118 Nations Gather for NAM Summit

Last week, 118 member nations of the Non-Aligned Movement gathered for it's 14th triennial summit in Havana, Cuba. Fidel Castro was elected chairman of the organization for the next three years, but due to health problems, was unable to attend. Fidel's brother, Raul Castro Ruz, accepted the position on Fidel's behalf.

Some of the topics of the summit were Israel's recent retaliation against Lebanon, a peaceful resolution to the dispute over Iran's nuclear program, UN Security Council veto power, and a condemnation of terrorism - with the exception of "the legitimate struggle of peoples under colonial or alien domination and foreign occupation for self determination and national liberation."

Most speeches and resolutions contained veiled criticisms of the US, UN and Israel, but some US friendly nations, such as India and Pakistan, insisted that the summit was not anti-anyone.

The United States was invited to the summit, but the US administration declined to attend or comment on the proceedings.

14th NAM Summit Official Site

Additional Articles:
The News International - Nam Summit begins in Havana
The Washington Times - Anti-U.S. allies back Iran nukes
The Hindu National - NAM totally opposed to terrorism: declaration
CNN.com - Castro's brother lashes out at U.S. at summit
BBC News - Cuba summit sends strong message
alJazeera.net - Non-aligned states line up against US
The Taipei Times - Non-aligned summit wraps up in Cuba

Originally posted to This Fucking War on 9/18/2006