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 Friday, February 6, 1998. Today's stories: 1.- VISITING ECUADORAN FOREIGN MINISTER JOSE AYALA LASSO REQUESTS AID FROM CUBAN HEALTH SPECIALISTS 2.- INTERNATIONAL BOOK FAIR OPENS IN HAVANA 3.- CUBA'S ACHIEVEMENTS IN THE FIELD OF HEALTH CONTINUE TO ATTRACT WORLDWIDE ATTENTION 4.- SCIENTISTS DEVELOP NEW FORMULA TO CURE VITILIGO 5.- CUBA JOINS INTERNATIONAL COMMISSION OF ELECTRONICS AS A PRE-ASSOCIATE MEMBER 6.- CUBAN NATIONAL BALLET COMPANY CONTINUES INTERNATIONAL TOUR VISITING ECUADORAN FOREIGN MINISTER JOSE AYALA LASSO REQUESTS AID FROM CUBAN HEALTH SPECIALISTS Havana, February 6(RHC)-- Visiting Ecuadoran Foreign Minister Jose Ayala Lasso has requested aid from Cuban health specialists in the devastation caused in his country by the climatic phenomenon "El Nino." The Ecuadoran foreign minister called on Cuba to once again demonstrate its solidarity with the Ecuadoran people in the eventuality of an outbreak of epidemics resulting from intense flooding in Ecuador. On the third day of his official visit to the island, Ayala Lasso recalled the cooperation provided by Cuban doctors during the 1982 outbreak of dengue fever in Ecuador. Since last October, Ecuador has been one of the nations most affected by "El Nino." Current estimates put storm-related deaths at nearly 100, with as many as 12 missing. The Ecuadoran foreign minister had words of praise for the achievements of Cuba's public health sector, particularly in the production of medicines. He also took interest in Cuba's mining technology. Ayala Lasso has proposed the creation of an intergovernmental-mixed enterprise aimed at developing permanent bilateral contacts and actions in the health field. Jose Ayala Lasso said that Ecuador could provide Cuba with resources in the energy field as well as technology in the production of food. Among those accompanying the Ecuadoran foreign minister is the President of the Ecuadoran Congressional Commission on International Affairs Fernando Rodriguez. Rodriguez recalled that his commission has expressed solidarity with Cuba in the face of the U.S. blockade and that there will be an intergovernmental Cuba-Ecuador gathering next June. Cuban President Fidel Castro showed up Thursday evening at a reception given in honor of the Ecuadoran foreign minister. Fidel and Ayala Lasso spoke for several hours. The Ecuadoran delegation's official visit wraps up tomorrow, Saturday. INTERNATIONAL BOOK FAIR OPENS IN HAVANA Havana, February 6(RHC)-- The Cuban capital's Pabexpo Pavilion is hosting the 8th International Book Fair, an event attended by representatives from 31 countries. This year's International Book Fair in Havana is dedicated to Mexico, which is represented by intellectuals and experts from that nation's publishing market. The over 30 publishing houses from Mexico that are participating in the fair have announced that Cuba will be a special guest during the next edition of Guadalajara's International Book Fair, slated for the year 2000 -- which will be dedicated to the Caribbean island. CUBA'S ACHIEVEMENTS IN THE FIELD OF HEALTH CONTINUE TO ATTRACT WORLDWIDE ATTENTION Bogota, February 6(RHC)-- Cuba's Minister of Public Health, Doctor Carlos Dotres, told journalists in the Colombian capital that the island's achievements in the field of health have aroused great interest among participants at the 21st Meeting of Health Ministers of the Andean region, which opened Thursday in Bogota. Cuba is attending the Andean Health Summit as an observer. The group is formed by Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador and Venezuela -- nations that, according to the Cuban official, would like to develop their links with the island in the field of health. During his visit to Bogota, the Cuban health minister will meet with his Colombian counterpart, Maria Teresa Forero, and will exchange experiences with other ministers present at the encounter. SCIENTISTS DEVELOP NEW FORMULA TO CURE VITILIGO Havana, February 6(RHC)-- A new formula to cure vitiligo -- a skin disorder manifested by white spots on various parts of the body -- has been produced at the laboratories of Havana's Histotherapy Center. The formula uses melagenine -- a substance extracted from human placenta -- and consists of a lotion that is applied once-a-day. The application eliminates the need to expose the affected area to infrared light or sunshine. The new preparation will revolutionize current treatments for the disease, which causes patients to progressively lose the color of their skin. In 1997, 2200 patients across the island received the services of the Havana center, while 770 patients from 55 countries also received the treatment. Likewise, doctors from around the world have received training at the center. CUBA JOINS INTERNATIONAL COMMISSION OF ELECTRONICS AS A PRE-ASSOCIATE MEMBER Geneva, February 6(RHC)-- Cuba has been invited to join the International Commission of Electronics as a Pre-Associate Member. The commission is the international authority for norms in the sphere of electronics and engineering. With Cuba's admission into the group, the island will receive assistance to improve its infrastructure in the field of electronics. The International Commission of Electronics is one of four organizations of its kind in the world and is in charge of promoting international cooperation to establish common standards. CUBAN NATIONAL BALLET COMPANY CONTINUES INTERNATIONAL TOUR Rome, February 6(RHC)-- Cuba's National Ballet Company will premiere "La Gioconda" on February 9th in the Italian city of Genoa. The presentation is part of an extensive international tour, which also includes performances in Colombia, Argentina, Austria, Finland, Switzerland, Spain and France. Cuba's prima ballerina assoluta Alicia Alonso, head of the Cuban Ballet Company, told journalists that the company's recent performances in the U.S. cities of New York and Los Angeles were a complete success -- both in terms of audience reaction and rave reviews by the critics. Alonso characterized their recent visit to the United States -- their first in 20 years -- as "a major cultural event." She added that the performances demonstrated the quality of Cuba's ballet school. Cuba's National Ballet Company will celebrate its 50th anniversary in October. [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