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, January 20, 1999. Today's stories: 1.- CUBAN PRESIDENT FIDEL CASTRO CALLS ON LATIN AMERICA TO MOBILIZE FOR CHANGE IN THE CORRELATION OF FORCES 2.- CUBAN FOREIGN MINISTER ROBERTO ROBAINA WRAPS UP OFFICIAL VISIT TO RUSSIA 3.- HAVANA AND WASHINGTON MIGHT OR MIGHT NOT PLAY BALL 4.- DISCOVERER OF AIDS VIRUS SAYS PREVENTION IS THE KEY TO STOPPING THE DISEASE 5.- CUBAN HEALTH WORKERS VOLUNTEER THEIR SERVICES ABROAD 6.- ARGENTINA'S NEW AMBASSADOR IN HAVANA CALLS FOR EXPANDING TRADE WITH CUBA 7.- CUBAN VICE PRESIDENT MEETS IN HAVANA WITH SECRETARY PRO TEMP OF LAST YEAR'S IBEROAMERICAN SUMMIT 8.- HUMPBACK WHALE DIES OFF CUBAN COAST CUBAN PRESIDENT FIDEL CASTRO CALLS ON LATIN AMERICA TO MOBILIZE FOR CHANGE IN THE CORRELATION OF FORCES Havana, January 20(RHC)-- Cuban President Fidel Castro has called on the peoples of Latin America to mobilize for a change in the correlation of forces in order to have international negotiating power in the face of neo-liberal globalization. During the second day of sessions of the International Gathering on Globalization and Development, underway in the Cuban capital, Fidel Castro denounced the existence of what he called "a world government that drops bombs left and right" without any concern for human life. He explicitly referred to the recent attacks against Sudan, Afghanistan and Iraq carried out by the United States. The leader of the Cuban Revolution stated that -- in his words -- "Cuba has rebelled against that world government and is paying the consequences." Referring to the U.S. economic blockade against the island, Cuban President Fidel Castro pointed out that Washington prohibits any company with U.S. holdings in any part of the world from selling even one screw to Cuba. In other interventions at the international gathering of economists in the Cuban capital on Tuesday, the Director of the Center for the Studies of World Economy, Osvaldo Martinez, stressed that neo-liberalism has not helped a single underdeveloped country. Martinez stated that the free market theories of neo-liberalism have instead caused damage to poor as well as industrialized countries, pointing to the examples of Russia and Southeast Asia. He said that the penetration of neo-liberalism has been so strong that it will take many years to recuperate from the devastation it has caused around the world. Pointing to Latin America, the director of the Center for the Studies of World Economy said that the continent has been used as a guinea pig to test the effects of economic shock therapy. Osvaldo Martinez concluded that the resulting poverty and inequality are clear signs that the therapy does not work. Warning of a terminal financial crisis, Martinez said that neo-liberalism is dragging the world to the brink of an economic disaster that will make the crisis of 1929 look small in comparison. CUBAN FOREIGN MINISTER ROBERTO ROBAINA WRAPS UP OFFICIAL VISIT TO RUSSIA Moscow, January 20(RHC)-- Cuban Foreign Minister Roberto Robaina has wrapped up what he termed "a very satisfactory visit" to Russia. Robaina said his principle objective was not a revision of a bilateral agenda, but rather a desire to communicate the Cuban government's and people's confidence in Russia's capacity to resolve its economic and social problems. The Cuban foreign minister said that political relations between the two countries are at their best. In terms of economic relations, he said though they are good, it must be understood that the two countries have decided to recuperate and reestablish their economic ties "amid extremely complex and difficult circumstances." In reference to the sanctions that Washington recently slapped against three Russian institutions accused of cooperating with Iran's nuclear program, Robaina said "no country -- powerful though it may be -- can proclaim itself judge of the Earth." He said if the sanctions were applied in the other direction, half the planet would be taking measures against numerous U.S. institutions that have participated in programs and activities causing a great deal of damage to the people of many countries. During the visit, the Cuban foreign minister was received by Russian Prime Minister Yevgueni Primakov, who stated that Cuba is the priority of Russia's Latin America policy. Numerous media outlets have commented on the significance of the growing Russia-Cuba ties following several years of a cooling-off of relations with the collapse of the Soviet Union. HAVANA AND WASHINGTON MIGHT OR MIGHT NOT PLAY BALL Havana, January 20(RHC)-- The national Cuban baseball team and the Baltimore Orioles, a major league team from the United States, might be playing ball this Spring, although the issue of where the proceeds go is still up in the air. According to an announcement made Tuesday in the Cuban capital, representatives of both teams have agreed on the rules of the games, equipment and issues involving travel visas for the players. The games have tentatively been scheduled for March 28th in Havana and April 3rd in Baltimore, Maryland -- just north of the U.S. capital, Washington, DC. But everything depends on an agreement as to the games' proceeds. Cuba insists that a crucial and decisive point for the games to take place is that the proceeds be used to buy medicines for