Via NY Transfer News Collective * All the News that Doesn't Fit 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, November 19, 1998. Today's stories: 1.- NICARAGUA REQUESTS CUBAN DOCTORS TO AID VICTIMS OF HURRICANE MITCH 2.- INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON THE 40th ANNIVERSARY OF THE CUBAN REVOLUTION CONTINUES IN HAVANA 3.- PUBLIC SESSIONS IN HAVANA COMMEMORATE THE 50th ANNIVERSARY OF THE UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS 4.- AUSTRALIANS HOLD CULTURAL FESTIVAL IN SUPPORT OF CUBA 5.- ALTERNATE HAITIAN AMBASSADOR TO CUBA SAYS MEDICAL ASSISTANCE TO CENTRAL AMERICA IS A GESTURE OF HUMANISM AND SOLIDARITY 6.- SEMINAR ON ASSISTANCE TO CUBA BY EUROPEAN NGO's UNDERWAY NICARAGUA REQUESTS CUBAN DOCTORS TO AID VICTIMS OF HURRICANE MITCH Tegucigalpa, November 19(RHC)-- The government of Nicaragua has requested the presence of doctors from Cuba in the wake of Hurricane Mitch, after having initially rejected Cuba's offer to send medical personnel. The announcement was made by Cuban Foreign Minister Roberto Robaina, currently visiting Honduras. Robaina said that Nicaraguan Health Minister Marta McCoy sent the request to Cuba's business attache in that nation, Damian Arteaga. Cuba will send six medical brigades to Nicaragua, comprised of three health specialists each. Teams made up of one general practitioner, an epidemiologist and a nurse will work in zones most threatened by the outbreak of epidemics. Cuba will also send to Nicaragua another shipment of the Cuban product Biorat, which has proven to be effective in the elimination of rodents that are carriers of the disease leptospirosis. Right after Hurricane Mitch hit Nicaragua, Cuba sent one ton of medicines to that Central American nation, along with 15 tons of Biorat. Meanwhile, the government, the people and the Catholic Church of Honduras have thanked the government and people of Cuba for their offer of assistance to the victims of Hurricane Mitch, and for Cuba's willingness to help that nation and other Central American countries in the development of integral health care programs. In the Honduran capital, Tegucigalpa, Foreign Minister Roberto Robaina announced Cuba's willingness to immediately send, free of charge, two thousand doctors to Central America -- particularly Honduras, the country hardest hit by the recent storm. The Cuban foreign minister said that Cuban medical aid will be capable of annually saving the lives of as many people who were victims of the hurricane, which left at least 30,000 dead and disappeared in Central America. A fifth Cuban medical brigade is slated to arrive this week in Honduras, while another two are currently working in Guatemala. Tegucigalpa Archbishop Oscar Andres Rodriguez took the opportunity to condemn Washington's blockade of Cuba, calling it an unjust measure that only causes suffering among the poorest sectors. The Honduran prelate said that now more than ever the international community should prevent the use of blockades as political weapons. Cuban Foreign Minister Roberto Robaina visited the Honduran region of La Mosquitia, where seven Cuban doctors are providing assistance to a population of 55,000 mostly indigenous inhabitants. INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON THE 40th ANNIVERSARY OF THE CUBAN REVOLUTION CONTINUES IN HAVANA Havana, November 19(RHC)-- An international symposium on the 40th anniversary of the Cuban Revolution continues at the University of Havana, sponsored by the Fernando Ortiz House and other important cultural institutions. The Dean of the University of Havana, Juan Vela Valdes, stated that during the forum, each participant will be able to discuss the significance of the Revolution and its achievements over the last four decades, explaining the faculty's participation in the island's socio-economic development. A meeting of the Che Guevara Department will also take place, in honor of the legendary guerrilla -- whose revolutionary thought and example have been present in Cuba over the last 40 years. During the first day of the international symposium, the Director of the National Office of the Jose Marti Program, Armando Hart Davalos, opened the event and presented an analysis of Cuba_s cultural and philosophical ideas. PUBLIC SESSIONS IN HAVANA COMMEMORATE THE 50th ANNIVERSARY OF THE UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS Havana, November 19(RHC)-- Cuban Parliament President Ricardo Alarcon asserted that the principle philosophy of the capitalist world is contrary to the letter and spirit of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Alarcon addressed a public meeting in Havana, convened on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The president of the island's parliament reiterated Cuba's respect for human rights, including social and political rights, emphasizing that the principle conquest of the Cuban people is political power. In the public session, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Trade Orlando Hernandez stated that Washington's economic blockade against Cuba is a flagrant violation of human rights. A condemnation of the blockade was included in a statement issued by the Foreign Relations Committee of the Cuban Parliament. The document also lists the achievements of the Cuban Revolution in the areas of health and education. AUSTRALIANS HOLD CULTURAL FESTIVAL IN SUPPORT OF CUBA Sydney, November 19(RHC)-- Over 800 Australians held a Friendship with Cuba Festival and condemned Washington's blockade against the island in Sydney, the capital. Sponsored by the Friendship with Cuba Associations, the cultural festival was characterized as an important success in support for the Cuban people's resistance before Washington's continued economic war. ALTERNATE HAITIAN AMBASSADOR TO CUBA SAYS MEDICAL ASSISTANCE TO CENTRAL AMERICA IS A GESTURE OF HUMANISM AND SOLIDARITY \ Havana, November 19(RHC)-- The Alternate Haitian Ambassador to Cuba, Pierre Lelong, stressed that Cuba's aid to the Central American victims of Hurricane Mitch is historic. The Haitian diplomat added that the work of the Cuban medical brigades in Central America is a gesture of humanism and solidarity as well as a gesture of the willingness to share its richness and knowledge. Pierre Lelong, who is also Haiti's Ambassador to the United Nations, recalled that his country is receiving Cuba's cooperation in the areas of health, agriculture, tourism and biotechnology, in compliance with the accords signed between President Rene Preval and his Cuban counterpart President Fidel Castro during the Haitian leader's recent visit to the island. SEMINAR ON ASSISTANCE TO CUBA BY EUROPEAN NGO's UNDERWAY Havana, November 19(RHC)-- With nearly 100 representatives from non- governmental organizations of the European Union and Cuban institutions, a seminar aimed at examining cooperation between the two sides got underway in Havana on Thursday. During the two-day meeting, participants will be able to exchange experiences aimed at getting a better idea of the island's priorities. The non-governmental organizations of the European Union currently offer their contributions to development in eight sectors prioritized by the island, including health, education, water, housing, environment and alternative energy. [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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