In the 1950’s, Cuban Artist Luis Carbonell recorded “La Habana de Hoy” [Present Day La Habana] for the recording label Kubaney. Inspired by the recording and what I have seen in Beijing, the time has come to write about Beijing. Another reason is to correct the misconceptions of Beijing and China that have been invented by a press in the Western World [examples such as CNN, CBS, and the like] bent on eliminating alternative view points so that they can regain the monopoly once enjoyed. I had already written a reply to the comments made by a BBC Journalist in Beijing that in my opinion defamed the people of China and the Olympics.

Before talking about my impressions of Beijing, I would like to respond directly to those in the media who defame China and the Beijing Olympics. There are many who have never visited China or are inside China with prejudices inside their heart and soul. Many of these people work in the Western Mainstream Media and have not done their homework before reporting on such a glorious event as the Beijing Olympics 2008. The People’s Republic of China and the Olympic Committee within China including Beijing has made commitments for a Green, People’s, and High Tech Olympics.

I. Green Olympics

Beijing has done more than other cities in the area of pollution. In fact, I saw almost no pollution in Beijing and the areas of the Olympics. I write this taking into account that there is plenty of traffic in Beijing. The air was clean and I was able to breathe freely the air without suffering from allergies. Beijing has also instituted inspections of automobiles within the city in order to make sure that there is no Carbon Dioxide or Carbon Monoxide Emissions from automobiles. I was a witness to people driving in cars that were powered by electricity and batteries which also decreases pollution. The citizens of Beijing in cooperation with the municipal government as well as the National Government of the People’s Republic of China have assisted in cleaning their city. In other words, there is no pollution in Beijing. Again, the detractors talk about algae in Beijing and Qingdao. I was a witness to people cleaning up the Beijing and Qingdao area of algae. The problem has been resolved. There are no algae in Beijing or Qingdao. The problem of smog is a result of bad weather such as rain that exists in all of the areas of the Earth.

Another aspect that Beijing has done in order to promote a Green Olympics is to promote naturally grown food. This is not new since China is a pioneer in naturally grown food. It is the West that has managed to play catch up. The Chicken, Meat, Peking duck as well as Noodles, Vegetables, and Rice are grown in organic environments and subjected to the inspection of culinary experts and experts in Quality Control and Utilization Review. The same applies in the medical aspects since I am in the realm of Quality Control and Utilization Review in Health Care. The food and health care in Beijing [as well as the traffic] conforms to what will be a Green Olympics. The food and health care exceeds expectations.

II. People’s Olympics

Before discussing the issue of the High Tech Olympics, it can be said that Beijing is truly an Olympics for the people. Beijing and the People’s Republic of China deserve credit for returning the Olympics to the people. Everyone from the desk clerk in the Olympic Venues to the upper hierarchy has been included in the participation of this soon to be magic and historic moment in the People’s Republic of China.

I could still remember my visit to the Temple of Heaven. During the visit to the Temple of Heaven, I remember with fondness how a woman would wave a colorful belt and how I learned from her. When I waved the colourful belt, it was like being with family.I was in my own world and enjoying it. I managed to wave a heart and later was able to wave a figure eight.

During my visit to the People’s Republic of China, I remember seeing on CCTV a music video of a female Chinese Pop Star singing and raising the flag of the People’s Republic of China. In the background, there were people respecting each other as well as the sense of family and community. I remember looking at the video and felt an emotion that is hard to express. There is nothing like country and family and seeing the music video made my heart beat and gave me a feeling of happiness and peace within myself that cannot be repeated. I was able to see this outside in Beijing with the people being friendly and helpful. I could remember the hotel clerk allowing me to use the umbrella when there was heavy rain. I could remember seeing families in the China’s People’s Palace Hotel as well as other areas of Beijing going out and enjoying life. It is this sense of family that has indeed made the Beijing Olympics an Olympics for the People. It is also a shame that this sort of unity in family was missing in the Western World [including the United States of America].

The sense of community extended to people who helped me dress up as an Emperor during the Temple of Heaven visit. It was not easy but the employees selected the clothes, helped with the crown, and with the throne. The people who helped dress me as an Emperor even assisted with the sword and how to express an “aristocratic” emotion. I wanted to smile but I was told an “Emperor had to look like an Emperor” so I played the part.

The People’s Republic of China especially Beijing contained a sense of community with people saying “Please” and “Thank You”.

The Official Postal Service China Post was also immaculate and organized. China Post was helpful with this humble citizen when he sent his post cards and letters to family and friends in the United States of America and Cuba. The courteous attitude of the people left an impact that I tried to express but could only say the word “Excellent” and it’s Spanish Equivalent “Fenomenal”. Many people in Beijing asked me the reason for my saying just one word. My response was that I am a believer in using one word to talk about all of the positive things in the world.

The people of Beijing have a desire to learn about other people. A few people in Beijing once asked me if in America people believed in lucky charms. My response was to say that many people carry a Cross, a Buddha, and a Stone but that I preferred to carry a photo of my wife Marlene and Daughter Veronica as well as a badge of China Radio International as well as the tour guide by CRI English. The people of Beijing were happy with such a response.

I was able to establish friendships with people from different parts of the world such as Ukraine, Germany, Laos, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and Tanzania as well as my friends and family in China Radio International and the People’s Republic of China. Our subjects of discussion have been the Olympics and how it should be separated from politics. We helped and learned from each other and with our actions, were able to contribute to the concept of the People’s Olympics. I still remember climbing to the top of the Great Wall of China at Badaling to the cheers and applause of the tourists and the staff of the Great Wall. The event was celebrated at a restaurant next to the Great Wall with the Restaurant Workers adding extra rice, vegetables, and Coca Cola as a form of celebration and Fernando Bo [one of the participants of this historic contest] saying: “Roberto Carlos is strong”.

There were people who asked me about my beliefs and I said that “I am a person who believes that people should be accepted for what they are on the inside regardless of race, ethnicity, and ideology”. I explained that my beliefs were based on Deng Xioping and his “Cat and Mice Analogy” as well as what Cantinflas [the Mexican Comedian] once said: “I do not desire riches or power, I just want to be friends and be at peace with all of the people of the world.”. The people of China especially Beijing responded by saying that Roberto Carlos had the Olympic Spirit and I still carry that love within me to this day.

