CUBANEWS FROM RADIO HAVANA CUBA E-mail: rhc@radiohc.org http://www.radiohc.org The following news on Cuba was broadcast in English by Radio Havana Cuba on the 28 Septmeber 1998 1. CUBAN VICE PREDIDENT IN ITALY 2. CUBAN MEDICAL BRIGADE ARRIVES IN DOMINICAN REPUBLIC 3. CUBA'S 5TH CDR CONGRESS WINDS UP 4. 38 YEARS OF CDRs 5. PRESIDENT OF FEDERATION OF CUBAN WOMEN HONORS ALLENDE IN CHILE 6. NATIONAL MEETING OF WOMEN WORKERS IN HAVANA 7. BRITISH PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION VISITS CUBA 8. NICARAGUAN ACTIVISTS DEMAND END TO BLOCKADE AGAINST CUBA 9. INDIAN AGRICULTURAL MINISTER HEADS DELEGATION OF SCIENTISTS TO CUBA IN ITALY, VISITING CUBAN VICE PRESIDENT CARLOS LAGE MEETS WITH ITALIAN FOREIGN MINISTER LAMBERTO DINI Havana, September 28, (RHC) In Italy, visiting Cuban VicePresident Carlos Lage met today with Italian Foreign Minister Lamberto Dini, during the third day of an official visit to this European nat n. Lage travelled to Rome following tours over the weekend of Genova, Milan and Toscana, during which he met with numeorous Italian business representatives. In an interview with local media outlets during the tour, the Cuban Vice President said the Cuban economy is moving towards a greater opening to foreign presence, thed ecentralization of the state paratus and greater knowledge and use of modern administrative techniques. Lage began his third official visit to Italy on Saturday,following a first official visit to France. In France, the influential French daily Le Monde published today an interview with Lage in which the Cuban official stressed that the chaotic situation in Russia justifies Havana's decision to adopt gradual economic reforms. He said the brutal installation of a market economy in Russiademonstrates that Cuba's choice has been correct - though also insisting that within the parameters of a soalist system, Cuba's economic reforms will continue and are without limit. The Cuban Vice President told the Le Monde news daily that all sectors of the Cuban economy are recuperating, with the exception of the sugar industry. Lage will be in Italy until next Thursday. CUBA'S 5TH CONGRESS OF THE COMMITTEES FOR THE DEFENSE OF THE REVOLUTION TO WIND UP THIS EVENING Havana, September 28, (RHC) Cuban President Fidel Castro insisted today that because of mass participation, no country is better prepared than Cuba to fight crime. The statement came on the final ay of the 5th Congress of Cuba's Committees for the Defense of the Revolution, the CDRs, over which the Cuban leader has been presiding since last Saturday. The Congress is slated to wind up late this evening, the center of debates, placing emphasis on thecoordination between the CDRs and Cuba's National Revolutionary Police. On Sunday, the Cuban leader said that Cuba's social stability has been a key actor in the constant increase of tourism to the island. He also said that while hostile media outlets insist on highlighting Cuba's social problems, they at the same timeignore merits like the millions of voluntary blood donations organized by the CDRs. This mass organization, with more than 7 million members, was created in 1960 to struggle against the counterrevolutionary terrorist activities financed by the US government. CUBAN MEDICAL BRIGADE ARRIVES IN DOMINICAN REPUBLIC TO HELPVICTIMS OF HURRICANE GEORGES Havana, September 28, (RHC) A medical brigade from Cuba has arrived in the Dominican Republic to help the victims of Hurricane George. The brigade, comprised of 13 Cuban medical specialists and technicians, arrived today with medicines and vaccinations in the city of Barahona, some 200 kilometers southwest of the capital Santo Domingo. They have vowed to remain in the Dominican Republic as long as necessary. Meanwhile, the death toll in this neighboring Caribbean nation has reached 203 people killed, and is still expected to rise. Oficial government figures place at 75 the number of disappeared, but independent estimates indicated that hundreds of Dominicans are still unaccounted for. As of Sunday, some 300 thousand people remained in shelters. Though some aid has reached some of the victims, tens of thousands are reportedly remain without any aid in asituation termed as desperate - surrounded by stench, mud and insects, with people stil on the roofs of their flooded homes. Over the weekend, media outlets reported the death by starvation of 6 people in Barahona Province. There are also reports of an outbreak of a conjunctivitis epidemic in several refuge centers, while children are experiencing gastro intestinal diseases. 