CUBANEWS FROM RADIO HAVANA CUBA September 22, 1997 rhc@radiohc.org http://www.radiohc.org The following items are taken from RADIO HAVANA CUBA's International Shortwave Service in English for Monday, September 22, 1997. Today's stories: 1.- CUBA PREPARES ANOTHER UNITED NATIONS RESOLUTION CONDEMNING U.S. BLOCKADE OF THE ISLAND 2.- CUBAN PRESIDENT FIDEL CASTRO THANKS AFRICA FOR ITS SOLIDARITY 3.- HAITIAN FOREIGN MINISTER ARRIVES IN THE CUBAN CAPITAL 4.- CUBAN MINISTER OF HEALTH CARLOS DOTRES IN U.S. FOR PAHO ANNUAL CONFERENCE 5.- CUBAN YOUTH STUDY LESSONS OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION 6.- OSWALDO GUAYASAMIN FILMS DOCUMENTARY ON CUBAN LIFE 7.- ART SCHOOL INAUGURATED IN CENTRAL CIENFUEGOS PROVINCE 8.- BRAZILIAN ARCHITECT OSCAR NIEMAYER AWARDED JOSE MARTI MEDAL 9.- CUBAN SALSA DOCUMENTARY SHOWN IN MIAMI FOR THE FIRST TIME 10.- CUBA WILL PARTICIPATE IN COMMUNITY RADIO EVENT IN LUXEMBOURG 11.- AND FROM THE SPORTS DESK... CUBA DOMINATES IN REGIONAL VOLLEYBALL CUBA PREPARES ANOTHER UNITED NATIONS RESOLUTION CONDEMNING U.S. BLOCKADE OF THE ISLAND Havana, September 22(RHC)-- Cuban Foreign Minister Roberto Robaina will speak before the 52nd United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday, October 1st -- presenting the island's sixth consecutive resolution condemning Washington's blockade of Cuba. Each year, over the past five years, the anti-blockade resolution has garnered increasing support, leaving the U.S. government increasingly isolated. In other news, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan broke tradition today by personally addressing the opening of General Assembly debates, centering his speech on an implicit call on Washington to pay its one billion 500 million dollar debt to the world body. Annan said the debt should be paid unconditionally and within the agreed timetables and quotas. The U.S. government, the UN's largest contributor and largest debtor, is conditioning payment to drastic cutbacks in the UN's budget and personnel and to a reduction of Washington's 25 percent quota. CUBAN PRESIDENT FIDEL CASTRO THANKS AFRICA FOR ITS SOLIDARITY Havana, September 22(RHC)-- Cuban President Fidel Castro sent a letter of gratitude to the Second Cuba-Africa Solidarity gathering that wound up over the weekend in Cape Coast, Ghana. "Though centuries of common history unite Cubans and Africans," said the Cuban leader, "during the past 30 years, thousands of Cubans have been in Africa as combatants, doctors, construction workers and teachers, while thousands of Africans have travelled to Cuba to study." President Fidel Castro pointed out that Cuba is living one of its most difficult moments as the island's enemies attempt to destroy the Cuban Revolution, but that "the Cuban people have demonstrated that they are determined to defend that Revolution and build a socialist society based on social justice." In that struggle, said the Cuban leader, "the people will not surrender." "The African people," said President Castro, "are among the many friends of Cuba who have raised their voices in defense of the island." And for that, he added, "Cuba thanks the African people, particularly the people of Ghana and their leader President Jerry John Rawlings, who contributed so much to the holding of the Cuba-Africa solidarity event." HAITIAN FOREIGN MINISTER ARRIVES IN THE CUBAN CAPITAL Havana, September 22(RHC)-- Haitian Foreign Minister Fritz Longchamps arrived late Sunday in Cuba for a three-day official visit whose aim, he said, "is to intensify bilateral relations between the two Caribbean countries." This is Longchamps second visit to Cuba since diplomatic relations were re-established in February 1996 by former Haitian President Jean Bertrand Aristide, just one day before the end of his mandate. The Haitian foreign minister will have a jam-packed agenda, including numerous interviews with government officials and tours of Cuban scientific institutes. He will begin official talks tomorrow with his Cuban counterpart, Roberto Robaina. The visit comes at a moment when Cuba is strengthening its diplomatic and economic ties with the Caribbean. This year saw visits to Cuba by the Prime Minister of Grenada, Keith Mitchell, Prime Minister Percival Patterson of Jamaica and of the Prime Minister of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines James Fitz-Allen Mitchell. CUBAN MINISTER OF HEALTH CARLOS DOTRES IN U.S. FOR PAHO ANNUAL CONFERENCE Washington, September 22(RHC)-- The Cuban Minister of Health Carlos Dotres is in the U.S. capital for the annual conference of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). The conference will analyze the main problems of Latin American health care and help design health plans for the coming years. The ministers of health from 35 countries who are in Washington, DC will discuss AIDS in Latin America, the health of indigenous peoples, nutrition and curable diseases. The annual conference of the Pan American Health Organization will run through Friday, the 26th. CUBAN YOUTH STUDY LESSONS OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION Havana, September 