Science and Art in the Caribbeans.

The Caribbean triumphalist and too optimistic towards the new administracion of President Obama .

2009-01-14T05:34:00.000-08:00

"A symptom of the severe economic situation is the cancellation of the opera "Otello" at the Moscow Bolshoi lack of funds, a serious matter if we take into account the seriousness so the Russians are trying to culture. Can read in the news agency Ria Novosti."

The media reflect a review of the Caribbean triumphalist too optimistic towards the new administracion of President Obama and his change of orientation. The reality is, thousands and thousands of workers in China are off and have to migrate to the countryside. In the U.S., thousands of reservoirs are empty, the company behind the smash one another and the banking system is in crisis. But it goes to the Caribbean countries prepare and implement urgent measures of social security, energy consumption and economic reorientation. The European Union, Canada and the United States in global economic crisis, will not do much for the Caribbean countries. Historically, we have not been anything but simple recreation and tourist destinations for the rich. The measures taken by the CARICOM must relate to future scenarios of high unemployment and freezing of the domestic economy. A symptom of the severe economic situation is the cancellation of the opera "Otello" at the Moscow Bolshoi lack of funds, a serious matter if we take into account the seriousness so the Russians are trying to culture. Can read in the news agency Ria Novosti.
Os meios de comunicação reflectem uma revisão do Caribe triunfalista demasiado optimista para a nova administração do presidente Obama e sua mudança de orientação. A realidade é, milhares e milhares de trabalhadores na China são pontuais e têm de migrar para o campo. Na os E.U., milhares de reservatórios estão vazios, as empresas abrem falência e um após o outro, o sistema bancário está em crise. Mas ela vai para os países do Caribe preparar e implementar medidas urgentes de segurança social, o consumo de energia e económico reorientação. A União Europeia, o Canadá e os Estados Unidos na crise econômica mundial, não irá fazer muito para os países do Caribe. Historicamente, não temos nada, mas simples recreação e destinos turísticos para os ricos. As medidas tomadas pela CARICOM devem incidir sobre os cenários futuros de taxas de desemprego elevadas e congelamento da economia nacional. Um sintoma da grave situação económica é o cancelamento da ópera "Otello" at Bolshoi de Moscou falta de fundos, de um assunto sério, se levarmos em conta a gravidade assim os russos estão a tentar cultura. Pode ler na agência de notícias Ria Novosti.
新聞媒體反映了審查加勒比勝利者過於樂觀對新政府的總統奧巴馬和他的變化方向。現實情況是，成千上萬的工人在中國的起飛，並遷移到農村。在美國，成千上萬的水庫是空的，這兩家公司倒閉一個又一個和銀行系統正處於危機之中。但不用為加勒比國家制訂和執行緊急措施的社會保障，能源消費和經濟調整。歐洲聯盟，加拿大和美國在全球經濟危機，也不會做的加勒比國家。從歷史上看，我們沒有任何東西，但簡單的娛樂和旅遊目的地的豐富。所採取的措施必須與加勒比共同體的未來情景的高失業率和凍結國內經濟。一種症狀的嚴峻的經濟形勢是取消了歌劇“奧泰羅”在莫斯科大劇院缺乏資金，一個嚴重的問題，如果我們考慮到這樣的嚴重性，俄羅斯正試圖文化。可以閱讀的媒體報導。

オバマ氏は、メディアも大統領と向きの彼の変化の新政権に対する楽観キャリビアtriumphalistの見直しを反映しています。現実は、何千人も、中国の労働者の何千ものオフして、田舎に移行することがあります。米国では、何千もの貯水池は、他の企業とは、銀行システムの危機にあると倒産する空になります。しかし、準備や社会保障、エネルギー消費と経済の再配列の緊急措置を実施するカリブ海の国に行く。欧州連合、カナダと米国は世界的な経済危機で、カリブ海諸国に大きな貢献をすることはありません。歴史的に、私たちは何もされてきましたが、金持ちの簡単なレクリエーションや観光の目的地。 CARICOMによって取られた措置は、高い失業率とは、国内経済の凍結の将来のシナリオに関連する必要があります。培養しようとしている場合には、ロシアの深刻さを取るため、厳しい経済状況の症状は、オペラ" Otelloのキャンセル"資金のモスクワボリショイ不足で、深刻な問題である。の報道機関ではRIA Novosti読むことができます。

Caribbean:CARICOM condemns Gaza fighting.

2009-01-13T07:07:00.000-08:00

http://www.caribbean360.com/News/Caribbean/Stories/2009/01/12/NEWS0000006794.html
" The Caribbean bloc said that it welcomed the adoption of a resolution by the United Nations Security."

More than 820 Palestinians have died during the two-week Israeli offensive, including 235 children. It has been reported that Israel has warned residents of the Gaza Strip that it will intensify the military action.
GEORGETOWN, Guyana, January 12, 2009 - The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has added its voice to those calling for an end to the Israel-Palestine fighting.
A release from the Caribbean bloc said that it welcomed the adoption of a resolution by the United Nations Security Council calling for "an immediate, durable and fully-respected ceasefire" in Gaza that would lead to the "full withdrawal" of Israeli, the passage of humanitarian aid to the Palestinians and an end to the trafficking of arms and ammunitions into the territory.
"The member states of the Caribbean Community express grave concern over the continued violence in Gaza and deplore the attendant loss of life, including that of innocent women and children, as well as the widespread destruction," the statement said. "The Caribbean Community is no less concerned about the continued firing of rockets into Israeli territory by Palestinian militants."
CARICOM has therefore called on all parties involved to respect the international community's ceasefire resolution and humanitarian law in order to facilitate the passage of critical relief supplies to the civilian population in Gaza.
It further encouraged those involved to adhere to the principles of the UN Charter that advocates the peaceful settlement of disputes in order to "bring to an end human suffering and create avenues for peaceful co-existence".
More than 820 Palestinians have died during the two-week Israeli offensive, including 235 children. It has been reported that Israel has warned residents of the Gaza Strip that it will intensify the military action.

CUBA: vaccine against hormone-sensitive prostate cancer.

2009-01-13T06:48:00.001-08:00

The Cuban News Agency (ACN) reported that the vaccine to fight the second major cause of death of men in Cuba had been safely administered in the first stage of a clinical trial, concluded on July 23, 2007. (File photo)
Caribbean http://www.caribbean360.com/News/Caribbean/Stories/2009/01/12/NEWS0000006795.html

Cuba reports successful trial of cancer vaccine
CAMAGUEY, Cuba, January 12, 2009 - Health officials in Cuba are reporting a successful trial of a vaccine against hormone-sensitive prostate cancer. The trial has been approved by the State Centre for Quality Control of Medications.
The experts said that the vaccine, Heberprovac, can be used in the most advanced stage of the disease and although it is not a cure, it improves patients' quality of life and increases their survival.
The Cuban News Agency (ACN) reported that the vaccine to fight the second major cause of death of men in Cuba had been safely administered in the first stage of a clinical trial, concluded on July 23, 2007.
Experts now have to identify the most effective dose and the best administration programme for Heberprovac, before moving on to the second phase of the trial.
Produced by Camaguey's Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Centre, the vaccine was administered on patients before they were given radiotherapy.
Another vaccine is also under study in the capital, Havana.
ACN said that the territories of Eastern Camaguey and western Pinar del Rio Province have the highest prevalence of prostate cancer in Cuba. According to projections, cancerous diseases will become the leading cause of death in Cuba by 2010.

Jamaica's foreign affairs minister endorses CARICOM passport

2009-01-12T18:47:00.000-08:00

"...one of the aspirations is the free movement of people. This passport will give you that privilege as people can now take up their personal interest in different territories," PM'S JAMAICAN.

Prime Minister Bruce Golding (L) with Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA), Jennifer McDonald, as she explains to him the features of the CARICOM passport. JIS PHOTO

Published on Monday, January 12, 2009
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KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS): Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Kenneth Baugh, has said that the introduction of the Jamaican CARICOM passport is an initiative that reinforces the country's commitment to Caribbean integration.

"The CARICOM passport is a welcome initiative because it has been long awaited. This is something that strengthens our Caribbean community, it's a further indication of the integration of CARICOM," he said in an interview with JIS News, at the handing over of the first Jamaica CARICOM passport to Prime Minister Bruce Golding. With the Caribbean Community moving towards a Free Trade Area, Baugh said that the CARICOM passport serves as a means to promote intraregional tourism through hassle free travelling for Caribbean nationals between CARICOM member states. "One of the most important things in terms of establishing a Free Trade Area, is that if we were to move to a common market, (which we are now in a single economy) one of the aspirations is the free movement of people. This passport will give you that privilege as people can now take up their personal interest in different territories," he articulated. Baugh further advised that Jamaica has already put in place measures to eliminate any possible delays that persons are likely to face while travelling across the region. "You have some countries that have not moved very fast and as a consequence people have difficulty moving around, they find themselves subject to delay. We in Jamaica have moved very far in terms of putting in the legislative measures to make sure that everything is okay and other countries have done so as well. We are hoping that we can now iron out those difficulties to ensure that there is easy and free movement of all nationals in the Caribbean from one territory to another," he added. Turning to international trade and economic issues, Baugh emphasised that although CARICOM member states are independent they cannot afford to be isolated. "The world is no longer like that, you can't be isolated anymore, although we may be independent in terms of geo-political nature, in terms of our territory as a small country. But in terms of economy and trade relations we cannot do without becoming a part of larger arrangements not only as the CARICOM territory but even in the region to enter into trading and economic co-operations with other countries in this part of the hemisphere," he said. Continuing, the Foreign Affairs Minister stressed that "the larger the population, the larger the market place, the better the income and the more we will derive from it in terms of benefits and our trading. This is also good for our manufacturers and exporters". He also said, "What we have to do now is develop the discipline of creative and productive industries to have goods and services to export so that we can benefit in a real way from these relationships. We can't continue to look at ourselves as 2.7 to 3 million people and think that we are going to cater for that market place. That cannot hold anymore". "We would not be competitive at all, we have to look for larger market places and we have to develop a new discipline, an outward looking [approach where we] try to embark on processes that can take us into these other markets in terms of our goods and services," he added. Regional Heads of Government agreed on the introduction of the CARICOM Passport as a defining symbol of regionalism. In January 2005 Suriname was the first member state to issue the CARICOM Passport. Belize is the only member state yet to introduce the document.

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The current crisis was predicted 30 years ago. Ria Novosti.

2009-01-12T18:09:00.000-08:00

"The concept of a post-industrial society, for one thing, promised a miraculous salvation. It was very similar to the bright future predicted by communist ideologists. "

"Unprecedented technical breakthrough was the sine qua non both for building communism in the U.S.S.R. and for post-industrialized society in the West. It was supposed to produce technology which would resolve a number of environmental and socio-economic problems (for instance, let machines do arduous, dirty work).
As a result, the elites of the industrially advanced countries preferred to live with a due account of restrictions, and grow until they reach the natural limits in the hope of a technological leap which would allow them to go beyond the limits."
16:10

08/ 01/ 2009

MOSCOW. (RIA Novosti economic commentator Vlad Grinkevich) - The current economic crisis came as a bolt from the blue for most. In the meantime, experts warned in the early 1970s that the world economy was heading for a crisis in the first decades of the 21st century.
In the 1960s, Western countries concluded that oil-stained beaches, smoggy megalopolises, and heavy pollution of major European rivers were too high a price for the benefits of mass production. In 1968, a group of industrialists, politicians, and scientists set up the Club of Rome in the Italian capital. They had enough money to conduct a series of studies with the participation of prominent scientists, and the use of tested methods.
Computer-predicted disaster
The Club's first report, which had the tell-tale title "Limits to Growth," caused a shock. It was compiled by a group of scientists headed by Dennis L. Medows, who decided to create a cybernetic model of global development. Having focused on five global processes: fast industrialization, population growth, increasing shortage of food, depletion of non-renewable resources, and degradation of the environment, they modeled the future on a computer.
The emotionless machine produced an answer that sounded like a verdict: the human race is in for a disaster. Considering that the population was growing at a rate of over two percent annually at that time, while industry was growing at up to five to seven percent, modern civilization was bound to reach the limits of growth in the first decades of the 21st century. Mineral resources will have been depleted; environmental pollution will have become irreversible; a sudden uncontrolled drop in the population and decline in production will have become inevitable. Millions of people will have died as a result of man-made catastrophes, spontaneous economically motivated social conflicts and unknown pandemics.
To prevent the cataclysm, the authors of the report offered a concept they called "zero growth," under which new purchases should only replace used up items. For example, a new car should be purchased only when the old one has stopped running; there should be universal birth control - no more than two children per family, and they suggested restricting consumption.
The report was a bombshell. It called into doubt the foundations of the Western economies. The zero growth concept contradicted the very logic of industrialized society which rested on the principle of supply-and-demand. The concept did not offer a future for the poor people of the non-capitalist world: a resident of a Soviet communal apartment was bound to live in it until he died, while a Chinese peasant was doomed to heat his hut with manure and dead-wood.
Does the truth begin as heresy?
Needless to say, the report was subjected to severe criticism, primarily because its authors did not offer any solutions. They admitted that their model was far from ideal, but the conclusions of their opponents were no less fallacious. Optimistic scenarios were not limited to only good wishes. The concept of a post-industrial society, for one thing, promised a miraculous salvation. It was very similar to the bright future predicted by communist ideologists.
Unprecedented technical breakthrough was the sine qua non both for building communism in the U.S.S.R. and for post-industrialized society in the West. It was supposed to produce technology which would resolve a number of environmental and socio-economic problems (for instance, let machines do arduous, dirty work).
As a result, the elites of the industrially advanced countries preferred to live with a due account of restrictions, and grow until they reach the natural limits in the hope of a technological leap which would allow them to go beyond the limits.
Global self-deception
The talk of the looming global crisis quickly ground to a halt in the latter half of the 1980s. Optimists were bragging about the resolution of global problems, and many analysts were confident that the bright post-industrial future had already arrived.
They seemed to be right but only at first glance. The majority of the European and U.S. middle class were white collar workers, involved in finances, marketing, and research. But in reality, driven by the market's logic, the leaders of the industrialized countries simply followed the path of least resistance. They switched the dirtiest and most labor-consuming industries to the developing countries, and let guest workers from the same countries take the worst jobs at home because they were cheaper than machines.
However, practice has shown that even a very advanced country cannot resolve global problems alone. Indeed, the once lifeless Czech Vltava or the German Rhine now abound with dozens of fish species, but the environmental crisis which the West has overcome is now looming elsewhere. It became clear that it would go beyond the limits of assembly lines several years ago when the Amur River was covered by a huge benzol spill. Resource restrictions are even more obvious - regardless of where a plant or factory oriented to the world market is located, a certain amount of resources is required to produce a commodity.
Finally, to control the production scattered all over the world, a sophisticated financial system had to be construed. With time, it started taking on a life of its own, produced by a fictitious economy with the profits of financial institutions depending not on real production but on intricate financial transactions.
This resulted in a big number of disproportions in the world economy. Investment in the financial market surpassed corporate capital, while the funds accumulated in the financial bubble exceeded the money in the real economy by many times.
As a result, an attempt to mothball the problem ended in failure. Having reached the limits of growth, the financial system collapsed and triggered the current economic turmoil.
The opinions expressed in this article are the author's and do not necessarily represent those of RIA Novosti.
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The global scientific communiy should care about countries tha remain scientifically deficient

2009-01-12T16:35:00.000-08:00

"THE BUILDING OF SCIENTIFIC CAPACITY IS A MAIN REASON FOR THE SOUTH'S ECONOMIC PROGRESS. SEVERAL DEVELOPING COUNTRIES -fOR EXAMPLE: BRAZIL, iNDIA, CHINA, AND EVEN RWANDA- NOW SPEND 1 % OR MORE OF THEIR GROSS DOMESIC PRODUCT ON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY.(...)"
"THE POIN IS, IN OUR GLOBAL WORLD, IMPROVED SCIENTIC CAPACITY IS NOT JUST GOOD FOR THE DEVELOPING WORLD, IT BENEFIT THE ENTIRE WORLD."
"THE GLOBAL SCIENTIFIC COMMUNITY SHOULD CARE ABOUT COUNTRIES THAT REMAIN SCIENTIFICALLY DEFICIENT"
"UNITED STATES CONTINUES TO DOMINATED GLOBAL SCIENCES...WITH 30 % OF SCIENTIST ARTICLES PUBLISHED, CHINA IS THE SECOND ONE IN THE WORLD WITH 8 % PUBLISHED."

MOHAMED H. A HASSAN, EJECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF TWAS,TRIESTE ITALY.
IF YOU WANT TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE FROM "SCIENCE" MAGAZINE, CLICK HERE:
http://sciences.blogs.liberation.fr/home/files/edit-10-24-08.pdf

TWAS & UNESCO The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is responsible for the administration of TWAS finance and staff, based on an agreement between the two organizations and the Italian government which provides the Academy with its core funding. TWAS collaborates closely with UNESCO's Natural Sciences Sector. Together with ICSU and UNU/IAS, TWAS and UNESCO co-sponsor the joint visiting scientist programme. UNESCO also provides financial support for the TWAS associateship programme at centres of excellence in the South.

The Caribbean isolated, one-one die in the storm. You can not live on illusions to die of disappointment.

2009-01-12T04:48:00.000-08:00

"JAMAICAN OBSERVER"

EDITORIAL.

What's the World Bank up to?
Monday, January 12, 2009
The World Bank, or International Bank of Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), has failed so far - some would say not surprisingly - to adequately support the reform of budget financing and debt sustainability which is at the heart of the macroeconomic strategy of the Jamaican Government.
The World Bank was made aware of the Government's intention to replace expensive bond financing with less costly resources from the multilateral development banks while it was still in opposition. Mr Audley Shaw lost no time after his appointment as finance minister in initiating discussions with the World Bank, Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB).
As the largest of the three, the World Bank was expected to play the lead role in the consortium. Minister Shaw met with the appropriate vice-president in Kingston and Prime Minister Bruce Golding met with the president of the World Bank in Washington DC. All indications were that the "big bank" would take the lead technically and financially. Inexplicably the Bank has failed to execute the role it is established to perform.
This is all the more regrettable since Jamaica is an ideal case. We are a heavily indebted small vulnerable developing country that is doing all the right things in the extremely difficult circumstances of an unprecedented global financial crisis.
The WB's exposure is so small that the Government of Jamaica has in recent years repaid more than it has drawn down. The other Bretton Wood institution, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has expressed comfort with the government's macroeconomic policies.
The three institutions have the same data on Jamaica yet are proceeding differently.
The Caribbean Development Bank (miniscule compared to the World Bank) has approved US $100 million over three years. The IDB has committed to a multi-year financing programme and since June approved US$370 million, including US$200 million for the private sector.
In January, the board of the IDB is expected to approve a further US$300 million in liquidity support to be allocated to the private banking sector.
The World Bank is to deliberate next week on a one-shot US$100 million loan. This is an outright failure to carry out its mission. If the Bank can fail to support such a deserving case as Jamaica, it is sending a dangerous signal that could cause panic in the developing countries who are now desperately rushing to the Bank for help.
Jamaica made its approach the Bank before the global crisis and should not be short-changed because of the surge in demand following the global financial crisis. The "Big Bank" is not short of resource though we can't but conclude that it lacks heart and vision. Fortunately the IDB has played the lead role from which the World Bank has unfortunately resiled.
All this begs the question why? As far as we are aware, the political level work was properly done and the Caribbean section of the World Bank has been pushing. The problems may be what the Bank is hearing from its office in Kingston.
In these institutions, the outcome at head office can often be undermined by poor work in the country office. The local World Bank office needs to spend less time on public relations and more on strengthening its technical expertise.

The Caribbean and the false expectations for the U.S. economy.

2009-01-12T03:13:00.000-08:00

TODAY, YOU CAN TRUST IN EVERY CREDIT CARD, FRECUENTLY, THE CUSTOMER DENIED TO PAY COMPLAINT TO THE BANK HE DID NOT SIGNED THE PURCHASE. SOME STORE OWNER ARE REFUSING TO ACEPT CREDIT, ONLY DEBIT OR CASH TO SELL SOME ITEM OF HIGTH RISK OF LOOSING MONEY. MEDIA AMERICAN SPENT NINE CENTS TO TWENTY ONE OVER A DOLLAR EARNED WITHOUT ANY SAVING ACCOUNT IN THE BANK.

USA TODAY NEWS LINK:
http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/retail/2009-01-08-retail-walmart_n.htm

The Caribbean and the false expectations for the U.S. economy. There are many who believe in the Caribbean with the presidency of Obama their problems are resolved, however, the reality is that take years to recover the U.S. economy is not yet known where or when the substance of the crisis the U.S. domestic market. But it applies to join Caribbean countries, and, to diversify their markets. An economic inestability can occur in any country at any time. Before the sinking of the global economy should be urgently appeal to the pooling of resources and ideas, the diversification of the market as is doing President Correa of Ecuador in his country, rather than to establish units that carried us to the seabed. The U.S. economy is very bad and has all the signs of which shall be made much worse. Obama is the helmsman of the boat in the middle of the storm. In times like that, the impossible dream of living like before in the "old good times" by the "old fashion way", fail. Gualterio Nunez Estrada, Sarasota, Florida.

(The background of this news are 29 thousands billions in credit that the customers cant not paid... in years to the date.!)
December was a cold month for retail sales
By Jayne O'Donnell, USA TODAY
Major retailers reported dismal December sales Thursday, stepping up store closings and making new bankruptcy filings likely in coming months.
Department and specialty stores were the hardest hit, but the recession is starting to take a toll on discounters. Wal-Mart (WMT), about the only retailer to increase sales, had a worse-than-expected 1.7% sales jump. The discounter warned investors Thursday that its fourth-quarter profit will be lower than it predicted, and that January sales may be flat.
Almost all retailers have posted declining sales for several months.
Macy's (M) said its sales were down 4% and announced plans to close 11 stores — from Indianapolis to Palm Beach, Fla.
MACY'S CLOSINGS: List of the 11 stores
Warnings by regional department store chain Gottschalks that it could run out of cash by month's end became public this week. Gottschalks' sales were down 9.6%. Bon-Ton Stores (BONT), another regional department store, posted dire results, too, with sales down 5.8%.
FIND MORE STORIES IN:
Jeff Green, a sales forecaster and strategic analyst for malls and retailers, expects more closings for Macy's, which acquired the former May Department Stores in 2006. He also questioned whether Gottschalks and Bon-Ton can survive without filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.
Still, retail research and consulting firm TNS Retail Forward saw some promise in the numbers — which overall were down 1.5% from December 2007. December was better than November, Retail Forward noted, and was affected by bad weather and less-favorable exchange rates for tourists.
"These results provide signs that retail weakness may be bottoming out," says Retail Forward senior economist Frank Badillo.
January and February are typically the slowest retail sales months, however, so the dire holiday season prompted some retailers to move quickly:
•Women's clothier New York & Co. (NWY) announced it would close up to 50 of its 600 stores.
•The family clothing chain Goody's will begin liquidating its remaining 287 stores today.
•The hip-hop apparel chain Against All Odds filed for Chapter 11 this week and said it will liquidate some of its nearly 70 stores.
Neiman Marcus posted the worst monthly declines of the retailers reporting, with sales down 27.5% over December 2007. Saks Fifth Avenue (SKS) dropped 19.8%, and Nordstrom (JWN) was down 10.6%.

Book:Trinidad and Tobago Industrial Policy 1959-2008.by Wendel Mottley.

2009-01-11T09:32:00.001-08:00

OIL, GAS AND PEOPLE LIVES IN CARIBBEAN.

Trinidad and Tobago Industrial Policy 1959-2008.

Price: $50.00
Number Books in packaging:1Number Books in box:1
Trinidad and Tobago is the primary supplier of Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) to the United States. How did this twin island nation state with less than 0.5 per cent of the world's natural gas reserves, establish itself as a world class gas export hub, also becoming the world's largest exporter of commodity chemicals methanol and ammonia? Wendell Mottley answers these questions in Trinidad and Tobago Industrial Policy.
In examining how the resulting accretion of wealth has affected the social and political polity of Trinidad and Tobago, Mottley traces the resource-led development in a democratically emerging political economy while analyzing the policy errors and new directions for the future. This book differs from others on the subject of natural resource development by examining the experience of a democracy not an autocracy.
Mottley reveals, as only an active participant could, how fragmented the development of Trinidad and Tobago's industrial policy was - experimental, subject to reverses, and aided by the sheer luck if good timing and the intervention of talented individuals. Combining his observations in his native Trinidad and Tobago with a rigorous and illustrative economic and financial analysis born of his own scholarship as an economist and his vantage point as an international investment banker, Mottley presents a plan for Trinidad and Tobago's sustainable economic future while offering a solid contribution to the literature on natural resource based development. Engaging and provocative, Trinidad and Tobago Industrial Policy will be equally valuable to players in the international energy industry as well as students of development economics.
Contents
The Beginnings of National Industrial Policy in Trinidad and Tobago
The State as Entrepreneur
The State as Facilitator
Pathbreaking Analysis and the Generation of Demand
The US Gas Market at the beginning of the Twenty-first century
The Social and Economic Impact of the Practice of Industrial Policy in Trinidad and Tobago
Social and Economic Underpinnings - the Mandate for Change
Caribbean Impact
The Trinidad Energy Experience - Lessons and its Wider Relevance
The Future - Industrial Policy Options
Wendell Mottley is a New York-based Investment Banker having previously served as executive director of the company which eventually became the pivot of Trinidad adnd Tobago's natural gas-led industrialization and as Minister of Finance, credited with playing a decisive role in setting Trinidad and Tobago on a sustained path of growth from 1994 onwards.

Publication Date: September 2008
ISBN: 978-976-637-362-7
Binding: Hardback
Pages: 558
Price: US$49.95

The Politics of oil and gas...and people's lives.SIR RONALD SANDER.

2009-01-11T09:04:00.000-08:00

"The book, modestly entitled "Trinidad and Tobago: Industrial Policy 1959-2008", is a masterly account of the role that oil and gas has played in the economy of Trinidad and Tobago, and the role it has failed to play in developing the country's human resources, healing its ethnic divisions and ensuring against potential conflict in the future."

YOUR WRITER
Sir Ronald Sanders is a business executive and former Caribbean diplomat who publishes widely on Small States in the global community. Responses to: ronaldsanders29@hotmail.com

2009 started with arctic temperatures in Europe. The cold grip in many parts of Europe was worse because of a row between Russia and the Ukraine over natural gas.
Russia cut gas supplies to Ukraine early in January in a dispute over pricing and an allegation that Ukraine was not only not paying its bills but stealing gas as well. The countries of the European Union (EU) depend on Russia for about a quarter of their total gas supplies, some 80% of which are pumped via Ukraine. Tens of thousands of homes were left without heating.
At the time of writing, Russia says that it will resume gas supplies to the EU countries if monitors are sent to the Ukraine, but no date has been set and, as temperatures plunge to minus 10 degrees centigrade, people may die in many countries in Europe, particularly those that were once part of the Soviet Union and who are almost entirely dependent on Russian gas for heating.
This issue is not only about the price of gas. Four years ago, an anti-Russian regime won power in Ukraine and Russia accused it of supplying arms to Georgia last August when Russia and Georgia warred over South Ossetia. Georgia had launched a military strike on the province in an attempt to reclaim it after 16 years of semi-independence - a move the Russians regarded as presumptuous.
Russia pushed Georgian troops back into Georgia but vowed at the time to teach the Ukraine a lesson.
It can't be discounted that, in cutting off the gas supply to EU countries through Ukraine, the Russian government is underscoring EU dependence on Russian gas, and sending a warning against policies of which it disapproves. Among these would be the expansion of EU membership to include former members of the Soviet Union that share borders with Russia.
In the same week, Venezuela's President, Hugo Chavez, seemed unable to make up his mind whether to continue donating heating oil to poor families in the US. First, he cut off supply, then he reinstated it after his "god father" image took a beating in the international media.
Chavez introduced the programme four years ago when oil prices were relatively high and he was in full flight in his virulent attacks on the US President George W Bush and the American government.
According to the Associated Press, Venezuela supplies fuel to 200,000 households in 23 states and 65 Native American tribes - last year alone the value of these supplies was put at $100 million.
Now that the price of oil has dropped almost 70% from its high last July, PDVSA, the state-owned oil company, which Chavez uses to dispense largesse in support of his Bolivarian Socialist Revolution, can not afford these gifts.
Chavez is faced with the possibility of devaluing the Venezuelan currency - a measure he seems to be postponing until a referendum is held in February, the result of which he hopes will allow him to extend the term of his Presidency.
Also at risk is the PetroCaribe programme to which several Caribbean countries are signatories. Chavez has reportedly cut back on oil production as part of an agreement by the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) to force-up the price of oil. But, projections indicate that, with the demand for oil dropping in several major countries, including China and India, in the face of the international financial crisis, oil prices will not reach their earlier high levels in a hurry if at all.
The Caribbean governments that signed up to PetroCaribe and who have predicated some of their social development projects on the back of promises made by Chavez may find themselves scrambling for financing from elsewhere if they can get it.
Amid all this, an important book on the politics of oil and gas in the Caribbean has been produced by Wendell Mottley, a former Finance Minister of Trinidad and Tobago and now a New York-based investment banker. The book, modestly entitled "Trinidad and Tobago: Industrial Policy 1959-2008", is a masterly account of the role that oil and gas has played in the

The book, modestly entitled "Trinidad and Tobago: Industrial Policy 1959-2008", is a masterly account of the role that oil and gas has played in the economy of Trinidad and Tobago, and the role it has failed to play in developing the country's human resources, healing its ethnic divisions and ensuring against potential conflict in the future.
For instance, Mottley makes the point: "In Trinidad, a useful reality check is the ratio of the output of the educational system to employment in the energy sector. Every year, the country graduates 19,000 students from its high schools. Based on the most optimistic expansion of the oil, gas, chemicals and other process industries, only 1,780 of these students will be absorbed by these industries every year. The remaining 17,220 students must be placed elsewhere... in the real Trinidad and Tobago".
And, the "real Trinidad and Tobago" is one in which of the labour force of 625,900 approximately one-quarter or 159,000 persons "may be poorly equipped to earn a living in (the) twenty-first century".
Mottley also warns that "the projected large revenue streams (from oil and gas) over the next 20 years could be interrupted by the eruption of destructive social forces caused by the country's dual development paths".
He deals too with the petro-diplomacy between Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela as both countries seek strong influence over neighbouring states in the Caribbean. And, he asks the question: "Is Venezuela, through PetroCaribe, seeking to turn, and can it succeed in turning, the Caribbean into vassal states, tied to one energy source, and sinking daily further into unrepayable debt?"
Mottley's book, published by Ian Randle in Jamaica, also gives a revealing insight into the maritime dispute between Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago - allegedly over fishing, but really over petroleum as he confirms.
These events so early in 2009 indicate that the politics of oil and gas will continue to play an important part not only in relations between States but in the lives of ordinary people.

