CUBANEWS FROM RADIO HAVANA CUBA August 7, 1997 E-mail: rhc@radiohc.org http://www.radiohc.org The following items are taken from RADIO HAVANA CUBA's International Shortwave Service in English for Thursday, August 7, 1997. Today's stories: 1.- SPANISH FOREIGN MINISTRY EXPRESSES SATISFACTION WITH CUBA'S PROTECTION OF ITS HOTEL FACILITIES 2.- INTERNATIONAL AIDS CONFERENCE UNDERWAY IN CUBAN CAPITAL 3.- WORKSHOP ON CHE GUEVARA SCHEDULED FOR HAVANA IN SEPTEMBER 4.- CUBA AND LAOS EXTEND BILATERAL COOPERATION AND FRIENDSHIP AGREEMENT 5.- FORMER DOMINICA PRIME MINISTER CALLS FOR REGIONAL INTEGRATION 6.- AFRO-CUBAN ORISHAS ON A TOUR OF SPAIN SPANISH FOREIGN MINISTRY EXPRESSES SATISFACTION WITH CUBA'S PROTECTION OF ITS HOTEL FACILITIES Madrid, August 7(RHC)-- The Spanish Foreign Ministry has issued a statement expressing satisfaction with Cuba's protection of its hotel facilities. Read by a spokesperson from the offices of Spain's Foreign Minister Abel Matutes, the statement referred to recent explosions at several Havana hotels, including the Hotel Capri, the Hotel Nacional and the Melia-Cohiba. Spain's Foreign Ministry insisted that "greater security is not possible" -- adding that everything is being done to prevent future explosions from occurring. The Spanish official noted that despite efforts to protect its hotels, it is a very difficult to prevent incidents from occurring. INTERNATIONAL AIDS CONFERENCE UNDERWAY IN THE CUBAN CAPITAL Havana, August 7(RHC)-- International experts on AIDS are meeting in Havana to analyze strategies in order to fight the epidemic of the 20th century. "Sexuality and AIDS in Cuba, Latin America and the Caribbean" is underway at Havana's Pedro Kouri Institute of Tropical Medicine. Also in attendance at the conference are HIV carriers hospitalized at the Santiago de las Vegas Sanatorium on the outskirts of Havana. Cuba is currently conducting research on a prototype vaccine against AIDS. Seven researchers have volunteered to be tested with the vaccine. There is no risk of side-effects. Current statistics put the number of HIV carriers in Cuba at only 1678. Five hundred ninety-five have developed the disease and 429 have died since the mid-1980's. As much as 14,000 dollars are spent annually on each AIDS patient in Cuba. WORKSHOP ON CHE GUEVARA SCHEDULED FOR HAVANA IN SEPTEMBER Havana, August 7(RHC)-- The Cuban Journalists Union -- the UPEC -- has called for an international workshop on the Heroic Guerrilla Ernesto Che Guevara for September. Discussions will center on "Che as a Photographer and Journalist." Cuban and foreign journalists, students of communications, historians and scholars are able to participate in the international workshop. The event's schedule includes presentations, round tables and lectures on Che's journalistic style, the graphic image of Che in the media, as well as myths and realities about Che. Deadline for entries is September 15th. Entries should be sent to the Havana-based Jose Marti International Institute. CUBA AND LAOS EXTEND BILATERAL COOPERATION AND FRIENDSHIP AGREEMENT Havana, August 7(RHC)-- The Laos-Cuba Friendship Association and the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples -- ICAP -- have extended a bilateral cooperation and friendship agreement. On hand at the signing ceremony were Laotian delegates to the 14th World Festival of Youth and Students. The Vice President of the Laotian Popular Assembly, Khambou Sounixag, noted the two countries' determination to build socialism and not to surrender to Washington's pressures. FORMER DOMINICA PRIME MINISTER CALLS FOR REGIONAL INTEGRATION Havana, August 7(RHC)-- Former Dominica Prime Minister Maria Eugenia Charles has stated that "regional integration is the only road to development." Speaking to journalists in the Cuban capital before returning to her country, the former prime minister said that important steps are being taken in that direction, "encouraged by the Caribbean people's common interests." Former Prime Minister Charles was on hand for the 14th World Festival of Youth and Students as part of her nation's delegation to the event. She said she was impressed with the issues discussed by more than 12,000 delegates to the international youth event. AFRO-CUBAN ORISHAS ON A TOUR OF SPAIN Madrid, August 7(RHC)-- An Afro-Cuban cultural panorama was shown recently in Spain by renowned Cuban anthropologist and ethnologist Natalia Bolivar. Cuban experts on African religion, dance and music showcased Afro-Cuban culture in five Spanish cities. The tour was sponsored by "Spaniards from the World Foundation," in cooperation with the local governments of Andalusia, Castile and Extremadura. The artistic program included an exhibit of Afro-Cuban ritual objects by Natalia Bolivar and paintings by Cuban artist Zaida del Rio. A seminar on anthropology entitled "The Rules of Afro-Cuban Religion" was also held by Natalia Bolivar. The outstanding Cuban expert lectured Spanish participants on some of the most commonly practiced beliefs -- from Yoruba, Congo and Carabali origin. The purpose of the tour was to emphasize the importance and richness of interracial relations during the Year Against Racism and Xenophobia, commemorated in 1997. [c] 1997. Radio Habana Cuba All rights reserved Articles cannot be reproduced, reprinted or published in any system without the consent of RHC. This prohibition includes the distribution of this material via Usenet News, "bulletin board" services, e-mail lists, print media, radio and television. 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