Radio Havana Cuba, Thursday, May 27, 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 Thursday, May 27, 1999. Today's stories: 1.- FOREIGN MINISTER OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO WRAPS UP OFFICIAL VISIT TO CUBA 2.- ARGENTINEAN DEPUTY FOREIGN TRADE MINISTER VISITS THE ISLAND 3.- THIS YEAR'S SUGAR HARVEST: HIGHEST QUALITY IN YEARS 4.- FIRST INTERNATIONAL CULTURE AND DEVELOPMENT CONGRESS TO BE HELD IN HAVANA 5.- CHUCHO VALDES AND LEO BROUWER RECEIVE 1999 NATIONAL MUSIC AWARD 6.- CUBA'S SILVIO RODRIGUEZ AND SPAIN'S LUIS EDUARDO AUTE WILL PERFORM TOGETHER ON INTERNATIONAL TOUR FOREIGN MINISTER OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO WRAPS UP OFFICIAL VISIT TO CUBA Havana, May 27(RHC)-- The Foreign Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Ralph Maraj, wrapped up an official visit to Cuba today, following the signing several important bilateral cooperation accords. On Wednesday, Maraj and his counterpart Roberto Robaina signed one accord on the promotion and protection of investments, two in the field of agriculture, and a fourth accord on bilateral cooperation in the struggle against drug-trafficking. Havana and Port of Spain already had agreements in the areas of sports, culture and trade. Foreign Minister Maraj wrapped up official activities late Wednesday night when he was received by Cuban President Fidel Castro, with whom he held private talks. During his stay on the island, the visiting dignitary also visited Havana's Latin American School of Medicine where Central American and Caribbean youths are studying. With annual bilateral trade amounting to 50 million dollars, Trinidad and Tobago is Cuba's main trading partner in the Antilles. ARGENTINEAN DEPUTY FOREIGN TRADE MINISTER VISITS THE ISLAND Havana, May 27(RHC)-- Argentinean Deputy Foreign Trade Minister Felix Pena said that business executives from his country are interested in investing on the island, mainly in the mining sector. Pena, who is heading an Argentinean business delegation to the island, told reporters that the objective of the visit is to increase bilateral economic ties and to identify joint business opportunities. Cuban Foreign Investment and Economic Cooperation Minister Ibrahim Ferradaz met with the delegation and answered their questions about business opportunities on the island. Pena confirmed that the South American economic block MERCOSUR is ready to enjoy a free trade zone with the European Union no later than the year 2005. The Argentinean deputy foreign trade minister said that the next summit between the European Union and Latin America will be held at the end of June in Rio de Janeiro, where agreements will be made to permit an increase of the region's exports to Europe. THIS YEAR'S SUGAR HARVEST: HIGHEST QUALITY IN YEARS Havana, May 27(RHC)-- Cuba's Sugar Minister Ulises Rosales del Toro said that this year's sugar harvest of 3.6 million tons was small, but produced the best quality sugar of the last five years. Rosales del Toro pointed out that Cuba is preparing to continue increasing those results, which includes better efficiency with less favorable climatic conditions. According to experts, the recently-concluded sugar harvest is considered to be the starting point of a comeback for the sugar industry, which is one of Cuba's most important sources of income, following tourism. FIRST INTERNATIONAL CULTURE AND DEVELOPMENT CONGRESS TO BE HELD IN HAVANA Havana, May 27(RHC)-- Cuba will host the First International Culture and Development Congress, scheduled for June 7th through the 11th in Havana, with the participation of 1000 representatives from 41 countries. Sponsored by various Cuban ministries and institutions, the cultural event will be held with the objective of exchanging knowledge and experience in order to agree on a common strategy for the next millennium. The event will include nine commissions divided into different themes, as well as a broad plan of activities including an artistic exchange with its main activity in Old Havana. CHUCHO VALDES AND LEO BROUWER RECEIVE 1999 NATIONAL MUSIC AWARD Havana, May 27(RHC)-- Renowned Cuban musicians Jesus "Chucho" Valdes and Leo Brouwer received the 1999 National Music Award in recognition for their artistic careers and their strong ties to Cuban culture. Cuba's Culture Minister Abel Prieto and the President of the Music Institute Alicia Perea presented the awards during a ceremony at Havana's Amadeo Roldan Theater. Chucho Valdes is considered one of the five best jazz pianists in the world. He has received national and international recognition, including several Grammy Awards. With over 80 compositions for guitar, orchestra, flute and other instruments, Leo Brouwer has served as the Director of ICAIC's Experimentacion Sonora Group, the Cuban Film Institute and President of the Havana Guitar Festival. He recently received the Manuel de Falla Prize in Spain, where he directed the Cordoba Orchestra. CUBA'S SILVIO RODRIGUEZ AND SPAIN'S LUIS EDUARDO AUTE WILL PERFORM TOGETHER ON INTERNATIONAL TOUR Havana, May 27(RHC)-- Cuban singer-songwriter Silvio Rodriguez and his Spanish counterpart, Luis Eduardo Aute, will begin a tour which will include Cuba, Spain and the Philippines as well as other Latin American countries and possibly the United States. Spain's General Association of Authors announced the news at simultaneous press conferences in Havana and Madrid. During the tour, which will begin in Havana in August, Silvio Rodriguez will debut a new song dedicated to Kosovo, a musical theme which is included on the Cuban singer's latest CD entitled, "Mariposa" ("Butterfly"), while Eduardo Aute will debut two compositions and new arrangements of some of his earlier hits. [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-9451 1999-May-27 23:36:51