Posted on Fri, 09 Jan 2009 13:37:31 Permalink

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Caribbean island enforces indecent-exposure law for tourist and local.DENVERPOST.COM

2009-01-11T08:38:00.000-08:00

nation and world briefs
Caribbean island enforces indecent-exposure law
Denver Post Wire Report
Posted: 01/11/2009 12:30:00 AM MST

ST. GEORGE'S, Grenada — Bikini- and Speedo-clad tourists beware. The Caribbean island of Grenada says it recently began enforcing an indecent- exposure law banning bathing suits away from the beach, as well as saggy pants that reveal underwear.
Police commissioner James Clarkson said violators are usually ordered to cover up. But the law allows for a $270 fine or six months in jail.
Clarkson said Friday that cruise ships usually inform passengers of proper non-beach attire, but "from time to time, there is the one or two who take their chances."

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"JAMAICAN OBSERVER', Today.

2009-01-11T08:32:00.000-08:00

Cruise tourism bad for environment.CayCompas.com

2009-01-10T20:44:00.000-08:00

CAYMAN iSLANDS.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR.

Thursday 8th January, 2009 Posted: 14:27 CIT (19:27 GMT)
> Comment on this story

With all due respect, I am not sure the math supports the intensity of the cruise industry’s convictions about the benefits of their business.

The CTO will tell you it takes 10 or more cruise passengers to equal the economic benefit of one stay over guest. In other words, for every additional stayover visitor attracted to the Cayman Islands you could kindly ask ten cruise passengers to stay home. No loss in tourism revenue and a dramatic increase in peace and quiet. Fewer crowds mean better experiences and better word of mouth.

Just because the economic cost of tourism density is difficult to measure does not mean it doesn’t count. When tourists keep running into other tourists they tell 10 friends back home that the destination is too touristy. Who can argue that the hustle and bustle greeting most cruise passengers does justice to the true Caymanian experience? What stories do those visitors tell of the Cayman Islands when they return home? Assuming after a week or two at sea cruise passengers can even distinguish one duty free from port from the next.

Too often tourism only looks at what visitors spend ignoring what it cost to attract them. For example, every additional overnight guest reduces the pressure to expand ship berthing facilities saving hundreds of millions in infrastructure expenditures; money that could be spent improving schools and other public facilities. What is the social cost when a destination offers first rate port facilities to visitors and third rate educations to residents?

The fewer cruise ships that come to the Cayman Islands, the clearer the water and the better the scuba diving. While the economics of water clarity are difficult to measure, it still matters. Divers spend more money than stayover guests so increasing water clarity increases tourism revenue exponentially while reducing tourism pressure.

Before we can have an informed debate about the merits of cruise tourism, we need to consider how much of every visitor dollar spent in the Cayman Islands actually remains in the Cayman Islands. According to the UN, on a worldwide basis roughly 30 cents of every visitor dollar remains in the destination.

Cruise passengers have higher economic leakage rates than stayover visitors because more of their money passes through the hands of global corporations. So a dollar spent by a cruise passenger might be worth half that of a stayover visitor.

So, if we could count everything that really matters, we might find that it takes 30–40 cruise passengers to equal the benefits of a single stayover guest. Still liking the benefits?

At the end of the day how the Cayman Islands chooses to develop tourism cannot be answered in economic terms alone. Until the costs of tourism are measured in social and environmental terms as well, the answers will always steer us in the wrong direction.

Andy Dumaine

Canadian Anthropology Society call por paper about 50 years of the Cuban Revolution. University of British Columbia, Vancvouver,B.C.

2009-01-10T20:18:00.000-08:00

casca news
This is a blog recording the announcements that are sent out on the CASCA listserv.
Friday, January 9, 2009

Call for Papers: Canadian Anthropology Society Annual Meeting
Call for PapersCanadian Anthropology Society Annual MeetingMay 13-16, 2009 University of British Columbia, Vancouver, B.C.
Session Title: 50 Years of the Cuban Revolution: Political Economy,Ecology and CultureSession Organizer: Kendra Coulter, University of WindsorThis year marks the 50th anniversary of the Cuban Revolution. Cuba is animportant sociocultural site for anthropological scholarship on theproduction of political projects, offering significant insights forunderstanding transnational anti-imperialist, anti-neoliberal andsocialist politics. This session will examine the accomplishments andcomplexities of the Cuban Revolution as a lived, collective process and asa sustained challenge to the capitalist model. Papers on politicalecology, gender relations, labour, education, health, children/youth andpolitical economy in Cuba are particularly welcome.
Please email Kendra Coulter directly at kcoulter@uwindsor.ca beforeJanuary 27th.
Posted by metafactory at Friday, January 09, 2009

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The thought of Rafael Correa opened the doors of a new relationship of the United States and the European Union with Latin America and the Caribbean b

2009-01-10T06:06:00.000-08:00

Correa's ideas are based on Jose Marti thesis about latinoamerican and caribbean identity. Correa and Jose Marti founded his meaning from Spains roots in United States vinculated to the elites of the working class.
Rafael Correa's leadership during his visit to Cuba reveals the need for better relations with Spain and a wide interaction with the elites of the United States for the development of a Movement of Latin American and Caribbean countries for equity and social justice for all . The thesis of Jose Marti on the balance of the world is the basis of this thinking in the region.

Rafael Correa in Havana stands out as the dawn of the new thinking of Latin American and Caribbean.

" Jose Marti, Omar Torrijos, Salvador Allende and Bolivar's ideas are the ideological foundations of President Rafael Correa. At the same time, Rafael Correa is the conscience of the elite class of workers and peasants in the United States of America."

President Rafael Correa of Ecuador gave a lecture at the University of Havana. Doctor of Economics, expressed his conviction to create a regional bank for Latin American and Caribbean countries to cope with the global economic crisis, but climate change. President Rafael Correa has emerged as the most important intellectual and ideological movement of the new Latin American and Caribbean countries in search of its identity because of its reputation as a balanced and talented leader of the Ecuadorian people. Correa, in the view of Jose Marti balance of world power is the youngest of the entire novel and the Latin American left and now has followers in Cuba and the Caribbean.

In President Rafael Correa is the thought of Bolivar, Jose Marti, Omar Torrijos y Salvador Allende with the formation of working class and peasants of the American elites, the first working class and peasants in the history of mankind. Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa is the new dawn of ideas of the Latin American and Caribbean unity, based on the thesis BOLIVAR JOSE MARTI AND ON THE BALANCE OF THE WORLD AND SOCIAL JUSTICE. Scientific ideas and ideology based on the identity of Latin America and its projects on the economy have attracted strongly to Havana and Cuban intellectuals and political leaders. Correa's ideas seem to involve all the elites of government Latin America and the Caribbean in its relationship with the United States. That young president of enormous intellectual capacity is the equilibrium point for a new geopolitics of Latin American and Caribbean chancelleries because joins the Latin American left and right. Jose Marti, Omar Torrijos, of Salvador Allende and Bolivar's ideas are the ideological foundations of President Rafael Correa. At the same time, Rafael Correa is the conscience of the elite class of workers and peasants in the United States of America.Gualterio Nunez Estrada, Sarasota, Florida.

Cardenal Renato Martino:"Gaza: a big concentration camp", egoismo, hatred, poverty and injusice in the Holy Land.

2009-01-09T18:03:00.000-08:00

HIGH DIGNAARIO VATICAN CONDEMNS THE TERRORIST STATE OF ISRAEL IN GAZA AND THE VIOLATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS.
Type: Person
Name: Cardinal Renato Martino
Title: President
Organization: Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace
Date of Birth: 23/11/1932
Place of Birth: Salerno (Italy)
Nationality: Italy
Fact Sheet: Biography for Renato Martino

INT. Renato Raffaele Martino
mercoledì 7 gennaio 2009

ILSUSSIDIARIO.NET "il quotidiano approfundito"

Interview, click here:

http://www.ilsussidiario.net/articolo.aspx?articolo=10714

ISRAELE/ Card. Martino: "raccogliamo i frutti dell’egoismo. L’unica speranza è il dialogo

Un senso più acuto della dignità dell’uomo. Nessuno vede l’interesse dell’altro, ma solamente il proprio. Ma le conseguenze dell’egoismo sono l’odio per l’altro, la povertà e l’ingiustizia. A pagare sono sempre le popolazioni inermi. Guardiamo le condizioni di Gaza: assomiglia sempre più ad un grande campo di concentramento."

VATICAN-GAZA (UPDATED) Jan-9-2009 (810 words) With photos posted Jan. 8. xxxiGaza Strip resembles a concentration camp, says top Vatican official

By Carol Glatz

Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The Gaza Strip increasingly is looking like "a big concentration camp" while egoism, hatred, poverty and injustice are fueling the continual slaughter in the Holy Land, said a top Vatican official."We are seeing a continual massacre in the Holy Land where the overwhelming majority has nothing to do with the conflict, but it is paying for the hatred of a few with their lives," said Cardinal Renato Martino, head of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace."Let's look at the conditions in Gaza: It's looking more and more like a big concentration camp," he said in an interview published Jan. 7 in the Italian online newspaper IlSussidiario.Israel's ambassador to the Vatican, Mordechay Lewy, criticized the cardinal's comments saying they were "way out of line."However, the remarks have not negatively affected Vatican-Israeli relations which are still "good as before," said the ambassador, according to the Italian news agency ANSA Jan. 8.That the cardinal would make the comparison "shows he has never visited a concentration camp," he added.Meanwhile, Israel's foreign ministry spokesman, Yigal Palmor, said Cardinal Martino's comments "seem to have come directly from Hamas propaganda" and did nothing "to help bring people closer to the truth and peace."By saying the Gaza Strip resembled a concentration camp, the cardinal was ignoring "the unspeakable crimes" committed by the Palestinian militant group Hamas, he said in a Jan. 7 interview with Agence France-Presse.Palmor said Hamas "has derailed the peace process and has turned the Gaza Strip into a giant human shield."In an interview with the Italian newspaper La Repubblica Jan. 8, Cardinal Martino defended his description of the Gaza Strip, saying those who criticized his remarks "can say what they want. The situation in Gaza is horrible.""I say, look at the conditions of the people who live there. Surrounded by a wall that is difficult to cross -- in conditions (that are) contrary to human dignity. What has been happening recently there is horrifying," he said.He said there was nothing in his comments "that may be interpreted as anti-Israeli" and he condemned Hamas' use of violence against Israel.But he lamented the deaths of so many Palestinian civilians and children and the destruction of nonmilitary targets by Israel, suggesting such losses could have been avoided given that Israeli forces have sophisticated surveillance "technology that can let them identify an ant on the ground."Both Israeli and Palestinian leaders have done reproachable things, he said, but "Israel has the right to live in peace, (and) the Palestinians have the right to have their own state.""Israel certainly has the right to defend itself and Hamas must keep that in mind," he added."I am not defending Hamas: If they want a home, if they want a Palestinian state, they have to understand that the path they have set out upon is wrong," said the cardinal.He said both Israelis and Palestinians are at fault for not doing enough to stop the fighting and start peace talks.In the Jan. 7 interview with IlSussidiario, Cardinal Martino said: "If they are unable to come to an agreement then someone else had better feel an obligation to do it for them. The world cannot sit and watch and do nothing."He called for an "international intervention force" to stop the fighting.The reason Palestinians and Israelis have so far not been able to end the conflict and begin dialogue is because there is an acute lack of respect for human dignity, he said."No one recognizes the interests of the other but only one's own. However, the consequences of egoism are hatred toward others, poverty and injustice, and the defenseless are always the ones who pay," he added.About 760 Palestinians, half of them civilians, have been killed since Israel began its attacks on Gaza Dec. 27 to root out Hamas.The fighting has made access to basic needs even more difficult as food, medicine and other relief items already were lacking due to an 18-monthlong Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip, said a Jan. 5 press release by Caritas Internationalis, an umbrella group of Catholic aid agencies.Meanwhile, in his annual address to diplomats Jan. 8, Pope Benedict XVI appealed for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza and the resumption of negotiations between Palestinians and Israelis, with the support of the international community."Once again I would repeat that military options are no solution and that violence, wherever it comes from and whatever form it takes, must be firmly condemned," he said.He said a cease-fire is "an indispensable condition for restoring acceptable living conditions to the population."He urged both sides to resume negotiations and agree to "the rejection of hatred, acts of provocation and the use of arms."END
Copyright (c) 2009 Catholic News Service/USCCB. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed.CNS · 3211 Fourth St NE · Washington DC 20017 · 202.541.3250

Sex role in the society, tradition and economy. Lates researchh

2009-01-09T15:26:00.000-08:00

Web address: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/ 080922090801.htm
Sexism Pays: Men Who Hold Traditional Views Of Women Earn More Than Men Who Don't, Study Shows
ScienceDaily (Sep. 22, 2008) — When it comes to sex roles in society, what you think may affect what you earn. A new study has found that men who believe in traditional roles for women earn more money than men who don't, and women with more egalitarian views don't make much more than women with a more traditional outlook.
Timothy Judge, PhD, and Beth Livingston from the University of Florida, analyzed data from a nationally representative study of men and women who were interviewed four times between 1979 and 2005. A total of 12,686 people, ages 14 to 22 at the beginning of the study, participated; there was a 60 percent retention rate over the course of the study.
At each of the four interviews, participants were asked about their views on gender roles in the work force and at home. They answered questions such as whether they believed a woman's place is in the home, whether employing wives leads to more juvenile delinquency, if a man should be the achiever outside the home and if the woman should take care of the home and family.
Participants were also asked about their earnings, religious upbringing, education, whether they worked outside the home and their marital status, in addition to other topics. Prior studies have shown that men tend to hold more traditional gender roles than do women, though this gap has narrowed over time.
The researchers looked specifically at gender role views as a predictor of a person's earnings. They controlled for job complexity, number of hours worked and education. Their analyses showed that men in the study who said they had more traditional gender role attitudes made an average of about $8,500 more annually than those who had less traditional attitudes.
"More traditional people may be seeking to preserve the historical separation of work and domestic roles. Our results prove that is, in fact, the case," Judge said. "This is happening even in today's work force where men and women are supposedly equal as far as participation."
For women, however, the situation was reversed. Women who held more traditional views about gender roles made an average of $1,500 less annually than the women with more egalitarian views. Put another way, if a married couple holds traditional gender role attitudes, the husband's earning advantage was predicted to be eight times greater than a married couple where the husband and wife have more egalitarian attitudes.
"These results show that changes in gender role attitudes have substantial effects on pay equity," Judge said. "When workers' attitudes become more traditional, women's earnings relative to men suffer greatly. When attitudes become more egalitarian, the pay gap nearly disappears."
Notably, the results also did not fundamentally change when other factors were controlled, such as industry, occupation, hours worked, and number of children. "These results cannot be explained by the fact that, in traditional couples, women are less likely to work outside the home," Judge said. "Though this plays some role in our findings, our results suggest that even if you control for time worked and labor force participation, traditional women are paid less than traditional men for comparable work."
The researchers also sought to understand why some people hold more traditional or less traditional perceptions of gender roles. Some associations they found were:
People living in Northeastern cities had less traditional views regarding gender roles
People whose parents both worked outside the home had less traditional views regarding gender roles
Married, religious people tended to have more traditional gender role views
Younger people had less traditional views but became more traditional over time
The authors offered suggestions for future research, including investigating the relationship between happiness and job attitudes among people with specific gender role views arguing that more money and happiness doesn't necessarily always go together for some people.
The researchers believe their results show that the gender pay gap is not just an economic phenomenon. "Psychology has an important role to play, too," said Judge. "Our country's policies have been leaning toward gender equality for decades now. But, according to our study, traditional gender role views continue to work against this goal."
Journal reference:
Timothy A. Judge, PhD, and Beth A. Livingston. Is the Gap More Than Gender? A Longitudinal Analysis of Gender, Gender Role Orientation, and Earnings. Journal of Applied Psychology, Vol. 93, No. 5
Adapted from materials provided by American Psychological Association, via EurekAlert!, a service of AAAS.
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American Psychological Association (2008, September 22). Sexism Pays: Men Who Hold Traditional Views Of Women Earn More Than Men Who Don't, Study Shows. ScienceDaily. Retrieved January 9, 2009, from http://www.sciencedaily.com /releases/2008/09/080922090801.htm

In Cuba, family relationships are sacred and are above politics.

2009-01-09T12:16:00.000-08:00

The division of the family is the main source in Cuba and into the Cuban emigration to the weakening of the culture and identity of the Nation.. The family and close friends are sacred in Cuban culture and are above the ideology and politics

Elian is certainly the most beloved of the Cuban American people. Elian recently told the foreign press in Cuba, his desire to visit their relatives and friends in Miami. • When Elian may travel to the United States visiting his Cuban family, with his father, and the American friends who cared HIM?. To date, we do not know if the U.S. Interests Section in Havana would grant temporary visas to Cuban Elian and family who want to visit their relatives cubanamerican in the United States. Nobody talks about the family problem that is sacred to all Cubans.

Obama"s nominated United Nation Ambassador of United States with Jamaican culture roots."TIME".

2009-01-09T11:12:00.000-08:00

Susan Elizabeth Rice, (WITH A jAMAICAN GRANDMOTHER.NOIE FROM THE BLOGGER)a key adviser on foreign policy to Barack Obama during his campaign for the presidency, is a member of the advisory committee for the Obama transition and is the nominee for ambassador to the United Nations.
Ms. Rice spent eight years at the White House and the State Department under President Clinton. She was a member of the National Security Council staff, first as director for international organizations and peacekeeping, and then as a special assistant to the president and senior director for African affairs. From 1997 to 2001, she was assistant secretary of state for African affairs. She has special expertise in the problems posed by weak and failed states, global poverty and transnational security threats.
A protégé of Madeleine K. Albright when Ms. Albright was secretary of state, Ms. Rice catapulted over more veteran officials in 1997 when she was given the job as assistant secretary of state. She also has had experience with Al Qaeda — Ms. Rice was the top diplomat for African issues during the 1998 terrorist bombings of embassies in Tanzania and Kenya.
She has been a member of Mr. Obama’s inner circle for more than two years. She showed early loyalty to him despite her ties to the Clinton administration, signing on with Mr. Obama at a time when Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton was presumed to be the frontrunner for the Democratic nomination.
She potentially faces tough questioning, however, because of her role in American policy toward Rwanda during the 1994 genocide when she was a member of a Clinton administration team that kept the United States on the sidelines. She told The Atlantic Monthly in 2001 that she had learned a lesson: "I swore to myself that if I ever faced such a crisis again, I would come down on the side of dramatic action, going down in flames if that was required."
She and Condoleezza Rice, the current secretary of state, are both female African-American foreign policy experts who have ties to Stanford University, but they are not related.
She was born on Nov. 17, 1964, and is the daughter of a former governor on the Federal Reserve Board. She earned an undergraduate degree from Stanford and both a master's degree and a doctorate in international relations from New College at Oxford University, where she was a Rhodes Scholar. After the Clinton administration, Ms. Rice was a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution and was also a foreign policy adviser to John Kerry's presidential campaign in 2004. She is married to Ian Cameron, the Canadian-born executive producer of ABC News's "This Week with George Stephanopoulos." They have two children.

Cuban, Ecuadorian presidents meet in Havana.Source:Xinhua.China.

2009-01-09T09:09:00.000-08:00

SEÑOR PRESIDENTE CONSTITUCIONAL DE LA REPÚBLICA DEL ECUADOR
ECON. RAFAEL CORREA DELGADO (Ph.D)
DATOS PERSONALES:
Fecha de nacimiento: 6 de Abril de 1963.Lugar de nacimiento: Guayaquil - Ecuador.Nacionalidad: Ecuatoriana.Estado civil: Casado TÍTULOS ACADÉMICOS:
Doctor (Ph.D.) en Economía: Universidad de Illinois en Urbana - Champaign. Octubre/2001.Master de Ciencias en Economía: Universidad de Illinois en Urbana - Champaign. Mayo/1999.Master de Artes en Economía: Universidad Católica de Lovaina la Nueva, Bélgica. Junio/1991.Economista: Universidad Católica de Santiago de Guayaquil, Guayaquil - Ecuador. Julio/1987. IDIOMAS:
Español: lengua materna. Inglés: fluido. Francés: fluido. Kichwa: principiante. EXPERIENCIA PROFESIONAL:
Enero de 2007 Presidente Constitucional de la República del Ecuador.
Agosto de 2006 Candidato a la Presidencia de la República por el binomio Alianza País.
Agosto del 2005 hasta el presente: Consultor independiente. Abril del 2005 – Agosto del 2005: Ministro de Economía y Finanzas de la República del Ecuador. 1993 – Abril del 2005: Profesor Principal del Departamento de Economía, Universidad “San Francisco de Quito”, Quito - Ecuador.Director del Departamento de Economía.Instructor de Macroeconomía, Microeconomía, Economía Cuantitativa y Desarrollo Económico. Instructor de Economía Empresarial, Programa MBA de la USFQ.Director de SUR, Centro de Investigaciones Económicas y Sociales de la USFQ. 1992 – 1993: Director Administrativo – Financiero de los proyectos de educación financiados por el Banco Interamericano de Desarrollo, Quito – Ecuador.Gerencia administrativa y financiera de proyectos de mejoramiento del sistema educativo ecuatoriano, con un presupuesto total de 110 millones de dólares y un equipo permanente de 120 personas. 1988 – 1989: Director Financiero de la Universidad Católica de Santiago de Guayaquil, Guayaquil – Ecuador.Gerencia de los recursos financieros de la Universidad, con un equipo permanente de 16 personas divididos en los departamentos de Presupuesto, Contabilidad y Tesorería. 1987 – 1988: Voluntario en la Misión de los Padres Salesianos en Sumbahua, Provincia de Cotopaxi – Ecuador.Diseño, implementación y control de proyectos de desarrollo rural integral para las comunidades indígenas de la Parroquia Sumbahua. 1984 – 1987: Especialista Industrial del Centro de Desarrollo Industrial del Ecuador –CENDES-, Ministerio de Industrias del Ecuador, Guayaquil – Ecuador.Diseño y evaluación de proyectos de inversión, básicamente industriales. EXPERIENCIA ACADÉMICA:
2001 - 2005: Profesor Principal y Director del Departamento de Economía, Universidad “San Francisco de Quito”, Quito - Ecuador. Director de “SUR”, Centro de Investigaciones Económicas y Sociales de la USFQ. Profesor invitado en la Facultad Latinoamericana de Ciencias Sociales (FLACSO, Quito - Ecuador), Instituto Tecnológico de Monterrey (TEC, Quito - Ecuador), Universidad Andina (Quito - Ecuador), Universidad Estatal de Guayaquil (Guayaquil – Ecuador), Universidad Católica de Santiago de Guayaquil (UCSG, Guayaquil - Ecuador), y Escuela Superior Politécnica del Litoral (ESPOL, Guayaquil - Ecuador). 1997 - 2001: Instructor del Departamento de Economía, Universidad de Illinois en Urbana-Champaign, Illinois – EE.UU. 1993 - 1997: Profesor Principal del Departamento de Economía, Universidad “San Francisco de Quito”, Quito - Ecuador. 1992 - 1993: Profesor Asociado de la Facultad de Economía, Universidad Católica de Santiago de Guayaquil. Guayaquil - Ecuador. 1988 - 1989: Profesor Asociado de la Facultad de Economía, Universidad Católica de Santiago de Guayaquil. Guayaquil - Ecuador. 1983 - 1985: Asistente de Cátedra de la Facultad de Economía, Universidad Católica de Santiago de Guayaquil. Guayaquil - Ecuador. DIGNIDADES Y PREMIOS:
Beca del Gobierno de Bélgica: Beca obtenida a través de concurso nacional de merecimientos para realizar estudios de post-grado en Bélgica, 1989. Beca de la USAID: Beca obtenida a través de concurso nacional de merecimientos para realizar estudios de post-grado en Estados Unidos, 1989. (beca no utilizada) Tesis para la obtención del título de Economista "Evaluación de los Programas de Apoyo al Sector Informal en Guayaquil". Felicitación del jurado y recomendación para publicación a nivel nacional, 1987. Presidente de la Federación de Estudiantes Universitarios Particulares del Ecuador (FEUPE), 1986. Presidente de la Federación de Estudiantes de la Universidad Católica de Santiago de Guayaquil (FEUC-G), 1986. Presidente de la Asociación de Estudiantes de la Facultad de Economía, Administración y Auditoría de la Universidad Católica de Santiago de Guayaquil, 1985. Beca de la Universidad Católica de Santiago de Guayaquil, 1982 y 1983. CONSULTORÍAS Y ASESORÍAS RECIENTES:
Consultoría: Opinión independiente sobre el proyecto “Telecommunication Network Expansion Project” financiado por el Japan Bank for Internacional Cooperation –JBCI-.Septiembre – Octubre del 2004.Auspiciante: Japan Bank for Internacional Cooperation –JBIC-Supervisor: Ms. Yuko Kishino, JBCI.Descripción: “Third Party Evaluator” para los proyectos auspiciados por el JBCI. Asesoría: Asesor para la Asociación de Agencias de Carga y Logística Internacional -ASEACI-Junio del 2004.Supervisor: John Chiriboga, Director Ejecutivo de ASEACI.Descripción: Asesoramiento y elaboración del informe de ASEACI para la eliminación del seguro contra riesgos impuesto a Ecuador por la Internacional Air Transportation -IATA-. Consultoría: "Vulnerabilidad de la economía ecuatoriana frente a choques externos".Septiembre 2003 - Marzo 2004.Auspiciante: Programa de las Naciones Unidas para el Desarrollo.Supervisor: Diego Recalde, PNUD.Descripción: Estimación por medio de modelos de vectores autoregresivos estructurales de los choques externos de oferta y demanda recibidos por la economía ecuatoriana desde el año 1968. Formulación de recomendaciones de política macroeconómica. Consultoría: "Diseño de los Programas de Macroeconomía para el Programa Doctoral en Economía de la Facultad Latinoamericana de Ciencias Sociales -Flacso-"Febrero del 2003.Auspiciante: Facultad Latinoamericana de Ciencias Sociales -Flacso-.Supervisor: Fander Falconí, coordinador programa de Economía-Flacso.Funciones: Diseño del currículo y programas de macroeconomía para el doctorado conjunto entre la FLACSO y el Instituto de Estudios Sociales (ISS) de la Haya - Holanda. Consultoría: "Proyección de tasas de crecimiento, de inflación y brechas del producto para el Ecuador", 2003-2010.Julio a Septiembre del 2002.Auspiciante: Naciones Unidas.Supervisor: Eduardo Valencia, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador.Descripción: Estimación de un modelo de crecimiento para la economía ecuatoriana, que permita proyectar crecimiento, inflación y brecha del producto. Asesoría: Asesor Técnico de la Comisión para un Pacto Fiscal en Ecuador.Febrero a Septiembre del 2002.Auspiciante: Naciones Unidas.Supervisor: Eduardo Valencia. Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador.Funciones: Asesoramiento técnico y coordinación de las consultorías específicas para la elaboración de un pacto fiscal y social para el Ecuador. PUBLICACIONES:
Libros: La Vulnerabilidad de la Economía Ecuatoriana.: Hacia una mejor política económica para la generación de empleo, reducción de la pobreza y desigualdad. Programa de las Naciones Unidas para el Desarrollo. Quito – Ecuador, 2004. El Reto del Desarrollo: ¿Estamos Preparados para el Futuro?. Publicaciones de la USFQ. Quito – Ecuador, 1996. Compilador. ARTÍCULOS CIENTÍFICOS:
“The Washington Consensus in Latin America: A Quantitative Evaluation”. Documento de Trabajo, Universidad “San Francisco de Quito”. Quito – Ecuador. Abril 2002. “Reformas Estructurales y Crecimiento en América Latina: Un Análisis de Sensibilidad”. Revista de la CEPAL No. 76. Abril del 2002, Santiago de Chile. “One Market, One Currency: The Economic Desirability of a Monetary Union for the CAN”. Documento de Trabajo. University of Illinois. Champaign - Illinois, USA. Mayo 2001. “Destabilizing Speculation in the Exchange Market: The Ecuadorian Case”. Documento de Trabajo. University of Illinois. Champaign - Illinois, USA. Enero 2000. “Is Institutional Change Endogenous? A Critical View of the Political Economy of the Reforms: The Ecuadorian Case”. Documento de Trabajo. Universidad de Illinois en Urbana-Champaign. Champaign - EEUU. Agosto de 1999. “The Ecuadorian ISI Revisited”. Documento de Trabajo. Universidad de Illinois en Urbana-Champaign. Champaign - EEUU. Mayo de 1999.
PONENCIAS Y ARTÍCULOS PARA PUBLICACIONES NO CIENTÍFICAS:
“Otra Economía es posible”. En Otro Ecuador es Posible, por publicarse con Alberto Acosta y otros. Quito – Ecuador, Septiembre del 2005. “Capital Institucional y Desarrollo”. Ponencia para el seminario internacional Independencia de la Justicia, Democracia y Desarrollo. Quito – Ecuador, Marzo 3 y 4 del 2005. “Canje de Deuda: Todo en función de los acreedores”. Documento de Trabajo. Universidad “San Francisco de Quito”. Febrero del 2005. “Dolarización y desdolarización: más elementos para el debate”. Comentarios al dossier de Íconos 19”. Revista Íconos Nro. 20, Facultad Latinoamericana de Ciencias Sociales. Quito – Ecuador. Septiembre del 2004. “De Banana Republic a la No República: Las Tres Últimas Décadas de la Historia Económica del Ecuador”. Documento de Trabajo. Universidad “San Francisco de Quito”. Agosto del 2004. “El Sofisma del Libre Comercio”. En Libre Comercio: Mitos y Realidades. Alberto Acosta y Eduardo Gudymas, editores. Ediciones Abya-Yala, Julio del 2004. Quito-Ecuador. “Ecuador: De Absurdas Dolarizaciones a Uniones Monetarias”. Ponencia para el seminario Dolarización y Alternativas. Universidad Andina Simón Bolívar, Quito – Ecuador, Julio del 2004. “Vulnerabilidad e Inestabilidad de las Economías Latinoamericanas”. Ponencia para el seminario Integración, Desarrollo y Equidad. Quito – Ecuador, Mayo del 2004. “Más Allá de la Economía Autista”. Economía y Humanismo. Revista del Centro de Investigaciones Económicas de la Pontifica Universidad Católica del Ecuador – PUCE. Nro. 15, Abril del 2004. Quito – Ecuador. “Dolarización y Enfermedad Holandesa”. Documento de Trabajo. Universidad “San Francisco de Quito”. Diciembre del 2003. Quito – Ecuador. “Lo Mismo de lo Peor: La Política Económica del Gobierno de Lucio Gutiérrez”. Documento de Trabajo. Foro Ecuador Alternativo. Quito – Ecuador. Noviembre del 2003. Junto con Ec. Marco Flores y Ec. Eduardo Valencia. “La Política Económica del Gobierno de Lucio Gutiérrez”. Revista Íconos, Facultad Latinoamericana de Ciencias Sociales. Quito – Ecuador, Abril del 2003. “Fortalecimiento de la Institucionalidad Estatal para la Reactivación”. Ponencia para el Diálogo Nacional 2003. Quito - Ecuador, Enero 2003. “El Positivismo de la Economía Moderna”. Revista Destiempo. Quito, Octubre del 2002. "¿Hacia dónde va la Balanza de Pagos Ecuatoriana?" Carta Económica, CORDES. Quito, Abril del 2002. “La Convertibilidad Argentina y la Dolarización Ecuatoriana”. Revista Alternativas, Universidad Católica de Santiago de Guayaquil. Febrero del 2002. COMENTARIOS SOBRE ARTÍCULOS ACADÉMICOS:
Comments on the paper “To What Extent Does Intra-Industry Trade Matter in Business Cycles Comovements. Distinguishing Common and Transmitted Cycles”, by Julien Garnier. Segunda Conferencia Anual de ELSNIT. Florencia – Italia. Octubre del 2004. Comentarios sobre el artículo “Coordinación Económica y Cooperación Monetaria: El Caso de la Unión Monetaria Sudamericana” por James Loveday y Jan Lust van Z. (Universidad del Pacífico, Lima-Perú, Noviembre del 2002). Quito – Ecuador, Diciembre del 2002.
Declaración juramentada de Bienes: A la vista del publico en el web site del gobierno ecuatoriano.Pueden verse los bienes personales del Presidente de Ecuador libremente al acceso de todos los ciudadanos, aqui:
http://www.presidencia.gov.ec/modulos.asp?id=192

