Via NY Transfer News Collective * All the News that Doesn't Fit 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, December 3, 1998. Today's stories: 1.- LATIN AMERICAN ECONOMIC INTEGRATION IS VITAL 2.- CUBA DENOUNCES GENOCIDAL NATURE OF U.S. BLOCKADE 3.- HAVANA AND WASHINGTON WILL MEET TO DISCUSS MIGRATION ISSUES 4.- U.S. SENATOR CHRISTOPHER DODD ARRIVES IN THE CUBAN CAPITAL LATIN AMERICAN ECONOMIC INTEGRATION IS VITAL Havana, December 3(RHC)-- Cuban President Fidel Castro has called for Latin American economic integration, which he described as vital considering the global financial crisis. Speaking before the representatives of 28 member-nations of the Latin American Economic System (SELA) -- holding its ministerial meeting in Havana -- the Cuban leader stressed the importance of regional unity. Fidel Castro stated that "we are living through a decisive stage, not only for the people of Latin America, but for all of humanity." The leader of the Cuban Revolution emphasized that in the face of a worldwide financial crisis, survival will depend on the ability to pull together. He called on the region to unite in order to negotiate with the United States and other economic powers from a position of strength. Referring to the inevitable process of globalization sweeping the world, the Cuban leader said it was important to determine what kind of globalization would take hold. Fidel Castro offered the example of solidarity that Cuba is modestly demonstrating with the proposal to send 2000 doctors to storm-ravaged Central America. He stated that even with few resources, important efforts can be accomplished if one shows goodwill. The Cuban leader said that more than 50,000 lives can be saved every year in Central America with trained medical personnel and a relatively small supply of medicines. And Fidel Castro emphasized that Cuba is prepared to send as many doctors as are needed in the remote areas of Central America. The 24th Meeting of the Council of the Latin American Economic System wrapped up Thursday in the Cuban capital. CUBA DENOUNCES GENOCIDAL NATURE OF U.S. BLOCKADE New York, December 3(RHC)-- Cuba has denounced the genocidal nature of Washington's blockade against the island. During a special session of the United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday, Cuba's representative before the world body, Rafael Dausa, referred to the blockade as an expression of the use of force against a people, in an effort to starve them into submission. The session was held to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the adoption of the Convention for the Prevention and Punishment of Genocide. Speaking to delegates during the debate, Cuba's envoy stated that to unilaterally deprive a country of access to food and medicines has a dramatic effect, particularly on children, women and the elderly. Analyzing the historic character of the protocol against genocide, passed by the United Nations in December 1948, Rafael Dausa noted that Cuba joined with Panama and India as the first countries to present the resolution before the General Assembly. The Cuban diplomat underscored the fact that the convention referred to genocide as a crime against humanity. Cuba's UN representative added that the U.S. blockade against the island is an assault on its very existence and causes irreparable harm against its people. Fifty years after the passage of the Convention for the Prevention and Punishment of Genocide, affirmed the Cuban delegate to the United Nations, new forms of genocide have arisen, thus requiring new definitions and stronger enforcement. HAVANA AND WASHINGTON WILL MEET TO DISCUSS MIGRATION ISSUES Havana, December 3(RHC)-- Representatives of Cuba and the United States will meet in the Cuban capital tomorrow, Friday, to discuss migration issues. The Cuban delegation will be headed by Parliament President Ricardo Alarcon and the U.S. delegation will be led by Deputy Secretary of State John Hamilton. According to Prensa Latina News Agency, this is the twelfth round of talks between Havana and Washington since immigration agreements between the two governments were signed in September 1994 and May 1995. The second agreement establishes the return of illegal Cuban immigrants captured by the U.S. Coast Guard. Since the agreement was signed, over 1300 Cubans attempting to illegally reach the United States have been repatriated. The agreement also calls on Washington to grant at least 20,000 visas each year to those wishing to immigrate to the United States. The previous round of talks to discuss the agreements was held in New York last June. U.S. SENATOR CHRISTOPHER DODD ARRIVES IN THE CUBAN CAPITAL Havana, December 3(RHC)-- U.S. Senator Christopher Dodd arrived in the Cuban capital Wednesday evening, invited by the Ministry of Foreign Relations and the Cuban Parliament. The Democratic senator from Connecticut is one of the principal promoters of legislation currently before the U.S. Congress which would allow for the sale of food and medicine to the island. In statements to Prensa Latina News Agency upon his arrival at Havana's Jose Marti International Airport, Senator Dodd affirmed that the majority of his constituents disagree with the restrictions on food and medicine imposed by the U.S. blockade of the island. The U.S. senator also referred to an initiative headed by Republican Senator John Warner of Virginia -- calling on U.S. President Bill Clinton to establish a bipartisan commission to review Washington's policies toward Cuba. The visiting senator stated that there is confusion even among U.S. lawmakers surrounding the exact position of the United States toward Cuba. Senator Dodd said that the initiative -- supported by 13 Republican senators and former Secretaries of State Henry Kissinger, George Shultz and Lawrence Eagleburger -- is still being considered by the White House. He added that he hoped to discuss the issue with high-ranking Cuban officials during his stay on the island. U.S. Senator Christopher Dodd, who last visited Cuba in 1976, will carry out a broad work-program before leaving the island on Tuesday, the 8th. [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. 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