What Fidel Did & Said in Iran, Syria, Libya Via NY Transfer News * All the News That Doesn't Fit WHAT FIDEL DID AND SAID IN IRAN, SYRIA AND LIBYA [Since Cuban trade with Iran, Syria and Libya have come up, recently, here is a collection of contemporaneous news coverage of Fidel Castro's trip to Asia and the Middle East in May, 2001. Note the open references to what may be called "dual-use" technology: assistance and materials for producing pharmaceuticals locally, countering high cost, and shortages, in another blockaded country another rebellious former captive nation -- that has been forbidden to have health-care or medical technology. From Havana to Iran to the South Africa and the Sudan, the US military-industrial complex has a complex about letting people get free of its drug industry. Better things through chemistry bring good things to life for the US transnationals. Next Up: "the Imperialist King will Fall," a special report on Fidel in Tehran. -- NY Transfer] Newsbriefs from May 8-May 16, 2001 *FIDEL CONTRASTS ISLAMIC REPUBLIC WITH IRAN UNDER THE SHAH Teheran, May 8 (RHC)--Cuban President Fidel Castro has expressed satisfaction with his visit so far to the Islamic Republic of Iran. During a news conference in Teheran, the leader of the Cuban Revolution stated that this was his first visit to Iran -- coming 22 years after the triumph of that country's revolution. The Cuban president noted that before the overthrow of the Shah of Iran, the country played out a very sad role for U.S. imperialism -- acting as the region's principal gendarme. Fidel Castro said that today's Iran is very different -- having become the main bulwark of independence and dignity. Emphasizing that it was an honor for him to visit the country, the Cuban president said that he had great respect for Iran's culture, which he described as intelligent and valiant throughout its long history. Following the news conference, Cuban President Fidel Castro began official talks with his Iranian counterpart Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei. The leader of the Cuban Revolution will also meet with the President of the Islamic Consultative Assembly and other high-ranking Iranian officials during his three-day visit. *PRESIDENTIAL VISIT SIGNALS CLOSER CUBAN RELATIONS WITH IRAN Teheran, May 8 (RHC)--Speaking with reporters upon Fidel Castro's arrival in Iran, Havana's ambassador to Teheran, Dario Urra, stated that the Cuban President's visit will further strengthen bilateral relations between Havana and Teheran. The diplomat noted that over the past several months, a number of Cuban officials have visited Teheran, including Vice President Carlos Lage, Parliamentary President Ricardo Alarcón and Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque. Ambassador Dario Urra said that Fidel's visit to Iran and the region is extremely important, predicting that positive results will be seen in the near future. Both Cuba and Iran play dynamic and important roles in the Movement of Non-Aligned Nations, he said, adding that Fidel Castro and his Iranian counterpart first met during the 1998 Non-Aligned meeting in Durban, South Africa. Havana's ambassador to Teheran pointed out also that Cuba represents the Group of 77, an organization of Third World countries, before international organizations in Rome and Geneva. Iran represents the Group of 77 at the United Nations in New York City and in Austria. He told reporters in the Iranian capital that Havana and Teheran are cooperating on a number of joint projects -- and it is expected that bilateral cooperation will increase following this official visit. *FIDEL CASTRO, AWARDED HONORARY DOCTORATE, SPEAKS AT TEHRAN UNIVERSITY Tehran, May 9 (RHC) -- University students in Tehran have awarded visiting Cuban President Fidel Castro an honorary degree in law and social sciences for his lifetime commitment to struggle against injustice. The award followed a master lecture delivered by the Cuban leader before hundreds of enthusiastic students at the University of Tehran. As is his custom, President Castro spoke in detail of the immense inequalities between rich and poor nations, and of Cuba's more than 40 years of resistance against U.S. efforts to strangle the Cuban Revolution. He said the Cuban nation's level