"We demand and demand an end to the criminal blockade"...

President Rafael Correa speech in Havana.

When he arrived at Cuban international airport Jose Marti on Wednesday, Correa said it was an honor for him to step on "this land full of Latin Americanism of solidarity and dignity."

16:29, January 09, 2009
Cuban, Ecuadorian presidents meet in HavanaCuban leader Raul Castro and his Ecuadorian counterpart Rafael Correa met on Thursday at the Revolution Palace in Havana and discussed how to further bilateral ties, according to local media. This was President Correa's first visit to Cuba, during which he attended the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Cuban revolution. He will witness the signing of several cooperation agreements between the two countries. Correa, accompanied by high-ranking officials, was invited by Castro for a three-day visit, during which both sides will talk about a range of political, economic and commercial issues. Before their meeting, Correa received an official greeting from the honor guard in a ceremony performed by the Revolutionary Armed Forces' Staff. During his stay, Correa will also meet with Cuban parliament president Ricardo Alarcon, and give a speech at La Havana University. He will also meet with Ecuadorian students at the Latin-American School of Medicine (ELAM). When he arrived at Cuban international airport Jose Marti on Wednesday, Correa said it was an honor for him to step on "this land full of Latin Americanism of solidarity and dignity."Source:Xinhua

Source: Ecuatorian Goverment web site.

Rafael Correa: “Demandamos y exigimos el fin del criminal bloqueo” a Cuba
La Habana (Cuba), 8 de enero de 2009.- El Presidente de la República, Rafael Correa, durante el acto de conmemoración del 50 aniversario del triunfo de la Revolución Cubana, demandó y exigió el “fin del criminal bloqueo” que mantiene Estados Unidos en contra de ese país.
El Primer Mandatario calificó a este acto (el bloqueo), como un “etnocidio premeditado por el Imperio, ese mismo imperio que ha sometido a la más perversa injusticia a los patriotas René González, Gerardo Hernández, Ramón Labiñino, Antonio Guerrero y Fernando González”.
De igual manera resaltó que honra la esencia de la Revolución Cubana por considerarla trascendental para la evolución de la humanidad y “por considerar que sus principios son fundamentales para alcanzar el bienestar de nuestros pueblos”.
El Presidente Correa resaltó que este proceso es extraordinario porque logró el restablecimiento de los derechos humanos para todos los cubanos y cubanas. “Es el reconocimiento del respeto a la dignidad plena del ser humano como primer derecho constitucional de sus ciudadanos”.
En su discurso destacó el hecho de que la Revolución Cubana no tiene muertos ocultos en el escaparate de su historia y jamás practicó torturas, ni desapariciones. Además que eliminó la discriminación racial y de la mujer, al tiempo que garantizó la protección a la familia cubana.
El Jefe de Estado resaltó la declaración de Cuba como primer territorio libre de analfabetismo en América, en 1961, lo que “sigue siendo un ejemplo para nuestros pueblos”.
Finalmente, el Mandatario rindió tributó al periodista y patriota ecuatoriano, Carlos Bastidas Argüello, asesinado en mayo de 1958 por los sicarios del dictador Fulgencio Batista.
En el evento hubo varias presentaciones teatrales, artísticas y musicales de niños y jóvenes que estudian en las escuelas de Ciudad Libertad, infraestructura que anteriormente era ocupada por militares durante la dictadura de Fulgencio Batista.
En la ceremonia estuvieron presentes también el Jefe de Estado, Raúl Castro; los ministros de Estado del Gobierno ecuatoriano y funcionarios del Gobierno cubano. /CY Prensa Presidencial
RAFAEL CORREA: “CUBAMAN IMATAPASH YALLICHINATA MANA SAKISHKATA TUKURICHUN NINCHIK”
La Habana (Cuba), 2009 wata, enero killa, 8 puncha.- Rafael Correa Llakta Pushakka Fidel Castro La Libertariaman yaykushka 50 wata tukushkata yuyarinapa tantanakuypi kashpami, Estados Unidos imatapash kay llaktaman mana yallichichun sakishkataka ña tukurina kan nirka, chayka wañuchinkapak munashka shinami kan nirka.
Llakta Pushakka chashna mana imapash yallichun harkashkataka “shuk wañuchinkapak shina kashka shinami kan, chay hatun llaktaka chashnallatakmi René Gonzáleztapash, Gerardo Hernándeztapash, Ramón Labiñinotapash, Antonio Guerrerotapash, Fernando Gonzáleztapash llakichishka” nirka.
Correa Llakta Pushakka Cubapa Hatarishkaka tukuykunapami shuk sumak yachachina shina kashka nirka, “hatarishkapa yuyaykunaka tukuy ñukanchik llaktakuna alli kawsay tiyachunmi kashka” nirka.
Llakta Pushakka kay hatarishkawanmi runakunapa kamachikunaka tukuy Cubamanta kari warmipa tiyay kallarirka nirka. “Chashnami Llakta Kamachipi kallari kamachi shina tiyashkata rikuy kallaririrka, chaywan kawsay kallaririrka” nirka.
Paypa rimashkapika Cubapa Hatarishkapika mana wañuchishpa pakashkata rikunchikchu, mana imatapash nichun makashkachu, mana kari warmita wañuchishpa cpakashkachu nirka. Kaypika tukuykunami shinallatak kankuna, kari warmimi shinallatak kankuna, kaypika runakunapa kamachikunata rikushpami kawsankuna, ayllutami rikuriyankuna nirka.
Correa Llakta Pushakka 1.961 watapika Cubapika tukuykunami killkanata killka-katinapash ña yacharkakuna, “chaymantami ñukanchik mama llaktakunaka chashna kankapak katikunchik” nirka.
Llakta Pushakka Ecuadormanta Carlos Bastidas Argúellotami yuyarirka, Batistapa wañuchikkunami paytaka 1958 watapi, mayo killapi wañuchirkakuna.
Chay tantanakuypika aranwa rikunapash, kuytsa wanprapapash wawakunapapash takikunapashmi tiyarka, paykunaka Kishpi Llaktamanta yacha wasikunamantami karkakuna, sarunpika chaypimi Batistapa makanakukkunaka kawsarkakuna.
Chaypika Raúl Castro Cuba Llakta Pushakpash; Ecuadormanta shikan wasi pushakkunapash, Cuba kamaymanta shinkan pushakunapashmi karkakuna. /CY/Ushku Chukuri/Llakta pushak wasipa killkashka.
Jueves, 8 de enero de 2009

Haiti the poorest nation in the world originated family tragedy in United States.

2009-01-09T05:29:00.000-08:00

Haiti's President Rene Preval (C) attends the opening session of the third Cuba-Caricom meeting in Santiago de Cuba, December 8, 2008. REUTERS/Claudia Daut (CUBA)

It is well known that Preval, President of Haiti, however it is an intellectual with high education and refined behavior because it is Caribbean, black, president of a poor country with ancestry in Africa, not even weight, or importance to the international community, or to those responsible for the misery of Haiti. Preval, who is confined to receive alms in the midst of a global economic crisis and climate change. Preval has had worse luck than that of black Americans from New Orleans during and after Katryna. ? How many more centuries will give us the cup of vinegar to Haiti?
Il est bien connu que Préval, Président d'Haïti, mais il est un intellectuel de l'enseignement supérieur et raffiné comportement, car il est des Caraïbes, le noir, le président d'un pays pauvre, dont les ancêtres en Afrique, même pas le poids ou l'importance de la communauté internationale, ou à ceux qui sont responsables de la misère d'Haïti. Préval, qui se limite à recevoir l'aumône, au milieu d'une crise économique mondiale et les changements climatiques. Preval a eu la chance pire que celle des noirs américains de la Nouvelle-Orléans pendant et après Katryna. ? Combien de siècles, nous donnera la tasse de vinaigre à Haïti?
É bem sabido que Preval, presidente do Haiti, no entanto, é um intelectual com grande educação e refinado comportamento porque é Caribe, preto, presidente de um país pobre, com ascendência na África, nem mesmo peso, ou importância para a a comunidade internacional, ou para os responsáveis pela miséria do Haiti. Preval, que se limita a receber esmolas, no meio de uma crise econômica global e das alterações climáticas. Preval teve pior sorte do que a dos negros americanos de Nova Orleans durante e após Katryna. ? Quantos mais séculos nos dará a taça de vinagre ao Haiti?
Es notorio que Preval, El Presidente de Haiti,no obstante a que es un intelectual con elevada educacion y refinado comportamiento porque que es caribeno,negro,presidente de un pais pobre y con ascendencia en Africa, no tiene aun peso, ni gran importancia ante la comunidad internacional, ni ante los responsables de la desgracia de Haiti.Preval,tiene que limitarse a recibir limosnas en medio de una crisis mundial economica y de cambio climatico.Preval ha tenido peor suerte que la de los negros americanos de New Orleans durante y despues del Katryna.? Cuantos siglos mas daremos todos nosotros el caliz de vinagre a Haiti?

Absolutely everyone in America we are responsible for the high death by hunger and violence of every Haitian, their misery, by centuries of neglect of blacks, being from Africa. Haiti is a country defenseless, subject to discrimination, to the public international law recognized by the United Nations. Western Europe, the world's Christian who sinned against their Haitian brothers, has not even apologized to the people and government of Haiti. • The hearing may God in churches?

Absolument tout le monde en Amérique, nous sommes responsables de la mort de haut par la faim et la violence de tous les Haïtiens, leur misère, par des siècles de négligence à l'égard des Noirs, en provenance d'Afrique. Haïti est un pays sans défense, l'objet de discrimination, au public, le droit international reconnu par l'Organisation des Nations Unies. Europe de l'Ouest, le monde chrétien qui a péché contre leurs frères d'Haïti, n'a même pas présenté ses excuses au peuple et au gouvernement d'Haïti. • L'audition mai Dieu dans les églises?

Absolutamente todos na América nós somos responsáveis pela alta morte por fome e da violência de todos os haitianos, a sua miséria, por séculos de negligência dos negros, sendo a partir de África. O Haiti é um país indefeso, sujeito à discriminação, ao direito internacional público, reconhecido pelas Nações Unidas. Europa Ocidental, do mundo cristão que pecou contra seus irmãos haitiano, ele ainda não pediu desculpas ao povo e ao Governo do Haiti. • A audição podem Deus nas igrejas?

Absolutamente todos en America somos altos responsables de la muerte por hambre y violencia de cada haitiano, de su miseria, del olvido de siglos por negros, por ser procedentes de Africa.Haiti es un pais en indefension, sujeto a discriminacion, ante el derecho internacional publico reconocido por Naciones Unidas.Europa occidental,la del mundo cristiano que peco contra sus hermanos haitianos, ni siquiera le ha pedido perdon al pueblo y gobierno de Haiti. ?Los podra oir Dios en las Iglesias?

Editorial:

A audição podem Deus nas igrejas?

A história e as ciências sociais no Haiti prova que nenhuma nação pode viver nas memórias de glórias passadas, ou confiar na boa vontade dos países ricos. Consciência histórica, mal gerida, pode tornar-se um trauma que dificulta desenvolvimento nacional e até mesmo um mínimo senso de solidariedade humana. T'oussaint L'Overture, o pai do povo do Haiti, foi o primeiro herói americano, que acendeu a fagulha da liberdade e independência. No entanto, devido às suas origens humildes dos negros escravos Africano, quase não está nos livros de história ensino América. América tem a sua independência para negros haitianos, que mostraram ao mundo que poderia vencer a elite tropas de Napoleão com o facão. Bloquear Europa ao longo dos séculos para o Haiti e se tornou aquilo que é hoje a nações mais pobres da América e inseguro. No entanto, o Haiti tem de viver da caridade enquanto os haitianos demonstrar elevada capacidade intelectual cultura. A miséria do Haiti é filha da discriminação e do fracasso do mundo que crêem em Cristo e disse que vai para igrejas para rezar para a salvação de sua alma. Um mundo sem perdão, só se você for apreciado um país rico. Absolutamente todos na América nós somos responsáveis pela alta morte por fome e da violência de todos os haitianos, a sua miséria, por séculos de negligência dos negros, sendo a partir de África. O Haiti é um país indefeso, sujeito à discriminação, ao direito internacional público, reconhecido pelas Nações Unidas. Europa Ocidental, do mundo cristão que pecou contra seus irmãos haitiano, ele ainda não pediu desculpas ao povo e ao Governo do Haiti. • A audição podem Deus nas igrejas?Gualterio Nunez Estrada, Sarasota, Florida.

"How can this nation in good conscience send children and families to face the terrible conditions that exist in Haiti?," she said."The Palm Beach Post",By JOHN LANTIGUA
Palm Beach Post Staff Writer. Florida newspaper.
Sunday, January 04, 2009

TO READ THE NEWS about haitian deportation in United States,today, CLICK HERE:
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/content/local_news/epaper/2009/01/04/deportation0105.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=76

"How can this nation in good conscience send children and families to face the terrible conditions that exist in Haiti?," she said.
"Where will they live? How will they eat? People could die( in Haiti people died, normally, lack of food. Note of the blogger) because of this decision."
"Already the poorest nation in the hemisphere, Haiti was hit by four hurricanes and tropical storms in August and September and has suffered devastation. The Bush administration suspended deportations to Haiti for a time due to the catastrophic conditions there, but eventually resumed them.
Meanwhile, kidnappings for ransom have become epidemic in Haiti in recent years. Victims have included not only the wealthy, but members of lower classes as well."

CLIMATIC CHANGE, ECONOMY CRISIS AND CARIBBEANS SEA ACIDIFICATION.

2009-01-08T07:57:00.000-08:00

First-ever Global Map Of Total Human Effects On Oceans

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080214144417.htm

"CLIMATE CHANGE EASILY could destabilize a small Caribbean community in a matter of hours, the best example we have in Haiti. WE CAN BE ANY HOUR IN HAITI. "

"The lethargy of Caribbean governments in the popularization of science, technology, engineer CONTRIBUTE TO LOW importance of the region in the American media, the European Union and is the key factor for the North American market SPANISH BOOK."

CARICOM, Cuba, Mexico and with the help of the Spanish institutions and India with a proven love of the Caribbean area, may be the immediate beneficiaries of the map that provides information about the human impact on the sea, especially when we consider increasing acidification in the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico, a real threat in the middle of a climate change on agriculture, tourism and quality of life in the Caribbean-Central America- Yucatan etnological area. Companies in Norway and other countries that benefit from the Caribbean, and Holland, can bring their experience and resources to helpt Caribbean to have a regional map managing interactive early warnings about the human impact on the sea. An important step is to develop a CARICOM CODE OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OF CARIBBEAN SEA TO BE DISCUSSED AT THE UNITED NATIONS. Another vital step is that the Caribbean countries have access to assistance by the National Research Council based in England. PLANET HEARTH magazine (http://planetearth.nerc.ac.uk/) shows that there is very little scientific information on DISCLOSED the Caribbean ecosystem, and in my opinion, this reflects the low priority that CARICOM and Cuba, even, gave to their own scientists in the mass media. The mass media in the Caribbean do not reflect the activity of our own scientists, academics and engineers. They are yet with the projection and psychology of a journal of the nineteenth century, and there is not even a blog Caribbean Science in any average or Caricon- Cuba media based on scientist journalism.(SPAIN NEWSPAPER MADRID BASED 'EL PAIS" HAS A SCIENCE BLOG http://lacomunidad.elpais.com/apuntes-cientificos-desde-el-mit/posts)

The lethargy of Caribbean governments in the popularization of science, technology, engineering CONTRIBUTE TO THE LOW importance of the region in the American media, the European Union and is the key factor for the North American market SPANISH BOOK.

CLIMATE CHANGE EASILY could destabilize a small Caribbean community in a matter of hours, the best example we have in Haiti. WE CAN BE ANY HOUR IN HAITI. Climate change, economic crisis of world economic engine that can last five years or more..., and the unexpected.. demands REGIONAL GOVERNMENTS POLICIES

. STOP praying for "DEUX EX MACHINA."

SEEING THE WORLD AS IS.

Gualterio Nunez Estrada, Sarasota, Florida.

Guyana, Caricom's first nation to condemn the slaughter of the Palestinian people.

2009-01-07T02:30:00.000-08:00

'GUYANA CONDEMN ABSOLUTELY THE ATROCITIES BEING PERPETRATED AGAINST HE PEOPLE OF PALESTINE, ESPECIALLY, THE MURDER OF INNOCENT WOMAN AND CHILDREN." President Bharrat Jagdeo, Goverment Information Agency, Georgetown, GUYANA.
http://www.caribworldnews.com/. O1/O7/09.

HAMAS must pass to a political phase, abandon terrorism against civilians in Israel, to ensure international support for the Palestinian cause.

Terrorism, whether right or left is, on the other hand, any state terrorism against the law of nations and human rights will never be accepted by the international community.

Extremist groups such as Hamas, without any real intelligence, but end up feeding the ultra and retrograde positions on both sides because they never contemplated action policy.

The Israelis want to address that trend OBAMA inheriting solutions without violence, to involve the Army and other armies in the Middle East, and so develops an adventurous and cruel war in Gaza, but will not achieve even HAMAS is so limited that it remains politically by pandering to the extremists of Bin Laden and the direction of Israeli military, two children from the same violence and hatred ..

The Palestinians intellectuals, Muslims and from the Arabs world can not be supplanted by people irrational, violent and without clear and pragmatical geopolitical objectives with feet on the ground amid a global economic crisis. More rational behavior of Hamas, more in tune with the political and economic realities is required at this time. The opposite is to drag the United States and Israel to positions ultraconservative, loose alliance of countries serious and moderate. Hatred does not build just love the wonder built.

As shown in photographs of the international press agencies, the demonstrations in Israel against the genocide in Gaza is not the fault of the people of Israel and the Arab and Muslim countries, as well as the Palestinian leadership must take note of this fact. I as a journalist since 1970, I received numerous testimonies from young Palestinians on how to address the Israeli military in Palestinian territories violates human rights, the law of nations and the Palestinians leading to extreme poverty. Often they have to drink water with sugar so as not to die of hunger. All this contrasts with the glory of Israel as a modern technological society and the abuse of power. Knows the address by Israeli military intelligence to bring the Palestinians to the oppression and extreme poverty is to condemn all the generations to violence and extreme psychological trauma in children. Everyone knows that the mother of violence is poverty, oppression and lack of human solidarity. One way to cause further extremism of Hamas and supporters, is climbing the violence and that is what makes the current Israeli military direction to drag the ultraconservative American politics the same way in the Middle East, to prevent the United States take moderate attitudes and respect for human rights of the Palestinian people and the international community. We must be inteligenes and bring the extremists of left and right that we are not fools and useful that the U.S. should conduct its policy-depth analysis in the Middle East if it wants to succeed in the real fight against terrorism.

Gualterio Nunez Estrada, Sarasota, Florida.

The misterius of Nazca and collected human heads. Latest researches.

2009-01-06T19:00:00.000-08:00

The Nazca Lines are an engima. No one has proof who built them or why. Since their discovery, the Nazca Lines have inspired fantastic explanations from ancient gods, a landing strip for returning aliens, a celestial calendar created by the ancient Nazca civilization -- putting the creation of the lines between 200 BC and 600 AD, used for rituals probably related to astronomy, to confirm the ayllus or clans who made up the population and to determine through ritual their economic functions held up by reciprocity and redistribution, or a map of underground water supplies.
There are also huge geoglyphs in Egypt, Malta, United States (Mississippi and California), Chile, Bolivia and in other countries. But the Nazca geoglyphs, because of their numbers, characteristics, dimensions and cultural continuity, as they were made and remade through out the whole prehispanic period, form the most impressive, as well as enigmatic, archeological group.

http://www.crystalinks.com/nazca.html

Web address: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/01/ 090105120310.htm

Mystery Of South American Trophy Heads Solved.

ScienceDaily (Jan. 6, 2009) — The mystery of why ancient South American peoples who created the mysterious Nazca Lines also collected human heads as trophies has long puzzled scholars who theorize the heads may have been used in fertility rites, taken from enemies in battle or associated with ancestor veneration.
A recent study using specimens from Chicago's Field Museum throws new light on the matter by establishing that trophy heads came from people who lived in the same place and were part of the same culture as those who collected them. These people lived 2,000 to 1,500 years ago.
Archaeologists determined that the severed heads were trophies because holes were made in the skulls allowing the heads to be suspended from woven cords. A debate has been raging for the past 100 years over their meaning.
Trophy heads in the Field collection were gathered from the Nazca Drainage of the arid southern Peruvian coast 80 years ago by noted American anthropologist Alfred Louis Kroeber (1876-1960). He also collected remains of some people buried normally. In some cases, the trophy heads were buried with their collectors.
Because Nazca is among the driest places on Earth, said Ryan Williams, a Field Museum curator, the specimens Kroeber collected were very well preserved. The dead bodies were naturally mummified and some trophy heads still had their hair as well as the display cords attached to the skull. The museum also has several examples of Nazca pottery illustrated with trophy heads; some of the pots are on display in the museum's Ancient Americas exhibition.
"Illustrations on some pots depict warriors and trophy heads," said Williams. "But there are also scenes that link trophy heads to agricultural fertility. Mythical creatures depicted on some pots carry trophy heads as well."
Researchers speculated that if trophy heads were spoils of war, they likely would have come from people who lived somewhere beyond the Nazca area. To test this notion, scientists took samples of tooth enamel from 16 trophy heads in the Field collection and 13 mummified bodies buried in the Nazca region. The results clearly show that donors of the trophy heads were from the same place as the people who kept the trophies, Williams said. This conclusion was based on research using modern technology to look for subtle differences in three elements found in the samples. Those elements – strontium, oxygen and carbon – each display a slightly different atomic structure that varies by geographic location.
"You are what you eat," said Williams, "and the elements you consume become a part of your bones' chemical signature."
People ingesting food produced in different regions will have different strontium isotope ratios in their bones that mirror the age of the bedrock where the food was grown, he said. Carbon also displays different isotopic patterns that vary with the plants that process it. Carbon from corn looks different than carbon from wheat. Oxygen absorbed from water has an isotope signature that varies with climate, altitude and other factors.
"We used the latest technology to study samples that were gathered 80 years ago," said Williams. "This demonstrates the value of maintaining the vast collections that museums keep."
Scientists from Arizona State University, the University of Illinois at Chicago and Indiana University collaborated with Williams to do the study, which appears in the Journal of Anthropological Archaeology. The lead author is ASU professor Kelly Knudson.
There is still more to learn. Determining why the Nazca people collected trophy heads could be important in understanding how civilization progressed in South America, Williams said. "The vast majority of trophy skulls came from the same populations as the people they were buried with. They still could be the trophies of war; maybe warfare was oriented against related communities, or maybe this was ritual." New data on the changes in trophy head taking by the Nazca through time could be important in understanding how politics developed in early societies.
"This small scale agrarian society was succeeded by an empire with regional authority," Williams said. "For the first time people were governed by others who lived hundreds of miles distant. Understanding how this came about may help us better understand how these forms of government first emerged."
Adapted from materials provided by Field Museum, via EurekAlert!, a service of AAAS.
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Cuban possibilities, obstacles."The Gleaner", Jamaica.Published: Sunday | January 4, 2009

2009-01-06T07:43:00.000-08:00

"Obama has promised incremental changes, including lifting the limits on remittances from the US and on travel to Cuba by Cuban-Americans. Replacing the cash-upfront requirement for Cuban purchases of US agricultural goods and medicines for regular supplier's credit would be another useful step. Early action on this would be welcome. Most would agree with the proposition that the embargo will not be lifted overnight."

