CUBANEWS FROM RADIO HAVANA CUBA May 13th, 1997 E-mail: rhc@radiohc.org The following items are taken from RADIO HAVANA CUBA's International Shortwave Service in English for Tuesday, May 27th, 1997. Today's stories: 1.- CUBAN FOREIGN MINISTER ROBERTO ROBAINA CRITICIZES WASHINGTON'S EFFORTS TO DIVIDE THE IBEROAMERICAN COMMUNITY 2.- "WHILE CUBA SLEEPS, VIETNAM IS AWAKE" CUBAN ARMED FORCES DELEGATION ARRIVES IN HANOI 3.- JAMAICAN PRIME MINISTER PERCIVAL PATTERSON WILL ARRIVE IN HAVANA TOMORROW 4.- UNITED NATIONS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM AND CUBA SIGN COOPERATION AGREEMENT 5.- JAPAN EXTENDS ASSISTANCE TO COMMUNITY PROJECTS ON THE ISLAND 6.- CUBA AND TURKEY TO BROADEN BILATERAL RELATIONS 7.- ISRAELI COMPANY WILL INVEST ONE MILLION DOLLARS IN CUBA 8.- "VEGA ROBAINA" -- A NEW BRAND OF CUBAN CIGARS 9.- CUBA HOSTS 1ST INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON NICKEL CUBAN FOREIGN MINISTER ROBERTO ROBAINA CRITICIZES WASHINGTON'S EFFORTS TO DIVIDE THE IBEROAMERICAN COMMUNITY Havana, May 27(RHC)-- Cuban Foreign Minister Roberto Robaina has lashed out at Washington's efforts to divide the Iberoamerican community. U.S. government officials who recently visited Argentina, publicly came out against the Iberoamerican Summit scheduled for Cuba in 1998, asserting that Cuba had not complied with the Iberoamerican community's "concept of democracy." In statements to Havana's Prensa Latina News Agency, Robaina said that "with its typical hypocrisy, the U.S. government expresses concern about events beyond its jurisdiction," while at the same time, "behaving like a criminal with respect to international law, the United Nations charter, and even its own constitution" -- an implicit reference to the blockade of Cuba and the Helms-Burton Law. In reference to the documents signed by Cuba during the last Iberoamerican Summit in Chile, the Cuban foreign minister said the first commitments set forth were the respect for the right of each nation to freely build its own system and institutions and the definition of the elements of a democratic system in accordance with each nation's political traditions within an environment of peace and security. Robaina asked why Washington did not express concern over other commitments made by Iberoamerican leaders, like the eradication of poverty, the administration of justice and the promotion of effective popular representation and participation for Iberoamerican peoples within the context of democratic governability. The Cuban foreign minister warned that many people in Latin America and around the world should avoid becoming spokespersons for Washington's anti-Cuba crusades, in an implicit reference to Argentinean Foreign Minister Guido Di Tella, who echoed the U.S. government's concern over the 1998 Iberoamerican Summit in Cuba. Robaina said that the essential element of a true democracy is still reflected "in a government of the people, by the people and for the people." "WHILE CUBA SLEEPS, VIETNAM IS AWAKE" CUBAN ARMED FORCES DELEGATION ARRIVES IN HANOI Hanoi, May 27(RHC)-- An important delegation from the Cuban Revolutionary Armed Forces (FAR) has arrived in Hanoi, the Vietnamese capital. Upon their arrival, the Cuban delegation met with the General Secretary of the Vietnamese Communist Party, Do Muoi, and the Vietnamese Minister of Defense, General Doan Khue. Welcoming the visiting Cuban armed forces delegation, led by Division General Nestor Lopez, the head of the Vietnamese Communist Party said that the Vietnamese people are very much aware of "enemy maneuvers to destroy socialism". Do Muoi emphasized that the current tactic is "to destroy Vietnam in the economic field, from within". He alluded to the changes that the Southeast Asian nation has been forced to make in the economic field, pointing out that anyone involved in corruption will be severely punished. In a clear reference to it's old enemy, the United States, the Vietnamese leader stated that "there are those who want to give us the kiss of death". But, Do Muoi said, predictions that Vietnam would fall only months after the victory and reunification with the South were, at best, premature. The Vietnamese Communist Party leader said that "fifteen years have now passed and we are still here". Thanking the visiting FAR delegation on behalf of the Vietnamese people, Do Muoi expressed his appreciation to Cuban President Fidel Castro and the Cuban Communist Party for their solidarity during and after the U.S. war of aggression against Vietnam. "You can rest peacefully," the Vietnamese leader said, "because while Cuba sleeps, we here in Vietnam are awake." JAMAICAN PRIME MINISTER PERCIVAL PATTERSON WILL ARRIVE IN HAVANA TOMORROW Havana, May 27(RHC)-- Jamaican Prime Minister Percival Patterson will arrive in Havana tomorrow to begin