AIN

Indonesian Scientists Interested in Cuban Vaccine

Havana, Nov 29 (AIN) Cuban experts gave in-depth presentations to Indonesian scientists in Jakarta on the Cuban-created hemophilus influenza vaccine.

Executives from various Indonesian hospitals, universities, research centers, and the health ministry attended the gathering organized by the director of Jakarta's Dharmais Cancer Hospital, Dr. Samsuridjal Djauziel.

A press release by the Cuban embassy in Indonesia stated that Cuban doctor Vicente Verez Bencomo gave a presentation on how the vaccine is produced by a team he leads at the University of Havana.

Verez Bencomo said the antigen, currently being marketed under the trademark name "Quimilhib," is now included in Cuba's child immunization program along with 13 other vaccines.

Indonesian doctor Djauziel, whose work around the strengthening of relations between Havana and Jakarta has been recognized in his country, highlighted the current level of cooperation between the two countries in the pharmaceutical field.

In addition, Djauziel and the Cuban ambassador to Jakarta, Miguel Ramirez, officially opened a Cuban exhibit at the ITC Kunnigan Commercial Center.

The display showcases achievements made by the Caribbean nation in the fields of health and biotechnology.

Solidarity Meeting in Nicaragua Demands Immediate Release of Cuban Five

Havana, Nov 29 (AIN) At the 6th Solidarity with Cuba meeting over 200 delegates in Managua demanded the immediate release of the five Cuban political prisoners incarcerated in the United States.

Gerardo Hernandez, Ramon Labanino, Rene Gonzalez, Antonio Guerrero and Fernando Gonzalez, arrested in 1998, are serving long and unjust prison sentences for trying to prevent the terrorist activities of right wing Cuban American organizations based in Miami.

These five men, internationally known as the Cuban Five, were monitoring the activities of these organizations in Miami to gather information on future terrorist acts aimed at destroying the Cuban Revolution.

The solidarity activities in Managua began with a floral wreath laid at the Jose Marti Monument, where Tubal Paez, president of the Cuban Journalists Association, was the speaker.

Solidarity Event Demonstrates Increased Support for Cuba

Havana, Nov 29 (AIN) Voices in solidarity with Cuba are increasingly being heard and some 200 delegates from Spain, Portugal, France, Italy, Norway, Russia and others are gathered at the Havana Convention Center in a show of support for the revolution and in rejection of Washington’s 45-year blockade against the island.

The large turnout at the 11th Friendship with Cuba gathering contrasts with the first event that was only attended by activists from the Canary Islands.

Luciano Jacobino, President of the La Villeta Association from Italy, told AIN news agency that the organization is preparing a huge demonstration against Washington’s blockade of the island.

He said they are also organizing a large delegation that will travel to Rome and protest against the hostile European Parliament policy on Cuba during a demonstration in front of the US embassy.

In both activities the solidarity activists will demand the release of the five Cubans held as political prisoners in the US for having fought terrorism and contributing to preserving the island’s independence. Another participant to the event is Diego Canamero, General Secretary of Andalusian Farm Workers Union.

The labor leader said that solidarity must be active economically and politically because it doesn’t work to make donations but be afraid of recognizing Cuba.

He said that we must act with courage and defend the island, while also expressing solidarity with Venezuela and all those that fight for independence and the well being of their peoples.

A representative of the Cuban Friendship Institute, Katy Paez, denounced US efforts aimed at applying a boycott of tourism from Europe, Canada and other nations to Cuba, according to Monday’s edition of Granma daily.

Paez noted that the first half of this year will be probably be remembered as the most virulent in the actions against Cuba.

Atlanta Appeals Court Faces Hard Decision

Havana, Nov 29 (AIN) The US justice system can err at one level and later make corrections at another.

This is the difficult task ahead for the Atlanta Court of Appeals in reviewing the case of the five Cuban political prisoners incarcerated in the US, said Cuban attorney Roberto Gonzalez.

In an exclusive interview published in this week’s edition of Trabajadores, Roberto – brother of Rene Gonzalez, one of the “Cuban Five” – offered his personal impressions on the situation that the Atlanta court must face.

On March 10 this year, the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta heard the appeal of the five anti-terrorist fighters unjustly jailed in the US. However, eight months later, the court has still not announced its verdict.

The Cuban attorney explained that the appeal’s main objective is to annul the trial held in Miami, where the five Cubans were sentenced to long prison terms.

Gonzalez pointed out that the trial should have never taken place in Miami, a community that is almost completely biased when it comes to the issue of Cuba and where there is strict right-wing control over the mass media.

Gonzalez added that free expression is a limited right in southern Florida. This lack of freedom can affect the opinion of any jury when weighing justice, especially when it comes to Cuba, he pointed out.

The lawyer stressed that if people who are just wishing to visit Cuba are pressured with fines and death threats, one can imagine what it will mean to declare innocent the five men who were in Miami fighting Cuban-American terrorist organizations under Washington’s protection.

He asserted that the fears of that jury resulted in a one-sided verdict at the initial trial, which is why the defense attorneys of “the Five” are requesting a new trial.

At this moment, the Atlanta Court has the hard decision of confirming that the Miami trial was indeed a farce.