Radio Havana Cuba, 10 March 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 Forwarded message: From nyt@aries.blythe.org Sat Mar 13 02:24:34 1999 From: nyt@aries.blythe.org Message-Id: <199903130720.CAA00681@aries.blythe.org> Subject: Radio Havana Cuba, 10 March 1999 To: nyt@blythe.org Date: Sat, 13 Mar 1999 02:20:34 -0500 (EST) Content-Type: text The following items are taken from Radio Havana Cuba's news service for Wednesday, March 10, 1999. Today's stories: 1.- CUBAN PRESIDENT FIDEL CASTRO AWARDS VISITING GRENADIAN PRIME MINISTER KEITH MITCHELL WITH JOSE MARTI ORDER 2.- TRIAL OF SALVADORAN CHARGED WITH TERRORISM CONTINUES FOR THIRD DAY 3.- PRESIDENT OF NIGER IBRAHIM MAINASSARA ARRIVES IN HAVANA 4.- CUBA AND GUATEMALA HOLD FIRST MEETING OF MIXED COMMISSION 5.- U.S. HURRICANE EXPERTS TO VISIT CUBA 6.- JAMAICAN TOUR COMPANY SANDALS PLANS TO EXPAND BUSINESS IN CUBA 7.- IRAQI PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION VISITS CUBA 8.- SOLIDARITY ASSOCIATIONS FROM CANADA AND SPAIN SEND HUMANITARIAN AID TO CUBA 9.- SPANISH NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION DONATES 10,000 BOOKS TO CUBA'S EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM 10- ECUADORAN PAINTER OSWALDO GUAYASAMIN DIES AT AGE 79 CUBAN PRESIDENT FIDEL CASTRO AWARDS VISITING GRENADIAN PRIME MINISTER KEITH MITCHELL WITH JOSE MARTI ORDER Havana, March 10(RHC)-- Cuban President Fidel Castro has awarded visiting Grenadian Prime Minister Keith Mitchell with the Jose Marti Order -- the highest distinction granted by the Cuban government. In a ceremony Tuesday evening at Havana's Palace of the Revolution, Fidel Castro said the distinction is in recognition of the Grenadian prime minister's persistent battle in the international arena against Washington's blockade against Cuba and his noteworthy contribution to the enhancing of relations between member states of the Caribbean Basin. The leader of the Cuban Revolution thanked Prime Minister Mitchell for a 52,000 dollar donation, saying that it will be used for bone-marrow transplants for several Cuban children. The Cuban president recalled the expressions of solidarity and friendship that he received during his visit to Grenada last year as well as the emotion he felt when dedicating a commemorative plaque at Grenada's international airport, honoring Cuba's contribution to the construction of that important facility. Fidel Castro also expressed Cuba's support for the Caribbean nations affected by the `banana war' between the United States and the European Union, due to what he called Washington's "selfish demands." For his part, the Grenadian prime minister also mentioned Cuba's contribution to the construction of his country's international airport, stressing that the facility has been key in the growth of Grenada's tourism sector. He also thanked Cuba for the training of Grenadian professionals in Cuban universities, as well as Cuba's construction of a new wing at St. George's public hospital. The visiting dignitary said that the strong ties between Cuba and Grenada "have been forged by blood, sweat and tears." TRIAL OF SALVADORAN CHARGED WITH TERRORISM CONTINUES FOR THIRD DAY Havana, March 10(RHC)-- More witnesses for the prosecution testified Wednesday during the third day of the trial against Salvadoran citizen Raul Ernesto Cruz Leon, charged with six counts of terrorism against tourist facilities in the Cuban capital. Testimony today revealed how a 13 year-old boy from Spain prevented people from being injured or possibly killed by the bomb that exploded at the Hotel Triton. Cuban tour guide Ania Gonzalez said that had it not been for Antonio Pantoja, she would not be alive today. The young boy saw a man leave a package near his group, which included his two little sisters, and told the tour guide that the man seemed nervous. Gonzalez called hotel security and the lobby was evacuated just before the bomb went off. Cuban prosecutors have insisted that Cruz Leon placed the bombs without any regard of possible injuries or the death of innocent people, including children. On Tuesday, judicial authorities read a statement from the father of the Italian tourist -- Fabio Di Celmo -- who was killed by one of the bomb explosions. Justino Di Clemo, who has not been able to attend court proceedings, blamed the death of his son on the United States government and what he called the "counterrevolutionary mafia in Miami." After stating that he fought against fascism during World War II, the victim's father said he will continue supporting Cuba and the increase of tourism on the island. A Cuban worker at the Hotel Capri, one of the hotels bombed by Cruz Leon, was among the witnesses for the prosecution on Tuesday. Ileana Carmejo testified that on the day of the explosion, she had