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 28, 1999. Today's stories: 1.- DEFENSE MINISTER RAUL CASTRO ADDRESSES CONFEDERATION OF CUBAN WORKERS 2.- CUBA AND RUSSIA ON DECLARATION OF SUPPORT FOR UNITED NATIONS 3.- CUBA'S PARLIAMENT ACCUSES WASHINGTON OF ATTEMPTING TO MISLEAD THE WORLD REGARDING ITS NEW MEASURES ON CUBA 4.- LATIN AMERICAN BISHOPS COUNCIL DENOUNCES U.S. BLOCKADE AGAINST CUBA 5.- CUBA AND PANAMA SIGN COOPERATION AND INVESTMENT ACCORDS DEFENSE MINISTER RAUL CASTRO ADDRESSES CONFEDERATION OF CUBAN WORKERS Havana, January 28(RHC)-- Cuban Defense Minister Raul Castro affirmed that the founding of the Confederation of Cuban Workers (CTC) "was one of the most important events of the first half of this century." Castro was speaking during a plenary session of the CTC, celebrating the organization's 60th anniversary. Raul Castro told Cuban workers that President Fidel Castro and the Cuban Communist Party sent them messages of congratulations -- recalling that Lazaro Pena, the first general secretary of the CTC, was one of the island's most respected leaders. CTC General Secretary Pedro Ross also addressed the plenary session, noting that the triumph of the Cuban Revolution was the most important event for the island's workers and unions following the Constituent Congress of the Confederation of Cuban Workers 60 years ago. CUBA AND RUSSIA ON DECLARATION OF SUPPORT FOR UNITED NATIONS Havana, January 28(RHC)-- Cuba and Russia have asked that a declaration of support for the United Nations be circulated to member nations. In a letter to UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, Cuban UN Ambassador Rafael Dausa and Russia's Serguei Lavrov requested the distribution of the document signed by both countries' foreign ministers. In the joint declaration, Cuban Foreign Minister Roberto Robaina and his Russian counterpart Igor Ivanov express their support for the international body -- calling it "the only universal attempt to join international forces to resolve conflicts." The joint document praises the United Nation's work to "collectively confront new global challenges, to reenforce international security and stability, to promote strict compliance of international law and to guarantee sustainable economic development." The letter also recognizes the United Nation's efforts over the past 50 years to take a leading role in international affairs. The foreign ministries of Cuba and Russia voiced their concern over attempts to subvert the system of international relations and called on member nations to "refrain from the use of force or the threat of force and other coercive actions such as blockades and embargoes." CUBA'S PARLIAMENT ACCUSES WASHINGTON OF ATTEMPTING TO MISLEAD THE WORLD REGARDING ITS NEW MEASURES ON CUBA Havana, January 28(RHC)-- Cuba's Parliament has accused the United States of attempting to mislead international public opinion about its latest measures, which U.S. officials claim are designed to ease the blockade against the island. In a statement addressed to all the world's legislatures, the Cuban Parliament's International Relations Committee pointed to what it maintains are the new measures true objectives, "which are to confuse international public opinion and stem opposition to Washington's blockade against Cuba." The Cuban parliamentary document also recalls that the White House recently rejected the idea of forming a bipartisan commission to review its antiquated Cuba policy. The statement points out that the United States maintains limits on the amount of money Cuban-Americans can send to their families in Cuba, while they authorize Americans or American entities to send money to encourage anti-government activities on the island. The parliamentary commission adds that the U.S. continues restricting travel to Cuba as well as the sale of food, medicine and agricultural products. LATIN AMERICAN BISHOPS COUNCIL DENOUNCES U.S. BLOCKADE AGAINST CUBA Mexico City, January 28(RHC)-- The Latin American Bishops Council (CELAM) will denounce Washington's economic blockade against Cuba in a meeting to be held in Havana from the 14th through the 16th of February. According to the Council's president, the Archbishop of Tegucigalpa, Oscar Andres Rodriguez, the Latin American Bishops Council has been clear in its position of strongly condemning the effects of the blockade on the Cuban people. Archbishop Rodriguez said Wednesday in Mexico City that the nearly 40 year blockade against Cuba has made poor people suffer and has offered no solution. The Honduran religious leader indicated that CELAM is against all blockades, "with the exception of one: a blockade against the sale of weapons." CUBA AND PANAMA SIGN COOPERATION AND INVESTMENT ACCORDS Panama City, January 28(RHC)-- Cuba and Panama have signed a series of cooperation and investment accords. On Wednesday, Cuban and Panamanian officials signed an investment promotion and protection agreement and a general cooperation accord. The documents were signed by Cuba's Foreign Investment and Economic Cooperation Minister Ibrahim Ferradaz and Panamanian Foreign Minister Jorge Eduardo Ritter. Following the signing ceremony, Ferradaz told reporters that the investment accord would provide a solid bridge between the business communities of the two countries, strengthening relations in accordance with the laws and interests of both nations. Regarding the general cooperation agreement, the Cuban Foreign Investment and Economic Cooperation Minister announced the formation of a joint mixed government commission which will periodically review collaboration in the areas of finance, culture, sports, health, education, tourism, science, industry and transportation. Panamanian Foreign Minister Jorge Ritter agreed that the accords are of great importance in the course of economic and commercial relations between Cuba and Panama and stressed that his country opposes unilateral measures that have been taken against Cuba. [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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