CUBANEWS FROM RADIO HAVANA CUBA July 28, 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, July 28th, 1997. Today's stories: 1.- 14th WORLD FESTIVAL OF YOUTH AND STUDENTS OPENS IN HAVANA; U.S.-CONTROLLED NEWS AGENCIES TRY TO IGNORE THE EVENT 2.- OUTSTANDING CUBAN FIGURES INVITED AS GUESTS TO THE WORLD YOUTH FESTIVAL 3.- FORMER SPANISH PRESIDENT FELIPE GONZALEZ EXPRESSES SATISFACTION IN IMPROVING RELATIONS WITH CUBA 4.- INTERNATIONAL WORKERS MEETING CONFRONTING NEOLIBERALISM AND THE GLOBAL ECONOMY GEARS UP FOR AUGUST 6th 5.- ECHOES OF 26th OF JULY COMMEMORATIONS STILL HEARD WORLDWIDE 6.- THOUSANDS OF CUBAN STUDENTS HAVE JOINED THE STUDENTS WORK BRIGADES FOR THIS SUMMER 7.- NEW CUBAN AMBASSADOR TO PERU PLEDGES TO STRENGTHEN BILATERAL RELATIONS *** SPECIAL REPORT *** CUBAN DEFENSE MINISTER AND SECOND SECRETARY OF COMMUNIST PARTY RAUL CASTRO DELIVERS KEYNOTE SPEECH AT JULY 26th FESTIVITIES *** *** *** *** *** 14th WORLD FESTIVAL OF YOUTH AND STUDENTS OPENS IN HAVANA U.S.-CONTROLLED NEWS AGENCIES TRY TO IGNORE THE EVENT Havana, July 28(RHC)-- More than 10,000 delegates from all over the world are in the Cuban capital for the 14th World Festival of Youth and Students. The youth event was inaugurated this afternoon on the steps of the University of Havana with the opening words: "For Anti-Imperialist Solidarity, Peace and Friendship." Arriving at the University after a massive, colorful solidarity march, Namibian Jonah Cacheta of the Festival's International Coordinating Committee told the crowd that delegates from more than 100 countries had gathered at the foot of the historic staircase for the occasion. The African youth leader praised Cuba and her people, who despite a brutal U.S. blockade, "have dared to host a Festival for all of those who dream of a better world." Jonah Cacheta made special mention of the bravery of the South Korean and U.S. delegations, whose members defied their governments' prohibition on travel to Cuba. He also paid homage to Heroic Guerrilla fighter Ernesto Guevara, whose colorful portraits looked over the crowd from the top of the majestic university's staircase. Victoria Velazquez, leader of the Cuban Young Communist League, then took to the podium. She said that much has changed since the 1989 World Festival of Youth and Students held in Pyongyang, North Korea. She also paid tribute to the young people from the United States, announcing that it was the largest delegation to the 14th Festival -- with 740 members. The Cuban youth leader stressed that the Festival would never have been possible without the support of 11 million Cuban people and the island's authorities. She announced that in all, Cubans and foreign residents have contributed 27 million pesos and 300,000 dollars to the event. Velazquez reminded the crowd that 55,000 Cubans had volunteered to host delegates in their homes. Finally, the leader of the Cuban Young Communist League said her country is willing to host the Festival again four years from now, if no other nation steps forward to do so. The inauguration ended with the music of Cuba's top New Song Movement founders and performers -- including the great singer-song writer, Silvio Rodriguez. The 14th World Festival of Youth and Students is, of course, receiving wide coverage here in Cuba on radio, television and the press. And it's a significant event for the young people taking part in the Festival; an event they will never forget. The Western-dominated press and electronic media, however, are trying hard to ignore the Youth Festival -- giving little or no coverage to the 14th World Festival of Youth and Students. Observers say that the event is a thorn in the side of Washington and that by trying to pretend that it isn't happening, the U.S.-controlled news agencies hope the rest of the world won't notice. Radio Havana Cuba... the Voice of the 14th World Festival of Youth and Students... will bring you continuous coverage of the youth event. During the Festival -- which runs through August 5th -- young people from around the world will have the chance to engage in discussions on the problems that all youth face today. Democracy, human rights, children's rights, anti-imperialism, employment opportunities and the environment will be high on the festival's agenda. Cultural and sports activities are also among the youth event's main activities. Prestigious Cuban institutions like Havana's Convention Center, the Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Center, the Pedro Kouri Tropical Medicine Institute and the University of Havana will be the main centers of political discussion for the young participants. The 14th World Festival of Youth and Students is dedicated to heroic guerrilla Ernesto Che Guevara on the 30th anniversary of his death in combat in Bolivia. OUTSTANDING CUBAN FIGURES INVITED AS GUESTS TO THE WORLD YOUTH FESTIVAL Havana, July 28(RHC)-- The World Youth Festival's organizing committee announced its list of 300 special Cuban guests to