taken her young daughter to a children's party organized by her work center -- stating that there were more than 100 other children present. The manager of a popular restaurant in Old Havana, the Bodeguita del Medio, stated that the establishment is located on a narrow street and is usually crowded. Osvaldo Enriquez added that, fortunately, it was not very busy the night a bomb went off -- on September 4, 1997. If it had been crowded, he said, the result would have been disastrous. A Cuban worker at the Hotel Nacional testified that Cruz Leon sat next to her and placed the bomb nearby. Marisol Bizosa told the court that the accused stood up, asked her for directions to an art gallery and hurried away. She said that the bomb exploded about five minutes later, injuring her and several hotel guests. She now has a permanent scar on her face and suffers a moderate hearing loss due to the blast which shattered her eardrum. The attorney designated by the accused, Daniel Rippes Alfonso, told reporters that the defense is attempting to highlight Cruz Leon's repentance for his actions and the fact that he has fully cooperated with authorities. Cuban psychiatrists have testified that although the accused has traces of egocentrism, narcissism and aggressive behavior, he is totally responsible for and conscious of his actions. In comments to journalists late Tuesday evening, the mother of Raul Ernesto Cruz Leon, Esther Leon, said her son has received decent and humane treatment since his arrest and throughout the legal process. PRESIDENT OF NIGER IBRAHIM MAINASSARA ARRIVES IN HAVANA Havana, March 10(RHC)-- The President of Niger, Ibrahim Mainassara, began a five-day official visit to Cuba on Wednesday at the invitation of Cuban President Fidel Castro. The African dignitary was a career military officer when he launched a bloodless coup in his country in 1996 that had widespread popular support. Six months later, his mandate was backed by popular elections, and shortly afterwards a national referendum approved constitutional reforms. President Mainassara Bare said the coup was necessary to prevent a possible civil war in a highly diverse multi- ethnic country in which the previous president and prime minister belonged to rival parties. He said peace was essential in a country comprised of the Hausa, Songhai, Peul and Tuareg ethnic groups, and with common borders with Algeria, Libya, Mali, Chad, Burkina Faso, Benin and Nigeria. Niger is a landlocked country with four-fifths of its territory covered by desert. Cuba and Niger signed important bilateral accords in March 1997, during the two countries' first mixed commission gathering. CUBA AND GUATEMALA HOLD FIRST MEETING OF MIXED COMMISSION Guatemala City, March 10(RHC)-- The first meeting of the Mixed Commission on Development Cooperation between Cuba and Guatemala was held Tuesday in Guatemala City. During the session, an agreement was signed by representatives of both countries -- Guatemalan Under Secretary for International Cooperation, Rossana Hegel, and Cuban Deputy Minister for Foreign Investment and Economic Cooperation, Raul Taladrid. The officials also examined bilateral cooperation in the area of health. Guatemalan representatives thanked the Cuban people and government for the aid received after Hurricane Mitch devastated Central America last year. There are currently a number of Cuban medical teams working in Guatemala to help strengthen the health care system of the country. The meeting set up the basis to develop cooperation in the areas of education, science, technology, environment, agriculture, transportation, construction, sports, culture and tourism. The two sides also agreed on the possibility of signing new agreements concerning civil aeronautics, sea transportation and justice. The Cuban deputy minister met with representatives of the Secretary's Office of Economy to talk about the future signing of an agreement to protect investments. Taladrid also met with the Ministers of Agriculture and Energy and Mines, as well as with the Guatemalan deputy minister of foreign affairs and business people from various sectors of the economy. Relations between Cuba and Guatemala increased after the resumption of diplomatic ties last year. U.S. HURRICANE EXPERTS TO VISIT CUBA Miami, March 10(RHC)-- The United States National Hurricane Center announced Tuesday that a group of experts will visit Cuba later this month to hold their first formal meeting with Cuban meteorologists. Frank Lepore, from the Public Relations Department of the U.S. National Hurricane Center, told reporters that the group will be made up of three meteorologists. He stated that they will travel to Havana on March 17th to meet with Cuban weather experts. JAMAICAN TOUR COMPANY SANDALS PLANS TO EXPAND BUSINESS