In Brief
Cuba: Crackdown on Dissidents Cuban courts handed down heavy sentences of up to 28 years in the first weeks of April, after authorities arrested scores of government critics in a crackdown...
...34 Lula's Environment Policy by Fernando Gabeira 49 Giving a Grade to Costa Rica's Green Tourism by Martha Honey Two decades ago, Costa Rica was a staging ground for a covert U.S...
...Periodicals postage paid at New York, NYand additional mailing offices...
...XXXVI No.6 MAY/JUNE 2003 1 In Brief 5 Taking Note 8 Update/ Guatemala: Turning Back the Clock by Rdul Molina-Mejia NATURAL RIGHTS: PEOPLE AND ENVIRONMENT IN LATIN AMERICA 12 Introduction 13 Joining Forces for Peru's Rainforest by Barbara J. Fraser In Peru, environmentalists and indigenous com- munities are starting to unite against a series of rainforest enemies...
...and Oswaldo Payd, organizer of the Varela Project...
...Explore current and historical issues...
...NotiCen Contributors: Carolyn Sattin <csattin@hotmail.com> is a freelance writer who has worked with the neighborhood assemblies in Buenos Aires since September 2002...
...This is our life...
...Over 200 other factories have been similarly "recuperated" nationwide since the beginning of the economic crisis that led to the collapse of the Argentine industrial sector...
...Resistance to CAFTA and other trade agreements is widespread in Latin America...
...UK Subscribers: Order from Latin America Bureau, 1 Amwell Street, London EC1R 1UL (Tel...
...Norin has been jailed since January of last year, Pichun since March of last year and Troncoso since September...
...and Canadian agricultural imports excluding white corn, beans and powdered milk...
...Catholics and devotees of the syncretic religion known popularly abroad as Voodoo or Vodou climb the steep mountain path and pray at the crosses on their way to the top...
...For more information write or call: PO Box 452 Manson, WA 98831 Phone (800) 963-9889 Visit our web site: www.hermandad.com Vol XXXVI...
...On April 2, a hijacked ferry carrying 50 passengers ran out of gas on its way to Florida...
...Interests Section Chief Wayne Smith criticized "Cason's 'bull in a china shop' tactics as provoking the arrests," he added however, that the crackdown was "an overreaction on the part of the Cuban government...
...Foreign Subscriptions $46/year for individuals ($85/two years, $116/three years...
...The deal calls for the possibility of an August 19 referendum to end Chdvez's term...
...The commission voted against a U.S.backed resolution to condemn Cuba, and instead, adopted a milder version asking the government to allow U.N...
...Assesses political, social, cultural, and economic developments in the region for their implications to the Foundation's programming and grant-making priorities...
...NotiCen and SourceMex are weekly publications of the Latin America Data Base, an on-line news service...
...60/year for institutions ($100/two years, $142/three years...
...LA HERMANDAD EDUCATIVA includes Proyecto Linguistico Quetzalteco in Quetzaltenango and Escuela de la Montaiia near Nuevo San Jos6...
...For more information on the Ford Foundation-and the Mexico City office, visit www.fordfound.org...
...With the eviction Brukman's emergency communication system went immediately to work, alerting workers of other recuperated factories, neighborhood assemblies, student organizations and left-wing political parties that form the core of the Brukman support base...
...The opposition will then need at least 3.8 million votes in the referendum to oust the president...
...Meanwhile, ten members of the U.S...
...www.casaxelaju.comlxelabaj SPEAK SPANISH TOTAL IMMERSION PROGRAM If you really want to speak Spanish correctly and fluently in a surprisingly short period of time, study with us...
...Prepares and manages the office's grant and management budgets, oversees all legal matters, and supervises local administrative staff...
...The Representative also manages a grants portfolio of his/her own...
...Senate created an informal "Cuba Working Group" on March 21, in a bipartisan effort to end travel restrictions and the U.S...
...Still, the participating organizations threatened to reject any agreement that did not include some renegotiation of the agriculture sections of NAFTA...
...by Kenny Bruno In Ecuador, a recent government ruling may slow oil company development of indigenous lands-but may also presage a renewed crackdown against indigenous opponents of oil company plans...
...The workers' assembly later announced they would not negotiate until the police fully retreated...
...Chavez has promised to not obstruct the constitutional electoral process and vowed to defeat the opposition by making them "bite the dust of defeat...