of education and political consciousness acquired over past decades have been the weapons that allowed for the miracle of the Cuban Revolution's survival. Since his arrival in Iran on Monday, the Cuban leader has received exclusive official treatment reserved only for the most illustrious visitors. Iranian President Mohamed Khatami has praised Cuba's contribution to south-south cooperation, insisting that the resistance of the Cuban nation is a example for developing countries that prize their independence and progress. Late Tuesday, the Cuban leader gathered with Iranian and Cuban specialists building a biotechnology center on the outskirts of Tehran, which will be the largest and most modern of its kind in the region. It will not only allow Iran to be self-sufficient in pharmaceuticals, but also will permit the country to export pharmaceutical products. On Wednesday, Iran's Health Ministry blamed the U.S. embargo against both Iran and Cuba for the delays in the project. Construction began in 1996 and was to conclude in 2002, but due to embargo restrictions on machinery and technology, only 60 percent of the facility has been completed. *PRESIDENT CASTRO ARRIVES IN MALAYSIA AFTER 3 DAYS IN IRAN Kuala Lumpur, May 10 (RHC)--Cuban President Fidel Castro has arrived in Malaysia for an official visit after spending three days in Iran. In a joint communiqué shortly before his departure from Tehran, Cuba and Iran stated that they are determined to strengthen political, economic, cultural and parliamentary ties and to promote bilateral cooperation in international forums like the United Nations and the Non-Aligned Movement. In an emotional good-bye after receiving the highest honors granted by Iran to a head of state in recent years, the Cuban leader expressed his gratitude to the population, Iranian students, journalists, security personnel and, particularly, to his translator. President Castro said it would be impossible for him to carry away a more pleasant memory of and higher esteem for all of those with whom he came in contact during the visit. AIN - Agencia de Informacion Nacionale, Cuba (English follows Espanol below) Llegó Fidel a Libia por Heriberto Rosabal, enviado especial Trípoli, Libia 16 de mayo (AIN)--El presidente Fidel Castro llegó a Libia para una visita oficial como parte de una gira por la región. La nave aérea IL-62, que trajo desde territorio sirio al mandatario cubano, y a la delegación que le acompaña, aterrizó en el aeropuerto militar de Al Matika, ubicado en la antigua base estadounidense de Wheelus Field, evacuada en junio de 1970, tras el triunfo de la Revolución libia. Fidel fue recibido por el canciller Abdurrahman Mohammed Shalgam y otros altos funcionarios de la dirección de esta nación. De inmediato la delegación cubana se dirigió a la Casa Presidencial de Bab Al Zizia, en la misma capital, donde tuvo lugar el recibimiento oficial encabezado por el lider libio, Muammar El Kadhafi, y por Ambark Samegh, primer ministro. Fidel Castro y Kadhafi se unieron en un fraternal abrazo, luego del cual dos niños obsequiaron flores al Jefe de Estado cubano. Luego del pase de revista a la formación militar y del saludo a los miembros del Comité Popular General (gabinete) y a los embajadores acreditados en Trípoli, Kadhafi condujo al Presidente cubano y a sus acompañantes a su antigua residencia, bombardeada en abril de 1986 por aviones norteamericanos. Fidel recorrió el interior de la antigua vivienda, que se conserva como mismo quedó tras el bombardeo. En la planta alta preguntó cual era la habitacion de la hija pequeña de Kadhafi, que murió instantáneamente como consecuencia de la brutal agresión. Al término del recorrido, escribió en el libro de visitantes: "Una cosa es escuchar y otra es ver todo el horror de la barbarie del imperio yanqui. Es algo que jamás puede ser olvidado." Ambos dirigentes se reunieron en el palacio presidencial y, posteriormente, el distinguido visitante entabló un breve diálogo con periodistas de los medios locales. Sabía que estaba ya en Libia -refirió Fidel en sus impresiones sobre la llegada- pero no en quá ciudad. En mas de 20 años han cambiado muchas cosas. Añadió que le había gustado mucho el acto de recibimiento, del cual comentó algunos detalles y se refirió tambien al saludo