IN CUBA Havana, March 10(RHC)-- The Jamaican hotel group Sandals and Cuba's Cubanacan Corporation will open a new five-star joint venture hotel at Cuba's Varadero beach resort in the next two years. According to the Beaches Varadero Hotel's Resident Manager Rene Garcia, the five-star deluxe facility currently under construction at the famous beach resort is part of several expansion projects which Sandals and Cubanacan will work on over the next three years. Sandals' expansion in Cuba include facilities at Varadero, Cayo Coco key off the northern coast of Ciego de Avila and construction projects in eastern Holguin province. Earlier this month, Sandals began operating a 350 room Cubanacan property at Varadero beach resort, reporting a very high occupancy rate. Sandals is a leading hotel company in Jamaica with nearly 20 years of experience and 15 properties on several Caribbean islands. IRAQI PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION VISITS CUBA Havana, March 10(RHC)-- The President of the Iraqi National Assembly, Sadoom Hammati, met on Tuesday with Jose Ramon Balaguer, member of the Cuban Communist Party's Central Committee. Both dignitaries expressed satisfaction with the meeting, and took the opportunity to underscore the traditional ties of friendship that unite the peoples of Cuba and Iraq. Sadoom Hammati arrived in Havana on Sunday at the head of a delegation made up of lawmakers from the Arab nation. The aim of the visit is to enhance bilateral cooperation and trade relations between Iraq and Cuba. The Iraqi delegation's packed agenda on the island includes meetings with high-ranking Cuban government officials and visits to centers of economic, scientific and historic interest. SOLIDARITY ASSOCIATIONS FROM CANADA AND SPAIN SEND HUMANITARIAN AID TO CUBA Guantanamo, March 10(RHC)-- Cuba solidarity associations from Spain and Canada have sent a donation consisting of ten tons of shoes and clothing for the people of eastern Guantanamo province -- hardest hit by Hurricane Georges last September. The cargo has already arrived at Santiago de Cuba's port and includes medical supplies and other materials. The donation was sent by the Spanish solidarity with Cuba group Los Lirios and the Canadian Nova Scotia-Cuba Association. SPANISH NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION DONATES 10,000 BOOKS TO CUBA'S EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM Madrid, March 10(RHC)-- The Spanish humanitarian organization "Solidarios para el Desarrollo" or "United for Development" has donated two libraries -- with 5000 books each -- to teacher training schools located in central Santa Clara and eastern Holguin provinces. Solidarios para el Desarrollo is a non-governmental organization and the donation was made as part of a book drive undertaken by the organization a year ago. The two new libraries include books of poetry, novels, essays, encyclopedias and specialized texts. Within the context of the book program, the Spanish NGO is planning to provide books for the three main teacher training schools on the island, where thousands of new teachers graduate every year. United for Development has also made important contributions to special schools for blind children in Cuba. In addition, the Spanish NGO will donate some 380 kilograms of medicines and other medical supplies to the Gibara General Hospital, located in eastern Holguin province. The donation will be channeled through a program which has already sent more than 15,000 kilograms of medicines to a number of hospitals in Cuba. ECUADORAN PAINTER OSWALDO GUAYASAMIN DIES AT AGE 79 Havana, March 10(RHC)-- Cuban artists and intellectuals expressed sadness upon learning of the death of Ecuadoran painter Oswaldo Guayasamin. The internationally-known artist died on Wednesday at the age of 79 in the U.S. city of Baltimore, where he had planned to have an eye operation. The Director of Havana's Casa de las Americas, Roberto Fernandez Retamar, told reporters that Oswaldo Guayasamin was a true friend of Cuba, adding that "the entire American continent is in mourning." Anubis Galadis, a renowned Cuban cultural critic, told reporters that Guayasamin died before seeing one of his dearest dreams come true: "The Chapel of Man," a project on which he was still working. According to Galadis, the painter was inspired by the massacres of the conquest, slavery and the colonization of Latin America. International organizations have also expressed their sorrow. The Regional Office of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) in Bogota released a statement saying that Oswaldo Guayasamin was a person "truly concerned about the well-being of children around the world." [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-17035 1999-Mar-13 02:28:33