Cuba (Nonaligned Movement) summit sends strong message

[Ghost Dog]

Little-reported, it appears, in 'Aligned', Western English-speaking media so far (not even by the Guardian/Observer, as far as I can see) but well covered by, for example, Spanish press, this is the BBC's summary of the Summit's Final Declaration:

Cuba summit sends strong message
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/5353336.stm
BBC News, Havana

The summit of the Non-Aligned Movement being held in Havana has ended with delegates agreeing a final statement.

The movement consists of 118 countries, mostly from the developing world.

<snip>

The delegates representing almost two-thirds of all the countries in the world gave their approval to a document which spells out the points they agree on.

There is strong condemnation of Israel's recent intervention in Lebanon, a call for the United Nations to be more representative of smaller nations, support for Iran's nuclear energy plans and implicit criticism of much of US foreign policy.

Many of the world leaders attending the summit used their seven allocated minutes at the podium to vent their anger at the Bush administration.

/more...

Reuters chooses to adopt a rather less-balanced tone:

U.S. and U.N. bashed at Cuba summit
http://today.reuters.com/news/articlenews.aspx?type=topNews&storyID=2006-09-17T005123Z_01_N14252483_RTRUKOC_0_US-NONALIGNED.xml&pageNumber=0&imageid=&cap=&sz=13&WTModLoc=NewsArt-C1-ArticlePage3

HAVANA (Reuters) - Washington's biggest enemies, from communist Cuba to North Korea, called on developing nations on Saturday to challenge U.S. dominance through a revived Non-Aligned Movement labeled a Cold War relic by critics.

More than 50 heads of state and leaders from over 100 Third World countries, among them Iran and Venezuela, rejected U.S. use of the "axis of evil" label and supported Tehran's right to nuclear technology for peaceful use.

"American imperialism is in decline. A new, bi-polar world is emerging," Venezuela's leftist President Hugo Chavez said.

<snip>

"The idea that the movement must go beyond statements and take action in international forums has gained force here. Our strength must emerge from our numbers," Cuban Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque. NAM nations are almost two thirds of the UN.

Leaders took turns at the podium to criticize global poverty, unfair trade practices and "arbitrary" actions by powerful nations that -- they complained -- controlled the United Nations. Some said NAM should be strengthened as an alternative.

/more..

Here's the summary of the closing press briefing (not copyright):

Summary of Briefing with Press
September 16, 2006.
http://www.cubanoal.cu/ingles/Conferencias/160906.htm

The press briefing held Saturday, September 16 began with a succinct presentation by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cuba, Felipe Perez Roque, discussing general aspects of the 14th Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM). It also covered significant advances in negotiations, which must conclude by the end of the day with the adoption of all documents announced previously.

<snip>

The Movement, which emerged as an alternative to the two antagonistic blocs which existed during the Cold War, has updated content and work objectives, as was demonstrated in Havana. The objectives have also been updated and consist of the defence of multilateralism, opposition to hegemonic and unilateral action, and opposition to violations of International Law. At the same time, they call for the defence of the rights of all nations (irrespective of their size, level of development or power), the strengthening of the role of international organizations, as well as the reform and democratization of those bodies.

<snip>

Among the many topics that this (the Final) document deals with are:

- support for the Bolivian people and government;
- support for the constitutional government of Venezuela;
- support for Cuba, and a call on the government of the United States to end the economic, commercial and financial blockade of this country; a rejection of the growing extraterritorial character of that blockade and new measures which toughen it; a call on the US government to return to Cuban sovereignty the territory presently occupied by its naval base at Guantanamo, and to put an end to illegal TV and radio broadcasts against Cuba;
- support for the extradition request presented by Venezuela before the government of the United States to bring to justice those responsible for the terrorist attack against an Cubana airliner in October 1976 which resulted in the deaths of 73 innocent civilians. In this respect, NAM opposes protection offered to individuals accused of perpetrating terrorist acts in Venezuela; this prevents Venezuelan authorities from compelling them to appear before justice;
- the reiteration that democracy is a universal value, based on the will of the people, freely expressed, to determine their own political, economic, social and cultural system, and with total participation in all the aspects of life; this reaffirms that although all democracies have common characteristics, there is no single model of democracy and that this one is not the patrimony of any country or region. The Non-Aligned Movement does not agree with the premise that preventive wars, secret jails, illegal international transfers of prisoners, the invasion of countries and regime changes are the paths towards democracy;
- the reaffirmation of the necessity to properly respect sovereignty and the right to free determination;
- the strong condemnation of the acts of aggression committed against Lebanon and violations committed by the Israeli government, while expressing solidarity and support for the people and government of Lebanon, and respect for its territorial integrity;
- on social issues and the development, an accurate assessment is made of the international economic situation, particularly that of our countries, and the positions of the Movement are reaffirmed concerning commerce, cooperation, financial-monetary relations; the fight against racism and discrimination; the advancement of women; special challenges of indigenous peoples, and the situation faced by less developed landlocked countries;
- etc.

