has been reflected in clear Argentine leadership in that fishing region. Something that is not mentioned in Aguilera's article -- which is so gloomy about the government's action -- is that right from the beginning of these annual fishing agreements, Great Britain has maintained the 150,000 tonne ceiling while the Argentine ceiling has done nothing but rise. This year it has risen to 220,000 tonnes, which will allow an income equivalent to almost half our traditional beef exports. It is also not true that the establishment of the FOCZ will be necessarily negative because the preservation zone has been turned into an exploitation zone. We are talking about renewable resources, where preservation measures are justified if fishing reaches the point of depredation. But if the volumes set by the two countries do not together threaten the preservation of resources, all that is allegedly being preserved ends up lost with no benefit accruing to anyone. Every year Argentina and Great Britain carry out joint investigations and coordinate their own predictions to scientifically assess the total fishing volume within the preservation limits. If this coordinated policy determines the need to ban fishing in a given zone, this is decided on a yearly basis. For the time being the market demand does not threaten this resource being |
FBIS3-50744_1 | * Good, Bad Aspects of Cavallo Plan Viewed * Zorraquin Group | undertakings. What it has not yet succeeded in doing is to gain control of a debt that totals about $150 million. Now it has tacked the "For Sale" sign on the door of another of the firms it controls--the Saiar metallurgical company. This firm is the leader in the thermotank and heating-system market. It holds the license for the U.S. Rheem brand, and as a result it invoiced a total of more than 60 million pesos in 1992. Its production activities are distributed between two plants. The first is located in Quilmes, in Greater Buenos Aires. Although it is called the Iguazu plant, the other is in San Luis, where it was built in the heat of the industrial upsurge. Although Saiar was only put up for sale a very short time ago, there has already been one principal interested party--the owners of the Rheem trademark. But the talks with the North Americans soon reached an impasse. The other buyer negotiating at the present time is the Chilean Compania Tecno Industrial [Technoindustrial Company], the leader in the electrical domestic appliance market on the other side of the mountain range. It has been learned that this company wants to establish itself in Argentina, using Saiar as its base for MERCOSUR [Common Market of the South] operations. The Chileans are talking with Associated Merchant Bankers (MBA), the firm managed by the Reynal brothers, which represents Salomon Brothers in Argentina. It happened that MBA, which provides financial advice to G & Z, planned the entire Saiar sales operation. It is managing the negotiations with the Bank Club with a view to its financing of the debts of the group. Changes Planned Ipako, the leading G & Z firm, has for several months been undergoing a drastic adaptation plan. Federico Zorraquin, Jr., remained to head the internal reorganization after the entire top management of the firm was removed. Strictly speaking, the reorganization of this group began earlier. One of the first decisions made was to sell for $8 million its share (50 percent) of Aluplata, a joint undertaking with the Crown firm in the United States for the manufacture of lightweight aluminum beverage containers. Other steps in the same direction included the sale of four floors of the main building to the Perez Company, deactivation of the operations of the Cerro Castillo [Castle Hill] mining company, and the sale of some rural properties. Zorraquin's |
FBIS3-50773_0 | Antonio Maceo Plant Increases Production | Language: Spanish Article Type:BFN [Text] The Antonio Maceo Thermoelectric Plant in Santiago de Cuba yesterday produced 250 megawatts per hour. This represents the highest production figure in the past few years. This record production is proof that the Santiago de Cuba thermoelectric plant can produce more than it has in the past. In 1993 there were times when the plant only produced 30 megawatts per hour. The success of the plant is due to the workers efforts and maintenance work on several of the units. The quality and speed of the work earned the workers the outstanding workers banner. The Antonio Maceo Thermoelectric Plant has six electricity-producing units. At this time, maintenance work is being done on Unit No. 4. According to the schedule, this maintenance will be completed in May 1994. |
FBIS3-50780_0 | Fighting in Ocosingo; `Tense Calm' in Other Towns | Language: Spanish Article Type:BFN [From the "Vector 21" newscast] [Excerpts] The Mexican Army today [6 January] launched a new air assault on some sites in the town of Corralito, where it has been reported that rebels have taken refuge. Shooting continues between Mexican Army troops and snipers of the Zapatist National Liberation Army in Ocosingo. At the same time, a large number of troops was deployed in the area of Guadalupe Tepeyac, where heavy clashes are reported. Today, the Army established a security cordon around combat zones, preventing both civilians and journalists from entering in an effort to prevent any incidents. This comes precisely because of what occurred yesterday when the Army staged a number of operations and bombings in an area where there were journalists. It is said the journalists were told that they were in the area at their own risk, but they nevertheless remained there. This was explained yesterday by Ramon Mota Sanchez, chairman of the Chamber of Deputies Defense Committee. As a result, it has been decided that journalists will not be permitted to enter combat zones to prevent similar incidents from occurring. Meanwhile, there is tense calm in Altamirano and other towns affected by the violence. Commercial activities are taking place irregularly and classes are still suspended. [passage omitted] The latest official figures on the number of victims in the confrontations show that 102 people have been killed, an undetermined number have been wounded, and 34 rebels have been arrested. [passage omitted] |
FBIS3-50781_0 | Communique Outlines Casualties in Fighting | Language: Spanish Article Type:BFN [Text] Mexico City, 6 Jan (NOTIMEX) -- The Defense Secretariat reported today that during the five days of clashes between the Army and an armed group in southeast Mexico, 46 suspects have been arrested and 100 people have died. A communique from the Mexican military organization revealed today, Thursday, that, up until this date, 61 rebels, eight soldiers, 22 policemen, and five civilians have been killed. The document reported that, during operations carried out by the Army in Ocosingo, 71 heavy caliber weapons were confiscated. Of these, 19 are AR-15 assault rifles, 15 are 38-mm grenade-launcher shotguns [as received], and the remainder are AK-47 assault rifles and 9-mm submachine guns. According to the communique, clashes are continuing mainly in the Rancho Nuevo area at the military base in the southern Chiapas State. |
FBIS3-50790_0 | Roundup of Economic Reports Through 6 Jan | Article Type:BFN [Editorial Report] The following is a compilation of reports on economic activities in Argentina monitored through 6 January. The National Institute of Statistics and Census, INDEC, reported that the unemployment rate increased to 9.3 percent in October. Unemployment affects 1.078 million of the 11.6 million people in the economically active population, PEA. The underemployment rate was also 9.3 percent and affects 2.157 million. The unemployment rate measured by the PEA increased 32.8 percent between October 1992 and October 1993, and underemployment went from 8.1 percent to 9.3 percent. (Buenos Aires NOTICIAS ARGENTINAS in Spanish 2212 GMT 30 Dec 93) INDEC reported that the December cost of living was zero percent, and the inflation rate in 1993 was 7.4 percent, the lowest in the past 39 years. With the December rate, the cost of living has increased 52.9 percent since the implementation of the Convertibility Plan in April 1991. (Buenos Aires NOTICIAS ARGENTINAS in Spanish 1114 GMT 6 Jan 94) |
FBIS3-50806_1 | President Callejas Remarks on Various Issues | $60 million to install a 25-megawatt power plant. [Callejas] "I am concerned sometimes about radical positions that U.S. foreign policy sometimes adopts. One of the largest U.S. telecommunications companies, Motorola, was granted the day before yesterday a contract to install cellular phones, and it will invest more than $25 million. We have just signed a contract for the installation of a 50-megawatt [as heard] private power plant by a U.S. company at a cost of $60 million. This means that while the U.S. Embassy--especially U.S. foreign policy--is trying to create difficulties around the problems concerning the properties of certain Americans in the country, sectors from the U.S. economy are coming here to invest over $100 million." Concerning the properties for which certain American citizens are fighting, Callejas said he will ask the Supreme Court to explain each case so that the people can find out to where the U.S. Embassy wants to irresponsibly lead our country. [Callejas] "As for the lands, there is much that remains to be said. Actually, one of the problems has been the way in which many Americans have come here to buy lands, especially in Islas de la Bahia, even though the Constitution states that no foreign citizen can buy lands located 40 km from the border. "What has happened in the past is that the offices of the mayor first determined which urban areas could be sold and then sold the plots of land and properties; this created certain difficulties regarding the legitimacy of the lands. Very often the lands were just leased for long periods. "I recognize that when an American has the right the law should protect him, but what I perceive is that attempts are being made to create the impression that all Americans have this right, because their position is the correct one. I do not agree with that, because many Americans come to our country and violate the law, and that does not give them the right to be protected by the state's judicial systems. The courts are there to solve it. "I would ask the media and, especially, the Supreme Court to inform about each one of these cases so that we cannot end up believing that everything the United States does is ethical, correct, and right. There are U.S. citizens who may have the right, and there are others who do not." The president said he will |
FBIS3-50807_1 | President-Elect Supports Investigation of Disappearances | on Valladares' report. A Judicial Branch plenum resolved that Honduran judges in charge of criminal cases in places where both citizens and foreigners have reportedly suffered forced disappearances must begin or continue trials to punish the culprits. The Supreme Court also formed a special commission of prosecutors to study the national human rights ombudsman's report and to proceed with the corresponding legal actions. The Attorney General's Office, which will appoint a prosecutor next week, will continue the work done by the [Supreme Court] prosecutors. Human rights organizations are demanding that Division General [as received] Luis Alonso Discua, chief of the Armed Forces, be investigated in connection with several disappearances that took place while he was commander of the so-called "3-16" counterintelligence battalion in 1984. The Committee of Relatives of Missing Detainees in Honduras (COFADEH) on 7 January will request at the Legislative Assembly that Discua be temporarily suspended so he can be investigated in connection with the disappearances, a request which, in President Rafael Callejas' opinion, "lacks any legal basis and will not be considered." Discua, who examined the report on the disappearances with Callejas on 3 January, has made no comment, although on various occasions he has said he had no part in the violations. Callejas said on 3 January that the report should not be used to open new wounds but to unite rather than divide the Honduran family. Carlos Sosa Coello, a deputy for the minority Social Democratic Innovation and Unity Party (PINU-SD), feels that Gen. Discua should be summoned by the Legislative Assembly to hear his views concerning the disappearances and that the state should compensate and apologize to the missing detainees' relatives. Legislative Assembly Vice President Marco Augusto Hernandez said that if any conclusive evidence is found implicating Discua in the forced disappearances, he should be separated from his post. Human Rights Commissioner Leo Valladares is of the opinion that a pardon cannot be granted in the case of the disappearances if the alleged perpetrators do not admit their culpability. Valladares also asked the Armed Forces to open its files to facilitate the investigations. "Reconciliation is sought through the search for truth and the implementation of justice," said Valladares, who also believes that the law will determine who is guilty. The report on the disappearances also names U.S. and Argentine military officers and former Nicaraguan "contra" fighters who operated out of Honduras during the eighties. |
FBIS3-50811_1 | Former UNO Parties on Returning to National Assembly | same strategy used in 1993, and that active participation in the National Assembly is necessary to keep the electoral pledge it made to the people of Nicaragua." "We regret that the partisan and personal interests of some parties within UNO wish to ignore the 1990 mandate of the people and call for the election of a constituent assembly to change the government, something that is not mentioned in any UNO document," the MDN indicated. The MDN feels that summoning a constituent assembly is not viable, "let alone changing the current government." The APC, in turn, stated that the country's need to make substantial changes in its legal system prompted it to participate in the National Assembly. "It is essential that we approve laws to definitively settle all disputes that place obstacles in the path toward an adequate climate of confidence for investments, such as the solution to the ownership problem," the APC communique noted. Another reason the conservatives headed by Miriam Arguello and Francisco Anzoategui gave for returning to the National Assembly was that the dispute that has lasted over a year in the Assembly prevented the approval of legitimate laws. In congressional circles, Arguello's appointment as chairwoman of the commission in charge of studying and issuing a report on the constitutional amendments is taken for granted. The APC board of directors stated in its communique that it has decided to maintain relations with parties, institutions, and trade groups that wish to make a positive effort to find the path toward solving the nation's problems. The board members affirmed they will maintain the party's independence regarding their positions and decisions in line with their principles and programs. The expulsion of the UDC, APC, and MDN from the UNO ranks and the announcement of marches in favor of the constituent assembly are creating internal friction in parties such as the PSD [Social Democratic Party]. During a meeting of the PSD National Executive Center [CEN] yesterday, there was a heated debate about the party's official position to support the summons to a constituent assembly. The Social Democratic Women's Front today harshly criticized PSD Secretary General Alfredo Cesar, accusing him of taking the party to extremist stances. The social democratic women issued a communique asking that a general assembly be held to hold new general elections to replace or confirm the current CEN and to consider the PSD's participation or exclusion from UNO. |
FBIS3-50817_11 | * Villarzu Interviewed on Economic Philosophy | the period from 1985 to 1989. And, simultaneously, notable progress has been made on social matters, such as reducing the number of the poor to about 1.3 million. Among the poor about 800,000 are destitute. Between 1985 and 1989 minimum salaries fell by 2.7 percent in real terms. During 1993 they will grow by about 10 percent, on the average. The rate of unemployment has declined to a substantial extent. [Correa] The average growth rate of 6.4 percent during the period in office of the present administration will decline to 4.0 or 5.0 percent. Some people say that it will decline even more. [Villarzu] During the present administration the economy grew at an average rate of 6.3 percent, despite the fact that in 1990 it grew by only 3.0 percent, as a result of the restrictive measures taken to slow down too rapid an expansion of the economy, in part caused by the expansionist policy followed by the previous administration for what were, I believe, electoral purposes. That situation made it necessary to cool off the economy. [Correa] And what will the next administration inherit from the present one? [Villarzu] Starting in 1993, the Chilean economy began to feel the full force of the international situation--a recession in Europe and stagnation in the United States and Japan. That process began at the end of 1990, and the greatest impact was felt in the United States in 1991, the only year in which the North American economy recorded a net decline. That situation will have less of an impact in Chile in 1993 than in the past because we have diversified our export base. And now a third of our exports are going to other countries in the Americas; a third of our exports are going to Asia and the Pacific; and a third of our exports are going to Europe and the Middle East. As the impact of the international deterioration has not been the same everywhere, that has also made it possible for us to deal with it more effectively. We are feeling the impact of the recession now because, in addition to the decline in demand, the prices of some of our key export products have fallen. This effect will be with us during part of 1994. [Correa] Will it be stronger than it was in 1993? [Villarzu] No. It is difficult to see how prices--such as that |
FBIS3-50825_4 | Finance Minister Discusses Mercosur | above are not too different in Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay, and the gap can, therefore, be closed. But Brazil, with a 30 percent monthly inflation rate, correlative devaluations, and protectionist tariff policies in general, is too far out and will have difficulties in closing the gap. This country must establish the mechanisms to substantially reduce those rates. No one can ask the other three countries to increase their indicators disproportionately. Uruguay's case is somewhat different because, although it does not have an incredibly high inflation rate nor devaluations (between 30 and 60 percent per year), its indicators do not match those of Argentina and Paraguay, but there are greater possibilities of adjusting them. This issue, obviously, is Mercosur's "Achilles tendon" because the respective economic plans are subject to the domestic policies, and in order to become attuned with other countries it is necessary to make changes which in some cases may represent great detours from the chosen path. But we must also bear in mind that there is still a year ahead of us before Mercosur is implemented, and that the Brazilian delegations, during the economy ministers' meeting held in Asuncion on 1 July 1993, made a proposal to study the possibility of a maximum exchange rate band for the real exchange rate. This proposal is being assessed by the working subgroups. [ABC COLOR] In the case of a possible link with NAFTA, what do you think Brazil will do if it has to choose between NAFTA and Mercosur? [Sandoval] Although the Asuncion Treaty does not specifically mention the linking of member countries with other economic blocs, with the exception of ALADI [Latin American Integration Association], it can be deduced from what is established in Article 8 that any advantage granted to a member country is extended to the other Mercosur members. Therefore, Brazil or any other Mercosur member country's link with NAFTA would automatically mean the link of the entire group with the NAFTA bloc. Another possibility is that Brazil leave Mercosur, as established in Articles 21 and 22, to independently join NAFTA. We do not believe this will happen because it was precisely Brazil and Argentina that promoted Mercosur. Moreover, in the hypothetical case that it has to choose between Mercosur and NAFTA, we believe that Brazil as the country with greater economic development in the region will be more interested in Mercosur for competitiveness and leadership reasons. |
FBIS3-50826_0 | Compensation From Argentina Over Pilcomayo River Considered | Language: Spanish Article Type:BFN [Text] Paraguayan President Juan Carlos Wasmosy yesterday did not rule out the possibility that Paraguay might request indemnification or compensation from Argentina for the damage caused to our country as a consequence of the diversion of the Pilcomayo River. That is what he said at the end of the lunch he held with his Argentine and Uruguayan counterparts Carlos Saul Menem and Luis Alberto Lacalle at the Charrua Hill farm belonging to Samuel Liberman. For more than three hours the three presidents met with businessmen, industrialists, and some press barons. Although Wasmosy at first said that bilateral issues or those related to Mercosur [Common Market of the South] were not treated, he later explained that he talked with Menem on aspects related to the Pilcomayo River. "We are going to discuss that matter with Menem on 14 January when the Mitre Canal dredging begins. This is part of the riverways and Mercosur projects," he said. He added that he told Menem and Maria Julia Alsogaray [natural resources and environment secretary] that in Buenos Aires they will talk thoroughly about the Pilcomayo River, when Public Works Minister Engineer Carlos Vacetti and engineer Luis Alberto Meyer, director of the National Pilcomayo River Commission, will also be present. Asked whether during the dialogue on the Pilcomayo River they discussed the infrastructure that will reportedly be built to take advantage of the river's low waters, he said: "This problem does not affect Paraguay and Argentina alone. It also affects Bolivia, and after all it is also an ecological problem which needs very special attention." The Paraguayan president did not rule out the possibility of demanding compensation from Argentina for the damage caused by the diversion of the Pilcomayo River. He thus said that he will first try to solve the problem, and then seek the indemnification or some arrangement that could be achieved on the matter. Wasmosy was also consulted on whether they discussed the automatic lifting of tariffs that will be in effect among Mercosur countries, and he said that it is a subject that has a process to follow. He explained that the policy on this matter is based on achieving coordination of macroeconomic policies among Mercosur countries, because otherwise the issue will be delayed even more. Asked again why Paraguay did not submit in time the official lists of products that would be exempted from taxes, he |
FBIS3-50828_1 | Expert Assesses MRTA, Shining Path Status | fulling engaged in drug trafficking. The Huallaga SL regional committee broke away from the SL leadership in February 1990, when [Abimael] Guzman was still free. Imagine now that their leader is behind bars. It is more than likely that the remaining SL members throughout the country receive no economic aid from this zone. [Ponce] How about Lima? [Tapia] The SL has four very important armed detachments deployed in various parts of the city. One of them recently held up a bank branch in El Agustino. [Ponce] Now that Guzman is in prison and they do not have the economic support from the Alto Huallaga drug trafficking, has the SL managed to organize another political-military unit? [Tapia] The most difficult time for the SL seems to have been between September and December 1992, after Guzman was arrested. The SL Central Committee held its first meeting in February 1993 and managed to get reorganized in May. [Ponce] Was this under the leadership of Oscar Ramirez Durand (Feliciano)? [Tapia] Yes, it is unlikely that their hierarchy has varied, more so because Feliciano has been the third or fourth most important member since 1980. Oscar Ramirez Durand participated in the Chuschi School, in the 1988 Congress, and was elected to the Central Committee. [Ponce] Are there any signs of a reaction by the SL to Guzman's request for a peace agreement? [Tapia] Fujimori read the letter before the United Nations on 1 October, an important day for the SL because it is the anniversary of the Chinese revolution. On 7 October, the SL Central Committee issued a communique reporting a government trick. Following these developments important changes took place at the SL grassroots level, although they were not consistent -- one must bear in mind the hold up in El Agustino. The best evidence of these changes is the pronouncement of the Canto Grande inmates in favor of the agreement. These sectors accept a single leader and talk about a change of times for the SL. The SL representatives abroad also reveal a change of stance... [Ponce] But Arce Borja and Olaechea have emphatically reported this trick... [Tapia] Their pronouncement is unimportant. It should be recalled that neither of them belonged to the SL Central Committee. The most authorized voices abroad are the relatives of Augusta La Torre, Guzman's late wife. These relatives, who are in Stockholm or Switzerland, have stated that one SL |
