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Yahoo! April 15, 2002.
Cuba blasts proposed UN resolution
By Anita Snow, Associated Press Writer. Sun Apr 14.
HAVANA - The Cuban foreign minister on Thursday blasted a proposed U.N.
resolution to censure his country for its human rights record and said Havana
would never agree to a visit by a U.N. human rights monitor.
Speaking at a news conference, Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque accused
the United States of pressuring Uruguay to propose a U.N. resolution calling for
the communist country to promote fundamental liberties for its people and to let
a U.N. human rights representative visit the island to help officials comply
with the resolution.
"They're dreaming if they think that Cuba would let an inspector in the
service of the United States government come here under these conditions,"
Perez Roque said. The U.N. representative would be doing the United States'
bidding, he said, because the proposal allegedly was Washington's idea.
The United States denied it was responsible for the resolution introduced at
the annual U.N. Human Rights Commission meeting in Geneva.
"We obviously have a substantial interest in this issue — there is
no doubting that," U.S. Ambassador Kevin Moley told reporters in Geneva. "But
until yesterday afternoon we didn't know for sure that a resolution would be
forthcoming."
Uruguayan President Jorge Batlle has denied his country was pressured by the
United States and claimed the Cuban accusations were "caused by ignorance
on how these things are resolved."
But Perez Roque said the United States has been working on the proposal
since October and has been shopping for a country to introduce it. He maintained
the United States "desperately" needs the censure of Cuba's rights
record as a pretext for maintaining its trade embargo after more than four
decades.
Although introduced by Uruguay just minutes before the Wednesday evening
deadline, "Cuba is not confused about its authorship," said Perez
Roque. A vote is expected April 19, he said.
The United States has brought the proposal in the past, but it is not a
member of the commission this year for the first time since 1947.
According to a text distributed in Havana, the proposed resolution
recognizes the social rights that Cuba provides its people "despite an
adverse international environment." The sponsors of the resolution "invite
the government of Cuba to make efforts to obtain similar advances in the area of
human, civil and political rights."
Although Cuba is not accused of such abuses as political killings and
disappearances, international human rights groups complain that the Caribbean
nation does not guarantee its citizens free speech, press, assembly and
association.
Asked about a signature-gathering effort in Cuba known as the Varela Project
to force a referendum on the communist government's practices, Felipe Perez
declared activists involved in the effort were on the U.S. government payroll
and said he doubted they would succeed.
More than the 10,000 signatures needed to force the referendum reportedly
have been gathered and are being checked for authenticity before they are
submitted to Cuba's National Assembly, or parliament.
The proposed referendum would ask voters to weigh in on issues ranging from
an amnesty for political prisoners to opportunities for Cubans to run their own
businesses.
Cuba Protests Ouster of Chavez
By ANITA SNOW, Associated Press Writer. Sun Apr 14,11:14 PM
ET
HAVANA (AP) - Stunned by the loss of its closest regional ally, Cuba's
government mustered thousands of people on Saturday to protest the ouster of
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and efforts by other Latin American nations to
censure the island for its human rights record.
"The truth is that in Venezuela they have had a coup," Cuba's U.N.
ambassador Bruno Rodriguez told a crowd of about 15,000 at a weekly rally
organized by President Fidel Castro (news - web sites)'s communist government.
It was held in Guira de Melena, a town in Havana province outside the capital.
President Fidel Castro, who considered the leftist leader Chavez a friend,
sat in the front row of the crowd but did not speak. Castro has not spoken
publicly about the ouster of Chavez, who was forced out of power by military
leaders overnight Friday amid growing unrest.
Rodriguez also criticized the United States for not condemning Chavez's
removal, which left a leading businessman in charge of the oil-producing
country.
He said that "the Yankees are almost always behind coups ... and
install dictators," but stopped short of accusing the United States of
being behind what he called the illegal removal of a democratically elected
president by Venezuela's "oligarchs."
