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 Tuesday, June 30, 1998. Today's stories: 1.- CUBAN FOREIGN MINISTER ROBERTO ROBAINA SAYS CUBA HAS NOTHING TO HIDE IN THE ARENA OF HUMAN RIGHTS 2.- CUBA AND U.S. CONCLUDE NINTH ROUND OF MIGRATION TALKS 3.- U.S. COAST GUARD RETURNS ILLEGAL CUBAN IMMIGRANTS PICKED UP IN SPEEDBOAT OPERATED BY MIAMI-BASED CUBAN-AMERICANS 4.- ECONOMIC FORUM '98 SCHEDULED TO OPEN IN HAVANA 5.- CUBA CONTINUES SLOW BUT SURE ECONOMIC GROWTH 6.- GENERAL SECRETARY OF INDIA'S MARXIST COMMUNIST PARTY VISITS CUBA 7.- PRESIDENT OF THE SPANISH REGION OF EXTREMADURA VISITS THE ISLAND CUBAN FOREIGN MINISTER ROBERTO ROBAINA SAYS CUBA HAS NOTHING TO HIDE IN THE ARENA OF HUMAN RIGHTS Brussels, June 30(RHC)-- Speaking before a special session of the European Parliament, Cuban Foreign Minister Roberto Robaina said today that Cuba "has nothing to hide in the arena of human rights." Following a meeting with Manuel Marin, Vice President of the European Commission, Robaina told reporters in the Belgian capital that "the Cuban Revolution has not only worked for the well-being of its own people, but has also helped other peoples in fields like education and medicine." The Cuban foreign minister said that Cubans have even spilled their blood in defense of the independence and sovereignty of other nations. He insisted that no one should expect concessions from Cuba, because Cubans are certain that the system they have chosen and defend "is the most just and most humane." Foreign Minister Robaina has also met with Joao de Deus Pinheiro, the European Commissioner of Relations with the group of African, Caribbean and Pacific Nations, the ACP. Pinheiro stated that Cuba has experienced an impressive evolution in several sectors in recent years. Robaina reiterated to Pinheiro the importance that Cuba attaches to its acceptance as observer in the negotiations between the European Union and the ACP to update the Lome Convention -- the mechanism by which the EU gives development aid and preferential trade status to its former colonies. The Cuban foreign minister said it was extremely important that Cuba has the opportunity to speak before the European Parliament. Robaina said this allows Cuba to explain what the country has done in recent times and how the island has been able to survive. Robaina said Cuba considers its relations with Europe as very important, noting that one-third of the island's foreign trade is with the countries of the Old Continent. He said relations with Europe contribute to a lessening of the impact of U.S. hegemony. The Cuban foreign minister declined to respond to a question concerning Cuba's aspirations to eventually become a full member of the ACP. He said Cuba has many aspirations, but that it has only been 24 hours since Cuba was accepted as an observer and it would therefore be premature to talk about Cuba's full membership. Finally, while speaking today before the European Parliament, Robaina called on Europe to "refrain from using the biased attitude of Washington with respect to Cuba in the arena of human rights." He said the EU has used a different type of yardstick concerning Cuba in its relations with third countries. The Cuban foreign minister said that large and powerful nations receive one type of treatment while others receive another type. This is particularly true, he said, if a country offers trade advantages or has a sizeable amount of oil to extract and sell. Cuba's top diplomat told European legislators that Cuba "will accept no conditions in its relations with the world, just as the island does not impose conditions on others." CUBA AND U.S. CONCLUDE NINTH ROUND OF MIGRATION TALKS New York, June 30(RHC)-- Cuba and the United States wrapped-up the 9th round of migration talks in New York City late Monday afternoon. Cuban Parliament President Ricardo Alarcon, who led the island's delegation to the talks, expressed his satisfaction with the one-day session. In comments to Prensa Latina News Agency, Alarcon said that Cuba raised two fundamental issues with the U.S. delegation, led by Under Secretary of State for Central America and the Caribbean, John Hamilton. The first, which Alarcon stated was discussed the most, dealt with the issue of smuggling illegal Cuban immigrants into the United States. Alarcon pointed to recent revelations of a network of smugglers who illegally transport immigrants from Cuba to the U.S. During the talks Monday in New York, the Cuban Parliament president made particular reference to the group "Brothers to the Rescue" -- notorious for their illegal flights over Cuban territorial waters -- who patrol the area between Florida and the island, allegedly searching for Cuban rafters. He labelled such operations dangerous, given that they could be linked to other criminal activities such as drug trafficking. Alarcon said that Cuba called on the United States to stop these illegal actions. The second issue raised by Cuba dealt with restrictions placed by Washington on visits by Cubans to family members in the United States. According to the head of the Cuban delegation to the migration talks, the reestablishment of direct flights between Havana and Miami should allow for a greater flexibility on the part of the U.S. regarding temporary travel visas. Concerning Washington's claim that Cuba should reduce the expense of immigration