FBIS3-50838_0 | `Slight' Increase From Mariel Power Plant Expected | Language: Spanish Article Type:BFN [Text] A slight increase in electric generation is expected in 1994 at the Maximo Gomez Electric Plant in Mariel -- a plant that helps ameliorate the energy deficit of Havana and the national electric system -- according to Agustin Jimenez Saranda, the director of this plant operated by the Chemical and Energy Union. Independently of last year's energy deficit, 80 percent of electrical power was generated by using Cuban oil. However, the production plan was based on the fuel available and in consideration of the deficits of other generating plants. [as heard] Although a great part of the electricity available is due to the use of Cuban oil, this oil needs various additives to counter corrosion and partially neutralize the effects of its high viscosity and sulfur content which obstruct its flow through the pipes and damage the steel plates. Add to these difficulties the maintenance limitations which are dependent not only on material shortages but also on the labor force deficit. Agustin Jimenez Saranda pointed out, without raising false hopes, that proper maintenance might result in long term improvements and the energy situation will be less unnerving in '94 and succeeding years: a pleasing bit of news for the beginning of 1994. |
FBIS3-50839_0 | Lage: New Difficulties Will Affect Electricity | Language: Spanish Article Type:BFN [Text] Havana, 8 Jan (NOTIMEX) -- Carlos Lage, secretary of the Council of Minister's Executive Committee, announced today that the Cuban Government will face new difficulties this year in guaranteeing electricity and transportation to the population. "The tobacco harvest, the food program, and the sugar harvest will be given absolute priority in terms of oil supplies for 1994, Lage said after touring tobacco producing areas in the western province of Pinar del Rio. Lage, considered the architect of the limited Cuban economic reforms, said the current tobacco harvest could be the best quality seen for the past few years if current weather conditions continue. The lack of fertilizer and oil to operate equipment also affected Cuban tobacco production, a traditional export product. Nevertheless, Lage said that this year the oil supply situation -- the Achilles' heel of the feeble Cuban economy, which has been affected by a serious crisis since the beginning of the decade -- will improve this year. The shortage of oil (with its corollary lengthy power outages), passenger buses, and food were the main hardships the island's 11 million inhabitants faced last year. The state-run Cuban Petroleum Enterprise (Cupet) announced during the first week of this year that it ended 1993 with a record production of 7.7 million barrels of heavy national crude oil with a high sulfur content. Engineer Agustin Jimenez, director of the Maximo Gomez thermoelectric plant, admitted that the amount is barely enough to generate 40 percent of the electricity consumed on the island. Using that type of crude also causes excessive corrosion to burners and other equipment. Cuba received an average 91 million barrels of oil per year in 1989 from the former USSR. According to president Fidel Castro, the island's economy cannot function with less than 43 million barrels per year, most of which must be purchased on the international market or with sugar traded to Russia. The authorities are determined to reach production levels of 4.5 to 4.6 million tons of sugar this year. That figure is only a few hundred tons more than the 1992/1993 harvest, which was the poorest in the last few decades. |
FBIS3-50840_0 | Cuban Workers Will Discuss National Economy | Language: Spanish Article Type:BFN [Text] Over the next few weeks, the Cuban workers movement will meet to discuss Cuba's main financial problems. This was announced by Pedro Ross Leal, secretary general of the Cuban Workers Federation [CTC], in an appearance this morning on Radio Progreso's "First Thing" program. [Begin Ross recording] Forty eight hours ago, the CTC National Secretariat agreed to begin this process. We must remember that Comrade Fidel stated in the National Assembly [ANPP] that none of the measures we need to take can be implemented if we do not have the understanding, consensus, and support of the workers. This is precisely our goal, to have the workers... [changes thought] and also the worker's opinions. Fidel said that the measures could not have a technocratic nature, but would be political measures grounded on technical aspects, of course. Our workers are very wise. Their wisdom includes the economic. What has happened is that at times they have not been heard, nor has what they have suggested been done. That is the reality. We wish to fulfill that request and allow them more participation because the workers need to be the spinal column of everything done in the country on the economy. Everything done in terms of the economy affects the workers. [end recording] Ross emphasized that the forthcoming meetings are another sign of the trust the Revolution has in the workers, adding: [Begin Ross recording] For example, we are going to ask the opinion of 485,000 labor leaders on how to heal national finances. Do we change the currency or not? What to do with those who have great amounts of money, with those who have earned on the basis of their hard work, production efforts, and have accumulated that money? What to do with the money of those who, through theft, wheeling and dealing, hoarding, have accumulated it? We must add that there are 1.5 million workers who are paid between 100 and 121 pesos. There are 2.5 million who are paid between 121 and 186 pesos. Those earning 100 or 121 pesos cannot have accumulated money. [end recording] Finally, Ross pointed out that between now and 28 January, there will be in-depth training of the labor cadres at base level, to ensure that the process of discussing the national financial status with the workers becomes a successful process with practical results, ensures awareness, and particularly, is based |
FBIS3-50877_0 | Human Rights Commission Asks for Shelters | Language: Spanish Article Type:BFN [From the "24 Hours" newscast] [Text] The armed clashes continue in Chiapas. Indians and peasants arriving in San Cristobal are being placed in a relief shelter called Don Bosco. The National Human Rights Commission has asked the San Cristobal Municipal Government and the state and federal governments to set up shelters immediately. It is expected that more families will arrive in San Cristobal during Friday evening and Saturday. In Tuxtla Gutierrez, near Chapa de Corso, military checkpoints supported by the Federal Highway Patrol have increased their search of vehicles. Schools in San Cristobal de las Casas and other cities near the war zone are still paralyzed. Mexican Army vehicles have started leaving San Cristobal to take supplies to the war zone. The supplies will be distributed in affected towns, which are calling for water and food in order to survive. In Tuxtla Gutierrez, the capital of Chiapas, 14 detainees were turned over to the Attorney General's Office. Also in Tuxtla, at least 48 bodies were exhumed from San Marcos cemetery vaults. The bodies were considerably decayed. Rubber gloves and face masks were found at the cemetery as well as numbers that had been assigned to the bodies. Combat between the Army and the armed groups occurs primarily during the evening and morning. Trucks with vegetables circulated between San Cristobal de las Casas and Tuxtla Gutierrez on Friday. The Indian communities in Chiapas Heights are the primary vegetable suppliers for the state capital and San Cristobal. The only way to San Cristobal de las Casas is through Tuxtla. There is no other way, because the other highways are closed and the war zone is isolated. |
FBIS3-50879_0 | Attorney General Investigates Possible Executions | Language: Spanish Article Type:BFN [From the "24 Hours" newscast] [Text] The Attorney General's Office [PGR] reported today it has started a preliminary investigation into the possibility that some of those who have died in Chiapas were executed and received a coup de grace. Referring to the investigation, the PGR said autopsies and ballistic tests were performed yesterday with 30 corpses found in Ocosingo, Chiapas. The PGR reported 26 of these corpses showed no signs of having received a coup de grace shot. The studies and experts' reports on the four other corpses, which showed a shot in the skull, revealed they had died on different days and at different hours and showed that the shots were fired from a short distance. It also reports that two corpses sustained shots with calibers that are smaller than those reserved for or used by the Armed Forces. A third corpse sustained injuries caused by a very powerful weapon, and a fourth corpse sustained shots fired by a shotgun, given the metal shrapnel wounds it had, the PGR said. The PGR also said that in three of the cases the reports rule out the possibility the shots were fired by a member of the Mexican Army, because it does not use the type of weapon used to inflict them. Referring to the shot fired by a very powerful weapon, no one has been able to ascertain from which side it came, because the armed and violent group has been using that type of weaponry, the PGR said. |
FBIS3-50887_0 | EZLN Using Hostages as `Human Shields' | Language: Spanish Article Type:BFN [Text] Mexico City, 8 Jan (EFE) -- Mexican newspapers today reported that the Zapatist National Liberation Army [EZLN] is using more than 100 people as "human shields," including former Chiapas Governor Absalon Castellanos Dominguez, whom it is holding hostage in the hamlet of Guadalupe Tepeyac. Reporters from the Mexican newspaper ULTIMAS NOTICIAS said EZLN members are using their hostages as shields in case the Mexican Army stages an attack to end the Zapatists' violent actions. Journalists were able to enter Guadalupe Tepeyac, where some 60 families live and which is located approximately 800 meters from the border with Guatemala in the middle of the Lacandona jungle. The newspaper reported that the more than 100 hostages, mostly doctors and nurses, are in the hamlet's Social Security clinic. The doctors and nurses issued a public letter in which they state they "have not suffered any harm" and that they were taken hostage on 31 December -- one day before the beginning of the armed rebellion which, according to unofficial Mexican sources, has killed 200 people. |
FBIS3-50894_0 | Mayors Report People Leaving Towns To Join Rebels | Language: Spanish Article Type:BFN [Report by Miguel Angel Velasquez] [Text] Larrainzar, 7 Jan (NOTIMEX) -- People woke up warmer this Friday, and the huge mess that appears to be a quarrel, armed conflict, or war is beginning to clear up to the disbelief of some and the astonishment of others. In San Andres -- according to Mayor Diego Perez Hernandez -- between 15 and 20 percent of the population left with the rebels. Here we live in 43 communities, he said. "We know they left." San Juan Chamula Mayor Domingo Lopez Ruiz said 60 families left to join the rebels and that "they will not be allowed to return to their community as they have caused disorder." Lopez Ruiz told a group of reporters that there were two training camps in Larrainzar, which is near San Juan Chamula. One camp is called Vayalemo and Suytic, and the other in a site called "La Casa de las Hormigas." He said the people left the villages Bautista El Chico, Tres Cruces, Setelton, and Tzotic. He added that 15 days before 1 January, a woman by the name of Willis Blanca took weapons, people, and food to those training camps. Those villages are located some 50 km northwest of San Cristobal de las Casas, one of the towns occupied by an armed group on 1 January, which prompted the Army's intervention and resulted in 100 people being killed in seven days of violence. In Larrainzar the situation is different, however. The mayor said that starting tomorrow, Saturday, he will meet with all the residents "to decide what will be done because their priority is to save lives." The mayor said he was forced to turn over some vehicles and some municipal drivers were taken away. He added that "30 or 40 guerrillas have returned, but no one knows where they are." The mayor, a young rural professor, said that the "trucks loaded with people" left for San Cristobal de las Casas on the night of 31 December. "Some 30 or 40 of them came here, seemingly unarmed. I spoke with them for two hours, but when I refused to turn over the vehicles they lifted their shirts and showed me their weapons," he said. "They told me to give them the vehicles or they would kill me. I didn't want to die, so I gave them the vehicles. I was told that many |
FBIS3-50905_0 | Havana Notes Chinese Reaction to U.S. Trade Reduction | Language: Spanish Article Type:BFN [Text] China highlighted its problems with the United States for the alleged illegal sale of textiles to that country, which should be solved through negotiations, and warned that it could be forced to give a sharp answer to U.S. reprisals. These statements were made by a spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation after Washington announced its decision to reduce its purchases from China in the specified area by 35 percent. This would include sweaters, clothing, cotton products, and elements used in the maintenance of machinery: a reduction that exceeds $1 billion, which is considered to be a severe blow to bilateral trade transactions in the textile sphere. |
FBIS3-50914_0 | President Cristiani Gives Message to Nation | Language: Spanish Article Type:BFN ["Message" to the nation by Salvadoran President Alfredo Cristiani; place not given; from a "Special Program" presented by the National Communications Secretariat -- live] [Text] Beloved fellow Salvadorans, now that we have begun a new year I would like to take advantage of this occasion to wish you all the best in 1994 on behalf of Margarita, our children, and myself. May this year bring you well-being and prosperity. At year's end each of us has an opportunity to think, to be with our families, and to examine our past, present, and future. With the internal peace fostered by the Christmas season, which allows us to reflect -- which I am certain we all did -- I thought of my almost five years in office and examined where I came from, where I am, and where I am headed. As the end of my term approaches, I could not help but recall the situation that existed in 1989. We had an armed conflict that was causing bloodshed throughout the breadth and length of our country, bringing grief and sorrow to the Salvadoran family. We were a polarized society and sectors confronted one another. What is even worse, there was a considerable uprooting of people. Many Salvadorans had to go abroad in search of peace and a way to make a living. We had an economic situation that could have been characterized as chaotic. During the eighties, which we now describe as the lost decade, our country gradually sank further into an economic abyss. The crisis returned us to the levels that existed in 1960 which, of course, meant higher levels of unemployment and poverty. El Salvador also had problems abroad because it was identified by its violence and by bad things, not as a country that could participate in international meetings or present itself with dignity and respect. In 1989, my friends, our country was immersed in desperation. When I first addressed you on 1 June 1989, I identified two key issues as the main focuses of my government: The first was to resolve the armed conflict and the second was to correct the chaotic economic situation that prevailed. I chose these two key issues because if we failed to resolve them it would be very difficult to resolve the country's other problems. Devoting the entire national budget to a military effort left no resources to |
FBIS3-50925_1 | Report on International Human Rights, Democracy Conference | participating in the International Conference on Humanism and Democracy for the 21st Century [Conferencia Internacional Sobre Humanismo y Democracia Para el Siglo XXI] issued a document today in which they state that the knot of the relationship between ethics and politics lies in the promotion and defense of human rights. European deputies; legislators from various countries; Guillermo Bedregal, the Bolivian Chamber of Deputies president; George Melikjanz [name as received], editor in chief of the Russian newspaper IZVESTIA; former Tunisian Minister Faiza Kefi [name as received]; and other renown intellectuals and politicians from Europe, America, and Africa are participating in this conference. A group of Chilean center and left-wing politicians presented a document for discussion by the conference that will end on 9 January. It was sponsored by International Christian Democratic Union and the European Union. The document includes issues such as ethics, politics, and new humanisms; international economy and solidarity; and peace, security, and disarmament. The document points out that technological change and capital operations represent basic aspects of today's life. In the case of Chilean, this may be translated into the fact that 25 percent of national assets are in the hands of foreign entrepreneurs. This begs the question: How much sovereignty is a state forced to give up if it seeks to attract massive volumes of foreign capital? The document also indicates that there still is "an overwhelming contrast between the standard of living in rich countries and in poor countries -- even though the wealth of the former, to a large extent, has been generated by the work of the latter." The document adds: "There are regions of our planet which seem to have been deprived of all possible benefits that result from the progress derived from an international free trade system." This is the case, for example, in sub-Saharan Africa where conditions still exist that prick the consciences of the rest of the world." [no opening quotation marks as published] The document concludes: "The ethical imperative of our times is to create a humanist civilization that will respect mankind and harmoniously integrate him and his fellow men and into the natural, religious, economic, and cultural environs" to prevent him from becoming a "slave of economic, political, and cultural systems that do not respect" the "values and rights" of humanity. Chilean intellectuals like Roberto Garreton, Carlos Hunneus, and Claudio Troncoso are among the signatories to the document. |
FBIS3-50934_0 | Drug Producing, Trafficking Spreads Throughout Country | Language: Spanish Article Type:BFN [Text] Lima, 7 Jan (EFE) -- Drug trafficking is spreading throughout Peru. Today there was a report on the discovery of pits for soaking coca leaves and making basic cocaine paste in areas of the country previously untouched by drug trafficking. According to newspaper reports, four soaking pits were discovered in a house in Puerto Maldonado, the capital of the jungle department of Madre de Dios, which borders Brazil and Bolivia. The discovery, which was made by the General Narcotics Directorate, has confirmed reports that drug traffickers -- who may have expanded their operations from Ayacucho to Cuzco in the Andean region -- are moving to Madre de Dios. Authorities arrested the owner of the house and seized precursor chemicals such as ammonia and kerosene used to make basic paste. Peru is the world's largest producer of the coca leaf, the raw material for cocaine, followed by Bolivia. The newspaper EXPRESO also revealed today that an Army colonel and commander are currently on trial for keeping 114 kg of basic cocaine paste seized in a 1992 counternarcotics operation in the Huallaga River Valley in the northern jungle department of San Martin, an area known for drug trafficking. The newspaper identified the officers as Colonel Eduardo Alvarado and Commander Walter Bue, who were accused by General Eduardo Bellido, who was chief of the Huallaga Front's political-military command at the time of the operation. There are two other drug-trafficking cases in this same area that presumably involve an Army noncommissioned officer and a National Police officer. It was also reported today that the Peruvian Navy discharged two officers and a technician who were arrested by the New Orleans Police (United States) for carrying pure cocaine. Lima's EL COMERCIO newspaper revealed today that three sailors were arrested on 19 November 1993 in New Orleans after disembarking from the Navy vessel Ilo. The Navy members were identified as Jorge Saldias, Raul Baylon, and William Tello. Based on a confidential report by the National Police Narcotics Intelligence Department, EL COMERCIO revealed on 3 January that the production of washed basic cocaine paste in the country for 1993 reached 600 tons. According to the report, not even 1 percent of that amount produced in Peruvian cocaine-producing areas -- specifically, the Peruvian central jungle and the Huallaga River Valley -- was seized during 1993. The drug traffickers used over 2 million tons of |
FBIS3-50937_0 | * Regional Fund Grants Development Loans | Language: Spanish Article Type:CSO [Text] At the Eighth Meeting of the Board of Directors of the Andean Development Corporation (CAF), two loans to the Venezuelan energy sector totaling $62 million were approved. Enrique Garcia, the president of this regional financial body, explained that one of the loans, in the amount of $50 million, will be used for the construction of the Caruachi Hydroelectric Plant. It will have an installed capacity of 2,160 megawatts and will produce an average energy volume of 13,300 gigawatt/hours annually for incorporation in the interconnected national system. The second loan, in the amount of $12 million, will be used for the cofinancing of the construction and commissioning of another plant, Macagua II, a project begun in 1987, Garcia said. "The corporation allocated $33 million for this plant in 1992. It is planned as a continuation of Macagua I, and includes projects for the control of the Caroni River, for creating a reservoir, and for increasing the generating capacity by regulating the flow reaching the final stretch of the Guri. With a nominal capacity of 2,548 megawatts, it is expected that the first generating units at this plant will be commissioned next year, and the last ones in 1997." These projects fall within the areas designated as priorities by the CAF, Garcia said, since they will contribute to meeting the increasing demand of the nation and the Venezuelan industrial export sector for electrical energy. Currently, the EDELCA [Caroni River Electrification Project] owns and operates two hydroelectric plants on the Caroni. They are Macagua I and the Raul Leoni Power Plant (Guri), the second largest in the world. These power plants have made it possible to develop heavy industry in the Guayana region of Venezuela, in addition to meeting more than 70 percent of the domestic demand for electrical energy. The recent meeting of the CAF Board of Directors also approved the grant of a loan of $70 million to the Republic of Venezuela to cofinance a program designed to manage and preserve the primary highway network. The execution of the program will be the responsibility of the Ministry of Transport and Communications (MTC). Enrique Garcia explained that this project (Highway III) is of vital importance to the country because the 36,000 kilometers in the principal highway network in Venezuela have deteriorated, in terms of both the surfaces (pavement layers, drainage facilities, bridges, and tunnels) and the signaling |
