Radio Havana Cuba, Thursday, April 8, 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 8, 1999. Today's stories: 1.- CUBA SUPPORTS ALL HUMANITARIAN EFFORTS FOR KOSOVO REFUGEES AND CALLS NATO BOMBARDMENTS OF YUGOSLAVIA GENOCIDAL 2.- VISITING GAMBIAN PRESIDENT EXPRESSES APPRECIATION FOR CUBA'S SOLIDARITY WITH AFRICA 3.- CUBAN FOREIGN MINISTER ROBERTO ROBAINA INAUGURATES PREPARATORY MEETING FOR IBEROAMERICAN SUMMIT 4.- CUBA'S HEALTH CARE SYSTEM IS A MODEL FOR THE WORLD 5.- PORTUGAL'S ECONOMY MINISTER TO SIGN IMPORTANT BILATERAL AGREEMENTS WITH THE ISLAND 6.- THIS YEAR'S MAY DAY MARCH WILL BE THE LARGEST EVER 7.- CUBAN DOCTORS RECEIVE RECOGNITION FROM THE UKRAINIAN GOVERNMENT 8.- WORKSHOP ON AFRICAN CULTURE IN CUBA UNDERWAY IN SANTIAGO CUBA SUPPORTS ALL HUMANITARIAN EFFORTS FOR KOSOVO REFUGEES AND CALLS NATO BOMBARDMENTS OF YUGOSLAVIA GENOCIDAL Havana, April 8(RHC)-- In relation to the decision announced by Washington to house refugees from Kosovo at the U.S. Naval Base at Guantanamo, the Cuban government has distanced itself from some erroneous opinions attributed to Havana. An official statement, published on the front-page of Thursday's edition of the Cuban daily Granma, affirms that Havana has not previously issued a public statement on the refugee issue and offers a clarification. Since the beginning of NATO attacks against Yugoslavia, Cuba has strictly followed a policy based on principles and has strongly condemned the aggression. Cuba has insisted that no military operation -- short of a nuclear attack -- is capable of crushing the resistance of those who demonstrated their combativeness and ability to struggle during the confrontation with Nazi forces during World War II. The statement released by the Cuban government calls for "a political solution to the question of Kosovo," pointing out that hundreds of thousands of people are suffering in what was until recently the prosperous Socialist Republic of Yugoslavia. "The destruction of a thermoelectric plant that provides heat and electricity to one million people in the dead of Winter is far from being a military objective and has taken on the characteristics of genocide." "The innocent victims of any nationality, ethnic group or religion should receive a maximum amount of aid both inside and outside of Yugoslavia. Cuba unwaveringly supports such humanitarian aid and is even willing to cooperate within the realm of its modest possibilities. Cuba also strongly supports an urgent search for a reasonable and just solution to the conflict." Finally, the official statement of the Cuban government -- published in this morning's edition of the daily Granma -- calls for an end to the war "before there are even greater disasters of a human, economic, political and military character that do not benefit anyone." VISITING GAMBIAN PRESIDENT EXPRESSES APPRECIATION FOR CUBA'S SOLIDARITY WITH AFRICA Havana, April 8(RHC)-- The visiting President of Gambia, Alhaji Jammeh, has expressed his appreciation for Cuba's solidarity with Africa. After laying a floral wreath at the monument to Cuba's independence hero Jose Marti at the Plaza de la Revolucion in Havana, President Jammeh told reporters that the Cuban Revolution has been "an inspiration for all African revolutionaries." He thanked the island's authorities for their contribution to anti-colonial and anti-apartheid struggles on the African continent and for Cuba's on-going aid to Africa. The leader of this small and poor West African country arrived in Havana on Monday and is slated to wrap up his official visit to the island tomorrow, Friday. CUBAN FOREIGN MINISTER ROBERTO ROBAINA INAUGURATES PREPARATORY MEETING FOR IBEROAMERICAN SUMMIT Havana, April 8(RHC)-- Cuban Foreign Minister Roberto Robaina expressed his hope that the 9th Iberoamerican Summit -- to be held in Havana next November -- will not be the scene of exclusions or divisions. Speaking during the first gathering of Iberoamerican National Coordinators on Thursday, Robaina said participants at the two-day meeting will examine a draft proposal for the Summit's final declaration. In light of rumors circulating among some media outlets in the United States concerning possible absences at the Summit, Cuba's foreign minister today reiterated that, to date, Havana has not received a message from any country declining to participate in November. The Cuban foreign minister said that "amid the terrible news of the collapse of stock markets, recession and the unpredictable effects