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 Wednesday October 7, 1998. Today's stories: 1. CUBAN NEWS DAILY GRANMA REITERATES HAVANA'S REJECTION OF HUMANITARIAN AID FROM WASHINGTON 2. BIO-PHARMACEUTICAL LABORATORY WORKS EXTRA HOURS TO GET VETERINARY MEDICINES AND VACCINES TO AREAS HIT BY HURRICANE GEORGES 3. BRITISH DEPUTY FOREIGN SECRETARY AND MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT VISITS CUBA 4. CUBAN UN DIPLOMAT SAYS THAT POVERTY CONTINUES TO BE A SERIOUS PROBLEM IN TODAY'S WORLD 5. OVER TWO THOUSAND FIRST GRADERS PREPARE TO BECOME MEMBERS OF THE JOSE MARTI PIONEER CHILDREN'S ORGANIZATION AND TO COMMEMORATE THE 31ST ANNIVERSARY OF THE DEATH IN COMBAT OF ERNESTO CHE GUEVARA 6. HAITIAN IMMIGRANTS REPATRIATED AFTER REACHING CUBAN COASTS CUBAN NEWS DAILY GRANMA REITERATES HAVANA'S REJECTION OF HUMANITARIAN AID FROM WASHINGTON Havana, October 7, RHC -- Cuba's official news daily Granma has again reiterated Havana's rejection of any humanitarian aid from Washington. An article pinned by Cuban journalist Nidia Diaz recalled the US State Department's recent expression of "disappointment" with respect to Cuba's refusal to accept Washington's contribution of up to one third of the 20 million dollars solicited by the World Food Program to alleviate the results of a severe drought in eastern Cuba. The US government conditioned the so-called humanitarian aid on its distribution in Cuba by US officials -- or those named by the US government -- and on the clear presence on the aid of labels reading "made in the USA". Cuban journalist Nidia Diaz termed Washington's move as yet another immoral and repugnant maneuver aimed at garnering votes in next November's elections and placing another wedge in the growing, worldwide movement against US blockade of Cuba. The article recalled the similar maneuver executed by ultra right wing Senator Jesse Helms when US lawmakers presented before Congress legislation favoring the free sale of medicines and medical equipment to Cuba by US firms. Besides attempting to drive a wedge into this legislation, Cuba's Granma newspaper said it was also an effort to attenuate the moral effect of Pope John Paul II's unbridled condemnation of Washington's blockade during the Pontiff's visit to Cuba. Cuban journalist Nidia Diaz also recalled other lies and maneuvers like the US humanitarian aid with counterrevolutionary slogans sent to Cuba -- and rejected by Cuba -- following last year's Hurricane Lili. The article made reference to Washington's recent claim of having authorized a large number of humanitarian donations and Treasury Department licenses for sales to Cuba, documented to be false by US experts themselves. Cuba, stated the article in the official Granma newspaper, does not accept handouts. The island does accept with gratitude and honor true international solidarity, to which no conditions are attached, and that does not try to humiliate or demoralize the Cuban people. If the US government really wants to repair the damage inflicted on the Cuban people, then put a stop to its unjust and dirty economic war against the island, concludes Cuban journalist Nidia Diaz. BIO-PHARMACEUTICAL LABORATORY WORKS EXTRA HOURS TO GET VETERINARY MEDICINES AND VACCINES TO AREAS HIT BY HURRICANE GEORGES Havana, October 7 (RHC)-- Cuba's bio-pharmaceutical laboratory, LABIOFAM, has delivered over 60 tons of veterinary medicines and vaccines to the country's cattle ranchers in an effort to deal with and prevent epidemics arising from the effects of Hurricane Georges. Local sources indicate that LABIOFAM laboratories which produce 95 per cent of the island's veterinary medicines, are working extra hours to get out the necessary medications which are valued at some 350 thousand dollars. BRITISH DEPUTY FOREIGN SECRETARY AND MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT VISITS CUBA Havana, October 7 (RHC)-- British deputy Foreign Secretary and member of Parliament, Baroness Symons de Vernham Dean, arrives in Havana on Wednesday on a visit meant to expand bilateral ties with the island. The British government official will remain in Havana for three days and is scheduled to meet with Cuban Ministers of Justice and Foreign Trade, among others. Baroness Symons de Vernham Dean will also sign an air transportation accord between Cuba and Britain and visit sites of interest in the Cuban capital. Commercial ties between London and Havana improved during the first 7 months of this year when the amount of commercial exchange reached 40 million dollars, an increase of 122 per cent over the same period last year. CUBAN UN DIPLOMAT SAYS THAT POVERTY CONTINUES TO BE A SERIOUS PROBLEM IN TODAY'S WORLD Havana, October 7 (RHC)-- Cuban alternate UN ambassador Rafael Dausa, says an immediate solution to world poverty and marginalization is necessary . He declared that poverty continues to be a serious problem in today's world. The Cuban official stressed the island's demand for just and equal distribution of wealth. During his speech at the UN General Assembly in New York, Dausa pointed out that despite the island's economic situation, which has been aggravated by Washington's almost 40 year blockade against the Caribbean island, Cuba continues working to improve the living standards of its population. The Cuban UN diplomat added that because the wealth is more equally distributed in Cuba, the Cuban people have full access to education and all children are protected against preventable diseases. OVER TWO THOUSAND FIRST GRADERS PREPARE TO BECOME MEMBERS OF THE JOSE MARTI PIONEER CHILDREN'S ORGANIZATION AND TO COMMEMORATE THE 31ST ANNIVERSARY OF THE DEATH IN COMBAT OF ERNESTO CHE GUEVARA Havana, October 7 (RHC)-- Over two thousand first graders rehearsed in Havana's giant Revolution Plaza on Wednesday in preparation for an activity in which they will officially be declared members of the "Jose Marti" Pioneer Children's Organization. The activity will take place on Thursday, October 8th in honor of the 31st anniversary of the death in combat of legendary guerrilla fighter, Ernesto Che Guevara. The ceremony will include a political portion in which the youngsters will reiterate their commitment to follow in the footsteps of Cuba's National Hero, Jose Marti and to defend their country. Later, back in their classrooms, the children will be treated to a party complete with music, dancing and refreshments. During the activity, the two thousand first graders will receive their blue scarfs officially marking them a pionero. HAITIAN IMMIGRANTS REPATRIATED AFTER REACHING CUBAN COASTS Guantanamo, October 7 (RHC)-- Over a hundred Haitians who arrived in Cuba's eastern region on overcrowded boats during Hurricane Georges, have been repatriated by the Cuban Red Cross in the first such operation this year. Another two flights arrived in the Haitian capital, Port Au Prince, on Wednesday returning Haitian immigrants who had received protection in Cuban territory as well as food and free medical attention. The 261 Haitians were attempting to reach the United States and Canada when their rickety vessels were carried to Cuba's coasts by the winds of Hurricane Georges. [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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