• To combat bacteria that cause illnesses such as meningitis and pneumonia • The first significant Cuban biotechnological product to originate from university laboratories

BY LILLIAM RIERA —Granma International staff writer—

FROM the age of two months, breastfed babies are to be immunized with a Cuban vaccine (Hib) to fight B-type Haemophilus influenza, the bacteria that causes a significant percentage of meningitis, pneumonia and otitis cases and is responsible for the deaths of half a million children a year worldwide.

Vincente Vérez Bencomo, a researcher at the Faculty of Chemistry of the University of Havana who developed the vaccine, told Granma International that “using the Hib vaccine as part of the National Immunization Program will reduce imports and save the country between two and three million dollars.”

He explained that the product will be administered to babies at two, four and six months after birth, with a booster dose at 18 months. The vaccine is currently in the final registration stage with the State Center for Medication Control (CECMED) after a total of six clinical trials.

He also stated that national demand for the vaccine will be met this year in terms of production and that “in 2004, we might begin to export the product.”

Other vaccines to combat B-type Haemophilus influenza and manufactured through the cultivation of this bacteria are sold throughout the world but Vérez Bencomo explained that this is the first of its kind to be produced synthetically in the laboratory.

He recalled that the team from the University of Havana has been working on the vaccine since 1989 and that this is the “first significant product to originate from university laboratories, highlighting that its “development is the fruit of joint work between the Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Center, the Finlay Institute and the Pedro Kourí Institute of Tropical Medicine, amongst other scientific bodies.”

Vérez Bencomo indicated that in conjunction with a Canadian university, the patented product has been launched in more than 30 countries including Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, India, Japan, Korea, Mexico, New Zealand, the Czech Republic, South Africa, Ukraine, Venezuela and the United States.

<a href=www.nzherald.co.nz>The New Zeland Herald 07.06.2003

The United States signed a free trade agreement with Chile today and said its first such accord with a South American nation was a stamp of approval for Chile and a marker for future regional accords.

The agreement was signed in Miami, a US gateway to Latin America, by US Trade Representative Robert Zoellick and Chilean Foreign Minister Soledad Alvear. Congresses in both nations are likely to approve the pact this year.

Zoellick called Chile, an island of political and economic calm in a troubled region, "an exemplary economic partner."

"Chile is the freest, most competitive economy in Latin America and it has set a very high standard," he said.

The agreement, signed after 11 years of planning and negotiations that concluded in December 2002, makes Chile the only country in Latin America apart from Mexico to win Washington's blessing as a preferred trade partner.

Zoellick said the United States hoped the accord would encourage other nations to reach such agreements and would be a boost for talks on an Americas-wide free trade zone.

But critics in Santiago said it benefited only a small percentage of businesses, hurt small farmers and laid Chile open to cheap imports and "plastic American culture."

"We reject the agreement until we know the full impact it will have on Chile. There are other ways of negotiating trade without tying yourself to the biggest economy in the world," said Margarita Iglesias, director of the Chilean branch of French anti-globalisation group ATTAC.

Although negotiations on the pact were completed in December, the actual signing was apparently delayed because of a chill in relations over Chilean President Ricardo Lagos' opposition to the US-led war in Iraq.

Chile, a member of the UN Security Council, did not support US efforts before the war to win a second UN resolution authorizing the use of force to disarm Iraq.

Lagos said the pact would eventually produce a 40 per cent jump in exports to the US, its biggest export market and foreign investor.

Lagos, a left-leaning free trader who has signed free trade pacts with the European Union and South Korea, said exports to the US would increase during the first three or four years of the pact to US$5 billion ($8.74 billion) a year from the current $3.6 billion.

In a televised message to Chileans, he said the country would see the full impact three years after the pact went into effect, when 95 per cent of all Chilean exports would enter the United States duty free. Chile's main exports to the United States are copper, salmon, wine and grapes.

The United States has similar agreements with Canada and Mexico under the NAFTA deal, and with Israel and Jordan.

Washington also recently signed a free trade pact with Singapore that is pending Congressional approval.

