Japan interested in widening
Panama Canal
Japan is interested in widening
the Panama Canal, said visiting
Japanese congressman Takeo
Hiranuma, local media reported
Monday.
Hiranuma, who used to be Japan's
transportation minister in 1994
and trade minister in 2000-2003,
said his trip to the central
American country was to promote
the canal's importance among
Japanese politicians and
businessmen.
Japan is the world's second most
important user of the canal
following the United States, and
that is why Japan is interested
in learning more about the
canal's possible changes, said
Hugo Torrijos, Panamanian
presidential adviser on maritime
issues.
"The question is not about this
project to be dominated by any
country in particular," said
Torrijos, noting "the canal is
utilized by the whole world and
the users are aware of any
modification taking place."
Pinochet indicted for
kidnappings, homicide
Judge Juan Guzman of the
Santiago Court of Appeals on
Monday declared the indictment
of former Chilean dictator
Augusto Pinochet for his
involvement in nine kidnappings
and a homicide in the Condor
Operation.
Judge Juan Guzman of the
Santiago Court of Appeals on
Monday declared the indictment
of former Chilean dictator
Augusto Pinochet for his
involvement in nine kidnappings
and a homicide in the Condor
Operation. (yahoo/AFP/file)
Guzman said he ordered the house
arrest of Pinochet in his La
Dehesa residence here.
The judge said that Pinochet was
"mentally able" to cope with the
trial, adding that the retired
general will be informed as soon
as possible.
According to the judge, the
interview of the ex-military
ruler by a US television channel
in November 2003 was one of the
proofs taken into account to
indict him.
The judge indicted Pinochet for
masterminding nine kidnappings
and the homicide of communist
militant Ruiter Correa during
the Condor Operation,
coordinated by the intelligence
services of several military
regimes in South America in the
1970s.
In the meantime, the lawyer of
the ex-dictator said that the
case will be appealed before the
Supreme Court.
On Sept. 30, three neurologists
examined Pinochet to determine
if he was in good health to face
trial.
The doctor appointed by the
court, Jorge Tapia, diagnosed
the retired general suffering
from mild sub-cortical insanity
and estimated he was not in
conditions to cope with judicial
situations.
In addition, Sergio Ferrer, an
expert appointed by Pinochet's
lawyer, assured that Pinochet
could not face the proceedings,
adding that "he has evidently
worsened."
However, Martin Cordero, the
neurologist appointed by the
plaintiff, ruled out that
Pinochet suffered from insanity
and ascertained he could face
trial.
Several weeks ago, judge
Alejandro Solis removed
Pinochet's special right of
immunity in the case of his
presumed involvement in the
murder of ex-commander of the
armed forces Carlos Prats andhis
wife Sofia in Argentina in 1974.
The decision was ratified soon
afterwards by the Santiago Court
of Appeals.
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Cuba to Become Hornet´s Nest if
Invaded
Revolutionary Armed Forces
Minister Raul Castro asserted
that Cuba would become a huge
hornet´s nest if any enemy dared
attack it.
In a television appearance
Monday, the First Cuban Vice
President stated that the
government and people would
jointly pay a special attention
on defense as long as US
imperialism lived.
Conditions are favorable to get
the important Bastion 2004
Strategic Exercises started
today, stressed the FARC chief.
Raul Castro said that Cuba had
always sought to avoid war but
the island had prepared to
defend itself vis-à-vis
stepped-up White House
administration threats.
From Monday on, the Bastion 2004
maneuvers will demonstrate the
Cuban All People´s War defensive
conception, considered the only
alternative feasible against a
US military aggression.
According to this conception, in
the event that a large
escalation invasion is launched
against Havana, each citizen
will have a means, position and
way to fight back.
It is essentially based on
deterrence, meaning the
political, material and human
cost of a military attack on
Cuba would be prohibitive and
would lack any perspective of
triumph for the enemy.
Besides, it reflects Cuba´s
historic experience in wars
against numerically and
technologically superior
enemies.
The principle of All People´s
War is also based on the varied
and efficient utilization of all
material and moral resources,
under the command of the
national defense system,
according to local military
experts.
Measures and political,
economic, military, diplomatic,
juridical, interior order and
civil defense activities
frequently held to guarantee the
country´s defense are part of
this system.
Recently, Major General Leonardo
Andollo Valdes noted, "the All
People´s War has allowed
improving our defense
conceptions during the last
years."
In case of an aggression, "the
country will not only mobilize
it troops but also every Cuban
revolutionary and patriot," who
will have "a means, place and
way to fight aggressors."
Government officials informed
that 100,000 soldiers will stage
the Bastion 2004 Strategic
Exercises from December 13 to
19.
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