Radio Havana Cuba Apr 30 http://www.radiohc.cu/homeing.htm Cuba Re-elected to United Nations Human Rights Commission Havana, April 30 (RHC)-- Cuba has been re-elected as a member-nation of the UN Human Rights Commission. In an official note issued Wednesday morning, the Cuban government points out that despite intense pressures by Washington to kick Havana out of the international organization, Cuba was selected by acclamation to serve as a member for another three years. The statement emphasizes that the fact that Cuba has been a member of the UN Human Rights Commission for the past 15 years is yet another blow against the US government, which constantly tries to paint the Cuban Revolution as a violator of human rights. As a demonstration of its inability to control other member-nations of the Commission, Washington's delegation walked out at the moment that Cuba was re-elected to the UN body -- displaying its arrogance and total disregard for the international community. Appearing in this morning's edition of Granma newspaper, the Official Note says that Cuba's re-election to the UN Human Rights Commission is yet another victory of the Cuban Revolution in its struggle against the hostility of the Empire. In related news, at the United Nations in New York, Cuban Ambassador to the United Nations Bruno Rodríguez called the re-election of the island to the UN Commission in Geneva "a failure of US diplomacy." The Cuban diplomat said: "US diplomacy goes from one failure to another and all that is left for them is war and economic blackmail." Cubans Prepare for International Worker's Day Havana, April 30 (RHC)-- Millions will take to the streets and plazas of Cuba tomorrow to commemorate May 1st, International Worker's Day. The main celebration will be held at the Plaza de la Revolución -- site of many of the Cuban Revolution's largest rallies; another record number of participants are expected to turn out for the huge assembly to commemorate the main celebration of the working class. The main theme of tomorrow's rallies across the island will be Defense of Socialism. According to Pedro Ross Leal, General Secretary of the Cuban Confederation of Workers (CTC), more than 900 trade union representatives and activists from 45 countries have confirmed their participation at the main rally in Havana. US Anti-war Movement Expresses Solidarity with Cuba New York, April 30 (RHC)-- The US anti-war movement has expressed its solidarity with the Cuban Revolution -- calling on the administration of George W. Bush to stop its aggressions against the island. In a statement released in New York, the US anti-war coalition A.N.S.W.E.R. -- which stands for Act Now to Stop War and End Racism -- states "great concern over the intensifying campaign of subversion and aggression against Cuba, directed by the US government." The solidarity statement goes on to say: "We in the US progressive and anti-war movement recognize our obligation to expose and organize against the Bush administration's plans to overthrow the government of Cuba. Under the rubric of the "war against terrorism" the Bush administration has aggressively embarked on a campaign to carry out the overturn of governments that seek to maintain independent control over their own land and resources. At stake in Cuba are the considerable social and economic gains of the people made in spite of overwhelming opposition from the government representing the most powerful country in the world." On April 7, James Cason, chief of the US Interests Section in Havana and the top US diplomat in Cuba, declared, "all of our allies agree that their policy goal in Cuba is, ultimately, the same as ours: the rapid and peaceful transition to a democratic government characterized by strong support for human rights and an open market economy." He stated on the same day, 'the Administration's top priority is to promote a rapid, peaceful transition.'" The statement released by the US group A.N.S.W.E.R. -- Act Now to Stop War and End Racism -- continues: "In the wake of the war on Iraq, there is no corner of the world that is safe today from US aggression. This is especially the case for Cuba, part of whose national territory remains under US military occupation. US diplomats have warned Cuba, along with Iran, Syria and North Korea, to "learn the lessons of Iraq. "Recently, a coordinated campaign of aggressions and foreign subversion against Cuba has been revealed, indicating the US may be setting the stage for a renewed confrontation with Cuba. "As a fact of international law, which recognizes the rights of states to defend their sovereignty, Cuba is exercising its legal right and responsibility to defend and protect its people against foreign government subversion, terrorism, and other forms of US aggression." And the statement from the US anti-war organization A.N.S.W.E.R. concludes: "In light of these developments, and understanding the real dangers that Cuba faces from the US government: 1) We demand that the Bush Administration cease and desist from the current campaign of attacks on the Cuban people and government. 2) We call on the US government to end its blockade against Cuba, to lift restrictions on travel, and to end its ongoing multi-faceted war against the Cuban government. 3) We further call upon the Bush Administration to free the five Cubans who are imprisoned in the US for trying to stop Miami-based terrorism against their people." Third International Congress on Culture and Development Set for June in the Cuban Capital Havana, April 30 (RHC)-- The Cuban Ministry of Culture -- with the cooperation of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the Organization of Ibero-American States (OEI) and the Latin American Economic System (SELA) -- is sponsoring the Third International Congress on Culture and Development from June 9th through the 12th. According to organizers of the Congress, the meeting will allow for the exchange of initiatives, strategies and projects in the area of cultural development. The program will also include performances by the National Ballet Company of Cuba, directed by prima ballerina Alicia Alonso, and concerts by Buena Vista Social Club, Chucho Valdés and other leading Cuban musicians. Radio Habana Cuba