Upon reading this news item, I hung my head and thought to myself "here we go again"!:

WASHINGTON, USA (AFP) -- The US Congress has passed a measure expanding duty-free access for Haitian textile and apparel goods in a bid to boost the quake-devastated country's battered economy. ...

We share our grief with the rest of the world for the tragic circumstances that have befallen our fellow human beings in Haiti.  As members of the academic community, though, we hold a particular interest in the fate of those that labor in country's institutes for higher learning. In this respect, I would like to share with you an email from Dr. Jacky Lumarque,  Rector at Université Quisqueya.

This diary is an attempt to highlight a few important economic indicators of select Latin American countries for 2009.  It is based on my translation of sections of the December Report by the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean [ECLAC] entitled Preliminary Balance of the Economies of Latin America and the Caribbean for 2009.  The countries I have selected are Venezuela, Brazil, Chile, Bolivia and Dominican Republic.

I apologize if this is interpreted as a cop-out.  Some of you have undoubtedly seen an almost identical version of this diary before.  Nevertheless, given my enthusiasm for "agriculture in miniature", [plus the fact that today is my fifty first...], I thought I would overcome all opposition and reproduce it here (for a third time!).

When I began this there were no DK diaries on the subject;  Now there is at least one.  I nevertheless would like to give an extremely bare-bones contextual background to the unfolding general strike taking place today in Puerto Rico.  What might have been characterized as the opening salvo of the resistance of the American working class against the economic crisis [which has seen the sacrifice of the working class in favor of employers], is actually more likely grounded in local politics.  Nevertheless, this is newsworthy as it shows that the working class is far from silent on this economic debacle which has been thrust upon it.

The Fifth Summit of the Americas will take place from 17 to 19 April in the land of one of the great leaders of the post colonial Caribbean, Dr. Eric Williams.  Of course, we citizens of the region will be very intent to hear what the first Black U.S. President (who will reportedly arrive with a delegation of 1,000 strong) places on his agenda for Latin America and the Caribbean.

Promoted by afew

Christmas is (or should be) a time to celebrate life.  In these days, we should all be celebrating life (just think, in a few weeks, Bush will no longer be President!  Good riddance, and don't even think of coming back!)!  Bring on the Maracatu de Baque Virado!!

Despite the Brasilian overtones, this diary provides a "taste" of Caribbean Christmas season culinary traditions.  The diary is actually just barely over a year old, since it was originally posted last Christmas over at the Daily Kos.  I hope you enjoy it, since it fits in with the festive season.  You may even find some traces of European cuisine here and there.

What is really behind the growing tensions between the governments of the United States and Venezuela?  From what I have read in the mainstream press, this may be turning out to be another classic example of missing the forrest for the trees.  In this diary, I would like to highlight several articles that should aid in sketching out that forrest.  (By the way, I realize the title may be a "tad" misleading, but that was just to get your attention!)

From the diaries - whataboutbob

Here is another crisis that can be directly attributed to US intervention (I would call it US imperialism).  Responsible citizens need to finger the US government's key role in this humanitarian tragedy as it unfolds and do the best to reverse it.

Democracy Now has provided an excellent update and analysis of this unfolding tragedy in the piece The Most Lawless War in Our Generation, a program based on interviews with John Holmes, United Nations Emergency Relief Coordinator and Salim Lone, a former spokesman for the UN mission in Iraq and columnist for the Daily Nation in Kenya.  In fact, it wouldn't be a bad idea to abandon this diary altogether and simply read the entire transcript or listen to the progam from start to finish.

From the diaries ~ whataboutbob

Cuba is again playing host to a meeting of economists from all over the world.  The 9th International Meeting of Economists on Globalization and Problems of Development concludes tomorrow after deliberations which began on Monday (February 5th).

According to news reports (Sp.), upwards of 1,400 participants from some 49 countries and 27 international organizations, including 16 professional organizations had registered.  Participants include, among others, Andrés Solimano from the Economic Commission of Latin America and the Caribbean and Humberto López from the World Bank.

Please join me for a brief diary on this significant event and what Cuban economists (in particular) are debating concerning the future course of their country.

A week ago, the Financial Times reported that:

Trade negotiators from the US and European Union are edging towards a deal that could restart stalled world trade talks, according to people familiar with the discussions.

Upon closer examination, however, it does not seem likely a deal is forthcoming.  For those unfamiliar with the Doha Round (and the situation the US finds itself, in relation to it), please make the jump.  ...And to those of you that may have more up to date information, please join in the comments section.

Greetings.  As my first diary at European Tribune, I would like to post one that was previously posted at Daily Kos.  While it didn't generate too much interest, a commenter urged me to cross-post it here as there would be people with a more intimate knowledge of the oil industry participating.

Another commenter drew my attention to a very important issue which, while I was aware of it, had not researched it thoroughly vis-a-viz the reported location of potential hydrocarbons in "Somalia".  I have thus added on a post-script which was not included in the original diary at Daily Kos.

Before hopping the bridge, I must stress that I am neither an oil industry expert nor a geologist.  I am just a concerned citizen who sees the current US incursion into Somalia as something more than merely an attempt to capture or kill three al-Qaida suspects under U.S. indictment for the embassy bombings in Kenya and Tanzania.