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, May 7, 1998. Today's stories: 1.- PENTAGON REPORT SAYS CUBA DOES NOT REPRESENT MILITARY THREAT TO THE UNITED STATES 2.- U.S. PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON APPLAUDS CUBA'S HEALTH AND EDUCATION SYSTEMS, WHILE CONTINUING TO DEMAND CHANGE IN THE ISLAND'S POLITICAL SYSTEM 3.- CUBA INSISTS IT HAS NEVER POSED A MILITARY THREAT TO THE U.S. NOR WILL IT CHANGE ITS SOCIALIST SYSTEM 4.- CUBAN FOREIGN MINISTER ROBERTO ROBAINA HIGHLIGHTS IMPRESSIVE SUPPORT OF CUBA AT MINISTERIAL GATHERING OF AFRICAN, CARIBBEAN AND PACIFIC NATIONS 5.- CHINESE MILITARY DELEGATION MEETS WITH CUBA'S ARMED FORCES MINISTER RAUL CASTRO 6.- CUBA MAINTAINS STRONG TIES WITH THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION 7.- LATIN AMERICAN DIPLOMATS AND EXPERTS MEET TO DISCUSS CUBA'S MEMBERSHIP IN THE ORGANIZATION OF AMERICAN STATES 8.- CUBAN VICE PRESIDENT CARLOS LAGE STRESSES THE IMPORTANCE OF THE ISLAND'S TEACHERS 9.- URUGUAY INVITES CUBA TO PARTICIPATE IN THE CONFERENCE OF PRESIDENTS OF IBEROAMERICAN PARLIAMENTS U.S. PENTAGON REPORT SAYS CUBA DOES NOT REPRESENT MILITARY THREAT TO THE UNITED STATES Washington, May 7(RHC)-- The Pentagon has released a report asserting that Cuba does not represent a military threat for the United States. The document states that neither the Cuban navy or air force have a capacity to sustain operations beyond the island's territorial waters and airspace. Drawn up by the DIA, the Defense Intelligence Agency, the report states that the Cuban army has been reduced to a domestic force with a minimum capacity for conventional combat. And an important part of the Cuban army, says the document, dedicates its time to agriculture and other activities to produce food for domestic consumption and income for the economy. The Pentagon stated that Cuba has no operational submarine and only about a dozen naval vessels in combat condition. The Cuban air force and anti-air defense, says the report, could not defend the island's airspace against a large number of modern military aircraft, with only some two dozen operational MIG jets. Theoretically, says the report, Cuba could be a threat against small Latin American nations, but there is no indication that the island would initiate such actions since it would run contrary to Cuba's efforts in recent years to enhance its relations with its neighbors. The Pentagon document also admitted that civil rebellion on the island is unlikely. The report was to have been released over a month ago, but was retained by Defense Secretary William Cohen due to protests from the ultra right-wing on Capital Hill. Nevertheless, according to major media outlets, the final text contains essentially the same conclusions. Those same media outlets, however, have reported that in an apparent effort to tone down criticism from the ultra right, the report finally expressed concern over the use of Cuba as an espionage base against the United States and Cuba's potential capacity to develop and produce biological weapons. U.S. PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON APPLAUDS CUBA'S HEALTH AND EDUCATION SYSTEMS, WHILE CONTINUING TO DEMAND CHANGE IN THE ISLAND'S POLITICAL SYSTEM Washington, May 7(RHC)-- U.S. President Bill Clinton has praised Cuba's health and education systems, while at the same time continuing to demand changes in the country's political system. During a joint press conference in Washington late Wednesday with Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi, Clinton said nothing would make him happier than to have a basis to do more -- in reference to the normalization of U.S.-Cuba relations. He said he believed that all Americans would like to see a reconciliation with Cuba, due to the island's proximity. The statements were in response to a question from a journalist concerning Washington's willingness to draw closer to Cuba, particularly following the visit to the island of former Commander of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, retired General John Sheehan. Sheehan told the Clinton administration that he saw signs that would allow for closer relations between the two countries. The U.S. president said he understood the Cuban peoples' desire to maintain their education and health systems, their commitment to universal literacy and their struggle against poverty -- calling this commitment "commendable." Clinton said that since Pope John II's visit to Cuba, he had approved measures like the re-establishment of direct Miami-Havana flights, money remittances to the island and humanitarian assistance -- although none of these measures have been implemented to date. He admitted that further measures would be subject to the stipulations of the Helms-Burton Law and conditioned by congressional approval. Since approval of the legislation, numerous observers have pointed out that Clinton tied his own hands in a foreign policy arena -- something that no U.S. president has ever done. President Clinton has been forced to address the Cuba issue on two different occasions in less than 15 days, in questions from journalists requesting an explanation for the persistence of Washington's Cuba policy. CUBA INSISTS IT HAS NEVER POSED A MILITARY THREAT TO THE U.S. NOR WILL IT CHANGE ITS SOCIALIST SYSTEM Havana, May 7(RHC)-- Cuba's Foreign Ministry officially reacted today to the Pentagon report and to President Bill Clinton's statements concerning Cuba. Foreign Ministry spokesman Alejandro Gonzalez said that Cuba has never posed a military threat to the United States and that the island's military strategy has always been defensive. In relation to the reaction of the ultra right-wing to the Pentagon report, Gonzalez said that whenever there is an objectively minimal move towards closer relations between the U.S. and Cuba, "there is an immediate reaction of hysteria." When the Pentagon report was leaked last month, Cuban President Fidel Castro said that Cuba has thousands of scientists, researchers and research institutes, but has never even considered producing biological weapons, saying such a move would be "simply absurd." Regarding President Clinton's statements, the Cuban Foreign Ministry spokesman said that the essential problem between Cuba and the U.S. "continues to be Washington's inhuman, cruel and ethically unacceptable blockade of the island." And in reference to Clinton's praise of Cuba's health and education systems, Gonzalez termed as important a recognition of the Cuban Revolution's social achievements. He said those achievements are due precisely to Cuba's political and socio-economic system -- a system that Cuba is going to preserve. CUBAN FOREIGN MINISTER ROBERTO ROBAINA HIGHLIGHTS IMPRESSIVE SUPPORT OF CUBA AT MINISTERIAL GATHERING OF AFRICAN, CARIBBEAN AND PACIFIC NATIONS Bridgetown, May 7(RHC)-- Cuban Foreign Minister Roberto Robaina highlighted what he called "the impressive support of Cuba" at the ministerial gathering of the group of African, Caribbean and Pacific nations -- the ACP. Robaina said that there was a virtual avalanche of African, Caribbean and even Pacific nations whose representatives asked for the floor on Tuesday to express their support for Cuba's request to participate as an observer in this forum. The Cuban foreign minister said African nations, in particular, have said that it's time to concretely demonstrate their gratitude for all of Cuba's efforts and sacrifices in favor of the independence, sovereignty, health and education of African peoples, as well as Cuba's many other contributions to the African continent. The majority consensus, according to media reports, was in favor of solidarity among the ACP members and increasing South-South cooperation. But many observers say that in light of economic liberalization, the forum may have to accept reduced cooperation from the European Union. The 23rd session of the EU-ACP Council got underway today, also in Barbados, to discuss procedures for talks next September in Brussels to update the Lome Convention, which grants preferential trade status to Europe's former colonies. The Lome Convention was first adopted in 1975 and updated on two subsequent occasions, the last of which expires in February of the year 2000. Cuba will participate as observer in that September gathering, as approved by widespread consensus at the forum's recently concluded ministerial gathering. CHINESE MILITARY DELEGATION MEETS WITH CUBA'S ARMED FORCES MINISTER RAUL CASTRO Havana, May 7(RHC)-- Cuba's Armed Forces Minister General Raul Castro met with members of the visiting Chinese military delegation shortly before their departure from the island on Wednesday. The head of Cuba's armed forces said he was pleased with the visit of the Chinese delegation on the island. For