I could not imagine that one day while listening to China Radio International [at the time Radio Peking or Radio Beijing] that I would be in the Great Hall of the People. The Great Hall of the People is a building that houses the reunions of the Government of the People’s Republic of China as well as other formal reunions. It was built during the days of Socialist Realism of the 1950’s and 1960’s. It was a pleasure and an honour to be in such sacred grounds. It was a pleasure and an honour to be the recipient of the Olympic Awards which included a ceramic trophy and a certificate. I felt my heart beat after receiving the award and then receive the following congratulations from the Government of the People’s Republic of China, China Radio International, and the Embassy of the United States of America in Beijing, the People’s Republic of China. I will never forget the words of the representative of the Embassy of the United States of America: “Roberto, you deserve to be honoured for your efforts in promoting the People’s Olympics by promoting the improvement of relations between the People’s Republic of China and the United States of America”. It is these words that will remain in my heart. It is also these words that have the people of Miami Florida thinking that the Beijing Olympics of 2008 has truly become a People’s Olympics.

The Great Hall of The People was also the historical meeting place between this humble listener and the Director of CRI English Service Yang Lei. We were able to talk about CRI English and my beginnings as a listener of CRI English. We also talked about how CRI English was a station in constant contact with its listeners. I suggested to Yang Lei that CRI English maintain its shortwave service. I managed to explain the reasons such as the fact that people in America are purchasing shortwave radios after the disaster of Hurricane Katrina, Rita, and Wilma in 2005. Mr. Yang Lei was responsive to the need of continuing Shortwave Service from CRI English.

It was an honour to be able to visit another sacred place called China Radio International [CRI as the initials]. It was great to be shown the building and to receive the award of the Beijing Olympic Stamps. Most important was to meet with the dedicated professionals of China Radio International such as Gao Huiying [my interpreter], Xie Tingting [my photographer], Guan Juanjuan [Deputy Director of CRI], Ye Feng [Deputy Director Associate Professor of the CRI Urdu Service], Jade Wang [Channel Director of Easy FM China Radio International], Meng Yi [West Asian and African Broadcasting Director], Xing Bo [Vice Director CRI General Editorial Office], Fernando Bo [Asociacio Chinesa do Brasil], and Yang Lei [Chief of CRI English]. The dedicated professionals of CRI and CRI have proved themselves to be protagonists of the People’s Olympics by welcoming an old family member. I even saw my own envelope to CRI in the CRI Museum. It was great to be able to visit a station with more than sixty five years of history and has left me touched to the point that my heart beats with excitement.

I have never seen such an expression of what a People’s Olympics is and the fact that people were in a universal embrace with expression of love. I could say that at that moment, there was a universal expression of love, happiness, inclusion, with a sense of family [such as respect for people for what they are on the inside, loyalty, respect, and helping one another]. It is this universal expression of love, happiness, inclusion, and sense of family which is the equivalent of true freedom and the true People’s Olympics

III. High Tech Olympics

Beijing is a city without limits and one of them is high tech. I was a witness to some of the latest technologies in the Beijing Olympics that do not exist in the West. Haier [one of the innovative companies in China] have installed family friendly Television sets with a remote control that controls what is inside the rooms and stadiums. There is an Automatic Teller Machine or ATM which is in the form of some the mascots of the Beijing Olympics [constructed under the auspices of the Bank of China] in which the person can either withdraw money or convert money from Dollars, Euros, to Chinese Money [I have not seen this in America].

There is also the presence of automatic Coca Cola Machines that actually talk and ask people to place their money in the machine and make a selection. After the selection is made, the machine says Thank You. This is something I have yet to see in the West. There are also sound machines which pre-selects whatever music that is necessary for any event from swimming to football [soccer] which includes recording for television stations. It was funny to see representatives of some of the Western Media attempt to use such machines without success. Regardless, the Chinese Employees in the stadium [including representatives of China Radio International] were on hand to assist, and instruct the Western Media representatives on the use of such advanced equipment.

Never in my life have I seen recordings done by digital means and it has left me impressed. I have always been used to analogue recordings but I am attempting to learn the latest digital techniques after seeing digital microphones and recording devices used in the Beijing Olympics Stadiums. This has been the first time that I have witnessed Microsoft Windows Media Players being used with Microsoft XP and Vista at the same time. The organizers of the Beijing Olympics have really taken the high tech to a new level.

I was a witness to seeing Haier Commodes open and close automatically as well as refrigerators which have left messages on a digital television screen. There was one of many laptops that also controlled the events in the stadium including the electricity which has yet to be seen in the West. There were even telephones with Digital Television Sets in order to see the people with whom one is communicating. It is these inventions from Haier and the People’s Republic of China that has the Western Media either in a daze or envious. The International Broadcasting Centre was also testimony to every technology from MP3 to MP4 as well as the I-Pod.

IV. My Impressions

Beijing and the People’s Republic of China earned the right to host the Olympics whether the detractors like it or not. I challenge those who write about Beijing and China in general to study more about China. I challenge those who write about China to write about the truth instead of the lies that are used when there are no other stories. I challenge people who talk about a Green Olympics, a People’s Olympics, and a High Tech Olympics to lay down their prejudices and write about the accomplishments of the People’s Republic of China, and the Olympic Committee in having achieved a Green, and High Tech Olympics that have also become a People’s Olympics.

Beijing and the People’s Republic of China welcomed me with open arms and are willing to welcome people from around the world. The People’s Republic of China is a beautiful country because of its people as well as its history and landscape.

My message to the People’s Republic of China is that the Beijing Olympics will be a success. The Beijing Olympics will surpass previous Olympics and that history will judge the Olympics as Before Beijing 2008, During Beijing 2008, and After Beijing 2008. I love you China, I love you Beijing Olympics 2008, and I Love My Family [which also includes China Radio International].

El Continente Americano sigue con sus lemas de atraso como “Socialismo O Muerte, Venceremos”, “Patria O Muerte, Venceremos”, “Madonna y Alex Rodriguez” incluso anuncios relacionados con mensajes de cambio protagonizado por Obama y/o Mc Cain. Las pancartas de Beijing brillaban con el rostro de la bella actriz colombiana Sofia Vergara vendiendo el Champu Pantene para promover brillo en el cabello, Shakira [con sus pies descalzos] vendiendo MP3 para Sony, Jackie Chan con Yao Ming declarando que aceptaran la tarjeta de credito/cheques de viajero VISA en vez de American Express. Incluso se podia ver en la television china a Roberto Carlos Alvarez Galloso como Mesero en los anuncios de la Cerveceria Tsingtao.