FBIS3-50943_0 | Increase Expected in Matanzas Oil Production | Language: Spanish Article Type:BFN [Report by Wilfred Alayon from Matanzas for the "Evening Information Review" newscast] [Text] Petroleum production in the country during 1993 amounted to 1.1 million tons, 70 percent of which came from the oil fields in Matanzas Province. The total amount produced in Matanzas was 814,000 tons, which is equal to 7.15 million barrels. All these amounts are records, both for Matanzas and on a nationwide level, despite the fact that it is still not enough to meet the country's requirements. That is because approximately 90 percent of the electricity in Cuba is produced by thermoelectric generators, which have been adapted to use domestic heavy crude oil, and this represents slightly more than 30 percent of the fuel consumed. It is therefore important to understand the enormous responsibility of the Central Petroleum Extraction and Drilling Enterprise, which is in Cardenas Municipality in Matanzas Province, 150 km east of the Cuban capital. That enterprise makes the largest contribution to the country's oil production. The enterprise of the Yumuri area is made up of approximately 2,000 men, including specialists, workers, and administrative personnel, all highly qualified and experienced people. This year the development of the gas-oil program will be subject to the conditions of the current financial situation, which is why a slight increase in the extraction of the so-called black gold is foreseen. However, in light of the financial problems, the country's directorate decided to take measures to provide more facilities for the producers of Matanzas Province. This, together with the solution of the technical problems that kept the foreign associates from attaining the production goals estimated for the oil wells directly operated by them, will allow us to maintain a sustained annual increase in the extraction of hydrocarbons. |
FBIS3-50944_0 | Social Security System Expenses Increased in 1993 | Language: Spanish Article Type:BFN [Text] According to estimates, in 1993 the Cuban Government paid 1.371 billion pesos in retirement and pension benefits and approximately 250 million pesos in maternity, accident, and sickness benefits. More than 1.271 million people received social security benefits in 1993, 53,000 more than in 1992. Every year, and despite the country's serious economic limitations, the social security expenses increase as do the number of people who benefit from this system. It is expected that 1.693 billion pesos will be allocated to the social security system in 1994. More than 1 billion pesos will be used to cover retirement and pension benefits. |
FBIS3-50949_1 | * Book Reports Black Market Language, Statistics | examples of self-denial and hard work in extreme poverty: mothers who worked as laundresses, fathers who held multiple jobs, all of which they undertook to support their family. Not anymore. Making good bread used to mean just what the words said, and was a badge of pride if applied to a creator of bakery delicacies. Now, though, that expression may refer to the productive night of a petty thief who skims off goods from a state store. Similar semantics have produced at least a hundred linguistic innovations related to that vital area where things that belong to all are enjoyed by a few, and what should be distributed through the commercial network goes out through back doors, to be sold on street corners, in city alleys, and semiconcealed outlets. These phenomena are certainly hard to root out while we are living in this time of shortages, but it is essential to act from an ideological viewpoint if we want to preserve values that are the mainstay of our nation's ethical heritage. Hitting Bottom That is the title of a book my colleague Jorge Rodriguez Hernandez is writing, in which he reveals, denounces, lays bare, and reports on trends in the black market and other distortions of Cuban market relations at the present time. Jorge investigated these problems in response to calls from listeners to his radio program, who contacted him and asked him to look into the numerous irregularities on the fringes of or in the underground economy. He has compiled over 1,000 files and documents on embezzlement, pilfering, corruption of various sorts, and the outcome of trials in cases that were detected. After five years of systematic work, he has prepared a number of graphics illustrating his investigations, plus pertinent contents of official reports, speeches, and information. Between 1988 and 1990 my colleague followed 35 court trials. In reviewing his notes, Jorge found that 25 of these economic crimes took place in the capital, and the total damages to the nation came to 19.5 million pesos! In three cases the persons implicated were handling over 1 million pesos in each case, and in another 11 cases, over 100,000 pesos. On 32 occasions over three persons were involved. In 19 cases the administration was involved, and in another 19, businessmen, officials, accountants, and drivers were involved. Of these 35 crimes, 94 percent happened in the area of material distribution, and |
FBIS3-50950_1 | * Equality, Changes in Pay Scales Viewed * Economy Requires Changes | ideal of humanism; it must also be a condition for economic development. If, today, Cuba can successfully meet the challenge of moving its economy into the changed world we are living in, this will largely be due to the fact that equality of access to education, health care, and work have, during all these years, created invaluable human resources. This is made up not only of a strong work force with a high educational level, but it is also composed of a pool of educated people unmatched in any other country with a similar level of development. One of the most valuable treasures of the revolution is the love for the ideals of justice and equality that the revolution planted in the people, especially in the young people who today constitute the majority of the nation. But during all these years, we must admit, our national consciousness has not always discerned with proper clarity the limits between equality and egalitarianism. We have frequently created rights of equality exceeding the nation's real economic possibilities; often practice has converted into egalitarianism an idea originally intended to stimulate production and efficiency based on differences in earnings. This lack of precise and realistic limits between equality and egalitarianism may be considered one of the deep-seated causes of our imperfect application of the socialist principle of distribution to each, in terms of both quantity and quality, according to his contribution. The full application of that principle, the foundation not only of the economy but of all true ethics and justice in socialist society, is a historic goal of the workers and their union movement. Labor must be the leveling force for measuring each citizen's merit, prestige, and standard of living in a society of workers. In expressing these aspirations, we do not forget that at the present time when, for reasons we all know too well, the nation's economy is experiencing a critical situation, the most just and rational thing to do is to share these difficulties among all the Cuban people, thus in fact reducing the margin of differentiation based on each person's contribution to society. Controlled, equitable, and rationed distribution, maximum support for employment, and the ample use of price subsidies have helped to save hundreds of thousands of Cubans from distress, bolstering our capacity for resistance and strengthening our national unity. We Cuban workers fully support this profoundly human and revolutionary policy, |
FBIS3-50951_0 | * Equality, Changes in Pay Scales Viewed * Material Incentives' Support | Language: Spanish Article Type:CSO [Editorial: "Revitalizing Wages and Other Forms of Material Incentives"] [Text] What motivates a person to work in socialism? What balance should be established between material and moral incentives? Does a material incentive inevitably create uncontrollable trends toward mercantilism and individualism? This may be the best possible moment to answer these key questions that we Cuban workers have asked ourselves repeatedly throughout our revolutionary history. Now is the best moment, and, as never before, it is essential to establish the greatest rational and realistic cooperation among the economy, politics, and ideology. This does not mean embracing a vulgar practice that rejects essential features of revolutionary humanism or leads us to confuse what is necessary with what is desirable. It is the best moment because the present situation strengthens our will to correct errors we had found earlier in the organization of labor and salaries and in our interpretation of the conditions influencing labor behavior. It seems that if one current economic issue needs special analysis because of its enormous, direct, and daily influence on the workers' standard of living and social education, it is the organization of labor and salaries. So it is not surprising that Cuban society is now focusing on this crucial issue. It is clearly a vital goal, and not just economic, but ideological as well, to develop formulas and practices seeking the best combination between material and moral incentives. The unions, representing the workers' vital interests, are absolutely committed to seeking and expanding formulas that by promoting the nation's economic reorganization, will safeguard the ideal of a collectivist and just society with solidarity. We support without reservation the view that a well-founded material incentive, which is actually a fair share for the performance of a social duty, is in fact a moral incentive of the greatest importance. The social evaluation shown by providing a material incentive to the individual corresponding to his contribution does not in any way create contradictions detrimental to the worker's morale, just as it cannot be alleged that an exclusively moral incentive can satisfy needs and aspirations of other sorts. There has always been talk of a combination of both types of incentives. Now is the time to interpret fully the meaning of the word "combination" that, in chemistry, for example, means an "intimate union of the molecules of two substances." Just as water is a combination of hydrogen |
FBIS3-50966_0 | Poverty in Chiapas Seen as Major Source of Strife | Language: Spanish Article Type:BFN [Report by Juan Manuel Pereyra and Marisa Lopez from the "Good Morning From Mexico" newscast] [Excerpts] [Pereyra] Mexico's 32 departments register different poverty levels. Experts feel that poverty is ancestral since its origins date back 500 years. Oaxaca State has a poverty level of 11 percent and is the poorest state in the country. Mexico City, with a poverty level of 0.1 percent, is the least impoverished. Chiapas State's 111 municipalities are poor. It is the second most impoverished state in the country. The poverty there, as anywhere else, generates ignorance. There is poverty, not misery, in Chiapas. Poverty and the ignorance of those suffering from its consequences have become a breeding ground for professional terrorists who have pit the people of Chiapas -- luckily a minority of them -- against their institutions. Rural areas have the highest poverty levels in this state. Monoculture is the chief occupation of the people here. [passage omitted] It is in these areas where the level of production and service infrastructure is very low. About 60 percent of Chiapas residents live in rural areas. Moreover, 99 percent of the state's 16,400 towns are rural. Poverty in Chiapas has many indicators. For instance, 60 percent of the economically active population earns minimum wages. Indians make up one-fifth of the population. Also, 19 percent of the people have no income. The illiteracy rate is 30 percent. There are no roads. [passage omitted] [Lopez] Chiapas has a population of approximately 3.6 million. The current strife zone is located in six of its 111 municipalities. Four of these municipalities have a population of a little more than 360,000 persons, or 11.8 percent of the population. The majority of the people in Ocosingo, San Cristobal de las Casas, Las Margaritas, and Comitan de Dominguez, the site of last week's clashes, work the land. That is where one cause of the conflict lies. With almost nonexistent land reform following the victory of the revolution and inadequate land distribution during the Cardenas eras, pressure on the land has displaced a large number of people, mostly Indians. [passage omitted] |
FBIS3-50970_1 | Rejects Government Dialogue Conditions | pages and sent to TIEMPO newspaper in San Cristobal, Chiapas State. The guerrilla members demand "recognition of the EZLN as a belligerent force," a "cease-fire by both parties throughout the territory involved in the conflict," and the "withdrawal of federal troops from all the communities, with full respect for human rights." A communique from the Clandestine Indian Revolutionary Committee-General Command of the EZLN also demands an end to the "indiscriminate bombardment of rural towns." "Our troops pledge to respect those conditions (cease-fire and others) if the federal government does likewise. Otherwise, our troops will continue to advance toward the country's capital," the EZLN emphasizes. The text also states: "Since 1 January this year our Zapatista troops began a series of political-military actions the goal of which is to let the people of Mexico and the rest of the world know under what conditions millions of Mexicans, particularly we the Indians, live and die." "The actions we started prove our decision to fight for our most basic rights through the only means left by the government authorities," the text adds. The rebels issued an appeal "to the U.S. Government and peoples. They ask the U.S. people to initiate actions of solidarity and support for our fellow citizens and ask the U.S. Government to suspend all economic and military assistance to the Mexican Federal Government, which is a dictatorial government that does not respect human rights, and because such aid will be used to massacre the peoples of Mexico." The guerrillas state that "our EZLN does not have in its ranks, its organization, or its leadership, any foreigner, nor has it ever received any support or advice from revolutionary movements of other countries or foreign governments." "The report that there are Guatemalans trained in the neighboring country in our ranks are stories invented by the federal government to undermine our cause," the communique states. The EZLN also rejected any links with the Guatemalan National Revolutionary Unity, the Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front of El Salvador, or the church. "The EZLN commanders and troops are mostly Chiapas Indians. That is because we, the Indians, represent the most humiliated and dispossessed sector of Mexico," the communique says. It adds that the EZLN also includes Mexicans of other social levels and different states of our country." Commander "Marcos" who signed the communique asked the newspaper TIEMPO to release the document to national and international media. |
FBIS3-51010_2 | Cuban Foreign Minister Interviewed | one can have any doubt that it is the single most important cause of all our difficulties. But to say that the blockade is the only cause of our problems would be untrue. The blockade is relative to the new situation, because with the resources we now have it is much more difficult to achieve what we would like to achieve regarding trade, exchange, and other things. We must also admit that a group of solutions in the purely economic field have not yielded good results. They did not produce the required results. There is a combination of many things, without doubt. [Martinez] Among the many mistaken economic factors it is almost impossible to omit Cuba's absolute link with the former Soviet Union... [Robaina] Without doubt. We paid a dear price for copying from them mechanisms that had nothing to do with our idiosyncrasy, our culture, or our traditions. But in order to fully understand this point we must not forget the blockade or our own problems. [Martinez] I would prefer to continue to talk about the former Soviet Union. Do you accept that the link established at that time was a mistake? [Robaina] There are many things that benefited us, and we cannot cover the sun with one finger. There are many things for which our people must be grateful to those who helped us save the project. The fact that the Cuban project is still alive is proof that we did not produce a mechanical copy. For the past four or five years the entire world has been thinking that it is Cuba's turn to fall because the world surrounding the USSR has already collapsed. We must change and adapt, but the single fact that we exist is proof that Cuba is not the same thing. Countries that made an exact and mechanical copy of the old system collapsed with it. [Martinez] Yet while accepting it was a general mistake...there seems to be an inclination to establish a similar link with Beijing. [Robaina] Our project started to lose the moment we moved away from our own reality. Today we are happy to be much closer to our roots. We are not going to stumble twice at the same hurdle. I do not think we should copy anything. [Martinez] Let us now talk about domestic issues. There is an excess of money in the streets, a flourishing black market, |
FBIS3-51015_0 | Workers Movement Begins Economic Restructuring | Language: Spanish Article Type:BFN [Text] Last night, the workers movement of Pinar del Rio Province began the analysis process for restructuring of the national economy. The meeting was held at La Primavera preserves factory in the provincial capital. The assembly was chaired by Politburo member Pedro Ross Leal, secretary general of the Cuban Workers Federation [CTC], who said that these issues would be analyzed throughout the month of January by the country's more than 485,000 labor union leaders, and later by the workers, although in some collectives, the analyses would be done simultaneously. Ross pointed out that even though certain procedures were bothersome at first, they were necessary for everyone's well-being and for the future. The labor union leader said that with this meeting, held at the factory in Pinar del Rio, they were beginning a consultation process to fight this new battle together. |
FBIS3-51016_0 | Roundup of Economic Developments Through 11 Jan | Article Type:BFN [Editorial Report] The following is a compilation of reports on Cuban economic developments monitored through 11 January 1994. Source is cited in parentheses following item. The tourism sector, considered one of the keys to changing the current Cuban crisis, grossed approximately $700 million in revenues in 1993, which represents approximately one-half of the net income. Tourism is the only sector of the Cuban economy that reached sustained annual growth rates surpassing 25 percent in the 1990's. In 1991, 366,000 tourists visited the island. In 1992, this figure rose to 490,000 and to approximately 600,000 in 1993. (Madrid EFE in Spanish 0008 GMT 5 Jan 94) |
FBIS3-51019_1 | GRANMA Presents `Precise Data' on AIDS | are well monitored; it is therefore not possible in Cuba to catch the disease of the century through blood transfusions. Practically the only way to contract the virus in our environment is therefore through sex, which makes it dependent on an individual's sense of responsibility and conduct in selecting a partner and using condoms properly. Dr. (Santin) commented: Irresponsible conduct is quite simply suicidal. He also said that the prevention program is in the process of being perfected. According to (Santin), sanatorium care will continue to be made more flexible. In the last few years, those seropositive individuals who have become more aware regarding their illness are being offered facilities to allow them to live within the society and within their families. The experience gained now permits us to begin the system of outpatient care, which can be extended to all seropositive people who take a responsibile attitude toward the family and the society and who, moreover, voluntarily request such care. The Ministry of Public Health will maintain sanatorium care, which will continue to play an important role in the program against AIDS, while at the same time trying to reach out further into the community. Care of the seropositive will be the responsibility of the Family Doctor Program physicians, and they will, through interconsultations, receive the specialized care they require including, free, the specific medications required by their condition as carriers of the AIDS virus. It is important to remember that the AIDS virus dies quickly once outside the human body. This explains why casual contact does not provide a vehicle for the transmission of AIDS. Can AIDS be transmitted by a kiss on the mouth? It is true that the virus has been found in saliva, and in tears. This discovery, logically, provoked concern, but the truth of the matter is that in order to transmit the disease by mouth, the virus would have to make direct contact with the circulating blood. Up to the present, there has not been a single report of anyone's having contracted AIDS from a kiss on the mouth. Neither are there any reports of people having become infected through common use of a glass, flatware, or bed linens. This has been an article carried in the newspaper GRANMA today and signed by comrade Jose Antonio (de la Osa), entitled: "In Connection With the Disease of the Century: Irresponsible Sexual Behavior is Suicidal." |
FBIS3-51020_5 | More on Alarcon 10 Jan Interview | There was a period in which, to a certain measure -- I do not want to generalize, it was not the same everywhere -- it was an occasion for the voters to make their suggestions, to express their complaints to the delegate and then wait for an answer from that delegate. On more than one occasion, when ones analyses a good part of the problems brought up at the base, you realize that the problems do not relate to efforts the delegates have to make at higher levels, but to issues that can be solved by the people themselves. This is a right of the people -- that of organizing and acting, of taking their initiatives and channelling their collective efforts. The role of the delegates ought to be that of directing the pertinent effort to solve everything possible at that level. We have to abandon that passive attitude, that view of the voters as passive objects. We have to see the voter as the subject, the main subject of our system of government. When you see yourselves in that manner, when we see ourselves collectively in that manner, we find that some of the issues brought to the delegates to be solved by them, can be solved or improved by us. I am not saying that is the case in every instance. Of course, there are daily problems we all face related to the shortages of resources. However, how many difficulties are born in our minds, how many limitations have to do with our passivity, our refusal to be creative. This is a system whose main goal ought to be the development of the creative potential of the masses. It is a system which deep down is based on something Fidel has said many times, about turning the trust in the people, in their values, pride, and will into a concrete political and daily phenomenon. This is the essence of the work of the people's government at the base, and from the base up through the entire system. [Batista] What also happens is that I have seen government bodies that do not give any support or help to the municipal delegates. I believe this affects the prestige of that individual and the possibilities for the people to trust him, because one is trusted in the measure that one solves or gives appropriate answers. Otherwise, what one says is not |