Chavez's ouster cast doubt over the budding trade relationship between Cuba
and Venezuela. Venezuela is Cuba's top trade partner and had been exporting
53,000 barrels of oil to Cuba daily at preferential terms.
Castro visited Venezuela three times since Chavez's 1998 election, and he
celebrated his 75th birthday there during his most recent trip last August.
Castro once referred to Chavez as "a man worthy of admiration and support,"
and they appeared to share mutual admiration and affection.
The ties between the leftist leaders have rankled the United States.
Chavez's detractors had accused him of trying to "Cubanize" the
country, but his supporters said that his "Bolivarian Revolution" —
the term he used to describe his policies — was original and did not
imitate any other nation's model.
Rodriguez also criticized a proposal by a group of nine Latin American
nations led by Uruguay to censure Cuba at an upcoming U.N. Human Rights
Commission meeting in Geneva.
He asked what the rights commission planned to do about Chavez's removal and
expressed concern for Chavez's safety, citing reports from the ousted leader's
daughter Maria Gabriela Chavez, who said he was taken from the military base
where he was being held to an undisclosed location.
Chaos Forces Venezuela President Out
By Jorge Rueda, Associated Press Writer Sun Apr 14,11:14 PM
ET
CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) - President Hugo Chavez, the former army paratrooper
who polarized Venezuela with his strongarm rule and whose friendship with Cuba
and Iraq irritated the United States, resigned under military pressure Friday
after a massive opposition demonstration ended in a bloodbath.
Chavez, 47, presented his resignation to three officers after he was
confronted by the military high command at the presidential palace, said the Air
Force chief, Gen. Regulo Anselmi, who was present at the time.
At 3 a.m. Friday, Chavez, wearing military fatigues and a red beret —
as he did when he led a failed 1992 coup against then-President Carlos Andres
Perez — left the palace for Caracas' Fort Tiuna army base. He was being
held there while investigators decide what charges he could face for Thursday's
violence, said army commander Gen. Efrain Vasquez Velasco.
Oil prices dipped amid hopes Chavez' downfall would bring greater stability
in the world's fourth biggest oil exporter. A strike at the state-run oil
monopoly protesting moves by Chavez had sharply cut production. Venezuela is the
No. 3 supplier to the United States.
Thousands of Venezuelans celebrated overnight, waving flags, blowing
whistles and jamming a main highway in Caracas. Police warned that Chavez
supporters reportedly were distributing weapons, especially in the hillside
slums surrounding the capital. Officers raided storehouses, seizing dozens of
firearms.
Downtown, streets were littered with debris — and in some places,
stained with blood. Most shops and businesses remained closed, and most people
simply stayed home, stunned and wondering what would come next. Buses were
half-empty, and those reporting to work hurried amidst rubble-strewn sidewalks.
Pedro Carmona, head of Venezuela's largest business association, announced
he would head a transitional government to be installed later Friday. He also
announced an immediate end to a general strike called earlier this week against
Chavez.
The 1 million-member Venezuelan Workers Confederation, and the business
association Fedecamaras, called the strike to support executives within the
state oil company, Petroleos de Venezuela, who were protesting Chavez's
appointments to top company posts.
Chavez quit just hours after at least 13 people were killed and 110 wounded
during a 150,000-strong opposition demonstration in downtown Caracas. Chavez had
ordered National Guard troops and civilian gunmen, including rooftop snipers, to
stop the marchers from reaching the palace, military officers said.
The rapid developments stunned this oil-rich, yet poverty-stricken nation.
But opposition to Chavez's three-year presidencey had been growing for some
time.
The confrontational president had alienated Washington with his close ties
to Cuban President Fidel Castro , visits to Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein and to
Libya, and criticism of U.S. bombings in Afghanistan . The Bush administration
said it was closely monitoring the political upheaval in Venezuela. "Our
interests are in democracy and democratic institutions," said a senior U.S.
official traveling with Secretary of State Colin Powell in Jerusalem.
