CUBANEWS FROM RADIO HAVANA CUBA May 22nd, 1997 E-mail: rhc@radiohc.org The following items are taken from RADIO HAVANA CUBA's International Shortwave Service in English for Thursday, May 22nd, 1997. Today's stories: 1.- MAIN DOCUMENTS TO 5TH PARTY CONGRESS SOON TO BE RELEASED FOR DISCUSSION ISLANDWIDE 2.- PARLATINO CONDEMNS INSULTING INVITATION EXTENDED TO CUBA 3.- PASTORS FOR PEACE VISITS PROVINCES OF MATANZAS AND HAVANA 4.- CUBA CONDEMNS U.S. POLICIES OF GENOCIDE AGAINST THE ISLAND 5.- JAMAICAN PRIME MINISTER PERCIVAL PATTERSON WILL BEGIN VISIT TO CUBA NEXT WEEK 6.- POPE JOHN PAUL II WILL ENJOY COMPLETE FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT DURING HIS VISIT TO CUBA NEXT JANUARY 7.- RELATIONS BETWEEN CUBA AND THE SCANDINAVIAN NATIONS ARE DESCRIBED AS POSITIVE 8.- 15 THOUSAND CUBAN FAMILIES ARE READY TO WELCOME DELEGATES TO THE 14TH WORLD FESTIVAL OF YOUTH AND STUDENTS 9.- CUBAN VICE PRESIDENT CALLS FOR MORE EFFORTS IN THE AGRICULTURAL SECTOR 10.- CUBA CALLS AN INTERNATIONAL SEMINAR ON THE WORK OF NATIONAL HERO JOSE MARTI MAIN DOCUMENTS TO 5TH PARTY CONGRESS SOON TO BE RELEASED FOR DISCUSSION ISLANDWIDE Havana, May 22 (RHC)--Cubans will soon be discussing a document by the Island's Communist Party containing the basic core of ideas that will be addressed during the upcoming Congress of the organization, scheduled for next October. Under the title "The Party of the Unity, the Democracy, and the Human Rights That We Defend", the document outlines the reasons for the existence of a single revolutionary project in the history of Cuba, the need for Cuba to have a Party for unity, and the principles under which democracy works in Cuba. It contains three chapters. The first, called "Cuba: one Revolution", explains how historically there has been a single philosophy guiding the revolutionary effort in Cuba, from the 19th century to date, and how that effort has been marked by constant attempts by the United States to take control of the Island and prevent its independence. This chapter takes a look at Cuba's independence struggle, with emphasis on the negative impact on those efforts of the United States' military occupation of the Island, whose definitive liberation came finally in 1959, with the victory of the revolutionary movement led by Fidel Castro. The first chapter of the Cuban Communist Party document soon to be released provides details of the Cuba-US conflict, a conflict that has been going on for more than a hundred years. US hostility towards Cuba, explains the document, has included the organization of miliary actions against the Island as well as attempts against the lives of leaders of the Cuban Revolution, biological warfare, and promotion of the political and economic isolation of Cuba. The document explains that part of that hostility are more recent attempts to foster internal division on the Island, as a way of achieving what direct confrontation has failed to attain. These new plans, asserts the document, are publicly exposed in a report recently put out by the Clinton administration, under the name of "Support for a Democratic Transition in Cuba". The Cuban Communist Party document then goes on to explain the measures that the Island was forced to take to face the economic crisis produced by the collapse of the Socialist camp and the Soviet Union and the unjust intensification of the US blockade. The second chapter "The Party of the Unity" outlines the basic arguments that sustain the unity of Cuban revolutionaries and of the Cuban people around one single party. In that unity- stresses the chapter- resides the commitment to defend the island's independence. In this regard, the chapter recalls that division was one of the main causes leading to the failure of the 1868 Cuban independence war. Division, adds the document, facilitated the US imposition of a neo-colonial model on the island, which flourished under the shadow of a multi-party system. This kind of system in Cuba, was always linked to politicking, injustice, demagoguery, broken promises, fraud, and corruption. Meanwhile, the document points to the admission of 232 thousand workers into the party ranks over the last few years, as an example of unity and of the prestige of the island's most important political organization. That intake amounts for 30% of the overall figure of party members, currently standing at 770 000. "The Democracy that we Defend" is the title of the third and last chapter of the document. The chapter depicts Cuba's concept of democracy and explains why Cuba's democratic principles are more easily upheld than capitalist democratic principles. The participatory and profoundly popular principles of the Cuban democracy are spelled out in this chapter. In Cuba's Socialist democracy, there is no gap between the island's leaders and the people. Leaders are expected to be modest, austere and straightforward in exercising their public responsibilities. They are also expected to be exemplary citizens. The document "The Party of the Unity, the Democracy and the Human Rights That we defend" concludes stating that the type of system the United States wants to impose on Cuba seeks to scrap all the achievements of the Revolution, and return the island to the hands of the most reactionary circles in the United States, which have