Radio Havana Cuba, July 15, 1999 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, July 15, 1999. Today's stories: 1.- CUBAN EMBASSIES AND DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS HAVE BEEN PRIME TARGETS OF U.S.-SUPPORTED TERRORISTS 2.- FOREIGN MINISTER FELIPE PEREZ ROQUE ENDS VISIT TO PANAMA 3.- PRESIDENT OF U.S. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE WRAPS UP THREE-DAY VISIT TO CUBA 4.- CUBA CHARGES IMMIGRANT TRAFFICKERS FROM THE UNITED STATES 5.- CUBAN PARLIAMENT PRESIDENT ADDRESSES DELEGATES TO THE FIRST CHICANO-LATINO-CUBANO SEMINAR 6.- 8th CONTINGENT OF THE JUAN RIUS RIVERA BRIGADE ARRIVES IN HAVANA 7.- HAVANA HISTORIAN EUSEBIO LEAL AWARDED THE LEGION OF HONOR ON THE 210th ANNIVERSARY OF THE FRENCH REVOLUTION 8.- CUBAN GOVERNMENT INCREASES SOCIAL SECURITY BUDGET CUBAN EMBASSIES AND DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS HAVE BEEN PRIME TARGETS OF U.S.-SUPPORTED TERRORISTS Havana, July 15(RHC)-- In the on-going trial against Washington for 40 years of aggressions against Cuba, testimony has revealed how Cuban embassies and diplomatic missions have been prime targets of U.S.-supported terrorists. On June 5, 1976, a bomb exploded at Cuba's United Nations mission in New York. In July of that year, a Cuban official was assassinated in an attempt to kidnap the Cuban consul in the Mexican city of Merida; while in August, two officials from the Cuban embassy in Buenos Aires, Argentina were kidnapped and never heard from again. An umbrella organization of terrorist groups known as CORU -- organized by the U.S. Central Intelligence agency inside the United States -- claimed responsibility for all of the attacks. The Cuban-American terrorist organization Omega-7 claimed responsibility for the September 1980 assassination of Felix Garcia Rodriguez at the Cuban UN mission -- gunned down in broad daylight on the streets of downtown New York City. Plaintiffs have also continued presenting documentary evidence such as the book "Orlando Bosch, The Man I Know," written by the wife of the terrorist who was the mastermind of the sabotage of a Cuban civilian airliner as it took off from Barbados in 1976, killing all 73 passengers aboard. Bosch's wife describes in detail her husband's ties and relations with U.S. government officials. More testimony was heard from Cuban double agents who infiltrated terrorist organizations. Enoel Salas Santos, recruited by the CIA in 1961, told the court how he participated in an armed infiltration into Cuba that left from the United States and how he was trained in CIA camps set up in Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic -- run by CIA officials. Many have also testified concerning the U.S.-supported pirate attacks against Cuban coastal installations, small towns with no military objectives and Cuban fishing boats, among other targets. Those attacks continued into this decade -- evidenced by testimony about an October 1992 pirate attack against the Melia Varadero Hotel -- for which the Miami-based terrorist group Comandos L claimed responsibility -- and the February 1996 attack against Varadero's Melia Las Americas Hotel. The Havana court proceedings against Washington entered their ninth day on Thursday, as judicial authorities continue gathering evidence of the U.S. government's responsibility in the death of 3479 Cubans and the wounding and disabling of 2099. Much of the testimony has been dramatic, voiced by those who lost legs and arms when they were young and those who lost loved ones. FOREIGN MINISTER FELIPE PEREZ ROQUE ENDS VISIT TO PANAMA Panama City, July 15(RHC)-- Cuban Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque wrapped up an official visit to Panama Wednesday morning. The Cuban foreign minister stated that his visit was an expression of the close ties between the two countries, as well as Cuba's support of the Torrijos-Carter Treaties -- returning the Panama Canal to Panamanian sovereignty. Perez Roque met with Panamanian President Ernesto Perez Balladares and President-elect Mireya Moscoso, who will be representing her country at the Iberoamerican Summit in Havana next November. He also awarded Panamanian Foreign Minister Jorge Eduardo Ritter with Cuba's Friendship Order, in recognition of his efforts to strengthen relations between Cuba and Panama. The Cuban foreign minister arrived in Panama following a two- day visit to Venezuela, which became his first trip abroad after his recent designation to the post. Perez Roque said it was no coincidence that his first diplomatic mission was to Venezuela. He spoke of Cuba's admiration of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez's struggle for social justice, adding that Venezuela is a key element in any regional integration drive. The Venezuelan government offered to provide Cuba with oil, which the Cuban foreign minister called "a noble gesture that the Cuban people will never forget." PRESIDENT OF U.S. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE WRAPS UP THREE-DAY VISIT TO CUBA Havana, July 15(RHC)-- The President of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Tom Donahue, wrapped up a three-day visit to Havana on Thursday, following an eight hour meeting with Cuban President Fidel Castro. Donahue dined with the Cuban leader Wednesday evening, with their private discussion ending at 3:30 in the morning. Shortly before departing, the U.S. business executive said that Fidel Castro has "a great deal of energy," and called the Cuban president "a realist." Donahue stated that his organization hopes to work with both Cuban government institutions and with the private sector. In an encounter earlier Wednesday evening with students and professors from the University of Havana's Economy and Law Schools, Donahue said that "the new millennium will hopefully bring a new dawn in U.S.