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, July 16, 1998. Today's stories: 1.- CUBAN PRESIDENT FIDEL CASTRO MEETS WITH VISITING JAMAICAN DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER SEYMOUR EDWARD MULLINGS 2.- ASSOCIATION OF CARIBBEAN STATES MEETING WRAPS UP IN THE CUBAN CAPITAL 3.- MEXICO'S TOURISM SECRETARY ENDS VISIT TO CUBA 4.- HAVANA CITY HISTORIAN HONORED BY PERUVIAN EMBASSY 5.- DROUGHT SEVERELY AFFECTS EASTERN HOLGUIN PROVINCE 6.- NORDIC AND JOSE MARTI INTERNATIONALIST BRIGADES IN CUBA CUBAN PRESIDENT FIDEL CASTRO MEETS WITH VISITING JAMAICAN DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER SEYMOUR EDWARD MULLINGS Havana, July 15(RHC)-- Cuban President Fidel Castro met with visiting Jamaican Deputy Prime Minister Seymour Edward Mullings late Wednesday night here in Havana. During their talks, the two Caribbean leaders discussed bilateral issues as well as international topics. Following his meeting with the Cuban leader, the Jamaican deputy prime minister told reporters that Fidel Castro is "one of the greatest leaders of the Third World," noting that he reiterated an official invitation to the Cuban president to visit Jamaica. Seymour Edward Mullings emphasized that Cuba should be present in all organizations that work for the integration of the Caribbean region. Earlier in the day, the Jamaican delegation headed by Mullings met with Cuban Foreign Minister Roberto Robaina. In statements to journalists following their official talks, the Cuban foreign minister called his Jamaican counterpart "a dear and special friend," and noted the support Cuba has received from Jamaica over the years. ASSOCIATION OF CARIBBEAN STATES MEETING WRAPS UP IN THE CUBAN CAPITAL Havana, July 16(RHC)-- The Inter-sessional Meeting of the Association of Caribbean States wrapped up today in the Cuban capital, with the participation of representatives from all 25 member-nations. During the two-day meeting at Havana's Convention Center, participants discussed regional tourism, transportation and trade. Among those taking part in the debates was the Secretary General of the Association of Caribbean States, Simon Molina Duarte. The Association of Caribbean States was established in July 1994 and is composed of 25 nations with a combined population of 200 million inhabitants. Commercial trade among ACS member-states amounts to 100 billion dollars annually. MEXICO'S TOURISM SECRETARY ENDS VISIT TO CUBA Havana, July 16(RHC)-- Mexico's Tourism Secretary Oscar Espinosa has ended a four-day visit to Cuba. During his stay, the Mexican official met with Cuba's Tourism Minister Osmany Cienfuegos and discussed ways to increase tourism between the two countries. The Mexican and Cuban officials agreed to carry out joint campaigns that include multi-destination tour packages between the two countries, a ferry that would transport travelers from the Yucatan Peninsula to the Caribbean island and increased flights between both nations. The Mexican tourism secretary also participated in the 5th Board of Directors Meeting of the Association of Caribbean States, which took place earlier this week in Havana. HAVANA CITY HISTORIAN HONORED BY PERUVIAN EMBASSY Havana, July 16(RHC)-- The Peruvian embassy has paid homage to Havana City Historian Eusebio Leal for his contribution to strengthening ties between the two nations. Peru's ambassador in Cuba, Jaime Sobero Taira, told reporters that Eusebio Leal has contributed to increased cultural ties between Cuba and the South American country. Havana City Historian Eusebio Leal is responsible for the rehabilitation of Old Havana, which was declared a World Heritage Site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, UNESCO. DROUGHT SEVERELY AFFECTS EASTERN HOLGUIN PROVINCE Havana, July 16(RHC)-- One of the most severe droughts in the last three decades is hitting the eastern province of Holguin. The drought has affected the region's agricultural crops, particularly sugarcane fields. The effects of the drought are most visible in the city of Holguin, where there is a shortage of drinking water. The First Secretary of the Communist Party in Holguin, Jorge Luis Sierra, said that many of the area's wells are dry and that if it doesn't rain soon, the Guirabo and Cacoyugun reservoirs will be in a severe crisis. The Cuban official added that local authorities are distributing drinking water to the population in an attempt to alleviate the situation. Holguin province has experienced reduced rainfall over the last two decades. According to meteorological experts, 1982 to 1997 was characterized as a particularly dry period. And this year is critical, especially in the northern and western areas, where most of the province's agricultural crops are grown. NORDIC AND JOSE MARTI INTERNATIONALIST BRIGADES IN CUBA Havana, July 16(RHC)-- The Nordic and Jose Marti Brigades are currently on the island to demonstrate their solidarity with the Cuban Revolution. The international brigades from European countries, made up of young people whose average age is 30, are staying at the Julio Antonio Mella International Camp, located just outside of Havana. Hosted by the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples (ICAP), the European brigades are doing volunteer work in citrus fields as well as visiting places of interest in and around Havana on the weekends. 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