CUBANEWS FROM RADIO HAVANA CUBA August 12, 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 Tuesday, August 12, 1997. Today's stories: 1.- INTEGRATED HEALTH EMERGENCY SERVICE WILL SOON COVER THE ENTIRE ISLAND 2.- TRIBUTES TO COMANDANTE ERNESTO CHE GUEVARA ON THE 30th ANNIVERSARY OF HIS DEATH IN COMBAT 3.- ITALIAN CULTURAL TOUR OF CUBAN MUSIC, DANCE AND ART 4.- CUBA WILL IMPORT 250,000 TONS OF RICE THIS YEAR 5.- AND IN THE WORLD OF SPORTS... INTEGRATED HEALTH EMERGENCY SERVICE WILL SOON COVER THE ENTIRE ISLAND Havana, August 12(RHC)-- Before the year ends, public health care will register an important breakthrough with the setting up of integrated health emergency service in most of Cuba's provinces. Yesterday, Cuban Health Minister Doctor Carlos Dotres inaugurated the high-quality service in the western- most province of Pinar del Rio -- the fifth this year. The integrated health emergency service is based on preventive health care and the promotion of a sound life. Its essence is the Family Doctor -- the foundation of basic health care in Cuba. Doctor Dotres emphasized that it is Cuba -- "an underdeveloped nation defying an economic blockade for more than three decades" -- which is creating a system of which few developed nations can boast. This new system works 24 hours a day and is comprehensive -- from the family doctor's offices to clinics and hospitals, where specialized first aid is provided. TRIBUTES TO COMANDANTE ERNESTO CHE GUEVARA ON THE 30th ANNIVERSARY OF HIS DEATH IN COMBAT Havana, August 12(RHC)-- An international meeting has been scheduled for September in Havana to pay tribute to the legacy of the Heroic Guerrilla, Comandante Ernesto Che Guevara. The meeting will be sponsored by the magazine "Tricontinental" and is entitled: "The 21st Century: Legacy and Effectiveness of Che's Work." "Tricontinental" is published by the Havana-based Organization of Solidarity with the Peoples of Asia, Africa and Latin America (OSPAAAL). Earlier this month, coinciding with the celebration of the 14th World Festival of Youth and Students, the magazine offered an exhibit of more than 350 works of art on Ernesto Che Guevara by artists from 35 countries. A special edition of "Tricontinental" was dedicated to the legendary internationalist fighter, with previously unpublished testimonies by some of Che's comrades. In related news, some 150 people making up the Fourth Latin American and Caribbean Work Brigade paid tribute to Che during a visit to Los Portales Caves in Pinar del Rio. The Heroic Guerrilla set up his camp at Los Portales during the October Missile Crisis of 1962. The Latin American and Caribbean Work Brigade will work in Cuba until August 20th. And the Latin American Students Organization -- OCLAE -- is organizing a student caravan that will leave Cuba next September bound for Bolivia. Caravanistas will travel the same route Che and his men travelled before they were killed in the area of La Higuera in October 1967. ITALIAN CULTURAL TOUR OF CUBAN MUSIC, DANCE AND ART Rome, August 12(RHC)-- "CubArriba" is the name of a cultural tour offered in four Italian cities by Cuban artists beginning this Thursday, the 14th. The cities of Pescara, Teramo, Chieti and L'Aquila will enjoy music, dance and visual arts by some of Cuba's most popular artists. The aim of "CubaArriba" is to disseminate information on the social and cultural achievements of the Cuban Revolution. A series of round tables and lectures on Cuban literature, film- making and visual arts has been organized by the Italian hosts. In other cultural news, renowned Cuban composer and singer Pablo Milanes will perform at the Lincoln Center in New York City later this month. The U.S. concert will be the last leg of a tour which will take Pablo to Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. The author of such popular songs as "Yolanda" and "Amo Esta Isla" will perform other compositions from his latest CD, recently recorded in Spain. CUBA WILL IMPORT 250,000 TONS OF RICE THIS YEAR Havana, August 12(RHC)-- Cuba will have to import some 250,000 tons of rice to make up for its deficit in cereal production. Cuban authorities report that the island will produce some 200,000 tons of rice this year while the regular consumption level is 450,000 tons. Authorities pointed out, however, that Cuba has appropriate soil and water reserves to increase rice production and gradually reduce importation. AND IN THE WORLD OF SPORTS... Havana, August 12(RHC)-- The President of the Cuban National Sports Institute Reynaldo Gonzalez is back home after a tour of various European and African nations. While in Europe, Gonzalez attended the International Amateur Baseball Association's Congress. The Cuban sports official pointed out that although the World University Games will not have baseball on its competitive calendar, the Cuban team will be on hand for a series of exhibition games and for a three game mini-series against the Italian national team. Regarding his African trip, the Cuban sports official pointed out that his visit to South Africa was of paramount importance. He was welcomed by President Nelson Mandela, who expressed his personal interest in future bilateral cooperation in the field of sports. Gonzalez was also briefed on what Cape Town is doing to be the site for the Olympic Games in the year 2004. Regarding Cuba's support of sports in South Africa, the president of the island's sports institute said that boxing, baseball and volleyball experts will soon be travelling to that African nation. He added that the South African sports minister is expected to travel to Cuba for an official visit in October. [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. For the complete RADIO HAVANA CUBA NEWSCAST and other features, please write for our daily broadcast schedule. We welcome your comments and suggestions. For further information, contact us at: Postal Address: Radio Havana Cuba P.O.Box 6240 Havana, Cuba Telephone: (53) (7) 791053 Fax: (53) (7) 795007 E-mail: rhc@radiohc.org WWW: http://www.radiohc.org