Radio Havana Cuba, Monday, May 10, 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, May 10, 1999. Today's stories: 1.- CUBAN EMBASSY IN BEIJING EXPRESSES SOLIDARITY WITH CHINA 2.- CUBAN PRESIDENT MEETS WITH PRESIDENT OF THE INTERNATIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 3.- U.S.-CUBA BUSINESS CONFERENCE TAKES PLACE NEXT WEEK IN CANCUN 4.- 54th ANNIVERSARY OF THE VICTORY OVER FASCISM 5.- RADIO REBELDE BEGINS BROADCASTING ON SHORTWAVE TO CENTRAL AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN 6.- RAUL CASTRO TOURS REGIONS AFFECTED BY SEVERE DROUGHT CUBAN EMBASSY IN BEIJING EXPRESSES SOLIDARITY WITH CHINA Beijing, May 10(RHC)-- Cuban diplomatic representatives in China have expressed their solidarity with the Chinese people, adding their voices to the protests against the U.S.-led NATO forces that attacked the Chinese embassy in Belgrade over the weekend. Thousands of protesters demonstrated in front of the U.S. embassy in Beijing to condemn the attack against its embassy in the Yugoslavian capital, which killed four people and injured more than 20 others, many in serious condition. CUBAN PRESIDENT MEETS WITH PRESIDENT OF THE INTERNATIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Havana, May 10(RHC)-- Cuban President Fidel Castro met with the President of the International Chamber of Commerce, Adnan Kassar, over the weekend. In statements to reporters just before ending his working-visit to the island, Kassar said that the Cuban leader is "a very interesting person who is quite knowledgeable about the most important problems affecting the world's economy." Adnan noted that Cuba would host the next International Chamber of Commerce meeting to take place in the year 2000. During his stay in Havana, the president of the International Chamber of Commerce also met with Cuban Vice President Carlos Lage as well as other government officials. U.S.-CUBA BUSINESS CONFERENCE TAKES PLACE NEXT WEEK IN CANCUN Havana, May 10(RHC)-- The Third U.S.-Cuba Business Conference is scheduled to take place on May 19th in Cancun, Mexico with the participation of U.S. business executives, foreign investors on the island and Cuban government officials. The two-day event is being sponsored by the British daily "The Financial Times" and the U.S. law firm Tatton-Boggs, based in Washington. The organizers are expecting the participation of important U.S. business representatives interested in the potential of the Cuban market. There are currently 360 joint venture associations operating on the island with foreign capital. Cuba's Parliament President Ricardo Alarcon is expected to attend as well as representatives from companies that have invested on the island like the Canadian Genoil Company in petroleum, MacDonald Mains in nickel, the Cuban Club in tourism and the Israeli BM and Miramar Trade Center. The participants at the Third U.S.-Cuba Business Conference will discuss the current and future prospects of the island's economy, foreign trade, priorities for foreign investment in Cuba and the organization of the financial and banking systems. 54th ANNIVERSARY OF THE VICTORY OVER FASCISM Havana, May 10(RHC)-- A floral wreath was placed at the Mausoleum of the Soviet Internationalist Soldier on Sunday in Havana on the occasion of the 54th anniversary of the victory over fascism. Cuban General Samuel Rodiles presided over the ceremony, which was also attended by Russia's Ambassador to Cuba Arnold Rainin and Russian human rights representative Oleg Mironov, currently visiting the island. Speaking with journalists following the ceremony, the Cuban military official affirmed that humanity must be grateful to the Soviet Army for its indispensable role in defeating fascism. RADIO REBELDE BEGINS BROADCASTING ON SHORTWAVE TO CENTRAL AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN Havana, May 10(RHC)-- The AM radio station Radio Rebelde began broadcasting this past weekend on shortwave frequencies to Central America and the Caribbean. Founded by Ernesto Che Guevara during the struggle against the Batista dictatorship, Radio Rebelde will offer news and information to the Cuban medical personnel who are serving in several nations in Central America and the Caribbean. The radio program aimed at Central America is called "Ventana Rebelde" and will be aired daily from 11 p.m. until 12 midnight Eastern Daylight Saving Time, on the 49 meter band at 5025 KHz. The popular morning news magazine program "Haciendo Radio" will be heard in the Caribbean Monday through Saturday from 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. local time on the same shortwave frequency. RAUL CASTRO TOURS REGIONS AFFECTED BY SEVERE DROUGHT Holguin, May 10(RHC)-- Cuban Vice President Raul Castro got a first-hand look at the measures being taken in the eastern province of Holguin to counteract the effects of a severe drought hitting the region. Together with other government leaders, including the First Secretary of the Communist Party in Holguin, Jorge Luis Sierra and the head of the Cuban armed forces in the region, General Ramon Espinosa, Raul Castro analyzed the assistance provided to the eastern provinces suffering from the drought. Even with scattered rain showers this Spring, it has not been enough to improve the critical state of the reservoirs. Solutions to the problem are being examined, such as supplying water to area communities and livestock and the implementation of an emergency irrigation system in case the drought continues. 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