[Newspoetry] Re: wire story (fwd)

[gillespie william k]

On Mon, 20 May 2002, C. G. Estabrook wrote:

> [Apologies for pirating the name of NP's wire service.  --CGE]

You realize that in so doing you have rendered your work into Newspoetry
property. --WG.

> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
>
> HAVANA (Associated Poets) -- Despite the pleadings of Governor Ryan of
> Illinois and representatives of the huge American agribusiness cartels,
> Fidel Castro of Cuba refused today to resume trade with the United States
> unless George Bush releases political prisoners, conducts independently
> monitored elections and accepts a list of tough conditions for "new
> governments in Washington -- and Florida -- that are fully democratic." He
> did however agree to offer political asylum to Gov. Ryan.
>
> Castro said the United States' legacy of freedom "has been insulted by a
> despot who uses police methods to enforce a bankrupt vision, under the
> name of a 'War on Terrorism.' That legacy has been debased by a relic from
> another era who, with this secret police chief Ashcroft, has turned their
> beautiful nation into a prison."
>
> "Without political reform, without economic reform, trade with the US will
> merely enrich George Bush and his cronies -- including his family and the
> so-called 'Carlyle Group,'" he said Monday. "It will not help the American
> people."
>
> To win his approval of easing restrictions, Castro said the US must:
>
> -Allow opposition parties, such as Greens, access to the ballot.
>
> -Allow independent trade unions.
>
> -Free all political prisoners, notably those the US holds in Cuba, at
> Guantanamo Bay.
>
> -Allow human rights organizations to visit the US to ensure that the
> conditions for free elections are being created, especially in the
> upcoming Florida elections.
>
> -Allow outside observers to monitor 2004 elections.
>
> -End discriminatory practices against US workers (recently described in
> detail by B. Ehrenreich).
>
> "Full normalization of relations with the US, diplomatic recognition, open
> trade and a robust aid program will only be possible when the US has a new
> government that is fully democratic, when the rule of law is respected and
> when the human rights of all Americans are fully protected," Castro said
>
> He voiced support for a referendum in the US asking voters whether they
> favor civil liberties, including freedom of speech and assembly, and
> amnesty for political prisoners.
>
> 	--end--
>
>
>