Radio Havana Cuba, Friday, March 26, 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, March 26, 1999. Today's stories: 1.- CUBA DENOUNCES BRUTAL ATTACKS AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA 2.- CUBA CALLS ON UN PEACEKEEPING FORCES TO RESPECT NATIONAL SOVEREIGNTY 3.- HEALTH CARE PRIORITIZED DESPITE WASHINGTON'S BLOCKADE AGAINST THE ISLAND AND OTHER LIMITATIONS 4.- AFRICA'S SOLIDARITY WITH CUBA CONTINUES TO GROW 5.- AIDS VICTIMS REMEMBERED IN SANCTI SPIRITUS CUBA DENOUNCES BRUTAL ATTACKS AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA Geneva, March 26(RHC)-- Cuba has once again denounced the brutal attacks against Yugoslavia, carried out by the United States and its NATO allies. During the on-going session of the UN Human Rights Commission in Geneva, Juan Antonio Fernandez, a member of the Cuban delegation before the Commission, called for an immediate halt to the bombings. The Cuban delegate to the UN Human Rights Commission asked how the use of weapons of mass extermination can be justified to save lives. Pointing out that the bombs and missiles exploding over Yugoslavia are the same that have fallen on Kabul, Tripoli and Baghdad, Fernandez said that while the weapons are considered to be `intelligent,' they are actually blind and cannot distinguish between military troops or civilians, Serbs or Kosovics, men, women or newborn babies. "Cuba -- small, poor and also brutally attacked, slandered and blockaded -- calls for an immediate end to the aggression. Cuba also demands that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia be respected and calls for the resumption of negotiations to find a peaceful solution to the conflict." The Cuban representative to the 55th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Commission in Geneva said that the people of Yugoslavia "deserve a true peace and not a peace which is imposed and manipulated by foreign pressure." CUBA CALLS ON UN PEACEKEEPING FORCES TO RESPECT NATIONAL SOVEREIGNTY New York, March 26(RHC)-- Cuba has called on United Nations Peacekeeping Forces to stay strictly within their mandate -- including respect for national sovereignty and non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries. During a session of the Special UN Committee on Peacekeeping Forces, held Thursday at UN headquarters in New York City, Cuba's ambassador to the world body, Rafael Dausa, stated that the so-called "blue helmets" -- deployed in numerous countries around the world -- must act in accordance with the United Nations Charter. Cuba's representative before the UN said that such peacekeeping troops should be carefully selected and must respect the territorial integrity and political independence of countries where they are deployed. Dausa added that the use of UN peacekeeping forces should not be considered as a solution to conflicts, nor should they be used as a substitute for negotiations or other ways to avoid potential conflicts. HEALTH CARE PRIORITIZED DESPITE WASHINGTON'S BLOCKADE AGAINST THE ISLAND AND OTHER LIMITATIONS Havana, March 26(RHC)-- Despite financial limitations and Washington's cruel economic blockade against Cuba -- a major obstacle for the island to purchase raw materials for medicine -- the workers at the March 8th Pharmaceutical Center, on the outskirts of Havana, guarantee the production of important medication for the country. This center, the only one that produces antibiotics on the island, supplies medicines to hospitals and local pharmacies -- saving the lives of hundreds of thousands of children and adults during the 18 years of its existence. The Director of the March 8th Pharmacy, Juan Luis Zamora, told reporters that the island is saving a considerable amount of hard currency by producing 17 types of antibiotics, all of which were previously imported. For example, Dr. Zamora said that most of the medication that is produced in Cuba takes time to distribute due to the delay in the arrival of raw materials. He explained that is why the island cannot produce the amount it needs. The head of the pharmaceutical center affirmed that thanks to the efforts of the Cuban government, there is not one single children's or adult's hospital ward on the island left without medication to save their lives. AFRICA'S SOLIDARITY WITH CUBA CONTINUES TO GROW Havana, March 26(RHC)-- The Vice President of Cuba's Institute of Friendship with the Peoples (ICAP), Eva Seoane, told journalists in the Cuban capital that Africa's solidarity with the island continues to grow. Seoane pointed out that solidarity with the Cuban people is a principle that unites the international community to Africa's call, setting aside philosophical, religious or political differences. She added that the U.S. disinformation campaign against the Cuban Revolution has never fooled the African people or governments, who have always respected Cuba's independence and sovereignty. The vice president of ICAP stressed that sister nations in Africa are grateful for Cuba's support in the struggle against colonialism and apartheid. The Cuban official said that there are 71 organizations and seven affiliates in solidarity with Cuba located in 39 African countries, all with the full support of their governments. She recalled the recent visit of Cuban President Fidel Castro to South Africa and the warm reception he received by the solidarity movement in that African nation. AIDS VICTIMS REMEMBERED IN SANCTI SPIRITUS Sancti Spiritus, March 26(RHC)-- Victims of the AIDS virus were remembered on Friday in central Cuban city of Sancti Spiritus. "Memories" is the name of a project which is currently touring the island through April 5th. During a solemn ceremony, 15 quilts that include photographs, personal objects and quotes from more than 500 people that have died of AIDS in Cuba were displayed. Young speakers, some suffering from the HIV virus, called for more international research to stop the disease. Dr. Alina Hernandez, General Coordinator of the AIDS Prevention Group, underlined the importance of health education in the fight against AIDS. One of the worst health problems in today's world, more than 30 million people have AIDS. Since 1985, Cuba has reported some 2000 AIDS cases, mainly among young males.  [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-11743 1999-Mar-26 19:00:35