The Bush administration hopes the Chile pact will give momentum to talks on the Free Trade Area of the Americas, which is meant to be completed by 2005 and would encompass all 34 countries in the Americas except for Cuba.

At a news conference Zoellick acknowledged the Americas project is far more complex than a bilateral deal but said he had a "cautious optimism" over prospects after a trip last month to Brazil, which is co-chairing talks toward the FTAA.

The Chile accord was welcomed by the Andean Community bloc, which groups Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela and Bolivia. Chile was a member until it withdrew in 1976.

By <a href=ogj.pennnet.com>Oil & Gas Journal Editors

HOUSTON, June 6 -- US drilling activity dipped this week with the number of active rotary rigs down 5 to 1,054 but up from 847 during the same time a year ago, Baker Hughes Inc. officials reported Friday.

The number of land rigs working in the US increased by 1 to 932 this week, but rotary rigs working offshore decreased by 4 to 106 in the Gulf of Mexico and 110 for the US as a whole. Drilling activity in US inland waters was down 2 to 12.

The number of rotary rigs working in Canada was up 10 to 268 this week, compared with 180 last year.

Of the rigs working in the US, those drilling for oil dipped by 1 to 159. There were 892 rotary rigs drilling for natural gas this week, 4 fewer than last week. There were 3 rigs unclassified.

In a report issued Thursday, Paul Horsnell, an analyst at J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., London, said US gas exploration hit its highest level in the week ended May 30 with 149 wells exploring for gas. However, he said, that was 18% fewer than last year and more than 50% below peaks in 2001. Only 14 wells were exploring for oil last week. All of the other active wells were involved in development drilling

This week, directional drilling in the US declined by 12 to 269 rotary rigs. Horizontal drilling increased by 10 to 83.

Louisiana led this week's decline in drilling activity, dropping 9 rigs to 152 still active. Texas and Oklahoma were down 5 rigs each to 483 and 127, respectively. Rig counts were unchanged at 71 in New Mexico and 10 in Alaska.

However, the number of rotary rigs working in Wyoming jumped by 9 to 63 this week. California's rig count increased by 4 to 21.

Mobile offshore rigs The number of mobile offshore rigs under contract in the US sector of the Gulf of Mexico was unchanged this week at 126 out of the 182 available, for an utilization rate of 69.2% in those waters, said officials Friday at ODS-Petrodata, Houston.

However, the rigs under contract in European waters declined by 2 to 86 out of a fleet of 100. That dropped utilization to 86%. Worldwide, there was a net decline of 3 in the number of mobile offshore rigs under contract this week. Total utilization among mobile offshore rigs dropped by a half point to 80.1%, with 528 contacted out of a global fleet of 659.

First quarter activity US rig activity in the first quarter of this year increased by 6.3% from year-ago levels to an average 899 rigs working during that period, said Patrick McGeever, Fitch Ratings Ltd., in a May report. The average number of rigs drilling for oil increased by 8% during that period, while gas drilling was up 6%, he said.

Canada's average rig count jumped to 493 in the first quarter, a whopping increase of 29% from the first quarter of 2002, McGeever reported. "This large increase suggest that operators are now focusing on drilling to provide natural gas used in oil sands projects and to replenish below-average (US gas) storage," he said. "The remainder of 2003 should be bullish for the (US) rig count, particularly the natural gas rig count, due to gas prices that remain at more than $5/Mcf and inventories that linger below the 5-year average."

The international rig count registered a 10% annul increase with an average 1,240 rigs working in the first quarter of 2003, said McGeever. "Most of the increase was due to the large improvement in Canada," he said. However, drilling activity was up 10% in the Middle East and 8% in the Far East, he said. Drilling activity was down 13% in Europe, 4% in Latin America, and 2% in Africa. "Given where commodity prices are, activity internationally should be stronger throughout the year," he said.

Service sector stable "The oil services sector has been reasonably stable due to rising rig counts, offset by pockets of weakness, particularly in the Gulf of Mexico, the North Sea, and Venezuela," McGeever said. Market conditions should strengthen, he said, "as Venezuelan production ramps up, independents enter the North Sea, and the effect of the expanded (US) royalty relief in the shallow waters of the Gulf of Mexico begins to take hold. For the most part, service companies continue to focus on improving their technology, cost structures, and capital discipline."

