Radio Havana Cuba, Wednesday, March 24, 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 Wednesday, March 24, 1999. Today's stories: 1.- CUBA HAS THE RIGHT TO DEFEND ITSELF FROM U.S. AGGRESSION 2.- CUBAN PARLIAMENT PRESIDENT VISITS COLOMBIA 3.- PRESIDENT OF RUSSIA'S LOWER HOUSE PROMOTES STRONGER RELATIONS WITH CUBA 4.- PREPARATIONS FOR THE SECOND SUMMIT OF THE ASSOCIATION OF CARIBBEAN STATES 5.- FOURTH INTERNATIONAL ENCOUNTER FOR BALLET EDUCATION GETS UNDERWAY ON SUNDAY 6.- NEW PRESIDENT OF CUBA'S RADIO AND TELEVISION INSTITUTE NAMED 7.- CUBA'S NATIONAL BASEBALL PLAYOFFS CONTINUE CUBA HAS THE RIGHT TO DEFEND ITSELF FROM U.S. AGGRESSION Geneva, March 24(RHC)-- At the 55th session of the United Nations Human Rights Commission in Geneva on Wednesday, Cuban Vice President Carlos Lage reiterated Cuba's right "to defend itself from Washington's constant attacks against the island." During his speech delivered before the UN Commission, Lage denounced the terrorist activities of the Miami-based Cuban- American National Foundation. He said that in order to understand events in Cuba, one must recognize the exceptional conditions in which the Caribbean island must exist -- pointing out that "no nation in history has had to withstand the obstinate aggression of a powerful country over such a long period of time." The Cuban vice president stated that Cuba's recently approved Law for the Protection of National Independence and the Cuban Economy has been presented by those who have a monopoly on information as `an attack against the freedom of expression.' But, he continued, this legislation is "solely aimed at those attempting to destabilize the country, subvert internal order and crush the Cuban Revolution." In reference to the recent trial of four Cubans convicted of promoting sedition, Lage said that the close contacts of the accused with the U.S. Interests Section in Havana was amply demonstrated. The Cuban vice president said the U.N. Human Rights Commission should ask who authorized the U.S. government to appoint itself the life-long prosecuting attorney against Cuba. Lage asked who gave Washington permission to appoint itself judge of the world concerning human rights issues when that nation's human rights record leaves much to be desired. Mentioning the hundreds of thousands of homeless in the world's richest nation, the racism and the ever-widening gap between rich and poor, Lage pointed out that the U.S. government dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, launched numerous invasions of other countries, is responsible for the murder of four million Vietnamese, the dirty wars in Central America and the propping-up of brutal, genocidal military dictatorships. Referring to the anti-Cuba resolution presented before this year's session of the UN Commission, Cuban Vice President Carlos Lage said that it is not alleged human rights violations in Cuba that brings the Cuban delegation to Geneva, but rather what he called "Washington's pathological obsession towards Cuba" -- which, he added, "began in the early 19th century when the U.S. government began dreaming of annexing Cuba." CUBAN PARLIAMENT PRESIDENT VISITS COLOMBIA Bogota, March 24(RHC)-- The President of Cuba's Parliament, Ricardo Alarcon -- currently on an official visit to Colombia -- told reporters Tuesday in Bogota that "respect for Colombia's internal affairs is indispensable for successful peace talks" between the government and guerrilla forces. Alarcon reiterated Cuba's support of the peace process in Colombia, stressing that Havana's support is, in his words, "like that of someone who wishes the best for his brother." The President of the Cuban Parliament began his official visit to Bogota on Tuesday by meeting with government authorities, including his Colombian counterpart, Fabio Valencia. Ricardo Alarcon is also scheduled to meet with Colombian Foreign Minister Guillermo Fernandez de Soto and former presidential candidates Horacio Serpa and Noemi Sanin. Cuba and Colombia re-established diplomatic relations in October 1993 and Colombian President Andres Pastrana and Cuban President Fidel Castro have met personally in recent months to promote the peace process in that South American country. PRESIDENT OF RUSSIA'S LOWER HOUSE PROMOTES STRONGER RELATIONS WITH CUBA Havana, March 24(RHC)-- The President of Russia's Lower House -- known as the Duma -- Vitali Sevastianov, said that his country has much to gain from strengthening its relations with Cuba. In statements to reporters in Havana, Sevastianov said he regrets the temporary halt of traditional bilateral exchanges during the early 1990's. He said that in his opinion, Cuba has achieved social and scientific developments on its own, despite the limitations it has been subjected to. Members of the Russian parliamentary delegation which visited the island, led by Sevastianov, said that they will encourage the discussion of bilateral relations during the next session of the Duma. PREPARATIONS FOR THE SECOND SUMMIT OF THE ASSOCIATION OF CARIBBEAN STATES Havana, March 24(RHC)-- The preparations for the Second Summit of the Association of Caribbean States are now underway, according to Cuba's Foreign Ministry. Before leaving for the Dominican Republic, Foreign Ministry official Mercedes Vicente said that the first draft versions of the Political Declaration and Action Plan, which will be discussed during the meeting, are ready. The important regional event, scheduled for the 16th and 17th of April in the Dominican capital, is aimed at renewing political goals of the regional organization in important areas like tourism, trade and transportation. Other issues will be discussed during the meeting, such as the need for regional integration and ways to confront the growing challenges of globalization and the world economic crisis. The Association of Caribbean States is made up of 25 countries and 11 colonies still dependent on Britain, Holland and France. Recognized as the world's fourth largest economic block, the region has a potential market of over 200 million people, a combined Gross National Product of over 500 billion dollars and trade amounting to more than 180 billion dollars. FOURTH INTERNATIONAL ENCOUNTER FOR BALLET EDUCATION GETS UNDERWAY ON SUNDAY Havana, March 24(RHC)-- Havana will be the site of the 4th International Encounter for Ballet Education, scheduled to begin on Sunday with the participation of 160 ballerinas from 15 countries. The event is dedicated to Cuba's Prima Ballerina and founder of the island's National Ballet Company, Alicia Alonso. The objective of the encounter is to promote an exchange among the participants to help in the professional development of ballet on an international level. The meeting includes a series of galas which will take place between April 1st and 3rd at Havana's Grand Theater as well as the Mella Theater. NEW PRESIDENT OF CUBA'S RADIO AND TELEVISION INSTITUTE NAMED Havana, March 24(RHC)-- Cuba's Council of State has named Ernesto Lopez to be the next President of Cuba's Radio and Television Institute, ICRT. According to an article in Tuesday's edition of Granma newspaper, Enrique Roman Hernandez -- who has been ICRT's president for the last nine years -- will be replaced by Lopez, who has served as the radio and TV institute's first deputy vice president. CUBA'S NATIONAL BASEBALL PLAYOFFS CONTINUE Havana, March 24(RHC)-- Havana's Industriales team shutout the tough Isle of Youth team one to nothing Tuesday night -- tieing the series three games each in the island's national playoffs. The teams will face off again Wednesday night and the winner will go to the finals against Santiago de Cuba. Santiago's team beat Guantanamo two to nothing Tuesday afternoon -- winning the island's western division. Meanwhile, everything is set for Sunday's game between the Cuban national team and the Baltimore Orioles from the United States -- slated to take place at Havana's Latin American Stadium.  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