CUBANEWS FROM RADIO HAVANA CUBA August 18, 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 Monday, August 18, 1997. Today's stories: 1.- CARICOM OFFICIALLY REJECTS U.S. PRESSURES AGAINST THE ORGANIZATION DUE TO ITS TIES WITH CUBA 2.- PREPARATIONS FOR NEXT SCHOOL YEAR IN FULL SWING 2.- CUBA PROVIDES TREATMENT TO CHILDREN FROM THE CARIBBEAN ISLAND OF MONTSERRAT 4.- GRAMADO FILM FESTIVAL HONORS FILM-MAKER ALFREDO GUEVARA 5.- CUBAN SINGER/SONG-WRITER SILVIO RODRIGUEZ SCHEDULED TO PERFORM IN CHILE FOR TRIBUTE TO ERNESTO CHE GUEVARA 6.- CUBAN RESEARCHERS PLACE HOPES ON SCORPIONS FOR CANCER CURE CARICOM OFFICIALLY REJECTS U.S. PRESSURES AGAINST THE ORGANIZATION DUE TO ITS TIES WITH CUBA Kingston, August 18(RHC)-- The 15-member nations of the Caribbean Community -- CARICOM -- have officially rejected a draft law in the U.S. Congress that would slap sanctions on this regional organization if it strengthens its ties with Cuba. Yesterday, CARICOM ambassadors in Jamaica condemned the threats to sovereign governments that is explicit in legislation presented by ultra right-wing congressional Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen. The legislation proposes that Washington deny tariff exemptions to any country that signs a free trade deal with Cuba. It also allows U.S. President Bill Clinton to withhold aid to and investment in CARICOM countries and the Central American Common Market if Cuba is admitted into these organizations. CARICOM foreign ministers are expected to take up the issue with U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright during an upcoming gathering in Barbados. PREPARATIONS FOR NEXT SCHOOL YEAR IN FULL SWING Havana, August 18(RHC)-- The Cuban Ministry of Education has announced that more than 11 million dollars has been allotted for school supplies for the next school year, beginning on September 1st. The budget covers the acquisition of fabric for uniforms, pencils and notebooks, among other supplies. The Ministry of Education says more than 20,000 new students will be enrolled in junior and senior high schools this year. CUBA PROVIDES TREATMENT TO CHILDREN FROM THE CARIBBEAN ISLAND OF MONTSERRAT Havana, August 18(RHC)-- Cuban health experts have praised the treatment provided to children and teenagers affected by volcanic eruptions on the island of Montserrat. Forty-six children from the Caribbean island of Montserrat -- victims of mental and physical stress caused by recent volcanic eruptions -- arrived in Cuba last Friday to receive specialized treatment. The Tarara Beach Resort, located east of Havana, will provide accommodations and health services to the young ones from Montserrat for the next three weeks. The rehabilitation program includes tours around the island, sports training and competitions and cultural activities. GRAMADO FILM FESTIVAL HONORS FILM-MAKER ALFREDO GUEVARA Brasilia, August 18(RHC)-- The President of Cuba's Film Industry, Alfredo Guevara, was honored in the Brazilian city of Gramado during that city's 25th Film Festival. The Cuban film-maker -- considered to be among the most important promoters of Latin American films -- was awarded the Festival's Special Prize for his support of cinematography. Guevara, who received a similar tribute in France several years ago, expressed his admiration for Brazilian films and recalled his friendship with the great Brazilian director and the creator of the country's renowned Cinema Novo, Gluber Rocha, who died in 1981. As a film-maker, Guevara is known for his ground-breaking documentary "El Megano," which he produced with Cuban directors Tomas Gutierrez Alea and Julio Garcia Espinosa in 1955. The film was banned in Cuba at the time of its release because of its realistic portrayal of the deplorable conditions under which the island's charcoal workers lived. After the triumph of the Cuban Revolution in 1959, Alfredo Guevara became a passionate promoter of Cuban films. CUBAN SINGER/SONG-WRITER SILVIO RODRIGUEZ SCHEDULED TO PERFORM IN CHILE FOR TRIBUTE TO ERNESTO CHE GUEVARA Santiago de Chile, August 18(RHC)-- Famed Cuban singer and composer Silvio Rodriguez will pay tribute to Ernesto Che Guevara by doing what he does best: singing. On September 28th, Rodriguez will perform at the National Stadium in Santiago de Chile -- commemorating the 30th anniversary of the death in Bolivia of Ernesto Che Guevara. Chilean and Cuban artists will join their voices in tribute to Comandante Che Guevara. Among them: Angel Parra from Chile and Cuban composers and singers Gerardo Alfonso and Vicente Feliu. In other news, a number of world celebrities have confirmed their participation at the international meeting on the 30th anniversary of the death in combat of Argentinean-born guerrilla Ernesto Che Guevara, set for October 5th through the 11th in Bolivia. Organizers of the "Vallegrande World Meeting" have revealed that among participants will be Nobel Peace Prize laureate Adolfo Perez Esquivel and Danielle Mitterrand, widow of the late French President Francois Mitterrand. CUBAN RESEARCHERS PLACE HOPES ON SCORPIONS FOR CANCER CURE Havana, August 18(RHC)-- Tests have shown that the poison of an endemic Cuban scorpion has proven effective in the treatment of cancer. An article published in Juventud Rebelde newspaper says some 2000 cancer patients have been successfully administered ESCOZUL -- a biological compound extracted from an specie of scorpion. The product is obtained from the toxins of the Blue Scorpion - an endemic specie from the island's eastern-most region of Guantanamo. Franklin Perry and Misael Bordier, researchers from the Guantanamo Medical School, told Juventud Rebelde that ESCOZUL has been successful in controlling tumors and, in some cases, destroying cancer cells. [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