03-22-06,9:29am
Cuban Doctors Return from Pakistan
Havana, Mar 21 (Prensa Latina) A group of Cuban doctors caring for earthquake victims in Pakistan have returned to Havana after fulfilling their international duty. Health Minister Jose Ramon Balaguer welcomed the 255 specialized personnel at Havana´s Jose Marti International Airport and highlighted the humane work of the doctors and paramedics, who offered their services for free in outlaying regions. Since the arrival of the first Cuban medical team in Pakistan on October 14th, the specialists carried out over 12,000 complex surgeries and treated one million people, many in 32 tent hospitals donated by Cuba to the Pakistani people.
Cubans Open Homes to Foreign Students
Havana, Mar 21 (Prensa Latina) Thousands of foreign medical students are residing with Cuban families since the mass arrivals depleted existing state-run lodging capacity and classrooms. Jorge Gonzalez, chair of National Assembly of the Peoples' Power Public Health Committee and Sports, said more than 2,000 students are staying at private homes in Holguin and Cienfuegos. Thousands enjoy similar hospitality nationwide with new schools making up the state-run program for the universalization of the universities
Cuba Takes Care of Elders
Havana, Mar 21 (Prensa Latina) Employment, retirement and health care for a happy old age are issues of the 2nd Congress on Social Security taking place as of Tuesday at Havana´s Conference Center. Increased life expectancy in Cuba until 77 years old and birthrate reduction have caused a graying of the population on a national level. Last year, Cuba raised workers´ salaries, social security benefits and public assistance, benefiting over 5 million people, as well as minimum wages from 100 to 225 pesos monthly, benefiting more than 1,600,000 people.
Cubans Ready to Welcome Players
Havana, Mar 21 (Prensa Latina) Hundreds of thousands of people in Havana will take to the streets this afternoon to bid welcome to their beloved Cuban baseball team that
made history in the inaugural World Baseball Classic. Until the last inning, the Cubans who exuded courage, patriotism, commitment and discipline in the game fought hard against the powerful Japanese team, which achieved a 10-6 victory. Upon its arrival at Jose Marti international airport at 17:00 local time, the national team will be feted by people along this capital´s main avenues and streets to the Sports City, where a ceremony will be staged in its honor.
NEWS --LATIN AMERICA-- NEWS
FTAA Corners Ecuadorian Government
Quito, Mar 21 (Prensa Latina) The Ecuadorian government is confronting both domestic and foreign pressure concerning the US-sponsored Free Trade Area for the Americas treaty that it is now negotiating. Indigenous and farmer movements are blocking roads and have semi-paralyzed transportation in Carchi, Imbabura, Pichincha, Cotopaxi, Tungurahua, Chimborazo, Bolívar, Cañar, Azuay, Loja and Zamora. Luis Macas, leader of the Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador proposed that President Alfredo Palacios hold a referendum on the issue, but when there was no response, the indigenous movement stepped up actions to a national scale.
Argentina Annuls Private Water Contract
Buenos Aires, Mar 21 (Prensa Latina) The Argentine Nestor Kirchner administration rescinded the contract of Aguas Argentinas Tuesday, the multinational Swiss-controlled group that has controlled national water since the 90s. In announcing the resolution, Federal Planning Minister Julio de Vido emphasized to press the decision was made to defend the neediest sectors from abuses committed by the firm. 'Access to water is considered a human right that should be based in social justice,' the official stressed and said the Argentine State must prioritize protecting the most defenseless from the excesses of the transnationals
Chavez Defends Right to Nuclear Energy
Caracas, Mar 21 (Prensa Latina) Venezuela defended on Tuesday the Third World's right to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes and accused the US of threatening Iran because of its energy resources. At the opening of a thermoelectric plant which will use gas instead of hydrocarbon derivatives, Chavez said it was untruthful to allege that Iran is developing an atomic
bomb, which he attributed to an attempt to monopolize nuclear energy development. 'This is false, there isn't any evidence of this,' said Chavez, referring to stories of Iran's alleged intention to make nuclear bombs.
Cuba Boosts Literacy in Bolivia
La Paz, Oct 21 (Prensa Latina) Bolivia set in motion a literacy campaign based on teaching aids and adapting the Cuban program 'Yo si puedo' (Yes I Can) for the local indigenous languages Quechua, Aymara and Guarani. President Evo Morales inaugurated the campaign in Camiri with Education Ministers Aristobulo Isturiz (Venezuela) and Luis Ignacio Gomez (Cuba). Javier Labrada, coordinator of the 32-member Cuban advisory mission, said they will open this week 2,505 classrooms with volunteer teachers or guides, one TV set and one video tape each.