-Cuba relations." He stated that he was impressed with the number of mixed enterprises and economic associations that Cuba has established with countries from around the world. He said his visit responds to an interest in finding more favorable arguments for a change in Washington's embargo policy. Donahue said that as a result of his visit, he knows Cuba much better than before. He asked that if the U.S. can sign agreements with China and Vietnam, why not with Cuba? And he emphasized that his organization is "respectfully in total disagreement with those who favor Cuba's isolation." This is the first visit to Cuba of the head of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in 40 years. Donahue's organization was instrumental in the formation of the broad-based coalition "Americans For Humanitarian Trade With Cuba." CUBA CHARGES IMMIGRANT TRAFFICKERS FROM THE UNITED STATES Havana, July 15(RHC)-- The Cuban government has announced that two traffickers of illegal immigrants -- with residence in the United States -- will be brought to trial in Cuba. The activities of Joel Dorta Garcia and David Garcia Capote led to drowning death of one Cuban citizen and placed the lives of five children and several adults in jeopardy. The Cuban government announced that even as Havana continues discussing the manner in which the traffickers should be brought to justice, the seriousness of the events has led Cuban authorities to decide on a trial in Cuba. On numerous occasions since last January, Havana has offered to turn over to Washington immigrant traffickers from the United States arrested by Cuban authorities -- but, thus far, has received no response. Cuba has also repeatedly denounced how U.S. legislation, called the "Cuba Adjustment Act," actually encourages illegal immigration. Under the legislation, any Cuban who reaches U.S. shores is automatically granted asylum. The two U.S. residents -- along with one Cuban citizen who collaborated with the immigrant traffickers -- will be tried based on the Cuban National Assembly's new penal code adopted in February, which includes stiff sentences for this type of crime. Cuba reported that another 26 U.S. residents were arrested before the penal code reform, while seven others were arrested after the new legislation was approved. CUBAN PARLIAMENT PRESIDENT ADDRESSES DELEGATES TO THE FIRST CHICANO-LATINO-CUBANO SEMINAR Havana, July 15(RHC)-- The President of Cuba's Parliament, Ricardo Alarcon, stated that Washington's continued aggressions against the island are being summarized in the historic lawsuit against the U.S. government, currently underway in a Havana court. The parliamentary leader met Wednesday with some 70 delegates to the First Chicano-Latino-Cubano Seminar which wraps up today in the Cuban capital. Alarcon told the participants that the claim of Cuban grassroots organizations against the U.S. government for human damages is based, in part, on Washington's own declassified documents, pointing out that the claims do not include material and economic damages inflicted by a nearly 40-year- old blockade imposed on the island. Historians, specialists, artists and political activists from Latino communities in the United States took part in the three-day academic event here in Havana. 8th CONTINGENT OF THE JUAN RIUS RIVERA BRIGADE ARRIVES IN HAVANA Havana, July 15(RHC)-- The 8th Contingent of the Juan Rius Rivera Brigade from Puerto Rico arrived Wednesday evening in Havana. The 85 members of the solidarity brigade are staying at the Julio Antonio Mella Camp on the outskirts of Havana. The Puerto Rican activists will join the 140 members of the 30th Venceremos Brigade from the U.S., which are expected to arrive on Monday, the 19th. The brigadistas will do voluntary work at the Habana Libre Sugar Mill located in Caimito, some 35 kilometers west of Havana. Accompanying the Juan Rius Rivera Brigade are 15 Puerto Rican children who will join Cuban kids in activities at summer programs. All of the brigadistas are scheduled to attend July 26th activities on the occasion of the 46th anniversary of the attack on the Moncada Garrison in eastern Santiago de Cuba. A member of the Puerto Rican brigade told reporters that the objective of the trip is to express solidarity with the Cuban people, who have continually shown support for the Puerto Rican struggle. Milagro Rivera said that one example of Cuba's solidarity with Puerto Rico was the recently-approved resolution at the UN Decolonialization Committee --sponsored by Havana -- which demands independence and self-determination for the Puerto Rican people. HAVANA HISTORIAN EUSEBIO LEAL AWARDED THE LEGION OF HONOR ON THE 210th ANNIVERSARY OF THE FRENCH REVOLUTION Havana, July 15(RHC)-- Havana Historian Eusebio Leal has been awarded the Legion of Honor on the occasion of the 210th anniversary of the French Revolution. During a ceremony Wednesday evening, French Ambassador to Cuba, Yvon Roe D'Albert, explained that the award was created by Napoleon Bonapart to honor the world's most outstanding personalities. D'Albert said it was given to Eusebio Leal for his efforts to promote culture and his work to restore Old Havana. After thanking the French government and people for such a high distinction, the Havana historian outlined the impact of the French Revolution in 1789 and its influence in the Americas, especially Cuba. CUBAN GOVERNMENT INCREASES SOCIAL SECURITY BUDGET Sancti Spiritus, July 15(RHC)-- The Cuban government has increased its social security budget by more than 70 million pesos compared to 1998. Salvador Valdez, Minister of Labor and Social Security, pointed out that the increase responds to 73,000 new pensioners for 1999, added to the one million 400,000 social security recipients in Cuba. 167 million pesos are earmarked for social assistance to nearly 130,000 elderly, as well as single mothers and special cases. In addition, 15 million pesos will be used to pay the wages of workers from factories closed due to the island's economic crisis and Washington's tightened economic blockade. Valdez added that while many countries cut social security, Cuba continues to increase social security benefits to its people despite economic limitations and difficulties. [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 rhc-eng-28062 1999-Jul-15 21:11:19