CUBA CALLS TO DESTINE WAR BUDGET TO PEACE

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 2 (NNN-PRENSA LATINA) –

Cuba made a call Saturday for the world powers to destine resources used in wars to peace and development, at the 18th World Congress for Peace, celebrated in this capital.

In an intervention in the forum, Cuban Ambassador Carlos Amores said that “Cuba has never attacked another country.”

“On the other hand, 45,000 young people coming from Third World countries have been graduated in Cuban schools, and now another 30,000 are studying for free in Cuba. More than a million foreigners have recovered their vision, after being operated by Cuban doctors, also for free,” said the Cuban Ambassador.

“If a small country, can make such contributions, what else couldn’t countries like the US and great economic powers?”, he asked.

He added that almost the entire international community rejected the US economic and commercial blockade of the US government against the Caribbean island for the 17th time, just two days ago.

“Such an absurd policy was never as isolated as it is right now,” he pointed out.

Amores talked about the injustice committed against the Cuban Five for fighting against international terrorism and stressed the Cuban foreign policy for world peace in international forums, as much as the adhesion of Cuba to the international agreements and conventions against massive destruction.

Several attendants pronounced words in support of Cuba, as for instance, US professor Charles Mercieca, president of the International Association of Educators for World Peace.

IAEWP president Mercieca criticised the US government because it had fined two Baptist priests from the US state of Alabama for going to Cuba to meet Cuban Baptist congregations, in 50,000 dollars.

The Congress, opened by Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, concluded Friday night after being in session for three days, sponsored by IAEWP and the government of Malaysia.

– NNN-PRENSA LATINA

World Peace Congress 2008

http://www.plenglish.com/article.asp?ID={96458616-BE1F-44C8-8ED9-C43D0EB38A7F})&language=EN

http://www.namnewsnetwork.org/v2/read.php?id=63963

http://www.namnewsnetwork.org/spanish/read.php?id=35413

CUBA LLAMA A DESTINAR A LA PAZ RECURSOS DE GUERRA

KUALA LUMPUR, 2 nov (NNN-PRENSA LATINA)–

Cuba llamó a las potencias mundiales a destinar al desarrollo los millonarios recursos empeñados en guerras, en el 18 Congreso Mundial por la Paz, celebrado en esta capital.

En una intervención ante el magno foro, que sesionó hasta el fin de semana, el embajador de la nación caribeña, Carlos Amores, destacó que “Cuba jamás ha agredido a otro país.”

En cambio, apuntó, 45 mil jóvenes del Tercer Mundo se han graduado en sus escuelas, y otros 30 mil estudian actualmente en Cuba gratuitamente. Agregó que más de un millón de extranjeros han recuperado la visión luego de ser operados por médicos cubanos sin costo alguno.

“¿Si un país pequeño puede hacer esta contribución, cuánto no podrían hacer Estados Unidos y las grandes potencias que gastan trillones en guerras y armamentos, si dedicaran esos recursos a la paz y al desarrollo?”, preguntó el diplomático.

Señaló que hace sólo dos días 185 de los 192 miembros de la ONU, casi la comunidad internacional en pleno, rechazó por decimoséptima vez el bloqueo de Estados Unidos contra Cuba. Nunca esa absurda política estuvo más aislada, acotó.

Asimismo, observó, se puede estar preso en Estados Unidos por luchar contra el terrorismo, y refirió la injusticia cometida contra cinco luchadores antiterroristas cubanos presos encarcelados hace 10 años en prisiones norteamericanas.

Amores puso de relieve la política exterior de Cuba por la paz mundial en los foros internacionales, así como la adhesión de La Habana a las convenciones y tratados internacionales contra las armas de exterminio en masa.

Varios de los asistentes se pronunciaron en apoyo a Cuba, entre ellos el profesor estadounidense Charles Mercieca, presidente de la Associación Internacional de Educatores para la Paz Mundial (IAEWP).

Mercieca fustigó a su gobierno por imponer multas de 50 mil dólares a dos sacerdotes bautistas de su estado (Alabama) por el único delito de ir a Cuba a reunirse con congregaciones bautistas cubanas. “No somos libres de viajar a donde queramos”, denunció.

El Congreso, inaugurado por el primer ministro de Malasia, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, concluyó en la noche del viernes tras sesionar tres días, auspiciado por la IAEWP y el gobierno de este país surasiático.

–NNN-PRENSA LATINA

Hurricane Gustav in Cuba

The hurricane Gustav left a trail of destruction in the western part of Cuba. Fortunately no loss of human life was recorded.

At the height of the hurricane, the wind velocity of more than 300 kph was reported. Roofs were blown away, electricity poles and trees were uprooted. Cubans, especially in the province of Pinar del Rio will take months for life to return to normal.

My friend, Abdel Borges wrote:

Yo estoy bien al igual que mi familia pero tenemos inestabilidad con la electricidad pues el ciclón acabó con todos el tendido eléctrico ,torres de televisión y muchas cosas más ,te envío una serie de fotos para que veas la magnitud del viento que no tuvo compasión con nada.

