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, May 11, 1998. Today's stories: 1.- WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION GEARS UP TO CELEBRATE 50TH ANNIVERSARY 2.- TOURISM CONVENTION BEGINS TODAY IN CUBAN CAPITAL 3.- CUBAN RUMBA GROUP MUNEQUITOS DE MATANZAS TOURS U.S. 4.- FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION SUPPORTS CUBAN AQUACULTURE 5.- SPANISH PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT OF CORDOBA WILL PROMOTE THE CREATION OF ECONOMIC AID 6.- INTERNATIONAL CULINARY FESTIVAL TO TAKE PLACE AT VARADERO BEACH RESORT WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION GEARS UP TO CELEBRATE 50TH ANNIVERSARY Geneva, May 11(RHC)-- The World Health Organization opened its 51st Assembly today with a document deploring the many obstacles to its goal "Health for All" by the year 2000. The two principle obstacles, according to the WHO, are the slow pace of socio-economic development in poor countries and the lack of a political commitment to the enhancement of health care. The World Health Organization also pointed to poverty, the unequal distribution of wealth, growing social inequalities, an insufficient earmarking of funds for this important sector, the reduction of health spending due to foreign debt commitments and the social upheavals of the past ten years. The 51st WHO Assembly will also celebrate the organization's 50th birthday this Thursday. Cuban President Fidel Castro has been invited to the celebrations, chosen by WHO Director General Hiroshi Nakajima as the representative for Latin America due to what he called Cuba's pioneer role in taking primary health care to the island's entire population, without exceptions. The Cuban leader will be distinguished with the World Health Organization's Health For All Medal. Cuban Health Minister Carlos Dotres is in Geneva to participate in the Assembly, along with health ministers and other leaders in the field from 191 nations. TOURISM CONVENTION BEGINS TODAY IN CUBAN CAPITAL Havana, May 11(RHC)-- The United States, China, Mongolia and South Africa are attending the International Tourism Convention for the first time this year. The 19th Tourism Convention Cuba '98 begins today and runs through Friday. Some 34 travel agents from the U.S. along with seven journalists from specialized publications in that country have confirmed their participation in Cuba's largest tour fair. According to the organizing committee, more than one thousand participants from more than 60 countries will take part in this important event over the next five days. One of the most interesting things taking place during this tour gathering is the launching of multi-destination programs like one that combines the Mayan Route in Guatemala and beach and sun tourism in Cuba, and another one that combines the highest cable railway in Merida, Venezuela with its snow-covered mountains and beach and sun tourism in Cuba. So far, nearly 3000 square meters have already been contracted at Pabexpo Exhibit Halls to install 120 stands. Master lectures on several Cuban cultural issues and on multi-destination tourism will also be part of this tour convention's agenda. CUBAN RUMBA GROUP MUNEQUITOS DE MATANZAS TOURS U.S. Havana. May 11(RHC)-- The Munequitos de Matanzas is an old folkloric group, but it is far from a museum piece. Instead, it's one of the most vital Cuban groups on the scene today. This statement recently appeared in "The New York Times," when the rumba group was touring the United States. Now that the Munequitos de Matanzas is only occasionally heard on national radio and rarely seen on Cuban television, they have been successfully touring the world -- taking their rumbas and concert performances worldwide. The group's presence has played an important historic role in Cuban music in the U.S. The Munequitos de Matanzas U.S. tour in 1992 opened the way for other Cuban musicians. The Boston Globe called the group the "King of Rumba." The Munequitos de Matanzas gathers old musicians and its traditional roots are enriched with new creations, including those of the new generation. The group has several CD's; among them: "Live in New York" -- which includes performances from their 1992 U.S. tour. FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION SUPPORTS CUBAN AQUACULTURE Havana, May 11(RHC)-- The development of aquaculture in Cuba will be promoted by the Cooperation Program of the Food and Agriculture Organization, the FAO. The program deals with unconventional, alternative methods for the production of fish-feed and was signed by Cuban Foreign Investment and Economic Cooperation Minister Ibrahim Ferradaz and Fernando Robayo, the FAO's representative in Cuba. Ferradaz reported that the program was the result of a request from his Ministry when the country started to develop intensive and semi-intensive aquaculture. Its objective is to improve fish-feed production methods for fish-farming in lagoons, tanks and waterways. Cuba is already the sixth largest fish farming producer in Latin America and the second in terms of its total land area. The agreement signed with the FAO will lead to a substantial increase in the amount of fish produced through intensive and semi-intensive aquaculture. SPANISH PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT OF CORDOBA WILL PROMOTE THE CREATION OF ECONOMIC AID Madrid, May 11(RHC)-- The Spanish provincial government of Cordoba will promote the creation of an economic fund with various local governments, with the objective of carrying out development projects in Cuba. The Vice President of Cordoba Jose Antonio Ruiz Almoner explained that Cordoba has offered to be a bridge between the various non-governmental organizations, local governments and business people interested in carrying out projects in Cuba. INTERNATIONAL CULINARY FESTIVAL TO TAKE PLACE AT VARADERO BEACH RESORT Havana, May 11(RHC)-- Over one thousand food experts and chefs from 30 countries will attend the Second International Culinary Festival at Varadero Beach Resort from September 15th to the 20th. Commercial firms and specialists will also take part in the Culinary Fair '98 with the theme "Art, Flavor and Caribbean Color." 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