FBIS3-51035_1 | Criticism From Argentine Minister Examined | only has consequences for the performance of some companies, but has become the greatest political adventure the two countries between them have ever tried. The economy minister's verbal lack of self-restraint does not contribute to a greater harmonization of relations, which fortunately are good and apparently gossip-proof. The Brazilians are, however, partly to blame for these untimely remarks, because of the harshness with which Itamaraty treated the Argentine distortions concerning the establishment of the minimum common tariff for Mercosur. In those sectors with long memories and little patience, Cavallo's criticisms generate distrust; and there are those who term it an Argentine "vice" to attack a neighbor in order to guarantee national unity, the most recent episode being that of the Malvinas Islands. Minister Cavallo runs an economy that in general terms is the size of that of Sao Paulo, though not as complex. Thanks to less pressing and disturbing variables he could dollarize the economy, sell the assets the government had in the sector producing goods and services, and control public spending. This allowed him to reduce inflation to 7.4 percent annually and push the average annual growth rate since 1991 to 7 percent. That is not a minor achievement, but it does not make Argentina a compulsory model for Brazil. Neither does it prove that the macroeconomic differences between the two countries hinder the operation of Mercosur. Minister Cavallo and those whose opinions he represents find it rather difficult to admit that even though Brazil's macroeconomic results are not like those of Argentina -- at least not the kind of results of which Argentines are justly proud -- the Brazilian economy is much bigger, more diversified, more sophisticated and, above all, our management and marketing methods are ahead of those of the other Mercosur countries. The result of this, in addition to the very important factor that the dollar-peso rate has reduced Argentina's competitiveness in international markets, is that Brazil is currently Argentina's largest market. In turn, 20 percent of Argentine imports are supplied by Brazil, which buys only 9 percent of its imports from Argentina. If Brazil were purposedly selling recession leftovers, such leftovers would be the products being purchased by Argentina. Yet this is not happening. The products we sell to Argentina can be sold on any market. And we sold them even after Minister Cavallo unilaterally cancelled the preferential tariffs that we should enjoy as members |
FBIS3-51043_0 | Roundup of Economic Reports Through 6 Jan | Article Type:BFN [Editorial Report] The following is a compilation of reports on economic activities in Argentina monitored through 6 January. The Argentine Government has privatized Hidroelectrica Norpatagonica Inc. with the sale of the Piedra de Aguila hydroelectric plant to the Hidroneuquen investor group. The company made up of Chilean, U.S., and Canadian capital purchased 59 percent of the shares. (Buenos Aires LA NACION in Spanish 29 Dec 93 Economic Section p 1) The trade deficit increased $400 million in October and "the upward trend will increase in the last two months of the year." Government figures show a trade deficit of $2.327 billion by the end of October and total exports until then were $10.9 billion while total imports were $13.2 billion. The economic team says it is not concerned because most of the imports are capital goods and the projected deficit amounts to $2.8 billion for the year. (Buenos Aires LA NACION in Spanish 5 Jan 94 Section 2 p 1) |
FBIS3-51045_2 | Cuban Envoy Condemns `Apocalyptic' CIA Reports, U.S. Policy | lives and material damage estimated at $1 billion. Despite such adverse circumstances Cubans have maintained their organized society with solidarity, showing -- according to ECLA [Economic Commission for Latin America] -- the world's best income distribution. Without beggars or homeless people, with schools and hospitals for everyone. The motivation for the CIA is today the same as in the past: to destroy the revolution. To attain this goal they resort to all means to block Cuban efforts to survive and rejoin the world's economic system. Such attitudes, says London's FINANCIAL TIMES, "are applauded if they are adopted by Communist countries like China or Vietnam, but are determinedly and unscrupulously sabotaged if they are adopted by the small Caribbean island..." After the disappearance of the USSR and the end of the cold war, the United States has concentrated on one single country: Cuba. The entire formidable destabilization potential which operated previously on the countries of the so-called socialist world are now concentrated on Cuba. According to U.S. press sources, the cost of anti-Cuban operations runs at $700 million annually. Operations include fanciful and absurd projects like transmissions from a television station on U.S. territory which are not seen in Cuba. Despite being condemned for the second consecutive year by the United Nations General Assembly, the blockade remains the centerpiece of an abominable policy that is more than 30 years old. It has banned all trade with Cuba, and it has compelled other countries' companies with U.S. technology or capital to do the same, flagrantly violating international law. Still unsatisfied, the United States has shamelessly pressured and threatened entrepreneurs, whatever their nationality, to prevent them from selling oil or food to Cuba. Such a blockade has caused not only inhuman losses to the Cuban population, but has also hit U.S. entrepreneurs themselves, banning access to a market of more than $2 billion annually. It is deplorable that the mass media have totally or partially ignored this situation. It is even sadder to see the silence maintained about the lonely and manly fight that Cubans are waging to resist with dignity, decency, and hope the impact of such criminal harassment. In the end, I think that whatever the differences or disagreements about my country there are, to write now the entire truth about Cuba is equivalent to preserving Latin America's independence and sovereignty. Whoever disregards this today will certainly pay for it tomorrow. |
FBIS3-51046_0 | Criticism From Argentina's Cavallo Causes `Displeasure' | Language: Portuguese Article Type:BFN [Article by Luiz Orlando Carneiro; from the "Diplomatic Report" column] [Text] Brazilian-Argentine relations were affected last week by Argentine Economy Minister Domingo Cavallo's remarks criticizing the quality of Brazilian export products. The Brazilian Foreign Ministry considered that, taking into account the political pressure he is enduring, the Argentine minister's remarks were intended for "domestic consumption." Thus, in order not to make things worse, the Brazilian Foreign Ministry chose to only summon the Argentine ambassador in Brasilia to verbally convey its displeasure to him. For his part, Brazilian Ambassador to Argentina Marcos Azambuja contacted the acting economy and foreign ministers in Buenos Aires (Cavallo and Di Tella were on leave) and diplomatically lodged with them his protest over Cavallo's comments. According to the data supplied by Varig [Rio Grande do Sul Airline] available at Itamaraty, Argentina is today the leading foreign market for this airline. From January to December 1993 Varig took 527,000 passengers to and from Argentina. Varig also carried 11,000 metric tons of cargo during the same period. These figures are showing why Argentine businessmen, who are concerned about the Brazilian trade "drive," are now exerting so much pressure on Cavallo. In 1993 (up until October), Brazilian exports to Argentina totaled nearly $3 billion. Brazilian imports from Argentina have, however, markedly increased as well. By October Brazilian imports from Argentina totaled $2 billion, compared to only $1.3 billion imported during the same period in 1992. This is why it has been difficult for Brazilian Government officials to understand Cavallo, whose reaction has been described by some diplomats as being overblown. |
FBIS3-51055_0 | Envoy to Brazil Rejects U.S. Reports About Cuba | Language: Spanish Article Type:BFN [Text] Rio de Janeiro, 4 Jan (PL) -- Telling the whole truth about Cuba now is tantamount to protecting Latin America's independence and sovereignty, it was stated today by Jorge Bolanos, Cuban ambassador to Brazil, in an article published by JORNAL DO BRASIL. In the article, entitled "The Truth About Cuba," Bolanos denounced the fact the CIA has once again published, a few days ago, apocalyptic reports on the Caribbean island. The diplomat emphasized: This is not the first time in history that this U.S. agency has undertaken this kind of action against Cuba. He mentioned as examples the prediction of an uprising in the Caribbean country in 1961, during the Playa Giron (Bay of Pigs) invasion, and the predictions that the revolution would deafeningly fall in December 1990. The ambassador recalled: In the first case, contrary to what the CIA asserted, it was the people who defeated the mercenary invasion, and the 422 foreign journalists who were on the island waiting for "the fall" in 1990 returned disappointed to their countries. Bolanos said in his article that the Cuban Government does not deny the enormous economic difficulties faced by the country, but it goes by undeniably more objective figures than the ones the CIA usually presents. The ambassador explained: The year 1993 will be remembered in history as the most terrible year for the revolution, given the damage caused by the fury of the empire (United States), compounded by the consequences derived from weather disasters which caused casualties and losses, the latter assessed at $1 billion. Despite these severe circumstances, the diplomat wrote, Cubans continue to be an organized, solidary society that shows, according to CEPAL (Economic Commission for Latin America) [ECLA] figures, the best distribution of revenues in the world. There are no beggars or homeless, and everyone has access to schools and hospitals. Bolanos said that following the Soviet Union's disappearance and the end of the Cold War, the United States' political destabilization machinery has concentrated on Cuba. He said the cost of anti-Cuban operations now totals $700 million per year, and the blockade continues even though the UN condemns that policy. |
FBIS3-51065_0 | Editorial Urges Workers To Launch Offensive Against Crisis | Language: Spanish Article Type:BFN [Text] Havana, 10 Jan (PL) -- The Cuban revolution has issued an appeal to its most important social base, the workers, urging them to assume a leading role in the epic struggle being waged by the country, and to launch an overall offensive given the crisis that currently prevails in the nation. An editorial published today by the weekly TRABAJADORES insists Cuba mainly needs that workers everywhere to discuss in depth issues dealing with the financial reorganization, among other vital issues, given the difficult situation that currently prevails. "It is time for all of us to realize the specific political and educational responsibility that corresponds to the labor movement within the struggle for survival and afterwards, when we fully enter a different world in many ways," it states. The article gives continuity to other reflections included in the newspaper concerning the role that must be played by workers in the island's economic reorganization process, given the worsening of the U.S. blockade and the loss of its main trade partners in Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union. It urges workers to analyze ways to counter the excess of circulating money and solve the budget deficit; decide whether or not unproductive enterprises should be subsidized; decide if it would be appropriate to implement a tax on salaries -- among other current topics of interest for all the Cuban people. The publication says: Acquainting himself with the mentality of a society owner will enable each worker to implement the principle of "I am the revolution." It adds: Nothing can be so demoralizing as laziness, indolence, negligence, careless work, lack of control on costs and expenses, the brazen squandering of resources, and the defeatism which imbues the atmosphere in certain work centers. Assuming its role as official paper of the Central Organization of Cuban Trade Unions, the weekly strives to prepare approximately 3 million workers for imminent changes in the country's economic and financial system and, in fact, propose possible solutions from their work posts. What actions can we carry out to encourage discipline and work morale? How can we produce more, or better, with less costs? Where can we reduce personnel? What policy should we follow with excess personnel? What can we do to reduce or eliminate subsidies? These are some of the issues on which it urges workers to meditate. |
FBIS3-51067_0 | Churchmen Analyze Underlying Cause of Revolt | Language: English Article Type:BFN [Unattributed article: "Foreign Ministry on Chiapas Situation"] [Text] Rome, 2 Jan (ANSA) -- The Italian Foreign Ministry Foreign Office crisis committee, which has been following developments after native Mexican rebels of the Emilio Zapata Liberation Front occupied five towns in the southern Mexican province of Chiapas, confirmed those rebels had withdrawn into the mountains this morning, taking with them supplies of food and medicines. The Foreign Office also said that there had been "considerably more" than the initial estimate of about 40 Italians staying in and around the town of San Cristobal de las Casas, in Chiapas near the Guatelmalan border. Most were said to be tourists traveling in groups, primarily from Milan, Rome and the Veneto region. According to the Italian embassy in Mexico City, most of the Italian tourists have by now left the town aboard tour buses directed toward the capital of the province, Tuxtla Gutierrez. The Foreign Ministry's report confirmed that of Turin resident Carla Astigiano, who had been in telephone contact Saturday and Sunday with her husband Mario Paravano, staying in San Cristobal with his business partner, Maurizio Albertini. After a call from her husband Saturday to say he and other foreigners were cloistered in the hotel, Astigiano had learned from the hotel manager that today her husband and other Italians had been evacuated for Tuxtla. She later spoke with her husband around 19.00 Italian time (18.00 GMT) and said he told her the region was heavily patrolled by the Army. According to some reports, there were six deaths and numerous injuries during the takeover of the five towns Saturday. There were no reports of deaths among civilians or tourists, and eyewitnesses said the rebels were careful not to involve civilians in fighting. Conflict between law enforcement agents and the estimated 200-300 guerrillas involved in yesterday's occupation was expected to continue after the guerrilla withdrawal from San Cristobal, a picturesque highland city with a population of about 80,000 that is a growing favorite with tourists. Although the Mexican government denies it, rebels among southern Mexico's indigenous population have been fighting a widening guerrilla war against the conditions of extreme poverty and exploitation in which they live. About one third of the 3.5 million inhabitants of the Chiapas province are indigenous peoples or `Native Mexicans,' and their cause, represented by ethnic and civil rights organizations, has drawn support from the north and |
FBIS3-51097_0 | Roundup of Economic Activity Reported 5 to 11 Jan | Article Type:BFN [Editorial Report] The following is a compilation of fileworthy reports on economic developments in Cuba carried on Havana radio and television in Spanish between 5 and 11 January. Radio Rebelde at 1000 GMT on 5 January reports that Holguin Province has begun 1994 with water levels in its reservoirs of slightly over 83 percent of potential, "one of the best situations in recent times, in this respect." In the same newscast, Rebelde reports that the David Diaz Guardarrama Recapping Plant in Villa Clara delivered over 4,200 recapped tires for harvest use in the provinces of Santa Clara, Villa Clara, Cienfuegos, and part of Matanzas. Lastly, Rebelde reports that "ICAIC [Cuban Institute of Cinematographic Arts and Industry] is urging all inhabitants of Plaza de la Revolucion Municipality, Havana City Province, who are interested in participating" in the filming of a joint French-Cuban movie, to apply at its offices in the Vedado section of Havana. Radio Reloj at 2050 GMT on 5 January reports that the Spanish consortium Caguama Caribbean Hotels has announced that by late 1994 it plans to complete remodeling the Riviera Hotel in Havana in the hopes of making it a fine five-star hotel. Regarding the Caguama-Punta Blanca hotel, the group has announced that the remodeling work has begun. Ricardo Roquero, president of Caguama Caribbean Hotels, has confirmed that they chose the Caribbean, and Cuba in particular, because of the great potential and opportunities for investment. Radio Reloj at 2052 GMT on 5 January reports that the Jose Gregorio Martinez factory in Cienfuegos repaired approximately 400 hydraulic pumps used in the KTP sugar combines in 1993. The factory workers have said that they can repair 150 pumps a month. Last year workers were not able to produce the number of cylinders, hoses, and shock absorbers needed for agricultural equipment because they did not have the necessary raw materials. Radio Rebelde at 1800 GMT on 7 January quotes a GRANMA article today reporting that a total of 777 Basic Cooperative Production Units [UBPC's] were created nationwide in noncane agriculture in 1993. GRANMA notes that to-date, there are 62,215 caballerias under UBPC jurisdiction and that slightly over 78,000 workers have joined these units. According to data provided by the Agriculture Ministry, 407 of the 777 UBPC's tend cattle; 226, miscellaneous crops; 65, tobacco; 29, citrus plantations; 23, fish farms; 14, rice; 12, coffee; and one is a forestry unit. |
FBIS3-51132_0 | Workers To Analyze National Economy | Language: Spanish Article Type:BFN [Text] Havana, 8 Jan (PL) -- Pedro Ross, secretary general of the Cuban Workers Federation (CTC) announced today that the federation will analyze the country's main financial problems this month. Ross reported that, in the first stage, approximately 485,000 union leaders will discuss ways to solve the internal financial problem, one of the most complex and important problems with regard to the island's serious economic situation. In statements to the local press, the worker leader said the workers' opinions must be gathered because "they are the backbone of everything that may be done with regard to this topic." He also mentioned that, at the last session of the Cuban Parliament -- 27 and 28 December -- President Fidel Castro said none of the measures that Cuba may need to adopt can be decided without the support and consensus of the workers. The Cuban deputies did not reach agreements because -- as was learned -- they previously decided to carry out a profound consultation and clarification process among the entire population and later convoke an extraordinary meeting of the parliament to continue debating the affair, with a higher level of information. For the parliament members and the country's directorate the meeting served as a way to reflect and exchange ideas on how to improve the existing financial imbalance. In this regard, it was learned that the excess circulating currency amounted to over 10 billion pesos (the same amount in dollars, according to the official exchange rate), the subsidies due to losses in 1993 amounted to 4.6 billion pesos, and the state budget deficit amounted to 4.2 billion pesos, most of it in subsidies. Of those, the excess circulating currency is the most harmful as it contributes to decreasing efficiency, decreasing productivity, as well as declining labor discipline. Some of the solutions viewed by the Cuban deputies were: changing the currency, implementing a new tax system and price policy, as well as charging for some services that are currently offered gratuitously. |
FBIS3-51133_0 | Economist Recommends Adoption of New Economic Model | Language: Spanish Article Type:BFN [Report by Moises Perez Mok] [Text] Havana, 5 Jan (PL) -- Cuba requires today the adoption of a new economic model, which existing circumstances are already causing to emerge, said here Pedro Monreal, investigator at the nongovernmental Center for Studies on America (CEA). The country's conditions of accumulation have changed radically. This demands the elaboration of a new concept, an instrument that may make it possible to understand why the economy can or cannot grow, said the specialist in statements to PRENSA LATINA. The economic model, he said, must be basically understood as an analytical abstraction in which there are several levels: the economy's macro additions [macroagregados] (investment and consumption), the sector's structure, the international situation and insertion (under what conditions it takes place), and the institutional framework. He said many economists limit the concept of the model to this last aspect, in which two basic things prevail: organization and norms. According to Monreal, even if the most urgent task of the Cuban Government were to be the adoption of a package of measures aimed at correcting the island's financial problems, the most important job will be in-depth economic restructuring. According to estimates from the Finance Ministry, the Cuban budget deficit in 1993 amounted to 4.2 billion pesos (the same amount in dollars per the official exchange rate) and excess money in circulation surpassed 10 billion. Cuba -- he said -- has a very open economy, whose structure was not designed to compete in the world market but to operate within another constitutional framework: that of the Council of Mutual Economic Aid, which it joined in 1972. He added that within the economy there are competitive sectors, such as sugar, nickel, citrus, tourism, tobacco, rum, electronics, construction and engineering services, and some steel products, among other sectors. There is a second front, not operating right now, but which could be if modernized and reduced. It is reflected in the 130 investment opportunities offered by the State Committee of Economic Collaboration for Foreign Enterprises, as well as a third area (food production), which he considers nonoperational. Monreal is one of those who believes that no proposal for a solution to the economic crisis can accept a squandering of the labor force, which is doubtlessly the country's most valuable resource, he stressed. In this sense he recalled that a possible economic adjustment presupposes the elimination of state subsidies |
FBIS3-51134_0 | Tourism Considered Solution to Country's Economic Crisis | Language: Spanish Article Type:BFN [Report by Moises Perez Mok] [Text] Havana, 4 Jan (PL) -- Cuban tourism, the only sector to achieve a sustained annual growth in excess of 25 percent during the 1990's, is currently expected to play a leading role in helping to reverse the economic crisis in which the island finds itself. If estimates prepared less than two years ago are fulfilled, Cuba will receive approximately 800,000 tourists in the next 12 months. The figure represents a precursor to the great goal for 1995 -- to welcome 1 million vacationers and surpass the $1-billion mark in gross revenues. Unofficial estimates indicate that Cuba last year provided accommodations for approximately 600,000 foreign visitors and reached approximately $700 million in gross revenues, which represented an increase of between 26 and 28 percent compared with the previous year. Cuba welcomed 340,000 summer visitors early in the 1990's. The number rose to 424,000 in 1991 and it surpassed the 488,000-mark in 1992, according to statements made by Rafael Sed Perez, president of the National Institute of Tourism (Intur). The tourism industry was mentioned barely three days ago by Cuban President Fidel Castro as one of the activities that would indicate -- with its results in 1994 -- the country's economic situation was showing signs of improvement. The boom in this sector coincided, perhaps paradoxically, with the loss of the island's import capability, which was reduced from $8.139 billion in 1991 to $1.179 billion last year, when the sugar harvest -- approximately 4.28 million tons -- suffered an estimated loss of $450 million. The Cuban authorities' confidence in a more efficient tourism industry is based, among other thingss, on foreign investors' increasing interest to establish their presence in that sector. Nearly 10 European and American hotel chains have contracts for the management and marketing of hotel facilities, basically in the beach resort of Varadero, eastern Santiago de Cuba Province; Cayo Coco (in the country's central area); and in the capital. These chains include Spain's Sol-Melia, Guitart Hotels, Kawama Caribbean Hotels, Iberostar, Raytur Caribe, and RIU; Germany's LTI; Jamaica's Superclubs; and Canada's Delta. The latter officially inaugurated on Sunday the picturesque Delta-Sierra Mar Hotel, built on a ridge of the most important mountain range on the island, the Sierra Maestra, on the Caribbean sea. The Cuban tourism sector's lodging capabilities for the remainder of 1994 should be approximately 25,000 rooms (it currently exploits |