"I urge Venezuelans to maintain calm, to keep faith, to continue
working on the road toward democracy, freedom and peace," said retired Gen.
Guaicaipuro Lameda, who until February headed the Petroleos de Venezuela oil
monopoly and was a leader of the movement to oust Chavez. "It's with
sadness that to reach this point, so many people had to die, so many wounded."
During Thursday's clashes, National Guard troops fired tear gas at the front
ranks of marchers bearing sticks and throwing rocks. Tear gas drifted into the
presidential compound. Rooftop snipers and Chavez supporters repeatedly fired
upon the protesters and even ambulance crews trying to evacuate the wounded.
Among the dead was Jorge Tortoza, a 45-year-old photographer with Diario
2001 newspaper. As many as 110 people were wounded, Greater Caracas Mayor
Alfredo Pena said.
As the bloodbath unfolded, Chavez ordered five Caracas television stations
off the air — charging they were inciting violence. Most Venezuelans were
denied images of "Chavistas" repeatedly firing on unarmed protesters,
bodies lying in pools of blood on the streets, and hooded thugs attacking police
until after the military rebelled.
Just three years into his presidency, Chavez's combative rhetoric had
alienated virtually every sector of Venezuelan society with his attacks on the
news media and Roman Catholic Church leaders, his refusal to consult with
business leaders, and his failed attempt to assert control over labor groups.
Chavez's government also inherited a staggering $21 billion in back wages
and pensions owed workers by previous administrations — a debt he was
unable to pay.
His suspected ties to Colombia's leftist guerrillas angered many in the
military and abroad.
Domestic opponents claimed his government was secretly arming neighborhood
block committees known as "Bolivarian Circles," named after South
American liberator Simon Bolivar, to defend his revolution. The Circles were
created after Castro urged Chavez's supporters to organize during a 2000 visit.
Chavez also exasperated Venezuelans with his frequent use of "cadenas"
— hours-long presidential speeches that by law had to be broadcast by all
Venezuelan TV and radio stations.
For Chavez, who on Tuesday boasted he would remain president until 2021, the
end came quickly.
Just last Friday, he refused to negotiate with state-run Petroleos de
Venezuela executives who were demanding that he remove a company board he had
appointed Feb. 25. The executives claimed the appointees weren't qualified and
were meant to strengthen Chavez's hold on a multinational corporation that
cherishes its autonomy.
The oil executives launched a slowdown last week that cut production at the
Paraguana refinery complex, one of the world's largest, to below 50 percent
capacity. They closed another refinery, disrupted gasoline deliveries and all
but stopped loading of oil tankers. Oil generates 80 percent of Venezuela's
foreign earnings.
Anselmi said the military urged Chavez on Wednesday to negotiate. He agreed,
but by then the Petroleos de Venezuela executives had rejected such overtures.
After Thursday's violence, the high command decided Chavez had to go, and
they confronted him en masse in his offices, Anselmi said. National Guard troops
seized the government television station as tanks rumbled on the streets.
Chavez's longtime mentor, former Interior Minister Luis Miquilena, condemned the
repression.
Chavez, surrounded by a nervous Cabinet, finally handed his resignation to
Anselmi, Armed Forces Inspector General Gen. Lucas Rincon Romero and National
Guard commander Gen. Belisario Landis.
"Being a friend of his for many years, I advised him to resign and
allow Venezuelans to avoid a bigger bloodbath," said Gen. Francisco Uson,
who until Thursday served as Chavez's finance minister.
Vasquez Velasco, the army commander, said 95 percent of army forces were
under his control, as well as all airports and major military bases. Incoming
international commercial flights were canceled until further notice.
"We ask the Venezuelan people's forgiveness for today's events,"
said Vasquez Velasco. "Mr. President, I was loyal to the end, but today's
deaths cannot be tolerated."
Cuba to pull out civilian specialists from Venezuela for their safety,
ambassador says
By Ian James, Associated Press Writer. Sun Apr 14,11:10 PM
ET
CARACAS, Venezuela - Citing Venezuela's political violence, Cuba's
ambassador said his country is sending home more than 700 Cuban civilian
technicians and specialists out of concern for their safety.