La radio y television en China tienen programas como las Operas de Pekin, Mu~nequitos, Musica Contemporanea, hasta telenovelas. La radio y television en China tienen una emisora en el idioma de Cervantes y otra en el idioma de Shakespeare. La Musica Contemporanea en China tienen como tema central la union familiar y el respeto [algo que no existe en los EEUU]. Hubo dos telenovelas en China gozando de popularidad. Hay una telenovela que se trata de la union familiar, divorcio, y la reconciliacion. La otra telenovela era la conocida “Guadalupe” con las destacada actrices Marilyn Romero y Adela No Llega. Perdoname es Adela Noriega en vez de Adela No Llega pero la multitud sigue diciendo Adela No Llega por la falta de talento mientras Marilyn Romero recibe los elogios en los medios de comunicaciones. Incluso se puede ver a la actriz venezolana Natalia Steingard nadando en las picinas olimpicas con una camiseta y jeans puesto. Tatiana Gomez [artista mexicana de Protagonista de la Musica] es protagonista de un anuncio de la compania Philips promoviendo los MP3 y las afeitadoras electricas

Madonna, Britney Spears, Cristina Aguilera, Jennifer Lopez, y Marc Antony son visto como portadores de la inmoralidad y la mediocridad. Mientras tanto, artistas estadounidenses como Nil Lara, Maria Lourdes, Johnny Vasquez, Jessica Alba, Brenda Song, America Ferrera, Aly & AJ, Jaci Velasquez, Chirino, Lissette son recibidos con cari~no. Existe el jazz chino basado en la musica de Perez Prado, Beny More, Miles Davis, Paquito D Rivera, y Chick Correa. El jazz chino es contagioso por su ritmo.

Las casas disqueras son numerosas como HMV [La Voz de Su Amo], RCA, BMG, Sony, CRI, Victor JVC, EMI, Capitol, Universal, y Toshiba. Incluso conoci a la presidenta de Sony China y me dijo que Sony China esta buscando nuevo talento en los EEUU.

En Beijing con una poblacion de mas de 12 millones, el trafico es de pelicula. En caso de un choque, el policia multa a los involucrados y los envia a la corte para que el caso sea decidido por el juez. A pesar de todo, hay policia en cada esquina dirigiendo el trafico y existe semaforos con relojes digitales para informar el chofer el tiempo necesario para esperar y/o seguir. Hoy en dia, Beijing es sometido a las inspecciones de autos para determinar si el auto puede o no contaminar. Es prohibido la chusmeria, la basura, y la falta de respeto. La gente se visten con la mejor ropa. Los cocineros cocinan con guantes y gorras. Los correos operan con guantes. Los cocineros y carteros tienen que operar a base de una ley de la limpieza recien aprobada por el gobierno chino. Incluso comi la comida china [vegetales, Arroz, Carne, Pato de Pekin sin salsa] sin problema.

Se fue los coches de Oldsmobile de las Americas y se ven en la China compitiendo con Hyundai, Toyota, King Long [Coches Chinos], Volkswagen Santana, Buick Shanghai, Chevrolet, Nissan, Audi, y Mercedes Benz. Incluso los King Long funcionan a base de la electricidad.

Se puede apreciar la existencia de Home Depot, Walmart, Carrefour [Mercado frances], Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, Mc Donalds, KFC, Holiday Inn, Crown Plaza, Marriott, Howard Johnson, Sheraton, Burger King, Pollo Tropical, y hasta Grand Union con Piggly Wiggly [dos mercados en EEUU que no existen]. La aereolinea Eastern se fue de la Florida y se convertio en China Eastern con oficinas en Beijing.

Roberto Carlos tuvo el honor en visitar los lugares historicos como la Gran Muralla China, La Plaza Tienamen, Palacio del Pueblo Chino, La Ciudad Prohibida, y el Palacio del Panchen Lama. [El Panchen Lama es el eterno rival del Dalai Lama]. Confucio tenia como refran: “El que llega a la cima de la Gran Muralla es un buen hombre”. Roberto Carlos llego a la cima de la Gran Muralla. Roberto Carlos presencio un evento historico en la Gran Muralla con la llegada de tres autobuses. El primer autobus [con la marca Lada] tenian deportistas rusos que manejaron desde Moscu hasta Beijing. El segundo autobus [Volkswagen] tenian deportistas que iniciaron su camino desde Basilea en Suiza hasta Beijing. El ultimo autobus [Daihatsu] eran deportistas de Letonia que lograron conducir su Daihatsu desde Riga hasta Beijing. En la Ciudad Prohibida, Roberto Carlos tuvo el honor en retratarse como un Emperador Chino con las bendiciones del pueblo y el elenco de la radio y television china.

Roberto Carlos se presento en el Palacio del Pueblo Chino para recibir su premio de un bucaro y un certificado del gobierno chino por su participacion en el concurso de las Olimpiadas. Incluso el Embajador Estadounidense en China alabo a Roberto Carlos con la siguiente declaracion: “Has logrado promover la paz entre China y EEUU”. Roberto Carlos agradecio a la China, la Radio y Television de China, y los EEUU por el premio, el elogio, y el trato como un rey. Incluso la musica de fondo durante la entrega de los Premios Olimpicos fue el Himno Nacional de China y el Himno de las Olimpiadas: “All You Need Is Love” {Necesitamos Amor] de los Beatles. Fue un momento de emocion para Roberto Carlos. Incluso despues de la entrega de los premios, una locutora china [que parecia como la version china de Jackie Guerrido y Marilyn Romero] pregunto a Roberto Carlos: “Porque no estas hablando despues de agradecer a la multitud?” La respuesta de Roberto Carlos fue: “Imaginate los tiempos de este humilde oyente escuchando a Radio Internacional de China y su antecesor Radio Pekin. Nunca pense que podia estar en el Gran Palacio del Pueblo”. La locutora china respondio con una sonrisa diciendo: “No te preocupes, eso sucede con los que visitan a China por primera vez.”.

Roberto Carlos logro visitar a los Estadios de las Olimpiadas y se quedo contento con la organizacion, y los ensayos para la apertura de los juegos Olimpicos. Incluso vio el centro donde las emisoras transmitiran los anhelados juegos. Fue un evento emocional ver a la gente preparar para los juegos. Los estadios estan preparado con la ultima tecnologia en las telecomunicaciones, y compra de bebidas/alimentos. Incluso hay una especie de maquina para extraer dinero que parece a las mascotas de las Olimpiadas. Parece que Beijing tiene fiebre de Olimpiada pues los militares y policias estan portando medallas de las Olimpiadas y Coca Cola. [Acuerdate que China acepta a Coca Cola en vez de Pepsi Cola].

