CUBANEWS FROM RADIO HAVANA CUBA E-mail: rhc@radiohc.org http://www.radiohc.org The following items are taken from Radio Havana Cuba's news service for Monday, April 13, 1998. Today's stories: 1.- PRESIDENT OF CAPE VERDE, ANTONIO MANUEL MASCARENHAS, BEGINS OFFICIAL VISIT TO CUBA 2.- THOUSANDS OF WOMEN GATHER IN HAVANA TO BEGIN THREE DAYS OF DISCUSSIONS 3.- RENOWNED PERSONALITIES AND UNIONS READY TO PARTICIPATE IN MAY DAY FESTIVITIES ON THE ISLAND 4.- THIRD ENCOUNTER OF AFRICAN LANGUAGES AND CULTURE SET TO BE HELD IN CUBA 5.- ARGENTINEAN BUSINESS DELEGATION ARRIVES ON THE ISLAND 6.- CUBAN DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER VISITS CHINA 7.- CUBAN SINGER/SONGWRITER PABLO MILANES NAMED DISTINGUISHED SON IN CHILE PRESIDENT OF CAPE VERDE, ANTONIO MANUEL MASCARENHAS, BEGINS OFFICIAL VISIT TO CUBA Havana, April 13(RHC)-- The President of the African nation of Cape Verde, Antonio Manuel Mascarenhas, began an official visit to Cuba today, invited by President Fidel Castro. In Cape Verde's 23 years of independence from Portuguese colonial rule, this African country has maintained close ties with Cuba. Between 1976 and 1997, a total of 537 Cuban specialists have provided technical assistance to Cape Verde, mostly in the health sector. Cuban assistance has helped this nation achieve one of the longest life expectancy rates on the African continent and a low infant mortality rate. The number of doctors per inhabitant has also grown. Cuba has granted a total of 571 scholarships for Cape Verdian students -- 495 have graduated from Cuban technical institutes, while 76 have graduated from Cuban universities. In May of last year, Cuba and Cape Verde signed a reciprocal accord on the promotion and protection of investments and are now in the process of stepping up bilateral cooperation in the fields of human resources, finances, tourism and culture. THOUSANDS OF WOMEN GATHER IN HAVANA TO BEGIN THREE DAYS OF DISCUSSIONS Havana, April 13(RHC)-- Havana's Karl Marx Theater is ready to host the International Conference for Solidarity Among Women, with the participation of over 2000 participants from all over the world. Six main issues will be discussed: economy and sustainable development, political participation and access to decision making, health, education, culture and social security, communications, violence and discrimination, independence, sovereignty and peace. Wednesday will be dedicated to solidarity events, organized by geographical regions. Tomorrow morning will feature conferences on Washington's economic blockade against Cuba, socio-economic perspectives on the island, the socio- political system, characteristics of the island's democracy, scientific and technical development and the consequences of Washington's bacteriological war against Cuba. During the closing ceremony on Thursday, the President of the Federation of Cuban Women, Vilma Espin, will address the issue of women's rights and international solidarity among women. The International Conference for Solidarity Among Women is sponsored by the Continental Women's Front for a Dignified Life, the International Democratic Women's Federation and the Federation of Cuban Women. RENOWNED PERSONALITIES AND UNIONS READY TO PARTICIPATE IN MAY DAY FESTIVITIES ON THE ISLAND Havana, April 13(RHC)-- Over 100 renowned personalities and representatives of labor organizations have confirmed their participation in May Day festivities on the island. According to Agustin Lopez of the International Relations Department of the Cuban Workers Confederation, the number of participants is expected to increase. A number of activities will be taking place in Latin America to commemorate International Worker's Day. For example, the Second Encounter of Workers against Neoliberalism and Globalization will be hosted by Brazil. The first meeting took place last year in Havana. And some 80 experts and union leaders will discuss their role in regional economic integration here in the Cuban capital. All these activities will lead up to May 1st, International Workers Day. THIRD ENCOUNTER OF AFRICAN LANGUAGES AND CULTURE SET TO BE HELD IN CUBA Havana, April 13(RHC)-- The Angola House of Culture in Cuba will organize the Third International Encounter of African Languages and Culture, scheduled to take place from the 27th to the 30th of this month. The Cultural Attache of the Angolan Embassy in Havana, Francisco Lisboa, told reporters that, at the same time, the International Colloquium of Oral African Tradition will be held in the Cuban capital. Both events are being sponsored by Cuba's Culture Ministry and the Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment. ARGENTINEAN BUSINESS DELEGATION ARRIVES ON THE ISLAND Havana, April 13(RHC)-- An Argentinean business delegation is in Cuba for a four-day official visit. The delegation is headed by the Governor of the Argentinean province of Cordoba, Ramon Bautista. The Minister of Labor and Production, Jose Porta, and the Vice President of the Argentinean Chamber of Commerce, Rafael Ardu, are also part of the delegation. The Argentinean delegation's visit will help strengthen bilateral economic ties and explore possibilities of business in the construction, food and real estate sectors on the island. CUBAN DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER VISITS CHINA Beijing, April 13(RHC)-- Cuban Deputy Foreign Minister Isabel Allende is on an official visit to China. The Cuban official's visit is part of a bilateral exchange at the foreign ministry level. The Cuban deputy foreign minister is expected to meet with Chinese Foreign Ministry Vice President Jang Yiezhie and the Vice President of the Chinese Council of State Wu Ji. CUBAN SINGER/SONGWRITER PABLO MILANES NAMED DISTINGUISHED SON IN CHILE Santiago de Chile, April 13(RHC)-- Cuban singer/songwriter Pablo Milanes has been named "Distinguished Son" of the Chilean port of Vina del Mar during a ceremony led by the city's mayor, Rodrigo Gonzalez. The author of such well- known songs as "Yolanda" and "Yo Pisare las Calles Nuevamente," arrived in Chile last week to begin a national tour. Twenty-five years ago -- following the bloody military coup that overthrew constitutionally-elected President Salvador Allende -- Pablo Milanes said that he would never return to Chile while dictator Augusto Pinochet was in power. After Pinochet retired from the Chilean military in March, Pablo kept his promise. Although last Thursday's concert in Santiago de Chile was canceled due to bad weather, organizers of the tour said a new date will be announced soon. Meanwhile, Pablo Milanes continues his performances in a number of Chilean cities. [c] 1998, 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. For further information, contact us at: Postal Address: Radio Havana Cuba P.O.Box 6240 Havana, Cuba Telephone: (53) (7) 791053 Fax: (53) (7) 795007 E-mail: rhc@radiohc.org WWW: http://www.radiohc.org