FBIS3-51135_0 | Unions Seek To Influence Economic Changes | Language: Spanish Article Type:BFN [Report by Raimundo Lopez] [Text] Havana, 10 Jan (PL) -- The Cuban labor unions today announced a broad consultation process to influence the economic changes that are being studied to improve the country's internal finances that are characterized by a high fiscal deficit and excess circulating currency. The Cuban Workers Federation (CTC), the only labor movement on the island, pointed out in a press note that the process will take place in two stages and conclude with grass-roots meetings at labor centers. In the first stage more than 400,000 labor leaders will contribute their ideas and prepare for assemblies with union members, to which deputies of the National Assembly of the People's Government will be invited. Parliament did an initial analysis of internal finances on 28 December when it was officially revealed that the fiscal deficit will reach 4.2 billion pesos -- which is equivalent to the same figure in dollars based on the official exchange rate -- and that there is a 10-billion-peso excess in circulating currency. On that occasion the Legislative Branch did not adopt measures to tackle this situation, but the members agreed on the need to solve this delicate problem without resorting to neoliberal-type measures that involve high social costs. The CTC announcement coincided with an editorial in the weekly TRABAJADORES, mouthpiece of the labor union, that strongly attacks the formality of the Cuban labor movement. We can no longer bear, without growing impatient, the ritualistic and repetitive language of those who incessantly issue general slogans but fail to even touch the specific and objective reality that should be the basis for their actions, the publication underscored. It also urged the labor unions to participate in all political battles, to "assume an offensive stand everywhere," and to censure indolence and negligence, lack of control over costs and expenditures, and unpunished deviation of resources. These are among the things that the publication condemned, considering them to be "signs of capitulation." The weekly warned that the outcome of "the country's current epic" ... "compromises not only the fatherland's fate but also the workers' existence, decorum, dignity, and power." In this regard, the publication urged them to contribute solutions and to adopt measures, some of which, if finally approved, might not be popular -- reduction of payroll, elimination of certain gratuities, and elimination of certain subsidies within an economic system that is described as paternalistic. |
FBIS3-51137_0 | Analyst Examines Need to Form New Political Consensus | Language: Spanish Article Type:BFN [Text] Havana, 6 Jan (PL) -- Faced with the most critical and complex situation of the past 34 years, Cuban society faces the challenge of reexamining and reformulating the foundation for national political consensus, according to an analyst at the American Studies Center. Any process in that direction should be inseparable from a democratic, participative, and pluralist summons [convocatoria], Haroldo Dilla stated in his article "Cuba: The Crisis and New Articulation of Political Consensus," published recently in CUADERNOS DE NUESTRA AMERICA. He explained that any plan for development bears a cost, while its viability depends to a large extent on the establishment of a national consensus on the advisability of the proposed objectives and the appropriate means of achieving them. In this respect, he noted that the "capacity of the Cuban socialist program to guarantee strong popular support has been conditioned by diverse factors that cannot be solely or chiefly attributed to charismatic mediation of historical leadership summarized in the person of Fidel Castro." The goals contained in the original revolutionary program -- public honesty, economic development, social justice, national independence, substantial democracy -- left little room for capitalist options, the expert from the nongovernment organization recalled. He indicated that for over one decade (1959-70) popular political consensus was based on the implementation of measures to redistribute income and power and got off the ground through a system of extensive participation in national defense and the revolutionary program in the face of U.S. hostility. Later, the fate of Cuban socialism was linked to the progress of the countries of the Council for Mutual Economic Assistance, which Cuba joined in 1972. At the beginning of 1987, the process to correct errors and negative trends, spearheaded by the Communist Party of Cuba, had as it most novel element the attempt to articulate the return to what was homegrown, with greater democratization and institutional improvement of the political system. Beginning in 1990, he noted, an emergency plan known as the special period was implemented throughout the country, which meant above all "guaranteeing national survival in an severely hostile international environment given the permanent U.S. aggressiveness against the Cuban socialist program." Therefore, Cuba is facing, as are other Third World economies, the so-called "export challenge" under disadvantageous and contradictory conditions. According to Dilla, the latter is seen at the international level in an abrupt end of what was for almost |
FBIS3-51137_2 | Analyst Examines Need to Form New Political Consensus | based on the implementation of measures to redistribute income and power and got off the ground through a system of extensive participation in national defense and the revolutionary program in the face of U.S. hostility. Later, the fate of Cuban socialism was linked to the progress of the countries of the Council for Mutual Economic Assistance, which Cuba joined in 1972. At the beginning of 1987, the process to correct errors and negative trends, spearheaded by the Communist Party of Cuba, had as it most novel element the attempt to articulate the return to what was homegrown, with greater democratization and institutional improvement of the political system. Beginning in 1990, he noted, an emergency plan known as the special period was implemented throughout the country, which meant above all "guaranteeing national survival in an severely hostile international environment given the permanent U.S. aggressiveness against the Cuban socialist program." Therefore, Cuba is facing, as are other Third World economies, the so-called "export challenge" under disadvantageous and contradictory conditions. According to Dilla, the latter is seen at the international level in an abrupt end of what was for almost three decades its preferential markets and, at the same time, in the introduction "into a world market that is competitive and economically exclusive, politically conditioned by Washington's obsessive hostility." Internally, he stresses, it presupposes a costly and gradual technological reconversion process and a vast reorganization of relations among economic factors like production, distribution, and consumption. With regard to the latter, he believes that in order to maintain liquidity within manageable limits (the excess money supply is estimated at 10 billion pesos, which is the same amount in dollars in accordance with the official exchange rate), it will be necessary to disrupt traditional consumption policy by reducing demand. A basic principle of consumption policy since the 1960's was the preservation of a rationed basic family basket at very low prices, which presupposed subsidies that between 1976 and 1981 amounted to 2 billion pesos. Furthermore, in spite of the virtues of such a projection, under current conditions its modification is a basic premise for economic takeoff, even if it means ethical-ideological discrepancies. The Cuban economic-financial situation was widely discussed in late December by the parliament, which decided to meet again in a special session early this year to study the possibility of implementing measures aimed at solving the crisis and preserving the conquests of socialism. |
FBIS3-51138_0 | Raul Castro Details FAR Efforts to Economize | Language: Spanish Article Type:BFN [Text] Havana, 7 Jan (PL) -- The Revolutionary Armed Forces (FAR) of Cuba is focusing on resource savings and economic efficiency, according to reports issued and opinions expressed by FAR command staff. Our military chiefs must manage economic information. They must know the price of sweet potatoes (domestic tuber) as well as the price of a bullet, FAR Minister Army General Raul Castro said during a visit to military installations yesterday. The local media's report on the visit highlighted the defense minister's interest in reinforcing the troops' combat capability and their participation in economic activities geared mainly toward increasing food production. Gen. Raul Castro himself recently explained to members of the Communist Party of Cuba's Central Committee, of which he is second secretary, the efforts made by the FAR to increase training levels despite a major expense reduction. On that occasion he detailed how the Cuban military had greatly increased its food supplies by producing its own food and how it had even rendered important services to the country's economy, primarily through a special corps called Youth Labor Army (EJT). Although the traditional U.S. hostility against the Cuban revolution forces the FAR to use great discretion in its expenditures, last year the armed institution reduced its budget by 600 million pesos -- equivalent to dollars at the official exchange rate, according to official reports issued last week. Cuba is going through an adverse economic situation following the collapse of socialism in the former Soviet Union and the East European countries as the island conducted 85 percent of its foreign trade under equal conditions with those areas. Those nations, especially the former USSR, were the FAR's main suppliers of weapons, ammunition, and other articles. Despite the situation, FAR sent thousands of its members to perform agriculture tasks in the fertile plains south of Havana last summer. Also, approximately 6,000 EJT soldiers have been permanently assigned to tend crops in that same region since last October. |
FBIS3-51139_1 | Top Party Official Confident Situation To Improve in 1994 | to confront the problems that arise, and we have become better organized in facing the special period. I believe all of this will work in our favor, he underlined. The Special Period in Times of Peace is the name given to the measures Cuba has had to adopt to confront the consequences prompted by the collapse of socialism in Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union -- nations with which Cuba sustained 85 percent of its trade. In addition to the abrupt loss of its main trading partners, the island has had to confront the hardening of the U.S. blockade, which has been in effect for more than 30 years. Meanwhile, Lezcano said, there are other factors that will differentiate the situation between both 12-month periods, and he recalled that the prolonged electricity cuts and the paralysis of the factories in the capital city and the rest of the country had started in 1993. We have started January 1994 with all factories operating, albeit with limitations, but nevertheless operating and with less stringent electricity cuts scheduled than in 1993, he noted. According to Lezcano, this year should also yield the expected positive results, especially in terms of savings and the optimal use of resources because of the new system of state land cultivation called Basic Cooperative Production Units (UBPC). The new system establishes that plots are given to the associates in usufruct for an indefinite amount of time. They also receive soft loans to acquire working equipment and are the owners of the crops they produce. It is estimated that those measures will propitiate a food production increase, he added. The UBPC's started operating last October and currently exist in almost all the former state farms. The party leader also pointed out that one of the positive factors expected for this year is an improved sugarcane harvest. Last year, the harvest yielded 4.2 million tons of sugar -- the lowest since 1963. Lezcano pointed to favorable elements in the international sphere and, among others, he mentioned the considerable decrease in oil prices, which will help the country because it imports almost all the fuel it uses. For these reasons, among others, he maintained, we assert that, although there will be difficulties and problems, the work perspectives for our people and for the revolution are somewhat better than they were in 1993. This leeway allows us more possibilities to get ahead. |
FBIS3-51150_0 | 2 Die in `Violent' Protests Against Transport Price Hike in Barcelona | Language: Spanish Article Type:BFN [Text] Barcelona, Venezuela, 13 Jan (AFP) -- Reporters have confirmed that two persons were killed and many were arrested during violent disturbances on Thursday following a massive protest against the increase in transportation rates in Barcelona, 200 km east of Caracas. This is the first wave of violence to take place this year in Venezuela, where a new tax has increased consumer products by 10 percent. According to witnesses, the disturbances began when the police fired shots and used tear gas against a "peaceful" demonstration of residents who had blocked traffic on an important avenue. The people were protesting the hike in public transportation rates in effect since late December. The reports add that two persons were wounded -- one by bullets -- during the clash. A grocery truck on the outskirts of Barcelona was looted and there were attempts to loot some stores in the downtown area, but the police stopped them. Although it was a people's protest, University of Oriente students expressed solidarity with the protest and burned a city bus. At 1900 (2300 GMT) there still were serious traffic jams throughout the city. |
FBIS3-51160_0 | Castro Rejects Spain's Economic Crisis Proposal | Language: Spanish Article Type:BFN [Text] Madrid, 13 Jan (AFP) -- The newspaper EL MUNDO reported today that Cuban leader Fidel Castro has categorically rejected Spain's political-economic reform proposal, arguing that it seeks to impose pluralism and democracy on Cuba. According to EL MUNDO and as can be deduced from the report presented in the summer of 1993 to Castro by Carlos Solchaga, former Spanish economy minister, the Spanish Government advised Castro to implement a rapid transition to capitalism. According to the newspaper, Castro was also especially upset because Solchaga does not make the slightest mention of the U.S. blockade, blaming the Cuban system alone for the serious crisis affecting the island. Carlos Solchaga's secret report recommends that Castro implement immediate reform in three areas: privatization of all commercial sectors and industries; reduction of state intervention to a minimum by introducing a market economy with a Western-style fiscal system; and allowing the free economic initiative of Cuban and foreign individuals and companies. EL MUNDO goes on to say that Solchaga contradicts one of the Castro's main theories, according to which Cuba can overcome the crisis through the development of two profitable and well-organized economic activities -- tourism and sugar sales. EL MUNDO notes, citing Solchaga's report, that "the stagnation of the remaining productive sectors would prevent the chosen sectors from developing." In its study of the Cuban ecomony, the Solchaga report says that the Castro government has been unable to generate wealth because of political factors. In his research, Solchaga refers to the situation of the Cuban economy as disastrous, emphasizing that "galloping inflation" and "huge budget deficits" have paralyzed the country. According to EL MUNDO, Fidel Castro is aware that the economic changes proposed by the Spanish Government and the IMF would lead to a transition to democracy and pluralism. EL MUNDO notes that time and again Castro has explained that he will never give up the Communist Party's monopoly on power. Instead, he insists that "Cuba must learn from China and Vietnam." According to Castro, Cuba's future lies in "a democratic dictatorship like the ones in China and Vietnam, which have not abandoned the Marxist-Leninist doctrine." The document submitted by Spain has broken the usual unanimity within the Cuban system. According to EL MUNDO, Carlos Lage -- in charge of the Communist Party's financial affairs and third in command -- considers that the Spanish recommendation for transition is a |
FBIS3-51161_0 | Havana on U.S. New NATO Position, Nuclear Agreements | Language: Spanish Article Type:BFN ["Our Opinion" commentary by Eduardo Dimas] [Text] Every period in history has its own signs that differentiate it from former periods, and it seems to me that the signs of this particular period that has befallen us are already more than perceptible. After having won World War III without firing a shot, the United States and its allies, the winners, are hastening to collect the booty, especially the political booty. They are leaving the economic loot for later. The problem for them at present is to keep the process taking place in the countries of the former socialist bloc -- that is, the transition to capitalism -- from backsliding; to channel relations with these countries along particular lines; and to diminish these countries' defensive capabilities, especially nuclear, as much as possible. One of the NATO agreements reached at the recent summit in Brussels was to create a so-called Partnership for Peace -- proposed by the United States -- to receive the former members of the Warsaw Pact interested in strengthening ties to NATO, establish military cooperation, and participate in peace-keeping missions -- preventive interventions, to call them by their true name. But without a timetable for new members to join NATO, it is a formula for commitment that commits to nothing. Hungary, Poland, and the Czech Republic received the news with satisfaction. Russia, to which the Partnership for Peace could also extend, reacted with caution because it does not know to what extent such an association is in its national interests. The Russian Government's caution is understandable when we bear in mind Lithuania's request also to join NATO, and the not-to-be- dismissed possibility that an anti-Russian bloc could be formed in central Europe and the Baltic republics in the future. With the creation of the Partnership for Peace, the United States and its allies subordinate the former socialist countries in military matters without offering them anything. That is, they place them in a kind of transitional period with no set limit, a period during which they are guaranteed consultations and cooperation but not security. On the other hand, that intermediate position is an invitation to comply with whatever orders they are given, so as to win entry into NATO. Another sign of the times is the policy designed to disarm the former enemies. The entire nuclear arsenal of the former USSR is concentrated in four former |
FBIS3-51193_1 | Church Issues Document; Creates Commission | with optimism because of Camacho Solis' great virtues as a mediator. Monsignor Godines Florez noted that the NAFTA text must be reviewed because it was negotiated behind the backs of the peasants and Indians, who know nothing about it. He said such a situation could result in more problems in the long run. With regard to the Episcopal Conference's position, I will sum up the eight-point document for you: Point 1: The reason for violence in Chiapas is the misery, neglect, and scorn the peasants and Indians of that state and of other parts of the country are experiencing. Point 2: We reject violence and the use of armed uprisings as a path to resolving true problems, such as misery and injustice. Point 3: We think it is wrong and harmful that, in addition to adding suffering to their poverty, groups insist on a class struggle. Point 4: We know it is not inherent of Indian cultures to attack adversaries because they have taught us hospitality and respect for human life. Point 5: It would be belittling for the Mexican Army to commit excesses in fulfilling its duty when its duty is to work for the security and freedom of the Mexican people. Point 6, which I believe is one of the most important points and one that the bishops mentioned last: In the face of accusations or suspicions that the church in San Cristobal las Casas, quote, encourages the armed uprising, unquote, the church stresses that if any Catholic Church member, by subjective conviction, decides to join the armed struggle, this is done independently from the mission they accepted as catechists. In any case, an accusation must not be based on assumptions but must be thoroughly proven. The Chiapas bishops have consistently urged the rebels to change their behavior and act as Jesus taught us in the Gospel. We cannot accept such accusations against priests, nuns, or the bishop himself. We are certain the bishop has always condemned violence, but he has also reported the misery that, in this case, is caused by abuses in power and structures that must be changed. These are six of the eight points. There are two more points. Point 7 states we are living an important moment in our country's history. It adds we must all change our attitudes. Point 8 says: In conclusion, we urge everyone to pray, which is the force |
FBIS3-51194_0 | Defense Secretariat Reports `Complete Calm' | Language: Spanish Article Type:BFN [Report by Jesus Cazasola; from the "Vector 21" newscast] [Text] The National Defense Secretariat reported that in compliance with presidential orders, troops operating in upper Chiapas State to counter action by law breakers have concentrated in the villages or towns of Rancho Nuevo, San Cristobal de las Casas, Ocosingo, Altamirano, near Las Margaritas, Comitan, Chanal, San Juan Chamula, and Tuxtla Gutierrez, Chiapas State. The military personnel continue to perform social work in some of these communities, especially water and food distribution chores, as well as the distribution of other primary articles. The Mexican Army soldiers continue to patrol the various communities to prevent possible attacks on the residents. Up to now no armed group has been seen. The National Defense Secretariat report concludes by stating that there is complete calm. |
FBIS3-51196_0 | Armed Forces Senior Council Communique Endorses Discua | Language: Spanish Article Type:BFN ["Official communique" issued by the Honduran Armed Forces Senior Council in Tegucigalpa on 10 January] [Text] The Armed Forces Senior Council during its special session 01-94 analyzed the circumstances derived from the "Preliminary Report on Missing Persons" presented to the public by Human Rights Commissioner Leo Jose Rodriguez Valladares Lanza. In view of the circumstances, the Council deems it necessary to state the objective and patriotic position of the Armed Forces to the Honduran people to prevent continued speculation on the subject by sectors not necessarily interested in social peace or the national well-being. Therefore, we hereby state our position under the following terms: 1. The Honduran Armed Forces, as a part of Honduran society, have developed and will permanently develop a plan to participate in actions for our homeland's modernization, reconciliation, social peace,and human and economic development. Our only interest is promoting the people's well-being and Honduran progress. We are aware of the fact that without our participation, we would not have reached the state of human solidarity and the opportunities for development we can justly expect today. 2. The historical circumstances that existed in our country during the eighties cannot and should not be radically analyzed or isolated from the ideological, political, and economic context that characterized the Cold War. During that period, antagonistic forces maintained a climate of confrontation not only in Honduras, but in the entire world. 3. Therefore, within the fast moving process of society's transition toward total respect for human rights within a pluralist and participative democracy, the Honduran State and its national institutions have clearly defined the levels of participation and responsibility in the efforts to reconcile the Honduran family and consolidate democracy. We feel we have contributed to those lofty objectives and we are proud of the role played by our institution, with loyalty, honor, and sacrifice. 4. We categorically reiterate our commitment to abide by the Constitution and laws as the essence for our professional duties and responsibilities. Within that concept, we believe that the entire process for investigating the actions that motivated this communique must be carried out based on legal grounds, and not on sectarian positions and obscure interests. 5. The actions carried out by Division General Luis Alonso Discua Elvir, commander in chief of the Honduran Armed Forces, have been and continue to be consistent with the task of democratizing and modernizing the Honduran |