The Final Document makes fundamental statements advocating the promotion and preservation multilateralism; it reaffirms that the United Nations, its Charter and International Law continue to be indispensable.

<snip>

4. Declaration on Palestine. In this declaration, solidarity with the cause of the Palestinian people is reaffirmed.

5. Declaration on the Nuclear Question of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The text ratifies that which was already decided upon by the foreign ministers when they met in Putrajaya, Malaysia in May 2006. The fundamental and inalienable right of all the states to undertake the research, production and use of nuclear energy with pacific aims is reaffirmed in this declaration. It rejects the monopoly of nuclear technology, as well as hypocrisy and double standards; it rejects those possessing nuclear weapons upgrading and extending them, while at the same time prohibiting others from using nuclear energy to produce electricity, for medical applications, and other peaceful ends. The use of nuclear energy with peaceful aims is defended, without discrimination and in accordance with respective legal obligations. It is said in the declaration that the International Atomic Energy Organization is the only authority competent to verify the fulfilment of the obligations made by virtue of safeguard agreements.

/more...

(Note, the Q&A session is only available in Spanish so far, but will surely be posted in English soon): http://www.cubanoal.cu/Reuniones/160906.htm

The Final Document of the 14th SUMMIT CONFERENCE OF HEADS OF STATE OR GOVERNMENT OF THE NON-ALIGNED MOVEMENT, Havana, Cuba, 11th to 16th of September, 2006 is here: http://www.cubanoal.cu/ingles/docadoptados/tdocfinal.html

(Official Site Homepage, in English): http://www.cubanoal.cu/ingles/

[ima_sinnic]

1. among other stuff, I like this:

The Non-Aligned Movement does not agree with the premise that preventive wars, secret jails, illegal international transfers of prisoners, the invasion of countries and regime changes are the paths towards democracy

If the cons and the bushbots could see themselves through the eyes of the world's billions (if they even cared enough to), they would be repelled, disgusted, and horrified at themselves. But such empathy and compassion is known not to be among the characteristics of our cavemen "leaders."

[Dogmudgeon]

2. If only the Non-Aligned nations could practice what they preach, too

The leaders of the Non-Aligned Nations tend to be distressingly ... Bush-like.

No, not Chavez. But Castro, certainly. And Amadinejad. Do you think they'll loosen their grip over their own people any time soon?

Bush isn't the only corrupt buffoon around. When comes The Revolution, a lot of these small-time Bush clones will likewise be out in the cold.

--p!

[ima_sinnic]

3. whatever. I don't even believe half of what our supposed "free press"

says about these leaders. And if they are corrupt, that is something for the people in those countries to work out, not for us to come in and start plundering, pillaging, murdering and wreaking mayhem because we "don't approve" of their form of government.

[Dogmudgeon]

5. Now, where did I advocate that?

My point was basically the opposite: "leaders" in general are a bunch of thugs. Henry Kissinger once said that power is the ultimate aphrodisiac, and most of the powerful are, in their own "lovable" way, perverts. (And Henry should know.)

"Bush-like". And "Bush lite". And by the same turn, Bush looks like a low-rent dictator himself. At least Jimmy Carter was respected for his stance on human rights, because it wasn't just a cover for "business as usual" -- and it eventually contributed to his downfall. It also explains why the primary democrat of the Non-Aligned group, Hugo Chavez, is now the de facto leader of the entire movement. Fidelismo was as unconcerned with human rights as our (the USA's) inane Cuban blockade. The old dictators would like to leave power without facing firing squads themselves. And some (I'd like to believe that Castro is one) have learned from their mistakes.

I myself read the international press for most of my news. Their agenda are confined to individual news organizations, not spread throughout entire countries. It can be a jarring experience coming from a strictly American point of view. My mother recently started reading online Ha'aretz and some of the British papers; in spite of the closeness of opinion to the American press, she was still quite surprised.

--p!

[RangerSmith]

7. still

if it's a fact, it's blatant hypocrisy and it should be pointed out at all turns.

Turning a blind eye only cause they said something you like only makes one look like a bushbot.

[RangerSmith]

6. no shit! well said! ... /nt

[ronnie624]

13. Corruption?

These nations are not demanding an end to corruption in the U.S. government. They are demanding an end to the covert and overt wars that the U.S. has been waging against them for so many years. They are demanding that the U.S. government allow them to determine their own political and economic destinies. Surely this is obvious.