<a href=www.vheadline.com>Venezuela's Electronic News Posted: Friday, June 06, 2003 By: Luis Zuleta

Date: Fri, 6 Jun 2003 15:00:45 -0300 From: Luis Zuleta luiszuleta@hotmail.com To: Editor@VHeadline.com Subject: Right to vote

Dear Editor: It's unbelievable what I just read from Dawn Gable. I was actually going to comment on the note by Mr. Elio Cequea and how in typical Chavista fashion he claims that whoever does not support the "government" of Mr. Chavez is misinformed and basically an idiot ... but then I read this and couldn't stop my fingers.

You have be insane or actually really dumb to go on public record to use "elections" in Cuba as an example on any democratic process, I was particularly appalled by the emphasis on "they do hold elections in Cuba"... Are you kidding me?

Wait, maybe Saddam did have the support of 100% of the Iraqi people (you forgot this example of elections) and maybe the Venezuelan media made up all the celebration that took place when he was removed from power ... Just a thought.

Second, I am still trying to figure out how, or why, you would have to earn a constitutional right like the right to vote. I guess black people in America had to earn that right? All this time I thought they fought to make local and federal governments respect their right, not to prove that they had earned it. Same goes with women when they fought for their right to vote. Since we are at it, maybe if you're a bad woman or a bad black person then you may have the right to vote taken away from you since you're not "earning" it.

Then, I also guess that once you decide that you want, or have to move abroad, then you basically become a non-existent entity and lose all your inherence in any election since you will not be allowed to take part in the decision-making process or where you now live and also your right to vote in your country of birth is taken away.

Venezuelans (and for that matter Americans) are citizens of their countries REGARDLESS of where they are and as such have the right to vote to decide who the President of their country is going to be. The only way you lose that right is if you become a citizen of another country and then you will have (don't have to earn it) the right to decide the fate of your new country.

This isn't even that hard to understand.

Hey, maybe like in Cuba or Iraq, we could hold a free and democratic election on the matter to decide what's fair, although it will be difficult to gather 99.5% to 100% of the votes on way or the other like the beloved Mr. Castro does in Cuba or Saddam used to do in Iraq.

Luis Zuleta luiszuleta@hotmail.com

<a href=www.vheadline.com>Venezuela's Electronic News Posted: Friday, June 06, 2003 By: Amnesty International

Death Threats/Fear for Safety

VENEZUELA

• Miguel Diaz Loreto (m)
• Dinorah Maria Diaz Loreto (f)
• Jairo Alexis Diaz Loreto (m)
• Bladimir Diaz Loreto (m)
• Alexandra Gualdron (f)
• Killed: Enmary Cava (f)

On 26 May, Enmary Cava died in hospital in the town of Cagua, Aragua state. She had been in hospital in a critical condition after being shot six times by an unidentified man on 10 May. A female friend who was with her when she was shot is still in a critical condition in hospital.

On 27 May, a judge in the town of Cagua ordered the authorities to ensure the protection of Dinorah Maria Diaz Loreto, Alexandra Gualdron and Jairo Alexander Diaz Loreto. However, it is not clear what measures will be taken and when they will begin.

Amnesty International is concerned that no measures were ordered to protect Enmary Cava's injured friend, witnesses to the killings of Robert Diaz Loreto, Antonio Diaz Loreto and Octavio Ignacio Diaz, and other members of Enmary Cava's family including Miguel Diaz Loreto and Bladimir Diaz Loreto.

It is believed that the attack against Enmary Cava and her friend may be related to the increasing number of death threats received by Enmary Cava and members of her family, allegedly from agents of the Aragua State Police.

The family members had been pressing the local authorities to carry out an exhaustive investigation into the killings of brothers Robert Diaz Loreto, Antonio Diaz Loreto and their father, Octavio Ignacio Diaz. The three men were killed in suspicious circumstances by agents of the Aragua State Police on 6 January.

