Radio Havana Cuba, Thursday, April 1, 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 Thursday, April 1, 1999. Today's stories: 1.- NIGERIAN PRESIDENT-ELECT ARRIVES IN HAVANA 2.- CUBAN VACCINES SHOW GOOD RESULTS AROUND THE WORLD 3.- NEW EDITION OF TRICONTINENTAL MAGAZINE PRESENTED IN HAVANA 4.- CUBA WILL HOST 2nd WORLD CONGRESS ON CIVIL RIGHTS AND THE FAMILY 5.- PAN AMERICAN HEALTH ORGANIZATION PRAISES CUBA'S WORK IN GENETICS 6.- HAVANA'S INDUSTRIALES DEFEATS SANTIAGO DE CUBA IN EXTRA INNINGS NIGERIAN PRESIDENT-ELECT ARRIVES IN HAVANA Havana, April 1(RHC)-- The President-elect of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo, has arrived in Cuba for an official visit. In late February, Obasanjo -- a retired military officer -- became Nigeria's first civilian president following 15 years of military rule. Twenty years ago, he became the first military ruler of the African nation to voluntarily turn over power to a civilian. Nigeria's president-elect ran as the candidate for the left- of-center Popular Democratic Party -- obtaining 63 percent of the vote. Obasanjo was arrested in 1995 for his opposition to the military regime led by the late General Sani Abacha. He was released from prison following Abacha's death in June last year. Following the elections, numerous observers commented that Obasanjo faces the immense task of imposing a just distribution of wealth in this oil-rich West African nation, amid a sharp fall in oil prices. The Nigerian president-elect will officially take office on May 29th. CUBAN VACCINES SHOW GOOD RESULTS AROUND THE WORLD Havana, April 1(RHC)-- Forty million doses of the Cuban anti-meningitis BC vaccine have been distributed in various countries over the past ten years, confirming once again the effectiveness of the Cuban vaccine -- the only one of its type in the world. Experts from Havana's Carlos J. Finlay Institute announced that the vaccine is listed on the health registries of 17 countries and is being sold in ten foreign nations. The President of the Institute, Concepcion Campa, pointed to the Cuban people's willingness to volunteer for clinical tests, in contrast with other parts of the world where many research projects must be stopped because of the lack of volunteers. In addition to the anti-meningitis BC vaccine, the Cuban scientific center produces other vaccines such as those for leptospirosis and tetanus. Researchers in Havana are also working on the development of a vaccine for cholera and other diseases. NEW EDITION OF TRICONTINENTAL MAGAZINE PRESENTED IN HAVANA Havana, April 1(RHC)-- The latest edition of the magazine Tricontinental -- dedicated to the 40th anniversary of the Cuban Revolution -- was presented this week in Havana. Tricontinental is published quarterly by the Havana-based Organization of Solidarity of the Peoples of Africa, Asia and Latin America (OSPAAAL) -- which works to unite, coordinate and encourage the struggle of Third World peoples against imperialism, colonialism and neo-colonialism. This edition of Tricontinental -- Number 141 -- includes an editorial by the President of the Cuban Parliament Ricardo Alarcon entitled "The Cuban Miracle and its Future," in which Alarcon includes excerpts of documents recently declassified by the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency, illustrating Washington's war against Cuba since the very first days of the Revolution in 1959. The editorial also offers concrete evidence demonstrating that it is precisely the democratic nature of Cuba's current political system that has kept the people united and the Cuban Revolution strong. During the presentation, it was announced that the magazine will be available on the Internet beginning April 4th, on the same Web page as the Cuban weekly newspaper Granma International. It is hoped that Tricontinental on the Internet will allow the magazine to reach out to greater numbers of readers. The activity wound up with the announcement that OSPAAAL is preparing an international conference in solidarity with the Palestinian people to be held next September in Greece. CUBA WILL HOST 2nd WORLD CONGRESS ON CIVIL RIGHTS AND THE FAMILY Holguin, April 1(RHC)-- Cuba will be the site of the Second World Congress on Civil Rights and the Family in the Year 2002, according to participants at an international scientific conference taking place in eastern Holguin province. Some 120 delegates and guests, among them 30 experts from various countries, are currently discussing 23 scientific research projects on 18 themes. Sponsored by Cuba's Lawyers Union and the Justice Ministry, the event promotes professional exchange on legal issues. PAN AMERICAN HEALTH ORGANIZATION PRAISES CUBA'S WORK IN GENETICS Sancti Spiritus, April 1(RHC)-- Cuba's advances in genetics over the past 25 years were praised by an official of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Victor Penchaszadeh, during his visit to central Sancti Spiritus province. In statements to reporters, the PAHO official emphasized that this health service -- aimed at studying the causes of diseases and hereditary problems -- is offered free-of-charge to all Cubans. He also praised the educational character of the National Program of Genetics. Socio-ethical questions in genetics were discussed in a workshop held in Sancti Spiritus, with the participation of specialists from Sancti Spiritus, Villa Clara and Havana. HAVANA'S INDUSTRIALES DEFEATS SANTIAGO DE CUBA IN EXTRA- INNINGS Havana, April 1(RHC)-- Havana's Industriales team defeated eastern Santiago de Cuba 7 to 3 in extra-innings Wednesday night -- bringing the best of seven series to 3 games to 2 in favor of the Industriales. Santiago de Cuba's pitching had the Industriales shutout until the 7th inning -- but in the top of the ninth, Havana's team tied their rivals. In the bottom of the 10th inning, the Industriales began a hitting-rally and scored five runs, which proved impossible for Santiago to match. This victory puts the Industriales ahead in the finals of the National Baseball Series. Both teams now travel to Havana where they will face-off on Saturday at the Latin American Stadium. If the Industriales win, they will take the championship. Should Santiago de Cuba win Saturday's game, the two teams will compete in a decisive match on Sunday.  [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-11727 1999-Apr-01 17:31:28