de los hijos de Kadhafi, uno de los cuales "me lleva como 20 centímetros," dijo, y de los otros dos observó que una es abogada y el tercero estudia ingenieria. Tras la conferencia de prensa, el presidente cubano participó en una cena de bienvenida a los visitantes. Concluyó Fidel visita oficial a Siria Damasco, Siria, 16 de mayo (AIN)--El presidente Fidel Castro concluyó este miércoles una provechosa visita oficial de poco mas de 24 horas a la República Arabe Siria, que permitio estrechar vínculos mutuos. Momentos antes de partir de Damasco, el Jefe de Estado cubano sostuvo otro encuentro con su homólogo sirio, Bashar Hafez Al Assad, con quien sostuvo la víspera conversaciones privadas y oficiales. Este miércoles Fidel rindio homenaje a Hafez Al-Assad, presidente durante 30 años de Siria, quien falleció en junio del pasado año y padre del actual mandatario de esa nación. El Jefe de la Revolucion cubana depositó una ofrenda floral ante el monumento erigido al desaparecido estadista, frente a la Biblioteca Nacional, en esta capital. Tambien recorrió zonas cercanas a las Alturas del Golan, donde desde octubre de 1973 hasta enero de 1975 estuvo destacada una brigada militar cubana, que apoyó a esta nación árabe contra la agresion israelí. Posteriormente se dirigió a la mezquita del reino de los Omeyas, en esta capital, donde recibió una cálida acogida popular. Acompañado por imanes y mufties (guías espirituales y jjurisconsultos) el Presidente cubano visitó también la tumba de Saladino, líder absoluto de la Revolución musulmana y unos de las grandes figuras que antaño liberó al país del cristianismo. En el libro de huéspedes ilustres Fidel escribió: "Siento un gran honor y extraordinario privilegio por la oportunidad de haber conocido hoy la Mezquita de los Omeyas tan famosa. Ha sido una verdadera lección de la historia del hombre y su obra religiosa y humana. "Agradezco este inolvidable momento a los imanes y mufties y a los miles de personas que construyeron y mantienen esta jjoya para disfrute y beneficio de todos." Cuba y Siria establecieron relaciones diplomáticas en 1965 y fomentan el desarrollo y fortalecimiento de los vínculos bilaterales, mediante intercambios en las esferas de la salud, comercio, cultura y educación. Previamente Fidel cumplió visitas oficiales a Argelia, Irán, Malasia y Qatar. Recibe Fidel cálida acogida del pueblo sirio Damasco, 16 may (AIN) El presidente Fidel Castro recibió una cálida acogida popular durante un amplio recorrido por la mezquita del Reino de los Omeyas, situada en esta capital. Acompañados por imanes y mufties (guías espirituales y jurisconsultos), Fidel también la tumba de Saladino, líder absoluto de la Revolución musulmana. En el libro abierto de visitantes, Fidel escribió: "Siento un gran honor y extraordinario privilegio por la oportunidad de haber conocido hoy la Mezquita de los Omayas tan famosa. Ha sido una verdadera lección de la historia del hombre y su obra religiosa y humana. Agradezco este inolvidable momento a los imanes y mufties y a los miles de personas que construyeron y mantienen esta joya para disfrute y beneficio de todos." Damascus, May 16 ( AIN)--Commander in Chief, Fidel Castro, today ended his one-day visit official visit to the Arab Republic of Syria. Before leaving Damascus for Tripoli, the Cuban Head State met with his Syrian host, President Bashar Hafez Al Assad, with whom he also held private discussions last night. The visits is designed to broaden Syrian-Cuban links. Today Fidel paid homage to Hafez Al Assad, president of Syria for 30 years, and the father of the current head of state, who died last June. Castro laid a floral wreath at the monument honoring Assad in front of the National Library in the Syrian capital. Fidel also toured the nearby Golan Height where a Cuban military brigade was stationed in the 1970s in supporting this Arab nation against Israel´s aggression. Later on, Fidel visited the Omayyad Mosque in Damascus, where he received a warm welcome. Accompanied by spiritual authorities and legal advisors, the leader of the Cuban Revolution also visited the tomb of Saladdin. In the visitors book, Fidel wrote, "I feel the great honor and the extraordinay privilege to be able to know today the famous Omayyad Mosque. It has been a real lesson in