Este ciclón rompió el record de velocidad alcanzada de 340 Km.

Saludos Cubanos y más que cubanos Pinareños.

Abdel Borges.

Following are photos after the destruction:

Hurricane Gustav

Hurricane Gustav

Cuban Govt Scholarship

CUBAN GOVERNMENT MEDICINE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:

• Letter of Application addressed to HE Carlos A. Amores, Ambassador of the Republic of Cuba. (Letter should state the general info of the applicant and why is interested in pursuing medical studies in Cuba).
• Applicants must not exceed 25 years old.
• Priority will be given to applicants from rural areas and low-income families who are unable to cover their medical studies otherwise.
• Must be an SPM graduate. (STPM considered an extra advantage but not required).
• Must present a School Leaving Certificate.

The applications process will comprise of both individual and collective interview, and pre-selected candidates will also need to present at that time the following:

• Medical Check-up Results certifying the holder’s good health, specifically including HIV test. In case of female applicants a non-pregnancy certificate is required also.
• No-criminal Record Certificate (normally issued by the Ministry of Foreigns Affairs).

OTHER RELEVANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE CUBAN GOVERNMENT MEDICINE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM.

- Although the procedures have been initiated, the Cuban Medical Degree is not still automatically recognized by the Malaysian Government.

- All the curriculum is taught in Spanish, and a 22 week intensive Spanish course is included in the program at arrival in Cuba.

- The Cuban Government Medicine Scholarship is a full paid type of program for 5-6 years that includes tuition, accommodation, food, uniforms, medical expenses and books. AIRFARE MUST BE BORNE BY THE APPLICANTS.

- All documents mentioned above must be translated into Spanish and legalized-certified by the relevant authorities (i.e. Ministry of Education, and/or Health and then by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs WISMA PUTRA).

- The Cuban Government does not impose any legal or financial duty after completion of the studies, but successful candidates should abide by the program Code of Ethics and agree with it.

CODE OF ETHICS FOR FOREIGN STUDENT AT HIGHER EDUCATION CENTERS IN THE REPUBLIC OF CUBA

INTRODUCTION.

Cuba is a Third World country that has achieved a high social development level, particularly, on the education, health and sports fields as a result of the fight and efforts of its people and it shares the benefits of its modest development with brother peoples based on internationalist principles.

This cooperation is accorded on Human Resources training within a very difficult framework due to the blockade the Unites States of America has imposed on Cuba for nearly 50 years and the serious problems of the world economy that have their impact on us. In spite of this, our society has maintained its humanist and solidarity direction and fights to maintain the ethics and moral values that have featured our people.

Since 1961 on, more than 55 000 students representing by 120 brother countries of all continents have attended our teaching centers. 17 000 out of them at university level; currently, this figure is increasing every year. For that reason, based on the experience achieved and the problems arising from the prevailing Neoliberal Globalization in the world, it is needed to ratified certain principles of social behavior leading to a proper participation, in the Cuban society, by all foreign students in our country. These principles comprise a code of ethics which follow up means a moral commitment to its peoples and the Cuban people, on behalf of all foreign students in Cuba.

PRINCIPLES:

To accept and share on the principles of equality with modesty and austerity, the material conditions in which the Cuban people lives; the same Cuban people that in an unselfish and interestless manner offers what it has got to young people from brother countries. This should be assumed by the foreign student as a duty and honor.

To study and accomplish all activities within the teaching syllabus and programs of the course as well as the established disciplinary rules. To achieve, in a clear and honest manner, without practicing academic cheating, and as a result of the student’s personal efforts, the highest marks as a prove of the student’s high level of training, and to return to his/her origin country upon his/her graduation to put the knowledge acquired at the service of its peoples.

To refuse, because it is not in accordance with the rules, customs, traditions and living stndards of our people, the consumption, sale and traffic of drugs; illegal gambling, alcoholism and other vices or anti-social or criminal behaviors. Thus, such behaviors should be rejected by students, including foreign students who attend classes in our country.

The voluntary acceptance of these principles and the adjustment of the individual behavior to its ethical meaning will be a real prove and the goal of the internationalist spirit that supports this cooperation and the supporting solidarity commitment between the Cuban people and the representatives from other brother countries who are studying in Cuba . The above mentioned should be legalized by writing down your name and signature, either for scholars from the Government or self-finance foreign students, as an ethical commitment of each student to his/her people and the people of Cuba.

4th Asia Pacific Solidarity with Cuba Conference

The 4th Asia Pacific Solidarity with Cuba Conference held at the Sri Lankan Foundation Institute from the 14th to 15th June, 2008 in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

More than 350 participants from 19 countries attended the conference. The countries represented were: Sri Lanka (the host country), Cuba, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Bangladesh, North Korea, South Korea, China, Japan, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Mynmar, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Australia & New Zealand.

A cocktail reception that evening hosted by HE Cuban Ambassador to Sri Lanka was held in the Hotel Galadari where the foreign delegates were staying.

more pictures HERE

More updates to follow.