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 Wednesday, February 3, 1999. Today's stories: 1.- MORE THAN ONE MILLION VENEZUELANS CHEER CUBAN PRESIDENT FIDEL CASTRO IN CARACAS 2.- VISITING CUBAN VICE PRESIDENT CARLOS LAGE SIGNS IMPORTANT ECONOMIC ACCORD WITH MADRID 3.- FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION SAYS ONLY THE RICH HAVE ACCESS TO BIOTECHNOLOGY 4.- PEDAGOGY '99 CONFERENCE CONTINUES IN HAVANA 5.- FIRST SECRETARY OF HAVANA'S COMMUNIST PARTY URGES ALL WORKERS IN THE CUBAN CAPITAL TO HELP FIGHT CRIME 6.- CUBA'S NEW 1999 TOURISM DIRECTORY OFFICIALLY RELEASED 7.- SECRETARY GENERAL OF AUSTRIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY VISITS CUBA MORE THAN ONE MILLION VENEZUELANS CHEER CUBAN PRESIDENT FIDEL CASTRO IN CARACAS Caracas, February 3(RHC)-- More than one million Venezuelans cheered Cuban President Fidel Castro late Tuesday during and following a speech by new Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. During what has been called an unprecedented assumption of power -- following the swearing-in ceremony at Venezuela's Congress -- Chavez was interrupted on several occasions by massive expressions of solidarity with Cuba and its leader. After the new Venezuelan president's speech, the crowd called on Fidel Castro to also take the podium. The Cuban leader declined, however, despite an invitation by Chavez himself. Numerous Venezuelans, carrying posters proclaiming solidarity with Cuba, also shouted slogans against Washington's blockade of the island. In statements to reporters following the popular demonstration, President Castro termed the speech by President Chavez "wise, intelligent and even-tempered." The Cuban leader said that he has had the honor to struggle during 40 years in defense of the ideas of Latin American independence heroes Simon Bolivar and Jose Marti, and that now the dream of seeing their rebirth in Venezuela has come true. Commenting on the numerous references to Marti during the Venezuelan president's speech, Fidel Castro said that when the political ideas of Cuba's national hero concerning the Americas and Latin American unity were expressed, they were only a dream. But now, he said, "that unity is an necessary." Chavez proclaimed that Venezuela will now become the standard bearer of Latin American unity. The Cuban leader declined to make any comparisons between the Cuban Revolution and the peaceful Venezuelan revolution proclaimed by Chavez, saying that every government "must design its own strategies to respond to its own challenges." President Fidel Castro met this evening with Cuba solidarity activists in Venezuela at the country's Central University. Afterwards, he gathered with several hundred business executives in an encounter sponsored by the Venezuelan Chamber of Commerce. In related news, the new Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jose Vicente Rangel has called on the United States to lift its economic blockade against Cuba. According to Venezuela's official press agency, VENPRES, Rangel called Washington's economic measures against the island "an ominous threat by a huge power against a fraternal people." Venezuela's new foreign minister affirmed that there are many investors in his country that are interested in doing business with Cuba, adding that the incoming administration of President Hugo Chavez hopes to broaden its relations with Havana. VISITING CUBAN VICE PRESIDENT CARLOS LAGE SIGNS IMPORTANT ECONOMIC ACCORD WITH MADRID Madrid, February 3(RHC)-- Visiting Cuban Vice President Carlos Lage has signed an important economic accord with Spanish Vice President and Economy Minister Rodrigo Rato. The agreement is aimed at eliminating double taxation on exports between the two countries, which is expected to further enhance bilateral trade relations. This is the first such agreement that Cuba has signed with another nation. The Spanish official also announced important advances in negotiations concerning arrears in the payment of Cuba's debts to Spain, which will allow Madrid to convert Cuba's debt into investment programs. Lage pointed out that trade with Spain -- Cuba's leading commercial partner -- has tripled in recent years. Of the 340 mixed enterprises in Cuba, 65 are with Spanish firms, while Spain has some 200 diverse agencies operating on the island. During a news conference following talks with the Spanish vice president and cabinet members, Lage reiterated Cuba's insistence that Washington has not eased its blockade against the island, as was interpreted by some following a recent announcement by President Bill Clinton. He recalled that months after the White House announced last year that restrictions on Cuba's purchase of medicines in the U.S. would also be eased, Cuba has still not been able to buy a single American aspirin. Lage, who arrived in Spain Tuesday evening for an official visit, will meet with diverse Spanish political leaders and members of the country's business community. FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION SAYS ONLY THE RICH HAVE ACCESS TO BIOTECHNOLOGY Havana, February 3(RHC)-- The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) stated that biotechnology is a powerful instrument capable of feeding the world's population, but that it must be made available to poorer nations that do not have access to such technology. A report issued by the FAO reveals that in many underdeveloped countries, the funds earmarked for research in agriculture are reduced or privatized. According to the study, this cuts off poorer countries from biotechnology, making it available only to rich nations. The FAO report adds that research and policies regarding biotechnology must concentrate on the needs of the poor -- many of whom are dependent on agriculture and live in marginalized areas where production is difficult. According to UN predictions, by the year 2020, the world's population will reach seven billion, with 6.3 billion living in Third World countries. PEDAGOGY '99 CONFERENCE CONTINUES IN HAVANA Havana, February 3(RHC)-- The International Conference Pedagogy '99 is finishing the third day of sessions at Havana's International Convention Center with a presentation on the importance of education in the national health care system. Many of the conference participants also attended a lecture entitled "Jose Marti and the Challenges of the 21st Century." A special commission met on Tuesday to discuss the training of values in schools. During Tuesday evening's sessions, participants from Cuba, Brazil and Venezuela discussed environmental education and the importance of teaching young people about protecting the country's flora and fauna as well as sustainable development. FIRST SECRETARY OF HAVANA'S COMMUNIST PARTY URGES ALL WORKERS IN THE CUBAN CAPITAL TO HELP FIGHT CRIME Havana, February 3(RHC)-- The First Secretary of Havana's Communist Party, Esteban Lazo, called on all workers in the Cuban capital to contribute to the fight against crime. Lazo made the statements during a meeting with the National Council of the Confederation of Cuban Workers which was broadcast on national television Tuesday evening. Lazo, who is also a member of the Political Bureau of the Party, said that 7000 new recruits will be trained as police officers in Havana. The Cuban official explained that the National Revolutionary Police is undergoing internal reorganization, stressing that labor unions need to help fight against crime in the capital. CUBA'S NEW 1999 TOURISM DIRECTORY OFFICIALLY RELEASED Havana, February 3(RHC)-- Cuba's new 1999 Tourism Directory was officially presented in Havana on Tuesday. The 376-page directory was edited and published by the Mexican Limusa S.A. publishing house. Limusa representative Cynthia Martinez said that the new Tourism Directory contains more updated information. Martinez added that this year's edition contains useful information for the visitor, including photographs and maps of the island's main tourist facilities. There is also an Internet directory included in the new Tourism Directory. SECRETARY GENERAL OF AUSTRIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY VISITS CUBA Havana, February 3(RHC)-- The Secretary General of Austria's Foreign Ministry, Benita Ferrero-Walsner, is in Cuba on a working visit. In statements to journalists, the Austrian official characterized relations with Cuba as "very good" and reiterated Austria's support of Cuba's status as observer in negotiations for a new Lome Convention. During her stay on the island, the Austrian government official has met with the President of the Cuban Parliament Ricardo Alarcon, Culture Minister Abel Prieto, Justice Minister Roberto Diaz and other government officials. [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. 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