CUBA: Venezuela's Chavez arrive in Cuba ahead of the Non-Aligned Movement summit as foreign ministers meet for a second day with Lebanon appealing for aid for reconstruction

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez arrived in Havana on Thursday (September 14) ahead of Friday's (September 15) summit of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM). At least 50 Heads of State will attend the summit which is expected to endorse the right of Iran to pursue a peaceful nuclear energy programme. Cuba is hoping to breathe new life into the organisation seen by some as a relic of the Cold War. All eyes are on the summit for clues to the health of ailing Cuban leader Fidel Castro who is recuperating from intestinal surgery. Officials have said Castro will participate in some way in the summit. There have been strong words ahead the the summit for the United States for its role as global policeman, and Israel for bombing Lebanon. As foreign ministers met for a second day, Lebanese Foreign Minister Fauzi Salloukh appealed for assistance for his battered nation following the 34-day war with Israel. "We expect the Non-Aligned Movement to support us - politically, morally and financially to be able to reconstruct Lebanon again," said Salloukh. Salloukh also voiced support for Iran's right to pursue a peaceful nuclear energy programme. "And there will be only one standard, not so many standards, if you are referring to the nuclear file of Iran, Iran has the right to enrich uranium for peaceful goals," said Salloukh. Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez arrived on Thursday morning and voiced support for the NAM summit. "Now, at this time, with the emergence of the new world, the non-aligned group is very important. Venezuela has come to propose as, (Venezuelan) Foreign Minister Nicolas Maduro said yesterday from here in Havana, the need to give a new face, but I would say, not just a new face, a new body, a new soul to that group that is so important, the Non-Aligned Group which represent the hope of the planet's poor peoples." Chavez said. Castro said he was optimistic that Venezuela, which is led by his leftist ally Chavez, could secure a non-permanent seat at the U.N. Security Council. Venezuelan diplomats are using the 116-nation summit to canvas for votes against the U.S.-backed candidate Guatemala. Castro said Chavez, who has followed in the Cuban leader's footsteps to become Washington's fiercest critic in the region, had stopped the plunder of Venezuela's oil wealth and was putting it to good use in social programs.

ITN Source | September 16, 2006

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