La China parece un pais en paz consigo mismo y el mundo. Incluso, hay un acuerdo de vuelos directos entre Beijing, Shanghai, y Qingdao hacia Taipei. Los marginados en Beijing no existen pues fueron enviado hacia los campos. China clausuro su frontera con Corea del Norte con ciertas excepciones. El equipo olimpico puede cruzar la frontera para hospedarse en la embajada de Corea del Norte. Corea del Sur es la Corea que esta de moda en el momento. China amenazo a Kim Jong Il de Corea del Norte con suspender toda la ayuda y clausurar sus negocios particulares en Shanghai y Dandong si no destruye a sus reactors nucleares. Despues, China emitio otro aviso con suspender la ayuda a Kim Jong Il si el sigue expermintando con supositorios [palabra utilizada por Kim Jong Il para hablar de sus armas de destruccion masiva

El Hotel Palacio del Pueblo Chino donde se hospedo Roberto Carlos es un hotel de cuatro estrellas ubicado en el Corazon de Beijing. El Hotel Palacio del Pueblo Chino contiene un centro de Internet donde un correo electronico puede costar casi veinte dolares por minuto, una picina, tres restaurantes, una habitacion con tres ba~nos, televisores, y receptors de radio. El Hotel Palacio del Pueblo Chino dispone de cinco tiendas, una agencia de viaje, y un correo. Los empleados del Hotel Palacio del Pueblo Chino adoptaron a Roberto Carlos y le sirvieron café con leche o café latte a mitad de precio.

 La visita de Roberto Carlos a los edificios de Radio Internacional de China fue un momento emocional. Roberto Carlos vio los instrumentos de la historia de Radio Internacional de China con su interprete. Roberto Carlos logro ver el salon de los distintos departamentos de idioma. Las secciones camboyana, albanesa, espa~nola, y de Laos llamaron la atencion de Roberto Carlos. La seccion de laos contenian dinero de Laos con sellos. La seccion albanesa tenian la bandera de Albania con sellos, un disco de corta duracion [45 RPM], y un casete. La seccion camboyana fue una curiosidad pues hubo sellos y banderas en todas las epocas con la excepcion de la epoca de Pol Pot [cuando Camboya estaba cerrada del mundo]. La unica excepcion fue una carta del Rey Padre Norodom Sihanouk de Camboya escrito en 1978 cuando estaba bajo arresto domiciliario durante el regimen de Pol Pot en Camboya. Fue un milagro que el gobierno de Pol Pot permitio la correspondencia entre Sihanouk y la Seccion Camboyana de Radio Internacional de China.  Incluso, Roberto Carlos vio su carta para la seccion espa~nola en el museo al lado de la carta de Sihanouk. Otra vez, fue un momento de emocion.

Roberto Carlos hablo con los integrantes de la seccion inglesa de Radio Internacional de China acerca de los deportes y la musica. Hubo algo en comun concerniente a la musica, los deportes, y los mejores deseos en las Olimpiadas.

El pueblo de China [incluyendo Beijing] logro la Buena suerte en ser escogido como anfitrion. El pueblo de China incluyendo Beijing estan en su periodo de gozar de un momento historico que jamas sera repetido. Roberto Carlos esta agradecido al pueblo chino, el gobierno chino, y a los EEUU por ayudarlo ser parte de este momento historico. Roberto Carlos queria agradecer a su familia en Cuba por su apoyo. Beijing tendra su juego Olimpico que superara a los otros juegos. Mis mejores deseos para Beijing y la Republica Popular China en estos gratos momentos de su historia incluyendo la historia deportiva.

I was in Qingdao from the first of July 2008 to the third of July 2008. The first day started in Qingdao after arriving by train from Beijing. I stayed in the Xindong Hotel during this period and started by eating a heavy breakfast of asparagus, broccoli, and coffee. After breakfast, it was off to visit the Mansion of the former German Governor and the House of the Kuomintang Leader Chiang Kai Shek.

The Mansion of the former German Governor was lined with memories of the era in which he dominated the city. There was a photo of the German Governor and his family in the mansion. A Glass Painting of a Woman looking after her two children was also appreciated. A Balcony where the former German Governor looked from his study was appreciated. The house reminded me of the house of one of my family members in Cuba taking into account the architecture. The Mansion of the former German Governor was also the place where Chairman Mao Zedong as well other members of the Chinese Communist Party [including Deng Xiaoping] would sleep and hold their reunions. There was also a room where many dignitaries slept. The room had a commemorative plaque which stated that The King Father of Cambodia Norodom Sihanouk, Ho Chi Minh [Vietnam], and delegations from Albania and Australia slept. I saw the room and felt the presence of Norodom Sihanouk and imagining what it must have been to be in this room during his exile in 1972. I am of the personal opinion that the King Father of Cambodia Norodom Sihanouk will be remembered for his love of China, as well as the music and films that he has produced which have become timeless classics.

After visiting the Mansion of the Former Governor of Qingdao, I went with the rest of the CRI [China Radio International] Tour Group to the mansion of the Kuomintang Leader Chiang Kai Shek.

It was interesting to see where the Kuomintang Leader Chiang Kai Shek spent his time in Qingdao. The house itself was of a European Style Architecture and one was able to appreciate the rooms and beds of the period. One article that attracted my attention was a big transatlantic radio. While radio was the biggest medium during the majority of the twentieth century, the radio resembled one that my great uncle had while he was in New York.

The Tsingtao Brewery was one of the greatest places to visit. The Tsingtao Brewery was where the famous Tsingtao Beer is manufactured. The CRI [China Radio International] Group went on a tour of the Tsingtao Brewery. It was impressive seeing how beer is manufactured using its purest form of water, barley, and hops. I even smelled some of the hops. Helmut Mutt [the German Representative in the Olympic Tour of China] commented with members of CRI about the different types of beer and the laws governing the purity of beer. I paled in comparison since I was in expert in coffee. We saw the different buildings where the history of Tsingtao was shown via photos and commercials. There was a section of the museum where the person could pass through a room and feel what is like to be in a state of drunken stupor. I remember telling some of the CRI Staff about how in Medical School in the Dominican Republic, many students would celebrate their graduation from medical school [as well as from dental school] by baptizing each other with beer followed by water. It was a tradition that while good for some people could also damage people if they have an allergy to beer.

We were witness to how the beer was bottled or placed in cans after a thorough process that included boiling and fermentation. Again, I am not an expert in the beer manufacturing process so sorry if the terms were not used correctly. After touring the beer manufacturing section, we were lead to a replica of a bar where there were many souvenirs including beer label bottles and an invitation to drink beer. I declined since my body cannot dissolve the alcohol.

