[NYTr] Cuba Condemns Bush Speech; UN Chief Decries Rhetoric

[All the News That Doesn't Fit]

Prensa Latina, Havana
http://www.plenglish.com

UN Chief Decries Rhetoric

United Nations, Sep 25 (Prensa Latina) UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon
urged the 192 member countries to leave rhetoric aside when it comes to
facing the world"s "moving challenges." 

At the inauguration of the annual session of the General Assembly, the
South Korean diplomat indicated that in his opinion, next year "will
figure among those representing a great challenge in our history." He
mentioned issues including global warming, poverty, epidemic outbreaks,
as well as efforts to solve conflict in Darfur and Sudan, and promote
peace in the Middle East.

The UN chief also referred to UN reforms and called for "an internal
change in climate" to face a number of issues that require joint action.

hr ccs rma tgj PL-26


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Cuba Strongly Rejects Bush Speech at UN

United Nations, Sep 25 (Prensa Latina) The Cuban delegation to the
62nd UN general Assembly session period withdrew from the plenary"s
hall, during the speech by US President George W. Bush.

This action was a sign of strong rejection to the arrogant and mediocre
speech by the US president, a press release that circulated in this
headquarters said.

The Cuban statement makes Bush responsible for "the assassination of
more than 600,000 civilians in Iraq," and authorizing to torture
prisoners Guantanamo"s naval base.

It also accuses him of giving the ok to the kidnapping of people,
secret flights and prisons.

"He is a criminal and does not have moral or credibility to judge any
other country," the Cuban document says.

"Cuba condemns and rejects each letter of his despicable speech," said
the press release issued by the Cuban representation to the United
Nations.

The Cuban delegation, headed by Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque,
abandoned the General Assembly, when the US president attacked Cuba,
Iran, Zimbabwe, and Mianmar, due to what he called "situations of human
rights in those countries." hr iom ir PL-43