human and religious history. I am grateful to the imams and mufties for the preservation of this jewel for the enjoyment and benefit of all." The governments of Cuba and Syria established diplomatic rerlations in 1965 and since then have developed important links and collaborate in the fields of health, education, commerce, culture, and other areas. *FIDEL CASTRO DEPARTS SYRIA FOR OFFICIAL VISIT TO LIBYA Tripoli, May 16 (RHC)-- Cuban President Fidel Castro has arrived in Libya for an official visit, following his one-day visit to Syria. President Castro was received by Libyan leader Muammar Kadhafi at his residence, which was bombed by the United States in 1986. The residence has not been restored, and has become a place of pilgrimage for guests of honor. Prior to his arrival in Tripoli Wednesday evening, in Syria the Cuban leader paid homage to the late Syrian President Hafez Al Assad, laying a floral wreath before the monument to honoring the "Lion of Damascus," who died last year. President Castro also visited the Omayyad Mosque, one of Islam's oldest and most venerated ancient sites. Images of the mosque, with its mixture of Greek, Roman and Arab influences, were were broadcast around the world earlier this month when John Paul II became the first Pope to visit a Muslim house of worship. The visit to Syria was Fidel Castro's first, while his visit to Libya is the second since 1977. Wednesday May 16 3:12 PM ET (AP, Via Reuters) Castro Stops in Oil-Rich Libya By KHALID Al-DEEB, Associated Press Writer TRIPOLI, Libya (AP) - Cuban leader Fidel Castro flew Wednesday to oil-rich Libya, which once honored him with a human rights award for crusading against the United States. Castro came to Libya from Syria, where he held talks with President Bashar Assad as part of an extended tour to strengthen ties with new and old allies in the Middle East and Asia and seek cheap supplies of energy. The 74-year-old Castro was met by three members of the Revolutionary Command Council, the country's top decision-making body, and was whisked for a meeting with Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi. No other details were available. Cuban and Libyan flags fluttered over the road leading to the airport and along major streets in the city. Pictures of the visiting leader were plastered on the capital's walls. The visit is Castro's second to this north African country. The previous one was in March 1977. The two socialist states share anti-U.S. sentiments and were close allies of the former Soviet Union. Libya has supported Cuba throughout a decades-old U.S. trade embargo while the Latin American state stood by Libya during a seven-year U.N. air embargo. The sanctions were imposed to force Libya to hand over two suspects in the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland, on Dec. 21, 1988. The embargo against Cuba remains in place, while that against Libya was suspended after it handed over the two suspects in 1999. The United States, however, has maintained unilateral sanctions against Libya, citing state support of terrorism. In 1998, Libya honored Castro with its human rights award for the "defense of his people and his steadfast stand against the imperialism that surrounds him." Castro's stop in Libya is the sixth on a tour that began May 6. The Cuban leader has stopped in Algeria, Iran, Malaysia, Qatar and Syria. Before flying to Libya on Wednesday, Castro visited parts of the Syrian capital's ancient quarter, including the Omayyad Mosque, a sprawling complex that houses a tomb believed to contain the head of St. John the Baptist. He then met Assad for talks over lunch, according to the official Syrian Arab News Agency. It was Castro's first visit to Syria. The Cuban leader met with Assad's father, the late Syrian leader Hafez Assad, several times at international gatherings. Like Cuba, Libya and Syria are on the U.S. State Department list of countries sponsoring terrorism. ================================================================= NY Transfer News Collective * A Service of Blythe Systems Since 1985 - Information for the Rest of Us 339 Lafayette St., New York, NY 10012 http://www.blythe.org e-mail: nyt@blythe.org ================================================================= nytact-05.12.02-22:02:45-23356