FBIS3-51203_0 | Minister Says U.S. Withholding 1993 Aid Over Human Rights | Language: Spanish Article Type:BFN [Text] Lima, 13 Jan (EFE) -- Peruvian Economy Minister Jorge Camet today confirmed that the United States is withholding a large economic contribution offered for 1993. This is a result of pressure from the U.S. Senate over the human rights situation apparently linked to arrests based on antiterrorist laws. Camet said that the United States, which offered $105 million to improve Peru's balance of payments, is the only country of a group of six that pledged to help Peru achieve this goal that has failed to fulfill its promise. "The disbursement is being delayed by U.S. Senate pressure, perhaps because it is not properly informed about the human rights issue in Peru," the minister said. The withholding of funds will apparently be the main issue that the Peruvian Government will discuss with Alexander Watson, assistant secretary of state for inter-American affairs, during an official visit that the high-ranking U.S. official will make to Peru from 18 to 21 January. Camet added that Watson's visit to Lima "will have the important effect of unblocking the aid, because the United States is the only friendly country that has not yet honored an offer made last year." Washington's concerns over human rights in Peru, according to various sources, are focused on abuses committed in the administration of justice during trials of people charged with terrorism based on strict antiterrorist laws. The discrepancies recently led to an incident between Peruvian Justice Minister Fernando Vega and a U.S. State Department and Congress commission in charge of evaluating the administration of justice in Peru. Vega refused to receive the commissioners because he deemed "unacceptable" both the preliminary report approved by the commission and a letter sent to him by former U.S. Ambassador George Brayshaw asking him to receive the delegation. The minister said the commission, headed by jurist Robert Goldman, reported that the laws in question remained in effect "even though the commission was appropriately informed that the laws had been effectively invalidated." As for Brayshaw's letter, the minister said "it contained inadmissible terms for any sovereign nation," but he did not provide more detail. The human rights situation in Peru improved significantly in 1993, the National Human Rights Coordinating Board reported this week. But it did ask the government to rectify several legal norms for fighting terrorism, which in its opinion have led to an "alarming" number of arbitrary arrests. These |
FBIS3-51215_1 | Convergence Presidential Hopeful on Ex-Secret Service | Army's Intelligence Battalion must also be investigated in this regard, as the former Secret Police, or the Army's former secret intelligence, has practically become the Intelligence Battalion. Those are the places where I think we should, or the Armed Forces themselves should, investigate to eliminate all of the personnel who could be linked to the past, which, I think, we all want to overcome now. [end recording] In that same regard, the leftist presidential candidate said there is an apparent attempt at corrupting the National Civilian Police [PNC], which was created in accordance with the Peace Agreements. He also said it is necessary, therefore, to correct the mistakes that are being made, such as the transfer of the Commission to Investigate Criminal Actions to that institution. [Begin Zamora recording] There is an apparent attempt to bias or corrupt--as I call it--the PNC project. What worries me most is the transfer to it of complete organizations, such as the Commission to Investigate Criminal Actions. There are people involved who are involved in tortures and the practices used in the past. If you want to read about this, I recommend the last UN human rights report which, upon analyzing the case of Mr. Grimaldi [not further identified], clearly states that the United Nations already had the name of Grimaldi's assassin. They passed the name on to the Commission to Investigate Criminal Actions, and the commission refused, for one month, to put him in jail. [end recording] Zamora reiterated the complaint of the FMLN [Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front] that the Supreme Electoral Tribunal [TSE] is resorting to what he called little tricks [triquinelas] of the past to carry out a fraud in the next elections, in light of which the pertinent corrective steps are already being carried out before the UN Observers for El Salvador. [Begin Zamora recording, in progress] ...little tricks [words indistinct] by the TSE. I think that is incorrect; it must not be allowed, because this country must have absolutely open elections. At the same time, I want to say that I have spoken to the other candidates, the Arena [Nationalist Republican Alliance] candidate and the candidate for the Christian Democratic Party, and they have both told me they think we must allow the political parties with their representation. I do not mean to say that Dr. Fidel Chavez Mena or Dr. Armando Calderon Sol are involved in these |
FBIS3-51229_4 | Alphandery on Economic Policy, 1994 Prospects | recovery. [Robin] The French people have only recently rediscovered the market economy and its cyclical fluctuations, which are well-known facts in the United States. What are you saying to them to make them accept that such developments are normal and are better than the rigid and interventionist economic system which has prevailed in our country since 1945? [Alphandery] The previous recession in France dates back to 1975 and was the result of the first oil crisis. When the world was suffering the effects of the second oil crisis in the early eighties, France thought it could escape them by pursuing a counter-cyclical policy. It must be admitted that the recession was avoided temporarily but at what a cost! It subsequently gave us permanently slower growth. Our economy only returned to cruising speed from 1988, whereas the United States, Germany, and Japan returned to growth as early as 1983. [Robin] The recession of the nineties lasted three years, assuming it is now over. Does it not reflect more fundamental problems? What is this feeling of doom which prevails among many French people? [Alphandery] The recession appears to be so painful in our country because it is accompanied by the need to tackle some major structural problems, especially on the employment front. The two phenomena must not be confused. In 1988, amid economic euphoria, France already had a 9-percent unemployment rate, much higher than in Germany and the United States. The Japanese economy experienced a serious recession in 1993. And yet the unemployment rate is still around 2.5 percent. [Robin] The prime minister has just admitted that "the crisis is even worse than we thought when we came to power." In what respect in particular? [Alphandery] In March 1993, everybody still underestimated the scale of the recession which we had inherited. It had grown considerably worse from fall 1992. We only realized that six months later when the final figures for the fourth quarter of 1992 and the first quarter of 1993 were known. Not In Favor of Social VAT [Alphandery continues] It is clear that the employment problem will not automatically be solved with the end of the recession. The Giraud law's five-year employment plan clearly identified the three key factors on which we must take action. First, the lack of flexibility in the job market; the law contains several initial responses on this point, like the annual calculation of working |
FBIS3-51247_0 | CELA Discloses Results of Latest Presidential Poll | Language: Spanish Article Type:BFN [Report by Manuel Alvarez Cedeno] [Text] According to a CELA [Center for Latin American Studies] poll, 75.4 percent of Panamanians expressed their intention to vote during the next elections. At the same time, Ernesto Perez [Balladares], PRD [Revolutionary Democratic Party] candidate, continues to lead the national voters preference poll with a 13.1 percent margin. The third CELA "Elections 94" poll was conducted throughout the country at the end of December 1993, and interviewed 2,681 persons. Of the population sample interviewed, 75.4 percent indicated they would vote during the coming 8 May presidential elections, 16 percent were undecided, and 9 percent said they would abstain. The results of the poll were made public yesterday during a news conference by CELA Secretary Marco Gandasegui who explained that the sampling reflects a 3 percent, more or less, margin of error. It was also reported that due to technical problems, the poll does not include the Provinces of Bocas del Toro, Darien, or the San Blas territory. The Electoral Tribunal has indicated that 1.5 million voters are eligible to select President Guillermo Endara's successor, two vice presidents, 71 legislators, 65 mayors, 510 corregimiento representatives, and several council members. CELA pointed out that voters most emphatic about abstaining are mostly senior citizens, while the undecided voters are mostly lower income groups and those with less education. According to the sample, Ruben Blades, presidential candidate for the Papa Egoro party follows Perez with 9.3 percent; followed by Arnulfist Party [PA] candidate Mireya Gruber with 5.3 percent; Guillermo Ford of the Molirena [Nationalist Liberal Republican Movement] Party, 3.9 percent; former Comptroller General Ruben Carles, 3.5 percent; and Ricardo Arias Calderon of the PDC [Christian Democratic Party] with 3.1 percent. In the metropolitan area of Panama City, Perez also leads voters preference with 13.4 percent, followed by Blades and former Comptroller General Carles. At the same time, Gruber and Arias Calderon improved in comparison with the last poll. Mrs. Gruber recorded 4.4 percent and Arias Calderon recorded 3.6 percent in the metropolitan area. In Cocle, Veraguas, Los Santos, Chiriqui, parts of Panama and Colon, Gruber came in second with 6.5 percent, Blades was third with 5.8 percent, while Perez headed voters preference with 12.7 percent. |
FBIS3-51274_2 | Police Commissioner Interviewed on New Disciplinary Code | as they have been identified as in the same genre of the military administration and the military forces, the way of acting and the work of police have been deformed. [sentence as published] It would be ideal if the police could walk the streets without carrying weapons. [EL TIEMPO] What do you mean by "the way of acting and the work of the police have been deformed?" [Salamanca] This is what the reports that produced the reform say. There are vices, such as the participation of some members of the institution in efforts to defend private interests. There is also the militaristic approach with which the institution has been managed on certain occasions. Also, no one ignores that certain police sectors have become independent and that as such they engage in illegal activities. This is what an author called the "autonomizing" of certain police sectors. It is also evident that the people complain about the inefficiency, slowness, lack of opportunities, and lack of infrastructure the police must overcome in complying daily with elemental missions. The police is also the institution that most often violates human rights, according to reports from the Attorney General's Office which in 1991 reported more than 1,500 cases of human rights violations by the police. There is one additional fact: The largest number of cases against the state at the court for suits under administrative law arise from police actions. This means that it is evident that errors are being committed, the law is being infringed, and citizens' rights are being infringed, and this must be corrected. I am certain that the current director is interested in this happening. We must order and supervise investigations. We must report the results to the people. [EL TIEMPO] There are announcements about all types of investigations in Colombia. Citizens are skeptical about results. What will change now? [Salamanca] The current structures and functioning of control mechanisms have not been efficient enough to make results known. We are committed to making the results known. This situation must be corrected. It is no easy task. I am aware of the many difficulties and risks that this entails, but we are committed. We are going to engage in a pedagogic endeavor, and I am sure we will be heard. [EL TIEMPO] Any risks? [Salamanca] Surely, as interests are affected and the people outside the law become afraid of an investigation and penalty, |
FBIS3-51278_1 | * Survey Shows Industry Optimism on Economy | of roads, ports, and airports hurts the ability of Colombian produdcts to penetrate foreign markets. Cheap Credit However, there are also positive factors that have helped exports. The increase in the volume of foreign sales is the result of the lowering of trade barriers by purchaser countries. One example is trade with Venezuela, a country which, thanks to the free trade agreement, has become the main buyer of our products after the United States. Another factor that has benefited not only exporters but all business owners is more favorable terms for obtaining credit from the financial system due to the lower interest rates charged. In fact, interest on loans has held steady at an average 35 percent annually, down from the 48-percent annual rate charged two years ago. Access to cheap credit gives businessmen a breather because they can now develop production at a lower financial cost. Industry Some 41 percent of the industrialists surveyed said the current economic situation is good, while 46 percent said it is acceptable, and 13 said it is poor. For 33 percent of those interviewed, economic prospects for the next six months are favorable, while 59 percent think they will remain the same. Only 9 percent said prospects will get worse. One of the reasons for the optimism of businessmen is apparently related to the fact that the government and monetary officials achieved their economic goals. They are sticking to the goal of a 22-percent increase in the cost of living and economic growth exceeding 4 percent. Some 23 percent of those polled said the volume of orders had increased, while 55 percent reported that it had remained the same. By sector, the economic situation was good for food, beverages, the print and publishing industry, earthenware, tile, chemical substances, rubber products, and electrical equipment and material. Cement and construction materials have shot up because of a boom in the sector. The tobacco industry is depressed and all those polled said their current economic situation is negative. Textiles is another sector that continues to experience problems. For the commercial sector, the economic situation in October was favorable, but less favorable than for industry. Some 32 percent of those polled said it was positive, while for 58 percent it was stable. Nevertheless, prospects for the next six months look better for the commercial sector, which has been aided by the economic liberalization process and integration agreements. |
FBIS3-51279_0 | * Health Minister on Social Security Reforms | Language: Spanish Article Type:CSO [Interview with Minister of Health Juan Luis Londono by Gilda Sarmiento; place and date not given] [Text] When the bang of the gavel marked final congressional passage of the Social Security reform bill, Health Minister Juan Luis Londono leaped in the air to show he was "happy as hell with life." And this was no small achievement; the law culminates a year of work and provides for a reform that will, in his opinion, revolutionize a service that has been in the doldrums. It will also realize a constitutional dream of universality, solidarity, and efficiency. Others, in contrast, believe it will pull the plug on health care. They say it is an immature effort at privatization with an excessively complicated and unintelligible text, in which each article is two pages long. What no one doubts is that if the goal of giving every Colombian--including the 10 million who live in extreme poverty today--a whole package of health services is achieved over the next seven years, a veritable social revolution will have occurred. To achieve this objective, health contributions in 1994 will rise from 7 percent to 12 percent, and of those funds, 1 percent will be earmarked for subsidizing the poorest of the population. With a view to expanding coverage, 374 billion pesos in new resources is guaranteed in next year's budget, a social tax on weapons has been created, and beginning in 1997, 15 percent of the tax on Cusiana oilfield revenues will go to subsidize poor people's health care. In addition, the budget for social investment in health will increase each year as a percentage of GDP. It is true that such resources have never been allocated in the history of health care, but to leap from that to the notion that by the year 2000 there will be no difference between rich and poor would seem to be a revolution on paper, a mere utopia in the mind of Minister Juan Luis Londono, who defended the plan in an interview granted to EL ESPECTADOR. The striking thing about Colombia, he maintained, is that it spends less than it should on health care, but it is totally surprising that coverage under the system is so low. It is barely higher than that of Haiti and Bolivia. And ironically, when serious projections are made of how much good it would do to eliminate poverty, one |
FBIS3-51279_1 | * Health Minister on Social Security Reforms | earmarked for subsidizing the poorest of the population. With a view to expanding coverage, 374 billion pesos in new resources is guaranteed in next year's budget, a social tax on weapons has been created, and beginning in 1997, 15 percent of the tax on Cusiana oilfield revenues will go to subsidize poor people's health care. In addition, the budget for social investment in health will increase each year as a percentage of GDP. It is true that such resources have never been allocated in the history of health care, but to leap from that to the notion that by the year 2000 there will be no difference between rich and poor would seem to be a revolution on paper, a mere utopia in the mind of Minister Juan Luis Londono, who defended the plan in an interview granted to EL ESPECTADOR. The striking thing about Colombia, he maintained, is that it spends less than it should on health care, but it is totally surprising that coverage under the system is so low. It is barely higher than that of Haiti and Bolivia. And ironically, when serious projections are made of how much good it would do to eliminate poverty, one of the principal difficulties is pessimism. This attitude is deeply rooted among intellectuals, who are very disparaging about the possibilities of social policy. "We have a discourse that attempts to persuade us that nothing ever changes in this country, and since nothing ever changes, it is not worth making an effort, because what the hell is social policy for?" [Sarmiento] What is the real purpose of health care reform? [Londono] The general purpose is to provide health care for all Colombians, because that is the main thing they lack today. Some 10 to 12 million Colombians have no health care, but there are 25 million who do not have Social Security. [Sarmiento] But Colombia is too poor a country to guarantee health care for everyone from one year to the next. [Londono] It is not from one year to the next. It is a gradual program. That is one of the obsessions people have had, thinking that overnight you can produce miracles. I call it the totoya theory: todo para todos ya [everything for everyone right now], which is a fundamentalist vision shared by some segments of society that are so desperate they have lost touch with reality. We have |
FBIS3-51282_0 | Defense Secretariat Bulletin No. 17 | Language: Spanish Article Type:BFN [Bulletin No. 17 on the events in Chiapas issued by the National Defense Secretariat on 14 January -- place not given; from the "24 Hours" newscast] [Text] At 1400 yesterday, a group of unidentified attackers fired shots at a group of Mexican Army soldiers who were performing reconnaissance duties on the road from Ocosingo to the town of Suchila. Our troops did not sustain any casualties. During the night and up to this moment, no other incidents have been reported. On that same day, between 1400 and 1500, two Mexican Air Force helicopters rescued 13 people who were alone and without food in a hut located 30 km east of Ocosingo. These people had no chance to escape from the area due to the actions of the attackers. In all, 13 persons were rescued, including four adult males, four females, two young girls, and three teenage girls. The aforesaid persons were transferred to Tuxtla Gutierrez. |
FBIS3-51306_0 | Peruvians' Deportation Not Linked to Shining Path | Language: English Article Type:BFN [Text] (DYN-NA) -- Amid continuing government anxiety that members of the Peruvian guerrilla organization Sendero Luminoso are infiltrating the country attracted by recent social unrest in the northern provinces, the government has strenuously denied that this fear was the cause for yesterday's deportation of 30 Peruvian illegal immigrants. The Foreign Ministry revealed that the workers, 17 men and 13 women, were deported on Friday [14 January] for not having obtained work permits and for squatting in a flat in the Federal Capital. However, suspicion has since arisen that there may have been other motives in the decision to repatriate them since the government has given all illegal citizens until the end of this month to obtain the correct paperwork. Denying that the action was tantamount to state xenophobia, Interior Minister Carlos Ruckauf told reporters that it was simply a legal matter and quashed speculation that the government, who announced earlier in the week that security services were being put on alert to monitor possible cases of social unrest, was participating in a "witch-hunt." Furthermore, deputy Foreign Minister Fernando Petrella said on Radio Mitre yesterday that the Peruvian Embassy was fully aware of the situation and that nothing untoward had occurred. He added that the policy was part of a bilateral agreement between the two countries which could lead to visas being required to enter the country in order to stem the tide of illegal workers from the Andean country. While the government has been attempting to play down its initial concern about the possibility of foreign and professional activists stirring up already latent frustration into violent protests, Buenos Aires Security Secretary Eduardo Pettigiani yesterday revealed that, despite assurances, the government is in a "constant state of concern." He added that the national intelligence agencies were "working overtime" in order to clamp down on any suspicious activities. In other related news yesterday ATE [Association of State Workers] State Workers' Union secretary-general Alba Luna del Castillo accused local government officials in Santiago del Estero of "sowing seeds of fear" into local residents who were contemplating taking part in Friday's protest march to commemorate last month's bloody riots. She claimed that there were almost 3000 workers in the march through the province's capital, although police estimate that there were only a third of that figure. However, she lamented what she felt was a state campaign to strike fear into |
FBIS3-51310_0 | * Church Urges `Transparency' in Constitutional Reform | Language: Spanish Article Type:CSO [Text] The Permanent Commission of the Episcopate yesterday urged those responsible for constitutional reform to make their intentions and procedures transparent so that the future constitution will be the product of a social pact. The bishops criticized the conditions being imposed on some branches of government and asserted that this pressure is also undermining the legitimacy of the future constitution. The Church's pronouncement topped a tension-filled day on which one Supreme Court justice repelled an attack by President Menem, who in Tokyo had called for his resignation, and the retirement of another justice of the court was postponed indefinitely. The Supreme Court handed down a judgment declaring that a Constituent Assembly cannot have unlimited powers. The Catholic Church affirmed yesterday that the efforts made so far to bring about constitutional reform are characterized by "conditions imposed on the constituent branches of government that compromise their actions," which "threatens the legitimacy and permanence of a future constitution." The Church's position was publicized in a document released yesterday at the conclusion of deliberations by the Permanent Commission of the Episcopate. The bishops exhorted those responsible for the constitutional reform process "to make their intentions, motives, and procedures transparent so that the constitution that emerges will be the expression of a true social pact." Without mentioning the protagonists, but alluding to the pressures the executive branch has exerted on Congress and the judiciary, among other issues, the bishops' communique mentioned the political coercion that took place on Tuesday with the removal of the chief justice of the Supreme Court, Antonio Boggiano, and on Wednesday with the resignation of Justice Rodolfo Barra. Yesterday's is the first official document issued by the Catholic Church regarding the constitutional reform, and it comes more than three months before the opinion of the Church is expected to be made public. The first draft of that document is being prepared by a committee chaired by Cardinal Raul Primatesta. In just 35 lines, the Episcopate sums up ecclesiastical displeasure with the current negotiations on the reform. After mentioning the conditions imposed on the branches of government, the document points out that they also compromise "the responsibility of the legislators, the stability of the judges, and even the legitimacy and permanence of the future constitution." The bishops briefly praised the political dialogue, and then focused on the formal aspect of the reform negotiations undertaken by the Justicialist |
