Radio Havana cuba, July 16,1999 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 Friday, July 16, 1999. Today's stories: 1.- CUBAN GOVERNMENT CONDEMNS SUPPORT OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION BY REACTIONARY CUBAN-AMERICANS AND U.S. CONGRESS 2.- U.S. AUTHORITIES THREATEN TRAFFICKERS OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS WITH STIFF PRISON SENTENCES 3.- DAY TEN OF HAVANA TRIAL AGAINST UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT FOR 40 YEARS OF AGGRESSIONS AGAINST CUBA 4.- U.S. PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON SUSPENDS TITLE THREE OF ANTI-CUBA HELMS-BURTON LAW... AGAIN 5.- FIRST CHICANO-LATINO-CUBANO SEMINAR WINDS UP IN HAVANA 6.- CUBAN AND VIETNAMESE COMPANIES SIGN AGREEMENT FOR RICE IMPORTS 7.- GENERAL DIRECTOR OF THE UNITED NATIONS INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION ARRIVES IN HAVANA ON SATURDAY 8.- FIRST IBEROAMERICAN CONGRESS ON ARCHITECTURAL AND ENGINEERING EDUCATION CONCLUDES IN HAVANA 9.- PABLO MILANES IN PUERTO RICO CUBAN GOVERNMENT CONDEMNS SUPPORT OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION BY REACTIONARY CUBAN-AMERICANS AND U.S. CONGRESS Havana, July 16(RHC)-- The Cuban government has denounced the encouragement of illegal immigration by reactionary Cuban- Americans in Florida and in the U.S. Congress. In response to recent, tragic incidents sparked by Florida residents trafficking illegal Cuban immigrants, an extensive editorial in Friday's edition of the Cuban newspaper Granma recalls that illegal departures from the island have been encouraged since the triumph of the Cuban Revolution. Before the Revolution, states the editorial, the U.S. government gave few visas to Cuban citizens and few were willing to risk illegal immigration. But during the first days following the 1959 triumph over the Batista dictatorship, thousands of the former regime's torturers, assassins, thieves who stole the national treasury, large landowners and other sectors of the bourgeoisie travelled to the United States without facing any obstacles. Shortly afterwards, however, U.S. authorities again suspended the granting of visas, giving rise to illegal immigration. The editorial points out that despite the tens of millions of Third World residents who immigrate to industrialized countries for economic reasons, only Cuban immigrants are called exiles. And all they have to do is express their opposition to Cuba's Communist system -- a type of "open sesame". The editorial recalls that during the administration of U.S. President Ronald Reagan, an accord was signed normalizing this situation, in which U.S. authorities agreed to grant 20,000 visas a year to Cubans wishing to reside in that country. Washington, however, did not comply -- granting only two or three thousand and sometimes less than 1000 a year. The collapse of the Soviet Union and eastern European socialist camp -- which meant the loss of 85 percent of Cuba's foreign trade -- the tightening of Washington's blockade against Cuba and the thousands of hours of transmissions by anti-Cuba radio stations in the U.S., encouraging illegal departures, led to what is known as the `rafters crisis' in 1994. The editorial in this morning's Granma also recalls that this crisis led to intense negotiations with Washington that resulted in the 1994 and 1995 U.S.-Cuba immigration accords. Both sides have complied with the agreements, allowing the granting of U.S. visas to 20,000 Cubans a year -- despite the continued existence of the U.S. Cuba Adjustment Act, which grants automatic residence to any Cuban who touches U.S. territory. This situation, states the editorial, was unbearable for the minority, extreme right-wing Cuban-American residents in the U.S. who are anxious to see a conflict between Washington and Havana. Thus, the conspiracy whose latest tragedy occurred when a U.S. Coast Guard cutter collided with the vessel of immigrant traffickers, causing the drowning death of a Cuban woman. The ultra right-wing in Miami and in the U.S. Congress believe that the elimination of the U.S.-Cuba migratory accords -- together with tightening Washington's blockade of Cuba -- would lead Cubans to massively attempt to enter U.S. territory and, in that way, spark a conflict between Cuba and the United States. The Cuban government, however, will continue to comply with the accords and will soon bring to trial two U.S. residents recently accused of immigrant trafficking in an incident in which one person drowned and the lives of five children were at risk. The Cuban government has insisted that despite Washington's economic war against the island and despite the Cuba Adjustment Act that grants impunity to those who violate Cuban and U.S. law, the conspiracy against Cuba will not prevail. The Cuban government's response, states the editorial, will be effective, intelligent and sensible. U.S. AUTHORITIES THREATEN TRAFFICKERS OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS WITH STIFF PRISON SENTENCES Washington, July 16(RHC)-- U.S. authorities have threatened traffickers of illegal immigrants with stiff prison sentences. The U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service, the INS, said today that in their desire for profit, the traffickers of human beings are not concerned about placing the lives of the illegal immigrants in danger. INS spokesman Dan Kane charged that the traffickers advise their clients to resist arrest by the U.S. Coast Guard if they are intercepted in waters off the coasts of Florida. According to Kane, illegal Cuban immigration has risen significantly since last October, with 1700 undocumented Cubans arrested, compared to the 615 arrests during the same period in fiscal 1998. The INS spokesman said federal authorities have assigned more personnel and earmarked more resources for the state of Florida in an effort to stop the immigrant trafficking. He also advised would-be illegal Cuban immigrants to patiently request a visa at the U.S. Interests Section in Havana instead of risking their and their loved ones' lives. The INS statement came as another 56 undocumented Cubans arrived on the beaches of Florida Friday morning in three groups. Coast Guard spokesman Dan Geohegan said two of the cases are obviously the result of immigrant contraband, while the third is being investigated. DAY TEN OF HAVANA TRIAL AGAINST UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT FOR 40 YEARS OF AGGRESSIONS AGAINST CUBA Havana, July 16(RHC)-- During the tenth day of the Havana trial