CUBANEWS FROM RADIO HAVANA CUBA September 10, 1997 rhc@radiohc.org http://www.radiohc.org The following items are taken from RADIO HAVANA CUBA's International Shortwave Service in English for Wednesday, September 10, 1997. Today's stories: 1.- DELEGATION FROM DOMINICAN REPUBLIC LEAVES CUBAN CAPITAL FOLLOWING FOUR-DAY VISIT 2.- CUBA-MEXICO TRADE DOUBLES OVER PAST SEVEN YEARS 3.- CUBA AND TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO TIGHTEN HEALTH TIES 4.- MAJOR SOLIDARITY CONVENTION COMING UP IN BRAZIL 5.- NEUROPHYSIOLOGY WORKSHOP UNDERWAY IN THE CUBAN CAPITAL 6.- CUBA: THE THREAT OF A GOOD EXAMPLE DELEGATION FROM DOMINICAN REPUBLIC LEAVES CUBAN CAPITAL FOLLOWING FOUR-DAY VISIT Havana, September 10(RHC)-- An important governmental and sports delegation from the Dominican Republic left Havana yesterday, following a four-day visit to the island. Speaking with reporters at Jose Marti International Airport shortly before the delegation's departure, Diandino Pena -- head of the delegation and First Secretary to the Presidency of the Republic -- expressed his satisfaction with the visit. Diandino Pena said that his delegation, which consisted of several government ministers and leaders of the Dominican Republic's Olympic Committee, met with Cuban President Fidel Castro for nearly an hour and a half. He told reporters that members of the delegation spoke with the Cuban president about bilateral relations and their plans to hold the next Pan American Games in Santo Domingo, the capital, in the year 2003. Cuba and the Dominican Republic established consular relations in June and, despite the fact that full diplomatic relations do not yet exist between the two Caribbean countries, have developed relations in the areas of sports, culture and commercial interests. CUBA-MEXICO TRADE DOUBLES OVER PAST SEVEN YEARS Havana, September 10(RHC)-- Bilateral trade between Mexico and Cuba has doubled over the past seven years. According to the Mexican Ambassador in Havana Claude Heller, bilateral trade was 180 million dollars in the early 1990's -- and the figure is now up to 400 million dollars. The Mexican ambassador told journalists from Granma International that Cuba is Mexico's sixth largest destination for local exports. Claude Heller said that in addition to traditional Cuban export goods like cigars, sugar and alcoholic beverages, there is a growing interest by Mexican businesspeople in Cuban bio-technology and pharmaceutical products. The Mexican diplomat highlighted the expansion of Mexican- Cuban joint ventures on the island, which make Mexico one of Cuba's chief trading partners. CUBA AND TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO TIGHTEN HEALTH TIES Havana, September 10(RHC)-- Trinidad and Tobago health authorities want to expand cooperation ties with Cuba in the health sector. Trinidad and Tobago's Health Minister Doctor Hamza Rafeeq, who arrived in Havana yesterday, praised Cuba's primary health care program as "one of the best in the world." Doctor Rafeeq said his visit is aimed at taking a first- hand look at the Cuban health system -- with particular attention to primary health care. During a meeting with his Cuban counterpart, Dr. Carlos Dotres, the Trinidadian health minister learned about the recent inauguration of a primary emergency health care system, established in eight Cuban provinces. Dr. Dotres also told the visiting minister about a newly-improved ambulance service, which includes paramedical personnel and intensive-care experts. MAJOR SOLIDARITY CONVENTION COMING UP IN BRAZIL Havana, September 10(RHC)-- Organizers of the Fifth Convention of Latin American Solidarity with Cuba -- scheduled to take place later this month in Rio de Janeiro -- say the convention promises to be a major solidarity event in Latin America. The convention will meet in Rio de Janeiro from September 25th through the 29th, with the participation of 1000 representatives from regional solidarity organizations. The convention's president, Ruben Gonzalez, told reporters that the event will be one of the largest to ever be held in Latin America. Gonzalez added that the Fifth Convention of Latin American Solidarity with Cuba will pave the way for the strengthening of international solidarity with the island and regional governments' support of Cuba. NEUROPHYSIOLOGY WORKSHOP UNDERWAY IN THE CUBAN CAPITAL Havana, September 10(RHC)-- New clinical techniques and methods to analyze the brain's functioning are the focus of an international workshop underway in Havana. Over 200 foreign experts are gathered at Havana's Medical/Surgical Research Center, discussing the latest advances in the science of Neurology. Lectures by Canadian scientist Roger Brugton and his colleague Terrence Pickton will involve their studies on dream-activation. Cuban scientists will discuss their research on fainting spells caused by brain vascular accidents. CUBA: THE THREAT OF A GOOD EXAMPLE Guijon, Spain, September 10(RHC)-- European Parliament Deputy Laura Gonzalez says "the world has placed its hopes on Cuba." Speaking with Prensa Latina News Agency in Spain, Gonzalez said that Cuba "has succeeded in attaining important social benefits for its people," in spite of a brutal economic blockade imposed by Washington. The European parliamentarian and leader of the United Left Coalition -- the third largest political force in Spain -- said Cuba "has set an international example in its achievements in education and health care." She added that Cuba's guarantee of free medical care for its citizens and assuring that their basic needs are met is a dangerous example and a threat to capitalism -- which, she said, "the United States wants to wipe-off the face of the earth." [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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