Radio Havana Cuba, Friday, April 9, 1999 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 Friday, April 9, 1999. Today's stories: 1.- HAVANA CHARGES WASHINGTON WITH SPONSORSHIP OF ANTI-CUBA RESOLUTION BEFORE UN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION 2.- BRITISH TRADE MINISTER VISITS CUBA 3.- CUBAN AND ITALIAN SPELEOLOGISTS MAKE ARCHEOLOGICAL DISCOVERY 4.- PRESIDENT OF CANADIAN FIRM DONATES FORK LIFT TO CUBA 5.- INTERNATIONAL "HEALTH FOR ALL" FAIR READY TO GET UNDERWAY 6.- CUBA AND PORTUGAL INCREASE BILATERAL RELATIONS HAVANA CHARGES WASHINGTON WITH SPONSORSHIP OF ANTI-CUBA RESOLUTION BEFORE UN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION Geneva, April 9(RHC)-- At the 55th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Commission, the confrontation continued Thursday between Cuba and the United States. But the Czech Republic and Poland -- the alleged sponsors of this year's anti-Cuba resolution -- were caught in the crossfire. Juan Antonio Fernandez, a representative of the Cuban delegation to the gathering, stated that "everyone present knows who the real sponsors of the anti-Cuba resolution are." The Polish and Czech delegations spoke of the necessity for a so-called `transition' in Cuba. Fernandez said that the island's transition occurred 40 years ago with the triumph of the Cuban Revolution, "giving the country not only its dignity, independence and sovereignty but also its own voice with which to speak." Fernandez pointed to some of the effects of the transition chosen by Warsaw and Prague, including a significant rise in child prostitution and the trafficking of women. The Cuban delegate before the UN Human Rights Commission also charged that since 1992, Washington has adopted a total of 21 pieces of anti-Cuba legislation, including the infamous Torricelli and Helms-Burton Laws. BRITISH TRADE MINISTER VISITS CUBA Havana, April 9(RHC)-- British Trade Minister Brian Wilson is currently in Cuba heading a high-ranking business delegation to the island. Upon his arrival at Havana's Jose Marti International Airport, the British trade minister pointed out that this is his second visit to the island in less than six months -- part of a process to strengthen commercial ties between both countries. He also referred to the inaugural flight of British Airways between Havana and London on Saturday, saying that direct flights will not only serve tourists but will also facilitate travel for British business executives to the island. Brian Wilson ratified Britain's position condemning extraterritorial laws, stressing that such legislation negatively affects companies that trade with other nations. During his stay in Cuba, the British trade minister will meet with high-ranking Cuban officials and visit places of economic, social and tourist interest. CUBAN AND ITALIAN SPELEOLOGISTS MAKE ARCHEOLOGICAL DISCOVERY Pinar del Rio, April 9(RHC)-- Cuban and Italian speleologists made a unique archeological discovery of two aborigine sites in the Sierra de San Vicente located in western Pinar del Rio province. In the same area, the experts also found an underground cave. Italian expert Fabio Siccardi explained that the Cuba-Italy Friendship Society is the co-sponsor of the scientific exchange. The Friendship Society has also begun a campaign against Washington's economic blockade of Cuba, charging that it affects archeological work in Cuba. According to the Italian speleologist, archeology in Cuba is recognized internationally for its prestige. PRESIDENT OF CANADIAN FIRM DONATES FORK LIFT TO CUBA Havana, April 9(RHC)-- The President of the Canadian Tri-Star Caribbean Insurance Company, Sarkis Yacoubian, donated a fork lift to Cuba during the Construction Fair, FECONS '99. The Fair is currently taking place in Havana with the participation of over 345 firms from 21 countries. The Canadian business executive said his firm will offer construction equipment to Cuba at preferential prices. He noted that the donated fork lift is valued at some 110,000 dollars, which they will sell to Cuba for only 65,000. Also during FECONS '99, a number of important contracts have been signed between Cuba's EMEXCON Import Company and various Spanish companies that supply hotels and bungalows at the Varadero International Going One Hotel and Havana's Cultural Arts Complex. The Construction Fair will run through tomorrow, Saturday. INTERNATIONAL "HEALTH FOR ALL" FAIR READY TO GET UNDERWAY Havana, April 9(RHC)-- Firms from some 34 countries have confirmed their participation at the 9th International "Health for All" Fair, scheduled to take place from the 19th through the 23rd of this month in the Cuban capital. The director of MEDICUBA and a member of the organizing committee, Alfonso Sanchez, said that the number of participants at this year's event will be the largest since the health fairs began in 1983. A total of 82 Cuban firms will exhibit vaccines, medicines and new equipment. For the first time ever, U.S. firms will participate in the fair, as well as companies from St. Martin and the European Union. CUBA AND PORTUGAL INCREASE BILATERAL RELATIONS Havana, April 9(RHC)-- Cuban and Portuguese representatives expressed their desire to strengthen bilateral relations in different fields during a seminar on the economic role of each nation. Speaking at the event, the Cuban Minister of Economy and Planning, Jose Luis Rodriguez, underlined the importance of broadening economic, commercial and financial relations with Portugal and other countries of the European Union. For his part, visiting Portuguese Minister of the Economy, Joaquim Pina Moura, expressed his country's willingness to increase commercial exchange and develop investments on the island -- mainly in tourism, fishing and construction.  [c] 1999, 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. For further information, contact us at: Postal Address: Radio Havana Cuba P.O.Box 6240 Havana, Cuba Telephone: (53) (7) 791053 Fax: (53) (7) 795007 E-mail: rhc@radiohc.org WWW: http://www.radiohc.org rhc-eng-2572 1999-Apr-09 20:20:00