Radio Havana Cuba, August 5, 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 August 5, 1999. Today's stories: 1.- AT WINNIPEG PANAM GAMES, CUBA REJECTS DOPING ACCUSATION AGAINST HIGH JUMPER JAVIER SOTOMAYOR 2.- CUBAN HIGH JUMPER JAVIER SOTOMAYOR SAYS HE'S BEEN THE VICTIM OF A PLOT 3.- DEMONSTRATORS IN WINNIPEG DEMAND RESPECT FOR THE CUBAN DELEGATION AT THE PAN AM GAMES 4.- CUBA TO RECEIVE ONE MILLION SEVEN THOUSAND TOURISTS BY THE END OF THE YEAR 5.- CUBAN PRESIDENT IS INVITED TO SEATTLE, WASHINGTON FOR WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION MEETING 6.- FRANCE WILL HELP CUBA IN THE FIGHT AGAINST DRUG TRAFFICKING AT WINNIPEG PANAM GAMES, CUBA REJECTS DOPING ACCUSATION AGAINST HIGH JUMPER JAVIER SOTOMAYOR Havana, August 5 (RHC)-- At the Winnipeg Panam Games, Cuba has rejected doping accusations against Cuban high jumper Javier Sotomayor. At a press conference Wednesday evening, the president of the Panamerican Sports Organization -- Mario Vazquez Rana -- informed media outlets that an anti-doping test on Sotomayor resulted positive, with the detection of traces of cocaine. In response to the charges, the director of Cuba's Sports Medicine Institute -- Doctor Mario Granda -- issued the following declaration: "On August 2, we were notified by the president of the Panamerican Sports Organization's medical commission that metabolism of a substance had been detected in a Cuban athlete who on July 30 had obtained his 4th Panamerican title. Those who know this athlete, his sports career, the fact that he has been subjected to more than 60 anti-doping controls during and outside of competitions -- many of them in a surprise fashion -- and the fact that this year he has been subjected to 8 anti-doping controls, are convinced of his total innocence. Moreover, this athlete is a perfect gentleman in the sports arena who carries out consultations with regard to any medication he uses. He is a worthy representative of the Cuban and worldwide sports movement -- a bastion of the struggle against doping in our country. In Cuba, that struggle has been carried out within the framework of a social and educational program, closely tied to the process of the sports initiation and health habits of children and adolescents in the creation of a healthy frame of mind that doesn't require stimulating substances of any kind. Over the past 40 years, Cuba has had a minimum of doping cases, some for codine and dextrotropics -- substances that are now permitted --, others for ephedrine and pseudoephedrine in doses that are now tolerated, a minimum of anbolics, and never a case of social or entertainment drugs. Upon speaking with the athlete, he expressed surprise, anger and repudiation, conveying his confidence that in light of his clean sports career, the Panamerican Sports Organization will adopt the correct decision. I, and the chief of Cuba's Panam delegation, Humberto Rodriguez, ratify that confidence. Nevertheless, that confidence has been proven to be unfounded. Unfortunately, since its arrival the Cuban delegation has been inundated with another type of doping, enemy doping, the doping of provocation, hostility, arbitrariness, insecurity and intolerance, which has been systematically denounced by the leadership of the Cuban delegation. Under these and other pressures, our athletes have competed and defended Cuba's flag. Those incurable instigators will have to face the consequences of their acts in their own consciences. This athlete's human and sports qualities, his values, social conduct, dignity and decorum are above any decision against an innocent man resulting from a medical test. Javier Sotomayor, Olympic, world, Central American and Panamerican Champ, world record holder, will continue as an example for athletes who with a deep sports spirit defy suffering and injustice, demonstrate a capacity to overcome and the infinite resources of the human spirit, and possess a strength of heart and ideas". The leadership of Cuba's Winnipeg Panam delegation wrapped up the declaration on the positive doping test against Cuban high jumper Javier Sotomayor with the following statement: "Your four Panamerican gold medals will be in the hearts of all Cubans and all honorable persons who truly love sports. We place our confidence in you". CUBAN HIGH JUMPER JAVIER SOTOMAYOR SAYS HE'S BEEN THE VICTIM OF A PLOT Havana, August 5 (RHC)-- Meanwhile, Javier Sotomayor himself stated that he's been the victim of a plot, in an interview published in the Thursday edition of the Cuban newspaper Granma, though he said he doesn't know how it could have happened. The Cuban high jumper said he's always repudiated doping, and that he doesn't need to use tricks. The Cuban athlete called at home "the king of the heights" said