Jorge Heine, Contributor
Jorge Heine
Contributor
Latin America and the Caribbean will not be at the top of Barack Obama's priorities when he takes office on January 20. But there is little doubt that, as far as the Inter-American agenda is concerned, Cuba will be a foremost concern.
On the 50th anniversary of the Cuban revolution, an enormous amount of ink has been spilled on drawing a balance of its accomplishments and failures. Important as this is, the real challenge today is not so much to look back as to look ahead. The urgent task is to look for ways Cuba can return to the fold, as it were, and normalise its relations with the rest of the Western Hemisphere.
At a time when countries like China and Vietnam are courted by foreign investors and international financial institutions (IFIs), to continue to wage ideological warfare on Cuba because of what happened or did not happen there 20, 30 or 40 years ago seems an increasingly anachronistic exercise in self-indulgence.
successor
Making a breakthrough on Cuba has always been difficult. Oftentimes the Cuban government has been its own worst enemy. It is not for nothing that ten United States presidents in a row have failed to do so. Yet, half a century after Fidel Castro and his ragtag band of guerrilleros marched into Havana and Fulgencio Batista absconded from a new year's party at the Hotel Nacional to fly off to Spain (to settle, eventually, in the Canary Islands), the stars seem to be aligning themselves for some change.
For all its faults, Cuba never ceases to surprise and confound foreign observers. For decades, the standard question was "What will happen after Fidel?", on the not unreasonable assumption that mortality would eventually catch up with El Comandante, at which point all bets would be off. The hopes were thus set on a 'Big Bang' approach to change in Cuba. The notion that Fidel would give up office, for whatever reason, and a successor appointed to replace him was never considered. But it has happened, and Raul Castro is now pre-sident of Cuba. This opens new possibilities and flexibilities on the Cuban side.
The impact of this can be gauged from the recent Latin American and Caribbean Summit held in the resort town of Costa de Sauipe, in Northeastern Brazil, on December 16 and 17 (a place so strikingly beautiful that it led Argentine president Cristina Fernandez, in her own inimitable way, to exclaim "How can anybody do any work here?").
foreign trip
One of the largest such summits ever held, with some 33 heads of state and government from all the hemisphere (with the notorious exception of the US), it gave a warm welcome to Raul Castro on his first foreign trip after taking office. As the host, President Lula, Latin America's most influential and popular leader, with approval ratings of 80 per cent plus (and who visited Cuba twice in 2008) was beaming.
Cuba was formally invited to join the Rio Group, one of several regional entities that have enhanced political cooperation in the Americas since 1990. In a relaxed atmosphere (ties were out, and most heads, including Raul, wore guayaberas), a letter requesting an end to the Unites States embargo on Cuba was signed by all participants.
Progress was also made on other fronts. As pro tempore chair of the Rio Group, it was Mexican president Felipe Calderon who welcomed Cuba to the group, underscoring the improvement of Cuban-Mexican ties, which had deteriorated during the presidency of Vicente Fox (2000-2006). Chilean President Michelle Bachelet no doubt talked with Raul about her forthcoming February visit to Cuba, the first by a Chilean president in 37 years. And a half-hour meeting with Organisation of Americas States head Jose Miguel Insulza should have cleared some underbrush for an eventual return of Cuba to that body, from which it was suspended in the early sixties.
Despite the many differences that exist within the Latin American and Caribbean community, there is, then, consensus on the need to put an end to the Cuban blockade and normalise the island's ties with the hemisphere. This is an issue on which the Jamaican prime minister has played a leading role, and should continue to do so.
This consensus is something that President-elect Obama ought to keep in mind as he crafts a new policy towards Cuba. He is in a privileged position to do so. Having won Florida, partly through a majority of the Hispanic vote (which broke two-to-one for him) , but not being beholden to the Cuban-American electorate there (which supported McCain by a small margin), he is well-positioned to move forward. Moreover, younger Cuban-Americans are changing and no longer cling to the hard-line anti-communism of their parents.
incremental changes
Obama has promised incremental changes, including lifting the limits on remittances from the US and on travel to Cuba by Cuban-Americans. Replacing the cash-upfront requirement for Cuban purchases of US agricultural goods and medicines for regular supplier's credit would be another useful step. Early action on this would be welcome. Most would agree with the proposition that the embargo will not be lifted overnight.
An impasse of half a century will not be solved in weeks or months. Rather than a 'Big Bang' approach, what is needed is a gradualist policy leading to predictable, controllable outcomes.
This means a series of sequential steps in which the very gradual changes taking place in Cuba are matched by adjustments in US policy and a return of Cuba to hemispheric institutions like the Organisation of American States and the Inter-American Development Bank. Direct talks, without preconditions, between Washington and Havana would be an important catalyst to get things moving.
Jorge Heine holds the Chair in Global Governance at the Balsillie School of International Affairs and is distinguished fellow at the Centre for International Governance Innovation in Waterloo, Ontario. Feedback may be sent to columns@gleanerjm.com.

Organic Plant Waste Proves Effective Weed Control For Citrus Trees

2009-01-06T06:28:00.000-08:00

"The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of plant mulches with different depths compared with synthetic mulch, hand-hoeing, cultivation, and glyphosate on weed control efficacy and quantity and quality of mandarin fruits", remarked Dr. H.F. Abouziena, the project's lead researcher. Abouziena added, "In Egypt, rice straw is considered one of the most important plant waste problems, and cattail weed is a problem in all water canals. Waste materials such as rice straw, weeds, aquatic weeds, bark, and composted municipal green waste can provide effective weed control."

Web address: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/12/ 081229104658.htm

ScienceDaily (Jan. 6, 2009) — Interest in organic crop production is increasing around the world. Organics are healthy for consumers while adding environmental benefits and decreasing the amount of synthetic herbicides in foods, soil, and water. While organics gain popularity with consumers, organic farmers are faced with new production challenges, especially managing and reducing invasive weeds.
Synthetic mulches, manufactured from petroleum-based materials, have been used extensively for weed control. The downside: synthetic mulches cause increased runoff compared with "natural" mulches, disposal and landfill concerns, and are highly restricted in "certified organic" production. Interest in non-chemical weed control methods has increased in recent years with the spread of organic farming and environmental concerns over the adverse effects of herbicides. Economically and environmentally sustainable weed control alternatives, such as non-synthetic or natural mulch, can provide many benefits for growers. Natural mulches have been proven effective in weed suppression, moisture conservation, and improved water infiltration.
Egyptian citrus fruits, especially those grown organically, are exported to many countries. "Mandarins" include a diverse group of citrus fruits that are characterized by bright peel and pulp color, excellent flavor, easy-to-peel rind, and segments that separate easily. Mandarins are grown in sandy soil, presenting special challenges to growers. Weeds compete with citrus for nutrients and water, harbor pests and host pathogens, and impact the efficiency of orchard operations. Not surprisingly, use of chemicals for controlling weeds in citrus crops can affect physical and chemical properties and quality of fruits.
Researchers from the Botany Department at the National Research Center in Giza, Egypt recently published the results of a two-year study of 15-year-old mandarin trees. The study compared the effects of rice straw mulch, cattail mulch, black plastic mulch, hand-hoeing, cultivation, glyphosate, and unweeded control treatments on weed control, fruit yield, and fruit quality.
"The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of plant mulches with different depths compared with synthetic mulch, hand-hoeing, cultivation, and glyphosate on weed control efficacy and quantity and quality of mandarin fruits", remarked Dr. H.F. Abouziena, the project's lead researcher. Abouziena added, "In Egypt, rice straw is considered one of the most important plant waste problems, and cattail weed is a problem in all water canals. Waste materials such as rice straw, weeds, aquatic weeds, bark, and composted municipal green waste can provide effective weed control."
The research team also found that the greatest control (94% to 100%) of weeds occurred with the plastic mulch and three mulch layers of rice straw or cattail. Covering soil with two layers of cattail or rice straw mulch resulted in an 85% to 98% control of weeds. Plastic mulches, cattail mulch in two or three layers, and rice straw in two-layer treatments significantly increased the fruit yield without significant differences among these superior treatments. Soil mulching with three layers of rice straw, cultivation, glyphosate, and plastic mulch treatments caused a significant reduction in weed density and weed biomass, but gave lower yield than superior treatments. Total acidity and vitamin C were significantly lower in the unweeded control than most weeded treatments.
"These results demonstrate that two layers of cattail or rice straw mulch could be used effectively for controlling weeds in citrus groves. Their effectiveness in controlling weeds may increase their use in agriculture systems with a concomitant decrease in the need for synthetic herbicides. Further studies are needed to evaluate their side effects on beneficial organisms, diseases, and insects", observed Abouziena. The report included an important caveat for producers; because of a higher depth of natural mulches required to suppress weeds, transport costs can be high and prohibit their use, unless the material is produced on the farm.
Journal reference:
. Comparison of Weed Suppression and Mandarin Fruit Yield and Quality Obtained with Organic Mulches, Synthetic Mulches, Cultivation, and Glyphosate. HortScience, 43: 589-968 (2008) [link]
Adapted from materials provided by American Society for Horticultural Science.
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American Society for Horticultural Science (2009, January 6). Organic Plant Waste Proves Effective Weed Control For Citrus Trees. ScienceDaily. Retrieved January 6, 2009, from http://www.sciencedaily.com /releases/2008/12/081229104658.htm

"JAMAICAN OBSERVER", TODAY.

2009-01-06T06:21:00.000-08:00

'not my war': Resa Gooding-Eshed from Israel to Trinidad Tobago.

2009-01-06T05:05:00.000-08:00

This is much more than a terrorist operation against Hamas inside Israel, is an adventurous war of the Israeli geopolitical objectives pursued by massacring women, children and civilians ...

By this testimony you can appreciated the big differences about the life in Gaza and inside Israel, today.Interview with the couple by phone from Trinidad Tobago mother's home and the daugther in Tel Aviv, to date, shows that the Israeli military leadership is creating a very golobal and unnenecesary humanitarian problem in Gaza by force in excess of a terrorist operation against Hamas that can threak the international geopolitiuc relation, the intervention of United States, involved others nations, and in passing a war threatens the entire region . Adventurous war and Israel's disproportionate attacks on Gaza must be monitored by the international community as a threat to the world ... Hamas must stop right away in their terrorist actions against the civilian population of Israel, the pretext for massacring women, children and civilians in Gaza.
Note of the blogeditor.

Scary time for Trini in Israel http://www.caribdaily.com/

Kimberly Castillo Â
Monday, January 5th 2009
'not my war': Resa Gooding-Eshed
AS events in the Middle East take one dramatic turn after the next, a Trinidadian living in Israel has promised herÂ concerned family that she will return to Trinidad should the crisis worsen.
Resa Gooding-Eshed, 28, is originally from St Joseph but now lives with her Israeli husband, Shlomy Eshed in Tel Aviv, one hour and 15 minutes fromÂ Gaza.
"I have promised my family that if the situation gets worse I will return home and my husband has agreed to this plan as well as he understands that this is not my war and it can get difficult being here ifÂ you are not accustomed to such things - my husband and many others will willingly join the fight if it is needed of them," Gooding-Eshed told the Express in an interview.
Gooding-Eshed is the marketing co-ordinator for a creative agency which does advertising products for many international clients while her husband works with the secret service.
On Saturday night, according to media reports, Israeli troops began moving into the Hamas-controlled territory of Gaza. The troops had been massed along the border since the Israel Defence Forces began bombardment of Gaza on December 27.
"I have been following the BBC closely, I think the average person would be extremely concerned having a child in a situation like that, but I have been speaking with Resa every dayÂ and for the time being she is comfortable," Gooding-Eshed's mother, Reva Gooding, told the Express in a phone interview yesterday.
A couple of weeks ago, Gooding-Eshed escaped danger when a rocket landed in the town of Sderot where she had been visiting just as the fragile cease-fire agreement between Israel and Hamas ended.
Along with other Israelis, Gooding-Eshed said she was subjected to stringent security measures wherever she went on a daily basis, but for now sheÂ saidÂ she still goes about herÂ daily routineÂ as normal. She said: "I get worried and take extra precautions when I go out alone".
Gooding-Eshed added that a major concern for herself and othersÂ living in Israel was the very realÂ threat of suicideÂ attacks which Hamas has vowed to resume.

Jamaican identity, Joan Andrea Hutchinson,

2009-01-06T04:26:00.000-08:00

http://www.caribdaily.com/

IN A TIME when the prevalence of American culture seems to be threatening Jamaican identity, Joan Andrea Hutchinson continues her stand as a sentinel of the country's traditions.
A long-time proponent of the retention of African-based aspects of Jamaican culture, Hutchinson has released Jamaican Proverbs ... Pretty and Proud.
As the title suggests, the CD is a collection of sayings passed down through generations, each accompanied by amusing explanations delivered with Hutchinson's trademark wit.
Thirty-eight tracks comprise this offering from the self-described "rural-minded city girl".
Undercurrent of humour
There is also a song promoting the use of Jamaican proverbs, not only to keep the culture alive, but as a way to understand life's complexities.
Underneath it all runs an undercurrent of humour, which entertains as well as underscores the positive perspective that has brought many a Jamaican through good times and bad.
The preservation of 'things Jamaican' clearly holds high importance for Hutchinson, who has already released two books (Inna Mi Heart: Jamaican Love Poetry and Meck Mi Tell Yuh) and six recordings, all centred on Jamaican poetry and prose.
She points to the children of this country - exemplified by those in her immediate circle - as the driving force behind her commitment to keep interest in the country's culture alive.
Hutchinson has appeared in plays - several of which she has co-written - and presented on Caribbean language at internationalconferences.
She produced folklorist Louise 'Miss Lou' Bennett's last major recording.
Changing of the tongue: Yank slang takes over

"No Woman, no cry", Songwriter's Bob Marley, pass away in Jamaica.

2009-01-06T04:02:00.000-08:00

ROLLING STONE,

http://www.rollingstone.com/rsblogs

The Ohio Players founder Robert Ward passed away on Christmas Day at his home in Georgia. He was 70. Ward, a noteworthy blues guitarist, is credited with forming the Ohio Untouchables, who later changed their name to the Ohio Players after Ward left the band in 1965. Without Ward, the group went on to become one of the biggest funk-soul bands of the ’70s, penning hits like “Love Rollercoaster” and “Fire.” Ward, who had some hits of his own like “I Found A Love” with the Untouchables roster, pursued a solo career that spawned four solo albums and a stint as a Motown Records session musician.
The music world also lost Vincent Ford, the credited songwriter of Bob Marley’s 1974 hit “No Woman, No Cry.” Ford, who suffered from diabetes, died of complications from the disease on December 28th in Jamaica at age 68. Ford was a friend of Marley’s who ran a soup kitchen in “Trenchtown,” or Kingston, Jamaica. “No Woman, No Cry” became a major hit for the reggae star after it first appeared on Marley’s Natty Dread. Rolling Stone ranked “No Woman, No Cry” as Number 37 on the list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. Ford was also credited with penning three songs on Marley’s 1976 album Rastaman Vibration. Although many credit Marley with actually writing the song, with the royalties Ford received from the long-lasting success (and non-stop covers and samples) of “No Woman, No Cry,” Ford reportedly used the money to ensure that his soup kitchen would stay open.
Daniel Kreps

Russia sees in Cuba a springboard to promote its interests in Latinoamérica.NOVOSTI RIA.

2009-01-05T19:11:00.000-08:00

Russia sees in Cuba a springboard to promote its interests in Latinoamérica.NOVOSTI RIA. The Russian ambassador in Havana, Mikhail Kaminin, in an interview with RIA Novosti. 10:15 26 / 12 / 2008 Havana, December 26, RIA Novosti. Russia sees in Cuba an outpost to promote their interests throughout the region, confessed to the Russian ambassador in Havana, Mikhail Kaminin, in an interview with RIA Novosti. Cuba occupies a "key" in Russian policy towards Latin America, the Russian diplomat recalled, because(Cuba) "has a lot of great authority and influence in this region." "We interpret our cooperation with Cuba, not only at the bilateral level but also as a springboard to promote our interests in Latin America and the Caribbean," he said.(Currently, Cuba's history is being taught at all levels of education in Russia, to university.NOTE) This year, he said, was "a breakthrough" in relations between Havana and Moscow, especially through the working visit to the Russian president, Dmitri Medvedev, made to Cuba in late November. The recent stay of a Russian naval squadron in Havana was "a major political event" and "a testament to Russia back to Cuba with serious intentions for a long time," according to Kaminin. Cuba and Russia in this year reaffirmed its desire to promote cooperation in various subjects. The priority areas are energy, transport, tourism, biopharmaceuticals, agriculture, construction, banking, communications and computing. Kaminin confident that "this positive momentum will be maintained in 2009." The Cuban-Russian Government Commission intends to hold a reunion next month in Moscow. The president of the Russian Audit Chamber, Sergei Stepashin, a group of senators and Russians are scheduled to visit Havana in January. He also is scheduled for early 2009 an official visit Raúl Castro to the Russian capital. Russian companies returning to Cuba will find a lot of competition, said the ambassador, but several decades of friendship and cooperation between Havana and Moscow, a common vision of the global architecture and gratitude to the Cuban people still feel towards Russia advantages that inspire confidence. The diplomat assessed in a very positive opening a representative office in Havana, RIA Novosti and expressed the hope that other major Russian media, particularly television, follow this example.
10:15

26/ 12/ 2008

La Habana, 26 de diciembre, RIA Novosti. Rusia ve en Cuba un puesto de avanzada para promover sus intereses a toda la región, confesó el embajador ruso en La Habana, Mijaíl Kaminin, en una entrevista con RIA Novosti.
Cuba ocupa "un lugar clave" en la política de Rusia con respecto a Latinoamérica, recordó el diplomático ruso, pues "tiene mucha autoridad y gran influencia en esta región". "Interpretamos nuestra cooperación con Cuba no solamente en el plano bilateral sino también como un trampolín para promover nuestros intereses en América Latina y en el Caribe", subrayó.
El presente año, dijo, marcó "un avance radical" en las relaciones entre La Habana y Moscú, especialmente, gracias a la visita de trabajo que el presidente de Rusia, Dmitri Medvédev, realizó a Cuba a finales de noviembre pasado.
La reciente estancia de una escuadra naval rusa en La Habana también fue "un gran acontecimiento político" y "un testimonio de que Rusia vuelve a Cuba con intenciones serias y por mucho tiempo", en opinión de Kaminin.
Cuba y Rusia reafirmaron en el presente año su deseo de fomentar la cooperación en las más diversas asignaturas. Los terrenos prioritarios serán el sector energético, transporte, turismo, biofarmacéutica, agricultura, construcción, sector bancario, comunicaciones e informática.
Kaminin confía en que "esta dinámica positiva se mantendrá también en 2009". La Comisión gubernamental cubano-rusa pretende celebrar el próximo mes una reunión en Moscú. El presidente de la Cámara de Cuentas de Rusia, Serguei Stepashin, y un grupo de senadores rusos tienen previsto visitar en enero La Habana. También está programada para principios de 2009 una visita oficial de Raúl Castro a la capital rusa.
Las empresas rusas que vuelven a Cuba se van a encontrar con mucha competencia, admitió el embajador, pero varias décadas de amistad y cooperación entre La Habana y Moscú, una visión común de la arquitectura mundial y la gratitud que los cubanos todavía sienten hacia Rusia son ventajas que inspiran confianza.
El diplomático valoró en términos muy positivos la apertura de una oficina de representación de RIA Novosti en La Habana y manifestó la esperanza de que otros medios importantes de Rusia, en particular, las cadenas de televisión, sigan este ejemplo.

Turkish Premier Says Israel Caused Humanity Tragedy By Using Excessive Force

2009-01-05T12:42:00.000-08:00

"Major powers, or the international community, to be more exact, will now have to use pressure tactics to persuade Israel to stop bombing residential areas in Gaza, to prevent HAMAS from perpetrating new terrorist acts and to persuade Iran not to scare everyone with its nuclear program.
Who else can speak firmly to Israel, Iran and HAMAS nowadays?"

Carnage in Gaza: a prelude to World War III?
19:08

31/ 12/ 2008

MOSCOW. (RIA Novosti political commentator Dmitry Kosyrev) - The main event of this last day of the outgoing year could well have been the court hearing of Muntadhar al-Zaidi, the infamous journalist who threw his shoes at U.S. President George W. Bush during a news conference in Baghdad.
"This is a farewell kiss from the Iraqi people, you dog," yelled al-Zaidi in Arabic as he threw his first shoe toward the U.S. president. "This is for the widows and orphans and all those killed in Iraq," he shouted as he threw his second shoe.
Now the incident has been overshadowed by the Gaza Strip airstrikes, launched December 27 by the Israel Defense Forces as a response to frequent Palestinian Qassam rocket and mortar fire on Israel's southern civilian communities.
The attention of the international community has remained focused on the same region, but the events taking place there are far from anecdotal. A full-blown war is on, with a large number of civilian victims.
At first glance, the conflict has affected a rather small territory in the Middle East. Yes, people are being killed there, but that happens far more often in the modern world than one would wish.
Can the Gaza Strip conflict escalate into World War III right after the holiday season? In the next few days, Israel will, most likely, launch a ground operation in order to destroy the HAMAS nest of terrorism. However, this will produce dubious results and will be followed by several terrorist acts in Israel itself. Those terrorist attacks will also require a response.
In that case, the conflict could spread to Lebanon and Syria. For many years, Moscow has been trying to involve these two Arab nations in the Middle East peace process. Israel could attack them as well in the near future. The Arab world covertly agrees that HAMAS is a dangerous radical organization that has provoked the present conflict.
However, the situation is likely to change drastically if Israel does not stop in time. For instance, the so-called "Iranian factor" could surface. Analysts say Tehran finances HAMAS and its Lebanese counterpart Hizbollah. Israel could retaliate if Iran makes at least one threatening move.
Israel Defense Forces could hit targets in Iran which may strike back. Although Tehran still has no nuclear weapons, Israel could use its own nuclear arsenal if the situation becomes really bad.
This is the worst possible scenario. Regardless of their sympathies, the concerned parties are calling on the Israeli government to stop the war and to retreat to initial positions. Next year, Israel would also be expected to attend the Moscow conference on the Middle East and to start talking peace in real earnest.
However, the negotiating positions of Israel and all other parties involved would be greatly impaired.
Israel, which does not respond to calls for a cease-fire, is behaving like the government of Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili, trying to drag the United States, its main patron, into the conflict or to solve its own problems pending the inauguration of President-Elect Barack Obama.
Such abnormal situations show that previous U.S. policies were completely misguided. Moreover, it was a mistake to isolate HAMAS, which clearly has the support of the Gaza Strip population.
Major powers, or the international community, to be more exact, will now have to use pressure tactics to persuade Israel to stop bombing residential areas in Gaza, to prevent HAMAS from perpetrating new terrorist acts and to persuade Iran not to scare everyone with its nuclear program.
Who else can speak firmly to Israel, Iran and HAMAS nowadays?
The opinions expressed in this article are the author's and do not necessarily represent those of RIA Novosti.

Gaza hospital overwhelmed by dead, wounded

By IBRAHIM BARZAK and DIAA HADID, Associated Press Writers Ibrahim Barzak And Diaa Hadid, Associated Press Writers – 16 mins ago
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090105/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_israel_gaza_overwhelmed_hospital_1
TurkishPress.com

Published: 1/5/2009
ANTALYA - Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Sunday that Israel caused a humanity tragedy in the Gaza Strip by using excessive force. Speaking at an opening ceremony in the southern Turkish province of Antalya, Erdogan said, "Israel, unfortunately, led to a humanity tragedy in the Gaza Strip by using excessive force. I believe that this tragedy would cause many problems in Israel itself. Israel will be cursed for the children and the defenseless women who died under bombs. Israel will be cursed for tears shed by mothers." "As you know, Turkey has been elected a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for two years. We will fulfil our responsibilities. We have already initiated a shuttle diplomacy in search for a cease-fire in the region. I paid visits to Syria which holds the rotating presidency of the Arab League, and Jordan. In Jordan, I had the chance of meeting and discussing the recent developments with President Mahmoud Abbas of Palestine. Then, I proceeded to Egypt to hold talks with President Mohamad Mubarak since Egypt was the mediator of the truce in June 2008. Then, I met with King Abdallah bin Abd al-Aziz al Saud of Saudi Arabia," he said. Prime Minister Erdogan added that he was set to meet with President Abdullah Gul to evaluate recent developments in the Gaza Strip. Under his initiatives to halt Israeli bombing in the Gaza Strip, Prime Minister Erdogan held telephone conversations with Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek of Czech Republic, which holds the rotating EU presidency, President Nicolas Sarkozy of France and Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero of Spain. Erdogan called on his counterparts to cooperate with each other to mobilize the international community as soon as possible. (UK-MS) (DIP)

Belize PM is new Caricom chairman.

2009-01-05T12:36:00.000-08:00

January 4, 2009 By knews Filed Under News
KAIETEUR NEWS.TRINIDAD TOBAGO.
Belize Prime Minister, Dean Barrow
Belize Prime Minister, Dean Barrow, is the new chairman of the Caribbean Community (Caricom).Barrow is taking over the position from Antigua and Barbuda’s Prime Minister, Baldwin Spencer, who served as chairman for the past six months.In his New Year’s speech to the Community, Barrow said that the particular characteristic of geography in the Caribbean is a reminder of the reach and scope of the region.The ‘cast net’ nature of the physical locations of individual countries in the region, he added, is part of the collective advantage.This, Barrow said, is what gives the Caribbean the ‘ready-made platform’ for the construction of the necessary ties with the various regions and sub regions.In the current global circumstances, it has to be clearer than ever that going it alone is not an option for any small country, or any one agglomeration of small countries, he noted.The vision of CARICOM leaders twenty years ago to set the goal of a Single Market and Economy, has been more than validated by events, Barrow added.“We in the Caribbean have a long history of producing thinkers and seers and visionaries. But we also produce more than our share of doubters. I do not say this slightingly, but rather in tribute to the questioning, rambunctious, even sometimes contrarian nature of our democracy.”Barrow added that the region’s, minutely analytical public discourses, its often scathingly skeptical debates, are as they should be.But there does come a time when consensus must prevail, when talk must give way to action, he said. That time, he stressed, ‘is now.’“We are called urgently, in the roiled conditions of the global convulsion, to first of all consolidate the operations of the single market. Thereafter we must proceed with all deliberate haste, always of course ensuring special treatment for the most vulnerable among us, to the establishment of the Single Economy.”To suggest that there is a cogent need for a recommitment to this particular end, is not to discount the progress already made, he added.In addition to world circumstances, Barrow posited, there are particular imperatives for the Community to enhance its competitiveness and strengthen its internal arrangements.“One such is the Economic Partnership Agreement signed last year between the Community and the European Union; and another is the impending negotiations with Canada for a Trade and Development Agreement.”He added that the region is ready to confront the challenges and exploit the opportunities that these developments bring.“And utilizing them as platforms to maximize advantage and minimize disadvantage, will especially require the involvement of the private sector and labour. This is a complex enterprise on which we are embarked, a fraught departure requiring unity of purpose and safeness of hands.”Institutionally, a critical dimension of the region’s approach will be the need for the community to bring closure to the long running review of its governance structure.As Lead Head of Government for Justice and Governance in the quasi-cabinet of CARICOM, I would like to see finalization of the new apparatuses that would streamline decision-making and accelerate implementation.”During 2009, Caricom will host two prestigious international meetings of Heads of State and Government in Trinidad.In April, the Fifth Summit of the Americas will be held in Port of Spain, while in November it will be Commonwealth Heads that gather in the Trinidad and Tobago Capital.

The United States and Caribbean countries.Dr. Indira Rampersad is a Lecturer in Political Science/International Relations.UWI, Trinidad Tobago.

2009-01-05T10:50:00.000-08:00

"JAMAICAN OBSERVER" today.
MY OPINION about the relation United Sates-Caribbeans based on education sistem, book store and american media where is based the psychology of the average american that can not pointed in a map a latinoamerican or caribbean country even if they visited the place.

