Cuba
Group to Ship Aid Despite Barriers
Defying embargo-tightening measures imposed on Cuba, a U.S. interfaith
group plans to ship more than 100 tons of humanitarian-aid supplies to
the island via Mexico.
The caravan of cars, trucks and school buses loaded with medical
supplies, computers, bicycles and personal articles is scheduled to
cross the border from McAllen, Texas, into Mexico as a sign of
protest against new restrictions imposed on Cuba by the White House
that took effect June 30.
The caravan, organized by the religious group Pastors for Peace, has
visited more than 120 U.S. cities along 13 separate routes in 25
states to call attention to the ''immorality'' of the embargo that
the United States has maintained against Cuba since 1960.
''As Christians, we believe this blockade and the travel
restrictions are immoral because they damage the Cuban family and
limit the constitutional right of U.S citizens to travel where they
choose,'' caravan coordinator John Walker said.
Argentina:
8 Killed, 40.000 Affected by Storms
BUENOS AIRES -- Eight people died and about 40,000 people
suffered property damage from storms that pounded southern Argentina
and Chile with heavy rains and snow.
The storm that had battered Patagonia since Tuesday caused rivers to
overflow and landslides that smashed homes and uprooted trees.
Five people in Argentina and three in Chile were left dead. Several
fishing boats sank.
Colombian rebel group declares cease-fire in Aguazul
A Colombian rebel group, the National Liberation Army (ELN), on
Saturday declared a cease-fire in Aguazul, in the eastern part of
the country, after an attack injuring two drivers, the authorities
said.
"The National Liberation Army criminals have declared a four-day
cease-fire," said colonel Juan C. Polania, deputy police commander
of Casanare, the province where Aguazul is located.
Colombia has been ravaged by a four-decade-old civil war, during
which the government forces, leftist guerrillas and far-right
paramilitaries have fought each other, killing an average 3,500
people, mostly civilians, each year.
The 5,000-strong ELN was established in 1964. The Colombian
government and the ELN started negotiations from 1999, but peace
talks broke down in May 2002 due to major differences over a
cease-fire and the division of a demilitarized zone.
However, their differences have been somewhat narrowed, thanks to
mediation efforts of Mexico.
Caribbean
countries to restore ties with Haiti
Caribbean countries are expected to restore ties with Haiti's
interim government at the 25th the Caribbean Community and Common
Market (CARICOM) meeting in Grenadaon July 4-7, according to reports
from Port-au-Prince, capital of Haiti.
Haitian Prime Minister Gerard Latortue announced Saturday that his
country will attend the annual summit, saying Haitian people wants
to normalize the relations with the Caribbean countries.
Haiti's interim government temporarily suspended the country's
membership in Caricom on March 15 in protest of the 15-member bloc's
hesitance to recognize the new leadership after ousted President
Jean-Bertrand Aristide left the country on February 29.
Haitian Foreign Minister Yvon Simeon said he was to meet with seven
Caribbean prime ministers Saturday night as a step toward possible
recognition by the Caribbean countries.
Simeon, who has already had talks with those countries' foreign
ministers, said he was optimistic about restoring ties.
"There have been a lot of misunderstandings and misinterpretations.
We're willing to clarify these for CARICOM," he said.
Simeon departed to Grenada on Friday to take part in the meeting.
Haiti was the last nation to formally join the CARICOM in 2002.Its
eight-million population is greater than all the remaining 14 member
states combined.
At the four-day summit, CARICOM will discuss such issues as the
struggling sugar industry, progress in establishing a European-style
single market and a regional court to replace Britain's Privy
Council.
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