of a war in Europe, Havana offers everyone its peace and hospitable solidarity." Roberto Robaina said it was urgent for the Iberoamerican Summit to map out joint projects to face the region's problems based on unity. He said that "not even the richest and most powerful nation in the world can face humanity's serious problems alone." CUBA'S HEALTH CARE SYSTEM IS A MODEL FOR THE WORLD Havana, April 8(RHC)-- The health care system in Cuba is a model for the rest of the world, according to Dr. Patricio Yepez, a representative of the World Health Organization and Pan American Health Organization. Speaking during an activity to commemorate World Health Day, held at a home for the elderly in San Antonio de los Banos, Yepez praised the priority given to health needs by the Cuban government. He also announced that Cuba will be the site of a regional meeting of the World Health Organization at the end of this month. The meeting will be designed to exchange experiences in the field of health and examine its scientific and technological potential. Dr. Patricio Yepez pointed out that the organizations which he represents have expressed a keen interest in the international cooperation program of the Latin American School of Medicine. The school, located on the outskirts of Havana, is currently training Central American medical students and has been characterized as an academy for social development in the region. Cuba's attention to its senior citizens was also widely praised during the activities commemorating World Health Day. It was underscored that 13 percent of the Cuban population is over 60 years of age and that health care for senior citizens -- as for children -- is considered a priority for the Cuban Revolution. PORTUGAL'S ECONOMY MINISTER TO SIGN IMPORTANT BILATERAL AGREEMENTS WITH THE ISLAND Havana, April 8(RHC)-- Portuguese Economy Minister Joaquim Pina Moura is in Cuba to sign several bilateral cooperation accords. Upon his arrival at Havana's Jose Marti International Airport, Pina Moura told reporters that the new agreements are another step towards improving relations between the two countries. He added that the Portuguese delegation hopes their visit will help broaden economic cooperation with the island. During his visit to Havana, the Portuguese economy minister is scheduled to meet with his Cuban counterpart, Jose Luis Rodriguez, and other high-ranking government officials. He will also offer a lecture on Cuban-Portuguese economic cooperation. THIS YEAR'S MAY DAY MARCH WILL BE THE LARGEST EVER Havana, April 8(RHC)-- The General Secretary of Havana's Communist Party, Esteban Lazo, told reporters in the Cuban capital that International Worker's Day should see the largest march in the country's history. During a meeting with principal political and government leaders of the city's 15 municipalities, Lazo predicted that over one million Havana residents will participate in the May Day march. The Communist Party leader affirmed that despite imperialism's attempts to discredit the Cuban Revolution, "the people will demonstrate their unity and strength" on International Worker's Day. CUBAN DOCTORS RECEIVE RECOGNITION FROM THE UKRAINIAN GOVERNMENT Havana, April 8(RHC)-- The Ukrainian government has awarded special recognition to Cuban health specialists for their treatment of children affected by the Chernobyl nuclear accident. According to Luidmila Nikolaiva Kuchman, President of the Ukrainian National Fund for Children, her government extremely appreciates Cuba's efforts on behalf of its children. Kuchman is in Havana to make the special presentation and meet with high-ranking Cuban officials. Nearly 17,600 Ukrainian children affected by the Chernobyl nuclear disaster in 1986 have been treated by Cuban medical personnel. WORKSHOP ON AFRICAN CULTURE IN CUBA UNDERWAY IN SANTIAGO DE CUBA Santiago de Cuba, April 8(RHC)-- With the participation of experts and researchers from the Ivory Coast, Mali and Togo, the 5th International Workshop on African Culture in Cuba is underway in eastern Santiago de Cuba. The Director of the Fernando Ortiz African Cultural Center in Santiago de Cuba, Edgardo Lora, said that the institution sponsors a workshop every two years with the objective of studying the work of prestigious Cuban ethnologist Fernando Ortiz. Lora explained that this year's workshop will aid investigations into the African roots of Cuban culture.  [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-26538 1999-Apr-08 19:04:52