If you visit a large bookstore you will find American magazines and books with the view of the United States and Britain about China and India, a poor section of books in Spanish and very instrascendentes practically nothing about Latin America, absolutely nothing about the Caribbean, except books on Cuba and its system of government and by "exception", for first time last year in Florida, one translated book of Garcia Marquez for midled school,that's it.. The Caribbean is a region that does not exist for American readers, except in the propaganda of the bureaus of tourism and charter flights for tourists. Caribbean for Americans is only a tourist destination that deserves reading in cruise tourism. Anyone who chose Obama for president only has access to a reading in the media and the libraries that includes only three countries that are of interest to Americans: Britain, China and India, and stop counting. The rest of the world is not interesting, except for the issue of energy, business and war. My granddaughter in third grade, ask my daughter: "? Cuba, who belongs, to us, or Russia?" Education in North America created the concept of belonging to the U.S. for the rest of humanity, the student can not think that a country can be independent in the chess game of world politics. That is the psychology of the average American. Nationalisms are not considered valid(Nationalism itself is sterile. Jose Marti as explained in the XIX when the critic of the ways to fight of the German working class in New York, very early before falling into the empty Germany's National Socialism and the Taking of Berlin. Russia and China not to recognize as valid economic chauvinistic nationalism). There are problems of politic nature facing the Caribbean as byodiversity in its relationship with the United States. Caribbean nationalism does not represent anything, IN FACT , ONLY "de jure". Caribbean coins, worth nothing, really. The Caribbean might just get to be considered, ift they acted as a bloc of countries with political will, with a lobby in the American Congress and in the European Parliament, Spain, England, China, Russia, India and the Midled East Arab Federation of headmens and bankers.Caribbean have not any, almost, news in the international media, except the red line. If you see Al-Jazeera netwotk you can not found nothing about caribbeans. And then if we can afford at least communication as a bloc of countries more than a tourist destination,Even, if Cuba have relation with United States we can succens as isolate countries without communication.United we are able to be considered a culture in the media and then we succes,maybe, maybe, maybe ...Gualterio Nunez Estrada, Sarasota, Florida.

Dr. Indira Rampersad is a Lecturer in Political Science/International Relations at the Department of Behavioural Sciences,UWI, St. Augustine, Trinidad & Tobago.
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© GuyanaJournal

SEE: "Implication for the caribbeans" in this essay.

"Nonetheless, Obama’s presidency does not promise miracles for the Caribbean. He has inherited a devastated economy, two wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and already consolidated contractual agreements with foreign governments. Moreover, he faces numerous foreign policy constraints imposed by limited resources, domestic interest groups, ethnic watchdogs, American bureaucracy, and the international community. Thus, Caribbean nationals at home and abroad should not be too hopeful that he will be able resolve the critical issues of crime, poverty, economic recession and regularization of illegal immigrants, overnight.Neither should they expect a sudden improvement in race relations in the United States. While Obama’s Presidential victory suggests that Americans have made significant strides in the last fifty years, it does not imply that racism has disappeared in the United States or that it would never rear its ugly head again under an African-American President. The national results show the Republicans winning 46% of the votes and Obama losing by more votes than John Kerry did in 2004 in some of the Southern red states indicating that the race factor is not a thing of the past."

Guyana Journal, November 2008

Congratulations continue to pour from around the world in an effervescent bubble of endorsement for the historic victory of President elect, Barack Obama, the first African-American President of the United States. As the cathartic celebrations continue in a wild burst of Obamamania around the globe, political analysts frantically search for explanations for what appears to be a drastic paradigm shift in American politics. The enormity of this phenomenon is not lost to the world as millions extol American democracy and applaud the American people for their maturity in finally transcending the racial rubicon. What is surprising is the contagious bout of Obamamania giddily gushing out of the White world even as Obama’s victory augurs the transformation of White Anglo-Saxon supremacy in American politics. Naturally, this raises questions about whether the world itself has changed; whether the American people have undergone a makeover; or whether it was sheer luck and Obama happened to be in the right place at the right time to carry the torch. Certainly, this paradigm shift in American politics cannot simply be attributed to a sudden change in racial attitudes which impacted ethnic voting patterns. Rather, one can argue that it is a confluence of international, national and sub-national forces which produced the political opportunity structures engendering the powerful rally around Obama and climaxing in a combustive burst of support for his election as the 44th President of the United States. International dynamicsThe international forces can be temporally located in the context of the current post-Cold War era when the onslaught of globalization has resulted in complex interdependence through faster, deeper, thicker, wider and denser interactions between states, societies and individuals. The blurring of borders through increased immigration, strides in communication and information technology and the transnationalism of international business, banking and finance, have created a global village with new social, economic and political configurations. Obama’s ethnic composition and background itself represents the result of such transnationalism. Though his particular case precedes the globalization era, he is actually a product of the times through his peculiar upbringing as the son of a White American mother and a Black Kenyan father, raised in Indonesia. Perceived as a kind of modern, transnational, renaissance man, he holds tremendous appeal to the international community and American youths and immigrants, the latter themselves products of globalization. A somewhat ignored dimension of the ethnic factor is that his enormous popularity amongst White Americans may be attributed to the fact that he has a White American mother with whom they identify. This naturally provokes the question of whether Obama would have won the Presidency if he were the typical African-American kid born of two Black parents in the United States!National forcesAt the national level, much of Obama’s success can be attributed to the abject failure of George W. Bush in both the foreign and domestic policy arenas. The inability of John McCain to distance himself from the incumbent President having supported most of his policies of the last eight years, created a “McBush” phenomenon in which McCain became entangled, with no possibility of escape. His confrontational and antagonistic foreign policy proposals for Iraq, Iran, the War on Terror, Cuba and Venezuela, amongst others, threaten to intensify the New Global Disorder. They mirror the Pax-Americana of George W. Bush which has heightened an already potent anti-Americanism in Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean. Both the international community and the American public are fed-up if not disgusted with the same ole, same ole Bush policies which McCain represents. Compounding the McBush factor is the very recent crash of the U.S. financial sector which produced a window of political opportunity for the Democrats who very quickly and skillfully packaged and marketed Obama as the Messiah who would save the economy. The financial crash in the U.S. is undoubtedly the most powerful domestic factor accounting for Obama’s victory. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Governor of California, recently explained in an interview with CNN that whenever there is an economic decline, there follows a change in administration in the United States. Indeed, this was even evident in Trinidad and Tobago where ethnic voting is the order of the day. In 1986, the economic and political conditions were ripe for change when like many developing countries, the island suffered the negative impact of a global recession which ushered the National Alliance for Reconstruction (NAR) coalition into power, toppling the then incumbent People’s National Movement (PNM) with a landslide 33 to 3 victory. The NAR’s subsequent implementation of IMF and World Bank Structural Adjustment Programs with its accompanying stringent conditionalities, combined with the fragmentation of the shaky coalition, saw the PNM returning to power in 1991. By voting against the PNM in 1986, Afro-Trinidadians had not transcended the racial rubicon but had simply responded to the economic recession. Could this also be the case in the United States? How would the White American electorate respond in the 2012 election if after four years in power Obama fails to restore the American economy?Obama’s ability to convincingly articulate rhetoric laden with solutions for the devastated economy in campaign speeches and debates against McCain quickly won him support from many Americans who were directly or indirectly affected by the financial crash. His proposals for health care, taxation, education and welfare strongly appealed to less privileged minorities including African-Americans, Latinos and indigenous Indians, winning him battleground states like Florida, New Mexico, Colorado and Nevada. Moreover, the Democratic party skillfully managed a campaign in which money, message and strategy converged to appeal to millions of voters across the United States. Amassing an unprecedented US$600 million in campaign financing, the party tirelessly worked the battleground states using modern technology like the Internet and cellular phones to attract both global financing and remote voters throughout the country. The clarion call for change resonated deafeningly across the world as day after day, Obama blasted the failed domestic and foreign policies of the incumbent Republican administration as the possibility of four years under “McBush” loomed frighteningly ahead.Sub-national factorsAt the individual level, Obama’s outstanding persona certainly found favor with the American electorate. Juxtaposed against the aging and monotonous McCain, a nice, amiable grandpa, but no match for the political savvy of the young, charismatic, and dynamic Illinois Senator whose rhetorical skills and sincere demeanor won the hearts and minds of millions around the globe. Collin Powell describes him as a “transformative figure,” noting that he has “displayed a steadiness, an intellectual curiosity, a depth of knowledge and approach to looking at problems that warranted the support of the American electorate”. Even before the economic crash, Obama’s persona outshone McCain’s which raises the question of whether he would have still won the elections if there was no financial crisis. Responses from the RegionEuphoria is gushing in the region amongst Caribbean leaders, many of whom have been vigorously rooting for Obama throughout the campaign. While showering him with congratulations and praise, several have seized the opportunity to express their high expectations for improved U.S.-Caribbean relations. Antigua and Barbuda’s Prime Minister, Baldwin Spencer, who is also chairman of CARICOM, actually announced a plan to change the name of the twin-island nation’s highest mountain peak, Boggy Peak, to Mount Obama. St Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister, Dr. Denzil Douglas, proposes issues to be re-examined by the new administration, among them U.S.-Caribbean relations. He hopes that Obama will give Caribbean leaders the opportunity to dialogue and reshape existing policies to the mutual benefit of the Caribbean and the United States. Jamaica’s Prime Minister, Bruce Golding, hopes that developing countries like his and the rest of the region, “so often left on the periphery of the global agenda, will be part of the foreign policy framework, which recognizes that shared, broad-based development is the surest way to secure and maintain global prosperity and stability.”Prime Minister David Thompson of Barbados aims to forge closer ties between his country and the U.S, as well as discussions with the new leader. “I look forward to meeting with you and members of your administration at the earliest opportunity to explore ways in which we can work together with the international community to respond to the global challenges of poverty, security and environmental concerns which call for immediate and concerted effort by all.” President Bharat Jagdeo of Guyana is also looking forward to working with Obama. He had endorsed Obama even before the victory and now affirms that Guyana is “very excited about the prospect of change in the United States”. Grenada’s Prime Minister, Tillman Thomas, expresses the belief that Obama’s intentions and promises made over the past few months were sincere and he was therefore confident the new leader would rise to domestic and global challenges. Prime Minister Patrick Manning of Trinidad and Tobago is hoping that Obama will be in a position to announce a favorable package for the Caribbean when he comes to Trinidad and Tobago for the Summit of the Americas next April. Manning also expresses hope for the normalization of relations between Cuba and the U.S., “since many felt that the current relationship between the two countries was a relic of a very distant past and should have been addressed a long time ago”. The same kind of high expectations are emanating from Latin America given the hostile confrontation between George W. Bush and leaders of the New Left in the region. Venezuela’s Hugo Chávez and Bolivia’s Evo Morales, who often rile against the U.S. empire, said they stood ready to improve their strained relations with Washington after President Bush leaves office. Chávez is open to “new relations” aimed at launching a “constructive bilateral agenda,” while Morales is “certain” that Obama “will improve relations ... “We salute the grand triumph of Mr. Obama.” Although there is no official word from Cuba, former Cuban President, Fidel Castro, stopped short of endorsing Obama but did praise him as being “surely more clever, better educated and calm than his Republican adversary … He has well articulated ideas” and his election would reduce the danger of war and “increase the peoples’ opportunities to progress” that a McCain victory would hamper.

Implications for the Caribbean

At the societal level, Afro-Caribbean nationals have been fizzing with excitement over Obama’s victory in the deep sense of pride that finally, an ethnic look-alike has attained one of the highest political positions in the world. Obama’s rise to the Presidency is a success story which provides an example for many young, aspiring Afro-Caribbean nationals. But Caribbean citizens need to be realistic about their expectations since currently the region is by no means a priority on the American foreign policy agenda. Since the end of the Cold War and the September 11 terrorist attack, the Caribbean has been sidelined in favor of the Middle East and, to some extent Asia, given the U.S. extensive trade and investment relations with that continent. Moreover, the Caribbean diaspora in the United States has never organized itself into an effective lobby as have other groups such as the small but powerful Cuban-American community based in South Florida. Economists are already wary that an Obama presidency may have an adverse impact on the region. Trinidad and Tobago is particularly concerned given Obama’s drive toward energy independence. The United States accounts for about 70 percent of the island’s LNG market, 70 per cent of its methanol market and 55 percent of its ammonia market. Trinidad and Tobago earns most of its revenues from its Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) sales and is the largest exporter of the product to the U.S. But energy Minister, Conrad Enill, insists that a new Barack Obama-led administration in the United States would not result in any significant change in its energy-sector relationship with Trinidad and Tobago in the short or long-term. According to Enill, those LNG exports are governed by contractual arrangements that will not change because Obama has now become America’s 44th president. Nonetheless, Obama’s presidency does not promise miracles for the Caribbean. He has inherited a devastated economy, two wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and already consolidated contractual agreements with foreign governments. Moreover, he faces numerous foreign policy constraints imposed by limited resources, domestic interest groups, ethnic watchdogs, American bureaucracy, and the international community. Thus, Caribbean nationals at home and abroad should not be too hopeful that he will be able resolve the critical issues of crime, poverty, economic recession and regularization of illegal immigrants, overnight.Neither should they expect a sudden improvement in race relations in the United States. While Obama’s Presidential victory suggests that Americans have made significant strides in the last fifty years, it does not imply that racism has disappeared in the United States or that it would never rear its ugly head again under an African-American President. The national results show the Republicans winning 46% of the votes and Obama losing by more votes than John Kerry did in 2004 in some of the Southern red states indicating that the race factor is not a thing of the past.Indeed, there could be a serious backlash if White Americans choose to ignore entrenched racial divisions while claiming that America has reached the racial Promised Land. One African-American asserts that “a monumental success for one black man might simultaneously become a setback for the whole race,” because “a black president means that America no longer has any race problem to talk about. It would mean there is no longer any special debt to African Americans to be repaid!” The big question is whether Obama’s victory would bring an end to the continued demands for post-colonial reparations from Afro-American and Afro-Caribbean citizens and the implications of this for their social and economic progress.Moreover, there are invaluable political lessons to be learned from Obama’s victory in the Anglo-Caribbean, particularly in countries such as Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana where ethnic voting patterns predominate. Ironically, while citizens in these countries were vigorously rooting for Obama, hoping that White Americans will overcome their racial prejudices, they themselves persistently revert to tribalism in their political choices. Hopefully, Obama’s victory would contribute to shifting the paradigm in these countries as voters opt for leaders who can make meaningful contributions to Caribbean society, polity and economy, irrespective of ethnic background. This is perhaps the greatest challenge that Obama’s Presidency can offer to the Caribbean electorate.There is no single explanation for Obama’s victory but it certainly cannot simply be attributed to a sudden transcendence of the racial rubicon by White Americans. As noted, a myriad of international, national and sub-national forces converged to produce the historic feat. But it is only after the dust has settled and the honeymoon is over that the true implications of an Obama presidency can be properly assessed. Dr. Indira Rampersad is a Lecturer in Political Science/International Relations at the Department of Behavioural Sciences, UWI, St. Augustine, Trinidad & Tobago.

A woman wounded by Israel attack in Gaza's hospital.BBC MUNDO.

2009-01-04T09:46:00.000-08:00

Today Jamaican Observer.

2009-01-04T08:09:00.000-08:00

PREDICTIONS OF IFÁ FOR THE 2008 YEAR FOR CUBA AND THE WORLD

2009-01-04T07:53:00.000-08:00

To the Priest of Ifá, to our brothers and sisters--the Oriatés, Babaloshas, Iyaloshas, and Iworos—and to the Religious Public in General
Following a tradition of more than twenty years, the Organizing Commission of the Sign of the Year gathered on the 31st of December of 2007 in the house-temple located at Avenida 10 de Octubre, number 1509, between Josefina and Gertrudis Streets, Vibora, Municipality 10 de Octubre, Havana, Cuba.
Presiding over this ceremony was the Ifá priest Guillermo Diago Ogbe Weñe and included the support of more than 1000 Ifá priests, representing all of the Ifá families of Cuba and their descendents in the world. The sign was taken out be the youngest babalawo.
Ruling Sign: IWORI RETEProphetic Orientation: IRÉ AIKÚ LASHÉ LERÍ LOWO OSHÚN (the luck of long life [health] through your head [your power of reason] by the hand of Oshún)
Onishé a Oshún: Aladimú (Cornmeal with sweets), including Yemayá in the ebó. OTAN.-
Onishé ará: Kuaraldo with one (1) dove at the foot of Ogún, refreshing him with an omiero of Alacrancillo.
Onishé of the Ilé: Cleansing with Alacrancillo.
Ruling Deity: Ogún (patron of blacksmiths and the military. Worshipped in the city of Iré and among the Iyesá in Western Nigeria).
Accompanying Deity: Yemayá (divinity of waters and mother of fish, venerated in the Ogún river located in the neighborhood of Ibara in the region of Abeokuta in Nigeria.
Banner of the Year: Half green and half blue.
Ebó: A rooster, a piece of meat, hair, Vinagrillo, a stick, a stone, and the rest of the ingredients.
The distribution of this document is free and the Commission is not responsible for its sale by unscrupulous people animated by profit.

ILLNESSES TO WATCH FOR
Neurological illnesses. It is a sign that warns of the danger of insanity.
Serious disturbances in the nervious system, particular in the sympathetic nervious system
Intestinal parasites – stomach disorders
Skin diseases
Grave personality disorders
SIGNIFICANT SOCIAL OCCURRENCES
Forest fires and the danger of house fires
Increase in the incidence of violent robberies
Serious climate irregularities
The improper conduct of juniors generates conflict among elders
Usurpation of rights and functions using violence and deceit
Abuse in alcohol consumption and its consequences for health and behavior
Increase in internal and external migration
Serious family problems because of house issues
Negligence in the care of parents by their children
Be careful about chemical hair products
Create housing conditions that can adjust to an increase in population
Parents [should be] watch the conduct of the youth and not excuse or accept bad attitude.
Be careful about mistreatment and viciousness on the part of elders in their disciplining of their juniors.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Take advantage of the powers of Vinagrillo and Anamú
Analyze the methods and processes in the raising and education of youth
We recommend taking every possible precaution to avoid explosions
We recommend avoiding the abuse of alcohol consumption
Complete acquired religious obligations
Strengthen your marriage on a solid base of respect and mutual understanding
Recuperate ethical values and morals that permit better interpersonal understanding
It is a sign that marks the benefits of climate changes—when they are normal
Being disagreeable and capricious does not solve problems
Be very careful of the intrigues caused by a third party: they could affect the relationship between two people
PROVERBS OF THE SIGN
The rooster pecks at the young male chicken because he sees in him a future rival.The chick follows the hen because she feeds him.Whoever robs 1000 will loose two thousand in the course of his life.There are many choices in life.
The “Miguél Febles Padrón” Commission for the Sign of the Year wishes you Happiness and Prosperity in 2008

The “Comission” of the Ifá Reading of the Year is independent of the Cuban government. Not to be confused with the Comission’s reading, the other Ifá Reading of the Year is issued by the Yoruba Cultural Association a part of the cultural arm of the Cuban government.
“La Comisión Organizada de la Letra del Año queda independiente del gobierno de Cuba. Que no se le confunda esta letra con la otra sacada por La Asociación Yoruba Cultural, un organismo del gobierno Cubano.
Happy New Year from http://www.folkcuba.com/. Onareo.Feliz Año Nuevo de http://www.folkcuba.com/. Onareo.

In northern Israel, Arabs and Israelis marched against the war.

2009-01-04T03:36:00.000-08:00

In northern Israel, Arabs and Israelis marched against the war. The war, not make people, is a phenomenon of vested interests. This march shows that Arabs and Israelis who share the same cultural roots and area can live in peace.
BBC World.

في شمال اسرائيل ، والعرب والإسرائيليين في مسيرة ضد الحرب. الحرب ، لا تجعل الناس ، وهي ظاهرة من أصحاب المصالح الخاصة. هذا يدل على أن مسيرة العرب والاسرائيليين الذين يشتركون فى نفس الجذور الثقافية والمنطقة في العيش في سلام. بي بي سي وورلد

Dans le nord d'Israël, les Arabes et les Israéliens ont marché contre la guerre. La guerre, pas de personnes, est un phénomène des groupes d'intérêts. Cette mars montre que les Arabes et les Israéliens qui partagent les mêmes racines culturelles et de la région puissent vivre en paix. BBC World.

Tại miền bắc Israel, Ả rập và Israelis marched chống chiến tranh. Chiến tranh, không làm cho người dân, là một hiện tượng của ban cho sở thích. Điều này cho thấy, tháng ba. Israelis Ả rập và những người chia sẻ cùng một gốc văn hóa và khu vực có thể sống trong hòa bình. BBC World.

Gaza in the vision of Trinidad Tobago Express.

2009-01-03T10:00:00.000-08:00

The cuestion in Gaza can not be seen by a rudimentary vision of binary logic. The very poor condition of life for palestinians in Gaza is the one primary factor that fueled violent behavior and religious fanatism, the humans rigth violations,a lot of corruption,a cuestion of money and inversionist, profit in armament sales and contractors are involved, normally in a military economy of war, as we see is supported by Israel and Hamas in Gaza in the background of this problem.Gualterio Nunez Estrada, Sarasota, Florida.

Battlefield Gaza
Gwynne Dyer
Friday, January 2nd 2009

Yosef Sheinin, the chief rabbi of Ashdod, was understandably distraught at the funeral of Irit Shetreet, one of four Israelis to be killed by Palestinian rockets since Israel launched its bombing campaign against the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip on Sunday. However, he was wrong to say that her death was "the latest manifestation of 3,000 years of anti-Jewish hatred." The hatred is real, but its sources are a good deal closer both in time and in space.
Western media coverage of current affairs rarely goes into the origins of those affairs: even what happened last year or ten years ago is treated as ancient history. So the fury and despair of the million and a half residents of the Gaza Strip can easily seem incomprehensible- the "bottomless hatred of wild beasts," as Sheinin put it. Why do these Palestinians fire murderous rockets at innocent civilians in Sderot, Ashkelon, Ashdod, even Beersheva?
Because that's where they come from. Only about a fifth of the Gaza Strip's population is descended from people who lived in that barren stretch of land before 1948. The rest are people, or the children or grandchildren or great-grandchildren of people, who were driven out of what is now Israel during the 1948 war, or simply fled in fear and were not allowed to go home again afterwards. Their former homes were mostly in the south of former Palestine, in places like Sderot, Ashkelon, Ashdod and Beersheva.
This does not give them the right to launch rockets at the people who now live in those towns, of course, any more than Israel has the right to use its massive air power to pound the crowded Gaza Strip. But it does provide some context for what is happening now-and indeed, happens every year or so. This struggle is still about what it has always been about: the land. And the fact that Israel is killing a hundred Palestinians for every dead Israeli does not mean that the Israelis are winning.
Ehud Olmert, Israel's interim prime minister, and Tzipi Livni, his successor as head of the Kadima party, and Binyamin Netanyahu, head of the Likud party and her principal rival for the prime ministership in next month's Israeli election, all know that. They are all old enough to have watched Israel try to bash the Palestinians into submission half a dozen times before, and they know it does not work. But that is strategy, and this is politics.
For Israel's political leaders, this is mainly about looking tough in front of an electorate that just wants someone to "do something" about the Palestinians and their rockets. Nothing much can be done, short of a peace settlement generous enough to reconcile them to the loss of their land, but Israeli politicians have to look like they are trying. Hundreds of people are dying in the Gaza Strip to provide that show.
The Hamas leaders are equally cynical, since they know that every civilian death, and even every militant's death, helps to build popular support for their organisation. The dead are pawns, and the game is politics.
No wonder there is such lack of enthusiasm elsewhere for spending much effort on trying to persuade the two sides to agree to a ceasefire.
They will stop when they have achieved their (purely tactical and short-term) political goals.
There is a more profound issue behind all this, which is Israel's right to exist versus the right of the Palestinians to their homeland, but we shouldn't get carried away with the unique moral dimension of all that.
It's just one more conquerors-versus-previous-inhabitants conflict, like the European settlers versus the Indians in the Americas in the eighteenth century-or, for that matter, the Israelites versus the Canaanites three thousand years ago.
Those earlier conflicts were all settled by force, but the world has changed and force doesn't work so well any more. Israel has the power to hammer the Palestinians endlessly, but they don't give up and go away.
They cannot, and neither can the Israelis. Neither side can eliminate the other, as has been amply and repeatedly demonstrated.
That doesn't necessarily mean that this conflict will ultimately be settled by peaceful negotiation and compromise. It may mean that there will be no solution of any sort for the foreseeable future, just an endless series of bloody, indecisive clashes like the present one. Happy New Year.

UN food agency decries 'appalling' situation in Gaza

2009-01-02T09:10:00.000-08:00

The White House has declined comment on whether an Israeli ground incursion would be justified.
Both the White House and the State Department have also refused to comment on reports that some diplomats are suggesting international monitors be brought into Gaza as part of any peace deal.

JERUSALEM (CNN) -- A European Union delegation is heading to the Middle East to meet with regional leaders and seek a Gaza cease-fire, officials said Saturday.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas will meet the delegation Monday in Ramallah, West Bank, chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erakat said. Abbas then plans to head to New York for meetings at the United Nations, Erakat said.
Monday's first meeting will involve members of the European Union leadership and French President Nicolas Sarkozy, whose country just finished a six-month EU presidency. The Czech Republic, which took over the role from France, will lead the delegation, the Czech presidency said.
The officials would try to establish a dialogue between the EU and Middle East to look for possible ways of reestablishing an armistice in Gaza, the Czech presidency said. They would also be looking for ways to provide humanitarian aid to people in Gaza.
The delegation heads to Egypt on Sunday for a meeting with Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit. They would hold a full day of meetings in Israel and the West Bank on Monday, and on Tuesday they head to Jordan to meet with Prime Minister Nader al-Dahabi
Europe's stepped-up initiative comes as the United States stays out of the spotlight.
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Washington is talking with European, Israeli and Arab partners to find a "sustainable" solution in Gaza, but at this point, Rice has no plans to head to the region.
The White House has declined comment on whether an Israeli ground incursion would be justified.
Both the White House and the State Department have also refused to comment on reports that some diplomats are suggesting international monitors be brought into Gaza as part of any peace deal.
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As evidenced in the videos, the violation of human rights in Gaza, the Palestinian identity and economy of the Palestinians in the region, are key factors for the increase in violence in the parties involved shared the same cultural and economic area but with very big economy differences in welfare and level of life that fueled the tension between palestinian and israelians.Different economy support different way of meanings more than religion or ideology. Peace under very big economy difference and level of life, it is very inestable for both peoples even if they do and effort in humans rigths and control of terrorism without change the economy and education in the palestinian area with opportunity for all, the two key for peace, everywhere.Gualterio Nunez Estrada, Sarasota, Florida.