that besides being aware that illegal substances are immediately recognizable in a urine analysis, he doesn't need any kind of stimulant to jump 2.30 meters. In the last 15 years, he stated, he's jumped that height more than 300 times. Sotomayor said neither was he accustomed to taking the legal vitamins and energy supplements provided to all athletes, though due to his age he has begun taking a natural substance produced with algae. In reference to the numerous doping controls he's been subjected to, the Cuban high jumper said he's even been subjected to such tests in the doorway of his home. More than the sanction against him, said Sotomayor, he's concerned about his image, his decorum and his sports honor of so many years. He reiterated that to jump 2.30 meters he doesn't even need to sleep. DEMONSTRATORS IN WINNIPEG DEMAND RESPECT FOR THE CUBAN DELEGATION AT THE PAN AM GAMES Winnipeg, August 5 (RHC)-A group of Cuba solidarity activists gathered in front of the Convention Center in Winnipeg, Canada to demand respect for Cuban athletes at the Pan American games. The demonstration, which was held in front of the Games' international press center, included banners that read "Let Cuba Play in Peace" and "the Pan Am games are a sporting, not a political event." Demonstrators strongly criticized the local and federal authorities as well as the organizing committee for the lack of protection for the Cuban athletes which they charge has allowed anti Cuba sectors to provoke the Cuban delegation at the Pan American games in Winnipeg. CUBA TO RECEIVE ONE MILLION SEVEN THOUSAND TOURISTS BY THE END OF THE YEAR Havana, August 5 (RHC)-Cuba's Tourism Ministry has ratified its predictions that the island will receive one million 700 thousand tourists by the end of the year. According to Cuban Deputy Tourism Minister, Eduardo Rodriguez de la Vega, from January through July over 845 thousand vacationers visited Cuba which represents an important increase over the same period last year. Despite the fact that the first trimester is low tourist season in Cuba, the sector saw an increase in hotel capacities , earnings and utilities. Cuban and foreign representatives are currently negotiating the establishment of 14 joint ventures that would mean in an increase of some 6 thousand 200 new hotel rooms . CUBAN PRESIDENT IS INVITED TO SEATTLE, WASHINGTON FOR WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION MEETING Seattle, August 5 (RHC)-Cuban President Fidel Castro has been invited to Seattle, Washington to participate in next November's World Trade Organization to be held in that US city. The invitation was made by Democratic Representative to Washington, Jim McDermott and the Seattle City Council. Although the Cuban President does not require an invitation to participate in the WTO meeting as the island is a member nation, the US legislator said he wanted to extend a formal, respectful and friendly invitation to the Cuban leader to visit the city of Seattle. McDermott said that he believes that his community would love to hear the Cuban leader talk about the future of US Cuba relations. The US Representative condemned Washington's nearly 40 year blockade against Cuba. CUBA MAY EXPORT LIQUID GAS Matanzas, August 5 (RHC)-Cuba could , in the near future, export tanks of liquid gas to Central America and the Caribbean from a recently inaugurated production plant in Matanzas province. The center, which will attempt to satisfy the fuel needs of the population on the island, was constructed at a cost of 714 thousand dollars and should produce 300 thousand tanks of gas a year. The new industry, which has already delivered its first 20 thousand tanks, boasts modern technology which will make it possible to successfully compete in the international market. FRANCE WILL HELP CUBA IN THE FIGHT AGAINST DRUG TRAFFICKING Havana, August 5 (RHC)-First Council in the French Embassy in Cuba, Francois Ruddier, has underscored his country's willingness to support the island in its fight against terrorism and drugs. The French diplomat's statements were made during the closing activity of a course for the detection of drugs on the border. This is the second training course presented in Cuba by French Customs experts. Ruddier pointed out the importance of training Cuban personnel, especially now that tourism is booming on the island. The French official characterized the two nations' customs cooperation as successful. He also announced that other ways will be examined to jointly use new resources in the fight against drug trafficking . [c] 1999, Radio Habana Cuba All rights reserved Articles cannot be reproduced, reprinted or published in any system without the consent of RHC. 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