...Make a change in Guatemala...
...We were not about to break off or close the dialogue," said Victor Suarez Carrera and Miguel Colungas, representatives of The Countryside Can't Take Anymore...
...The Study Spanish in Guatemala A not-for profit sisterhood of two collectively-run schools offers one-on-one instruction, family living, field trips and cultural activities...
...for institutions: Can$80 (Can$135/2 yrs., Can$185/3 yrs...
...A large crowd quickly assembled outside of Brukman, staring down the armed police officers and chanting "The factory belongs to the workers," and "Work, dignity, justice...
...Tel: (646) 613-1440...
...Teo Ballve Argentina: Mobilized Citizens Reject Factory Eviction BUENOS AIRES- A barricade of over 300 federal police officers with a judicial order of eviction, blocked workers from entering the "recuperated" Brukman Brothers' textile factory in Buenos Aires for their April 18 morning shift...
...The Ford Foundation is an EEO employer...
...47/year for institutions (85/two years, f 120/three years) Canadian Subscribers: Order from Social Justice Committee, 1857 ouest de Maisonneuve, Montreal, Que., H3H 1J9 (Tel...
...Families are welcome...
...Cuba: Crackdown on Dissidents Cuban courts handed down heavy sentences of up to 28 years in the first weeks of April, after authorities arrested scores of government critics in a crackdown on what they deemed subversive activities...
...Opposition parties sought to make the agriculture question a centerpiece of the election...
...Today the Central American nation is a leading center of "ecotourism," an industry with many benefits and a few clear drawbacks...
...Scruggs, Robert M. Siegel, J. Michael Turner, Steven Volk, Susan Wood, Peter Yarrow Editorial Board Alejandro Bendafia, Emelio Betances, Roger Burbach, Jo-Marie Burt, Marc Chernick, Elizabeth Dore, Marc Edelman, Jonathan Fox, Jean Franco, Mark Fried, "Marcial Godoy-Anativia, Jack Hammond, Luis Herndndez Navarro, Maria Hinojosa, Peter Kornbluh, J. Patrice McShey, Mario Murilo, Paulo Sergio Pinheiro, George Priestley, Cathy Schneider, Hobart Spalding, Carlos Vilas, Coletta Youngers NACLA Report on the Americas (ISSN 1071-4839) is published bimonthly by the North American Congress on Latin America, Inc...
...Brukman workers did not show at their scheduled meeting with Camafio, and instead decided to hold another workers' assembly to discuss their next step...
...Cuban officials blame the weak prosecution of hijackers who reach the United States for prompting the surge in "terrorist activities...
...Experience Mexican culture first-hand...
...Leisure/cultural tours Spanish program for: Adults, children, college & high school students & families...
...Cover Photo: Alejandro BalaguerlArchivolatino.com, Mountainous landscape near Costa Rica's southern Pacific coast 3to march to the factory only to find hundreds of armed guards and barricades awaiting their arrival...
...Cuba's inclusion to the European Union's Cotonou agreement, an economic assistance pact including 78 African, Caribbean and Pacific nations, is also uncertain...
...The federal executive "will begin immediate consultations with the governments of the United States and Canada with the objective of revising the tarifflifting process on white corn and beans established under NAFTA and to substitute it with a permanent administrative mechanism for imports," read the text of the agreement, known as the National Accord for the Countryside...
...No 6 MAY/JUNE 2003 1 Vol XXXVI, No 6 MAY/JUNE 2003 1 IN BRIEFIN BRIEF House of Representatives already has a similar group...
...Spanish classes begin every Monday throughout the year "s We offer total immersion at all levels Four students per teacher maximum * Cultural sessions are included in pro- gram * Weekend field trips to recreational and historical sites Accommodation with Mexican host families We offer a solid education in Spanish, fun, and much more "A...
...The former owners have tried to evict the workers repeatedly...
...70/year for institutions ($122/two years, $175/three years...
...26 Mexico: Lacandon Selva Conflict Grows by Bill Weinberg In Mexico's Lacandon jungle, poor settlers claim environmentalists are aiding government counterinsurgency and development plans...
...4IN BRIEF state for compensation...
...The Ford Foundation Representative, Mexico City The Representative directs the Foundation's activities in Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean, providing overall leadership to the Foundation's grant-making programs, managing the office in Mexico City, and representing the Foundation to various organizations and to members of the public having an interest in the Foundation's work...
