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 October 15, 1998. Today's stories: 1. FOLLOWING OVERWHELMING UNITED NATIONS VOTE AGAINST US BLOCKADE OF CUBA, FOREIGN MINISTER ROBERTO ROBAINA SAID CUBA IS WILLING TO DISCUSS ANY TOPIC WITH ANY COUNTRY 2. CUBAN PRESIDENT MEETS WITH THE PRESIDENT OF THE ITALIAN REGION OF LOMBARD 3. FRANCE'S RHONE POULENC RORER FOUNDATION WILL DONATE MEDICINE TO THE CUBAN PEOPLE 4. RENOWNED ARGENTINE PIANIST AND ORCHESTRA DIRECTOR VISITS CUBA 5. CUBA'S DEPUTY TOURISM MINISTER IS CURRENTLY IN GUATEMALA 6. CUBA'S MEMBERSHIP WILL BE DISCUSSED IN THE COUNCIL OF MINISTERS MEETING OF THE LATIN AMERICAN INTEGRATION ASSOCIATION NEXT MONTH 7. CUBA IS ELECTED A MEMBER OF THE COUNCIL OF THE INTERNATIONAL CIVIL AVIATION ORGANIZATION FOLLOWING OVERWHELMING UNITED NATIONS VOTE AGAINST US BLOCKADE OF CUBA, FOREIGN MINISTER ROBERTO ROBAINA SAID CUBA IS WILLING TO DISCUSS ANY TOPIC WITH ANY COUNTRY Havana, October 15,(RHC)-- Following the overwhelming United Nations vote against the US blockade of Cuba, Foreign Minister Roberto Robaina told press correspondents that Cuba is willing to discuss any topic with any country -- including human rights. The statement was in response to the speech delivered by Washington's UN representative accusing Cuba of human rights violations, which Robaina termed as another example of a lack of initiative in the search for arguments to justify the US's Cuba policy. The Cuban Foreign Minister recalled that Cuba maintains an intense and serious dialogue on the issue with numerous countries. He said that if Washington wants to talk about human rights, then all human right in all countries should be discussed instead of applying selective and discriminatory criteria. Robaina said the two countries could begin by talking about human rights inside the USA itself if Washington feels it has such a clean slate. Journalists also asked the Cuban Foreign Minister about his reaction to a proposal by important political leaders in the United States concerning the establishment of a bipartisan commission to discuss Washington's Cuba policy. The call came from former US Secretaries of State Henry Kissinger and Lawrence Eagleburger, former Defense Secretary Frank Carlucci and former minority Senate leader Howard Baker. Robaina termed as positive anything that leads to understanding and normal relations between Cuba and the US. The ultra-right wing Cuban-American National Foundation immediately came out against the initiative. Cuban Foreign Minister Roberto Robaina said he had the impression that within US society more and more voices are clamoring for normal relations with Cuba, as more Americans question the different and discriminatory policy with respect to Cuba when Washington has relations with other countries irrespective of their political systems. Robaina said that Wednesday's UN vote against the blockade represents an extremely strong expression of moral support for Cuba. 157 countries came out in favor of Cuba's anti-blockade resolution, 14 more than the 143 countries who backed last year's resolution. There were 12 abstentions, 5 less than the 17 abstentions last year. And only Israel and the United States voted against. CUBAN PRESIDENT MEETS WITH THE PRESIDENT OF THE ITALIAN REGION OF LOMBARD Havana, October 15 (RHC)-- Cuban President Fidel Castro met with the President of the Italian region of Lombardy, Roberto Formigoni, who is on an official visit to the island. The Cuban leader and Formigoni talked for several hours on the historic and geographic characteristics of the Italian region of Lombardy and bilateral relations. The Italian official's visit to Cuba was a response to an invitation from the city of Havana's Provincial Assembly of the People's Power. He is heading a government, parliamentarian and business delegation. The President of the Lombardy also met with Cuban vicepresident Carlos Lage, the president of Havana City's Provincial Assembly, Conrado Martinez Corona and Foreign Investment Minister, Ibrahim Ferradaz. FRANCE'S RHONE POULENC RORER FOUNDATION WILL DONATE MEDICINE TO THE CUBAN PEOPLE Havana, October 15 (RHC)-- The French Rhone Poulenc Rorer Foundation announced a donation of over 140,000 doses of antibiotics and other medicines destined for the island's hospitals. The president of the Foundation, George Boumendil, outlined the efficiency of the Cuban Health System and the institution's intention of continuing its cooperation with the island. Boumendil added that the medical donation will arrive in Havana in a few days. The French Foundation is the 9th largest pharmaceutical producer in the country and has had commercial relations with Cuba for the past 16 years. RENOWNED ARGENTINE PIANIST AND ORCHESTRA DIRECTOR VISITS CUBA Havana, October 15 (RHC)-- The renowned pianist and director of the Argentinean orchestra Daniel Barenboim arrived in Havana where he will direct a concert in honor of Cuba's primerisima ballerina Alicia Alonso on occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Cuban Ballet Company. The prestigious musician, confirmed his solidarity and love for Cuba, its people and its rich culture. The also director of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra said that Cuba has been a center point of culture which has included that of Europe. He added that its the country where African music first arrived and contrary to popular belief, Europe did not export all cultures to the rest of the world, it was a mutual process. CUBA'S DEPUTY TOURISM MINISTER IS CURRENTLY IN GUATEMALA Havana, October 15 (RHC)-- Cuban deputy Tourism Minister, Miguel Bruguera del Valle is currently in Guatemala to look over several cooperation accords in the tourism sector that were signed last month between the two countries. The objective of the visit is to solve the problem of air transportation, and work out the number of weekly flights between both nations. According to Bruguera, a delegation from the Cuban Central Bank will travel to Guatemala aimed at creating payment mechanisms for future economic transactions between both countries. CUBA'S MEMBERSHIP WILL BE DISCUSSED IN THE COUNCIL OF MINISTERS MEETING OF THE LATIN AMERICAN INTEGRATION ASSOCIATION NEXT MONTH Havana, October 15 (RHC)-- Representatives of the Latin American Integration Association unanimously agreed for its Council of Ministers to officially review Cuba's membership to the regional institution. The group accepted the Chilean ambassador, Augusto Bermudez' proposal for the issue to be included in the ministerial meeting's agenda next November 6th. Cuba has bilateral trade agreements signed with a dozen member nations of the Latin American Integration Association. CUBA IS ELECTED A MEMBER OF THE COUNCIL OF THE INTERNATIONAL CIVIL AVIATION ORGANIZATION Havana, October 15 (RHC)-- Cuba received the support of 127 countries who elected the island as a member of the executive of the International Civil Aviation Organization. Cuba got the 2nd most votes among the 14 candidates to fill one of the 12 posts available. During the 32nd session of the institution's general assembly, which took place in Montreal Canada, the International Civil Aviation Organization urged its president and general secretary to carry out diplomatic activities to achieve an end to US restrictions against Cuban civilian aviation. The agreement was a response to a study presented by Cuba denouncing Washington's refusal to authorize Cubana Airlines to participate in passenger transportation agreements between the two countries and obstructing the sale and rent of new airplanes to the island. [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. 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