FBIS3-51332_0 | State of Emergency Extended in Provinces | Language: Spanish Article Type:BFN [Text] Lima, 15 Jan (AFP) -- It was officially reported today that the Peruvian Government extended the state of emergency for 60 days beginning today in various provinces in six departments to "facilitate military operations against terrorism and drug trafficking." The special measure, which is published in the official gazette EL PERUANO, covers several provinces of the Departments of Lima, Callao, Ancash (Andean northeast), Ucayali, Huanuco (central jungle), and Loreto (eastern Amazon). The corresponding decrees establish the suspension of constitutional rights and indicate that the Armed Forces will continue to maintain control over the previously mentioned areas. Since the beginning of the "fratricidal war" in Ayacucho in 1980, more than 60 percent of the country has been under a state of emergency. According to official figures, the conflict has killed more than 26,000 people and caused more than $24 billion in economic damage, which is equivalent to the country's foreign debt. |
FBIS3-51336_1 | Fujimori Expects U.S. To Fulfill Pledge to Support Group | Fujimori said during the interview that although the United States has supported the process whereby Peru was reincorporated into the international financial system--from which it had been distanced for seven years by the government of former President Alan Garcia--it has "not given the money." Fujimori added that Peru is asking the United States to fulfill its pledge to the Support Group. The president argued that his country has progressed "much more than was expected" in the democratization process, has normalized its delayed payments to the international financial organizations, and has resolved problems such as the payment of a debt contracted by the previous government's nationalization of the U.S. "Belco" Oil Company. "I expect specific results. There is no time to continue meditating about this," Fujimori said during his interview with "EXPRESO" concerning Watson's forthcoming official visit and the issues he will discuss with the U.S. official. Various political, legislative, and diplomatic sectors believe that such issues as human rights, drug trafficking, and the U.S. contribution to the Support Group are the leading issues on Watson's agenda. Watson was ambassador to Peru from 1986 to 1989. Fujimori referred to a recent incident between Peruvian Justice Minister Fernando Vega and a commission formed by the U.S. State Department and Congress that was in charge of evaluating the administration of justice in Peru. Vega had refused to meet with the commission members, because he felt the expressions used in a letter sent by U.S. Charge d'Affaires Charles Brayshaw to request the meeting in question were "unacceptable." The Peruvian president justified and supported the justice minister's position. "A sovereign country cannot accept the terms expressed in the letter," Fujimori told the newspaper. Fujimori said later that the incident does not imply that Lima and Washington "are on bad terms" and that "on the contrary, there are signs of improvement." Various sources have said the case of the kidnapping and murder of nine students and one instructor from the Teachers College of Lima, presumably perpetrated by Army members on 18 July 1992, and the excesses perpetr?ted by the judicial administration during the trials of individuals accused of terrorism are worrisome issues for the U.S. Administration. Fujimori said during the interview that in legal and penitentiary related matters, "Peru has also shown proof of a respect for human rights," but he admitted that the case of the 10 people missing from Teachers College, also known as |
FBIS3-51339_0 | Report Notes U.S. Adviser's `Intervention' in Congress | Language: Spanish Article Type:BFN [Text] Many deputies, particularly Unity [not further identified] faction members, have expressed their anger over alleged U.S. intervention through Political Affairs Adviser George Chester in the election of the new Congress Board of Directors. According to the report, Chester has reportedly exerted pressure to have Deputy Carlos Acevedo excluded from the list headed by Vinicio Villar on which he appeared as a candidate to the post of first vice president of the Legislative Branch. It was confirmed that the U.S. official went to the Legislative Palace yesterday afternoon and sat in the diplomatic box, where he talked with several deputies, including Cesar Porres and Rafael Rottmann of MAS [Solidarity Action Movement]. He was also seen talking with Carlos Acevedo shortly before Acevedo declined to run for first vice president. The U.S. veto has reportedly occurred because Acevedo was included on a list of 16 deputies to be purged, and his election to such an important directorate board post would be considered "terrible." When asked about this subject, Acevedo admitted that, in fact, he had been notified that the U.S. Embassy did not approve of his election, and that is why MAS demanded he decline the nomination, but he rejected the speculations, which caught most of the deputies' interest. He believes "it was a false alarm, because I personally spoke with Mr. Chester and he assured me the embassy did not exert pressure." Besides, he said the diplomat told him he came to Congress only to observe the elections, to ascertain they were carried out within a democratic framework. Acevedo has said he declined simply to remove an obstacle, to avoid being an obstruction, and to allow the negotiations to continue appropriately. Besides, he believes he has good relations with the U.S. Embassy, because he has even been praised for promoting the Narcotics Law and has been invited on numerous occasions to visit that North American country. |
FBIS3-51345_0 | New Antinarcotics Executive Secretary Installed | Language: Spanish Article Type:BFN [Excerpts] Retired Brigadier General Juan Ramon Rosa Rodriguez was installed this morning as the new National Antinarcotics Secretariat (Senad) executive secretary, replacing Division General Mario Escobar Anzoategui, who tendered his resignation last year. Rosa Rodriguez is a military officer who went into retirement a few years ago and served in the 3d Army Corps. Rosa Rodriguez took a course on drug trafficking in the United States. Therefore, he is supported by the U.S. diplomatic mission. The president of the Republic, Juan Carlos Wasmosy, took considerable time in appointing the Senad head. The Senad reshuffle prompted "diplomatic" frictions between Wasmosy and U.S. ambassador to Paraguay Jon David Glassman. It was actually the U.S. ambassador who announced that the new Senad head would be appointed sometime this week, at the latest. According to military sources, there were three candidates: One of them rejected the post and the other two were not approved by the U.S. mission. [passage omitted] The president of the Republic, engineer Juan Carlos Wasmosy, has given "absolute liberty" to the new Senad head, retired Gen. Juan Ramon Rosa Rodriguez for the latter to properly discharge his new duties. Rosa Rodriguez noted that if he does not properly discharge his duties, it will not be because he is unwilling to do so, but because he does not have the elements required for it. The president said: "I fully trust you and I ask everyone here and all the organizations to provide the support required for an all-out struggle against money laundering and crime." Addressing Gen. Rosa Rodriguez, the president added: "You have all my support and the support of all levels of government to fight this scourge without any protection. [sentence as published] You have absolute liberty and the support of the national government to fight this evil." Moving on, the president thanked U.S. Ambassador Jon Glassman for the assistance the U.S. Embassy has supplied our country to fight drug trafficking "because, sadly enough, our country is being used by criminals as a transit country." The president concluded by saying: "I hope that all of us, united, some day may be able to wipe out this damned trafficking from America's Southern Cone." Rosa Rodriguez The new Senad head said: "Thank you very much for trusting me, Mr. President. I cannot promise more than dedication and honest effort, but I can assure you that if Senad does |
FBIS3-51362_0 | Human Rights Leader on Death Squads' Actions | Language: Spanish Article Type:BFN [Report by Imelda Alvarenga; from the "Facing the Moment" newscast] [Text] The Catholic Church has reported that at least five persons, including two regional FMLN [Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front] leaders, were assassinated death-squad style last week. The information was reported by Father Jesus Delgado, who issued an appeal during yesterday's homily on ending the violence as soon as possible. Meanwhile, Camelia Cartagena, member of the Human Rights Commission's directorate board, today endorsed the Catholic Church's report, adding that various people who have been assassinated and found without their documents were victims of paramilitary groups. [Begin recording] [Cartagena] As far as we are concerned, all those who are found without their documents, with their hands tied, and with signs of torture are victims of the death squads. Hence, we agree with the Catholic Church's statements. [Alvarenga] How many reports have you received so far? [Cartagena] I cannot give you figures because I do not have the year-end statistics on hand. The ideal thing would be to give you that information. However, I can tell you we have a large number of cases and the figure coincides with those given by the Catholic Church. [end recording] Camelia Cartagena said the Human Rights Commission this week will issue a detailed report on human rights violations. Moreover, the humanitarian leader urged that the agreements concerning the Civilian Police installation and justice management have failed to achieve enough progress. Camelia Cartagena reported that members of the much criticized Commission for Criminal Affairs and the Antidrug Trafficking Unit joined the Civilian Police without a proper evaluation. |
FBIS3-51366_0 | President-Elect Reina Previews Goals of U.S. Trip | Language: Spanish Article Type:BFN [Article by Fasutino Ordonez B.] [Text] Yesterday, President-elect Carlos Roberto Reina guaranteed he will not return from the United States with a lot of "hard blows" against the people. Reina said that from now on "firm negotiations" will prevail during the meetings he will hold with the international financial organization. Reina is also scheduled to meet with either President Bill Clinton or Vice President Al Gore. Rafael Leonardo Callejas' successor will travel to Washington tomorrow accompanied by his economic cabinet. This is considered a very important step as he will analyze future relations with the financial institutions that forced the Nationalist to adopt unpopular measures. Reina said: "I am opposed to more blows against the people. This situation will be dealt with through firm negotiations, presenting solid arguments by prepared advisers. These advisers must find just and correct ways to solve the negative figures my government will have to face." Reina said he will go on his trip with a different mentality, believing that the international institutions will understand his desire to "give a humanistic image" to the effects of Callejas' economic measures. This is why "I hope these meetings will be very productive for projects aimed at developing our country." he noted. For the president-elect, the meetings he will hold with high ranking officials of the U.S. Government are "of significant importance and benefit for bilateral relations between Honduras and the United States." During the week, the president-elect asked his economic cabinet to analyze the state's finances in order to present a report to the multilateral organizations. This type of information "is fundamental to clarifying all the conditions imposed by the international organization and as a support to our moral revolutionary project," he explained. With reference to U.S. exerted pressures, Reina said that "you cannot demand a friendly government to make sacrifices with such high political costs. If they want to help, they will lend us their hand. That friendly hand will help our country resolve this truly sticky situation." In Reina's opinion "the international organizations are not hard, that attitude belongs to the cold war era." Upon his arrival, the president-elect will meet with John Spero, secretary of negotiations and economic matters of the State Department. Early tomorrow Reina will meet with envoy Charlene Barchefsky, from the Treasury Department; Carlos Munoz, chief of the Central American Division; and Julio Suarez, advisor to the executive |
FBIS3-51396_2 | Banking, Currency Policies Linked | launch a frontal attack and hit them from every side -- we must first change the way the bank deals with the people. That is the most important thing. The bank must begin by encouraging the people to put their money in the bank. For example, interest rates. Something must be done about this. I also believe that we must study some of the measures that have been suggested. Some of the measures suggested are a bit too drastic. I have heard people say.... [Roque Garcia, interrupts] Measures proposed. [Jose Alejandro Rodriguez] Yes, proposed. [Roque Garcia] That is correct, that is correct. [Jose Alejandro Rodriguez] I have people say: No, no, I can have a certain amount of money. I believe this must be handled in an economic manner. Everything has a bit of political lacing, but we must also remember that if we are promoting a savings policy, we cannot create measures that will discourage what we are trying to get the people to do, which is to save. [Osvaldo Rodriguez] What we must determine is who has the money. How they earned that money. [Roque Garcia] That is correct. [Osvaldo Rodriguez] How they got that much money and how they got to save that amount of money. [Roque Garcia] But that is not the bank's problem. [Osvaldo Rodriguez] No, it is not. It is what Pepe was talking about. We cannot change the cause to ensure a final objective. The bank's objective is to immobilize the money. What the police and investigation groups must do is find out where this person got all that money from. [Roque Garcia] The so-called hoarders, for example. [Osvaldo Rodriguez] The so-called hoarders. Here in Cuba we have many hoarders who earned their money in a very honest manner. Perhaps, but mistake were made, or there was excess profit, or there were state-made mistakes -- they made much money, but it was honestly earned. Therefore, we must differentiate in the way we handle these people, or these comrades. But it is not the bank's duty to do this. The man who made his money illegally does not put his money in the bank. That man is afraid of putting his money in the bank. [Roque Garcia] We are looking for coinciding points of view between what we are discussing here and what is being said on the streets. There were things broached during |
FBIS3-51397_13 | Alarcon Interviewed on Economic Reform | I would like you to explain why this is not a waste of time. [Alarcon] I believe it is necessary. For example, the budget deficit: If an organization or enterprise is inefficient, in other words, it costs more money to the people than what it contributes, [words indistinct] this is very simple: Close it down. However, if in the budget of an organization expenses surpass income they have to reduce expenses to match income. Under capitalism this is solved quite simply: How many surplus workers are there? How many enterprises are you going to close down? Etcetera. Is it not a measure discussing the situation of the enterprise, factory, or institution with its workers so that among them, with the data at hand, with the same openness with which the information on the national economy was disclosed, they can discuss and understand what needs to be done in case there is no other alternative but to take certain measures that affect them? What measures can they, the workers, the owners of the society adopt to mend their finances, to reduce costs and make their work more rational? This is why I say that this discussion process is an extremely important measure, or a total of very important measures we hope will be adopted throughout Cuba. On the other hand, I believe that it is somewhat simpleminded if you were to say that by implementing this measure from the top, beginning tomorrow, the situation will begin to change. We are not sitting on our hands, thinking about measures. On the contrary, they are being adopted. For example, we mentioned the UBPC, but there is self-employment, and even the famous decriminalization of foreign currency. These are measures that also effect the national finances but which by definition did not require a process of consultation, of increasing the awareness of the people. As soon as we understood how to implement them, we did it even before the ANPP met. There are cooperatives that are costing less than a [state] farm in certain places, that have attracted workers -- in other words, there are healthy signs -- and have reduced costs. There are concrete results you can see. Nobody has refrained from implementing measures that are clearly defined, measures that have clear and immediate implications. What is important here is to elevate the morale of the workers. Fidel pointed out that work is attained |
FBIS3-51398_31 | Pedro Ross Interview on Open Dialogue | to reduce the age for retirement? [Ross] This is something that has existed for a long time. [Cruz] This has been around for a while. [Ross] Since we began to prepare for the 16th [CTC] Congress, this issue was discussed intensely, even in sectors such as education. In the next 25 years Cuba will see a drop in the growth of the active labor force due to birth rates, the demographic process we face in the next 25 years. In countries were life expectancy is being extended and people over 60 are physically strong and useful, active labor time is extended because that worker is an important resource for the country. We, Cuba, cannot adopt a measure in this regard on the basis of the situation we are trying to overcome. This is temporary. The less it lasts the better. We are going to need that work force. It is possible that in the future we might have to raise the retirement age, as is done in the developed countries where life expectancy is long. We have 1.1 million retirees in Cuba. Cuba paid 1.6 billion in social security in 1993. In other words, a fourth of what is paid in salaries in Cuba is paid through... [Pantoja interrupting] How much was paid? [Ross] 1.6 billion in retirement benefits and social programs. [Cruz] This is an impressive figure for a country like ours and the problems we have. We have about five minutes left. I want to remind all that on 17 January there is going to be meeting of the union cadres in the CTC provincial school; on 18 January, there is going to be a meeting of union cadres at 1500 in the Martinez Prieto Agroindustrial Complex; on 19 January in Havana at 0900 and 1600 in a merchant fleet vessel; on 20 January, the Cuban delegation to Latin American and Caribbean events will meet with Ariguanabo union cadres at 1300. The Havana UBPC will meet at 0900 on 24 January in the Finlay Institute; on 25 January, there will be a meeting of the CTC Secretariat with union cadres of Havana port. The Solidarity with Cuba meeting continues in Batabano Fishing Complex on 27 January. On the 28th there will a ceremony to mark the 55th anniversary of the CTC at 1500 in the Lazaro Pena Theater; on 29 January, there will be a plenum of the |
FBIS3-51400_0 | Government Says Solution to Crisis To Be Found in 1994 | Language: Spanish Article Type:BFN [Report by Francisco Ramirez Cardenas] [Text] Havana, 14 Jan (NOTIMEX) [dateline as received) -- The Cuban Government has affirmed that in 1994 there will be a solution to the current economic crisis overwhelming the country and expressed its hopes for a reactivation of a greater sugarcane harvest. Politburo members of the ruling Communist Party of Cuba (PCC) have felt the recession will bottom out in the middle of the year, but they urged the people to work more efficiently and save the scant available resources. "Cuba has the perspective of recovery, and the current and next sugarcane harvests will be decisive in this endeavor," Carlos Lage, Executive Committee of the Council of Ministers secretary, has stated during a meeting with leaders of the sugar sector. According to the strategy of the current economic reforms, only the sugarcane harvest will provide the necessary resources to come out of the "special period in peacetime," as the crisis and the measures to alleviate it are called. During the past season of its main industry, Cuba registered the lowest production in three decades (4.2 million tons), something President Fidel Castro has publicly called a disaster. According to Lage, the 1994 to 1995 harvest will be greater than this year's. Castro estimated in late December that the current harvest will be a few hundred tons greater than the 1992 to 1993 harvest. Since the disappearance of the Socialist Bloc and the Soviet Union earlier this decade, Cuba has been going through a profound crisis, with shortages of food, fuel, medicine, transportation, and other basic consumer goods. Havana has blamed the heightened U.S. economic and commercial embargo as the other cause of its woes. The last session of the National Assembly has indicated that the surplus of money in circulation--estimated at more than 12 billion pesos--and the budget deficit of approximately 4.2 billion pesos constitute the two crucial problems to be resolved immediately. In government books, the Cuban peso is at par with the U.S. dollar, but in the flourishing black market the dollar sells from between 70 to 80 pesos. The surplus of money in circulation has led to a greater drop in efficiency, productivity, discipline, and interest in work. According to an official report, during 1993 almost 40 percent of the disciplinary measures applied against workers were prompted by unjustified absences and an interruption of working hours, something that has |
