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 Thursday, August 20, 1998. Today's stories: 1.- CUBAN PRESIDENT FIDEL CASTRO CALLS HIS VISIT TO THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC "A LIFE-LONG DREAM" 2.- U.S. AUTHORITIES PLAN TO CHARGE LEADERS OF CUBAN-AMERICAN NATIONAL FOUNDATION WITH CONSPIRING TO ASSASSINATE CUBAN PRESIDENT FIDEL CASTRO 3.- CUBA AND SOUTH AFRICA WILL INCREASE BILATERAL COOPERATION IN THE FIELD OF HEALTH 4.- PARTICIPANTS OF THE CUBA-CANADA SOLIDARITY ENCOUNTER VISIT ERNESTO CHE GUEVARA MEMORIAL IN SANTA CLARA 5.- EASTERN GRANMA PROVINCE CONTINUES IN A STATE OF ALERT DUE TO SEVERE DROUGHT 6.- NEW UNICEF REPRESENTATIVE IN CUBA 7.- SECOND INTERNATIONAL CUISINE FESTIVAL TO TAKE PLACE NEXT MONTH AT VARADERO BEACH RESORT 8.- AND FROM THE SPORTS DESK... AN IN-DEPTH LOOK AT THE CENTRAL AMERICAN AND CARIBBEAN GAMES CUBAN PRESIDENT FIDEL CASTRO CALLS HIS VISIT TO THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC "A LIFE-LONG DREAM" Santo Domingo, August 20(RHC)-- Cuban President Fidel Castro arrived this morning in the Dominican Republic for an official visit and to participate in a summit of Caribbean leaders. President Castro was received with a embrace from Dominican President Leonel Fernandez. After reviewing the honor guard, President Fernandez -- in his welcoming speech -- said it was an privilege to receive the Cuban leader and that he should feel at home in the Dominican Republic. President Fernandez also thanked Fidel Castro for his active and direct participation in the struggle against that country's dictatorship -- in reference to the 1930 to 1957 dictatorship of Rafael Leonidas Trujillo. President Castro said his presence in the Dominican Republic is "a life-long dream come true," thanking President Fernandez for what he called "the friendly and brave gesture" of having invited him. The Cuban leader said many Dominicans were in Cuba during difficult times and participated both in Cuba's independence struggle and in the Cuban Revolution. President Castro said Dominicans and Cubans have done much together, but, he continued, "there is much more to do in the future." He said the Caribbean summit getting underway today was "a big gathering of small countries with a decisive importance for the future." In statements to reporters today shortly before the Cuban leader's arrival, President Fernandez said Fidel Castro was an historic figure -- comparing him to Nelson Mandela. He also said that regional unity cannot be discussed without including Cuba. U.S. AUTHORITIES PLAN TO CHARGE LEADERS OF CUBAN-AMERICAN NATIONAL FOUNDATION WITH CONSPIRING TO ASSASSINATE CUBAN PRESIDENT FIDEL CASTRO Miami, August 20(RHC)-- U.S. judicial authorities are planning to formally charge Jose Fernandez, president of the ultra right-wing Cuban-American National Foundation, with conspiring to assassinate Cuban President Fidel Castro. In a news conference Thursday in Miami, an attorney for Fernandez, Jose Quinones, admitted that his client had bought two high- powered 50-caliber rifles found hidden in a vessel off the coast of Puerto Rico late last year. The U.S. Coast Guard arrested four Cuban-Americans on the vessel, which had a computerized navigation system with the coordinates of Venezuela's Margarita Island -- site of an Iberoamerican Summit in which the Cuban leader was about to participate. The case is to heard in a court in Puerto Rico next Tuesday and also includes as defendant Antonio Llamas, owner of the vessel impounded -- reportedly charged with violating the U.S. Neutrality Act. Defense attorneys for the two declined to talk about the other four Cuban-Americans arrested on the vessel, but it's believed that they will also be tried. According to a sworn statement by U.S. Customs Special Agent Ismael Padilla, one of the occupants of the vessel -- Manuel Alfonso --blurted out, as he was being arrested, that the weapons were to be used to assassinate Fidel Castro. The attorneys refused to provide more details on the case or to reveal who had informed them that court proceedings were going to begin. If, in fact, the revelation is true, it will be the first time that the U.S. government takes legal action against a member of the Cuban-American National Foundation -- which has powerful connections in the U.S. Congress. CUBA AND SOUTH AFRICA WILL INCREASE BILATERAL COOPERATION IN THE FIELD OF HEALTH Pretoria, August 20(RHC)-- Expanding collaboration between Cuba and South Africa in the field of medical research was the main issue discussed in Pretoria by Cuban Health Minister Carlos Dotres and medical personnel from the South African Tropical Medicine Center. Both parties expressed their interest in promoting a closer relationship between South African medical institutions and the Pedro Kouri Tropical Medicine Institute in Havana. The Cuban health minister, who is heading a delegation to South Africa, told reporters that Cuba's assistance to the African nation in the area of health is an example of selfless support and solidarity. Health Minister Carlos Dotres and his accompanying delegation was welcomed to Pretoria by his South African counterpart, Nkozasana Zuma, which whom he discussed aspects of bilateral collaboration. PARTICIPANTS OF THE CUBA-CANADA SOLIDARITY ENCOUNTER VISIT ERNESTO CHE GUEVARA MEMORIAL IN SANTA CLARA Santa Clara, August 20(RHC)-- More than one hundred participants of the Cuba-Canada Solidarity Encounter, which officially concluded yesterday in Havana, visited the Ernesto Che Guevara Memorial in the city of Santa Clara on Thursday. As part of their visit to the island, the Canadians also toured other places of socio-economic and cultural interest in the province of Villa Clara. Representatives from more than 40 Canadian solidarity organizations attending the three-day meeting in Havana earlier this week condemned Washington's economic blockade against Cuba and reiterated their commitment to continue their work in solidarity with Cuba. EASTERN GRANMA PROVINCE