The staff of Tsingtao Beer photographed those in the tour and our faces appeared in the beer labels. I even had a photo taken next to the beer bottle with my face on it. The people with certain exceptions celebrated with the beer. While I was grateful to Tsingtao for the beer bottle, I ended having to share the beer inside the bottle with other people. The reason was simple, in the United States of America; it is unwise to bring a full beer bottle upon arrival. The US Customs and Homeland Security would confiscate the beer and any other belongings in the luggage. Regardless, I am forever grateful to CRI for taking me to the Tsingtao Brewery and I am grateful to the Tsingtao Brewery for their generosity in allowing me to visit them.

One of the commercial centres that attracted my attention has the name of Jusco and it was a commercial centre of eight floors. I myself who live in the United States of America was surprised by the size and diversity of products of such a beautiful place. I decided to buy a Philip Shaver which functions on AA Batteries since my Electric Shaver [which was a Philips bought in America] did not function in spite of having used a volt transformer. After purchasing the Philips Shaver, I decided to fall into temptation with a cup of a Cold Vanilla Latte. It appears that Chinatea [one of the manufacturers of Tea and Coffee] should open up shops in the United States of America. Again that is another proposal but Jusco was the place to enjoy one self. In the commercial centre parking lots, I was able to appreciate the billboards of Jackie Chan with Yao Ming exhorting the people to use their Visa Credit Cards, Sofia Vergara [Colombian Actress] telling people to consume Pantene Shampoo, and Shakira promoting MP3s by Sony.

Qingdao Beach is one of the beaches that is attractive and is like Miami and Key West in China. The people who visit this attractive beach are able to appreciate young couples taking photos for their future weddings and people taking photos of friends and families like if they were models or movie stars. It was a relaxed atmosphere with stores selling seashells and starfish. I was reminded of the times in Miami Florida within the beaches when people sold seashells and starfishes. The atmosphere also reminded me of how we should take care of our beaches and natural resources. The air and the sea were clean and the employees in Qingdao Beach did their best to maintain the beach clean.

There was a street alongside the sea that reminded me of a street in Santo Domingo called “El Malecon” [Street next to the sea]. A similar street exists in La Habana Cuba which I have yet to visit. The Consulate of the Republic of Korea [South Korea] is in this street as well as a Korean Restaurant located in the Sophia International Hotel. The Sophia International Hotel is located a few blocks from the Republic of Korea Consulate. There must be an obsession with Sofia Vergara since there is the Sophia International Hotel. Even though both are separate, it is a good comparison. The Sophia International Hotel also has a Korean Restaurant. The restaurant was impeccable like all restaurants in Qingdao and Beijing [in which cooks and waiters wear gloves and hats]. Since I am unable to have seafood, I was able to eat Noodles, Broccoli, with Orange Juice, Fanta, and Coffee. The Noodles and Broccoli were excellent.

Who could not conclude a trip to Qingdao without seeing the Olympic Venues for the Sailing Events as well as the Haier Factories?

For me, it was an honour and a moment of emotion to be able to visit the Qingdao Olympic Sailing Centre. I was able to witness the history of the Olympics including the torch. I carried the Beijing Olympic Torch replica as well as being photographed with the Los Angeles and Atlanta torch. It was a touching moment since the Atlanta Torch passed through the main avenue of my neighborhood in Miami Florida called Coral Way. After the visit to the Sailing Centre, CRI took photos of this humble listener in front of the American and Spanish Flag.

The CRI Tour group was treated to a trip around the Qingdao Bay by the Coast Guard of the People’s Republic of China. In spite of the photos, many people complained of being seasick. It is hoped that there is no bragging but a person who lives in Florida could not get seasick since Florida is a maritime state. It was a privilege and an honour to see the bay and I want to extend my thanks to the Coast Guard of the People’s Republic of China for their support in making this trip around the bay possible. It was also a pleasure to be able to see the city of Qingdao from the top of Xiaoyushan Park.

Haier is a company that is thinking in the mode of the twenty first century. Haier was founded in the year 1984 and is a company that manufactures air conditioners, electronic devices, and computers that turn off and on [secondary to parental controls]. Haier also has laptops of various colours, washing and drying machines that do not need detergents or water, and toilets that lift their seats automatically. The chairman of Haier spoke to us about how the customer is always right and how there are a Haier Building in New York as well as factories in diverse places such as South Carolina, Florida, Cuba, Iran, and Pakistan. I am convinced that Haier will overtake Whirlpool, Sears, Hitachi, and Mitsubishi in the future. My reason is that Haier is the company that has initiated the globalization process and knows how to treat its customers.

What is more that can be said about Qingdao except that it was very beautiful just like Beijing was beautiful? The crowning moment of the trip to Qingdao was the reception given by the municipal government in honour of CRI. It was an honour to see the Vice Director of CRI Wang Dongmei conversing with the Director of the Qingdao Publicity Department/ Executive Vice President of the Qingdao Olympic Sailing Committee Wang Wei about CRI and the Olympic Contest. The banquet in honour of the CRI Listeners was great. I enjoyed the banquet as well as the conversation with Wang Dongmei with the help of my interpreter Gao Huiying. These moments are forever etched in my memory.

Another defining moment was the visit to Taiqing Temple on Laoshan and burning incense as part of the ritual of respect to the civilization which is China. It was very emotional since I felt part of China and CRI. I will never forget the conversation I had with the people of Radio Qingdao who were nice. After all was finished, I took a return trip with the CRI Group on my first Air China flight from Qingdao to Beijing. I wish there was a direct flight from China to Miami Florida since both areas have a lot to offer each other. My trip to China will always remain in my mind. I would like to thank the following people.
The following is the Thank You Note that I wrote in Beijing, capital of the People’s Republic of China on the 30th of June 2008 with modifications as the trip progressed.

I would like to take the time to thank the People’s Republic of China and CRI English including Gao Huiying [my interpreter], Xie Tingting [my photographer], Guan Juanjuan [Deputy Director of CRI], Ye Feng [Deputy Director Associate Professor of the CRI Urdu Service], Jade Wang [Channel Director of Easy FM China Radio International], Meng Yi [West Asian and African Broadcasting Director], Xing Bo [Vice Director CRI Editorial Office], Fernando Bo [Asociacio Chinesa do Brasil], Wang Dongmei [Vice Director of CRI] and Yang Lei [Chief of CRI English] as well as the staff of Radio Qingdao.