German Sanchez Otero said in an interview with The Associated Press on
Saturday that Cuba considers Chavez to be Venezuela's legitimate president and
that he has not resigned, as claimed by Venezuela's armed forces. Mexico and
other nations back Cuba's stand.
Cuba has demanded that the United Nations investigate the events that led
to Chavez's arrest on Friday.
"President Chavez continues to be president," Sanchez Otero said. "How
is it possible to speak of democracy when a democratic regime is being grossly
violated before the eyes of the world and the Venezuelan people?"
Sanchez Otero denied that any officials from Chavez's administration or
Chavez allies had sought refuge in the Cuban mission.
The Cuban specialists in Venezuela include more than 700 sports trainers,
farming and sugar advisers and others. The Cubans, who came to Venezuela under a
cooperation agreement between Chavez and Cuban President Fidel Castro , will be
flown out in an "orderly fashion" in the coming days, the ambassador
said.
"The country doesn't offer security," Sanchez Otero said inside
the Cuban Embassy, where on Friday at least 500 anti-Chavez protesters destroyed
seven cars and cut electricity and water to the building for hours.
About 280 Cuban doctors assigned to improve health care in this impoverished
country will stay for now, Sanchez Otero said. Some have been here working free
of charge since 1999, when flooding in Vargas state killed an estimated 15,000
people.
"The doctors will remain until it's decided by Venezuela's government
whether they stay or go," he said.
Under the bilateral pact, Venezuela sold Cuba oil with preferential
financing rates in exchange for Cuban advice in tourism, sugar, health and other
industries. Under Chavez, Venezuela provided Cuba 53,000 barrels of oil a day —
by some estimates worth dlrs 500 million a year.
In addition, hundreds of impoverished Venezuelans have been flown to Cuba
for medical care.
Top Venezuelan oil officials say the deal will be off under the interim
government of President Pedro Carmona, a businessman installed by the military
on Friday.
Venezuela's military ousted Chavez Friday after street clashes on Thursday
killed at least 16 people and wounded hundreds. Chavez's supporters and family
insist he never resigned but surrendered to rebellious officers.
Chavez is a close friend of Cuban President Fidel Castro.
Cuba protests ouster of Venezuela president and efforts by other Latin
neighbors for human rights censure
By Anita Snow, Associated Press Writer. Sat Apr 13, 1:01 PM
ET
HAVANA - Increasingly isolated after losing its best friend in the region,
Cuba on Saturday protested Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez's ouster and blamed
the United States for plans by other Latin neighbors to censure the island for
its human rights record.
"The truth is that in Venezuela they have had a coup," Bruno
Rodriguez, Cuba's ambassador to the United Nations , told the crowd gathered for
the government's regular rally, this week held in the community of Guira de
Melena, in Havana Province outside the capital.
It was unclear what effect the ouster would have on diplomatic relations
between the two countries, but Rodriguez announced that Cuba would evacuate its
diplomats and advisers — with the exception of medical personnel —
from the embassy in Caracas, where hundreds of Chavez opponents surrounded the
mission Friday. Cuba has denied any Venezuelans have sought asylum inside.
President Fidel Castro , who considered Chavez a friend and once referred to
him as "a man worthy of admiration and support," attended Saturday's
in the front row of the crowd. He did not address the rally and so far has not
spoken publicly about Chavez being forced out of power by military leaders
overnight Friday amid growing unrest.
Vice President Carlos Lage and Castro's older brother Ramon were among other
well-known figures in the crowd, which the government estimated at 15,000
people.
Rodriguez criticized the United States for not condemning Chavez's
overthrow, saying that "the Yankees are almost always behind coups ... and
install dictators."
Chavez's close friendship with Castro had made the United States and some
Venezuelans uneasy, especially when he said Venezuela and Cuba were moving
toward the "same sea of happiness" during a visit to the island.