...The government accuses the dissidents of conspiring with U.S...
...Box 4133 Windham, New Hampshire 03087-4133 Tel: (603) 437 9714 Fax: (603) 437 6412 roberto-alm@worldnet.att.net 5s 5 qnish Lanogoe Social & Responsabilities Issues since 1987 Learn or improve your Spanish with us...
...Among other things, the accord would boost financial assistance to the farm sector and develop other mechanisms to assist agricultural producers...
...Explore the exciting and unique program of the "Cuemavaca Language School...
...Homestays including GIL friendly...
...TB Central American Presidents Meet with Bush The five Central American presidents whose countries are negotiating a Central American Free Trade Agreement met with George W. Bush in Washington on April 10...
...producers...
...Yearround classes in small groups Language & Culture for Educators June 21st...
...E-mail: nacla@nacla.org Website: http://www.nacla.org NACLA is an independent nonprofit organization founded in 1966 to research the political economy of the Americas and U.S...
...Although permitted by Haiti's 1987 constitution, President Jean-Bertrand Aristide sanctioned Vodou as an official religion in the first week of April by executive decree...
...After towing the boat back to Havana, Cuban authorities stormed the ferry and freed the hostages...
...After the hijackings, Cason urged Cubans on national television to not attempt hijackings as they would be prosecuted and not allowed to seek U.S...
...July 11th, 2003 The Gay Experience in M6xico June 14 - July 4, 2003 In I Visibility: Lesbians Lives In M6xico June 14- July 4th, 2003 Language & Culture for Chicanos TBA - July, 2003 M6xlco Summer Study July 18th - August 8th Opening Doors: September GII Program September 6th- 19th, 2003 Popular & Cultural Resistance In Mexico October 27th - November 7th, 2003 IN BRIEF Hugo Chavez seems to have gotten its way in a tentative deal struck with the Democratic Coordinator representing the opposition...
...The government's key witnesses included police agents who are on permanent guard at the Nancahue estate, and at least two "faceless" witnesses whose identity was kept secret...
...Brukman worker and spokeswoman Cecilia Martinez said, "This is our work...
...Pressure from agricultural organizations has been especially strong this year, as tariffs were eliminated from all U.S...
...The most intense opposition has come from agricultural and labor groups who denounce the pace and secrecy of negotiations that lock out civil society from the free-trade discourse...
...The owners abandoned the factory and the workers independently resumed production...
...Application deadline is June 15, 2003...
...The president's decision to support changes in the NAFTA agriculture sections may also be related to the upcoming July 6 congressional and gubernatorial elections, which are expected to be very competitive...
...17 Pacific Coast Communities Confront Shrimp Farm Threat by Wendy Call In Mexico and Guatemala, two Pacific coast communities have successfully fought back against commercial shrimp farms the residents say threaten local wetlands and livelihoods...
...The factory belongs to the workers...
...Cuernavaca "Language School MEXICO MAIN CAMPUS: Tel: +52(777) 317 5151 Fax: +52(777)316 3546 cls@speakspanish.com.mx www.speakspanish.com.mx International Office: Dr...
...Roberto Aim, Director RO...
...Practitioners are now officially allowed to perform everything from baptisms to marriages with legal authority Many praised the decree as a positive step, but said much remains to be done to make up for centuries of ridicule and persecution in Haiti and abroad...
...The Varela Project is a petition with 11,000 signatures asking the government for a referendum on political and economic reforms...
...Postmaster: Send address changes to NACLA Report on the Americas PO Box 77, Hopewell, PA 16650-0077 or visit http://www.nacla,org Subscription Information $36/year for individuals ($61/two years, $86/three years...
...trade embargo on Cuba...
...Fax: (646) 613-1443...
...The deadline set for the completion of the pact is December 2003...
...Maintains effective ties with local leaders, governmental and non-governmental agencies, and other donors...
...Commission on Human Rights' review of Cuba's rights record...
...policy towards the region...
...Weekly News Update on the Americas is published by the Nicaragua Solidarity Network of Greater New York...
...Special programs for: Educators, OPI & FSI preparation, health care, Ki'che' language, study abroad program for universities...
...for subscription information visit <http://ladb.unm.edu/> or call 1800-472-0888...