documents, Alarcon insisted that those costs were reduced last year as much as possible. He said that considering U.S. requirements for a series of medical examinations, including x-rays, AIDS testing and other examinations, the expense was minimal. He also pointed to the fact that the U.S. economic blockade itself prevents Cuba's acquisition of many important medical resources. On the other hand, Alarcon charged that the United States is making a great deal of money on the process carried out at the U.S. Interests Section in Havana. He stressed that U.S. officials charge each applicant for the interview, independent of whether or not they are accepted to travel to the United States. These funds, Alarcon stated, amount to millions of dollars -- which are transferred to Washington. The head of the Cuban delegation asserted that U.S. costs have increased 62.5 percent over recent years. U.S. COAST GUARD RETURNS ILLEGAL CUBAN IMMIGRANTS PICKED UP IN SPEEDBOAT OPERATED BY MIAMI-BASED CUBAN-AMERICANS Havana, June 30(RHC)-- Following Cuba's denunciation of a Miami-based network dedicated to the smuggling of illegal Cuban immigrants, U.S. authorities have repatriated a group of 35 mostly women and small children, intercepted last June 23rd in a speedboat piloted by Cuban-Americans. The U.S. Coast Guard also announced late Monday that they had intercepted another similar vessel with 19 illegal Cuban immigrants aboard -- without providing additional details. Cuban-Americans Jose Lima-Villant and Miguel Broche-Ortiz, who were piloting the speedboat intercepted on the 23rd, have reportedly appeared before a federal court in Miami and were denied bail. ECONOMIC FORUM '98 SCHEDULED TO OPEN IN HAVANA Havana, June 30(RHC)-- Some 400 Cuban and foreign specialists will take part in Economic Forum '98, entitled "Sustainable Development, Equity and Competition." Esther Aquilera, member of the Executive Committee of the Association of Cuban Economists, stated that the three-day forum begins tomorrow, Wednesday, and will include the participation of the Permanent Secretary of the Latin American Economic System, Carlos Moneta. Moneta, a Venezuelan economist, will analyze the economic and social situation in Latin America and the impact of the Asian economic crisis on the region. Cuban researcher Osvaldo Martinez will speak to delegates about globalization and neo- liberal economic policies. Cuban experts will also offer a conference on the development of the island's economy and on foreign investment in Cuba. During Economic Forum '98, several working commissions will be set up on issues including the world economy, contemporary economic thought, problems of economic and social development and sustainable development. Esther Aquilero of the Association of Cuban Economists pointed out that despite the fact that the forum is an academic and scientific event, recommendations will be taken to institutions such as the UN's Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and the Economic Commission for Latin America (CEPAL). Countries that have confirmed their participation at Economic Forum '98 here in the Cuban capital include Argentina, Chile, Brazil, Spain, the United States, Mexico, Puerto Rico and Venezuela. CUBA CONTINUES SLOW BUT SURE ECONOMIC GROWTH Havana, June 30(RHC)-- The Cuban economy will continue to grow, despite obstacles to foreign financing and adverse weather conditions. According to Cuban Finance and Price Minister Manuel Millares, the island's sustainable growth began in 1994 and continues to advance. In an interview given to the weekly magazine "Business Tips in Cuba," Millares pointed out that the Gross National Product will continue to grow, even if the island has to face threats made to foreign firms or the outrageous conditions that are imposed against the island to obtain credits. The Cuban official stressed that adverse weather conditions have also affected economic growth. The Cuban finance and price minister stated that this year's successful economic growth comes mainly from the results obtained in the fields of tourism and tobacco production, as well as medical and bio-technological products. GENERAL SECRETARY OF INDIA'S MARXIST COMMUNIST PARTY VISITS CUBA Havana, June 30(RHC)-- The General Secretary of India's Marxist Communist Party, Jarkishan Singh Surjeet, is in Cuba at the invitation of the Central Committee of Cuba's Communist Party. Upon his arrival, the Indian official expressed his desire to exchange opinions with Cuban leaders and pointed out that his party will always maintain its solidarity with the Cuban people. Jarkishan Singh Surjeet has also officially invited a Cuban Communist Party delegation to attend the Marxist Communist Party Congress, scheduled to take place next October in India. PRESIDENT OF THE SPANISH REGION OF EXTREMADURA VISITS THE ISLAND Havana, June 30(RHC)-- The President of the Spanish region of Extremadura, Juan Carlos Rodriguez Ibarra, is currently visiting the island. Ibarra inaugurated an exhibition entitled: "The Graphic Policy of 1898," at Havana's Casa de las Americas, during which the Spanish official stated that he was pleased to be in Cuba. [c] 1998, Radio Habana Cuba All rights reserved Articles cannot be reproduced, reprinted or published in any system without the consent of RHC. 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