against the U.S. government for 40 years of aggressions against Cuba, evidence was presented demonstrating how radio stations controlled by the U.S. government have encouraged illegal immigration from Cuba. The exhibits included a documentary film on the reception received by the hijacker of a vessel who committed murder in order to reach U.S. territory. More evidence was also produced concerning the 1976 terrorist bomb attack against a Cubana airliner taking off from Barbados, killing all 73 passengers aboard. The court was presented with the book entitled "We Placed the Bomb, So What?," written by Venezuelan journalist Alicia Herrera. The book is based on statements to journalists by the terrorists who carried out the action -- Orlando Bosch, Luis Posada Carriles, Freddy Lugo and Hernan Ricardo -- during their brief stay in a Venezuelan prison. All four were admittedly recruited by the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency. Cuban Brigadier General Leonardo Andollo testified today that Cuba's defense budget and the loss of life and limb by members of the armed forces involved in military maneuvers and training exercises also forms part of the island's claim against Washington. Andollo stated that the immense resources Cuba has had to earmark for its defense -- in the face of constant aggressions and an ever-present threat of intervention during the past 40 years -- could have been allocated for the country's development and well-being. U.S. PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON SUSPENDS TITLE THREE OF ANTI-CUBA HELMS-BURTON LAW... AGAIN Washington, July 16(RHC)-- U.S. President Bill Clinton has once again suspended implementation of Title Three of the anti-Cuba Helms-Burton Law -- as he has done every six months for the past three years. Title Three would allow legal actions in U.S. courts against firms in third countries doing business with U.S. properties nationalized by the Cuban Revolution. According to the section of the law -- once implemented -- legal claims could also be entered by naturalized U.S. citizens who were Cuban citizens when the Batista dictatorship was overthrown. Critics of Clinton's Cuba policy have pointed out that Title Three would flood the U.S. judicial system, allowing for hundreds of thousands of court claims. They also point out that the legal actions would make it more difficult for the nearly 2000 claims already pending, which Cuba recognizes. Havana has always insisted that it is willing to negotiate compensation for those demands, but Washington's blockade against Cuba doesn't allow them to strike a deal with Cuban authorities. FIRST CHICANO-LATINO-CUBANO SEMINAR WINDS UP IN HAVANA Havana, July 16(RHC)-- The First Chicano-Latino-Cubano Seminar wound up in Havana last night, following an extensive exchange of experiences on life in Cuba and the situation of Latino communities in the United States. The General Coordinator of the event, Jorge Hernandez, stressed that the main objective of the meeting was to begin the first steps towards a political, economic, cultural and academic dialogue, adding that it was necessary to learn about the Cuban people's struggle in the face of Washington's aggressive policies. The seminar was attended by historians, artists, students and religious activists from a number of U.S. universities. Participants also visited historic and socio-economic places of interest on the island. The group met with Cuban Parliament President Ricardo Alarcon, who spoke about Cuba-U.S. issues and explained the island's lawsuit against Washington for 40 years of human damages against the Cuban people. CUBAN AND VIETNAMESE COMPANIES SIGN AGREEMENT FOR RICE IMPORTS Hanoi, July 16(RHC)-- The Vietnamese firm VINOFOOD-1 and the Cuban food importing company ALIMPORT have signed an agreement for Cuba to import 50,000 tons of rice this year at preferential prices. According to a report from the Vietnamese News Agency (VNA), the two companies also signed a memorandum to negotiate rice supplies from Vietnam to Cuba during the period 2002-2003. Cuba has received important rice donations from Vietnam in recent years. In addition, Vietnamese specialists are currently visiting the island's provinces to explore available conditions to increase rice production in Cuba. GENERAL DIRECTOR OF THE UNITED NATIONS INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION ARRIVES IN HAVANA ON SATURDAY Havana, July 16(RHC)-- The General Director of the UN Industrial Development Organization, Carlos Alfredo Magarenos, is scheduled to arrive in Havana tomorrow, Saturday, to begin a working visit. During his stay in Cuba, the UN official will meet with the Minister of Science, Technology and Environment, Rosa Elena Simeon, and with Cuban Minister of Foreign Investment and Economic Cooperation Ibrahim Ferradaz. The Cuban Foreign Investment and Economic Cooperation Ministry and the UN official will sign a support program which includes four main working areas: United Nations support of industrial, energy and agro-industrial efficiency, including the areas of textile production and tourism. FIRST IBEROAMERICAN CONGRESS ON ARCHITECTURAL AND ENGINEERING EDUCATION CONCLUDES IN HAVANA Havana, July 16(RHC)-- The First Iberoamerican Congress on Architectural and Engineering Education has wound up in Havana. Some 160 specialists from 15 countries analyzed different training methods of architects and engineers for the 21st century. The President and Vice President of the Cuban National Union of Architects and Engineers, Norma Diaz and Hugo Wainshtok, respectively, said that renowned national and foreign personalities offered lectures and presentations. Participants said the Iberoamerican conference helped share knowledge on the current tendencies regarding the training of professionals and the challenges of new technologies. PABLO MILANES IN PUERTO RICO San Juan, July 16(RHC)-- Cuban singer-songwriter Pablo Milanes will perform Saturday night at the Fine Arts Center in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The concert will include songs from his latest CDs entitled "Despertar" and "Vengo Naciendo," as well as his other classics. Upon his arrival in San Juan, the Cuban singer said that he is in good health, despite a series of operations on his knees in recent years. Pablo Milanes also announced the production of a new CD entitled "Dias de Glorias" and upcoming concert appearances in Spain, Argentina and Italy. [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-8274 1999-Jul-16 22:07:24