FBIS3-51400_2 | Government Says Solution to Crisis To Be Found in 1994 | official report, during 1993 almost 40 percent of the disciplinary measures applied against workers were prompted by unjustified absences and an interruption of working hours, something that has been compounded by "negligence, disobedience, and borderline criminal conducts." With the state coffers almost without hard currency, without international sources of credit, the alarming government statistics also show that only 31 percent of the state enterprises are profitable. "During the second half a favorable change must be noticeable in the improvement of internal finances," and the amount of fuel will be greater, Politburo member Jorge Lezcano has stated. Cuba will exchange 1.5 million tons of sugar for 4 million tons of oil, according to an agreement signed with Russia. Lezcano has said there are greater possibilities of moving ahead in 1994, although he admitted that in essence the same economic programs of 1993 will be maintained. These programs caused a deterioration in the people's lives. Meanwhile, the Cuban Workers Federation (CTC) is apparently going to claim the responsibility for the new economic adjustment measures that have a high social cost, which the assembly will adopt to improve internal finances. The CTC is holding meetings at labor centers where speakers have suggested actions to reactive the shaky economy. The sale of "bonds for the fatherland" (without interest), ceasing gratuities and subsidies, taxes, higher electricity rates, and the confiscation of wealth obtained "in an illicit manner" are some of the proposals. Economists say the true solution to the money surplus in the hands of the people is to increase production and offer industrial, farming, and service goods. "This process of consultation will make it possible to bring a consensus to the next meeting of the National Assembly," CTC Secretary General Pedro Ross has said on state-owned television. Analysts feel the government expects that out of these meetings will come the major guidelines of the adjustment program, which includes a reduction of the bloated state apparatus and inevitable quota of greater unemployment. Government officials recognize the priority of some of the proposals but say the achievements of the Cuban socialist system, such as in the health field and free education, will be maintained at any rate. The new measures will give continuity to the reform package begun in August 1993 by the government passing a law that will allow the free circulation of foreign currency, allowing self- employment and creating cooperatives for inefficient state farming. |
FBIS3-51402_0 | Roundup of Economic Activity Reported 12-15 Jan | Article Type:BFN [Editorial Report] The following is a compilation of fileworthy reports on economic developments in Cuba carried on Havana radio and television in Spanish between 12 and 15 January. Radio Reloj at 2030 GMT on 12 January reports Cubana Airline President Heriberto Prieto Musa's statement that Cubana transports 40 percent of the tourists coming into Cuba. Prieto adds that over 450,000 tourists were served in 1993. Ninety-five flights a week by 29 foreign airlines arrive in Cuba. Radio Rebelde at 1255 GMT on 13 January reports that over 800,000 crates of fresh grapefruit have been exported during the current grapefruit harvest on the Isle of Youth. Radio Reloj at 1505 GMT on 13 January notes that Varadero's tourist organizations took in $188 million in 1993, a figure much higher than 1992, but $12 million less than called for under the 1993 plan. Radio Rebelde Network at 1800 GMT on 13 January reports that "the ecumenical council today presented the official certificate of a donation of two biological laboratories to the Roberto Fernandez and Sexto Congreso agricultural-livestock production cooperatives in Matanzas Province. The agricultural laboratories cost over 200,000 pesos." Radio Reloj at 1500 GMT on 14 January carries the following reports: Light Industry Establishment No. 122 in Pinar del Rio plans to deliver 1 million meters of fabric covers to the province's tobacco plantations on 20 January. Other Pinar del Rio textile-industry centers have guaranteed three fourths of the 3 million meters the province needs. This work began on 8 December. Over 400,000 meters of textile have already been produced, with 40,000 meters being produced daily. Establishment No. 122 usually makes military cloaks, backpacks, and other such articles. The Third International Caribbean Fair will be held on 28 June in Santiago de Cuba during the Second Businessmen's Meeting, which is part of the effort to incorporate Cuba into the world market. This meeting will also encourage business and economic partnerships. Installing the organizing committee, Cuban Chamber of Commerce President Carlos Martinez Salsamendi stressed that the goal is to strengthen trade ties with other countries. A third of the near 4,000 tons of metallic and aluminum structures produced last year by the Paco Cabrera Enterprise in Las Tunas Province have been sold for hard currency under the system for self-financing established by that enterprise. The products were earmarked mainly for nickel installations in Moa and projects of the Cubanacan and (Simex) |
FBIS3-51446_0 | * Need To Overcome Voter Apathy Seen | Language: Spanish Article Type:CSO [Article by Carlos Murcia: "Candidates' Offensive Against Voter Apathy"] [Text] In the weeks ahead, particularly in January, presidential and congressional candidates will launch a major propaganda and proselytizing offensive aimed at penetrating the apathy that has seriously affected the election campaign. Many candidates are very concerned about the conclusions drawn by pollsters suggesting that 40 to 50 percent of all Colombians have no interest in the four elections to be held in 1994. The number of undecided voters is also high. Under such conditions, if politicians do not adopt a more convincing attitude toward the voters, more could abstain than in previous years, these same analysts say. Neither presidential candidate Ernesto Samper Pizano nor his campaign managers and advisers agree. They predict that enthusiasm among Liberals will pick up in 1994 and equal that seen in previous campaigns. They claim that Liberals could make up 55 or 60 percent of the total number of voters. They estimate that over 3.5 million Liberals will vote, 2 million for Samper and the rest split by the remaining four precandidates still in the race by 13 March: Humberto de la Calle, Carlos Lemos Simmonds, Rodolfo Gonzalez, and David Turbay. It is rumored that Luis Guillermo Sorzano is preparing to launch his candidacy for the Senate although he has delayed the announcement. Election Calculations They estimate that some 6 million persons will go to the polls to cast their ballots for the various parties and groups in the congressional elections. For obvious reasons, that figure could be somewhat lower for the presidential elections because the lure and intensive work of congressional candidates will be missing. However, at the last minute, the element of the mayoral and gubernatorial races could possibly rouse voters out of their apathy. The Conservative election between presidential candidates called by the union of the "rebel quintuplets": Rodrigo Marin, Rodrigo Llorente, Juan Diego Jaramillo, Gabriel Melo, and Roberto Gerlein, but rejected by those following the guidelines of the Conservative leadership supporting Andres Pastrana, could rally some 600,000 votes, according to its organizers' estimates. However, when one considers that the Conservative Party could win nearly 160,000 votes for Congress, the party could find itself in a difficult situation due to the split into two major blocs for the 8 May elections. One group would back Andres Pastrana while the other would rally behind the candidate chosen from among |
FBIS3-51447_0 | * Social Security Reforms, Reaction Discussed * Overview of Reforms | Language: Spanish Article Type:CSO [Text] Next year our country will launch a new health care system aimed at rapidly expanding coverage so that by the year 2000, nearly 90 percent of the population will be totally covered. Private Coverage The bill passed by Congress sets up units known as Health Promotion Agencies (EPS) that will be responsible for collecting contributions from workers and business owners (12 percent of the total monthly payroll) and for contracting for health care services to be paid for out of these resources. Higher Dues The new plan means a 71-percent increase in the contribution for health care. To date, employers and workers have paid in 7 percent. According to estimates of the National Association of Industrialists (ANDI), additional contributions paid into the Social Security Institute by members will total 233.5 billion pesos, 156.5 billion from employers, and 77 billion from workers. An employee earning 100,000 pesos next year (roughly the minimum wage) will pay 3,960 pesos of that sum for health insurance for himself and his family. Under the current system, he would pay only 2,310 pesos. The employer's contribution rises from 4,666 to 8,040 pesos, with the additional resources used to provide the entire family of the insured with basic health care, including common illnesses and maternity coverage. Two Systems The reform creates two major systems: the contributory system and the subsidized system. The former will cover persons with contracts, government employees, pensioners, and independent workers able to pay. The subsidized system will include persons unable to pay who will receive economic assistance to make their contribution to the system. Such assistance will come from a Solidarity Fund. Members will have freedom of choice. They will be able to select the EPS they prefer or transfer to one providing better services. Subsidy What will be the source of the subsidy? Health Promotion Agencies will collect contributions from employers and workers. These funds will be used to pay for the basic health plan and administrative overhead. However, in some cases, there will be a surplus that must be transferred to the Solidarity Fund. Subsidies will be financed out of these resources and other funds transferred from the Central Government or municipalities. How will the surplus be generated? First of all, the National Social Security Council for Health Care will determine how much the health care of every member costs. For example, if it estimates the |
FBIS3-51447_1 | * Social Security Reforms, Reaction Discussed * Overview of Reforms | family of the insured with basic health care, including common illnesses and maternity coverage. Two Systems The reform creates two major systems: the contributory system and the subsidized system. The former will cover persons with contracts, government employees, pensioners, and independent workers able to pay. The subsidized system will include persons unable to pay who will receive economic assistance to make their contribution to the system. Such assistance will come from a Solidarity Fund. Members will have freedom of choice. They will be able to select the EPS they prefer or transfer to one providing better services. Subsidy What will be the source of the subsidy? Health Promotion Agencies will collect contributions from employers and workers. These funds will be used to pay for the basic health plan and administrative overhead. However, in some cases, there will be a surplus that must be transferred to the Solidarity Fund. Subsidies will be financed out of these resources and other funds transferred from the Central Government or municipalities. How will the surplus be generated? First of all, the National Social Security Council for Health Care will determine how much the health care of every member costs. For example, if it estimates the cost to be 200,000 pesos a year, the EPS may retain only that amount for every member covered. However, in many cases, the agency may have a large number of persons earning high incomes, meaning that 12 percent of their salaries would amount to far more than the cost of the health care. In such cases, the surplus will be paid into the fund, effectively creating solidarity between the rich and the poor. No Cuts How does the plan work? The law states that the basic health plan to be provided by the EPS will be the same as the one now offered by the Social Security Institute. In other words, it will include a package of services covering common illnesses and maternity at all levels. It will also cover any and all diagnostic services, medical treatment, surgery, and rehabilitation deemed necessary. No "Preexisting Conditions" There will be no such thing as "preexisting conditions" in the system. This means that members will receive care even if it can be demonstrated that a specific disease was contracted before coverage as a member began. For the first time, the pension reform will allow the participation of private pension funds, which will begin |
FBIS3-51448_0 | * Social Security Reforms, Reaction Discussed * Employers Fear Costs | Language: Spanish Article Type:CSO [Text] The greatest fear of business owners and merchants concerning new obligations imposed by the Social Security Law has to do with added labor costs, the difference between the two pension systems, and the concentration of power in the hands of the Ministry of Health. Spokesmen for the private sector say the new system will once again force businesses to raise prices on their products or accept lower profits. This is how businessmen and merchants will cover the increase in payroll costs resulting from the adjustment in pension contributions and the change in the proportion of contributions. The new Social Security Law provides that employers will pay 75 percent of the pension contribution and workers the remaining 25 percent. Employers currently pay only two-thirds of the contribution. The National Association of Industrialists (ANDI) has from the very beginning opposed the disproportionate share of the dues, arguing the high labor costs it generates for businesses. It holds that, when combined with the increase in contributions, not only will this factor generate inflationary pressures, but higher labor costs could result in a loss of ability to compete internationally for Colombian goods and services. According to Andres de la Espriella, president of the Colombian Association of Garmentmakers (ASCONFECCION), the greatest impact will be felt by small and medium-size enterprises which, while paying the lowest wages, are among the biggest contributors because the industry is labor-intensive. In his opinion, the goods produced by such industries will reflect a substantial price increase in the early months of next year. Luis Gustavo Florez, president of the Federation of Metallurgical and Metal-Machine Industries (FEDEMETAL), warns that passing on the added cost to prices will not be possible in all sectors. He thinks the economic liberalization program [apertura economica] reduces the room that businessmen once had to pass on added costs to consumers. He says the added costs will be reflected in the profits of companies in his sector because they intend to adjust prices by only 14 or 15 percent in 1994. Businessmen are also concerned about differences in the number of weeks of contributions required by private funds and the Social Security Institute (ISS) because they do not allow for real competition between the two systems. Health Care Sabas Pretelt de la Vega, president of the National Federation of Businessmen (FENALCO), challenged a number of articles in the health reform. His major |
FBIS3-51450_0 | * Social Security Reforms, Reaction Discussed * Financial Institutions Comment | Language: Spanish Article Type:CSO [Text] The new pension and health system was greeted with certain reservations by the Colombian financial system. In giving the reason for their reservations, the financial institutions argue that a number of inequities place private pension funds at a disadvantage compared with the Social Security Institute (ISS). Nevertheless, it is hoped that with proper regulations, not only will there be greater competition, but also a smooth implementation of the law. For insurers, the reform is a positive step because it ends the government monopoly over pensions and health care and launches a process consisting in offering a pension based on the savings of every worker. In addition, it is emphasized that for the first time in the country's history, competition is allowed between public and private entities, with complete freedom for every worker to choose between the systems based on the quality of services offered in terms of pensions and health care. There is one drawback, however: The cost of the reform aimed at expanding retirement and health care coverage will be substantial. William Fadul, president of the Union of Colombian Insurers (FASECOLDA), said it will be necessary to review differences established in the number of weeks of payment required and the age at which one becomes eligible for a pension, as well as the generous criteria for determining disability. For the National Association of Financial Institutions (ANIF), the reform could be described as "battered but surviving," inasmuch as the imbalances favor the ISS. "They did everything possible to discriminate against the funds, meaning that the workers earning the lowest wages will have to pay a kind of toll to join," ANIF President Javier Fernandez Riva said. He emphasized the workers' freedom to choose because it will promote competitiion and improve ISS services, but he is concerned that before one may transfer to a fund, a statement before a notary is required. Invertir [Invest] President Fernando Borda said the reform is good, but could have been better. He did admit, however, that it was impossible to do more because it was very difficult to juggle the interests of employers, workers, financial institutions, and the unions. He said that for those earning over the minimum wage, it may be better to join a private fund because with a good yield, a larger pension can be had. Invermanana President Juan Francisco Hernandez said that much of the working |
FBIS3-51451_1 | * Social Security Reforms, Reaction Discussed * ANIF President on Reforms | claim that the unions or most of Colombia's economists in the academic world played a positive role in the passage of this far-reaching reform. Unfortunately, the proposal did not come out of the test intact. Obviously, not all of the modifications in the government's original version could honestly be considered as "improvements," and several are inappropriate. Nevertheless, the real "guts" of the reform were saved. Beginning next year, Colombians will have an alternative to the traditional inefficient and excessive government monopoly over the administration of pensions. Fortunately, the idea of opponents of private pension funds of crippling them at birth by virtue of a "mixed" system in which Colombians opting for such funds would remain bound to the ISS for life failed to thrive. Although two pension systems will exist in the future--including the common pot--at least membership in either one will be exclusive. Unfortunately, a populist thrust in Congress altered the essence of the system of distribution by providing that the Treasury will cover any shortfall. The provision is so absurd, fiscally speaking, that workers would do well to foresee that once the inevitable cash deficit occurs in the system, the law may be modified to raise dues or cut benefits. With respect to the relationship between dues and benefits offered by the system of services provided, insufficient progress was made to guarantee that the system will be financially balanced. In addition, an absurd regressive subsidy was maintained, higher for persons in upper-income brackets than for those in the lower brackets. However, dues were at least increased, the minimum number of weeks of payment required for eligibility was raised, retirement ages were modified slightly, and a correction was made in the absurd current rule that a person retires with the wage he was paid for the last two years, an inexhaustible source of abuses. Any demagogue could argue that cutting benefits and increasing dues imply an improvement in the system, but I believe it is to insult the intelligence of Colombians to suggest that one can maintain a dreadful financial imbalance in the system of retirement without forcing workers having to pay the price in the end and, what is worse, doing so in a disorganized, traumatic fashion once the system has reached the crisis stage. Because the financial imbalance is reduced, the Colombian economy is now on a firmer footing and its possibilities of development have therefore improved. |
FBIS3-51454_0 | Commentary on Worker Participation in Economic Reform | Language: Spanish Article Type:BFN [Roberto Morejon commentary from the "Evening Information Review" newscast] [Text] At this time of necessary changes, Cuban labor unions are pushing to become the vanguard in adapting the Cuban system to the very unfavorable international context, and they are doing this by promoting internal reorganization of the nation's finances. The union movement advocates doing away with formalism, and it supports a more realistic look at problems and their possible solutions from the perspective of the workplace, as well as from a nationwide point of view. A recent editorial in the weekly TRABAJADORES, mouthpiece of the labor unions, called for the elimination of ritual and repetitive language. It asked for an end to the constant use of triumphant arrogance during everyday work at the unions' grass-roots level -- a level that includes factories, workshops, and service centers. TRABAJADORES attacked the use of what Cubans call "teques." This means using propaganda slogans instead of objectively analyzing the problems affecting any given daily situation. "Teques," according to the weekly, is the corruption of revolutionary language. It called on the unions to move into an offensive mode and leave behind the habit of forever waiting for guidance from higher up while deficiencies continue to grow at the workplace. The call for a more specific analysis of the problems affecting a certain work center and the country in general is consistent with the nationwide effort to face the economic crisis provoked by external forces in a way as realistic as possible. The same weekly had previously called on workers to fight for social equality and to banish egalitarianism practices of years gone by. These methods had such a negative effect that they managed to neutralize the workers' enthusiasm to produce more and better products. The current trend is to consider equality as a beautiful humanistic ideal and also as a condition for economic development. Now, more than ever before, Cubans believe it is time to do away with idealistic practices and to cautiously apply the socialist principle of distribution of wealth according to the quality and quantity of work performed by each individual. In this context, it should be understood that if work does not become the true gauge with which to measure merit and, in turn, measure each worker's standard of living, current deterrents to production and efficiency will prevail. The Cuban unions will support the socialist formulas designed to |
FBIS3-51458_0 | Vice Foreign Minister Admits Need for Economic Reforms | Language: Spanish Article Type:BFN [Text] Madrid, 14 Jan (EFE) -- Cuban Vice Foreign Minister Isabel Allende admitted in Madrid today that her country needs to make changes to resolve its economic crisis, as long as there is a consensus by the people. Allende emphasized the need to safeguard Cuba's independence. She pointed out "We need to make those changes but the first thing that has to be taken into account is the people's opinions." The Cuban vice minister for European affairs arrived in Spain on Tuesday and will visit until 21 January. Among other matters, Allende will make preparations for Cuban Foreign Minister Roberto Robaina's visit to Spain scheduled for the end of March. In Madrid, Isabel Allende met with Yago Pico de Coana, general director for Ibero-America, and with Jose Luis Dicenta, state secretary for International Cooperation, with whom she discussed the follow-up work of the joint scientific-technical, cultural, and educational commission. Allende, who said that Cuba has heard opinions on how to deal with the economic crisis, described the document published yesterday in Madrid's EL MUNDO newspaper as "fictitious" [apocrifo]. It stated that Cuban President Fidel Castro rejected the application of reforms proposed by former Spanish Economy Minister Carlos Solchaga. According to the newspaper, described by Allende as "a series of ridiculous things," Solchaga, in a secret report drafted after a trip to Havana, proposed a rapid transition to capitalism, which Castro rejected. Allende also denied that Yago Pico de Coana handed her, as EL PAIS published yesterday, a list of prisoners of conscience that the Spanish Government would like freed before Robaina's visit. "We discussed Robaina's visit; there is no new list," Allende stated. He stressed that this question (the alleged list of prisoners) did not occupy even one moment of our conversation." [no opening quotation marks as received] "The Cuban foreign minister was invited by his Spanish colleague Javier Solana. The government has not set any conditions for Robaina's visit," she said. "I believe the visit is important, but it is not something extraordinary; it will be a working visit and bilateral relations, among other things, will be discussed," Allende said. Regarding the departure from Cuba of Alina Fernandez, Fidel Castro's illegitimate daughter, the Cuban diplomat said that "it has not had any special repercussions; we do not normally prevent people from leaving. Many people depart Cuba and Cuban migration is a topic that is manipulated |
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