News Archives - Page 1292 of 1366

Polemics & Dialogue in Cuba

Polemics is proud, slippery; its terms are not always transparent, its “cards” are face down or hidden, and they usually hide pitfalls and traps that are looked to for undermining, weakening and defeating the position of whomever confronted. Dialogue, on the other hand, is reasoning. It refers to a positive and open conversation, to a negotiation, with the alternation or exchange of words and opinions between people. In dialogue, one does not aim to defeat the other interlocutor, but to clarify, expand and modify the positions of the actors to achieve consensus.

Caribbean Risk Management Initiative

The Caribbean Risk Management Initiative (CRMI) announced the launching of a new website (www.undp.org.cu/crmi) in three languages with the goal of becoming a point of reference on these issues in the Caribbean, in addition to a platform for knowledge on the risk reduction of disasters and the adaptation to climate change.

Fidel Castro Receives Ecuadorian VP

Former Cuban President Fidel Castro yesterday was visited by Ecuadorian Vice President Lenin Moreno Garcés. Fidel is the senior advisor to the government of his brother Raul Castro.

Cuba-US Companies, Phones & Internet

Writing for a publication called the Global Post, Nick Miroff provides readers with an excellent account of the history and current status of business relations between US mobile phone companies and Internet providers and Cuba.

Ray Nagin: Who’s In Charge?

New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin has been in Cuba this week to get a look at the island’s civil defense system. The deadly chaos that overcame New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina in 2005 sharply contrasted from Cuba’s dealing with that cyclone and three major hurricanes in 2008, when only seven persons died as a result.

Iberian-American Secretary Visits Cuba

Iberian-American Secretary General Enrique Iglesias will meet this Tuesday with Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez as part of a working agenda that includes meetings with other government officials.

Zelaya Seeks Greater OAS Honduras Role

The talks in Honduras have stalled over the question of reinstating ousted President Manuel Zelaya, whose delegates have called on the Organization of American States (OAS) to take steps to keep the negotiations from failing. Zelaya’s negotiators hope that at the meeting on Wednesday, the OAS will reiterate its earlier demands that the deposed president be immediately reinstated, and adopt new sanctions against the de facto regime if it refuses to budge from its positions.

Cuba to Host Virginia Trade Reps.

A trade delegation from Virginia headed up by the state’s commissioner of agriculture and consumer services is expected in Cuba for the Havana International Trade Fair to take place from November 2-7.

Honduras Crisis at Day 111

After seven days of talks, the de facto government in Honduras has taken off its mask. By its rejection of the content of the key point of the San Jose Agreement -the element which foresees the reinstatement of President Manuel Zelaya Rosales- it has evidenced that it has been using delaying tactics all along. The goal of this strategy has been to run out the clock to the November elections, whose process will be strictly manipulated and controlled by the powers behind the coup, including the army.

Cuba Gov. Info. Policy Lambasted

“The problem —one we are also experiencing at Juventud Rebelde— is that information doesn’t escape the excessive centralization of our economy and our society in general, something that by no means is a fated genetic component of socialism (as some people believe); instead, this centralization hinders its democratic potential,” wrote Jose Alejandro Rodriguez.

“Decisions are often made much higher up concerning what to write and report, as well as what not to write about concerning the major issues of society, even when stubborn life marches on below, with all its complexities.”