...Carolyn Sattin Chile: Mapuche Activists Acquitted On April 9, citing lack of evidence, a three-judge panel of the Oral Criminal Court in the Chilean city of Angol-located in Region IX, La Araucania in southern Chile-unanimously acquitted three indigenous Mapuche activists of charges they were responsible for "terrorist arson and threats" in violation of the state security law...
...knowledge of the area's history and culture...
...According to the unofficial Cuban Commission on Human Rights and Reconciliation led by veteran human rights activist Elizardo Sinchez, among the arrested were at least 75 independent journalists, pro-democracy activists, owners of private lending libraries and leaders of opposition political parties...
...Camafio and other public officials have expressed their hope that Brukman workers will be ready to begin conversations promptly and work to maintain "social peace" without any more arrests or injuries...
...The Central Americans remain in the position of having to appear to defend their agricultural sectors against highly subsidized and productive U.S...
...An appropriate graduate degree, familiarity with the Foundation or philanthropy, and expertise in one or more areas of the Foundation's current program interests are highly desirable...
...SourceMex Venezuela: Government and Opposition Strike Deal After five months of negotiations, the government of President Vol XXXVI, No 6 MAY/JUNE 2003 GUATEMALA Casa Xelaju offers: Volunteer work, internships...
...government to "reduce tensions" that result in the arrest of dissidents...
...www.casaxelaju.com Support a child's education Become a sponsor...
...After negotiations with the police failed, Brukman workers demanded a meeting with Minister of Labor, Graciela Camafio...
...The deal favors the government, because it is the responsibility of the opposition to collect 2.4 million verifiable signatures to achieve a referendum...
...lawmakers to ease trade and travel restrictions...
...U. college credit available...
...According to Smith, "the current escalation of tensions doesn't help" recent moves by U.S...
...Juan Pichun, a spokesperson for the families of the three activists, said, "justice was done," but faulted the state for their lengthy and unjust detention...
...The arrests and executions coincided with the U.N...
...32 Brazil's New Eye on the Amazon by Marcelo Ballv6 Brazil's new high-tech monitoring system could help the country ward off threats to the Amazon rainforest-but critics say the military will benefit most...
...Analysts including three heads of major media outlets have admitted that a Chavez victory is a strong possibility, because of the opposition's involvement in the April 2002 coup and a two month strike that paralyzed the country...
...www.casaxelaju.comlpedrera BUY OUR TEXTILES Support an indigenous women co-op in Quetzaltenango...
...Rachel Farley, Program Officer for Cuba at the Washington Office on Latin America, condemned the arrests, but in reference to Cason's actions Farley called on the U.S...
...Zbe Reiter preferably by email (resumes@fordfound.org - indicate position #215 in subject line) or 320 East 43rd St, New York, NY 10017, USA...
...Under an accord reached with leaders of agriculture organizations, the administration pledged to seek to negotiate a side agreement that would exempt beans and some corn varieties from the tariff-elimination process...
...In response, they set up tents and made clear their intention to wait outside the factory until allowed back inside...
...514-933-6797...
...Costa Rica's foreign trade minister Alberto Trejos said that U.S...
...Special thanks to Megan Riley for help in researching and planning this issue...
...For subscription information visit <http://home.earthlink.net/~nicadl w/wnuhome.html...
...They have put up stiff opposition to logging companies and are trying to block the construction of a hydropower dam that would flood traditional Mapuche lands...
...excellent written and oral communication skills in Spanish and English...
...diplomat on the island...
...The government agreed to a Tuesday morning meeting...
...In the meantime, they will remain in prison under preventive custody as they face charges in a separate case of "illegal terrorist association" and, in the case of Troncoso, arson for another attack...
...human rights monitors on the island...
...in-depth understanding of development and social change processes...
...Trade Representative Robert Zoellick told the presidents to take care of any problems within each of their countries that could delay or impede the signing of a treaty...
...Referred to in Chile as the "indigenous conflict," Mapuche activists are fighting for land rights...
...Vladimiro Roca, son of the late Cuban Communist Party founder Blas Roca...
...Interviewed before the sentencing, former U.S...
...To apply send resume, substantive cover letter, and writing sample (5-20 pages of original work in English) to Ms...
...We are in Cuernavaca, Mexico, "The City of Eternal Spring...
...2 NACIA REPORT ON THE AMERICAS 2 NACIA REPORT ON THE AMERICASCONTEN TS VOL...
