Radio Havana Cuba, Wednesday, March 31, 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 31, 1999. Today's stories: 1.- CUBAN MOVEMENT FOR PEACE AND SOVEREIGNTY STRONGLY CONDEMNS U.S. AND NATO ATTACKS AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA 2.- HAVANA EXPRESSES SUPPORT FOR WORLD CONFERENCE AGAINST RACISM 3.- VENEZUELA'S FIRST LADY ATTENDS BICENTENNIAL OF INDEPENDENCE LEADER SIMON BOLIVAR'S VISIT TO HAVANA 4.- CUBA EXPORTS 35 MILLION CIGARS SO FAR THIS YEAR 5.- PALESTINIANS IN CUBA CELEBRATE DAY OF PALESTINIAN LAND 6.- AUTHOR OF "DEMOCRACY IN CUBA AND THE 1997-98 ELECTIONS" CURRENTLY ON PROMOTIONAL TOUR OF CANADA 7.- SANTIAGO DE CUBA DEFEATS HAVANA'S INDUSTRIALES -- TIEING FINALS OF THE NATIONAL BASEBALL SERIES: TWO GAMES TO TWO CUBAN MOVEMENT FOR PEACE AND SOVEREIGNTY STRONGLY CONDEMNS U.S. AND NATO ATTACKS AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA Havana, March 31(RHC)-- The Cuban Movement for Peace and Sovereignty of the Peoples strongly condemns the U.S. and NATO attacks against Yugoslavia and emphasizes that "force will never resolve problems between nations." A communique issued in Havana by the Cuban organization denounces the brutal intervention of the United States and its NATO allies in the internal affairs of another country. The statement urges all non-governmental organizations to join together in condemning this new violation of international law. HAVANA EXPRESSES SUPPORT FOR WORLD CONFERENCE AGAINST RACISM Havana, March 31(RHC)-- Cuba has announced support for a World Conference Against Racism, scheduled to take place in the year 2001, and expressed concern over the increase of racial discrimination and xenophobia. Speaking before the 55th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Commission in Geneva on Tuesday, Cuban ambassador Carlos Amat said that racism is spreading at an alarming rate and is principally found in the developed countries of the North. Amat reiterated Cuba's support of the preparatory work for the conference against racism and recognized the important contribution of a group of African nations toward that international meeting. VENEZUELA'S FIRST LADY ATTENDS BICENTENNIAL OF INDEPENDENCE LEADER SIMON BOLIVAR'S VISIT TO HAVANA Havana, March 31(RHC)-- Venezuela's First Lady, Maria Isabel Rodriguez, is in Havana for bicentennial celebrations to commemorate the visit of Simon Bolivar to the Cuban capital. Speaking with reporters on Tuesday, the wife of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez pointed to the historic ties of friendship between her country and Cuba. During the commemorations, Havana's historian Eusebio Leal said that although it is not known if Bolivar actually stepped on Cuban soil, it is certain that he spent at least three days in Havana Bay aboard a ship. The bicentennial celebrations were held at the Plaza and House of Simon Bolivar in historic Old Havana. The cancellation of a first-day postal cover also took place, dedicated to the March 1799 visit of Venezuelan independence leader Simon Bolivar to Havana. CUBA EXPORTS 35 MILLION CIGARS SO FAR THIS YEAR Havana, March 31(RHC)-- The Vice President of the Habanos S.A. Corporation, Manuel Garcia, announced in Havana that the island has exported 35 million cigars during the first three months of 1999. Garcia stated that Cuba hopes to export a total of 200 million Habanos during 1999 -- which is 126 million cigars more than last year. The Cuban business executive added that from April 13th through the 15th, Havana will be the site of a marketing workshop, organized by the Habanos S.A. firm. The workshop will include a discussion on the challenges Cuba faces with the sale of high volumes of cigars over the coming years. PALESTINIANS IN CUBA CELEBRATE DAY OF PALESTINIAN LAND Havana, March 31(RHC)-- The Palestine National Authority's Ambassador to Cuba, Imad Yadaa, offered a news conference Tuesday in Havana on the occasion of the Day of Palestinian Land. The representative of the heroic Arab people said that the date, which was established in 1976, symbolizes the Palestinian people's decision to defend their land and self-determination. He stressed that the peace process has ground to a halt due to Israel's stubbornness in imposing unacceptable conditions with Washington's support. AUTHOR OF "DEMOCRACY IN CUBA AND THE 1997-98 ELECTIONS" CURRENTLY ON PROMOTIONAL TOUR OF CANADA Montreal, March 31(RHC)-- Arnold August, author of a new book entitled "Democracy in Cuba and the 1997-98 Elections," is on a promotional tour of eight eastern Canadian cities. The book presents examples of how democracy functions in Cuba and how radical transformations brought about in social and economic areas was a direct result of the type of democracy ushered in by the 1959 Cuban Revolution. The Canadian book tour includes radio talk show appearances, lectures at universities and signings in bookstores. On Monday, August was on Montreal's most popular radio talk show to answer questions about the book, published by the Havana-based Jose Marti Publishing House. The radio program, which lasted for a full hour, provoked diverse reactions among the audience. While some of the callers upheld the views presented by the Canadian author, others -- strongly influenced by media disinformation regarding Cuba -- called in to express their disagreement. According to August, his book seeks to shed light on the democratic process in Cuba and its effectiveness. He spent more than a year researching and monitoring the electoral process on the island. SANTIAGO DE CUBA DEFEATS HAVANA'S INDUSTRIALES -- TIEING THE FINALS OF THE NATIONAL BASEBALL SERIES: TWO GAMES TO TWO Santiago de Cuba, March 31(RHC)-- Eastern Santiago de Cuba defeated Havana's Industriales 7 to 2 during the fourth game of the finals of the National Baseball Series. With a packed Guillermon Moncada Stadium, Havana's Industriales scored two runs during the first inning, but were unable to score again during the entire game. Santiago de Cuba, which was losing the series two games to one, scored its first run in the 4th inning with an opposite field home run by Cuban star second baseman, Antonio Pacheco. Ariel Cutino followed with another home run with a man on base, putting Santiago on top in the 4th, 3 runs to 2. In the fifth inning, Santiago scored another three runs -- with a home run by cleanup-batter Orestes Kindelan. Santiago scored another run in the 8th and the game ended with Santiago scoring a total of 7 runs, 9 hits and 2 errors, while the Havana Industriales finished with 2 runs, 5 hits and no errors. The best of seven series is tied at two games each and the rivals will face off Wednesday night at Santiago's Guillermon Moncada Stadium.  [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-3879 1999-Mar-31 18:57:26