Family members claim that the Aragua State Prosecutors Office has failed to carry out an exhaustive, impartial and prompt investigation into the killings and police have reportedly been unwilling to cooperate with the investigation.

According to reports, detention orders may be issued next week against seven police officials for the killings of the three men.

Local human rights groups have, however, expressed concern that insufficient time has been given for collecting evidence against the officials, thus running the risk of acquittal on grounds of insufficient evidence.

FURTHER RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Please send appeals to arrive as quickly as possible, in Spanish or your own language:

• expressing sadness at the death of Enmary Cava, whose family have received a number of death threats;

• calling on the authorities to carry out a full, prompt and impartial investigation into the fatal attack on Enmary Cava and on her friend, to publish the results and bring those responsible to justice;

• expressing concern for the safety of Enmary Cava's family including Dinorah Maria Diaz Loreto, Jairo Alexis Diaz Loreto, Bladimir Diaz, Miguel Diaz Loreto, and Alexandra Gualdron;

• urging the authorities to take action to guarantee the safety of all members of Enmary Cava's family, Enmary Cava's friend, and witnesses to the killings of Robert Diaz Loreto, Antonio Diaz Loreto and Octavio Ignacio Diaz, in accordance with the wishes of those at risk;

• calling on the authorities to carry out a full, prompt and impartial investigation into the death threats and harassment experienced by these individuals, to publish the results and bring those responsible to justice;

• urging the authorities to carry out a exhaustive and impartial investigation into the killings of Robert Diaz Loreto, Antonio Diaz Loreto and Octavio Ignacio Diaz, to publish the results and bring those responsible to justice.

APPEALS TO (Time difference = GMT - 4 hrs / BST - 5 hrs):

Attorney General:

Fiscal General de la Republica, Dr. Isaias Rodriguez Avenida Universidad, Esquina Pele el ojo a Misericordia, frente a Parque Carabobo, Caracas, VENEZUELA

Telegram: Fiscal General de la Republica, Caracas, Venezuela Fax: 00 58 212 576 44 19 [Salutation: Estimado Senor Fiscal General/Dear Attorney General]

Local Governor:

Gobernador de del estado Aragua Sr. Didalco Bolivar Palacio de Gobierno Maracay, Estado de Aragua, VENEZUELA

Telegram: Gobernador del estado, Aragua, Maracay, Estado de Aragua, Venezuela Fax: 00 58 243 2377002 (it may be difficult to get through; please keep trying) E-mail: didalco@gobernacion.arg.gov.ve [Salutation: Estimado Senor/Dear Sir]

Local Police Chief:

Comandante de la policia de Aragua Comisario Angel Mercado (no address available)

Telegram: Comandante de la policia de Aragua, Maracay, Estado de Aragua, Venezuela Fax: 00 58 243 235 1220 [Salutation: Estimado Senor Comisario/Dear Sir]

Human Rights Ombudsman:

Defensoria del Pueblo Dr. German Mundarain Bellas Artes comienzo Avenida Mexico frente al Ateneo de Caracas Plaza Morelos, Caracas, VENEZUELA

Telegram: Defensoria del Pueblo, Caracas, Venezuela Fax: 00 58 212 575 4467 (if a voice answers, say "tono de fax por favor") Email: gmundarain@defensoria.gov.ve [Salutation: Estimado Senor/Dear Sir]

PLEASE SEND COPIES OF YOUR APPEALS TO:

His Excellency Senor Alfredo Toro Hardy, Embassy of Venezuela, 1 Cromwell Road, London SW7 2HR. Fax: 020 7589 8887 Email: venezlon@venezlon.demon.co.uk

AND, IF POSSIBLE, TO THE FOLLOWING:

Commission for Human Rights, Justice and Peace for the State of Aragua:

Comision de Derechos Humanos de Justicia y Paz del Estado Aragua Calle Negro Primero, Oeste N 98, frente al Liceo 'Valentin Espinal', Cruce con Av. Ayacucho, Maracay Estado Aragua, VENEZUELA

Fax: 00 58 243 233 6363 (if a voice answers, say "tono de fax por favor")

PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Please do not send appeals after 18 July 2003.