During the Saturday rally, the Cuban ambassador also expressed concern for
Chavez's safety. He cited reports from the ousted leader's daughter Maria
Gabriela Chavez, who has said her father has been taken from the military base
where he was being held and taken to an undisclosed location.
Rodriguez also criticized a proposal by Latin American nations led by
Uruguay to censure Cuba in the coming days before the United Nations Human
Rights Commission meeting in Geneva.
Acknowledging the broad social rights provided through universal health care
and education, the proposed resolution asks Cuba to give equally respect to
citizens' human, political and civil rights. It also calls for a U.N. human
rights representative to visit the island and monitor its progress.
The ambassador asked what the rights commission planned to do about the
Chavez's ouster, which he characterized as the illegal removal of a
democratically elected president by Venezuela's "oligarchs."
"Will it demand respect for the liberties and political, economic,
social and cultural rights of the Venezuelan people?" he asked.
Cuba resents the annual campaign to condemn its rights record before the
U.N. commission and earlier said that any Latin American nations who joined this
year's vote would be considered a betrayal.
Chavez's ouster and the upcoming vote following a recent cooling of
relations with Mexico, which during the Cold War resisted U.S. pressures to cut
diplomatic relations with Cuba.
Chavez's ouster threw into doubt the budding trade relationship between the
two countries. Venezuela is Cuba's No. 1 trade partner, with about 1 billion
dlrs in business annually.
Venezuela had been exporting 53,000 barrels of oil to Cuba daily at
preferential terms, but Edgar Paredes of Venezuela's oil company declared
Friday, "We aren't going to send a single barrel more to Cuba."
Rodriguez said that Cuba had religiously paid Venezuela for the fuel and could
now buy it elsewhere.
Cuban Diplomat Vanishes in Panama
By Juan Zamorano, Associated Press Writer. Sun Apr 14,11:13
PM ET
PANAMA CITY, Panama - A Cuban diplomat once expelled from Canada for
espionage has vanished in Panama, and Cuban Embassy officials are calling him a
turncoat.
Orlando Brito Pestana, the Cuban Embassy's commercial attache, disappeared
along with his wife and family, embassy spokesman Alexis Fruto said. It wasn't
clear if Brito had left Panama. Cuban officials have asked that his diplomatic
status be removed.
Asked about allegations that Brito had been a spy, Fruto replied, "Really,
I don't know. Like all traitors, he is going to say things."
The Miami Herald reported on Thursday that U.S. and Panamanian officials
said Brito had defected and had been brought to the United States.
Neither the Panamanian Foreign Ministry nor Panamanian security officials
would confirm that report.
Foreign Minister Jose Miguel Aleman said last week that Brito had
disappeared but that there are no indications he was a crime victim.
In 1994, Canada expelled Brito, then a vice consul, for alleged espionage.
The Herald reported that U.S. officials later blocked an attempt to have him
stationed at the Cuban Interests Section in Washington, which serves as a
quasi-embassy.
The Herald quoted a Panamanian security adviser as saying Brito approached
Panamanian officials on March 27 and was flown to the United States two days
later using false documents.
It quoted U.S. government officials as saying he was being debriefed by U.S.
intelligence agencies.
Cuba has extensive dealings with Panama-based companies that export food,
cars, machinery and other goods to the communist island.
Relations between the two governments have been strained since November
2000, when Cuban President Fidel Castro attended an Ibero-American summit here
and announced that a Cuban exile, Luis Posada Carriles, had infiltrated the
country in a plot to kill him.
Panama arrested Posada and several alleged accomplices, but it has refused
Cuban demands to extradite him to the island and has said it lacks enough
evidence to try him for attempted murder. He is being held on weapons and other
charges.
Raymond Molina, the leader of a Cuban dissident group based in Panama, Cuban
Unity, said Thursday that "trustworthy sources" had reported that
Brito was in Washington, D.C. | 