the international gathering. The list includes workers, musicians, athletes, writers, painters, students and people from all walks of life who have made outstanding contributions in different areas of the country's social and political process. Guests include outstanding Cuban revolutionaries: Carlos Rafael Rodriguez and Melba Hernandez; Che's daughter, Aleida Guevara March; Cuban prima ballerina Alicia Alonso; boxing head coach Alcides Sagarra; Cuban painter Roberto Fabelo; singer-song writers Pablo Milanes and Silvio Rodriguez as well as outstanding intellectuals Cintio Vitier and Havana historian Eusebio Leal. FORMER SPANISH PRESIDENT FELIPE GONZALEZ EXPRESSES SATISFACTION IN IMPROVING RELATIONS WITH CUBA Madrid, July 28(RHC)-- Former Spanish President Felipe Gonzalez has expressed his satisfaction that relations between Cuba and his country are improving, adding that King Juan Carlos will pay an official visit to the island next year. Referring to the 100th anniversary of the Spanish-Cuban Independence War in 1998, Gonzalez said that the century mark should not be passed with a simple acknowledgement -- but should have all the ceremony of a Royal visit by the King of Spain. The former Spanish president recalled that only a few months ago, relations between Madrid and Havana had been at an all- time low -- given a series of actions and statements by the right-wing administration of President Jose Maria Aznar. Last November, during the Summit of Iberoamerican Presidents and Heads of State in Chile, Aznar told Cuban President Fidel Castro that Spain would be willing to make a move towards improved relations between Cuba and the European Union, if only Cuba would make the first move toward a so-called `Western-style democracy.' Fidel Castro replied that Cuba "doesn't play with the destiny of its people by moving pieces on a chess board." A few weeks later, the Cuban government withdrew its approval of Spanish diplomat Jose Coderch as the newly-named ambassador to the island -- following statements by the future representative of Spain in Cuba, saying that he would open the Spanish embassy to so-called "dissidents" to the Cuban Revolution. Spain has been without an ambassador in Havana since, but recently announced that a new ambassador will be named soon. Then in May of this year, the Spanish government issued an invitation to Cuba to attend a meeting of Presidents of Iberoamerican Parliaments -- scheduled to take place in Madrid --as an observer, rather than as a full member. Cuba strongly condemned the insult and other Latin American parliamentarians followed suit. INTERNATIONAL WORKERS MEETING CONFRONTING NEOLIBERALISM AND THE GLOBAL ECONOMY GEARS UP FOR AUGUST 6th Havana, July 28(RHC)-- More than two thousand trade unionists from around the world will converge on Havana in the coming days to take part in the International Workers Meeting Confronting Neoliberalism and the Global Economy. The General Secretary of the Cuban Workers Confederation -- the CTC -- Pedro Ross Leal pointed out to reporters at a Havana news conference that the international meeting will be held immediately following the 14th World Festival of Youth and Students, which concludes on August 5th. Pedro Ross said that some of the trade unionists attending the youth event will stay on for the worker's meeting, beginning August 6th and running through the 8th. According to organizers of the international conference, more than 180 workers organizations will take part in the two-day discussion on neoliberal economic theories and the devastating impact they have on the poor. The Cuban trade union leader added that participants at the International Workers Meeting Confronting Neoliberalism and the Global Economy will discuss issues facing the workers of the world: unemployment, under- employment poverty, legislation detrimental towards workers, the consequences of privatization and right-wing attacks on the trade union movement. In addition, conference participants will discuss the struggle against racism and discrimination against women in the workplace. ECHOES OF 26th OF JULY COMMEMORATIONS STILL HEARD WORLDWIDE Havana, July 28(RHC)-- Over the weekend, Mexicans celebrated July 26th -- marking the beginning of the Cuban Revolution -- with a huge party in Mexico City's Hidalgo Park in Coyoacan Square. Following the party, a rally was held -- presided over by Cuban Ambassador to Mexico Abelardo Curbelo. Participants at the rally took part in the send-off of the Mexican delegation to the 14th World Festival of Youth and Students -- one of the youth event's largest delegations. The party included the performances of renowned comedian and singer-song writer, Alejandro Garcia, better known as Virulo, and the Habana Son group. On hand were representatives from Mexico's Cuba solidarity movement -- "Va por Cuba" -- made up of more than 60 organizations from different political affiliations and religious beliefs. In related news, more than 500 