I would also like to thank the members of the Government of the People’s Republic of China [National and Municipal], the China People’s Palace for hotel accomodations in Beijing, United Airlines for the flight to Beijing and then the return trip to Miami, the United States Embassy in Beijing, as well as fellow participants of the contest who were with me in this historic occasion Azam Ali Soomro [President of the Eagle International Radio Listeners Club in Pakistan], Dr. Rajitha Senaratne [Member of Parliament, Minister of Construction and Engineering Services in Sri Lanka], Helmut Matt [Germany], John Stephan Akwari [Tanzania][one of the runners of the 1968 Olympics in Mexico and proof that people can be inspired to do great things in sports], Semenykin Dymytro Stanislavovych [Ukraine], and Bounteng Vounsey [Laos].

Roberto Carlos Alvarez Galloso
Beijing, China 30th of June 2008
Qingdao, China: 3rd of July 2008
Miami, Florida: 6th of July 2008

In the 1950’s, Cuban Artist Luis Carbonell recorded “La Habana de Hoy” [Present Day La Habana] for the recording label Kubaney. Inspired by the recording and what I have seen in Beijing, the time has come to write about Beijing. Another reason is to correct the misconceptions of Beijing and China that have been invented by a press in the Western World [examples such as CNN, CBS, and the like] bent on eliminating alternative view points so that they can regain the monopoly once enjoyed. I had already written a reply to the comments made by a BBC Journalist in Beijing that in my opinion defamed the people of China and the Olympics.

Beijing is a city that is thriving and growing without limits. Beijing is a city in which the Peking duck coexists with Pizza Hut, KFC, Wendy’s, Burger King, Taco Bell and other take away restaurants. There are foods for different tastes and the restaurants are subject to the same laws governing cleanliness when preparing, serving, and cooking food. The cooks and waiters have to wear gloves and hats during their work and the food is inspected to make sure that there are no contaminants. Chinese food in China is less spicy than the version in America. Even though I had rice, coffee, and Coca Cola; the vegetables and noodles [as well as the mushrooms, Peking duck, and the meat] was excellent. The coffee in China [as well as the tea] is great and are served in wine cups. It is a pity that I could not implement that custom in America but it may not be ruled out.

Beijing has a whole lot of traffic with Oldsmobile’s, Buicks, Chevrolets, Toyota, and Hyundai’s competing with Cars such as King Long. There are even automobiles that run on electricity. The Service Stations with petrol such as Sinochem are present and have used Motor Oil such as Exxon and Mobil for cars. The traffic in Beijing is the same as in New York City and Miami with the Police maintaining order. The traffic lights have signals which are timed to allow drivers to be informed how long they can wait for the change in signals or to continue. Beijing as well as other cities in the People’s Republic of China have strict laws governing air, traffic, and street pollution and enforce them to the letter which is a great thing.

The Multinational Recording Companies such as Sony, Universal, and EMI are present alongside the local Recording Companies with the flourishing of local and international talent. Traditional Chinese Music is excellent although one has to be impressed with the Contemporary Chinese Music Scene. I remember seeing on CCTV a music video of a female Chinese Pop Star singing and raising the flag of the People’s Republic of China. In the background, there were people respecting each other as well as the sense of family and community. I remember looking at the video and felt an emotion that is hard to express. There is nothing like country and family and seeing the music video made my heart beat and gave me a feeling of happiness and peace within myself that cannot be repeated.

The People’s Republic of China especially Beijing contained a sense of community with people saying “Please” and “Thank You”. The Official Postal Service China Post was also immaculate and organized. China Post was helpful with this humble citizen when he sent his post cards and letters to family and friends in the United States of America and Cuba. The courteous attitude of the people left an impact that I tried to express but could only say the word “Excellent” and it’s Spanish Equivalent “Fenomenal”. Many people in Beijing asked me the reason for my saying just one word. My response was that I am a believer in using one word to talk about all of the positive things in the world. The people of Beijing have a desire to learn about other people. A few people in Beijing once asked me if in America people believed in lucky charms. My response was to say that many people carry a Cross, a Buddha, and a Stone but that I preferred to carry a photo of my wife Marlene and Daughter Veronica as well as a badge of China Radio International. There were people who asked me about my beliefs and I said that “I am a person who believes that people should be accepted for what they are on the inside regardless of race, ethnicity, and ideology”. I explained that my beliefs were based on Deng Xioping and his Cat and Mice Analogy as well as what Cantinflas [the Mexican Comedian] once said: “I do not desire riches or power, I just want to be friends and be at peace with all of the people of the world.”

It was an honour and a pleasure to visit the Great Wall of China, The Forbidden Palace, and Tiananmen Square. It was also a pleasure to visit the Olympic Venues including the International Broadcasting Centre as well as the Water Cube and Bird’s Nest. It was in these places that one could appreciate the different versions of architectural beauty.

The Great Wall of China is one of the Seven Wonders of the World and its beauty has been appreciated by one of the Chinese Astronauts orbiting the Earth. It is surprising how long such a Monument took to construct. There is a saying that whoever can climb the highest peak in the Great Wall of China is an honest, great, and brave man. I managed to accomplish this feat to the delight of those who witnessed this accomplishment.

The Forbidden Palace with its different rooms and areas was also a place to appreciate. The Forbidden Palace is situated in the area of Tiananmen Square. Within the Forbidden Palace it could be appreciated the various rooms and temples where the Emperor and their families resided. There is also a place within the Forbidden Palace where one is able to see more than five hundred years of Chinese History including the overthrow of the Qing Dynasty in 1912 and the eventual expulsion of the last Emperor Puyi in 1924. When Puyi and his family were expelled by the Warlords, he left through the back door.

Tiananmen Square was the place where Mao Zedong proclaimed the People’s Republic of China on the first of October in 1949. Tiananmen Square was the place to be in order to appreciate the statues and memorials to those who died defending China against foreign invaders. Tiananmen Square was also the place where the Great Hall of the People and the tomb of Mao Zedong could be appreciated.

I could not imagine that one day while listening to China Radio International [at the time Radio Peking or Radio Beijing] that I would be in the Great Hall of the People. The Great Hall of the People is a building that houses the reunions of the Government of the People’s Republic of China as well as other formal reunions. It was built during the days of Socialist Realism of the 1950’s and 1960’s. It was a pleasure and an honour to be in such sacred grounds. It was a pleasure and an honour to be the recipient of the Olympic Awards which included a ceramic trophy and a certificate. I felt my heart beat after receiving the award and then receive the following congratulations from the Embassy of the United States of America in Beijing, the People’s Republic of China. I will never forget the words of the representative of the Embassy of the United States of America: “Roberto, you deserve to be honoured for your efforts in the improvement of relations between the People’s Republic of China and the United States of America”. It is these words that will remain in my heart. The Great Hall of The People was also the historical meeting place between this humble listener and the Director of CRI English Service Yang Lei. We were able to talk about CRI English and my beginnings as a listener of CRI English. We also talked about how CRI English was a station in constant contact with its listeners. I suggested to Yang Lei that CRI English maintain its shortwave service. I managed to explain the reasons such as the fact that people in America are purchasing shortwave radios after the disaster of Hurricane Katrina, Rita, and Wilma in 2005. Mr. Yang Lei was responsive to the need of continuing Shortwave Service from CRI English.