CONTINUES IN A STATE OF ALERT DUE TO SEVERE DROUGHT Bayamo, August 20(RHC)-- The lack of rain in the eastern mountainous region of Cuba has maintained the reservoirs in Granma province in a state of alert. The severe drought continues to affect the region's agriculture and water supply. During a meeting where the drought situation in the eastern province was analyzed, local authorities revealed that 11 reservoirs have only 29 percent of their capacity. The rain that has fallen in the province so far has mainly been in the lowland areas. The President of People's Power in Granma province, Jose Antonio Leyva, confirmed that the region continues in a state of alert. He praised the National Institute of Water Resources for their work in tackling problems related to the drought. NEW UNICEF REPRESENTATIVE IN CUBA Havana, August 20(RHC)-- The new representative of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) in Cuba, Alfredo Misair, told reporters in Havana that the UN organization will extend its collaboration with the island in health, education and social programs. Misair, who will officially become the new UNICEF representative on the island August 30th, met with Cuban ministers and officials, accompanied by current UNICEF representative Jose Carlos Cuentas-Zavala. During the meetings, Cuban officials expressed their gratitude for UNICEF's assistance to the island, while Misair said he is honored to have been assigned as the UN organization's representative in Cuba. SECOND INTERNATIONAL CUISINE FESTIVAL TO TAKE PLACE NEXT MONTH AT VARADERO BEACH RESORT Havana, August 20(RHC)-- The Second International Cuisine Festival will be held at Varadero's Convention Center from the 15th through the 20th of September with the participation some 900 foreign experts and over one thousand Cuban specialists. During the event, nearly 30 countries will be represented -- the largest from Italy and Peru. Renowned cooks and personalities are also planning to attend. According to the organizers, a workshop will be held where issues like cultural identity, evolution and culinary development will be discussed. AND FROM THE SPORTS DESK... AN IN-DEPTH LOOK AT THE CENTRAL AMERICAN AND CARIBBEAN GAMES Maricaibo, August 20(RHC)-- Surinam's Letitia Vriesde ratified her supremacy in women's 800 meters last night, when she crossed the finish-line to grab the gold. In second place was Ana Guevara, Mexico's new rising star and the biggest hope for her country at the upcoming Olympic games in the year 2000. Jamaica's Andrea Hyman was third. Cuba's Ana Fidelia Quirot, came in fourth with a time of 2 minutes and 2.46 seconds. She was unable to regain the title she lost to Vriesde five years ago and will not take part in the 1500 meter competition. Before the race, Ana Fidelia Quirot stated that her continued participation would be decided with the results of the 800 meter competition. Immediately after the race, with tears in her eyes, Quirot declined to talk with reporters. Ana Fidelia completed the first lap in the leading position then, all of the sudden, began to lose steam and lag behind. Forced to run on the outer lane, she was unable to give that extra push at the end to beat her opponents. Her failure has sparked speculation about retirement, brought up by the athlete herself a few days ago. Before the beginning of the games, she spoke about retirement after regaining the title. At a press conference later, Quirot clarified that she will not retire but wants to take a break in order to fulfill a long-time dream of becoming a mother. And Ana Fidelia's trainer, Leandro Civil, stated that her retirement is something yet to be determined. The victories in javelin, two short relay competitions and in men's 800 meters compensated for the sadness and shock caused by Quirot's setback. In women's 4 by 100 meters, the island established a new record and took gold in men's. In other results, Jamaica's Deon Hemmins, Olympic champ in women's 400 meter hurdle, took the gold this time with a new record for the games with 54.30 seconds. In men's, the winner was Dinsdale Morgan from Jamaica with 48.87 seconds. The silver went to Cuba. In women's 200 meters, Jamaica made first and second place and Colombia was third. As expected, Mexico won in men's 50 kilometer walk and in women's 5 kilometer race. In men's division, the winner was Puerto Rican Edgar Diaz. Mexico took the gold in men's 200 meters -- the winner: Juan Pedro Toledo. Many believed that Mexico was only good in long distance and walk, but as former Olympic champ Alberto Juantorena of Cuba put it, Toledo's victory was not a surprise. Juantorena said he knew Toledo has excellent shape and tactic, resulting in his success. The Cuban competitor in this modality placed third. Unfortunately, Wednesday night was not complete at all for Mexico, which had to face two doping cases, the first ones of the games. Swimmer Erendira Villegas and cyclist Nancy Contreras tested positive; Villegas for use of anabolic steroids and Contreras for stimulants. This incident deprives Mexico of two gold, two silver and three bronze medals, although it will not affect Mexico's position in the overall medal standings. Mexico defeated Costa Rica, the defending champ in soccer, 2-0 and will go for the gold against Venezuela, the host nation. The game will take place Friday, the day before the closing of the 18th Annual Central American and Caribbean games. In volleyball, the Dominican Republic and Cuba met all expectations and will be face to face in women's volleyball for the title. The Dominican players defeated Puerto Rico in semifinals three sets to one and the Cubans easily did away with Venezuela three to zip. In basketball, Panama and the Dominican Republic got their tickets for the finals in men's. Venezuela and Belize will be slugging it out for third place, while Cuba and Puerto Rico will only be playing for the 5th place after their surprising elimination. [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