the victims of Hurricane Mitch in Central America, while the delegation from the Baltimore Orioles proposes that the money be channeled into the recent new measures announced by the Clinton administration. Talks here in the Cuban capital will continue over the next few days, until an agreement is reached -- or is NOT reached -- between the two sides. DISCOVERER OF AIDS VIRUS SAYS PREVENTION IS THE KEY TO STOPPING THE DISEASE Havana, January 20(RHC)-- The discoverer of the AIDS virus, French doctor Luc Montagnier, said in Cuba that despite being controlled on the island, the disease could spread rapidly if strict education campaigns are not maintained. On Tuesday Montagnier ended a five-day visit to Cuba to exchange information with Cuban experts and to learn about the island's AIDS treatment programs. The French scientist, who isolated the AIDS virus in l983 and how is currently the president of the World Foundation for Research and Prevention of AIDS, told reporters in Havana that he has a very high opinion of AIDS research being done in Cuba. The foundation over which Luc Monagnier presides is creating a network of pilot programs in order to cooperate on research aimed at producing an anti-AIDS vaccine. Such foundations now exist in Italy, the Ivory Coast, the United States and others are expected to open soon in Africa. The French scientist said it wasn't necessary to open such a center in Cuba because there already exist many research centers and institutions capable of the highest level of research. He noted that, on the other hand, discussions are underway to formalize a cooperation agreement with various Cuban centers. In related news, Cuban Health Minister Carlos Dotres announced that the French doctor will collaborate with the island in obtaining a vaccine against AIDS. CUBAN HEALTH WORKERS VOLUNTEER THEIR SERVICES ABROAD Havana, January 20(RHC)-- Some 630 Cuban doctors, nurses and technicians are currently volunteering their services in the most remote and poor areas of Central America and Haiti. According to Cuban health officials, that number will go up to 880 by the end of this month. Health Ministry official Alfredo Portero told journalists in Havana that the number of Cuban medical personnel working in Central America and Haiti could go as high as 2000 if that many are requested. The Cuban health official noted that both the people and health authorities in the countries where Cuban medical experts are working agree that the Cubans are characterized by their willingness to help, their modesty and their humanism. Portero explained that some 21 specialized Cuban brigades have offered their services free-of-charge to those who most need it in Haiti, Guatemala and Honduras -- victims of Hurricanes Georges and Mitch. ARGENTINA'S NEW AMBASSADOR IN HAVANA CALLS FOR EXPANDING TRADE WITH CUBA Havana, January 20(RHC)-- Argentina's new ambassador to Cuba, Luis Santos Casale, has called for expanding relations with the island especially in the area of commercial and economic cooperation. The newly-appointed ambassador expressed his satisfaction at being selected to serve in Cuba and said his embassy plans to increase trade in the areas of tourism and investment. Ambassador Casale said he favors the establishment of joint ventures that serve to pay off Cuba's debt with the South American nation. In the area of culture the ambassador said he intends to continue with the work done by his predecessor along with Cuban officials in artistic associations. CUBAN VICE PRESIDENT MEETS IN HAVANA WITH SECRETARY PRO TEMP OF LAST YEAR'S IBEROAMERICAN SUMMIT Havana, January 20(RHC)-- Vice President Carlos Lage on Tuesday met in Havana with the Secretary Pro Tem of last year's Iberoamerican Summit, Portuguese Yoaun Salgueiro. Salgueiro arrived in Cuba at the head of a Portuguese delegation which officially transferred to Cuba the title of Secretary of the 9th Iberoamerican Summit, to be held in Havana in November. As the president of the National Organizing Committee of the 9th Iberoamerican Summit, Vice President Lage spoke with the Portuguese official about various aspects concerning preparations, including experiences learned during the l998 Summit in Oporto, Portugal. And in related news, Spanish Foreign Minister Abel Matutes said in Madrid that he is confident that the 9th Iberoamerican Summit will produce positive results. HUMPBACK WHALE DIES OFF CUBAN COAST Havana, January 20(RHC)-- A Humpback Whale that had been sighted for six days near the Cuban coast has died. The unusual sight attracted scores of spectators from a curious public to marine specialists. The whale, which was found dead on Tuesday, arrived on the Cuban coastline last Wednesday. Immediately, specialists at the country's national aquarium mobilized to classify the huge mammal, which was approximately nine meters long and weighed some 19 tons. Cuban marine biologist Heidi Perez told Granma newspaper that whales often seek out tropical waters during mating season. Unfortunately, due to the decomposition of the body, scientists have so far been unable to determine the cause of death, though many shark bites were visible. Residents of Boca de Jaruco, east of Havana, reported never having seen a Humpback Whale in the area before now. 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