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 Tuesday, August 26, 1998. Today's stories: 1.- DESPITE BOMB THREATS, THE SHOW MUST GO ON 2.- EXPERTS MAINTAIN A WATCHFUL EYE ON DROUGHT SITUATION 3.- CUBA'S ROLE IN CARIBBEAN INTEGRATION IS VITAL 4.- FRENCH-CUBAN RELATIONS CONTINUE TO GROW DESPITE BOMB THREATS, THE SHOW MUST GO ON IN MIAMI Miami Beach, August 26(RHC)-- Bomb threats and the U.S. government's refusal to grant entry visas on time to a number of Cuban musicians could not stop the "Cuban Legends Concert" at the Miami Beach Convention Center last night. The participants were warmly received by concert-goers at the MIDEM Latin American and Caribbean Music Market Festival. Legendary Cuban Son musician, Francisco Repilado -- known as "Compay Segundo" -- played and sang in the Festival's first major concert. Absent from the performance was another Cuban legend: Chucho Valdez and his group "Irakere," as well as other musicians who received their visas from the U.S. State Department only hours before the concert began. MIDEM organizers hope that those who were granted their visas too late will be able to perform on Wednesday. The 91 year-old Grammy winning performer, Compay Segundo, greeted Cubans living in Miami and said he didn't understand why those who live on the island are discriminated against by the exile community. "Life, he commented, "is not to be lived in an embittered way." The French MIDEM group moved this year's festival to Miami Beach from Miami, where Cuban performers and record executives were barred from attending the important event last year by local authorities. MIDEM officials insist that Cuban professionals are necessary to any Latin music event since they are among the genre's most successful and creative exponents. The MIDEM Latin Music Market Festival in Miami Beach winds up on Friday. EXPERTS MAINTAIN A WATCHFUL EYE ON DROUGHT SITUATION Havana, August 26(RHC)-- A front-page article in this morning's edition of the Cuban daily Granma follows up on a special study concerning the impact caused by a severe drought in the eastern provinces. According to an on-site inspection of the area by a health care team, the drought gripping eastern Cuba has not affected the population's health. The article points out that although the team failed to detect any serious problems, there still exist increased risks, making it necessary to continue exercising precautionary measures. Possible effects to watch for are digestive problems like diarrhea, typhoid fever, hepatitis A, skin disorders and leptospirosis. Additional warnings regarding leptospirosis have been issued in the eastern province of Las Tunas, where several cases of the disease have been detected. People in Las Tunas been advised to avoid swimming in stagnant water, which has been the cause of the few diagnosed cases of leptospirosis. The Granma article explains that all hospitals are guaranteed water -- either supplied by wells or brought in from other provinces on trucks or by train. Wednesday's edition of the newspaper reports that the Cuban Health Ministry has earmarked additional resources for the eastern provinces including water pumps, extra bathing soap, detergent and sheets. In addition, the family doctor's offices are receiving extra de-hydration salts, antibiotics and other necessities. The Granma article stresses that, despite these precautionary measures, there is no medical emergency situation. CUBA'S ROLE IN CARIBBEAN INTEGRATION IS VITAL Havana, August 26(RHC)-- Cuba could significantly contribute to Caribbean integration -- more than any other country, according to the Director of the Afro-Surinam Culture group, Ivan Wijngaarde. The Surinamese official made the statement in the Cuban capital, where he is taking part in the 4th African-American Culture Seminar, organized by Havana's Casa de las Americas Institute. The activity runs through Friday. Wijngaarde called for the creation of a strong movement of regional unity to face the new economic trends of today's world. Specialists from Latin America, the Caribbean and Europe are exchanging opinions during the African-American Culture Seminar, on topics ranging from the influence of African-American culture on everyday life to African religions and music. Also debating today's economic trends are leaders of Cuba's High School Students Federation, known as the FEEM. FEEM leaders gathered in the Cuban capital on Wednesday to examine the island's current economic and social situation and the challenges to be faced by the younger generation. The meeting's agenda includes a talk by Cuban Vice President Carlos Lage on perspectives of the Cuban economy. Also scheduled is a lecture by the President of the island's National Parliament Ricardo Alarcon, who will talk about Cuba's foreign relations. FRENCH-CUBAN RELATIONS CONTINUE TO GROW Havana, August 26(RHC)-- According to an important French business official, commercial relations between his country and Cuba are growing by leaps and bounds. Jean-Pierre Desgeorges, Vice-President of the National French Employers Council, the CNPF, sees business prospects between the two countries as steadily improving. The French businessman told Granma International newspaper that his countrymen see Cuba not only as a place for business opportunities, but also as a springboard to the rest of the Americas. Desgeorges noted that since the last visit to Cuba by a CNPF delegation, progress has been made because French business executives and their Cuban counterparts are getting to know each other. He added that the delegations are very diverse -- including bankers, industrialists and lawyers. Concerning the upcoming Havana Trade Fair, Jean Pierre Desgeorges said that the National French Employers Council is currently negotiating with the French government for approval of a pavilion completely organized by a public agency. [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