Non-aligned nations condemn terrorism, Israel

HAVANA – Representatives of 118 nations agreed on Saturday to condemn Israel’s attacks on Lebanon, support a peaceful resolution to the US-Iran nuclear dispute and defend the right of Venezuela and other countries to determine their own forms of government.

The final declarations also include a broad condemnation of terrorism _ with exceptions for self-determination movements and battles against foreign occupiers. And while declaring democracy to be a universal value, they say that no one country or region should define it for the whole world.The statements, many of which contain veiled criticisms of the US, were to be approved by unanimous consent after another round of speeches Saturday night by leaders of the Non-aligned Movement.”No one in the Non-aligned Movement thinks that the United States is responsible for all the problems, but many think that it is for some,” Cuba’s Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque said, summing up days of speeches complaining about the dominant US role in global affairs.An ailing Fidel Castro was named president of the movement, but he stayed home in his pajamas on doctors’ orders while Acting Cuban President Raul Castro presided over the meeting of two-thirds of the world’s nations.Raul joined numerous US foes who said a bellicose America had made the world more dangerous.”The United States spends one billion dollars a year in weapons and soldiers,” he said.”To think that a social and economic order that has proven unsustainable could be maintained by force is simply an absurd idea.”Many demanded that the United Nations take action against US veto power in the security council.Some leaders tried to resolve disputes with their neighbours: Pakistani President Gen.Pervez Musharraf and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh agreed Saturday to resume peace talks, and Bolivian President Evo Morales tried to reassure Brazilians angered by tough energy negotiations.Nampa-APAnd while declaring democracy to be a universal value, they say that no one country or region should define it for the whole world.The statements, many of which contain veiled criticisms of the US, were to be approved by unanimous consent after another round of speeches Saturday night by leaders of the Non-aligned Movement.”No one in the Non-aligned Movement thinks that the United States is responsible for all the problems, but many think that it is for some,” Cuba’s Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque said, summing up days of speeches complaining about the dominant US role in global affairs.An ailing Fidel Castro was named president of the movement, but he stayed home in his pajamas on doctors’ orders while Acting Cuban President Raul Castro presided over the meeting of two-thirds of the world’s nations.Raul joined numerous US foes who said a bellicose America had made the world more dangerous.”The United States spends one billion dollars a year in weapons and soldiers,” he said.”To think that a social and economic order that has proven unsustainable could be maintained by force is simply an absurd idea.”Many demanded that the United Nations take action against US veto power in the security council.Some leaders tried to resolve disputes with their neighbours: Pakistani President Gen.Pervez Musharraf and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh agreed Saturday to resume peace talks, and Bolivian President Evo Morales tried to reassure Brazilians angered by tough energy negotiations.Nampa-AP