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 Tuesday, November 24, 1998. Today's stories: 1.- CUBAN FOREIGN MINISTER ROBERTO ROBAINA RETURNS TO HAVANA AFTER VISITS TO HONDURAS, GUATEMALA AND MEXICO 2.- GOVERNMENT OF NICARAGUA THANKS CUBA FOR MEDICAL ASSISTANCE IN THE WAKE OF HURRICANE MITCH 3.- WORLD ENCOUNTER OF WAR CORRESPONDENTS UNDERWAY IN HAVANA 4.- CUBAN PARLIAMENT WILL CONVENE DECEMBER 21st 5.- CUBAN MEDICAL SPECIALISTS RETURN FROM HAITI 6.- RICE PRODUCTION AFFECTED BY MITES AND FUNGUS 7.- KIKOINE EXHIBITION OPENS IN THE CUBAN CAPITAL 8.- CELESTE MENDOZA, QUEEN OF GUAGUANCO, DIES AT 75 CUBAN FOREIGN MINISTER ROBERTO ROBAINA RETURNS TO HAVANA AFTER VISITS TO HONDURAS, GUATEMALA AND MEXICO Havana, November 24(RHC)-- Cuban Foreign Minister Roberto Robaina returned home to Havana this morning, following a brief working-visit to Mexico, where he met with high- ranking government officials on Monday. Robaina highlighted the importance of establishing an Iberoamerican health program for Central American countries hard-hit by Hurricane Mitch. Speaking with reporters in Mexico City, following his meeting with Mexico's Minister of Finance Jose Angel Gurria, the Cuban foreign minister stated that among the topics discussed was Mexico's financial support of such a program. Robaina said that Cuba has asked for the material help of Mexico, Brazil and Spain -- among other nations --while the island will provide the human resources -- doctors and medical personnel. The Cuban foreign minister reiterated Havana's offer to send two thousand doctors and health specialists -- free of charge -- to Central American countries affected by the recent devastating storm. He also stressed that Cuba is prepared to give scholarships to 500 medical students each year, with the exception that this year -- due to the urgent need for doctors -- one thousand will be trained in Cuba. Foreign Minister Roberto Robaina travelled to Mexico following his visits to Honduras and Guatemala, accompanying medical personnel who have already begun to offer their services to those countries. GOVERNMENT OF NICARAGUA THANKS CUBA FOR MEDICAL ASSISTANCE IN THE WAKE OF HURRICANE MITCH Managua, November 24(RHC)-- Both Nicaraguan President Arnoldo Aleman and Vice President Enrique Bolanos, have thanked Cuba for the medical assistance to the Nicaraguan people in the wake of Hurricane Mitch. In statements to a special correspondent of Cuba's news daily Granma, Aleman said there were places in Nicaragua "where there wasn't even a nurse -- let alone a doctor" and that Cuban medical professionals were needed there. Vice President Bolanos told the Cuban news daily that at first, his government did not correctly appraise the magnitude of the tragedy. He said the Cuban doctors who arrived in Nicaragua have gone -- as they always do -- to the most devastated areas, "carrying out excellent and prestigious labor with a message of solidarity from the Cuban people that is very much appreciated." Nicaragua's National Union of Farmers and Cattle Ranchers meanwhile, has called on the Nicaraguan government to request more Cuban medical brigades for areas like Wiwili, La Concordia and Bocay -- which are still suffering the impact of Mitch. Beginning today, Cuba's National Health Workers Union will hold meetings in hospitals and clinics throughout the island to determine exactly how many medical professionals and technicians are willing to travel to Central America to help the hurricane victims. These health workers assemblies will culminate next December 3rd, the Day of Latin American Medicine. WORLD ENCOUNTER OF WAR CORRESPONDENTS UNDERWAY IN HAVANA Havana, November 24(RHC)-- War correspondents from 24 countries gathered Tuesday in Havana, where the First World Encounter of War Correspondents got underway. Under the slogan: "Those Who Have Lived War Defend Peace," participants are meeting in five work commissions which will touch on topics such as journalism as a tool for peace, negotiations, new technologies in war reporting; the search for the news item in conflicts and international humanitarian law and the ethics of journalism in high- risk actions. The war correspondents will also examine war and the history of humanity, globalization and the commercialization of war in the means of communication. On Tuesday, a war photo exhibit was inaugurated along with a book launching of the memoirs of Humberto Trujillo, a combat pilot in Angola. A gala opening of the 1st World Encounter of War Correspondents is slated to be held this evening in Vedado's La Rampa Theater, when a series of war films will be screened. The event's closing session on Friday will be dedicated to war correspondents who lost their lives in high-risk missions. CUBAN PARLIAMENT WILL CONVENE DECEMBER 21st Havana, November 24(RHC)-- The President of Cuba's Parliament Ricardo Alarcon has announced that lawmakers will convene on December 21st to discuss the island's budget and formulate an economic plan for 1999. Items for review will be housing, water resources, the food industry and foreign investment. A total of 43 groups representing different sectors of the legislature will constitute the first session of the Cuban parliament. CUBAN MEDICAL SPECIALISTS RETURN FROM HAITI Havana, November 24(RHC)-- Specialists from the Public Health Ministry returned to Cuba on Monday, after meeting in Haiti for more than a week to review the Caribbean nation's needs. The group of five Cubans had left with Haitian President Rene Preval on his return home after an official visit to Cuba. They focused on the need for primary health care and more specialized medical personnel as well as reducing Haiti's high infant mortality rate which currently stands at 135 per 1000 live births. Cuba recently revealed a program of health assistance designed to help countries in Central America and the Caribbean. RICE PRODUCTION AFFECTED BY MITES AND FUNGUS Havana, November 24(RHC)-- A plague which has considerably affected rice production in Cuba is being successfully countered, according to the Ministry of Agriculture. The combination of mites and fungus attacks rice grain, promoting atrophy, discoloration and loss of yield. The plague entered Cuba in September of last year and multiplied quickly in the high temperatures and humidity. It also apparently thrives on the high-level of nitrogen content in fertilizer, applied on the island's rice crop. Efforts to reduce and ultimately eradicate the plague have begun by changing the planting season to the early, cooler part of the year rather than in Spring when the weather is hotter. Grain is also being treated before planting and both biological and chemical controls are being applied. KIKOINE EXHIBITION OPENS IN THE CUBAN CAPITAL Havana, November 24(RHC)-- The Cuban Association of United Nations, the National Council of Fine Arts and the Center for the Development of Visual Arts are sponsoring an exhibition of Michel Kikoine's paintings and drawings, marking the 30th anniversary of the death of the painter. Kikoine was one of the founders of the School of Paris along with Marc Chagall and other painters from Montparnasse in Paris, France. The exhibition, which is being held at the Morro-Cabana Historic Park, will run through December 20th. CELESTE MENDOZA, QUEEN OF GUAGUANCO, DIES AT 75 Havana, November 24(RHC)-- The great Queen of Guaguanco, Celeste Mendoza, died in Havana over the weekend. She was 75 years old. Born in Santiago de Cuba, Celeste began her singing career at the age of 13. She was famous for her performances at the Tropicana where her dark, throaty voice was unique. She combined a complete command of rhythm with a rolling, low sound that was full of expression and style. Celeste became known for her guaguanco and bolero-ranchera renditions and left behind many recordings, among which her most famous were "Echame a Mi La Culpa" (Blame Me), "Mi Rumba Echando Candela" (My Rumba is on Fire), "Soy Tan Feliz" (I'm So Happy) and "Que Me Castigue Dios" (Let God Punish Me). [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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