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, June 11, 1998. Today's stories: 1.- THE ARCHITECTS OF NEO-LIBERAL GLOBALIZATION ARE PREACHING THE DISAPPEARANCE OF SOCIAL GAINS 2.- SECOND ENCOUNTER OF SPECIAL EDUCATION SLATED TO BEGIN NEXT WEEK 3.- GENERAL SECRETARY OF RUSSIA'S COMMUNIST PARTY GUENADI ZIUGANOV CONCLUDES VISIT TO CUBA 4.- DOMESTIC TRADE INCREASES DESPITE ISLAND'S ECONOMIC CRISIS 5.- CUBA APPROVES NEW JOINT VENTURES IN THE FIELD OF TOURISM 6.- FIRST INTERNATIONAL RICE ENCOUNTER WRAPS UP IN THE CUBAN CAPITAL 7.- CUBAN GOVERNMENT ORDERS THREE DAYS OF OFFICIAL MOURNING FOR THE DEATH OF NIGERIA'S HEAD OF STATE THE ARCHITECTS OF NEO-LIBERAL GLOBALIZATION ARE PREACHING THE DISAPPEARANCE OF SOCIAL GAINS Havana, June 11(RHC)-- "The architects of neo-liberal globalization are preaching the disappearance of social gains," stated Cuban President Fidel Castro during an interview Wednesday evening here in Havana. In statements to reporters following the visit of Italian Foreign Minister Lamberto Dini, the Cuban leader said that "the right to a job and social security are increasingly being sacrificed on the neo-liberal alter." Fidel Castro termed the awareness of the world in which we live as important -- "the world that is being organized and the hell that we are promised." He said the major promoter of neo-liberal globalization is the United States government, which, he charged, "wants to swallow up its neighbors." The Cuban leader said Washington doesn't want a MERCOSUR -- or any other regional integration bodies -- rather free trade agreements negotiated one by one with the region's countries. Earlier in the day, Foreign Minister Lamberto Dini delivered a lecture on the theme Europe, Latin America and Globalization, stating that globalization is a source of well-being, although admitting that it also provokes a loss of security and identity. Following the lecture, and shortly before the Italian foreign minister departed from Havana, he had lunch with the Cuban president -- the second occasion that both met since Dini's arrival on Monday. Both dignitaries praised the three-day visit and the good relations between the two countries. The Italian foreign minister reiterated his country's support for Cuba's participation as an observer in next September's gathering on the Lome Convention between the European Union and the group of African, Caribbean and Pacific countries. He also said that the practical effects of Washington's Helms-Burton Law will be limited due to the EU- Washington accord reached last month, although he insisted that the European Union remained in favor of the total repeal of Helms-Burton. SECOND ENCOUNTER OF SPECIAL EDUCATION SLATED TO BEGIN NEXT WEEK Havana, June 11(RHC)-- Over one thousand foreign delegates have confirmed their participation in the Second World Encounter of Special Education which will take place next week in Havana's Karl Marx Theater. The main issue discussed will be the need to improve special education worldwide. For its part, Cuba will have the opportunity to describe the island's achievements in the field of special education -- something that all children receive free of charge. Of 16 million handicapped children in Latin America, less than one million receive special education. In related news, the First International Symposium on Kindergarten Education will also be held in the Cuban capital next week. GENERAL SECRETARY OF RUSSIA'S COMMUNIST PARTY GUENADI ZIUGANOV CONCLUDES VISIT TO CUBA Havana, June 11(RHC)-- The General Secretary of Russia's Communist Party Guenadi Ziuganov, wrapping up his visit to the island, characterized Cuban President Fidel Castro as "the most prominent politician of contemporary times." Referring to his meeting with the Cuban leader, Ziuganov said he was pleased to have had a chance to speak with such "an excellent orator." Shortly before he left the island following a four-day official visit, the Russian political leader toured the province of Matanzas. Ziuganov met with the First Secretary of the Cuban Communist Party of Matanzas, Yadira Garcia, who explained the province's diverse aspects, primarily in the economic and tourism sectors. During his visit to Cuba, the General Secretary of Russia's Communist Party also met other government and Party leaders and reiterated his condemnation of Washington's economic blockade against Cuba, characterizing it as "inhumane." DOMESTIC TRADE INCREASES DESPITE ISLAND'S ECONOMIC CRISIS Havana, June 11(RHC)-- Cuban Vice President Carlos Lage affirmed that advances have been made in the area of internal trade in spite of the island's current economic situation. Lage stated that among the areas of domestic trade that have shown grown are the recovery and expansion of the commercial network, the creation of formulas that will maintain supplies and an increase in sales. The Cuban official also mentioned the inefficiencies that are currently affecting domestic trade and called for a complete eradication of price irregularities. He further urged that producers improve the quality of products or services that are offered in the industrial markets. The Cuban vice president suggested that the island's Domestic Trade Ministry exercise its authority to inspect domestic commercial activities and services to the population, which must further improve in quality and control. CUBA APPROVES NEW JOINT VENTURES IN THE FIELD OF TOURISM Havana, June 11(RHC)-- Cuba has approved five new joint ventures in the field of tourism and reiterated that it is prepared to welcome two million vacationers in the year 2000. Deputy Minister for Foreign Trade Marta Lomas told reporters in the Cuban capital that the objective of Washington's Helms-Burton Law has been a failure, given that it has not stopped the flow of new foreign investment on the island. FIRST INTERNATIONAL RICE ENCOUNTER WRAPS UP IN THE CUBAN CAPITAL Havana, June 11(RHC)-- The Director of the Latin American and Caribbean Rice Fund, Luis Sanit, reported that Cuban researchers support that organization's scientists in the development of a type of rice called BT, which is very resistant to plagues. In statements to journalists at the First International Rice Encounter, Sanit explained that the project is a joint effort to introduce insect resistant genes in rice. He said that if this is achieved, its implementation will save thousands of dollars for Latin American rice producers. During the international meeting, which concludes today in the Cuban capital, the director of the Latin American and Caribbean Rice Fund spoke about the economics of rice in Latin American nations. He said the region has good future sales prospects, given a reduction in sales by traditional Asian rice producers. CUBAN GOVERNMENT ORDERS THREE DAYS OF OFFICIAL MOURNING FOR THE DEATH OF NIGERIA'S HEAD OF STATE Havana, June 11(RHC)-- Cuba's Council of State has ordered three days of official mourning for the death of Nigeria's Head of State, Sani Abacha. The Cuban flag will be flown at half-staff on public buildings and military facilities until Sunday. It is government policy that the Council of State orders an official mourning period for high-ranking government leaders of any nation that has diplomatic relations with Cuba. [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. 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