CUBANEWS FROM RADIO HAVANA CUBA January 29 1998 E-mail: rhc@radiohc.org http://www.radiohc.org The following items are taken from Radio Havana Cuba's news service for Thursday, January 29, 1998. Today's stories: 1.- INTERNATIONAL REACTIONS CONTINUE TO RENEWAL OF DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS BETWEEN CUBA AND GUATEMALA 2.- CUBA WILL ATTEND UPCOMING IBEROAMERICAN CONFERENCE IN URUGUAY 3.- YOUNG COMMUNIST LEAGUE ISSUES CALL FOR SEVENTH CONGRESS 4.- INTERNATIONAL TRIBUTES TO JOSE MARTI MARK ANNIVERSARY 5.- VENEZUELAN TRADE AND BUSINESS REPRESENTATIVES CALL FOR LIFTING U.S. BLOCKADE AGAINST CUBA INTERNATIONAL REACTIONS CONTINUE TO RENEWAL OF DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS BETWEEN CUBA AND GUATEMALA Havana, January 29(RHC)-- Thursday's edition of the Cuban newspaper "Granma" comments that the renewal of diplomatic relations between Cuba and Guatemala is "yet another set-back to Washington's attempts to isolate the island." The article refers to growing ties between Cuba and the Caribbean, pointing out that the recent decision by Guatemala to reestablish relations with the island will have additional positive repercussions. "Granma" asserts that it is Washington that is finding itself increasingly isolated in its policy toward Cuba. In related news, the U.S. State Department issued a brief declaration late Wednesday, expressing its displeasure over the Guatemalan decision to renew full diplomatic relations with Cuba. The U.S. Embassy in Guatemala City released the official statement, which called on other regional countries to refrain from establishing relations with Cuba. Despite Washington's efforts in Central America, only Costa Rica and El Salvador do not have relations with the island. All other countries either have full diplomatic or consular relations and Honduras has an interests section in the Cuban capital. CUBA WILL ATTEND UPCOMING IBEROAMERICAN CONFERENCE IN URUGUAY Montevideo, January 29(RHC)-- The President of the Uruguayan House of Representatives, Carlos Baraibar, has called on Pope John Paul II to defend the decision to invite Cuban Parliament President Ricardo Alarcon to the 9th Conference of Iberoamerican Parliamentary Presidents, scheduled to take place in Montevideo in May. Baraibar acknowledged that some have expressed their displeasure over the invitation to the island's parliament, but pointed to the Pontiff's call for the world to open to Cuba. He stated that Uruguay will not respond to the Venezuelan parliament's complaints, saying that according to procedure, invitations are the option of the host country. The leader of the Uruguayan House of Representatives added that Spain, serving as Secretary of the Iberoamerican Parliamentary Conference, agrees with the invitation to Cuba. Last year's conference, held in Madrid, was the focus of a dispute when Spain invited Cuba to attend the event as an observer. At that time, Baraibar and the President of the Uruguayan Senate, Hugo Batalla, expressed their disagreement, saying that Cuba should be invited to the conference as a full, participatory member. Pointing to the fact that Cuba is serving as the vice president of the Latin American Parliament, PARLATINO -- as well as the Pope's recent visit to the island -- Baraibar told reporters in Montevideo that Cuba WILL take part as a full member in the upcoming conference to be held in Uruguay. YOUNG COMMUNIST LEAGUE ISSUES CALL FOR SEVENTH CONGRESS Santiago de Cuba, January 29(RHC)-- The Young Communist League -- the UJC -- has issued the Call for its Seventh Congress. The UJC says that the previous youth congress, held six years ago, helped Cuban young people to arm themselves for the Special Period -- the current economic crisis affecting the island. After the Sixth Congress, Cuban youth have learned more about the island's history and are more convinced of its revolutionary values. The Call to the Seventh Congress of the UJC states that the gathering will be held "at a time when selfishness has become globalized, wealth neoliberalized and hope commercialized -- while in Cuba, this Congress will be the Congress of the daily victories over imperialist war, U.S. genocide and attempts to violate the island's sovereignty." The UJC call states that this upcoming Congress "will deal with the formation of the new generations and the active, conscious participation of Cuban youth in the economic efficiency that the islands needs in order to correct its economy and continue reaffirming its sovereignty." Inviting all to debate the issues at hand, the UJC says "it is important to be consistent with the memory and example of those who, from our glorious past, commit us to take good care of the future -- which is the best reward for those who struggle and resist." INTERNATIONAL TRIBUTES TO JOSE MARTI MARK ANNIVERSARY Havana, January 29(RHC)-- Numerous organizations and institutions from several Latin American, European and African countries paid tribute to Cuban National Hero Jose Marti on the 145th anniversary of his birth. In Ecuador, various solidarity rallies were held. In Quito, students from the Republic of Cuba and Jose Marti High Schools honored the Cuban hero at the base of a comment dedicated to Jose Marti. In Uruguay, at what is known as the Cuban Plaza, Uruguayans and Cubans recalled the birth of Jose Marti, who was that South American country's representative in the United States until he decided to devote his energies to the island's independence. In Managua, the Nicaraguan capital, representatives from the Nicaraguan Foreign Ministry and people from all walks of life paid tribute to Marti with a variety of activities. And in Zambia, the Unza-Cuba Friendship Association and the Cuban Embassy organized a rally, during which they screened documentary films on Marti's life and work. VENEZUELAN TRADE AND BUSINESS REPRESENTATIVES CALL FOR LIFTING U.S. BLOCKADE AGAINST CUBA Caracas, January 29(RHC)-- Venezuela's House of American Trade and Industry -- known as Venamcham -- and the House Association of Latin America has urged the United States to end its blockade against Cuba. Venamcham Vice President Antonio Herrera Vallant and the House Association of Latin America pointed out that the request is an official proposal. He told the daily "El Universal" that the blockade has been a failure and "has never made sense for these past 37 years." The statement is the first important condemnation of the blockade made by a group of prominent South American business executives. [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) 814243 Fax: (53) (7) 812927 E-mail: rhc@radiohc.org WWW: http://www.radiohc.org