people took to the streets of the Spanish city of Gijon to protest Washington's more than 35 year blockade against Cuba and the U.S. Helms-Burton Law -- marking the 44th anniversary of the attack on the Moncada Garrison in 1953. That action sparked the last stage of the island`s revolutionary struggle, which led to the triumph of the Cuban Revolution and to the island's definitive independence. Meanwhile, a solidarity rally in support of the Cuban Revolution was held in Beirut, Lebanon to mark the historic date. THOUSANDS OF CUBAN STUDENTS HAVE JOINED THE STUDENTS WORK BRIGADES FOR THIS SUMMER Havana, July 28(RHC)-- Almost 80,000 students from the University Students Federation (FEU) and the High School Students Federation (FEEM) have joined the Student Work Brigades known in Cuba as BET (Brigadas Estudiantiles de Trabajo). Every year, Cuban high school and university students join the brigades to lend a hand in several spheres of the country's economic life, including agriculture, health care and others. This year, the BETs are supporting the 14th World Festival of Youth and Students, working in agriculture, the sugarcane harvest and public health. In the Cuban capital, BET members will take part in the `human billboard' at the closing ceremony of the Youth Festival. University students will also help in the construction of a new terminal at Jose Marti International Airport. And many will work in local hospitals and as translators during the Festival. NEW CUBAN AMBASSADOR TO PERU PLEDGES TO STRENGTHEN BILATERAL RELATIONS Havana, July 28(RHC)-- Havana's new Ambassador to Peru, Benigno Perez, announced in Lima that he will work on strengthening relations between his country and the Andean nation, including economic and trade exchange. The Peruvian daily "El Peruano" says that Cuba and Peru are currently studying a project through which the Peruvian government could buy medicines from Havana, while Cuba would have access to that South American country's fishing resources. The Peruvian media has also highlighted Cuba's offer to provide machinery for that country's sugar industry. *** SPECIAL REPORT *** CUBAN DEFENSE MINISTER AND SECOND SECRETARY OF COMMUNIST PARTY RAUL CASTRO DELIVERS KEYNOTE SPEECH AT JULY 26th FESTIVITIES Las Tunas, July 28(RHC)-- Cuban Defense Minister and Second Secretary of the Communist Party Raul Castro delivered the keynote speech Saturday in Las Tunas, marking the 44th anniversary of the rebel assault against the Moncada Garrison during the Fulgencio Batista dictatorship. After recognizing the social and production efforts of the Las Tunas population, which earned them the honor of having their province declared the central site for July 26th festivities, the Cuban defense minister recalled the situation in eastern Cuba before the 1959 triumph of the Cuban Revolution. Raul Castro pointed to the penetration in the region of U.S. financial interests. He said that transnationals like the United Fruit Company and American Sugar Refining Company owned approximately 60 percent of the land in and around Las Tunas, often evicting small farmers from their lands. Some of those evicted even fought during the island's independence wars. The United Fruit Company alone owned nearly 300,000 acres, while sugar workers were only able to work during three or four months of the year and industrial workers lived on starvation wages. Raul Castro added that at the beginning of this century, "Cuba became one big Yankee sugar mill." Asking the 150,000 people present at the activity in Las Tunas if they would be willing to return to that situation, Raul Castro received a resounding "NO." The Cuban defense minister said that the Revolution's agrarian reform changed all of that -- "which is why Washington condemned the Cuban Revolution to death." When the agrarian reform was proclaimed, Cuba hadn't even spoken of socialism or developed relations with the former Soviet Union. Raul Castro termed as lies "all the arguments used by Washington in its war against Cuba, as expressed in the Helms-Burton Law." He also recalled that a century ago, the Spanish colonialists also tried to starve out the Cuban people by forcibly gathering hundreds of thousands of people in the cities, in an effort to take away the base of support of Cuban independence fighters. Tens of thousands of Cubans died, resulting in a 20 percent reduction in the island's population. The Second Secretary of the Cuban Communist Party pointed to the U.S. biological warfare against the island and made reference to the two small bombs that recently went off in Havana hotels. In recent years, said Raul Castro, U.S. authorities have had to take action against 15 terrorist groups in that country planning sabotage and attacks against Cuba. He said 43 people were involved, but that only three received light sentences and are currently back on the streets. [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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