...The meeting was not meant to be a negotiating session, though the Central Americans-including the presidents of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua-were instructed in advance not to bring up any subject with Bush not related to CAFTA...
...NACLA) 38 Greene Street 4th Floor New York, NY 10013...
...and previous relevant experience in Mexico or countries in Central America and the Caribbean...
...After massive layoffs and threats by the owners to shut down the factory, Brukman workers, mostly women, had taken over the factory on December 18, 2001, and began running it as a cooperative...
...071 278 2829) 25 for individuals (45/two years, 60/three years...
...Interests Section Chief James Cason, the top-ranking U.S...
...Interior Secretary Santiago Creel said the agreement, which offers almost $284 million in emergency aid to the agriculture sector this year, is likely to become official at a signing ceremony at the end of April...
...The acquitted activists now plan to sue the IN BRIEF Continued from page 2 NACLA REPORT ON THE AMERICAS NACLA REPORT ON THE AMERICAS Director Terry Gibbs Editor JoAnn Kawell Associate Editor Teo Ballv6 Business Manager Marisa Maack Production Manager Marisa Maack Advertising Coordinator Jordi Pius Llopart Editorial Assistant Megan Riley Staff Assistants Maggie Tang, Christy Thornton, Robert Booth, Karin Bonello Board of Directors Albert Bildner, Josh DeWind, Rick Edwards, Fred Goff, Judy Hellman, Eric Hershberg, Peggy Hutchison, Pierre LaRamie, Susan Lowes, Deidre McFadyen, Don Reasoner, T.M...
...The creation of the working group comes amid increasingly tense relations between Cuba and the United States...
...In the trial, which began March 31, Mapuche lonkos (community leaders) Pascual Pichun and Aniceto Norin and activist Patricia Troncoso were accused of setting a fire on December 12, 2001, that damaged property at the Nancahue estate, owned by former agriculture minister Juan Agustfn Figueroa...
...For individuals: Can$55 (Can$93/2 yrs., Can$130/3 yrs...
...Qualifications: Demonstrated leadership, planning, management, and analytical skills...
...Despite the arrests, many of Cuba's most outspoken and highprofile dissidents remain free including Sinchez...
...residency...
...Critics from diverse political perspectives have condemned Cason for provoking the crackdown by courting dissidents and publicly referring to them as the future political leaders of the country...
...But the government had to understand that we were not seeking just an increase in funds or more programs but a major change in policy...
...Cason has criticized the government in comments to the international press and openly assisted opposition groups...
...By Monday April 21, over 70 people had been arrested and dozens were wounded after the police began spraying tear gas and firing rubber bullets, reinforcing troops with tanks and dogs to prevent the public-armed only with wooden sticks and shielding itself with street signs-from advancing...
...Collaborates with the Foundation's other representatives in Latin America in developing region-wide strategies, and collaborates with program staff from around the world in helping shape various aspects of the Foundation's work globally...
...Brukman workers and thousands of supporters, including many of the main groups of piqueteros and neighborhood assemblies, attempted Continued on page 4 Pilgrims pray at the foot of a crucifix during the largest annual pilgrimage in Ganthier Haiti near the Dominican border on April 18...
...Over Easter weekend, police and civilians clashed as masses of supporters, at one point estimated at 7,000, gathered in solidarity and pledged not to leave the busy commercial area until the police retreated...
...Three of the captured hijackers were executed nine days later...
...23 Ecuador Oil Ruling: Whose Victory...
...Views expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the views of NACLA...
...Supervises and works closely with program staff in developing, monitoring, and evaluating grants and projects within the office's major fields of programmatic concern...
...The day of the negotiation police returned with more backup and blocked off the entire six-block radius surrounding the factory...
...The ferry incident was the most recent of three hijacking plots...
...Weekly News Update on the Americas Mexico: Government Agreement with Farmers on NAFTA In an important policy shift, President Vicente Fox's administration has agreed to seek major changes in the North American Free Trade Agreement to help Mexican agricultural producers...
...Lastly, Zoellick wanted the presidents to be "more active" with the World Trade Organization in relation to the Free Trade Area of the Americas, the larger and more extensive agreement of which CAFTA is said to be a precursor...
...Call for student rates or check our website...
...In the end, the president agreed to their demand to seek to exempt corn and beans from NAFTA tariffs but did not agree to make any changes to tariff provisions for other products...
Vol. 36 • May 2003 • No. 6
