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, March 3, 1998. Today's stories: 1.- SHERRITT INTERNATIONAL PLEASED TO DO BUSINESS WITH CUBA 2.- BRAZILIAN FILM DIRECTOR, RUY GUERRA, MAKES MOVIES IN HAVANA 3.- SPAIN'S GENERAL SOCIETY OF AUTHORS AND EDITORS WILL WORK TOGETHER WITH CUBA'S MUSIC INSTITUTE 4.- ITALIAN BUSINESS REPRESENTATIVES ATTEND TRADE FAIR IN HAVANA 5.- PRESIDENT OF FEDERATION OF CUBAN WOMEN ATTENDS REGIONAL SUMMIT ON CHILDREN 6.- CUBAN SINGER/SONGWRITER SILVIO RODRIGUEZ TO PERFORM IN MEXICO SHERRITT INTERNATIONAL PLEASED TO DO BUSINESS WITH CUBA Ottawa, March 3(RHC)-- Canada's Sherritt International Corporation, which has defied the U.S. government by investing heavily in Cuba, announced that it increased profits by 11.9 percent last year and revenues by 22.4 percent. The Canadian firm said that continued improvements at Cuba's Moa Nickel mining installations resulted in a record production for the third consecutive year and that gross oil production in Cuba was ten thousand barrels a day in December -- up from six thousand 700 barrels a day in January 1997. Earlier this year, the company announced it would build a 150 million dollar natural gas generating plant in Cuba within the next two years. It also said it plans to invest more than 38 million dollars in a Cuban cellular phone company. Sherritt International owns an indirect 50 percent stake in nickel-cobalt-metals business, explores for, develops and produces oil and gas reserves and has natural resources, tourism and agricultural assets in Cuba. Due to Washington's Helms-Burton Law, Sherritt is one of the handful of firms from third countries whose executives and their family member have been banned from travelling to the United States. BRAZILIAN FILM DIRECTOR, RUY GUERRA, MAKES MOVIES IN HAVANA Havana, March 3(RHC)-- For the past several weeks, the streets of central Havana have been flooded with cameras, cables, lights, trucks and famous faces from Cuban television and movies. One of Brazil's most respected film makers, Ruy Guerra, is filming a Cuba-Brazil-Portugal co-production called "Estorbo." Guerra, best known for his films "Opera de Malandro," "Fabula de la Bella Palomera" and "Kuarup," is filming in the Cuban capital and in Jaruco, east of Havana. Later, the production will move on to Rio de Janeiro. The Brazilian cineaste, who is also a film critic and actor, wrote the movie's script which is based on a work of the same name by Brazilian Chico Buarque. Ruy Guerra told reporters in Havana that he chose the Cuban capital to shoot his film because he needed a relatively unknown place. He had earlier spoken with Cuban actor Jorge Perugorria of "Strawberry and Chocolate" about starring in the movie. Director Ruy Guerra said he enjoys working with Cuban actors and he adores Havana. SPAIN'S GENERAL SOCIETY OF AUTHORS AND EDITORS WILL WORK TOGETHER WITH CUBA'S MUSIC INSTITUTE Havana, March 3(RHC)-- Spain's General Society of Authors and Editors has mounted an ambitious cultural program in Cuba in conjunction with the island's Music Institute. According to the President of the Cuban Music Institute, Alicia Perea, the program goes beyond just music, including dance and Cuban theater. The society of Spanish Authors and Editors announced that the program will debut works by composers Harold Gramatges, Roberto Valera and Juan Pinera. An essay by famed Cuban pianist Frank Fernandez on Cuban dance music for the piano in the 19th century will be published. The cultural exchange will include Cuban performances in Spain of popular music with Adalberto and his son, Juan Formell of the group Los Van Van, Omara Portuondo and Compay Segundo, among others. ITALIAN BUSINESS REPRESENTATIVES ATTEND TRADE FAIR IN HAVANA Havana, March 3(RHC)--Over 200 Italian business representatives from some 80 firms will participate in a Havana trade fair next week. The gathering is aimed at strengthening commercial relations between Cuba and Italy. The Italian firm "Impresa Italia Presenta" will offer new products, machinery, installations and technologies to its Cuban counterparts to expand trade with the island. The trade fair is part of a project which began last year with the participation of small and medium private firms from Europe. This year's gathering includes meetings between business representatives from both nations. PRESIDENT OF FEDERATION OF CUBAN WOMEN ATTENDS REGIONAL SUMMIT ON CHILDREN Cartagenas, March 3(RHC)-- The President of the Federation of Cuban Women, Vilma Espin, denounced the effects of Washington's blockade against Cuba on its children. Espin, who is attending the Regional Summit on Children in the Colombian city of Cartagenas de Indias, pointed out that the almost 40-year-old U.S. economic blockade against Cuba violates the human rights of all Cubans, especially the children. The Cuban leader added that as a consequence of the inhumane U.S. anti-Cuba policy, there are serious limitations in the supplies of food and medicine so important for the healthy development of children. The president of the Federation of Cuban Women also met with solidarity groups who expressed their commitment to continue defending the Cuban Revolution. CUBAN SINGER/SONGWRITER SILVIO RODRIGUEZ TO PERFORM IN MEXICO Havana, March 3(RHC)--Cuban singer/songwriter Silvio Rodriguez is scheduled to perform in Mexico this month, after an absence of almost a year. Concert tour organizers announced that Silvio's stay in Mexico will be extended as all three of the scheduled performances have been sold out. News of the renowned Cuban singer's upcoming concerts has caught the attention of the country's cultural institutions. Silvio Rodriguez, one of the founders of Cuba's New Song Movement, will include some of his old and new songs in his Mexican concert tour. [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