Poverty, Mideast Top the Agenda in Cuba

[Judi Lynn]

Poverty, Mideast Top the Agenda in Cuba
By VANESSA ARRINGTON , 09.11.2006, 03:20 PM

Poverty, health care and the Middle East top the agenda for a weeklong summit of the Nonaligned Movement that began Monday and will culminate with the meeting of 50 heads of state, including anti-American leaders from Iran and Venezuela.

Cuba takes over the chairmanship this week from Malaysia, and the communist government's foreign minister opened the event with a forceful call for smaller, developing countries to band together to resist the intervention and aggressions of more powerful nations in this "unjust world."
(snip)

The movement, which includes about two-thirds of the world's nations, was developed during the Cold War as a Third World alternative to the United States and Soviet Union. Diplomats say it has lost direction in recent years, but expect the Cuban leadership to deepen the bond between member nations that share similar social and economic struggles.

Illiteracy, lack of access to decent health care and energy conservation are high on Cuba's agenda, along with a group statement calling for the lifting of the decades-old U.S. trade embargo against the island. Iran's delegation will seek support for its efforts to become a nuclear power. Leaders from Pakistan and India will meet as part of their peace process.
(snip/...)

http://www.forbes.com/entrepreneurs/entremgmt/feeds/ap/2006/09/11/ap3007979.html

[LynnTheDem]

1. 1st world ledership in 3rd world nations... and we're stuck with

a 3rd world "leader" trying to make us a 3rd world nation.

[meganmonkey]

2. Who cares what 2/3 of the world's leaders are doing?

If it's not being broadcast as a docu-drama, I don't see how it qualifies as important :sarcasm:

This is my big sarcastic KICK for a very important event.

Can you tell I'm getting a little frustrated around here, LOL?

[geek tragedy]

3. The non-aligned movement has always been a joke.

It was not a third way, but rather a pro-Soviet Union organization.

Because states like Cuba and North Korea were really non-aligned parties during the Cold War. :rofl:

It was essentially anyone who:

1) Wasn't North American or European; and

2) Was opposed to the United States or Israel--preferably both.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

4. Yeah, I'll bet they're still aligned to the USSR! -nt

[geek tragedy]

5. No, it went from being a hypocritical joke to being

irrelevant. Much like their allies, the Warsaw Pact.

[qwertyMike]

8. And your point is . . . .?

[geek tragedy]

9. That I don't take seriously an organization whose very name

is a lie.

[Mika]

10. Then, do you take the US of A seriously?

[geek tragedy]

13. Not sure where the contradiction in the US's very name

lies.

[Mudoria]

12. n/t

[K-W]

11. I think its funny that you are posting cold-war propaganda in 2006.

But I guess we all have different senses of humor.

[geek tragedy]

14. Cuba hosted the NAM conference in 1979.

I guess Moscow wasn't available.

[Laughing Mirror]

6. united in a shared distaste for US foreign policy

I feel that same distaste very deeply and am united with them.

[meganmonkey]

7. Non-aligned movement called 'more necessary than ever'

Non-aligned movement called 'more necessary than ever'
Last Updated Mon, 11 Sep 2006 13:49:55 EDT
CBC News

---snip---

But Cuba's government has been hoping to revive the movement to counter U.S. influence in the world.

Before the summit began, Perez Rocque urged its members to denounce U.S. actions in Iraq, Afghanistan and Cuba.

He said it was unjust and dangerous for one sole superpower to attack, intimidate and invade other nations.

"This summit will denounce the threats of preventive wars, the proclaimed rights of the world's only superpower to occupy countries illegally and change regimes and the existence of secret prisons for torture," Perez Rocque said at a news conference in Havana on Sunday.

The organization could have tremendous international impact if its members unite, organize and work together for rights, he said.

more...


http://www.cbc.ca/story/world/national/2006/09/11/cuba-summit.html?ref=rss