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 Monday, June 22, 1998. Today's stories: 1.- INTERNATIONAL TRADE FAIR EXPOCARIBE '98 UNDERWAY IN EASTERN SANTIAGO DE CUBA 2.- CANADA ANNOUNCES 5-FOLD INCREASE IN ITS INVESTMENTS IN CUBA 3.- NON-ALIGNED MINISTERIAL MEETING BEGINS ON THURSDAY IN HAVANA 4.- CUBA PARTICIPATES IN FIRST INTERNATIONAL FAIR OF THE AMERICAS IN MEXICO 5.- FRENCH TRANSPORTATION MINISTER INAUGURATES PARIS-HAVANA FLIGHTS BY AIR FRANCE 6.- RUSSIAN PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN CONDEMNS WASHINGTON'S ECONOMIC BLOCKADE AGAINST CUBA INTERNATIONAL TRADE FAIR EXPOCARIBE '98 UNDERWAY IN EASTERN SANTIAGO DE CUBA Santiago de Cuba, June 22(RHC)-- The international trade fair EXPOCARIBE '98 is underway in the eastern city of Santiago de Cuba. The 7th edition of the Caribbean trade fair was inaugurated with the presence of 750 national and international firms. Attending the opening ceremony were Juan Carlos Robinson, member of the Political Bureau of the Cuban Communist Party and Luis Estruch, President of the Provincial Assembly of People's Power in Santiago de Cuba. This year, EXPOCARIBE '98 coincides with the 25th anniversary of the Caribbean Community, CARICOM. Representatives from all nations of the Caribbean are taking part in the event as well as Canada and other countries such as India and Norway, which are first-time participants. Activities began with a conference on the current situation of the Cuban economy and perspectives for future growth. Cuba's Economy and Planning Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez spoke about the island's slow but sure economic recovery, the re-orientation of Cuba's foreign trade and openings to foreign capital on the island. CANADA ANNOUNCES 5-FOLD INCREASE IN ITS INVESTMENTS IN CUBA Santiago de Cuba, June 22(RHC)-- Canada is planning to increase its investments in Cuba five-fold. The announcement came today from Ottawa's ambassador to Havana, Keith Christie, who is in Santiago de Cuba to take part in EXPOCARIBE '98. According to the Canadian ambassador, by quintupling Canadian investment in Cuba, the amount would increase from the current 200 million dollars to one billion over the next two years. The Canadian ambassador told Havana's Prensa Latina News Agency that Canada and Cuba are currently negotiating nine new investment accords. Canada is the country with the largest number of investments in Cuba, in the sectors of oil, mining, tourism and manufacturing. NON-ALIGNED MINISTERIAL MEETING BEGINS ON THURSDAY IN HAVANA Havana, June 22(RHC)-- Cuba will be the site of the 23rd Meeting of Health Ministers from Non-Aligned Countries. This is the first time such a gathering takes place outside the framework of a World Health Organization meeting. The event, which will take place at Havana's Convention Center June 25th and 26th, will be inaugurated by Cuban Minister of Public Health, Dr. Carlos Dotres. Also participating in the opening ceremony will be Hiroshi Nakajima, outgoing Director General of the World Health Organization (the WHO). Representatives from 66 countries have confirmed their participation -- over half of them health ministers. Representatives from Nigeria, Seychelles, Lebanon, Syria, Korea, Zimbabwe and Colombia are already in Cuba, while officials from Vietnam, Niger, Laos and Malaysia are expected to arrive later today. Other arrivals are scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday. Delegates participating in the 23rd Meeting of Health Ministers from Non-Aligned Countries will deal with issues related to three main themes: Reforms in the Health Sector; Health for All; and Technical Cooperation Between Countries. The meeting's main objective will be to discuss challenges in the health sector as the world approaches the 21st century, with an emphasis on neo-liberal policies geared to privatizing health care. CUBA PARTICIPATES IN FIRST INTERNATIONAL FAIR OF THE AMERICAS IN MEXICO Guadalajara, June 22(RHC)-- Fifteen Cuban firms are taking part in the first International Fair of the Americas, which is being held in the Mexican city of Guadalajara. Cuba's Chamber of Commerce, the coordinator of the island's exhibition in Mexico, reported that other Cuban firms will represent the island at fairs and exhibitions to take place in Santiago de Chile and Bogota, Colombia as well as the World Expo in Lisbon, Portugal. FRENCH TRANSPORTATION MINISTER INAUGURATES PARIS-HAVANA FLIGHTS BY AIR FRANCE Havana, June 22(RHC)-- French Transportation Minister Jean Claude Gayssot arrived in the Cuban capital on the first flight to officially begin regular service from Paris to Havana. The French official is heading a delegation of parliamentarians and business representatives. They were received at Havana's Jose Marti International Airport by Cuba's Transportation Minister, Colonel Alvaro Perez, and the Vice President of the island's Civil Aeronautics Institute, Heriberto Prieto. Cuban Deputy Minister of Transportation Miguel Angel Cabrera told reporters that Air France "is one of the most important and experienced airlines in the world," pointing out that the Paris-Havana flights will help to strengthen bilateral relations. RUSSIAN PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN CONDEMNS WASHINGTON'S ECONOMIC BLOCKADE AGAINST CUBA Buenos Aires, June 22(RHC)-- Russian President Boris Yeltsin said he favors a normalization of relations between the United States and Cuba and strongly condemned Washington's nearly 40 year economic blockade against the island. In statements to the Argentinean daily "El Clarin," the Russian president added that the normalization of relations between the U.S. and Cuba would not only help to stabilize the region but also the international arena. [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