Tear Down This Wall
9/15/2006, 11:23 AM
Just imagine the small talk in this f'd up group of miscreants:
Associated Press
Cuba Takes Over Leadership of Movement
By VANESSA ARRINGTON , 09.15.2006, 11:21 AM
Cuba took over the leadership of the Nonaligned Movement from Malaysia on Friday, with Defense Minister Raul Castro standing in for his ailing brother Fidel.
"We all wanted these inaugural words to be pronounced by President Fidel Castro, but for reasons we all know he could not accompany us," Raul said after accepting Cuba's new position with a round of applause from leaders and diplomats representing two-thirds of the world's nations.
"Comrade Fidel has asked that I transmit to you his most cordial greetings," he said.
Many are wondering whether the 80-year-old Castro, a living symbol of revolution for many in the developing world, will be able to guide the group formed during the Cold War in its search for relevance in this era of globalization.
Raul Castro urged the assembly to put up a strong, united front to challenge the dominance of more powerful countries.
"The Nonaligned Movement now has to wage courageous battles against unilateralism, double standards, and the impunity granted to those in power, for a fairer and more equal international order in the face of neoliberalism," he said.
Fidel Castro temporarily ceded Cuba's leadership to his 75-year-old brother and a handful of other top government officials after emergency intestinal surgery in July. And while Cuban officials raise expectations of his return to power, Raul remains acting president.
Wearing a dark suit rather than his typical olive green fatigues, Raul Castro personally greeted scores of leaders and other dignitaries as they arrived at Havana's convention center.
Cuban Foreign Minster Felipe Perez Roque told the assembled leaders and diplomats from two-thirds of the world's nations that Fidel Castro will not preside over the summit, but he didn't rule out an appearance by the Cuban leader.
On Thursday, a pajama-clad Castro met with U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan and his close friend and political ally Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, but there was no sign he would be well enough to participate in the two days of sessions with more than 50 heads of state and government.
Chavez said the Cuban leader was walking and singing and "almost well enough to play baseball." Still, even Chavez didn't say whether he thought Castro would make a formal appearance.
Later Thursday, Raul Castro presided over the Group of 15 developing nations on the sidelines of the summit, representing his nation at an international gathering for the first time as acting president.
But Chavez stole the show, saying Fidel Castro had given him permission to speak longer because Raul wouldn't talk much. Raul Castro seemed to take the jab in good spirits, giving Chavez a bear hug after the meeting.
Raul Castro briefly praised Iran and other developing nations for trying to create "a better, more just world." Chavez then pledged Venezuela's support for Iran if it is invaded because of its nuclear dispute with the U.N. Security Council.
The U.N. has demanded Iran suspend uranium enrichment amid concerns it could be used for nuclear weapons. Iran insists the enrichment is aimed solely at producing electricity.
"Iran is under threat; there are plans to invade Iran. Hopefully it won't happen, but we are with you," Chavez told Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
"Under any scenario, we are with you just like we are with Cuba," Chavez added. "If the United States invades Cuba, blood will run ... We will not have our arms crossed while bombs are falling in Havana or they carry Raul off in a plane."
It was not clear what Chavez could actually do to help. In the past, he's vowed to cut off Venezuelan supplies of oil to the U.S. if it invades Cuba.
Ahmadinejad gave a relatively mild speech, urging his fellow leaders to work together to achieve their full potential. Then Chavez took over, saying he didn't want to leave Havana without a statement reflecting resounding support for the Iranian, Cuban and Palestinian people.
Nuclear proliferation and Middle East violence were also major topics; some diplomats said the developing world must unite to demand the creation of a Palestinian state. Lebanese Foreign Minister Fawzi Salloukh said the 118-nation Nonaligned Movement would consider a resolution to "condemn Israel for the hideous war waged against Lebanon."
The G-15 organization was formed to foster cooperation between developing nations and international groups such as the World Trade Organization. The Nonaligned Movement was formed with a very different mission: to establish a neutral third path in a world divided by allegiances to the United States and the Soviet Union.
The movement has grown to 118 members and features an array of U.S. critics.
But with a contentious debate looming at next week's U.N. General Assembly session in New York over Iran's nuclear ambitions and Venezuela's campaign for a security council seat, Chavez has been the most outspoken, saying developing countries must confront the "Washington consensus" that free trade and privatization would improve living conditions around the world.