When the peoples of these nations decide they want freedom and democracy, they will have it. In the interim, how they conduct their national affairs doesn't really concern you.

As for your distress over any supposed likeness to Bush that might be manifested by the leaders of the Non-Aligned Nations, your anxiety should be alleviated by simply remembering which ones, specifically, have bombed and invaded other countries for political and ideological reasons, and for the enrichment of corporate war profiteers.

[Dogmudgeon]

14. My alleged mental illness

You haven't taken notice of many of my posts, have you?

--p!

[ronnie624]

15. Mental illness??

But...What...I...*sigh*. Never mind.

[Ghost Dog]

4. Note the list of members of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM)

here: http://www.cubanoal.cu/ingles/antecedentes/t0205.html (and observers here): http://www.cubanoal.cu/ingles/antecedentes/t0206.html

The Reuters piece says "Washington's biggest enemies, from communist Cuba to North Korea, called on developing nations on Saturday to challenge U.S. dominance". But the countries which have approved the Summit's final declaration include such 'allies' and 'people the US can do business with' as India, Bahrein, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Morocco, United Arab Emirates, Nigeria, Singapore, Bahamas, Panama, ...

With countries such as China, Argentina, Brazil and Mexico as observers, for now, too...

[Judi Lynn]

8. Cuba summit sends strong message

Cuba summit sends strong message
Last Updated: Sunday, 17 September 2006, 07:35 GMT 08:35 UK

By Stephen Gibbs
BBC News, Havana

The summit of the Non-Aligned Movement being held in Havana has ended with delegates agreeing a final statement.

The movement consists of 118 countries, mostly from the developing world.
(snip)

The delegates representing almost two-thirds of all the countries in the world gave their approval to a document which spells out the points they agree on.

There is strong condemnation of Israel's recent intervention in Lebanon, a call for the United Nations to be more representative of smaller nations, support for Iran's nuclear energy plans and implicit criticism of much of US foreign policy.
(snip/...)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/5353336.stm

[Missy M]

9. Two-thirds of all the countries in the world.....

have implicit criticism of much of US foreign policy. This country, under Bush, has managed to alienate a majority of countries in the world. That is no easy task and Bush managed to accomplish it all by himself. I hope with a new administration we can mend the relations with these countries and perhaps start working towards peace in the world. At the least as much peace as is possible, specially in the Middle East, Asia and Africa.

[Robbien]

10. Iraq seeks NAM's help in ensuring respect for sovereignty

Iraq on Saturday sought the help of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) in urging all other countries to respect the sovereignty of the violence-ridden nation.

Addressing a NAM summit in Havana, Iraqi Vice President Tariq al-Hashimi urged the 116-member organization to call on all countries to recognize the sovereignty of Iraq's land and airspace.

"Life has degenerated" in Iraq and "a war machine has destroyed the infrastructure," inflicting sufferings on Iraqis, al-Hashimi said.

Iraq remains a NAM member despite the military presence of some 130,000 U.S. troops in the country, he said.

Iraq hopes for the departure of U.S.-led multinational forces, but it is also afraid of a security vacuum "that could not be handled by national forces," he added.

http://english.people.com.cn/200609/17/eng20060917_303638.html

Everywhere Iraqi representatives go in the world they talk about their hopes for a US departure. Of course this is never reported in the US corporate media.

[murray hill farm]

11. Thanks!

I took a good amount of time and read the entire document...and well worth it! Really just lays it all out...an amazing document.

[Judi Lynn]

12. You may wonder why THIS story hasn't gotten any US coverage!

Ahmadinejad says Iran ready to transfer experience to Colombia Havana, Sept 16, IRNA
Iran-Colombia-President
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad here Friday expressed Iran's willingness to transfer its experiences and increase its volume of exchanges with Latin American states, Colombia in particular.

Ahmadinejad, who is currently in Havana, Cuba, to attend the 14th summit of Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) developing countries, met with Colombian Vice-President Francisco Santos Calderon on the sidelines of the summit Friday.

Referring to Colombia's support for Iran's peaceful nuclear activities, he said eventually "all countries will feel the need to use peaceful nuclear energy."
"All countries have the right to pursue peaceful nuclear programs but a few particular states have monopolized it." He expressed Iran's readiness to transfer its experiences to Colombia in the economic, industrial, transportation and energy fields, saying "Tehran and Bogota open more opportunities for facilitating interaction between their entrepreneurs and
businessmen."
Calderon said his country had always supported Iran's right to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, and stressed there should be no obstacles in the way of Iran's access to peaceful nuclear energy.
(snip/...)

http://www.irna.ir/en/news/view/menu-236/0609162176142352.htm



Colombia's Uribe and friend