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 27, 1999. Today's stories: 1.- ONE OF SEVEN CUBAN-AMERICANS ACCUSED OF CONSPIRING TO KILL CUBAN PRESIDENT FIDEL CASTRO ARRESTED IN FLORIDA ON CHARGES OF DRUG TRAFFICKING AND MONEY LAUNDERING 2.- OVER 200,000 PEOPLE HAVE VISITED THE JOSE MARTI MEMORIAL IN HAVANA 3.- CUBA WILL BEGIN USING THE EURO CURRENCY IN JULY 4.- MEMBER OF THE CENTER FOR INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH AT THE UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO VISITS CUBA 5.- BRITISH CONSERVATIVE DEPUTIES IN EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT DEMAND AN END TO WASHINGTON'S ANTI-CUBA POLICY 6.- GUATEMALAN PRESIDENT CHARACTERIZES RELATIONS WITH CUBA AS VERY POSITIVE 7.- SOUTH PROJECT FESTIVAL TO TAKE PLACE NEXT MONTH ONE OF SEVEN CUBAN-AMERICANS ACCUSED OF CONSPIRING TO KILL CUBAN PRESIDENT FIDEL CASTRO ARRESTED IN FLORIDA ON CHARGES OF DRUG TRAFFICKING AND MONEY LAUNDERING Havana, January 27(RHC)-- One of seven Cuban-Americans accused of conspiring to kill Cuban President Fidel Castro has been arrested on new charges: drug trafficking and money laundering. A federal court in Miami has confirmed the arrest in southern Florida of 61-year-old Juan Bautista Marquez -- known to have close ties to the ultra right-wing Cuban-American National Foundation. Bautista Marquez faces seven charges for transporting 365 kilograms of cocaine into the United States, conspiracy to import another 2000 kilos and money laundering. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) also arrested Bautista Marquez's son, three other Cuban-Americans and reportedly plans to arrest another six individuals involved in the case. Bautista Marquez was one of four Cuban-Americans detained aboard a boat off the coast of Puerto Rico in 1997. The vessel contained two high-powered sniper rifles, other military equipment, maps and computer navigation coordinates pointing to Venezuela's Margarita Island -- where the Cuban leader was to attend an Iberoamerican Summit. The Puerto Rican federal judge presiding over the case involving the conspiracy to assassinate Fidel Castro recently granted the defendants a change of venue to Miami, where even judicial authorities admit that a conviction will be extremely difficult. The Puerto Rican district attorney's office has appealed the change of venue ruling. OVER 200,000 PEOPLE HAVE VISITED THE JOSE MARTI MEMORIAL IN HAVANA Havana, January 27(RHC)-- Over 200,000 foreign and national visitors have toured the Jose Marti Memorial, located in Havana's Revolution Plaza, making it one of the country's most popular cultural institutions. During an activity in honor of the 146th anniversary of the birth of Cuba's National Hero, the Director of the Memorial, Haydee Diaz, said that since its inauguration three years ago, some 125 concerts have been held at the site by prestigious artists. As part of its program, the Memorial has mounted 124 exhibitions, mainly paintings as well as important historical photo exhibits. CUBA WILL BEGIN USING THE EURO CURRENCY IN JULY Havana, January 27(RHC)-- Cuba will begin to use the Euro currency next July 1st in its economic and commercial transactions with 11 countries of the European Union. Cuban authorities characterized the Euro as positive and stressed that the use of the new currency will be beneficial for the island and other countries throughout the world. A statement issued on Tuesday in Havana pointed out that the benefits for the country are related to the existing ties between Cuba and Europe. The communique also points out that the appearance of the Euro will weaken the dominance of the U.S. dollar and opens favorable perspectives for humanity on the threshold of a new century. MEMBER OF THE CENTER FOR INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH AT THE UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO VISITS CUBA Havana, January 27(RHC)-- Dr. Sylvia Ostry of the Center for International Research of the University of Toronto is in Cuba at the invitation of the University of Havana. Dr. Ostry will offer a conference on the current international economic situation and will meet with Cuban specialists from different centers and institutions related with the study and research of economic issues. The renowned economist has held several important posts in the Canadian government as well as international organizations and her visit to the island is part of a program organized by the Canadian Embassy in Havana -- inviting distinguished people to present lectures to their colleagues in Cuba. BRITISH CONSERVATIVE DEPUTIES FROM THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT DEMAND AN END TO WASHINGTON'S ANTI-CUBA POLICY Havana, January 27(RHC)-- British Conservative deputies from the European Parliament have urged the United States to adopt a more flexible and constructive policy towards Cuba, Libya and Iran. After meeting with a delegation from the U.S. Congress to discuss relations with the European Union, Euro-Deputy Brian Cassidy pointed out that since 1996, he has been heading a campaign against the Helms-Burton Law. Cassidy believes that U.S. President Bill Clinton's recent decision to suspend Title Three of the law for another six months does not resolve the legal issue or change the extraterritorial character of the legislation. GUATEMALAN PRESIDENT CHARACTERIZES RELATIONS WITH CUBA AS VERY POSITIVE Guatemala City, January 27(RHC)-- Guatemalan President Alvaro Arzu characterized his country's relations with Cuba has "very positive." Arzu made the statements on the occasion of the first anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. The Guatemalan president underscored the speed with which Cuban doctors came to the aid of hurricane victims and the willingness of the medical brigades to stay in the Central American country as long as necessary. Alvaro Arzu also recognized the work carried out by the Cuban medical brigades in Guatemala, which have so far treated over 12,000 people in the most remote regions of the country. Meanwhile, Cuba and Guatemala are scheduled to sign an accord that will permit an exchange of products with preferential tariffs. Guatemala's Economy Minister is expected to travel to Havana for the signing of the agreement. Negotiations on the accord began last November with the drawing up of a preliminary list of products to be exchanged. SOUTH PROJECT FESTIVAL TO TAKE PLACE IN HAVANA NEXT MONTH Havana, January 27(RHC)-- The Second Conference of the South Project will take place in Havana from February 1st through the 6th with an arts festival. Nearly 100 poets, painters and musicians from Latin America and Europe will take part in the conference. The event is being organized by the South Project, created in Canada ten years ago to promote cultural identity and publicize the work of new artists. The festival's organizers said that this edition will be dedicated to 96-year-old Spanish poet Rafael Alberti and the late Cuban writer Felix Pita Rodriguez. [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