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, January 14, 1999. Today's stories: 1.- COLOMBIAN PRESIDENT ANDRES PASTRANA ARRIVES IN CUBA FOR OFFICIAL VISIT 2.- BELGIAN FOREIGN MINISTER WRAPS UP OFFICIAL VISIT TO CUBA 3.- CUBAN PRESIDENT MEETS WITH PRESIDENT OF THE SPANISH SENATE CURRENTLY VISITING THE ISLAND 4.- PRESIDENT OF MADRID'S PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY CONTINUES HIS VISIT TO THE ISLAND 5.- EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF UNITED NATIONS AIDS PROGRAM ARRIVES IN CUBA 6.- HUNDREDS OF CUBANS PREPARE FOR SATURDAY'S "TERRY FOX MARATHON" TO FIGHT CANCER 7.- PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERATION OF CUBAN WOMEN AFFIRMS THAT TOURISM ON THE ISLAND MUST BE HEALTHY AND SAFE 8.- RENOWNED CUBAN MUSICIAN CHUCHO VALDES NOMINATED FOR TWO GRAMMY AWARDS COLOMBIAN PRESIDENT ANDRES PASTRANA ARRIVES IN CUBA FOR OFFICIAL VISIT Havana, January 14(RHC)-- Colombian President Andres Pastrana arrived in Cuba Thursday to begin an official visit. Heading a large and high-ranking delegation that includes eight of his ministers, the Colombian president was received at Havana's Jose Marti International Airport by Cuban Foreign Minister Roberto Robaina. Speaking with reporters upon his arrival, Pastrana said he hopes to significantly boost bilateral relations in a number of fields and plans to sign agreements with Cuba in the areas of health, education, sports and the environment. The Colombian president also stated that he will work with Cuban authorities to increase bilateral cooperation in the fight against drug trafficking. Before departing from Bogota Thursday morning, the Colombian president told journalists he was convinced that Cuban President Fidel Castro would play an important role in the search for peace in his country. Shortly following his arrival in the Cuban capital, Colombian President Andres Pastrana was welcomed by his Cuban counterpart, Fidel Castro, at an official ceremony in the Palace of the Revolution. The two leaders then began the first round of formal talks. During his stay on the island, the Colombian president is expected to deliver a lecture at the University of Havana concerning the peace process with the Colombian Revolutionary Armed Forces. Pastrana will gather on Sunday with President Fidel Castro and Venezuelan President-elect Hugo Chavez, who will make a stop-over in Cuba on his way home following a tour of Europe and Canada. BELGIAN FOREIGN MINISTER WRAPS UP OFFICIAL VISIT TO CUBA Havana, January 14(RHC)-- Belgian Foreign Minister Erik Derycke today wrapped up an official visit to Cuba -- the first of a high-ranking Belgian official since the triumph of the Cuban Revolution. Derycke was received late Wednesday by Cuban President Fidel Castro, during which the Cuban leader sent a New Year's message to the Belgian people and congratulated them for their participation in the issuance of the new European currency, the Euro. President Fidel Castro told reporters that the visit of the Belgian official was important not only for bilateral relations between the two countries, but also for Cuba's relations with the European Union. Shortly before the meeting with the Cuban president, the Belgian foreign minister delivered a lecture at the University of Havana entitled "The Future of our Societies: Solidarity and Dynamism." He had words of praise for Cuba's achievements in health, education, social security and the protection of children. Foreign Minister Derycke also came out in favor of what he called a "socially-controlled market economy" -- which he described as "a third path between savage capitalism and the utopia of equality." He said this type of market economy does not, however, have the last word concerning socio- economic organization. The Belgian official said the market economy must evolve towards sustainable development, with respect for the environment and a more equitable distribution of wealth. During his stay in Cuba, the Belgian foreign minister signed a letter of intent for the renegotiation of Cuba's approximately 20 million dollar debt to the European nation, as well as other accords on legal cooperation and the fight against drug trafficking. CUBAN PRESIDENT MEETS WITH PRESIDENT OF THE SPANISH SENATE CURRENTLY VISITING THE ISLAND Havana, January 14(RHC)-- Cuban President Fidel Castro met in Havana with the President of the Spanish Senate, Juan Ignacio Barrero, who is visiting the island. In statements to journalists, the Spanish official pointed out that during his meeting with the Cuban leader, they discussed issues related to bilateral commercial ties as well as Spanish investment