22(RHC)-- Cuban youth across the island spent their weekend cleaning up neighborhoods and parks. One major job for the young people was at Havana's Metropolitan Park. Special youth brigades, university students and workers helped in the construction of an ecological classroom -- part in a environmental program aimed at developing the park. The park's director, Maura Salmeron, explained that the classroom will make it possible for children and teenagers to learn how to recycle garbage and to create educational materials with natural elements. The classroom will also include art exhibits and other activities related to environmental education. A reforestation program will take place every Saturday through November 14th at the capital's Metropolitan Park. A restaurant and an artificial lagoon will also be constructed. OSWALDO GUAYASAMIN FILMS DOCUMENTARY ON CUBAN LIFE Havana, September 22(RHC)-- Renowned Ecuadoran painter Oswaldo Guayasamin is in Havana to participate in a television documentary on Cuban life. Guayasamin, who will be the main character of the documentary, which will be filmed in Cuba and broadcast in Ecuador. The television documentary will include scenes from the daily lives of Cubans -- looking at children going to school, family life at home as well as interviews with tourists visiting Cuba and the tourist industry. Guayasamin, who came to Cuba with the Game Vision television crew, will stay on the island until Thursday. The Latin American painter pointed out that despite Washington's continued aggression against the island, "Cuba is the most prosperous nation in Latin America." ART SCHOOL INAUGURATED IN CENTRAL CIENFUEGOS PROVINCE Havana, September 22(RHC)-- Cuban Minister of Culture Abel Prieto has inaugurated an art school in the central province of Cienfuegos. Prieto praised the efforts undertaken in reconstructing the building, which was an old educational institute. The Cuban culture minister also pointed out that the art center guarantees the continuation of Cuba's artistic tradition. He added that despite the enormous economic difficulties, advances have been made in the field of culture across the island. BRAZILIAN ARCHITECT OSCAR NIEMAYER AWARDED JOSE MARTI MEDAL Havana, September 22(RHC)-- Cuba's former Culture Minister Armando Hart will award Brazilian architect Oscar Niemayer with Cuba's highest order, the Jose Marti Medal. Niemayer is the designer of a monument against Washington's blockade against Cuba, which will be constructed in front of the U.S. Interests Section here in Havana. The first corner-stone of the monument was placed during the 14th World Festival of Youth and Students last July. The Jose Marti Medal is awarded to heads of state or government and renowned personalities, will be awarded to the Brazilian architect in the Niteroi Modern Art Museum, which is one of Niemayer's most famous creations. CUBAN SALSA DOCUMENTARY SHOWN IN MIAMI FOR THE FIRST TIME Havana, September 22(RHC)-- The Cuban documentary "Yo Soy del Son a la Salsa" was shown at the University of Florida in Miami and is scheduled to be presented in three other film theaters. The documentary tells the story of Caribbean music with its most important singers. The documentary, winner of last year's Havana Film Festival, was filmed in Cuba, Puerto Rico and New York City. The documentary was shown after Cuban musicians were stopped from participating in the MIDEM Fair in Miami. The boycott angered organizers and led to their decision to change the site of future fairs to another city. CUBA WILL PARTICIPATE IN COMMUNITY RADIO EVENT IN LUXEMBOURG Havana, September 22(RHC)-- Cuba will take part in the upcoming International Seminar of the Association of Community Radio. The event is scheduled to take place from the 23rd through the 27th of this month in Luxembourg. The Vice President of Cuba's Community Radio Association, Maria Victoria Polanco, believes that Cuba's presence at the event will be very important and is looking forward to exchanging ideas on broadcasting with other radio stations around the world. AND FROM THE SPORTS DESK... CUBA DOMINATES IN REGIONAL VOLLEYBALL Havana, September 22(RHC)-- The Cuban men's volleyball team followed the same successful trail left by the women's team at the Northern Central American and Caribbean Volleyball championship and grabbed its sixth regional title over the weekend. The Cuban team defeated the U.S. three sets to nothing: 15-11; 15-11 and 15-4. This way, the island will be present in both categories at the Japan Super Cup of Champions, set for November 14th through the 24th. Head coach Juan Diaz explained he used young athletes during the tournament -- including Ivan Benito, along with Pavel Pimienta and Ramon Gato -- well known for their abilities during the World League, where Cuba finished in second place. Diaz used Benito as an attacker in an attempt to develop this young player for the Olympic Games. Diaz wants to improve the sixth place achieved at the Atlanta Summer Games. [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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