a five-day official 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 Prensa Latina News Agency, an important delegation of legislators, political leaders and business representatives will accompany Prime Minister Patterson during his stay. The Jamaican leader's visit is expected to open a new chapter in relations between the two Caribbean countries and strengthen the already excellent bilateral relations between Cuba and Jamaica. UNITED NATIONS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM AND CUBA SIGN COOPERATION AGREEMENT Havana, May 27(RHC)-- The United Nations Development Program will assist Cuba in improving its forest service. Cuba's Economic Cooperation Minister Ibrahim Ferradaz and United Nations Development Program regional representative, Ariel Francaise, signed the accord in Havana Tuesday. Under the agreement, the U.N. program will contribute half a million dollars to the two-year project. Cuba's contribution in national currency amounts to four million pesos. "Capacity 21" -- a fiduciary fund set up after the Earth Summit to protect the environment -- is sponsoring the project. JAPAN EXTENDS ASSISTANCE TO COMMUNITY PROJECTS ON THE ISLAND Havana, May 27(RHC)-- Cuba and Japan will work together on community projects. The Cuban Ministry of Foreign Investment signed a new agreement with Tokyo on Tuesday. According to local media reports in Havana, the Japanese financial assistance will go to improve education, health and protection of the environment. The broadening of Cuba-Japan bilateral cooperation has been the focus of discussions between the two governments since 1995, when Cuban President Fidel Castro visited Tokyo. In mid- April, Cuban Foreign Minister Roberto Robaina toured the Asian nation. Japan will grant financial assistance to projects presented by local or foreign non-governmental organizations and institutions. CUBA AND TURKEY TO BROADEN BILATERAL RELATIONS Havana, May 27(RHC)-- Tourism, agriculture and the pharmaceutical and construction industries are seen as among the most promising sectors in bilateral trade links between Turkey and Cuba. The Mayor of the Turkish city of Izmir, Dr. Burhan Ozfatura, made the announcement Tuesday as part of his tour of the island. Ozfatura -- who has been in Cuba since Sunday at the invitation of local authorities -- told reporters in Havana, that he will do whatever possible to broaden and diversify bilateral cooperation between Istanbul and Havana. The Turkish government official said that although projects are already underway in Turkey with the assistance of Cuban scientists and professors, the upcoming inauguration of an honorary Cuban consul in his city will promote economic and cultural links with the island. Last November, municipal authorities from Izmir and Havana signed a sister-city accord. ISRAELI COMPANY WILL INVEST ONE MILLION DOLLARS IN CUBA Jerusalem, May 27(RHC)-- The Israeli Pejames company has announced plans to produce containers in Havana for chemical products. According to Israeli business executives, the million dollar investment will finance the construction of a factory to produce metal, rubber and cardboard containers for the transportation of chemicals. This will be the first Israeli industrial company to operate in Cuba since relations between Tel Aviv and Havana were broken in 1967. The Cuban government and the Israeli company will jointly own the new industrial plant. The Israeli Pejames company is the largest of its kind in the Middle East with an annual volume of 30 million dollars. "VEGA ROBAINA" -- A NEW BRAND OF CUBAN CIGARS Havana, May 27(RHC)-- The Cuban HABANOS S.A. cigar company will launch a new cigar brand called "Vega Robaina" in Madrid and Barcelona, Spain next month. The newest Cuban cigar brand was named after Cuba's best tobacco grower, Francisco Robaina. HABANOS S.A. manager, Francisco Linares, told journalists in Havana that Spain, with annual sales of 30 million Cuban cigars, was chosen for the international presentation of "Vega Robaina." CUBA HOSTS 1ST INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON NICKEL Havana, May 27(RHC)-- Foreign experts, producers and distributors of nickel are meeting in eastern Holguin province for the First International Nickel Conference. Among the main issues under discussion are the increase of nickel industrial processing on the island and negotiations with other nations. Cuba owns the world's most efficient, open-air nickel and cobalt mine, which is capable of producing one ton of nickel with only five tons of oil. In 1996, Cuba's nickel production amounted to 55,000 tons. The island also has one of the largest nickel mines in the world with an estimated 800,000 tons. [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. 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