UNITED NATIONS NEWS.
Gaza conflict threatens regional peace and stability, UN official cautions

2 January 2009 – The future of the Middle-East peace process, the stability of the region and the safety of ordinary people in the Gaza Strip have been seriously jeopardized by the “irresponsibility of Hamas rocket attacks” and the “excessiveness of Israel’s response,” a senior United Nations envoy warned today, as diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict intensify.
On the seventh day of Israeli bombing raids on Gaza and with more than 400 Gazans reportedly killed and thousands wounded, Robert Serry, UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, called for the international community to step up its attempts to end the growing humanitarian crisis.
“Much of Gaza’s infrastructure has now been destroyed. The death and injury toll in Gaza continues to mount. Hamas rockets are now reaching 40 kilometres into Israel,” Mr. Serry said via video-link from Jerusalem.
Israel has cited rocket and other attacks by militants in Gaza against Israeli civilians as the reason for its military offensive and closing crossings into Gaza for much of the previous two months.
With Israeli tanks on Gaza’s border, the envoy underscored the urgency and importance of an immediate and lasting cessation of hostilities to avoid an even deeper and deadlier conflict.
He said that he will join a number of Arab leaders slated to arrive in New York next week to find a solution to the crisis.
“Diplomatic efforts are underway involving many players, including the United States, the European Union (EU), the Arab League, Turkey and others, and we believe the roles of the Quartet [comprising the UN, EU, Russia and the US] and the Security Council are going to be very important.”
While a ceasefire is vital, a return to the previous situation would not be enough to maintain security or find a durable peace, Mr. Serry said.
He stressed the need for the uninterrupted reopening of crossings into Gaza with a commitment from both sides to fully respect a ceasefire, including an end to all rocket attacks from Gaza and weapons smuggling into the Hamas controlled territory.
“It will also require bringing Gaza back into the fold of the Palestinian Authority through arrangements on the ground and renewed efforts to reunite Gaza and the West Bank,” he said, adding that “it is more vital than ever that Israeli-Palestinian peace is achieved. The underlying issues must be addressed: end of conflict, end of occupation and the creation of the Palestinian State alongside a secure Israel.”
Meanwhile, the UN World Food Programme (WFP) has been distributing bread to families in the hardest-hit areas of Gaza, and said today that it urgently requires $9 million to meet additional food needs caused by the upsurge in fighting.
The bombing raids over the last week have greatly worsened the already harsh humanitarian situation in Gaza, which is home to an estimated 1.5 million people facing severe shortages of food, fuel and cooking gas.
“The current situation in Gaza is appalling and many basic food items are no longer available on the market,” said Christine van Nieuwenhuyse, WFP Representative in the occupied Palestinian territory.
Yesterday, the agency started handing out bread to around 15,000 people in the northern city of Beit Hanoun – one of the poorest areas in Gaza and the most heavily affected by the conflict.
However, the recent Israeli offensive has prevented WFP and its partners from operating at full capacity and has delayed the regular distribution of food to nearly 270,000 people in the region.
“We are responding to the immediate food emergency needs as much as we can, but the destruction of local infrastructure and the shortages of basic utilities such as fuel and gas means that more people will fall into poverty, and have no other option than to be assisted by the international community,” said Ms. Nieuwenhuyse.
WFP’s 3,300-ton food stockpile will run out during the next month as distributions resume, security permitting, with more food convoys expected to replenish the supplies.
Due to the scarcity of wheat, most of the mills and bakeries in Gaza have stopped working and there is an acute shortage of bread, the staple food for Palestinians.
Although it was able to hand out some food supplies to refugees and non-refugees who queued at its warehouses, Sami Mshasha, a spokesperson for the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), said today that “the continued bombardment of Gaza and the absence of safe passages meant that not all the refugees were able to reach these distribution centres.”
UN Population Fund (UNFPA) Executive Director, Thoraya Ahmed Obaid, added her voice to the chorus of senior officials calling for an immediate halt of military hostilities that are heavily impacting the civilian population in the area.
“We call for humanitarian assistance, including food, medical supplies and equipment to be promptly allowed into Gaza,” said Ms. Obaid in a press release issued by her office. “This is critical to address the needs of Gaza’s 1.5 million inhabitants, especially women and children.”
Women and children were already vulnerable before the current hostilities spiraled out of control. The blockade posed particular problems for pregnant women unable to access maternal health services, which coupled with widespread poverty, resulted in high levels of anemia and malnutrition.
The current crisis is forcing more women to deliver at home, exposing them to maternal death or injury, as maternity wards are being used as surgical facilities to treat the wounded. The agency also said that displacement, following total or partial destruction of their homes, is causing untold psychological and physical damage to women and children.
In a related development, a group of independent UN human rights experts said today that it was “deeply alarmed” at the continuing violence in Gaza and called on all parties to end attacks putting civilian lives at risk.
“Both air strikes by Israeli Government forces and rocket attacks from Gaza into Israel are resulting in inexcusable loss of life and placing the civilian populations in the affected areas in extreme danger,” said Asma Jahangir, chairperson of the experts’ coordinating body, said in a statement.
She stressed that international human rights law “imposes binding obligations on all parties in situations of armed conflict.”
The chairperson said that neither Israel’s use of disproportionate force, missiles launched from Gaza, nor the general disregard for the safety of non-combatants can justify either side’s aggression.
The UN experts voiced particular concern at the impact of the current violence and destruction of vital infrastructure on the already dire humanitarian situation in Gaza and called on all parties to ensure access for humanitarian relief efforts and supplies.
UN Special Rapporteur for human rights in the occupied Palestinian territories, Richard Falk, told UN Radio today that although the call from the experts is important, “it comes in a way late in the day because the Palestinians, and particularly those in Gaza, have really required and deserve protection from the international community for quite some time, even before these attacks that began on 27 December.”
Independent experts, known as special rapporteurs, serve in an autonomous unpaid capacity and report to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.
News Tracker: past stories on this issue
UN seeks $34 million to aid Gazans as Israeli military operation continues

Israelis look out towards the northern Gaza Strip from a hill near the southern town of Sderot during an air strike, January 1, 2009.(Nikola Solic/Reuters)

This area ... is one of the poorest and most heavily affected by the recent conflict," she added.
Israeli air raids in the Gaza Strip have hampered humanitarian efforts targeting 265,000 people, the statement said.

"The scarcity of wheat has meant that the majority of mills and bakeries have stopped working in Gaza, and there is an acute shortage of bread, the staple food for Palestinian people," it added.

WASHINGTON (AFP) – US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Friday that the United States and its Middle East partners are working for a ceasefire to finally put an end to rocket attacks out of Hamas-run Gaza.
"We are working toward a ceasefire that would not allow a re-establishment of the status quo ante where Hamas can continue to launch rockets out of Gaza," Rice told reporters after talks with President George W. Bush at the White House.

ROME (AFP) – The UN emergency food programme has begun distributing bread to families caught up in an "appalling" humanitarian situation in Gaza, the agency said Friday.
"The current situation in Gaza is appalling, and many basic food items are no longer available on the market," the World Food Programme's representative in the occupied Palestinian territory, Christine van Nieuwenhuyse, said in a statement.
The Rome-based agency appealed for nine million dollars (6.4 million euros) in emergency funds "to meet foreseen additional food needs" as the conflict raged unabated.
Seven days into the offensive on Friday, Israeli jets staged more than 30 new raids on the densely populated territory, which it said targeted rocket launching sites and Hamas buildings.
Gaza officials say at least 430 Palestinians have been killed and 2,250 people wounded in Israel's "Operation Cast Lead" launched in response to rocket attacks from the territory that have claimed four lives in the past week.
"As an emergency response to alleviate the suffering of families living close to areas affected by conflict," the WFP began distributing bread to some 15,000 first-time recipients in Beit Hanoun, northern Gaza, Van Nieuwenhuyse said.
"This area ... is one of the poorest and most heavily affected by the recent conflict," she added.
Israeli air raids in the Gaza Strip have hampered humanitarian efforts targeting 265,000 people, the statement said.
"The scarcity of wheat has meant that the majority of mills and bakeries have stopped working in Gaza, and there is an acute shortage of bread, the staple food for Palestinian people," it added.

Cuba Marks 50 Years of Revolution After Storms, Commodity Bust

2009-01-01T09:12:00.000-08:00

Blomberg.com from Santiago de Cuba, Cuba.

By Jens Erik Gould
Jan. 1 (Bloomberg) -- Cuba’s communist revolution marks its 50th anniversary today at a time when the leaders who shaped its last half-century are trying to fashion a future that will survive them.
President Raul Castro, 77, is likely to extol the revolution’s history when he speaks in Santiago de Cuba, seized by his brother, Fidel, on New Year’s Day 1959 as Ernesto “Che” Guevara marched into Havana. The ailing Fidel, 82, who stepped down as president in February, isn’t scheduled to appear.
The island-wide festivities will give the Castros an opportunity, if they want it, to respond to changes in the political and economic environments, including plunging commodity prices and the election of Barack Obama to the U.S. presidency. Obama said during his campaign that he might be willing to ease the U.S. trade embargo under certain conditions.
“The stars are aligned for a change, and the circumstances are the best they’ve ever been,” said Peter Kornbluh, director of the Cuba documentation project at the National Security Archive at George Washington University. “How much they’ll change is hard to tell.”
The celebration comes amid growing economic pressures that last weekend prompted President Castro to warn Cubans they’ll have to tighten their belts.
‘Realism’
“The accounts simply do not add up,” Castro said during a speech in Havana to parliament. “Two plus two always makes four, never five; we must act with realism and adjust all of our dreams to real possibilities.”
Across Old Havana, streets are decorated with colored lights shaped into the number 50. Posters of a younger Fidel Castro read “50 Years of Revolution and More.” Hand-lettered signs in windows cheer, “Long live the revolution!”
Still, this year’s hurricanes and the global financial crisis will probably color Raul Castro’s remarks, said Larry Birns, director of the Council on Hemispheric Affairs in Washington.
Hurricanes Ike, Gustav and Paloma caused about $10 billion in damage, the equivalent of 20 percent of gross domestic product, Castro said in the Dec. 27 speech.
Prices for exports such as nickel, sugar and seafood have dropped, he said. Cuba, the world’s seventh-biggest nickel exporter, has seen the price tumble 59 percent this year.
Chavez Aid
At the same time, a 76 percent, five-month plunge in oil means Cuba’s biggest benefactor, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, will have to tap reserves for next year’s budget. Cuba gets about 90,000 barrels of Venezuelan oil a day for the services of doctors and other professionals, an exchange never accounted for publicly.
Cubans will need to work harder as a result while the government will cut its travel budgets and reduce workers’ subsidies, Castro said. Economic problems will also postpone a planned government restructuring, he added.
Castro has taken halting steps to open social and economic life. He allowed Cubans to buy mobile phones and DVD players few can afford, and lifted a ban on citizens using tourist hotels accessible only with foreign currency. He has also announced that unused government land will be distributed to private farmers.
“They’re changing slowly in Cuba and a better relationship with the U.S. would help move that along,” said Jake Colvin, vice president for global trade at the National Foreign Trade Council, a Washington-based group of companies and trade associations. “There’s recognition internally that they need economic development and reform.”
U.S. Embargo
The U.S. embargo, imposed in 1960 after Fidel expropriated American property, stands in the way, Colvin said.
During his campaign, Obama vowed to maintain the trade ban, promising at the same time to loosen Bush administration regulations that limited visits and remittances to the island by Cuban-Americans.
Obama also said he’d be willing to talk with Cuba and begin easing the sanctions if the government made democratic moves such as freeing political prisoners. Castro on Dec. 18 proposed an exchange of his prisoners for five Cubans convicted of espionage in the U.S. in 2001.
The National Foreign Trade Council is calling for Obama to open Cuba to all U.S. travelers and let U.S. companies work on the island.
The region is unified in urging an end to the embargo, as a Latin American and Caribbean summit last month made clear. Castro, making the summit his first trip abroad as president, received a warm welcome from the heads of state, who gathered for the first time without U.S. or European participation.
Revolutionary War
Raul and Fidel Castro began their revolution in 1953 with a failed assault on the Moncada army barracks. Released from jail in a general amnesty, they joined the Argentine revolutionary Guevara in Mexico, and in 1956 crossed the Caribbean with 82 fighters to attack the dictator Fulgencio Batista.
After Batista’s forces killed all but about 20 of the insurgents, the Castros fled to the Sierra Maestra mountains and built their guerrilla army. On New Year’s Day in 1959, Batista fled the island.
In his 49 years in power, Fidel Castro outlasted 10 U.S. presidents, almost five decades of the U.S. trade embargo, and the collapse of his primary patron, the Soviet Union.
While Fidel no longer makes public appearances, the national assembly last year ruled he’d be consulted on critical economic and political questions.
To contact the reporter on this story: Jens Erik Gould in Santiago, Cuba at jgould9@bloomberg.net Last Updated: January 1, 2009 00:01 EST

Jewish community in Jamaica supports Israel's attack on Gaza

2009-01-01T09:02:00.000-08:00

Reprinted from Caribbean Net Newscaribbeannetnews.com
Jewish community in Jamaica supports Israel's attack on Gaza
Published on Wednesday, December 31, 2008
By Oscar Ramjeet Caribbean Net News Special Correspondent Email: oscar@caribbeannetnews.com KINGSTON, Jamaica: The Jewish community in Jamaica is supporting the government of Israel's heaviest bombardment of the Gaza Strip in decades. The airstrikes, which started on Saturday, rank among the deadliest attacks by Israel on Gaza, with more than 300 people, including civilians, killed. The Israeli government has been targeting infrastructure critical to militant group Hamas. According to a top Israeli army official, no Hamas building will be left after the attacks. The Jamaica Gleaner reported that Ainsley Henriques, honourary secretary of the United Congregation of Israelities in Jamaica, in defending Israel’s move, said the Israelis were just defending their citizens. "It is a simple situation, because Hamas did not want to continue the truce and have been firing rockets into Israel," he said. "Half a million Israeli citizens have been subject to rockets being fired. I got an email from a friend in a village over there and he said that he had to be huddled in his house, as it was like the World War II blitz in London by V1 bombs.” Across, the world, however, there has been heavy opposition to Israel's latest move, with protests across the Arab world and in Europe. United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon has called for an immediate ceasefire and, while recognising Israel's right to defend itself, has condemned its "excessive use of force".
Copyright© 2007-2008 Caribbean Net News at www.caribbeannetnews.com All Rights ReservedFor permission to republish, please contact mailto:editor@caribbeannetnews.com

Rania Al-Yassin,Queen Rania of Jordan blood donor for palestinian in Gaza.

2008-12-31T20:34:00.001-08:00

U.S. must engage with the international community to monitor the situation in Gaza and Palestine as the main responsible for the problem of human righs and humanitarian that were created based on the respect to PALESTINIAN-arab identity and arab muslims culture by UNESCO and UNITED NATIONS INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY PUBLIC RITGHS. ISRAEL HAVE NO RIGTHS TO MAKE THE RULES IN GAZA AND PALESTINE BY HIMSELF AGAINST INTERNATIONAL ORDER AND HUMAN RIGTHS BECAUSE IT MEANS THE SAME ORDER OF SUDAFRICA REGIME OF APARTHEID FOR PALESTINIAN BASED ON ANTITERRORISM OPERATION.THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY MUST MONITORED THES SITUATION AGAINST PALESTINIAN PEOPLE VERY EXPLOSIVE IN THE MIDLED EAST.AN ETIC COMISSION IN THE CONGRESS OF UNITED STATES MUST MONITORED THE BEHAVIOR OF ISRAEL'S ANTITERRORIST OPERATION IN GAZA BASED ON HUMAN RIGTHS AND PALESTINIAN IDENTITY. Hamas must stop terrorist attacks against the civilian population of Israel. There is no other solution.

The degree of respect for the identity and integrity of Palestine depends on two factors: 1) Control of Palestinian extremist groups that use terrorism against Israeli civilians 2) The behavior of Washington, the provider of Israel, to Palestine. Washington ultimately decides on everything that happens in Gaza and is the primary responsibility of what happens there. Gualterio Nunez Estrada, Sarasota, Florida

Israel's conduct towards Palestine is nothing but an appendage of the White House policy in the Middle East. The Israeli army's actions, the degree of respect for the Palestinian civilian population, the Palestinian identity, the human rights of the Palestinians is dependent on Washington, not Washington behind each maneuver Israel can not move an inch or outside its territory. Ultimately, who leads Washington's policy towards Palestine and Israel is primarily responsible for what happens in Gaza. Israel relies on the supply and permit the United States. Israel itself, not behind Washington can not move. Gualterio Nunez Estrada, Sarasota, Florida.

U.N.: Gaza faces 'alarming' humanitarian situation
By Edith M. Lederer, Associated Press

UNITED NATIONS — Gaza's 1.5 million residents are facing an "alarming" humanitarian situation under constant Israeli bombardment, with the main power plant shut down, overcrowded hospitals struggling to cope and very limited food supplies, U.N. officials said.
The power plant shut down on Tuesday because Israel has blocked fuel delivery through the main pipeline since Dec. 26, U.N. humanitarian chief John Holmes said Wednesday. This has forced hospitals to use generators, which have limited fuel supplies, and left many of the 650,000 people in central and northern Gaza with power cuts of 16 hours a day or more, he said............................................................

The Jewish Journal:Novelist A.B. Yehoshua raises the question: Can Jewishness be shed?

2008-12-31T06:38:00.000-08:00

November 26, 2008
Novelist A.B. Yehoshua raises the question: Can Jewishness be shed?
By Adam Kirsch, Nextbook
http://www.jewishjournal.com/books/article/novelist_ab_yehoshua_raises_the_question_can_jewishness_be_shed_20081126/

A.B. Yehoshua, long recognized as one of Israel's best novelists, has in recent years also emerged as one of its most prominent scolds. On Tisha B'Av this year, he published an op-ed in the Guardian deploring the "moral deterioration" of Israel's public life. Contrasting scandal-plagued politicians like Moshe Katsav and Ehud Olmert with the austere founders of the Jewish state, Yehoshua argued that the lawlessness and immorality of Israel's occupation of the West Bank was now bleeding back into the state itself. But if he is tough on Israelis, Yehoshua is no gentler on American Jews. On the contrary, in 2006, during a heated panel discussion at the American Jewish Committee's 100th anniversary celebration, Yehoshua proclaimed the futility of American Judaism. Only in Israel was an authentic Jewish life possible, he insisted. Diaspora Jews change their nationalities as if they were changing jackets, whereas for Israelis, Jewishness is a skin that cannot be removed.Yehoshua must have been brooding on that image, which provoked understandable anger among American Jews, as he wrote "Friendly Fire," his quietly impassioned new novel. For at the moral center of the book is an Israeli who desires to do exactly what Yehoshua said was impossible -- to abrade away his Jewishness like a layer of flesh. Yirmiyahu, a retired Israeli diplomat, has chosen to spend his old age in Tanzania, working as the bookkeeper for a team of African anthropologists. To Africans, he reports to his visiting Israeli sister-in-law, white people are muzungu, "not actually white but peeled. Our black skin has been peeled from us." In just the same way, he defiantly says, he means to spend the last years of his life becoming muzungu to the Jews. And he means it. When his sister-in-law, Daniela, arrives at Yirmiyahu's remote house, she gives him a parcel of Hebrew newspapers and Chanukah candles; he immediately tosses them into the stove, neatly erasing all traces of both Israel and Judaism.The reader does not have long to wonder about the reasons for this disaffection. Yirmiyahu's wife, Daniela's sister, has recently died in Africa, and Daniela's visit is ostensibly a pilgrimage in her memory. But beneath this natural grief, the family is really suffering from an unnatural and incurable one: the death of Yirmiyahu's son, Eyal, seven years before, in an army operation on the West Bank. What makes this loss so intolerable is that, as the novel's title reveals, Eyal was not killed by a Palestinian bomb but by his fellow Israel Defense Forces soldiers in a case of "friendly fire." This dull euphemism becomes on Yirmiyahu's lips a kind of curse word, which he can't stop repeating to himself. The State of Israel took his son from him, the way God nearly took Isaac from Abraham, but this time, there was no last-minute reprieve.This is a fictional premise fraught with dangers: The temptations to sentimentalize, moralize and sermonize are great. But Yehoshua deftly sidesteps them, choosing instead to lower the temperature of the novel to a slow, meditative burn. He accomplishes this, in part, by alternating the scenes of Daniela and Yirmiyahu in Africa with an entirely different kind of story -- the domestic and professional troubles of Amotz, the husband Daniela left behind in Tel Aviv. If the Tanzania sections of the novel deal with the deepest moral problems -- by the end, the two Israelis are debating the ethics of the prophets under an African sky -- the Tel Aviv sections are a comedy of manners, taking the reader adroitly through all the phases of contemporary Israeli life: family, army, work, sex, even traffic jams.Yehoshua's decision to cut back and forth between the two stories -- each section is just a few pages long -- keeps "Friendly Fire" from gathering much narrative momentum. But as the novel progresses, it becomes clear that Yehoshua's mastery of fictional technique has not decayed. On the contrary, the slow pace helps the reader see how carefully Yehoshua has devised the symbolic scheme of the book. In time, every event and every setting starts to seem like a metaphor. Quietly, without insisting, Yehoshua allows these metaphors to echo and interrogate one another.Take the run-of-the-mill problem that faces Amotz, a building engineer, as "Friendly Fire" opens. He has designed the elevator for a new high-rise apartment building in Tel Aviv, but the residents are complaining about flaws in the shaft that cause "an insufferable roaring, whistling and rumbling" whenever the winds blow. When Amotz rides the elevator to find out where the wind is leaking in, he observes: "Without question, within this shaft that was meant to be completely sealed off from the world swirl uninvited spirits." Yehoshua says nothing more than this, but it is impossible for the reader not to make the parallel with Israel itself. Despite the Zionist dream of a self-sufficient Jewish homeland, Yehoshua suggests, the country can never be truly sealed off from the outside world, and it, too, is haunted by the "uninvited spirits" of its neighbors.Yehoshua makes even as mundane a detail as time zones carry a hidden symbolic charge. Amotz is expecting a phone call from Daniela in Tanzania, but he gets the time wrong, since Dar es Salaam is actually an hour ahead of Tel Aviv, not an hour behind, as he assumed. "The African continent is west of Israel or east?" he asks, and, of course, the answer is both: Israel is geographically between east and west, just as it occupies an in-between space in the world's political and cultural imagination.As the novel goes on accumulating these layers of meaning and symbol, it becomes clear that Yehoshua is not just writing an Israeli novel: He is evoking an Israeli and Jewish way of being and thinking, in which nothing in the world is simply what it is but comes to us multiply encoded. This endless meaningfulness, which forces Jews to be ever-vigilant interpreters, is exactly what Yirmiyahu has gone to Africa to escape: "A place where we do not exist in any memories. Not religious, not historical, not mythological.... Everything that has oppressed me begins to fall off, without argument or debate."Yet it cannot escape the reader that even in Africa, Yirmiyahu shares the name of one of the great Hebrew prophets (as, for that matter, do Amotz and his father, the Parkinson's-afflicted Yoel). Yirmiyahu is fully conscious of this irony, and he lectures Daniela at length about the cruelty of the God whose threats fill the Book of Jeremiah: "A prophecy of destruction, with relish. Disaster and death and cannibalism.... You worshiped other gods, so you deserve that your sons and daughter be eaten."Yet what is Yirmiyahu himself if not a Jeremiah, whose rage at Israel is immense because his disappointment in it is immense? The friendly fire that claimed his son did not break that connection. On the contrary, over the course of the novel, we learn that Yirmiyahu has done his own investigation into Eyal's death, and what he learns -- about Israelis, Palestinians and their violent embrace -- only deepens its tragic ambiguity. So, too, Amotz decides that he is ultimately responsible for the flaws in the elevator shaft, even though he did not build it himself -- that an obligation to the community is not less binding because it is unasked for and even unfair.By the time Daniela and Amotz are reunited in the novel's last pages, none of the novel's breakages have been permanently repaired. But Yehoshua's subtlety and compassion allow "Friendly Fire" to offer the only kind of affirmation we need or can accept from art -- not a false consolation, but a true image of solidarity. Adam Kirsch is the author of "Benjamin Disraeli," a new biography in Nextbook's Jewish Encounters series. Reprinted from Nextbook.org, a new read on Jewish culture.
© Copyright 2008 The Jewish Journal and JewishJournal.comAll rights reserved. JewishJournal.com is hosted by Nexcess.net

Amos Oz, Israeli writer seeks truce in Gaza.עמוס עוז, סופר ישראלי מבקש הפסקת אש בעזה

2008-12-31T06:15:00.000-08:00

Lo scrittore israeliano
«Chiedo a tutti: cessate il fuoco.Non rinunciamo al sogno di pace»
Amos Oz: «Hamas va isolata, ma in Cisgiordania si deve negoziare»

CORRIERI DELLA SERA, ITALIAN NEWSPAPER, ROME.

Ulteriori violenze non condurranno a nulla, se non all’inasprimento del circolo vizioso fatto di attacchi e contro-attacchi sempre più gravi e senza fine. L’unico obiettivo delle operazioni militari di Israele a Gaza è di raggiungere la fine degli attacchi contro i propri cittadini e la sua società civile. Va detto che non deve esistere alcun altro obiettivo che Israele possa raggiungere tramite il ricorso alla forza militare. D’altra parte, noi tutti dobbiamo adattarci all’evidenza della profonda divisione esistente all’interno del campo palestinese e prendere atto che oggi convivono due Palestine: una nella striscia di Gaza e l’altra in Cisgiordania. Gaza è stata sequestrata da una banda di estremisti islamici che si muovono sulla falsariga dei talebani e sono sostenuti dall’Iran, il quale a sua volta da tempo proclama la necessità di perpetrare un grande genocidio ai danni di Israele. La Cisgiordania è controllata dall’Autorità palestinese, che si è dimostrata pragmatica e moderata. Detto ciò, va però anche ricordato che Gaza resta un luogo di immense povertà, disperazione e miseria.
Ed appare dunque ancora più assurdo e tragico che questa comunità di profughi palestinesi sia controllata da un gruppo di cinici assetati di guerra dediti alla causa della distruzione di Israele e che considerano qualsiasi cittadino israeliano come una loro vittima più che legittima. Gaza merita molto meglio di Hamas. Se dunque è indispensabile che il governo dello Stato israeliano faccia del suo meglio per stipulare immediatamente il cessate il fuoco con Hamas a Gaza, resta anche prioritaria la ripresa dei negoziati di pace con l’Autorità palestinese in Cisgiordania, e, anzi, proprio di questi tempi tali sforzi vanno raddoppiati. I termini delle intese sono ormai ben noti a tutti: tornare ai confini precedenti il conflitto del giugno 1967 con leggere reciproche modificazioni tracciate di comune accordo; due città-capitali a Gerusalemme; non deve esistere alcun insediamento ebraico all’interno del territorio del futuro Stato palestinese e va imposta un’autentica demilitarizzazione nelle regioni che Israele dovrà evacuare. Sarà di grande aiuto l’impegno della comunità internazionale nel favorire gli accordi tra Stato israeliano e dirigenti palestinesi in Cisgiordania.
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In particolare l’Europa potrebbe giocare un ruolo trainante incoraggiando, aiutando e rassicurando entrambi i contendenti chiamati comunque a fare reciprocamente gravose concessioni e ad assumersi una lunga serie di rischi. L’intesa tra Israele e l’Autorità palestinese sulla falsariga di questi principi è giusta e possibile. E io ritengo che, se Israele avrà il coraggio di concludere la pace con i responsabili palestinesi della Cisgiordania, alla fine seguirà anche quella con Gaza. Ma, lo ripeto, il primo passo deve essere un immediato cessate il fuoco con Hamas, accompagnato dal raddoppio degli sforzi per giungere all’intesa con l’Autorità palestinese. L’alternativa è semplicemente troppo orribile per essere presa in considerazione.
Amos Oztraduzione di Lorenzo Cremonesi© Corriere della Sera 29 dicembre 2008

Israel, Hamas, and moral idiocy.ישראל, החמאס והמוסרית טמטום המוח

2008-12-31T05:42:00.000-08:00

(" SOME CIVILIAN CASUALTIES ARE INEVITABLE...")

THIS IS THE PSICOLOGY OF THE PEOPLE WHO SUPPORT THE ATTACKS AGAINST PALESTINIAN CIVILIANS,(State terrorism by Israel in Gaza) ACTUALLY WOUNDED BY HUNDREDS, ALMOST TWO THOUSANDS BY THE LAST REPORT. Gualterio Nunez Estrada, Sarasota, Florida.

THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR.
Israel, Hamas, and moral idiocy
By Alan M. Dershowitz Alan M. Dershowitz Wed Dec 31, 3:00 am ET
Cambridge, Mass. – Israel's decision to take military action against Hamas rocket attacks targeting its civilian population has been long in coming. I vividly recall a visit my wife and I took to the Israeli city of Sderot on March 20 of this year. Over the past four years, Palestinian terrorists – in particular, Hamas and Islamic Jihad – have fired more than 2,000 rockets at this civilian area, which is home to mostly poor and working-class people.
The rockets are designed exclusively to maximize civilian deaths, and some have barely missed schoolyards, kindergartens, hospitals, and school buses. But others hit their targets, killing more than a dozen civilians since 2001, including in February 2008 a father of four who had been studying at the local university. These anticivilian rockets have also injured and traumatized countless children.
The residents of Sderot were demanding that their nation take action to protect them. But Israel's postoccupation military options were limited, since Hamas deliberately fires its deadly rockets from densely populated urban areas, and the Israeli army has a strict policy of trying to avoid civilian casualties.
The firing of rockets at civilians from densely populated civilian areas is the newest tactic in the war between terrorists who love death and democracies that love life. The terrorists have learned how to exploit the morality of democracies against those who do not want to kill civilians, even enemy civilians.
The attacks on Israeli citizens have little to do with what Israel does or does not do. They have everything to do with an ideology that despises – and openly seeks to destroy – the Jewish state. Consider that rocket attacks increased substantially after Israel disengaged from Gaza in 2005, and they accelerated further after Hamas seized control last year.
In the past months, a shaky cease-fire, organized by Egypt, was in effect. Hamas agreed to stop the rockets and Israel agreed to stop taking military action against Hamas terrorists in the Gaza Strip. The cease-fire itself was morally dubious and legally asymmetrical.
Israel, in effect, was saying to Hamas: If you stop engaging in the war crime of targeting our innocent civilians, we will stop engaging in the entirely lawful military acts of targeting your terrorists. Under the cease-fire, Israel reserved the right to engage in self-defense actions such as attacking terrorists who were in the course of firing rockets at its civilians.
Just before the hostilities began, Israel reopened a checkpoint to allow humanitarian aid to reenter Gaza. It had closed the point of entry after it had been targeted by Gazan rockets. Israel's prime minister, Ehud Olmert, also issued a stern, final warning to Hamas that unless it stopped the rockets, there would be a full-scale military response. The Hamas rockets continued and Israel kept its word, implementing a carefully prepared targeted air attack against Hamas targets.
On Sunday, I spoke to the air force general, now retired, who worked on the planning of the attack. He told me of the intelligence and planning that had gone into preparing for the contingency that the military option might become necessary. The Israeli air force had pinpointed with precision the exact locations of Hamas structures in an effort to minimize civilian casualties.
Even Hamas sources have acknowledged that the vast majority of those killed have been Hamas terrorists, though some civilian casualties are inevitable when, as BBC's Rushdi Abou Alouf – who is certainly not pro-Israel – reported, "The Hamas security compounds are in the middle of the city." Indeed, his home balcony was just 20 meters away from a compound he saw bombed.
There have been three types of international response to the Israeli military actions against the Hamas rockets. Not surprisingly, Iran, Hamas, and other knee-jerk Israeli-bashers have argued that the Hamas rocket attacks against Israeli civilians are entirely legitimate and that the Israeli counterattacks are war crimes.
Equally unsurprising is the response of the United Nations, the European Union, Russia, and others who, at least when it comes to Israel, see a moral and legal equivalence between terrorists who target civilians and a democracy that responds by targeting the terrorists.
And finally, there is the United States and a few other nations that place the blame squarely on Hamas for its unlawful and immoral policy of using its own civilians as human shields, behind whom they fire rockets at Israeli civilians.
The most dangerous of the three responses is not the Iranian-Hamas absurdity, which is largely ignored by thinking and moral people, but the United Nations and European Union response, which equates the willful murder of civilians with legitimate self-defense pursuant to Article 51 of the United Nations Charter.
This false moral equivalence only encourages terrorists to persist in their unlawful actions against civilians. The US has it exactly right by placing the blame on Hamas, while urging Israel to do everything possible to minimize civilian casualties.
• Alan M. Dershowitz is the Felix Frankfurter professor of law at Harvard Law School. His latest book is "The Case Against Israel's Enemies: Exposing Jimmy Carter and Others Who Stand in the Way of Peace."

