9-23-05,14:24pm
Case of Cuban Five to Be Heard in Washington DC
Washington, Sep 22 - With an impressive international and national support, an array of women leaders from organizations across the US will converge in Washington DC Friday to ask Attorney General Alberto Gonzales to immediately free the Cuban Five.
Teresa Gutierrez of the New York Committee said about the effort of the women’s delegation that “despite the significant steps forward witnessed by the UN ruling and the August 9 appellate court decision, the struggle to free the Five is far from over.'
They´ll be delivering a letter signed by about 200 people to demand the release of Antonio Guerrero, Fernando González, Gerardo Hernández, Ramón Labañino and René González who have been held since 1998 in US federal prisons, under sentences ranging from 15 years to double life.
Cuba and China Increase Transport Exchange
Havana, Sep 22 - China's Transport Deputy Minister An Limin predicted in this capital her country's collaboration with Cuba.
Interviewed by Prensa Latina Wednesday, Limin talked of transportation development on the island supported by her country, which is already a reality after the Caribbean nation's purchase of one million buses.
The Chinese deputy minister and her accompanying delegation are attending the International Transport Fair, taking place since Thursday at Havana's EXPOCUBA exhibition center.
Venezuelan Manufacturers Cater to Cuban Market
Caracas, Sep 22 - Representatives of small and large Venezuelan companies and cooperatives are examining demands of products agreed upon at the 1st Round of Talks the South American nation and Havana held in April. The 70 companies gathered in Caracas on Thursday will review shoe manufacturing, wood products, paper, cardboard, plastic, rubber, asphalt covers for waterproofing, industrial equipment, spare parts and security devices. Electronic material, glass and non-metallic mineral products, ceramic health items and accessories, metallic products for structural use and materials for forge, lamination and pressing of metals are also among demands.
Panama Seeks To Cut Food Prices
Panama, Sep 22 - Panamanian Agricultural Development Minister Laurentino Cortizo stated the rise in fuel prices substantially damaged the sector 'but measures can be taken to keep the same prices for consumers.' In a press communiqué, Laurentino Cortizo referred to the situation of meat in the domestic market, explaining 'a series of components that lead to the high price of meat and agricultural products, chiefly those affected by transport, stem from the use of fuel,' according to Cortizo. He said the international oil crisis triggered a hike in the fuel price that Panama was unable to avoid but could take actions to ease.
Dominican Parties Reject Tax Reform Project
Santo Domingo, Sep 22 - Dominican Republic´s opposition parties Thursday rejected the Tax Reform Project presented to the Parliament by the Executive, as it affects the poor and includes more taxes for the middle class. The Dominican Revolutionary Party (DRP) called the government proposal harmful for the 40 percent of the population who lives in abject poverty and requested to apply the new tax project to the wealthiest people. The president of the DRP, Ramón Alburquerque, said the redistribution of the tax is a State role and admitted that the Dominican economy has tripled in the last 15 years, but so has the lack of equity.
Peru Thrashes against FTA
Lima, Sep 22- Twenty political, union and grassroots organizations will hold a national protest today to stop the President from signing the Free Trade Agreement with the United States. The anti-FTA demonstration will be felt while in Colombia the 8th round of negotiations for a US-Andean trade pact take place. Those talks between Peru, Colombia and Ecuador close tomorrow. Protest organizers say the goal of the rally is to get the Toledo administration to leave FTA negotiations to the next administration so it 'can do a better job.'
Ecuadorian President in New Scandal
Quito, Sep 22 - A new scandal involving the family of Ecuadorian President Alfredo Palacio in the crime of political influence sullies proposals of reform for the constitution and government. The denunciation was ratified by deputy of the Democratic Left, Carlos Gonzalez, who presented charges against Palacio before the Fiscal Ministry regarding his family dealings since last August 10, after first lady Maria Beatriz Paret rejected those accusations. The head of state´s wife, along with other relatives, was accused of travelling to the US on State funding
Rigor Demanded against Mercenary Recruitment in Chile
Santiago, Chile, Sep 22 - A Chilean socialist congressman has demanded increased rigor from the Ricardo Lagos government to end recruitment of Chilean mercenaries bound for Iraq. Alejandro Navarro, who has continuously denounced this practice in Chile, said Wednesday that he will urge the government to expedite a bill in Congress to prevent recruitment of Chileans by foreigners. He explained that this activity goes on, although the Ministry of Defense has moved against those promoting recruitment by banning such company officials from entering barracks.
Prensa-Latina