his part, the head of the Chinese military delegation, General Yu Yongbu, thanked Cuba for giving them the opportunity of visiting the island and for the warm welcome that they received. General Yu Yongbu added that he is convinced that friendly ties between both nations will continue to be strengthened. During the last day of the Chinese military delegation's visit to Cuba, they toured the installations of the Maximo Gomez Armed Forces Academy. CUBA MAINTAINS STRONG TIES WITH THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION Havana, May 7(RHC)-- Cuba's Health Minister Carlos Dotres emphasized the strong cooperation ties between the island's Health Ministry and the World Health Organization, as well as its regional office for the Americas. Before his departure for Geneva, where he will participate in an WHO meeting, the Cuban health minister stressed that the island's relations with the World Health Organization and the Pan American Health Organization are excellent, pointing out that many Cuban specialists and technicians have offered their aid to other nations. Dotres added that Cuba has also received assistance from many of the WHO's health projects. The Cuban health minister noted that the island offers its population free health care and reached the goal of Health for All in 1983. Speaking to journalists following a meeting of the National Health Council, Carlos Dotres concluded by analyzing the first quarter of this year's health programs in the country. He pointed out that so far this year, the island's infant mortality rate stands at 7.2 per one thousand live births, compared to the same period last year at 7.5. Carlos Dotres will participate in a ministerial meeting which will take place from May 11th to the 16th in Geneva with the participation of 191 nations. The theme of the meeting will be "Health on the Threshold of the 21st Century." LATIN AMERICAN DIPLOMATS AND EXPERTS MEET TO DISCUSS CUBA'S MEMBERSHIP IN THE ORGANIZATION OF AMERICAN STATES Moscow, May 7(RHC)-- The possibility of Cuba's membership in the Organization of American States, the OAS, was the main issue discussed during a meeting commemorating the 50th anniversary of that regional organization in Russia. During the forum, diplomatic representatives from Latin American nations accredited in Moscow took part in the discussion, as well as politicians, historians and other specialists. The forum was sponsored by Russia's Foreign Ministry. Victor Bulmer Thomas, Director of the Latin American Studies Institute from London University said that the Organization of American States has always been an instrument of U.S. foreign policy. The British expert stated that Cuba's eventual return to the regional organization would be proof that the OAS has matured in recent years. CUBAN VICE PRESIDENT CARLOS LAGE STRESSES THE IMPORTANCE OF THE ISLAND'S TEACHERS Havana, May 7(RHC)-- Cuban Vice President Carlos Lage stressed the importance of teachers in the political- ideological work necessary for the country at this stage of the Revolution. During a national preparatory meeting for the 1998-99 school year, the Cuban official pointed out the difficult conditions in which teachers have had to work due to the lack of resources. The Cuban vice president underlined the human quality of the island's teachers who, despite the economic difficulties, have stayed in the classroom and maintain the prestige of the country's educational system. During the meeting, a resolution was discussed which outlines the strengthening of values, discipline and the role of the community in the educational process. URUGUAY INVITES CUBA TO PARTICIPATE IN THE CONFERENCE OF PRESIDENTS OF IBEROAMERICAN PARLIAMENTS Montevideo, May 7(RHC)-- Uruguay has invited Cuba to participate in the 9th Conference of Presidents of Iberoamerican Parliaments to take place from the 15th to the 17th of this month in Montevideo. Uruguayan Vice President Hugo Batalla, who sent the invitation to Cuba's Parliament President Ricardo Alarcon, pointed out that the Caribbean nation's presence is imperative. The Uruguayan official added that Cuba occupies a seat in the Latin American Parliament, known as PARLATINO. During the last meeting in Madrid, Spain, Cuba was only invited as an observer and not a full member. [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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