found close allies in the ultra right-wing Cuban American mafia. The document will be published in its entirety in Granma newspaper Saturday, and will be the subject of discussion among Cubans of all walks of life until July 15. Then it will be submitted to the Congress which is slated for Havana October 8 through the 10th. Observers say that the popular and democratic discussions on the document will amount to a new plebiscite of Cuban society. PARLATINO CONDEMNS INSULTING INVITATION EXTENDED TO CUBA Caracas, May 22(RHC)-- The Board of Directors of the Latin American Parliament, known as PARLATINO, condemned the recent invitation extended to Cuba by Spain to attend an upcoming Iberoamerican meeting as an observer, rather than a full member. Calling the invitation "insulting and unacceptable," PARLATINO asserted that Madrid had treated Cuba in an inconsistent manner compared with other Iberoamerican countries. The Latin American Parliament pointed out that Cuba has been a full-member of the group of nations for many years, arguing that Spain as no right to decide who can, or cannot, attend the meeting of Presidents of Iberoamerican Parliaments, scheduled to take place in Madrid next week. Earlier this month, the government of Spanish President Jose Maria Aznar issued an invitation to Cuba to attend the meeting as an observer. Cuba strongly condemned the insult and other Latin American parliamentarians followed suit. Yesterday's decision by PARLATINO came following a meeting in Caracas, Venezuela by the organization's board of directors. With a letter drafted by the board and addressed to the president of Spain's senate, PARLATINO added its voice to growing criticisms of Madrid's action. PASTORS FOR PEACE VISITS PROVINCES OF MATANZAS AND HAVANA Havana, May 22(RHC)--Members of the 7th U.S.-Cuba Friendshipment Caravan visited areas outside of the capital today. Busses left early this morning for Matanzas Province, just east of Havana, and visiting caravanistas toured agricultural cooperatives and technical schools. Another group of caravanistas toured the countryside in the Province of Havana, just outside of the Cuban capital. After a full-day of meetings with local residents, as well as the delivery of donations to area children, the activists returned to Havana this evening. The 7th Pastors for Peace Caravan is dedicated to Cuban children. Last week, the group crossed two borders into Canada and Mexico from the United States, carrying donations collected from around the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Europe. As on previous occasions, Pastors for Peace challenged the U.S. blockade of Cuba by refusing to apply for a U.S. Treasury Department license. Among the items the group brought to the island are several school busses, a mobile library, an ambulance, medicines, computers, musical instruments and toys. During their week-long stay on the island, the Pastors for Peace activists have been warmly received by children wherever they go. The caravanistas will be here in Cuba until Saturday. CUBA CONDEMNS U.S. POLICIES OF GENOCIDE AGAINST THE ISLAND Geneva, May 22(RHC)-- Cuba has denounced the policies of genocide employed by Washington against the island. The Cuban Deputy Minister of Foreign Relations, Maria de los Angeles Flores, told Prensa Latina News Agency in Geneva that U.S. policies are designed to force Cuba to surrender through hunger and disease. She said Washington's methods are particularly directed against the island's children. The deputy foreign minister underlined the fact that Washington's unilateral economic blockade against Cuba, combined with the application of the Helms-Burton Law, have been the principle obstacles in the implementation of the Convention on Children's Rights, adopted by the United Nations in 1990. Maria de los Angeles Flores emphasized that in spite of the attacks directed against the island, Cuba continues to guarantee free education and health care to all of its people. JAMAICAN PRIME MINISTER PERCIVAL PATERSON WILL BEGIN VISIT TO CUBA NEXT WEEK Havana, May 22(RHC)-- Jamaican Prime Minister Percival Patterson will arrive in Cuba next Wednesday, May 28th, to begin a five-day visit to the island. The Jamaican prime minister, invited by Cuban President Fidel Castro, will discuss bilateral and regional issues with top Cuban government officials. According to the Jamaican Consul in Havana, Deta Cheddar, an important delegation of business representatives will accompany Prime Minister Patterson during his upcoming visit. Cheddar said the Jamaican leader's visit will open a new chapter in relations between the two Caribbean countries and strengthen the already excellent bilateral relations between Jamaica and Cuba. POPE JOHN PAUL II WILL ENJOY COMPLETE FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT DURING HIS VISIT TO CUBA NEXT JANUARY Rome, May 22(RHC)-- Cuba's representative to the Vatican, Hermes Herrera, reiterated that Pope John Paul II will enjoy complete freedom of movement during his visit to the island next January. According to the diplomat, both Cuba and the Vatican hope the Pope's visit will not be manipulated by other countries or outside groups. It was also announced that Pope John Paul II will offer his first Mass in the central Cuban city of Camaguey. The