It was an honour to be able to visit another sacred place called China Radio International [CRI as the initials]. It was great to be shown the building and to receive the award of the Beijing Olympic Stamps. Most important was to meet with the dedicated professionals of China Radio International such as Gao Huiying [my interpreter], Xie Tingting [my photographer], Guan Juanjuan [Deputy Director of CRI], Ye Feng [Deputy Director Associate Professor of the CRI Urdu Service], Jade Wang [Channel Director of Easy FM China Radio International], Meng Yi [West Asian and African Broadcasting Director], Xing Bo [Vice Director CRI Editorial Office], Fernando Bo Asociacio Chinesa do Brasil, and Yang Lei [Chief of CRI English]. It was great to be able to visit a station with more than sixty five years of history.

CRI has a section where they showed microphones used during its initial transmissions as well as photos of the Indonesian Service answering the reception reports. CRI also had displays from different listeners in many parts of the world. I was curious when I saw the souvenirs from the Korean, Laotian, Cambodian, and Albanian Service. I saw in the Albanian Service display, the flag of Albania as well as cassettes and letters from listeners. The Laotian Service had letters as well as paper money called the Kip sent to China Radio International as souvenirs. The Korean Service had letters from listeners in the Republic of Korea [South Korea] and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea [North Korea] as well as Compact Discs and Stamps from North Korea.

After seeing the display from the Korean Listeners, I reminded myself about the time I received a birthday card from my first cousin in Cuba. I remember that she spent time in North Korea and she sent me a post card of a three dimensional tiger. The purpose was that I was born in 1962 which is the Year of the Tiger in China as well as other nations such as Korea.

There was another section of the China Radio International display that showed listener’s letters from different countries on a globe. There was a letter from a listener in Albania, Mongolia, and another one from the United States of America with multiple stamps by a listener named Roberto Carlos Alvarez-Galloso. It was an emotional moment and one that makes me realize that I have arrived home.

The Capital Museum in Beijing was great and it was much more seeing the history of China from the beginning to the present. I was also a witness to the section of the Peking Opera. I saw a section dedicated to the Peking Opera including a booklet dedicated to Records of Peking Opera by EMI China as well as the clothing used by the participants of the Peking Opera. I was reminded of the time I saw a Peking Opera in Akron Ohio in the year 1973.

It was a thrill to visit the Water Cube and the Birds Nest in preparations for the Olympics. The buildings as well as the International Reporters Centre are to be used in the Beijing Olympics of 2008. It was also a thrill to see the preparations for the rehearsals for the opening games of the Beijing Olympics in 2008. I was told that the International Reporters Centre would be used and then torn down. It would be a shame since it could be used to tell the tale of the Beijing Olympics.

The China People’s Palace is one of the greatest hotels in the area of Beijing. The China’s People’s Palace has the best service when it comes to restaurants with its hot café latte, its internet service, and the China Post Office. The China People’s Palace also had great venues when it comes to selling Beijing Olympic Souvenirs. The hotel had great bedrooms as well as a place to take a relaxing bath and drink tea while resting.

While there are detractors who want to unite politics and sports, I am a firm believer in the separation of sports and politics. I am also a believer that the Beijing Olympics will be the Olympics that will surpass Olympics of previous decades. My best wishes to Beijing and the People’s Republic of China in the coming Olympics from a long time listener and friend in Miami Florida, United States of America.

I have just recently returned from a visit to the People’s Republic of China and had the honour and pleasure of visiting the cities of Beijing and Tsingtao. The People’s Republic of China and CRI [China Radio International] English Service were very kind and generous. Beijing, Tsingtao, as well as CRI and the People’s Republic of China exceeded my expectations. In fact, both cities have come a long way baby [citing the phrase used by Canadian Comedian Mike Myers in some of his films].

I would like to take the time to thank the People's Republic of China and CRI English including Gao Huiyeng [my interpreter], Xie Tingting [my photographer], Guan Juanjuan [Deputy Director of CRI], Ye Feng [Deputy Director Associate Professor of the CRI Urdu Service], Jade Wang [Channel Director of Easy FM China Radio International], Meng Yi [West Asian and African Broadcasting Director], Xing Bo [Vice Director CRI], Fernando Bo Asociacio Chinesa do Brasil, and Yang Lei [Chief of CRI English] as well as the staff of Radio Qingdao.

I would also like to thank the members of the Government of the People's Republic of China [National and Municipal], the China People's Palace for hotel accomodations in Beijing, United Airlines for the flight to Beijing and then the return trip to Miami, the United States Embassy in Beijing, as well as fellow participants of the contestwho were with me in this historic occasion Azam Ali Soomro [President of the Eagle International Radio Listeners Club in Pakistan], Dr. Rajitha Senaratne [Member of Parliament, Minister of Construction and Engineering Services in Sri Lanka], Helmut Matt [Germany], John Stephan Akwari [Tanzania][one of the runners of the 1968 Olympics in Mexico and proof that people can be inspired to do great things in sports], Semenykin Dymytro Stanislavovych [Ukraine], and Bounteng Vounsey [Laos].

Roberto Carlos Alvarez Galloso

Beijing China 30th of June 2008

Miami Florida 6th of July 2008

Earlier this year, a kidney transplant attracted much public attention when a 23-year-old girl named Wang Yanna saved a Uygur boy's life by donating her kidney

En solidaridad con los que sufrieron bajo los efectos del temblor de tierra, El Noticiero Alvarez Galloso no publicara articulos hasta el 21 de Mayo de 2008.

Media reports have said the issue involved whether future Lazio signing Cristian Ledesma should play for Lecce.

Rossi's position at the mid-table Serie A club is already under threat after a mixed season with talks planned with Lotito.