Israel intelectuals wans to stop the war in Gaza,HAARETZ.COM.

2008-12-31T05:08:00.000-08:00

אינטלקטואלים ישראלים רוצה לעצור את המלחמה בעזה.Gualterio Nunez Estrada, Sarasota, Florida.

Last update - 14:56 30/12/2008
David Grossman / Is Israel too imprisoned in the familiar ceremony of war?
By David Grossman
Tags: ISrael, Israel News, Hamas

After its severe strike on Gaza, Israel would do well to stop, turn to Hamas' leaders and say: Until Saturday Israel held its fire in the face of thousands of Qassams from the Gaza Strip. Now you know how harsh its response can be. So as not to add to the death and destruction we will now hold our fire unilaterally and completely for the next 48 hours. Even if you fire at Israel, we will not respond with renewed fighting. We will grit our teeth, as we did all through the recent period, and we will not be dragged into replying with force. Moreover, we invite interested countries, neighbors near and far, to mediate between us and you to bring back the cease-fire. If you hold your fire, we will not renew ours. If you continue firing while we are practicing restraint, we will respond at the end of this 48 hours, but even then we will keep the door open to negotiations to renew the cease-fire, and even on a general and expanded agreement. That is what Israel should do now. Is it possible, or are we too imprisoned in the familiar ceremony of war?

Until Saturday, Israel under Ehud Barak's military leadership showed remarkable cool. It should not lose its cool in the heat of battle. We should not forget even for a moment that the people of the Gaza Strip will remain our close neighbors and that sooner or later we will want to achieve good neighborly relations with them. We should in no way strike them so violently, even if Hamas, for years, has made life intolerably miserable for the people of southern Israel, and even if their leaders have refused every Israeli and Egyptian attempt to reach a compromise to prevent this lastest flare-up. The line of self-control and the awareness of the obligation to protect the lives of the innocent in Gaza must be toed even now, precisely because Israel's strength is almost limitless. Israel must constantly check to see when its force has crossed the line of legitimate and effective response, whose goal is deterrence and a restoration of the cease-fire, and from what point it is once again trapped in the usual spiral of violence. Israel's leaders know well that given the situation in the Gaza Strip, it will be very hard to reach a total and unequivocal military solution. The lack of a solution might result in an ongoing ambiguous situation where we have already been: Israel will strike Hamas, it will strike and be struck, strike and be struck, and will become unwillingly enmeshed in every trap a situation like this entails, and will not attain its true and essential goals. It might very quickly discover that it is swept up - a strong military power, but helpless to get itself out of the entanglement - into a maelstrom of violence and destruction. Therefore, stop. Hold your fire. Try for once to act against the usual response, in contrast to the lethal logic of belligerence. There will always be a chance to start firing again. War, as Barak said about two weeks ago, will not run away. International support for Israel will not be damaged, and will even grow, if we show calculated restraint and invite the international and Arab community to intervene and mediate. It is true that Hamas will thus receive a respite with which to reorganize, but it has had long years to do so, and two more days will not really make a difference. And such a calculated lull might change the way Hamas responds to the situation. The response could even give it an honorable way out of the trap it has set for itself. And one more, unavoidable thought: Had we adopted this attitude in July 2006, after Hezbollah abducted the soldiers, had we had stopped then, after our first response, and declared we were holding our fire for a day or two to mediate and calm things down, the reality today might be entirely different. This is also a lesson the government should learn from that war. In fact, it might be the most important lesson.

The Israeli army's anti-terrorist operation in the Gaza Strip is becoming a sloppy and brutal bloodshed against the Palestinian civilian

2008-12-30T11:24:00.000-08:00

"We are living in horror, we and our children. The situation is not just bad, it is tragic," said Gazan Abu Fares, standing outside his home near the rubble of a building bombed overnight.(Reuter)"Israel and Hamas under pressure for Gaza aid truce"
Tue Dec 30, 2008 11:34pm EST

PUBLICO.ES MADRID SPAIN

"THE BLOODY LANGUAGE OF ISRAEL IN GAZA." (SPANISH)
El mapa del mundo International.
"En época de mentiras, contar la verdad se convierte en un acto revolucionario" (George Orwell)
Inicio
El lenguaje de la sangre
28 Dic 2008
18:11
La guerra es un instrumento más de comunicación en el lenguaje político israelí. Es mucho más efectiva que una ley o una declaración porque a fin de cuentas los muertos casi siempre los ponen los otros. Su valor aumenta de forma exponencial en las campañas electorales. Tzipi Livni y Ehud Barak ya tienen su guerra y en ella han puesto sus esperanzas de cara a las elecciones del 10 de febrero.
Los sondeos y los medios de comunicación dudaban de que Livni pudiera hacer frente a Netanyahu y se burlaban de los patéticos intentos de Barak por sacar la cabeza. Ahora cuentan que las opciones de Kadima pueden mejorar y que los laboristas no están acabados. Nada está escrito ya en las urnas. Todo dependerá del desenlace de la campaña de bombardeos, no del número de muertos que origine sino de las ventajas que Israel aspira a obtener de la matanza.
Además del electorado israelí, el otro destinatario del mensaje pasa estos días unas vacaciones en Hawai. Obama ya sabe cómo se las gastan los israelíes. Si contaba con esperanzas de promover negociaciones de paz u ofrecer algún tipo de diálogo a Irán o Siria, el Gobierno israelí se ha encargado de enterrar sus opciones bajo toneladas de bombas.
Los norteamericanos tienen el derecho de elegir a un joven idealista para la Casa Blanca, pero siempre es Israel quien marca las reglas del juego. Como ha dicho Aaron Miller, experto en el asunto en la época de Clinton, las probabilidades de que Obama pueda implicarse en un proceso de paz entre israelíes y palestinos con garantías de éxito “se han reducido a cero”.
Obama podría ser valiente y negarse a que sean los militares israelíes los que le impongan su política en Oriente Próximo. Los precedentes invitan, sin embargo, al pesimismo. Durante la tregua, para nada perfecta pero real, que acabó hace una semana, no murió ningún israelí por los cohetes lanzados desde Gaza. En teoría, intentar prorrogarla parecía la salida más razonable. Pero ésa no era la prioridad de Livni y Barak.
Lo dijo el periodista israelí Amnon Levy tras la guerra de Líbano en 2006: “Todo el país se vio arrastrado a una fantasía absurda y pidió sangre. Y cuando la gente quiere sangre, el Gobierno se la concede”. Evidentemente, siempre es la sangre de los otros. Y los que mueren son los responsables, nunca los que matan. Así se escribe la política israelí.
Iñigo Sáenz de Ugarte

Assaulting the identity and personal integrity and family of the Palestinian people is not a solution to the terrorism of extremist groups is not the most intelligent way to peace and concord in Gaza. This type of operation and slipshod mnal organized, must cease immediately.Gualterio Nunez Estrada, Sarasota, Florida.

לתקוף את זהותו האישית ואת שלמותו והמשפחה של העם הפלשתיני אינו פתרון טרור של קבוצות קיצוניות, היא לא הכי אינטליגנטי דרך השלום ועל Concord בעזה. סוג זה של פעולה ו mnal מסודר מאורגן, חייבת להפסיק מיד

الجيش الاسرائيلي لعملية مكافحة الإرهاب في قطاع غزة أصبحت ضعيفة ، وسفك الدماء وحشية ضد السكان المدنيين الفلسطينيين ، ضد شعب اعزل : كبار السن والنساء والأطفال / وهذه الأعمال ضد المدنيين الفلسطينيين ويجب أن تدان من جانب المجتمع الدولي. انها كانت ضعيفة ووحشية تجلب سوى المزيد من سفك الدماء والكراهية تجاه اسرائيل

The Israeli army's anti-terrorist operation in the Gaza Strip is becoming a sloppy and brutal bloodshed against the Palestinian civilian population, against defenseless people: the elderly, women and children / These actions against Palestinian civilians must be condemned by the international community. It was a sloppy and brutal bloodshed only bring more hatred toward Israel.

L'armée israélienne anti-terroriste dans la bande de Gaza est devenue une effusion de sang bâclée et brutale contre la population civile palestinienne sans défense contre les personnes: les personnes âgées, les femmes et les enfants / Ces actions contre des civils palestiniens doivent être condamnés par la communauté internationale. Il s'agissait d'un brouillon et brutal de sang seulement apporter plus de haine envers Israël.

Die israelische Armee die Anti-Terror-Operation im Gaza-Streifen wird ein schlampiger und brutalen Blutvergießen gegen die palästinensische Zivilbevölkerung, gegen wehrlose Menschen: Senioren, Frauen und Kinder / Diese Aktionen gegen palästinensische Zivilpersonen sind zu verurteilen von der internationalen Gemeinschaft. Es war eine brutale und schlampig Blutvergießen nur mehr Hass auf Israel.

American can travel to Cuba with Obama:Cuba's expert opinion.

2008-12-30T07:45:00.000-08:00

The American people is the first worker and peasant class in the history of mankind with his own nature. The American people was the manager of the Revolution most beautiful in the world, according to Lenin. The Constitution of the United States of America did not even lie on private property and only recognizes the sovereign right to Common defenseless. The most objective way to begin discussions with the Cuban government and restore diplomatic relations between Cuba and the United States is to facilitate communication and contacts between the American people and the Cuban people. The exchange of views and cooperation between the Cuban and American intellectual elite, doctors, scientists, academics, engineers, professors and teachers will make the conduct of the two countries move towards higher goals of peace, harmony and geopolitical balance in the area America THAT WE NEED TO AFFORD TECNNOLOGY TRANSFERENCE AND BUSSINES. Changing to a new policy toward Cuba is not only a purpose to the island, but a geopolitical shift toward Latin America of its powerful neighbor nearest :United States WITH HIS ECONOMY VERY LINKED TO CHINA AND IN SOME ASPECTS TO RUSSIA(NASA-LARGE AIRPLANE PRODUCTION). OBAMA has all the prestige and the ability to carry out this purpose because it is a political leader with African and Muslim roots, the same that exist in the Caribbean and, perhaps, for their identity as black, but a representative, OBAMA, is above all, a leading espiritual around the world.Gualterio Nunez Estrada, Sarasota, Florida.

(This informacion from Reuter appears in caribbeans webs news, today)

"Obama's new policy- based on communication people to people- toward Cuba, will allowed Americans to travel to the island."(Experts opinion)

Obama may set new policy on Cuba's aging revolution
Published on Tuesday, December 30, 2008
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By Anthony Boadle WASHINGTON, USA (Reuters): Five decades after Fidel Castro toppled a US-backed dictator to take power in Cuba, the Cold War rivalry with Washington could be thawing as US President-elect Barack Obama looks to ease sanctions against the communist-run island. Obama has made clear he favors relaxing restrictions on family travel and cash remittances by Cuban Americans to Cuba, which this week marks the 50th anniversary of Castro's revolution.
US President-elect Barack Obama. Bloomberg Photo Obama could also reverse other steps taken by outgoing President George W. Bush to tighten sanctions on Cuba, such as the prepayment of food imports from the United States, and he is expected to restore migration talks broken off by Bush. Experts on Cuba believe modest changes in policy will come quickly, but stop short of lifting the trade embargo first imposed in 1962 or allowing all Americans to travel to the island 90 miles off the coast of Florida. Obama, who takes office on January 20, will be the 11th US president to deal with the Cuban revolution in a dispute that has outlived the Cold War and took the world to the brink of nuclear war during the 1962 Soviet missile crisis. On the campaign trail, Obama said the embargo should stay in place to press for democratic reforms in Cuba, but he said he was open to dialogue with the Cuban leadership. Cuba has welcomed Obama's proposals as a good first step and President Raul Castro, who took over from his older brother Fidel Castro early this year, has offered to free political dissidents in exchange for the release of five convicted Cuban spies in US prisons as "gestures" to help set up a meeting with Obama. While such an exchange is unlikely and Obama will not end the embargo without major concessions from Castro, his arrival is seen by some as opening a window of opportunity for improved relations at a time of political transition in Cuba. "The potential for change is more real than ever," said Katrin Hansing, associate director at the Florida International University's Cuban Research Institute. An FIU poll conducted in November showed that 55 percent of Cuban Americans in Miami, an anti-Castro bastion that has long backed a hard-line US stance on Cuba, now favor lifting the 46-year-old trade embargo. Cuba watchers agree the embargo has failed to bring about political change in Cuba, like earlier CIA efforts to assassinate or overthrow Fidel Castro, who retired in February due to illness but still wields power behind the scenes. Experts say Obama may want to move quickly on Cuba in order to send a clear signal of change in US policy toward Latin America, where US influence has declined under Bush and where the embargo against Cuba is very unpopular. Obama will meet Latin American and Caribbean leaders in April at a summit meeting in Trinidad and Tobago. Some US businesses are banking on a better climate for trading with Cuba, which has bought $2.6 billion in US food since Congress approved an exception to the embargo in 2000. In a letter to Obama this month, a coalition of business, agriculture and trade groups called USA*Engage said it was time for a new Cuba policy and proposed lifting all sanctions and allowing American tourists to travel to Cuba. The coalition --which includes the American Farm Bureau Federation, the Grocery Manufacturers Association and the National Retail Federation -- called for an immediate exemption for the sale of farm machinery and heavy equipment to Cuba. "We support the complete removal of all trade and travel restrictions on Cuba," it said. "The United States could engage in bilateral discussions with the Cuban government." It further proposed that Obama license direct banking services with Cuba, a major obstacle of the embargo that pushes up the cost of doing business with Cuba. The Cuba Study Group, a moderate organization funded by Cuban American businessmen, has also recommended lifting all travel restrictions and allowing remittances by any US citizen as a way to "strengthen the internal pro-democracy movement" in Cuba. Carlos Saladrigas, a businessman and founder of the group, believes the best way to promote change in Cuba is through US tourism. "We should allow the forces of American culture creep into Cuba and then let the Cubans be the agents of their own change. That would put the Cuban government on the spot," he said. Saladrigas said the US president has wide discretionary powers to engage Havana, even to restore the diplomatic ties severed by President Dwight Eisenhower in 1961, and allow Cuba back into the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. But lifting the travel ban requires Congressional action and that would be difficult to get passed without clear signs from Cuba that political reforms are forthcoming, he said. "Is the Cuban government really interested in significant change? I really do not see it."

Caribbeans wil be safe by solidarity, education and his own culture.

2008-12-29T06:57:00.000-08:00

Jean H Charles MSW, JD is Executive Director of AINDOH Inc a non profit organization dedicated to build a kinder and gentle Caribbean zone for all. He can be reached at: mailto:jeanhcharles@aol.com

Culture as an engine of peace and development

Published on Monday, December 29, 2008

.By Jean H Charles

My own empirical survey has indicated there are three soft engines of peace and welfare that a nation can build its development upon. They are: ideology, religion and culture. To end poverty in our time, the major stakeholders must agree to play together a partition that includes taking into context those variables that will lead to a better world. The United Nations, the United States, Canada, Japan, the European Union, Russia, China, India and Brazil should help to create nations out of the countries of the world with creativity and engagement using culture as a strategic tool.

Peace and prosperity in the underdeveloped world is above all a cultural demarche before it can be processed into a political reality. The fact that the Kurds, the Shiites and the Sunnis are fighting each other in Iraq constitutes the major detriment to that country’s economic development. There are enough resources for each Iraqi to lead a prosperous life, yet each clan is postponing the advent of prosperity through infighting and self destruction. Afghanistan offers the same macabre spectacle of self destruction because of the ill apprehension of its cultural assets and impediments. Peace will not happen until the cultural barrier that impedes the integration of all the sectors is broken down to create a united front.

Northern Ireland’s former arch rivals Ian Paisley and Sinn Fein embracing each other at the Good Friday agreement is the ultimate example that democracy is first a cultural process. As soon as the Protestants and the Catholics have understood they are the sons and the daughters of the same nation, sharing the same cultural values, peace and prosperity have became the lot of the entire country. The same concept will be true for Afghanistan, Pakistan, Algeria, Nigeria, Somalia and the Sudan.

My novel advocacy centered on the concept that the culture of nationhood should be the first building block, even before you lay down the notion of free and fair election as the panacea for democracy building. A nation is a country that is willing to unite all the composites of its population to enjoy the glory of its past and forge a future together where no one will be left behind. The few countries that have taken the steps to use that tool as an ingredient of peace and development have achieved great success in very little time: Singapore, Malaysia (Muslim), Ireland (Christian) are model nations to emulate. In Haiti, eighty years ago, an icon of cultural renaissance, Dr Jean Price Mars, in a seminal book, “Ainsi parla l’oncle” (As told by the uncle), galvanized the Haitian people in particular, and all the black people in general, into looking into themselves to find the courage to find the beauty within, to build the indigenous movement that should have led to the renaissance of their respective countries. He was the precursor of the notion in America that Black is Beautiful as well as the father of the cultural self revaluation that produced Senghor of Senegal, Sekou Toure of Guinea, Martin Luther King of America and even later Nelson Mandela of South Africa. This cultural revival has also been, alas, prostituted by self serving and venal black politicians, to produce also Duvalier and Mugabe who contributed and contribute encore to abort the emancipation of the left behind in Haiti or in Africa. The United Nations peacekeeping missions, in spite of their role of preponderance in alleviating the world problems, have been a disconcerting factor in bringing about world peace. The UN missions around the globe have been bureaucratic machines, busy seeking a major role and a bigger mandate in each conflict, yet unable to satisfy the most minimal goal. It reminds me squarely of the position of the child who keeps asking for a bigger toy while leaving aside the ones already at hand. The UN missions have not been using the tools of cultural integration to produce nations out of the countries at war. East Timor (10 years of UN engagement), Haiti (20 years) and Congo Brazzaville (40 years) are excellent examples of the arrogance and the ineptitude of those missions. Those three states are plunging deeper and deeper into the failed state status while they have been under the watch of the UN Missions for decades. Creating nations out of the countries in conflict should have been the primary goal of the UN peacekeeping missions. This task requires specialists with knowledge and skills beyond the handling of an AK100. The UN will have to recruit entire army of young specialists in conflict resolution, coalition building, cultural anthropology and community organization if it wants to have a positive impact on war and peace on poverty and wealth on ecologic degradation and nature rehabilitation in this damaged world. On the other side, the major global nations cannot continue to play at best a flawed note, at worst a discordant one. Now is the time for the United Sates and Europe to help China and India make a quantum leap towards a green and sustainable development module towards their industrialization process. This step alone will contribute to create a better world for everybody. The engine of the green revolution retooled in China and India will facilitate the propulsion of the entire globe. The universe cannot afford for those countries (each with one billion plus population) to follow the old model of the West in reaping the raw material of Africa and of the rest of the underdeveloped world to satisfy the needs of their growing middle class population. There are not enough resources for the bandit’s culture of tabula rasa of the past. Damn the Americans and the Europeans as long as we the Chinese and the Indians can put our hand unto the oil and the ore of Africa and the rest of the underdeveloped world! In this time of peace on earth, a paradigm shift must be found to seek out the best angels out of the souls of the warring sectors so they themselves can turn into agents of peace and development. Cultural traits and indigenous values can also be an impediment to development. My own empirical observation has indicated that the countries formerly colonized by France and by Belgium have a much more difficult time achieving indices of democracy and prosperity than those that were colonized by England or other colonizing empires. The seeds of cultural dissension planted by the French or the Belgians are strong and deep into the ethos of the former colonized citizens. They are still haunting the people in places as diverse as Haiti and Louisiana in the Western Hemisphere, Congo Brazzaville, Guinea, Chad, Algeria, Senegal, and Niger in Africa and Cambodia in Asia. The French people should look into their own soul to find the roots of this destructive cultural trait and share that knowledge and the remedy with their former colonized entities. Nicholas Sarkorzy may have an inkling. He is trying to change the French people, malgré eux… but, this is the topic of another essay!

The United Nations Security Council urged an immediate halt to all military activities in the Gaza Strip .

2008-12-28T03:17:00.000-08:00

والأطفال الذين كانوا في الشوارع متجهة إلى البيت من المدرسة وكان من بين القتلى والجرحى ، في حين أن كل مبنى واحد من الحكومة المنتخبة ديمقراطيا في فلسطين ، وكان المستهدف في الغارة الجوية. بعض المصادر أن أكثر من 100 تقريرا التفجيرات -- والعمليات لم تنته بعد
"Children who were on the streets heading home from school were among the dead and injured, while almost every single building of the democratically elected Government of Palestine was targeted in the airstrikes. Some sources report more than 100 bombings - and the operations are not yet finished"(Yndimedia)

A Massacre in Palestine - Responses & DevelopmentsSunday, 28 December 2008, 10:03 pmPress Release: Indymedia
A Massacre in Palestine - Responses and Developments
IndyMedia.org
The Palestinian Resistance has issued a general call for an all out response to the Israeli massacre of Gaza - military, political and diplomatic action is already underway. Popular mobilizations in solidarity with the Palestinian people are sprouting up everywhere, both organized and spontaneous: within Israel itself, and in every country of the world, communities are mobilizing for demonstrations and other solidarity actions.
US-supplied Israeli warplanes struck heavily populated areas of Gaza in Palestine today, killing more than 200 people and injuring more than 700. Gaza's population of a million and a half has been under an Israeli blockade and military siege for the last eighteen months.
Children who were on the streets heading home from school were among the dead and injured, while almost every single building of the democratically elected Government of Palestine was targeted in the airstrikes. Some sources report more than 100 bombings - and the operations are not yet finished.
Some buildings were struck repeatedly in second and third waves of airstrikes, so that medics who rushed on site to rescue the injured were caught in the subsequent bombings and were killed as well.
TV stations in the Middle East are showing scenes of the streets of Gaza filled with dead bodies were they fell among the rubble and the flames. Some images of mutilated and grossly butchered bodies are so gruesome that digital masking was used to spare the viewers. Ma'an News Agency reports that according to medical sources most victims are being brought to hospitals "in pieces". Also, that hospital corridors and morgues have run out of space.
Kristen Ess, writing for the Palestine News Network reported that local stations are providing live coverage of the attacks, showing "...bodies are blown apart, children’s heads are split, there is blood everywhere and the cameras are shaking from the explosions."
The photo that accompanies this article was taken by a viewer watching Al Jazeera on television and published by the International Middle East Media Center. The dead pictured are civilian Police; the willful targeting of civilians is a violation of the Geneva Convention.
Many Governments around the world are condemning the actions, calling for a cease-fire and protesting the disproportionate force exerted by Israel. Many European and Arab Governments have been calling for calm and an immediate end to the operations. Russia, the Vatican and the EU also joined in expressing deep concern over the slaughter of innocents. Only the US and UK Governments have refused to join the world community, siding with the Zionist Israeli regime and making inflammatory and provocative statements calculated to add insult to the massacres.
Protests in solidarity with Palestine are springing up all over the world in every major city. Many political parties in Europe are issuing condemnations of the Israeli massacre.
In Palestine itself, as soon as news of the attacks spread to the communities and the scale of the atrocities was beginning to be known, demonstrations broke out everywhere, leading to battles of youth armed only with sticks and stones against Israeli troops who fought them with chemical and many other weapons - there were also arrests. Demonstrations took place in every city in the West Bank and also in East Jerusalem and Hebron.
Three days of mourning are being called all over the country, and a general strike is being organized in protest for the massacre.
Palestinian militia and resistance groups have launched about 70 improvised rockets targeting locations in Israel. One person has died in these attacks. Most of the rockets hit empty areas, causing no damages or injuries. There is a high possibility that the airstrikes might lead to a ground war and all the resistance forces are preparing to defend the neighborhoods.
Within Palestinian society, there is now a renewed urging for unity among the many factions, with a special concern for unity between Hamas and Fatah, the two largest and most influential of the Palestinian organizations.
The political leadership of Hamas has called for a Third Intifada (uprising). The call is for a Military Intifada against Zionist forces, and for a Peaceful Intifada "internally", meaning that there is concern to keep minimizing the scale of conflict between Hamas and Fatah and especially to avoid bloodshed.
As the world mobilizes to oppose Israel's atrocities, the cause of Unity is going to be the most crucial factor that will determine the outcome of every effort.
Cyprus IndyMedia Collective
ENDS

اسرائيل هي ذبح الشعب الفلسطيني من خلال استخدام القوة المفرطة. من قبل ، فإن الشعب الفلسطيني قد تعرض للموت جوعا قبل الحصار الاسرائيلي. حماس للانتقال إلى مرحلة المحادثات السياسية paz.La يجب على المجتمع الدولي العمل من أجل السلام في قطاع غزة وحقوق الشعب palestino.Gualterio نونيز استرادا ، ساراسوتا بولاية فلوريدا.

"This is a bloodbath, the bloodiest bloodbath since 1967," he told Al Jazeera. "This is an attack on the civilian population of Gaza."

Israel is massacring the Palestinian people by using excessive force. Earlier, the Palestinian people were subjected to starvation by the Israeli blockade. Hamas has to go to a phase of political talks of peace.The international community must work towards peace in Gaza and the rights of the people of Palestine.Gualterio Nunez Estrada, Sarasota, Florida.

Israël est de massacrer le peuple palestinien en utilisant une force excessive. Plus tôt, le peuple palestinien a été soumis à la famine par le blocus israélien. Le Hamas a pour aller à une phase de négociations politiques paz.La communauté internationale doit oeuvrer en faveur de la paix à Gaza et les droits du peuple palestino.Gualterio Nunez Estrada, Sarasota, en Floride.

from "Al Jazeera":...............................................

"The United Nations Security Council urged an immediate halt to all military activities in the Gaza Strip and called for the humanitarian crisis faced by Gaza's 1.5 million residents to be addressed."

"Neven Jurica, Croatia's ambassador to the UN and president of the council, read out a non-binding statement on behalf of the 15-member body that called on the parties involved in the conflict "to stop immediately all military activities". The statement, however, did not mention either Israel or Hamas by name."

"Palestinian medics say that more than 280 people have been killed and more than 600 injured in continuing Israeli bombardment of the impoverished Gaza Strip."

"Israeli television has reported that hundreds of infantry and armoured forces were massing on the border of the territory."

The Argentine Foreign Ministry: note. Military escalation in the Middle East / Testimony

2008-12-27T21:57:00.000-08:00

An Argentine near the fire in Gaza Haim Jelin, head of a regional council, heard from his house the beginning of the bombing Foreign News: previous next Sunday December 28, 2008 Published in print edition.
"LA NACION", Argentina.(The Nation, newspaper)

The Argentine Foreign Ministry yesterday called on the Israelis and Palestinians to "cease immediately all acts of violence" in the Gaza Strip. Moreover, in a statement expressed "its deep sorrow and rejection of violence once again enlutar to more Middle East, which left a tragic loss of life and injuries among the civilian population." "Israel must stop the bombing in the Gaza Strip and Hamas to stop rocket attacks at Israeli territory. Without delay, you must restart the path of dialogue. Israel must preserve and provide a permanent normal flow of supplies and services address the most urgent needs of the population in Gaza, "the note added.

La Cancillería argentina pidió ayer a israelíes y palestinos que "pongan fin de manera inmediata a todo acto de violencia" en la Franja de Gaza. Además, expresó en un comunicado "su profundo pesar y rechazo por los actos de violencia que una vez más vuelven a enlutar a Medio Oriente, que dejaron un trágico saldo de muertos y heridos en la población civil". "Israel debe detener los bombardeos en la Franja de Gaza y Hamas debe cesar los ataques con cohetes al territorio israelí. Sin demoras, debe retomarse la vía del diálogo. Israel debe preservar y facilitar en forma permanente el normal flujo de suministros y de servicios para atender las necesidades más urgentes de la población en Gaza", añadió la nota.