Pope will offer public Masses in the Cuban cities of Santa Clara, Santiago de Cuba and Havana, the capital. RELATIONS BETWEEN CUBA AND THE SCANDINAVIAN NATIONS ARE DESCRIBED AS POSITIVE Havana, May 22(RHC)-- A Cuban diplomat says relations between Cuba and Scandinavian nations are positive. In statements to Cuba's Prensa Latina news agency, Cuba's ambassador to Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Iceland and Finland. Martin Mora, explained that there is a growing interest in Cuba in most Scandinavian nations. Mora said that there is a common will among Scandinavian authorities to develop relations not only at governmental or parliamentarian levels but also in the economic, trade and tourism areas among others. Mora told Prensa Latina that the Scandinavian nations have expressed their rejection of Washington's hostile policy against Cuba, especially the Helms-Burton law. In reference to economic links, Mora noted that there is an opening for cooperation in Norway, Denmark, Finland, Sweden and Iceland in sectors such as renewable energy, agriculture and fishing. Culture and sports also offer good bilateral cooperation perspectives between Cuba and the Scandinavian nations. Ambassador Mora pointed to a recent cooperation sports and culture agreement between Cuba and Norway as an example of this cooperation. Non-governmental Scandinavian organizations have also expressed interest in developing projects and sending humanitarian aid to Cuba said Cuba's ambassador to the Scandinavian nations. 15 THOUSAND CUBAN FAMILIES ARE READY TO WELCOME DELEGATES TO THE 14TH WORLD FESTIVAL OF YOUTH AND STUDENTS Havana, May 22(RHC)-- Conditions are set in Cuban neighborhoods to welcome foreign delegates to the 14th World Festival of Youth and Students. In all, 15 thousand Cuban families will accommodate delegates in their homes. In Havana, where delegates will remain six out the festival's nine days-8 thousand Cuban homes will be opened for more than five thousand foreign delegates. Youth leader, Eduardo Rodriguez, told Granma newspaper,that on July 5th the island will be officially declared ready for the youth festival. Arrival date for delegates is scheduled for July 20th. The young participants will be first accommodated at schools and on July 27th they will be transferred to Cuban homes where they will be able to get a first hand look at the island's reality. In related news, more than 40 young Cubans living abroad will attend sessions of the youth festival. The head of the event's organizing committee, Rogelio Polanco, says young Cuban emigres and youth on the island will discuss problems in the countries they are living in, their position toward the island and the Cuban reality. CUBAN VICE PRESIDENT CALLS FOR MORE EFFORTS IN THE AGRICULTURAL SECTOR Havana, May 22(RHC)-- Cuban Vice President, Carlos Lage, has called for better results in agriculture. In a meeting with Agriculture Ministry officials after the conclusion of a state probe to that state institution, Lage acknowledged the progress being made in tobacco and vegetable production, but urged for more efforts in sectors that will help substitute imports of rice, beans and milk. Over 300 thousand tons of rice, 135 thousand tons of beans and 38 thousand tons of powdered milk are needed yearly to meet the basic needs of the Cuban population. The Ministry, said Lage, must focus on the deficiencies and difficulties that still prevail in order to achieve the needed efficiency. Even amid the current supply shortages, he added, more production can be attained. The Executive Secretary of the Cuban Council of Minsters, stressed that the agricultural sector has seen some of the country's most important transformations during the special period, with all state land holdings transferred to the Basic Units of Cooperative Production, and the creation of farmers markets. The fact that cooperativists can distribute 50% of their production utilities among themselves, he said, make them the agricultural workers with the most economic incentives, which may at time include even convertible currency. They are also benefiting from the construction of new housing. These conditions- concluded Lage- place this sector in the condition of doing the greatest of efforts and obtaining the results that the country is expecting from them with respect to food sufficiency. CUBA CALLS AN INTERNATIONAL SEMINAR ON THE WORK OF NATIONAL HERO JOSE MARTI Havana, May 22(RHC)-- Cuba is submitting for the consideration of the international community, a study of the work of National Hero, Jose Marti as the thinker and visionary whose ideas could help to explain the crossroads of today's world. The Head of the recently created Office for the Jose Marti Program, former culture minister, Armando Hart, elaborated on these ideas in a meeting with the diplomatic corps accredited in Havana. Cubans -said Hart- see Marti as the poet, the writer, the organizer of the 19th century independence war and as the man who envisioned the inner division in the United States between economic growth and moral and spiritual life. Hart said the call is being extended to all international personalities who advocate Marti's idea of fighting for the dignity of humankind. [c] 1997. 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