Lazio Club, Coach Punished over Match-fixing Attempt

2008-05-17 09:59:14 Xinhua

http://english.cri.cn/2886/2008/05/17/1601@358680.htm

Boycotts have never worked because human nature in its majority has the tendency to do the forbidden. When Carter boycotted the Moscow Olympics of 1980 in response to the Russian [Soviet] Invasion of Afghanistan in 1979, the opposite ocurred. People went to the Moscow Olympics in 1980. People in the United States of America defied the boycott by crossing the border into Canada and buying souvenirs of the Moscow Olympics in 1980. Others defied the boycott by crossing the border between the United States of America and Canada and going to Russia [at that time The Union of Soviet Socialist Republic] after purchasing their tickets from authorized representatives of Intourist [which was the authorized tourist agency of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics] and Aeroflot [which was the Soviet now Russian Airline].

1. Bush and Company committed abuses that are impeachable and you do nothing. 

2. You used Cindy Sheehan as toilet paper but discarded her when she rightfully talked about the sins of the Republicans and Democrats. 

3. The Republicans and Democrats [you included] are nothing more than hypocrites without morals when you proclaim freedom but deny the rights of Libertarians and Greens to present candidates using discriminatory laws and requirements to prevent greater citizen participation. 

4. What about the lack of confidence in the White House, the Judicial System, and Congress?The American People demand more and receive less. 

You do not have to answer. I am not a constituent and I am a Libertarian. I am proud of being a Libertarian and their message of freedom, responsibility, less government, and not enslaved to the so called "Moral" Liberals and Conservatives who are using the politics of old in a new century.

China appointed Bora Multinovic as their national coach taking into account the experience he had. Multinovic may not have won the 2002 World Cup for China but he was able to help China take football [soccer] to a new level. We should also take into consideration that China has been a success in itself by surprising the Football [Soccer] World with its victories in the 2007 Asian Cup. What Multinovic did was construct the bases for a better football [soccer] in China, what China did was improve itself and became known as a Football [Soccer] Powerhouse. 

The Kurd Stars FC who is the only Kurdish Team to play in an English League has Kinan Midhad Kadir as their coach and Sarkhell Nawroly as its Chairman and Player. Kinan Midhad Kadir and Sarkhell Nawroly have brought the Kurd Stars FC to higher levels in football [soccer] as well as promoting Kurdish Football [Soccer] to the Kurdistan Olympic Committee, Kurdistan Football Association, and The Ministry of Sports and Youth of the Kurdistan Regional Government in Kurdistan of Iraq. Kinan Midhad Kadir and Sarkhell Nawroly have been able to promote Kurdish Football [Soccer] through their years of experience as ex player, player, as well as manager and coach. The Kurd Stars FC has managed to advance to the leagues in England, Kurdistan, and the remote areas of the world. They even gained a supporter in Miami Florida. 

African Countries like Cameroon, Nigeria, Angola, and even Rwanda have had ex players from other countries as managers and coaches secondary to their experience in the field. Africa in the end has advanced in the World Cups and is expected to make a strong impression in the 2010 World Cup to be held in South Africa. For example, the coach of Cameroon who was an ex player for various German Teams whose name is Winfried Schafer took Cameroon to the near top of the African League. Winfried Schafer also managed to help instill discipline, tactics, continuity, and a pro active play into Cameroon that was instrumental in converting Cameroon into an African Powerhouse in Football [Soccer]. Winfried Schafer also asked Germany's Coach Rudi Volli to respect Cameroon as a team in a show of defiance against his country and in defence of the country that accepted him. This show of defence occurred in the preparations for the 2002 World Cup.  

Cameroon was such a success that Press TV reported that Iran offered Winfried Schafer but what transpired was that nothing came to fruit and Iran finally offered the job of coach and manager to a trainer for Persepolis Tehran with experience as a player in Iranian Football [Soccer] named Afshin Qotbi. Whether Iran can progress to the 2010 World Cup is another matter. I think Iran will progress since Iran has chosen experienced players and trainers in the past to coach and manage its national team. Football [Soccer] teams do not limit their success by restricting appointments of managers to ex players. Football [Soccer] teams appoint what they think is the best person who can help a team win or at least take a team to "higher levels" [using the quote by Joel Osteen].   

REFERENCE: 

Kurd Stars FC Website

http://www.kurdstars.com/index.html

Assessed on the 18th of March 2008 

BBC Sport: "Eto'o sees Schafer as World Cup 'key' Wednesday, 26 December, 2001, 13:52 GMT

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/africa/1729264.stm

Assessed on the 18th of March 2008 

BBC Sport: "Schafer warns Germany"; Tuesday, 4 December, 2001, 11:55 GMT  

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2002/1691467.stm

Assessed on the 18th of March 2008 

Press TV: “Iran finally introduces new coach”

http://www.presstv.ir/Detail.aspx?id=37281§ionid=3510211 

Press TV: “Reid will not coach Iran soccer team”

http://www.presstv.ir/Detail.aspx?id=32038§ionid=3510211 

Press TV: “Schafer may coach Iran soccer team”

http://www.presstv.ir/Detail.aspx?id=31091§ionid=3510211 

Press TV: “Qotbi Iran’s new football coach”

http://www.presstv.ir/Detail.aspx?id=45350§ionid=3510211

According to Press TV, Iran is in Group 5 of the World Cup 2010 Qualifiers with Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, and Syria. This is good news for the Iranian Team with a possibility of advancing to the next rounds of the Asian Qualifications.

Group 1 or the Group of Death is Australia, China, Iraq, and Qatar. Group 2 is Japan, Bahrain, Oman, and Thailand. Group 3 will be South Korea, North Korea, Jordan, and Turkmenistan. It would be interesting see South Korea and North Korea play against each other. Group 4 will be Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan, Lebanon, and Singapore.

I am willing to predict that Iran, China, Saudi Arabia, and South Korea will be the ones going to the next round of classifications towards the World Cup 2010.

Segun Press TV, Iran esta clasificado en Grupo 5 junto con Kuwait, los Emiratos Arabes Unidos, y Siria.

Grupo 1 o el Grupo de la Muerte es Australia, China, Irak, y Katar. Grupo 2 es Japon, Bahrein, Oman, y Tailandia. Grupo 3 son las dos Coreas, Jordania, y Turkmenistan. Seria interesante ver el juego entre las dos Coreas. Grupo 4 es Arabia Saudita, Uzbekistan, Libano, y Singapur.

Me atrevo prognostic que los siguientes iran a la proxima vuelta en la clasificacion para la Copa Mundial 2010: Iran, China, Arabia Saudita, y Corea del Sur

REFERENCE/REFERENCIA:

Press TV: “Iran in WC2010 qualifiers Group 5”

http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=32576§ionid=3510211