40 percent of the country's health care centers were affected by the hurricane, making more difficult the treatment of victims. Health specialists are predicting the appearance of other epidemics like malaria and dengu fever. A group of business associations has suggested that the government temporarily suspend payment of the country's foreign debt to earmark those funds for the victims. It's estimated that Hurricane Georges caused damage at least to the tunbe of one billion 200 million dollars, more than 25 percent of the Dominican Republic's foreign debt. CUBANS CELEBRATE 38 YEARS OF THE COMMITTEES FOR THE DEFENSE OF THE REVOLUTION Havana, September 28 (RHC) Music was heard until wellafter midnight across the island on Sunday as Cubans of allages celebrated the eve of the 38th anniversary of theCommittees for the Defense of he Revolution, CDR. Each block threw a party complete with music, food and apolitical activity at midnight in which CDR members re-confirmed their committment to continue defending theRevolutio Children also participated in celebratons which included acake, cookies, candy and dances organized by the children themselves. The Committees for the Defense of the Revolution are neighborhood block organizations that set up neighborhood crime watches, organize blood donation drives, collect recylable materials, mount vaccination campaigns and carryout other social community activities. THE PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERATION OF CUBAN WOMEN PLACES A WREATH ON THE TOMB OF SLAIN CHILEAN PRESIDENT SALVADOR ALLENDE Havana, September 28 (RHC) The President of the Federation of Cuban Women, Vilma Espin placed a wreath in Santiago ,Chile, on the tomb of slain Chilean President Salvador Allende. The Cuban leader is currently in the Chilean capital participating in the 8th Conference of First Ladies and government representatives of the Americas. During her tour of Santiago's General Cemetary , the President of the Federation of Cuban Women also visited a memorial to those detained and disappeared during the 17 year dictatoship of General Augusto Pinochet. Vilma Espin also met with Chilean family members of those arrested and disappeared during the dictatorship in an emotional activity that was dedicated to hope. The Cuban official shared emotional moments with Chilean mothers and grandmothers who have been demanding for the past 25 years truth and justice in their campaign for the right to know the whereabout of their loved ones. The President of the Federation Cuban Women is representating the island at the 8th Conference of First Ladies and representatives of governments of the Americas which began on Monday and will runs through Wednesday. The main issue of the regional conference is women and social development. A NATIONAL ENCOUNTER OF WOMEN WORKERS TO GET UNDERWAY ON TUESDAY IN THE CUBAN CAPITAL Havana, September 29 (RHC) Women's participation in the country's economic recovery and the policy of women in employment are among the topics to be be discussed in a National Encounter of Women Workers that will take place on Tuesday and Wednesday in the Cuban capital. Participants will also examine the role of women in science,technology and advanced technology and their participation in the country's political and ideological work. A total of 110 delegates will participate in the women's encounter . The meeting is a follow up to one that was held last March 5th in Havana and to others that have taken placethoughout the island. A BRITISH DELEGATION HEADED BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS SELECT COMMITTEE VISITS THE ISLAND Havana, September 28 (RHC) A British delegation headed by the President of the House of Commons Select Committee, Austin Mitchel, arrived in Cuba on Sunday for a six day visit. The British parliamentarian told the press in Havana that his country is interested in stregthening parliamentary and government ties with Cuba. The President of the British House of Commons Select Committee also condemned Washington's nearly 40 year blockade against Cuba. The British delegation is made up of representatives of the Labor and Conservative Parties. Members are scheduled to meet with Cuban parliamentary and government officials as well as to visit science and historical sites of interest. NICARAGUAN ACTIVISTS DEMAND AN END TO THE US BLOCKADE AGAINST CUBA Havana, September 28 (RHC) Some 300 representatives of 27 Nicaraguan Committees in Solidarity with Cuba have demanded that Washington end its nearly 40 years blockade against Cuba. The statement was made in Managua during the Second National Encounter in Solidarity with Cuba. Participants also expressed their condolences for the loss of human lives and for material damages suffered when the island was hit by Hurricane Georges last week. During the Encounter, delegates agreed to reinforce their work in solidarity with the island by disseminating the truth about life in Cuba and by organizing a large delegation to attend the 4th Latin American and Caribbean Friendship and Solidarity with Cuba meeting which will take place November 2nd to the 6th in Havana. INDIAN AGRICULTURE MINISTER HEADS A DELEGATION OF SCIENTISTS TO CUBA Havana, September 28 (RHC) India's Agriculture Minister, Som Pal, is on an official visit to Cuba. The trip is aimed at analyzing cooperation projects with Cuban scientists and establishing a permanent system of exchange of information in the field. The Indian Agriculture Minister, who is heading a delegation which includes scientists, told the press that he is carrying a message from the Indian government to Cuban President Fidel Castro. Som Pal explained that Indian authorities are interested in learning about the island's experience in producing grains, cattle and veternary medicine. [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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