Caribbean Report 19-04-2002
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Date
2002-04-19
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The British Broadcasting Corporation
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Table of Contents
1. The UN Human Rights Commission in Geneva recognises Cuban authority’s efforts to give effective social rights to its population but a UN resolution urging Cuba to strengthen its human rights is being sponsored and supported by many of Cuba’s former allies in Latin America, with only Venezuela siding with Cuba. The United States is unable to vote having lost its seat on the Commission (00:00-00:46)
2. Uruguay leads the Latin American sponsored UN Human Rights Resolution in Geneva targeting Cuba and in an interview, Head of the Mission, Guillermo Valles, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, says the resolution is not a criticism of Cuba but an attempt to encourage Havana to re-examine its human rights policies. He states clearly that the US has not influenced this resolution (00:47-03:20)
3. Mexico is on a list of Latin American countries that support the human rights vote against Cuba. In previous years it has abstained from taking part as a sign of support for the Cuban government, however Marie Claire Acosta, Deputy Minister for Human Rights, Mexican Foreign Ministry, denies that the United States influenced them in the vote (03:21-04:30)
4. Police in Jamaica step up their campaign to track down drug dealers and their couriers as the number of drug mules attempting to fly to either Britain, Europe or America increase. Part of the crackdown is Operation Swallow. Carl Williams, Senior Superintendent of the Jamaican Police, characterises the operation as a resounding success (04:30-07:32)
5. The Dutch Airline KLM turns away dozens of passengers for flights from Curacao to Holland under new screening for drug smugglers. As has happened in Jamaica, officials also believe the new measures have led several no shows for flights (07:33-07:51)
6. Belize confirms the solution to its border dispute with Guatemala is imminent. The Guatemalan President says the matter is being decided under a settlement process sponsored by the Organization of American States and Prime Minister of Belize, Assad Shoman explains facilitators’ solution, will be put to a referendum before each country signs the treaty. Honduras, Guatemala and Belize are hoping for a tri-partite agreement on maritime boundaries (07:52-10:52)
7. Guyana President Bharrat Jagdeo reassures Guyanese that the government has a plan to tackle the recent escalation of violent crime. Colin Smith reports, however, that a rift between the two major political parties, seems to be complicating efforts to tackle the crime wave with Opposition Leader Mr. Desmond Hoyte of the People’s National Congress announcing a period of non-cooperation with the government (10:53-12:15)
8. The Organization of American States hails the return of constitutional order in Venezuela. In a resolution the Organisation calls all sectors of society to observe the law. Barbados Ambassador, Michael King, says member-states are keen not to see a return to the old days of military-backed dictatorships in Latin America. President Hugo Chavez was briefly ousted by military top officials but returned to power after street protests by his supporters. Matthew Exell reports (12:16-14:03)
2. Uruguay leads the Latin American sponsored UN Human Rights Resolution in Geneva targeting Cuba and in an interview, Head of the Mission, Guillermo Valles, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, says the resolution is not a criticism of Cuba but an attempt to encourage Havana to re-examine its human rights policies. He states clearly that the US has not influenced this resolution (00:47-03:20)
3. Mexico is on a list of Latin American countries that support the human rights vote against Cuba. In previous years it has abstained from taking part as a sign of support for the Cuban government, however Marie Claire Acosta, Deputy Minister for Human Rights, Mexican Foreign Ministry, denies that the United States influenced them in the vote (03:21-04:30)
4. Police in Jamaica step up their campaign to track down drug dealers and their couriers as the number of drug mules attempting to fly to either Britain, Europe or America increase. Part of the crackdown is Operation Swallow. Carl Williams, Senior Superintendent of the Jamaican Police, characterises the operation as a resounding success (04:30-07:32)
5. The Dutch Airline KLM turns away dozens of passengers for flights from Curacao to Holland under new screening for drug smugglers. As has happened in Jamaica, officials also believe the new measures have led several no shows for flights (07:33-07:51)
6. Belize confirms the solution to its border dispute with Guatemala is imminent. The Guatemalan President says the matter is being decided under a settlement process sponsored by the Organization of American States and Prime Minister of Belize, Assad Shoman explains facilitators’ solution, will be put to a referendum before each country signs the treaty. Honduras, Guatemala and Belize are hoping for a tri-partite agreement on maritime boundaries (07:52-10:52)
7. Guyana President Bharrat Jagdeo reassures Guyanese that the government has a plan to tackle the recent escalation of violent crime. Colin Smith reports, however, that a rift between the two major political parties, seems to be complicating efforts to tackle the crime wave with Opposition Leader Mr. Desmond Hoyte of the People’s National Congress announcing a period of non-cooperation with the government (10:53-12:15)
8. The Organization of American States hails the return of constitutional order in Venezuela. In a resolution the Organisation calls all sectors of society to observe the law. Barbados Ambassador, Michael King, says member-states are keen not to see a return to the old days of military-backed dictatorships in Latin America. President Hugo Chavez was briefly ousted by military top officials but returned to power after street protests by his supporters. Matthew Exell reports (12:16-14:03)