on the Caribbean island. Barrero characterized Cuba-Spanish relations as "excellent" and stressed that his visit to Cuba will contribute to the strengthening of historic ties between both countries. As part of his visit to Cuba, the president of the Spanish Senate offered a conference in the Captain General's Palace in Old Havana, on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the Spanish constitution. PRESIDENT OF MADRID'S PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY CONTINUES HIS VISIT TO THE ISLAND Manzanillo, January 14(RHC)-- The President of Madrid's Parliamentary Assembly, Juan Van Halen, currently visiting Havana, reiterated that relations between Spain and Cuba are excellent, adding that the upcoming visit of King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia to the island will have great significance. Van Halen toured the Demajagua National Park, located in the eastern city of Manzanillo, where the independence struggle against Spanish colonialism began. The Spanish official also visited the "Purisima Concepcion" or "Immaculate Conception" Church in Manzanillo, where his grandfather was baptized in 1871. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF UNITED NATIONS AIDS PROGRAM ARRIVES IN CUBA Havana, January 14(RHC)-- The Executive Director of the United Nations AIDS Program, Peter Piot, is in Cuba at the invitation of Cuba's Health Ministry. Piot outlined that Cuba has made incredible advances in the field of medicine and research, making it an important point of reference for Latin America, the Caribbean and other countries around the world. The UN official stated that advances in the island's social development, such as health and education, have historically been much greater compared to other countries and are key factors for having fewer numbers of people infected by the HIV virus. Peter Piot added that according to recent statistics, a little over 2100 Cubans have contracted the HIV virus, of which 572 have died of AIDS. He stated that the current level of infection in Cuba is quite low. During his visit to the island, the executive director of the UN AIDS Program will meet with officials from the Ministries of Health, Education, Foreign and Economic Cooperation and will tour places of scientific and historic interest. HUNDREDS OF CUBANS PREPARE FOR SATURDAY'S "TERRY FOX MARATHON" TO FIGHT CANCER Havana, January 14(RHC)-- Hundreds of Cubans will participate in the "Terry Fox Marathon," scheduled to take place in Havana on Saturday. The marathon was named after a young Canadian who, despite having advanced cancer, toured over 5500 kilometers on foot with the objective of calling people's attention to the fight against cancer. Terry Fox died at the age of 22. The organizers of the marathon said participants will be able to run, walk, use wheel chairs, skates or ride bikes. Registration fees will be earmarked for the fight against cancer on the island. PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERATION OF CUBAN WOMEN AFFIRMS THAT TOURISM ON THE ISLAND MUST BE HEALTHY AND SAFE Havana, January 14(RHC)-- The President of the Federation of Cuban Women, Vilma Espin, said that tourism on the island must be healthy, family-oriented and serve to admire and protect the country's beauty. The Cuban leader participated in a meeting of the Commission of Prevention and Social Assistance, which looks after the ethical and moral values of its citizens and carries out an action plan to strengthen social order. The Federation of Cuban Women (FMC), which played a decisive role in the meeting, has the responsibility to persuade and offer alternatives for women that have been involved in prostitution. The president of the FMC warned that international tourism attracts prostitution and other social disorders. However, Vilma Espin was quick to add that that will not be the case of Cuba, because that "is the tourism of underdevelopment and misery." RENOWNED CUBAN MUSICIAN CHUCHO VALDES NOMINATED FOR TWO GRAMMY AWARDS Havana, January 14(RHC)-- Cuban pianist, composer and orchestra director Chucho Valdes has been nominated for two 1999 Grammy Awards. The renowned Cuban musician was nominated as the best Latin Jazz Interpreter for "Bele Bele en la Habana" and the best Tropical Latin Music Interpreter for "Babalu Aye". Chucho Valdes won a Grammy in 1998 in the category of Latin Jazz with "Havana." The Cuban musician told the news daily Granma that "just to be nominated is a prize in itself, but to be nominated two times is twice the recognition." [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. 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