Radio Havana Cuba, Monday, March 29, 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 Monday, March 29, 1999. Today's stories: 1.- BALTIMORE ORIOLES DEFEAT CUBAN NATIONAL BASEBALL TEAM IN EXTRA-INNINGS 2.- CUBAN PRESIDENT OFFERS RECEPTION FOR THE BALTIMORE ORIOLES AND CUBA'S NATIONAL TEAM 3.- U.S. AND CUBAN MUSICIANS OFFER CONCERT AT HAVANA'S KARL MARX THEATER 4.- HAITIAN FOREIGN MINISTER EXPRESSES SATISFACTION WITH WORK OF CUBAN DOCTORS 5.- CUBA AND BRAZIL DISCUSS BILATERAL RELATIONS 6.- UNION LEADERS OF THE IRISH REPUBLIC AND NORTHERN IRELAND SCHEDULED TO VISIT CUBA BALTIMORE ORIOLES DEFEAT CUBAN NATIONAL BASEBALL TEAM IN EXTRA-INNINGS Havana, March 29(RHC)-- In what was a tight game that went into extra-innings, the Baltimore Orioles barely defeated the Cuban national team 3 to 2 at Havana's Latinoamericano Stadium yesterday. In the second inning, Baltimore's Charles Johnson hit a home run with a man on base, and then Cuban relief pitcher Jose Ariel Contreras struck out ten Orioles before being replaced by Pedro Luis Lazo, who was the losing pitcher. Baltimore's starting pitcher, Scott Erickson, had the Cuban team shut-out until the 7th inning. In the bottom of the 8th, Cuban star Omar Linares pushed in the tieing run. Baltimore's Harold Baines drove in the winning run in the 11th inning, ending the game 3 to 2. Baltimore got three runs, six hits and no errors -- the Cuban team ended with two runs, ten hits and no errors. CUBAN PRESIDENT OFFERS RECEPTION FOR THE BALTIMORE ORIOLES AND CUBA'S NATIONAL TEAM Havana, March 29(RHC)-- Cuban President Fidel Castro offered a reception for the players of both the Baltimore Orioles and Cuban team after the game on Sunday night. During the reception, which was held at the Council of State, the Cuban leader spoke to the players and expressed his satisfaction with what he called an excellent game. Among those on hand at the reception were U.S. Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig; Baltimore Orioles owner Peter Angelos; and Baltimore Mayor Kurt L. Schmoke. Owner Peter Angelos stated that the Orioles players were fascinated about the game. He said that the team did not know what to expect in Cuba, but now -- after experiencing the warmth and hospitality of the Cuban people -- they have all expressed their desire to return to the island. Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig said that the game was "a spectacular event" and praised the technical level of the Cuban baseball players, calling it "very impressive." Commissioner Selig said he was extremely proud of the sports-cultural exchange, adding that he is anxious to welcome the Cuban National Baseball team, scheduled to play in Baltimore next May 3rd. Also present at the reception was Cuba's Vice President of the Council of State, Jose Ramon Fernandez, and the President of the Cuban Sports Institute, Humberto Rodriguez. U.S. AND CUBAN MUSICIANS OFFER CONCERT AT HAVANA'S KARL MARX THEATER Havana March 29(RHC)-- Cuban and U.S. musicians offered a concert at Havana's Karl Marx Theater Sunday evening, as part of the Music Bridge Project, organized by U.S. composer Alan Roy Scott. The project is aimed at strengthening cultural ties between both nations. The exchange began early last week, with a four-day Composer's Workshop at Havana's National Hotel. Artists from Cuba and the U.S. came together to write jazz, rock, pop, trova, son and classical music. Peter Frampton, Gladys Knight, James Taylor and Bonnie Raitt were among the U.S. artists who took part in the workshop. Cuban musicians included Amaury Perez, Beatriz Marquez, Carlos Varela, Chucho Valdes, Cesar Portillo de la Luz, Jose Luis Cortes, Noel Nicola, Santiago Feliu, Isaac Delgado as well as the Van Van group, NG la Banda and Grupo Sintesis. HAITIAN FOREIGN MINISTER EXPRESSES SATISFACTION WITH WORK OF CUBAN DOCTORS Santo Domingo, March 29(RHC)-- Haitian Foreign Minister Fritz Longchamp, speaking with reporters in the Dominican Republic, said that his country is very satisfied with the work of Cuban doctors, providing medical assistance in that Caribbean country. Longchamp, who traveled to Santo Domingo to chair the Ministerial meeting of the Association of Caribbean States, noted that Cuban and Haitian experts are assessing the critical health situation in Haiti to determine the Cuban medical brigade's length of stay in the country. Longchamp thanked Cuba for granting scholarships to Haitian young people who are now studying medicine on the island. CUBA AND BRAZIL DISCUSS BILATERAL RELATIONS Havana, March 29(RHC)-- Cuba and Brazil are discussing how to increase bilateral relations towards the year 2000. Health, education and agriculture are the main focus of the talks. The meeting will also verify compliance with agreements reached during a previous encounter held in Brasilia in June 1997. At that time, the two sides signed a reciprocal investment protection and promotion agreement. One of the main accords agreed upon since the reestablishment of diplomatic relations in 1987 was signed last November between Brazil's oil company Petroleos Brasilenos S.A., PETROBRAS and the Cuban Oil Union. UNION LEADERS OF THE IRISH REPUBLIC AND NORTHERN IRELAND SCHEDULED TO VISIT CUBA Havana, March 29(RHC)-- Union leaders of the Irish Republic and Northern Ireland will visit Cuba from March 30th through April 8th. During their stay on the island, the trade unionists will meet with the leadership of the Confederation of Cuban Workers, the CTC, and with representatives of several union locals. The delegations from Dublin and Belfast will also tour the University of Havana, a primary school, two Havana cigar rolling factories and the famous Varadero beach resort. They are also scheduled to meet with leaders of the Federation of Cuban Women, the FMC, and visit several houses of orientation for women and the family, sponsored by the FMC.  [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-11676 1999-Mar-29 17:29:39