JERUSALEN (Para LA NACION).- Cuando la fuerza aérea israelí inició ayer su amplio operativo contra blancos de Hamas en la Franja de Gaza, el argentino-israelí Jaim Jelin oyó todo claramente desde su casa, a muy pocos kilómetros del territorio palestino.
"A las 11.30, oí el comienzo del bombardeo. Mi casa lo sintió, así que no quiero ni pensar lo que fue del otro lado", dijo Jelin, que no dudó ni un momento de que no se trataba de misiles que impactaban en Israel, sino del operativo contra Hamas.
"Oí los aviones y les dije a todos: «Empezó». Luego, alerté a quienes integran el consejo regional que yo encabezo de se quedaran en sus hogares, porque sabemos ya lo que es la guerra. Uno tira y después recibe del otro lado."
Jelin, llegado a Israel desde Buenos Aires en 1976, es el jefe del Consejo Regional Eshkol, una de las voces más escuchadas de los líderes de la población del sur de Israel, objetivo de los ataques palestinos desde Gaza. La mayoría de los 11.000 habitantes del área de su jurisdicción están al alcance de los cohetes Qassam y morteros disparados desde la Franja.
Cuando aparece en los medios israelíes para analizar la situación y presentar las reivindicaciones de la población local, Jelin exige que el gobierno israelí se mantenga unido, que sea firme y no se confunda.
"Lo que siento es que esto ya se tiene que terminar. No puede ser que acá haya guerra, luego tres meses de silencio y después otra vez guerra. No podemos seguir así", dice categórico.
Consultado sobre la situación en el terreno, Jelin opta por no entrar en detalles, pero es elocuente. "Nosotros, la izquierda en este país, ponemos todo el tiempo la mano para tratar de hacer la paz. ¿Y qué recibimos? ¡Qassam!", dice, en referencia a los cohetes que lanza Hamas.
Jelin, que reside en un kibbutz, habla con una combinación de línea dura, de cansancio por la situación, y con visión liberal respecto a parte de sus vecinos.
"Creo que va a tener que pasar esta guerra para que haya paz. No habrá otra. No comprenden que hay que sentarse a la mesa y que cada uno escriba lo que necesita, para tratar de entenderse. Ellos [por Hamas] entienden únicamente la fuerza", señala Jelin.
Además, el argentino-israelí se mostró en desacuerdo con la declaración formulada días atrás por la canciller israelí, Tzipi Livni, sobre la necesidad de poner fin al gobierno de Hamas en Gaza. "No creo que eso sirva. Ya trataron de hacerlo en el Líbano. El problema es que ellos, los palestinos, eligieron el gobierno de Hamas."
"Hamas nos tira todo el tiempo misiles. A los chicos que van al colegio a la mañana... Es imposible que los niños crezcan sanos en una situación así. Ahora espero que entiendan lo que es la fuerza", expresa.
Intenciones
Si bien en Israel han muerto 13 personas desde 2001 por los cohetes Qassam, Jelin considera que el problema no se puede reducir a cifras, sino que debe ser medida en términos de intenciones.
"Esos 13 muertos son civiles. En la Franja de Gaza, los más de 225 que murieron [ayer] en su mayoría no son civiles, sino soldados. Ellos [por Hamas] no atacan a nuestro ejército. No es una guerra de ejército contra ejército, sino de misiles disparados hacia la población civil", señala.
Pero Jelin no se hace ilusiones. Sabe que tampoco el operativo en curso hallará una solución rápida e ideal al problema de los cohetes lanzados por Hamas. Pero tiene certeza de que, finalmente, va a funcionar.
"Esto no será nada fácil, lo sé. Ahí está nuestro trabajo: ser firmes. No hay alternativa."
El Gobierno pidió el fin de la violencia
La Cancillería argentina pidió ayer a israelíes y palestinos que "pongan fin de manera inmediata a todo acto de violencia" en la Franja de Gaza. Además, expresó en un comunicado "su profundo pesar y rechazo por los actos de violencia que una vez más vuelven a enlutar a Medio Oriente, que dejaron un trágico saldo de muertos y heridos en la población civil". "Israel debe detener los bombardeos en la Franja de Gaza y Hamas debe cesar los ataques con cohetes al territorio israelí. Sin demoras, debe retomarse la vía del diálogo. Israel debe preservar y facilitar en forma permanente el normal flujo de suministros y de servicios para atender las necesidades más urgentes de la población en Gaza", añadió la nota.

HAROLD PINTER WAS A REVOLUTION INSIDE CUBAN THEATER AND FILMS.

2008-12-27T05:36:00.000-08:00

Harold Pinter, the other dimension in the theater, film scriptwriter, man and friend, has died leaving a strong legacy within the Cuban culture which impact on the theater and film from the decade of 60.PINTER , as LORD BYRON who died fighting for freedom of Greece, was ethical and moral defender of the peoples of Africa and the Caribbean in general, all the oppressed of the earth. Along with Arthur Miller and Italian neorealism, the dramatic English that is gone, but we have his legacy, was one of the most influential intellectuals in Cuba today. PINTER For the period from 1965 to 1970 was a revolution of the theater in Cuba more a trend in Cuban cinema already having an impact by Pier Paolo Pasolini WITH ARTHUR MILLER.

HAROLD PINTER IN CUBA WAS AN EXPLOSION OF IDEAS AND A BREATH OF SPIRITUAL LIFE THROUGH DRAMA.

JAMAICA: Solidarity and love to face the coming economy crisis.

2008-12-26T08:38:00.000-08:00

Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Professor Sir Kenneth Hall (right), presents the Jamaica Agricultural Society's (JAS) Gold Medal Award to his predecessor, the Most Hon. Sir Howard Cooke (left), at a ceremony, held at King's House on December 5. The award was presented to the former Governor-General in recognition of his outstanding contribution to nation building, particularly, in agriculture and the development of the JAS. At centre is JAS President, Senator Norman Grant.

"Simpson Miller also urged persons to help the weak and the less fortunate especially those confined to the various institutions.
In calling for personal and domestic disputes to be settled without violence and bloodshed, she also made a special plea for children.
"Give them all the love and attention they need," she said."
"JAMAICAN OBSERVER",12/26/2008.
Jamaicans urged to remain positive despite economic crisis
Thursday, December 25, 2008
JAMAICA's leaders are urging persons to remain positive this Christmas, despite the shadow cast by the recession in the global economy.
Governor General Sir Kenneth Hall in his message said while the recession is predicted to have "an adverse effect on the country", Jamaicans should identify and implement measures that can be adopted to overcome the challenges.
"We must revisit those fundamental values that have sustained the nation in our struggle for development over these many years and then see how they can be strengthened and applied to the present circumstances," he said.
Prime Minister Bruce Golding, in acknowledging that Christmas for many Jamaicans here and abroad will be "dampened by the economic turmoil unfolding all across the world and fears of what next year will bring", urged persons to remember Jesus Christ, the reason for the season.
"We must give thanks for his continuing goodness and mercy because despite the difficulties we face, there is much for us to be thankful for," the Prime Minister said.
He further urged persons to be careful on the roads and show particular care for the children. He said at this time individuals should remember the poor, the bed-ridden and abandoned children and families who have lost loved ones.
And Opposition leader Portia Simpson Miller in her address said she was confident Jamaicans would find a way to celebrate even with the challenges.
"We are a resilient people and adversity often brings out the best in us. If our foreparents made it through the trauma and indignity of slavery and our national heroes could come through times of great social upheaval and economic deprivation, then we too can summon the courage and determination to make it through these testing times," she said.
Simpson Miller also urged persons to help the weak and the less fortunate especially those confined to the various institutions.
In calling for personal and domestic disputes to be settled without violence and bloodshed, she also made a special plea for children.
"Give them all the love and attention they need," she said.

Mote Marine laboratory has provide of BLACKBERRY to lifeguards at 31 beaches of Southwest of Florida...

2008-12-25T18:10:00.000-08:00

Tourist down from South of United States to Sarasota pay for some camping area the same as a hotel, because they prefeer to be close to the nature. Some europeans tourist do the same. Many Canadian prefeer to live in his own or rented motorhome.

Thousands of volunters care in Sarasota county, Florida, the police, nature,habitat, the education board, hospitals and beaches working hard under the City Manager regulations.(Source: "Sarasota Herald Tribune", front page, 12/26/2008)

"SARASOTA, FLORIDA HAS THE MOST BEATIFUL AND VERY CLEANS BEACHES...."

Mote Marine Staff Biologist Valeriy Palubok takes a sample of sea water from a dock along New Pass in Sarasota Bay on Dec. 12, a daily exercise in monitoring for potential levels of red tide at the laboratory.

SARASOTA HERALD TRIBUNE, FRONT PAGE, 12/24/2008(a very usefulk professional reportage full of data to caring beaches in caribbeans countries. Sarasota City Mayor is the most succefull in Florida about caring enviroment and beaches with many task and regulation that must be studied by caribbean goverments. Sarasota Mote Marine Lab and the City Mayor are paradigmatical for caribbean area. It is very usefull to match with them)

The beaches of Sarasota are protected by sanitary regulation"s City Mayor for tourist and visitors, they are very clean, with the highest quality water an sand that you can compare with some beaches of Cuba where you walk a long way far from the coast without swiming and in a very safety condition. The beaches are under surveillance 24 hours a day by camera, lifeguard, biologist and marine tecnologists and City Mayor officers, planes and helicopters. They really care the beaches because they love the nature. The gold of the biologist and policemaker of Florida is going back the nature to the XIX century.The problem is the infraesructure of the non-green industry.

Thanks Blackberry'phones in the hands of biologist and lifeguards in the beaches ABLE everybody around the world to see what is happening in real time in 31 beaches of Sarasota and Souhwest Florida, boosting the tourist bussines and care and protection of the beaches with the lifeguards and biologist in duty. Mote Marine Lab is creating and interactive communication network updated two times in 24 hours for tourist, bussines, researcher and monitoring special weathers condition.The website is:http://www.mote.org/index.php?src=gendocs&ref=beach%20conditions%20reports&category=Main Gualterio Nunez Estrada, Sarasota, Florida.
SOURCE: "SARASOTA HERALD TRIBUNE", front page, 12/24/2008.(article about "red tide")
HISTORY ABOUT RED TIDE IN SARASOTA, FLORIDA.On a sultry Fall morning of 1947, the community of Venice, Florida, awoke to thousands of dead fish along the beaches and a stinging, choking "gas" in the air. Some blamed nerve gas, others a chemical spill, but scientists soon discovered the cause RED TIDE. Although this was the first scientific documentation of this catastrophic event along the Florida Gulf coast, reports of similar events have been recorded as far back as the mid 1800's.
Red tides occur throughout the world, drastically affecting Scandinavian and Japanese fisheries, Caribbean and South Pacific reef fishes, and shell fishing along U.S. coasts. Most recently, it has been implicated in the deaths of hundreds of whales, dolphins, and manatees in North American waters. These red tides are caused by several species of marine phytoplankton, microscopic plant like cells that produce potent chemical toxins. The Florida red tide is caused by blooms of a dinoflagellate that produce potent neurotoxins. These toxins cause extensive fish kills, contaminate shellfish and create severe respiratory irritation to humans along. (SOURCE:MOTE MARINE WEBSITE)

Benedict XVI:"the world was headed toward ruin if selfishness prevails over solidarity"

2008-12-25T14:59:00.000-08:00

Benedict said. "If people look only to their own interests, our world will certainly fall apart."

Pope decries selfishness in economic crisis
By FRANCES D'EMILIO, Associated Press Writer Frances D'emilio, Associated Press Writer – Thu Dec 25, 10:50 am ET

VATICAN CITY – Pope Benedict XVI warned in his Christmas message Thursday that the world was headed toward ruin if selfishness prevails over solidarity during tough economic times for rich and poor nations.
Speaking from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica, Benedict said he was trying to inspire hope in the world.
"Brothers and sisters, all you who are listening to my words: this proclamation of hope — the heart of the Christmas message — is meant for all men and women."
The traditional papal Christmas Day message "Urbi et Orbi" — Latin for "to the City and to the World" — usually covers the globe's hot spots, but this year Benedict also addressed the economic conditions worrying many across the planet amid near-daily news of layoffs, failing companies and people losing homes.
Benedict said his Christmas message applied to "wherever an increasingly uncertain future is regarded with apprehension, even in affluent nations."
"In each of these places may the light of Christmas shine forth and encourage all people to do their part in a spirit of authentic solidarity," Benedict said. "If people look only to their own interests, our world will certainly fall apart."
Benedict said he hoped the light of Christmas would radiate to places where "the basics needed for survival are missing."
Wearing a crimson mantle against a damp chill, Benedict told tens of thousands of people in St. Peter's Square that God's saving grace could "alone transform evil into good" and "change human hearts, making them oases of peace."
Benedict dedicated part of his message to Africa, singling out Zimbabwe, where hunger is spreading and deepening. He said that people there were "trapped for too long in a political and social crisis which, sadly, keeps worsening."
International pressure has been mounting for longtime Zimbabwe leader Robert Mugabe to step down, following disputed elections in March. Millions of Zimbabwe's people need food aid, and a cholera epidemic has sharpened problems in a country once considered African's breadbasket.
Suffering also continues in the war-ravaged region of Kivu in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and in Darfur, Sudan, the pope added. In Somalia, people are weighed down with "interminable sufferings" as "the tragic consequences of the lack of stability and peace," he said.
Benedict spoke of violence and tensions in the Middle East, lamenting that "the horizon seems once again bleak for Israelis and Palestinians."
He denounced what he called the "twisted logic of conflict and violence" and said he hoped dialogue and negotiation would prevail to find "just and lasting solutions to the conflicts troubling the region."
Benedict also cited Lebanon and Iraq.
Without naming any particular groups, the pope called for an end to "internecine conflict" dividing ethnic and social groups and disrupting peaceful coexistence. He also denounced terrorism "wherever" it continues to strike.
After reading a litany of the world's woes, the pope added a lighter touch, reciting holiday greetings in 64 languages, including Latin, the Church's official tongue.
The pope had rested for a few hours after celebrating Midnight Mass in St. Peter's Basilica in the early hours of Thursday.
During that ceremony, the pope lamented the suffering of children who are abandoned, living on the streets or forced to serve as soldiers in conflicts.

Economy crisis impact: A meeting of tourism ministers of the Caribbean only, not ideal for addressing the economic crisis.

2008-12-25T07:56:00.000-08:00

JAMAICAN OBSERVER CARTOON TODAY

Despite discounts on travel packages to more than 60% of the Caribbean tourism industry is in red numbers, affecting the economy of our small and poor nations in all aspects of life, The Global Economic Crisis is worse in the coming months, NOW JUST START. The outlook is worrying for all concerned that only survive if they, THE CARIBBEAN NATIONS adopt common strategies in all areas of civic life, immigration and business. Single country, ISOLATE, can survive only at the expense of the misery OF THE CITIZENSHIP. Gualterio Nunez Estrada, Sarasota, Florida.
"The poor performance of the industry has already resulted in a number of job losses in the hotel sector. While the impact on ancillary services and other linked sectors such as agriculture and manufacturing is as yet unknown, there are concerns that it could be significant. "

Caribbean minister of tourism are in emergency meeing discussing the crisis of the indusry and he economical impact in the region.OECS tourism ministers discuss impact of global financial crisis
Published on Wednesday, December 24, 2008
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CASTRIES, St Lucia: Ministers of Tourism from the OECS met on Monday in a video conference convened by the OECS Secretariat, to discuss the impact of the current global financial crisis on the respective national tourism industries and to help formulate a strategy that would allow the regional industry to respond to the crisis. The Governor of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank also participated in the video conference.

The meeting noted that recessions in key source markets have significantly depressed consumer demand, and the November to April period, normally the high season for the region’s tourism industry, is now characterised by an abnormally low level of bookings. Hotels across the region are also reporting poor responses to stepped-up marketing efforts, which have included discounts of as much as 60 per cent on room rates at a time when prices are usually at their highest. The poor performance of the industry has already resulted in a number of job losses in the hotel sector. While the impact on ancillary services and other linked sectors such as agriculture and manufacturing is as yet unknown, there are concerns that it could be significant. Monday’s Tourism Ministers meeting was a precursor to a special Joint Meeting of the OECS Authority and the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) Monetary Council that will be held in St. Kitts and Nevis in January 2009. Among the recommendations coming out of the Tourism Ministers meeting was the development of a paper, by the OECS Secretariat, that will be presented to the Special Meeting of the Heads of Government and Ministers of Finance that articulates the issues confronting the industry, identifies the steps being taken in the respective Member States to address the challenges, and suggests additional measures that could be employed to assist the region’s most vital foreign exchange earner to remain viable in the face of the most serious crisis it has yet had to confront.

Olga Lepeshinskaya:Душа русского балета это работа Бессмертных.

2008-12-23T13:18:00.000-08:00

December 22, 2008
Olga Lepeshinskaya, 92, Soviet Ballerina, Is Dead
"SHE DANCE FOR THE "RED ARMY"'S TROOPS IN THE FRONT LINE DURING WORLD WAR II"
By ANNA KISSELGOFF
Olga Lepeshinskaya, a leading ballerina of the Bolshoi Ballet in the 1940s and ’50s whose bravura and vivacity served her both in the 19th-century classics and in uplifting roles as the heroine of contemporary Soviet works, died on Saturday in Moscow. She was 92.
The Itar-Tass news agency said she died in her sleep in her apartment.
Ms. Lepeshinskaya (le-pe-SHIN-sky-uh) was a highly popular ballerina in the Soviet Union who appealed to a large public with her stunning virtuosity, dynamism and dramatic expressiveness. In her view, ballet should be imbued with life, not artificiality.
Even critics and choreographers who did not see her as a model of academic form praised her spirited projection and versatility. These qualities were evident in one of her best-known parts, the title role in “Cinderella,” which she created in 1945 when Prokofiev’s now-celebrated ballet score had its Soviet premiere (choreographed by Rostislav Zakharov).
Ms. Lepeshinskaya was also rumored to be one of Stalin’s favorite dancers, and the government honored her with four Stalin Prizes, its top award.
Soviet audiences themselves were easily won over by her exuberance, especially in comic works like “Coppélia” and Igor Moiseyev’s “Three Fat Men.” Her fiery temperament in one of her best roles — Kitri in “Don Quixote” — swept her to the Bolshoi’s top rank.
Yet the West saw little of Ms. Lepeshinskaya’s dancing, although she taught for many years abroad after she retired from the Bolshoi in 1963.
A few years before that, when the company arrived from Moscow in 1959 to make its American debut in New York, she was not on the roster. No dancer of her generation could compete with Galina Ulanova, then Soviet ballet’s major star, and Sol Hurok, the American impresario, focused the Bolshoi season on Ulanova. Like Ms. Lepeshinskaya, she was approaching the end of her career, but her depth and projection in “Romeo and Juliet” and “Giselle” caused a sensation.
With Ulanova, the younger Maya Plisetskaya and the even younger Ekaterina Maksimova destined to take New York by storm, Ms. Lepeshinskaya may have been past her prime. She was also identified in part with Soviet ballets that could be construed as Soviet propaganda, ballets Hurok never brought to the United States.
Born in Kiev on Sept. 15, 1916, she graduated from the Bolshoi school in 1933 and made an acclaimed debut in “La Fille Mal Gardée” that year. Still a young dancer in 1939, Ms. Lepeshinskaya came to more notice in the title role of “Svetlana,” portraying a patriotic heroine who foils saboteurs. She danced in “Path of Thunder,” which dealt with apartheid, and in a revised version of “Red Poppy,” which concerned Chinese revolutionaries.
Ms. Lepeshinskaya joined the Communist Party in 1943 and was elected several times to the Moscow City Council. She danced for Red Army troops on the front lines during World War II.
She was reportedly married twice to generals (both deceased) in the state security services, and she was initially denied and then granted a visa in 1998 to visit the United States as president of the Russian Dance Association.
Kasyan Goleizovsky, George Balanchine’s mentor and long suppressed as an experimental choreographer in Moscow, noted nonetheless in his memoirs that Ms. Lepeshinskaya offered him strong support for a ballet in 1962. It was staged and retired after 12 performances.

A warning for caribbean economies and fish industry.

2008-12-23T11:51:00.000-08:00

Habitat destruction by the industry ranging from genetic abnormalities in Florida, potatoes in Cuba until the acidification of the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico dangerous from 1988 to date, due to dead zones and the destruction of corals. The fishing industry and the quality of life of the Caribbean is in danger if we consider the research from the University of California in terms of fish and contaminacion.Gualterio Nunez Estrada, Sarasota, Florida.

Habitat destruição pela indústria variando de anormalidades genéticas, na Flórida, batatas em Cuba até o acidificação do mar do Caribe eo Golfo do México perigosas, de 1988 até à data, devido às zonas mortos ea destruição de corais. A indústria da pesca e da qualidade de vida do Caribe está em perigo se se considerar a investigação da Universidade da Califórnia, em termos de peixe e contaminacion.Gualterio Nunez Estrada, Sarasota, Flórida.

棲息地破壞了行業範圍從佛羅里達州的遺傳異常，土豆在古巴直到酸化加勒比海和墨西哥灣的危險從1988年至今，由於死亡區和破壞珊瑚。捕魚業和生活質量的加勒比地區正處於危險之中，如果我們考慮研究由加州大學在魚和contaminacion.Gualterio努涅茲埃斯特拉達，薩拉索塔，美國佛羅里達州。

The top fish is a normal striped bass larva from hatchery mother. The bottom fish is an abnormal striped bass larva from a river mother. The green arrows indicate areas of abnormal fluid accumulation, yellow areas indicate blistering and dead tissue, and red arrow indicates skeletal abnormality/curvature of the spinal cord. (Credit: David Ostrach/UC Davis)

Web address: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/12/ 081209100940.htm

Baby Fish In Polluted San Francisco Estuary Waters Are Stunted And Deformed

ScienceDaily (Dec. 23, 2008) — Striped bass in the San Francisco Estuary are contaminated before birth with a toxic mix of pesticides, industrial chemicals and flame retardants that their mothers acquire from estuary waters and food sources and pass on to their eggs, say UC Davis researchers.
Using new analytical techniques, the researchers found that offspring of estuary fish had underdeveloped brains, inadequate energy supplies and dysfunctional livers. They grew slower and were smaller than offspring of hatchery fish raised in clean water.
"This is one of the first studies examining the effects of real-world contaminant mixtures on growth and development in wildlife," said study lead author David Ostrach, a research scientist at the UC Davis Center for Watershed Sciences. He said the findings have implications far beyond fish, because the estuary is the water source for two-thirds of the people and most of the farms in California.
"If the fish living in this water are not healthy and are passing on contaminants to their young, what is happening to the people who use the water, are exposed to the same chemicals or eat the fish?" Ostrach said.
"We should be asking hard questions about the nature and source of these contaminants, as well as acting to stop the ongoing pollution and mitigate these current problems."
The new study, published online Nov. 24 by the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, is one of a series of reports by Ostrach and UC Davis colleagues on investigations they began in 1988. Their goal is to better understand the reasons for plummeting fish populations in the estuary, an enormous California region that includes the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta and San Francisco Bay.
The estuary is one of the world's most important water supplies for urban use and agriculture, and is also one of the most contaminated aquatic ecosystems.
The ominous decline in estuary populations of striped bass, delta smelt, longfin smelt and threadfin shad, named the "pelagic organism decline," or POD, by the region's environmental scientists, was first reported at the turn of the century and has continued to worsen through 2007.
Ostrach's lab at UC Davis is part of the multi-agency POD research team and charged with understanding contaminant effects and other environmental stressors on the entire life cycle of striped bass.
Studies of striped bass are useful because, first, they are a key indicator of San Francisco Estuary ecosystem health and, second, because contaminant levels and effects in the fish could predict the same in people. For example, one of the contaminants found in the fish in this study, PDBEs, have been found in Bay Area women's breast milk at levels 100 times those measured in women elsewhere in the world.
The new study details how Ostrach and his team caught gravid female striped bass in the Upper Sacramento River, then compared the river fishes' eggs and hatchlings (larvae) to offspring of identical but uncontaminated fish raised in a hatchery.
In the river-caught fishes' offspring, the UC Davis researchers found harmful amounts of PBDEs, PCBs and 16 pesticides.
PBDEs (polybrominated diphenyl ethers) are widely used flame retardants; PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) are chemicals once used in making a range of products, from paper goods to electric transformers; and the pesticides detected include some currently widely used in agriculture, such as chlorpyrifos and dieldren, and others banned decades ago, such as DDT.
These compounds are known to cause myriad problems in both young and adult organisms, including skeletal and organ deformities and dysfunction; changes in hormone function (endocrine disruption); and changes in behavior. Some of the effects are permanent. Furthermore, Ostrach said, when the compounds are combined, the effects can be increased by several orders of magnitude.
Ostrach's co-authors Janine Low-Marchelli and Shaleah Whiteman are former UC Davis undergraduate students. Co-author Kai Eder was Ostrach's postdoctoral scholar in Joseph Zinkl's laboratory in the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine.
Adapted from materials provided by University of California - Davis.
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University of California - Davis (2008, December 23). Baby Fish In Polluted San Francisco Estuary Waters Are Stunted And Deformed. ScienceDaily. Retrieved December 23, 2008, from http://www.sciencedaily.com /releases/2008/12/081209100940.htm

Giant Frog Jumps Continents, May Have Eaten Baby Dinosaurs

2008-12-23T11:42:00.000-08:00

Web address: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/ 080218172307.htm

ScienceDaily (Feb. 19, 2008) — A giant frog fossil from Madagascar dubbed Beelzebufo or 'the frog from Hell' has been identified by scientists from University College London and Stony Brook University, New York. The discovery of the 70 million year-old fossil frog, of a kind once thought unique to South America, lends weight to a new theory that Madagascar, India and South America were linked until late in the Age of Dinosaurs.
The new frog resembles living Horned toads (ceratophryines or 'pac-man frogs') in having a squat body, huge head and wide mouth. With a body length (not counting the legs) of up to 40 cm -- longer than a rugby ball - and a weight of around four kilos (10 pounds), it is more than twice the size of its largest living relatives.
The fossil, published in the journal PNAS, enters the Malagasy history books alongside meat-eating dinosaurs, plant-eating crocodiles and giant snakes, all very different from the present day animals of Madagascar.
Professor Susan Evans of the UCL Department of Cell & Developmental Biology says: "This frog, a relative of today's Horned toads, would have been the size of a slightly squashed beach-ball, with short legs and a big mouth. If it shared the aggressive temperament and 'sit-and-wait' ambush tactics of living Horned toads, it would have been a formidable predator on small animals. Its diet would most likely have consisted of insects and small vertebrates like lizards, but it's not impossible that Beelzebufo might even have munched on hatchling or juvenile dinosaurs.
"Beelzebufo appears to be a very close relative of a group of South American frogs known as 'ceratophyrines,' or 'pac-man' frogs, because of their immense mouths," said Krause. The ceratophryines are known to camouflage themselves in their surroundings, then ambush predators.
"The finding presents a real puzzle biogeographically, particularly because of the poor fossil record of frogs on southern continents," said Stony Brook University paleontologist David Krause, who led the research. "We're asking ourselves, 'What's a 'South American' frog doing half-way around the world, in Madagascar?'"
He said that because frogs "are not adept at dispersal across marine barriers, and since the few fossil frogs that are known from the Late Cretaceous in Africa are unrelated to Beelzebufo, one possibility is that there was a land connection between South America and Madagascar during that period."
Some geoscientists have suggested a lingering physical link between South America and Madagascar during the Late Cretaceous Period -- a link involving Antarctica. Antarctica in the Late Cretaceous was much warmer than it is today.
"The occurrence of this frog in Madagascar and its relatives' existence in South America provides strong evidence that the supercontinent Gondwana 'disassembled' during the latest part of the Cretaceous," said Richard Lane, program director in NSF's Division of Earth Sciences.
"Madagascar has a mainly endemic frog fauna whose history has generated intense debate, fuelled by recent phylogenetic studies and the near absence of a fossil record. Our discovery of a frog strikingly different from today's Madagascan frogs, and akin to the Horned toads previously considered endemic to South America, lends weight to the controversial paleobiogeographical model suggesting that Madagascar, the Indian subcontinent and South America were linked well into the Late Cretaceous. It also suggests that the initial spread of such beasts began earlier than that proposed by recent estimates."
Adapted from materials provided by University College London.
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University College London (2008, February 19). Giant Frog Jumps Continents, May Have Eaten Baby Dinosaurs. ScienceDaily. Retrieved December 23, 2008, from http://www.sciencedaily.com /releases/2008/02/080218172307.htm