The United States declined an invitation to attend and said it would have no comment on any of the proceedings.
Associated Press
Cuba Takes Over Leadership of Movement
By VANESSA ARRINGTON , 09.15.2006, 11:21 AM
Cuba took over the leadership of the Nonaligned Movement from Malaysia on Friday, with Defense Minister Raul Castro standing in for his ailing brother Fidel.
"We all wanted these inaugural words to be pronounced by President Fidel Castro, but for reasons we all know he could not accompany us," Raul said after accepting Cuba's new position with a round of applause from leaders and diplomats representing two-thirds of the world's nations.
"Comrade Fidel has asked that I transmit to you his most cordial greetings," he said.
Many are wondering whether the 80-year-old Castro, a living symbol of revolution for many in the developing world, will be able to guide the group formed during the Cold War in its search for relevance in this era of globalization.
Raul Castro urged the assembly to put up a strong, united front to challenge the dominance of more powerful countries.
"The Nonaligned Movement now has to wage courageous battles against unilateralism, double standards, and the impunity granted to those in power, for a fairer and more equal international order in the face of neoliberalism," he said.
Fidel Castro temporarily ceded Cuba's leadership to his 75-year-old brother and a handful of other top government officials after emergency intestinal surgery in July. And while Cuban officials raise expectations of his return to power, Raul remains acting president.
Wearing a dark suit rather than his typical olive green fatigues, Raul Castro personally greeted scores of leaders and other dignitaries as they arrived at Havana's convention center.
Cuban Foreign Minster Felipe Perez Roque told the assembled leaders and diplomats from two-thirds of the world's nations that Fidel Castro will not preside over the summit, but he didn't rule out an appearance by the Cuban leader.
On Thursday, a pajama-clad Castro met with U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan and his close friend and political ally Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, but there was no sign he would be well enough to participate in the two days of sessions with more than 50 heads of state and government.
Chavez said the Cuban leader was walking and singing and "almost well enough to play baseball." Still, even Chavez didn't say whether he thought Castro would make a formal appearance.
Later Thursday, Raul Castro presided over the Group of 15 developing nations on the sidelines of the summit, representing his nation at an international gathering for the first time as acting president.
But Chavez stole the show, saying Fidel Castro had given him permission to speak longer because Raul wouldn't talk much. Raul Castro seemed to take the jab in good spirits, giving Chavez a bear hug after the meeting.
Raul Castro briefly praised Iran and other developing nations for trying to create "a better, more just world." Chavez then pledged Venezuela's support for Iran if it is invaded because of its nuclear dispute with the U.N. Security Council.
The U.N. has demanded Iran suspend uranium enrichment amid concerns it could be used for nuclear weapons. Iran insists the enrichment is aimed solely at producing electricity.
"Iran is under threat; there are plans to invade Iran. Hopefully it won't happen, but we are with you," Chavez told Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
"Under any scenario, we are with you just like we are with Cuba," Chavez added. "If the United States invades Cuba, blood will run ... We will not have our arms crossed while bombs are falling in Havana or they carry Raul off in a plane."
It was not clear what Chavez could actually do to help. In the past, he's vowed to cut off Venezuelan supplies of oil to the U.S. if it invades Cuba.
Ahmadinejad gave a relatively mild speech, urging his fellow leaders to work together to achieve their full potential. Then Chavez took over, saying he didn't want to leave Havana without a statement reflecting resounding support for the Iranian, Cuban and Palestinian people.
Nuclear proliferation and Middle East violence were also major topics; some diplomats said the developing world must unite to demand the creation of a Palestinian state. Lebanese Foreign Minister Fawzi Salloukh said the 118-nation Nonaligned Movement would consider a resolution to "condemn Israel for the hideous war waged against Lebanon."
The G-15 organization was formed to foster cooperation between developing nations and international groups such as the World Trade Organization. The Nonaligned Movement was formed with a very different mission: to establish a neutral third path in a world divided by allegiances to the United States and the Soviet Union.
The movement has grown to 118 members and features an array of U.S. critics.
But with a contentious debate looming at next week's U.N. General Assembly session in New York over Iran's nuclear ambitions and Venezuela's campaign for a security council seat, Chavez has been the most outspoken, saying developing countries must confront the "Washington consensus" that free trade and privatization would improve living conditions around the world.
The United States declined an invitation to attend and said it would have no comment on any of the proceedings.