CUBANEWS FROM RADIO HAVANA CUBA August 15, 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 Friday, August 15, 1997. Today's stories: 1.- CUBAN TRADE UNION LEADER CALLS FOR UNITED FRONT AGAINST NEOLIBERAL AND CAPITALIST POLICIES 2.- ONE MILLION THREE HUNDRED THOUSAND TOURISTS WILL VACATION IN CUBA THIS YEAR 3.- MIAMI RESIDENTS LOVE REAL CUBAN MUSIC, DESPITE ATTACKS BY REACTIONARY CUBAN-AMERICAN MINORITY 4.- SANTIAGO DE CUBA PULLS OUT IN FRONT IN HOUSING CONSTRUCTION 5.- CUBA'S BIOCEN LABORATORY MARKS 15TH ANNIVERSARY CUBAN TRADE UNION LEADER CALLS FOR UNITED FRONT AGAINST NEOLIBERAL AND CAPITALIST POLICIES Rio de Janeiro, August 15(RHC)-- The leader of Cuba's trade union movement has called on the workers of the world to unite against neoliberal and capitalist policies sweeping the globe. Pedro Ross Leal, the General Secretary of the Cuban Federation of Workers -- the CTC -- spoke at the National Congress of Brazilian Workers in Rio de Janeiro. Ross Leal affirmed that trade unionists and workers must form "a united front against the dictates of transnational capitalism," seeking alternative economic forms of cooperation. The Cuban trade union leader told Brazilian workers that the Cuban people are struggling to defend their sovereignty and self-determination, "not only for themselves, but also for workers in Latin America and around the world." ONE MILLION THREE HUNDRED THOUSAND TOURISTS WILL VACATION IN CUBA THIS YEAR Havana, August 15(RHC)-- An estimated 1 million 300,000 tourists -- nearly 20 percent more than last year -- are expected to visit Cuba before the end of this year. Sources from the Ministry of Tourism say revenues will amount to more than 1.7 billion dollars. In 1996, tourism brought in more than 1.3 billion dollars. It is estimated that there will be a 18.5 percent increase in tourism in relation to last year. In 1996, the island welcomed a record number of tourists -- more than one million. In recent statements to reporters, Cuba's Deputy Minister of Tourism Eduardo Rodriguez de la Vega said that most tourists come from Italy, Canada, Spain, France, Germany and Great Britain. Among Latin American nations, Mexico ranks first with 36,000 visitors -- an increase of 12 percent for this year -- while Colombia comes in second with 24,000 tourists. There are presently 174 hotels on the island, most of them three and four-star facilities, with more than 26,800 rooms. By the year 2000, an estimated 50,000 rooms should be available to welcome 2.5 million tourists. With a capital investment of more than 600 million dollars, foreign investors doing business in the tourism sector are expected to contribute to the increase in hotel capacity. MIAMI RESIDENTS LOVE REAL CUBAN MUSIC DESPITE ATTACKS BY REACTIONARY CUBAN-AMERICAN MINORITY Miami, August 15(RHC)-- Cuban music -- REAL Cuban music, `from the source' -- is hot in Miami, despite ultra right-wing pressures to take it off the record stands and remove it from the airwaves. According to the Mexican music magazine "Bembe," Cuban music is the most sought-after in Miami and all of southern Florida. "Bembe" reports that threats by reactionary elements in the Cuban-American community -- a small minority of those living in Miami and the United States -- forced several FM radio stations to take Cuban music off-the-air. One prominent station -- WRTO-FM -- received numerous bomb threats and was eventually forced to eliminate the music of Los Van Van, NG la Banda, Issac Delgado, El Medico de la Salsa and other musicians working and living in Cuba. Nevertheless, Cubans and non-Cubans alike are flocking to their favorite record shops to pick up the latest tunes from Havana. In other news, a number of U.S. and Cuban musicians have joined together to produce a new recording, soon to go on sale. The recording, entitled "Buena Vista Social Club," was produced by the Cuban recording company EGREM. U.S. musician Ry Cooder, the composer of the soundtrack of "Geronimo," is the mastermind behind the new recording production. SANTIAGO DE CUBA PULLS OUT IN FRONT IN HOUSING CONSTRUCTION Santiago de Cuba, August 15(RHC)-- More than 1000 families from eastern Santiago de Cuba have moved into new homes this year. Local agricultural enterprises are behind efforts to improve the living conditions of agricultural workers and their families -- the owners of the new homes. Santiago de Cuba tops all of the other provinces in this field. Before the year ends, another 800 homes will be finished and ready for residency in Santiago de Cuba. CUBA'S BIOCEN LABORATORY MARKS 15TH ANNIVERSARY Havana, August 15(RHC)-- Cuba's National Bio-Laboratory -- BIOCEN -- is celebrating its 15th anniversary. In 1982, the complex's industrial plants began operations. The Center is responsible for the production of the recombinant vaccine against hepatitis, as well as the production of interferon and vaccines against meningitis and tetanus. Scientists at Cuba's BIOCEN also produce an anti-anaemia medication known as Trofin, which has proven highly effective for the elderly. [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. 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