Radio Havana Cuba, Tuesday, May 18, 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 Tuesday, May 18, 1999. Today's stories: 1.- CUBAN PRESIDENT FIDEL CASTRO HIGHLIGHTS SIGNIFICANCE OF AGRARIAN REFORM 2.- DOMINICAN AMBASSADOR TO CUBA EXPRESSES SATISFACTION WITH PREPARATIONS FOR THE 9th IBEROAMERICAN SUMMIT 3.- SIXTH LATIN AMERICAN CONGRESS ON GYNECOLOGY AND OBSTETRICS CONTINUES IN HAVANA 4.- CUBAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE MEETS BUSINESS DELEGATION FROM THE SPANISH CITY OF ALICANTE 5.- FOREST FIRE IN PINAR DEL RIO PROVINCE UNDER CONTROL 6.- CIEGO DE AVILA CARRIES OUT AN INTENSE CAMPAIGN AGAINST THE AEDES AEGYPTI MOSQUITO CUBAN PRESIDENT FIDEL CASTRO HIGHLIGHTS SIGNIFICANCE OF AGRARIAN REFORM Havana, May 18(RHC)-- On the occasion of the 40th anniversary of Cuba's Agrarian Reform Law, President Fidel Castro recalled that the radical agrarian transformation in Cuba was precisely why the United States government decided to overthrow the Revolution. Speaking at the main commemoration activity Monday evening, the Cuban leader stated that revolutionary land reform in Cuba was an intolerable challenge to U.S. interests. In the presence of prominent Cuban campesino leaders, delegates to Havana's Iberoamerican Forum on Agriculture and agrarian leaders from 17 nations, Fidel Castro said "the tenacity and perseverance of Cuban farmers -- as well as their faith in the Revolution -- has helped Cuba survive the past nine years of economic difficulties." As an example, Fidel pointed to the adversities Cuba's sugar production has had to face, which over the past seven years has failed to produce an equivalent of four billion dollars due to the lack of fuel and other resources. The Cuban leader said that this year, nevertheless, Cuba has already produced approximately half a million tons of sugar more than planned, and "with less energy, less cost and more efficiency." Cuban President Fidel Castro wrapped up his speech to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Agrarian Reform Monday evening by saying that "imperialism will never have a social base in Cuba's countryside because Cuban campesinos have always been on the frontline of defense of the Revolution." DOMINICAN AMBASSADOR TO CUBA EXPRESSES SATISFACTION WITH PREPARATIONS FOR THE 9th IBEROAMERICAN SUMMIT Havana, May 18(RHC)-- The Dominican Republic's ambassador to Cuba, Daniel Guerrero, told reporters in Havana that he is satisfied with Cuba's preparations for the 9th Iberoamerican Summit, scheduled to take place next November in Havana. Guerrero stated that Dominican President Leonel Fernandez will head his country's delegation to the event. Havana will be the site of the 9th Iberoamerican Summit next November 15th and 16th -- whose objective, among others, will be to analyze the risks of a globalized economic crisis in the region. SIXTH LATIN AMERICAN CONGRESS ON GYNECOLOGY AND OBSTETRICS CONTINUES IN HAVANA Havana, May 18(RHC)-- The Sixth Latin American Congress on Gynecology and Obstetrics continues in Havana with the participation of over 900 Cuban and foreign delegates. During the event, Cuban Deputy Health Minister Abelardo Ramirez outlined the work of the Latin American Association of Children's and Teenager's Gynecology and Obstetrics and the International Federation of Children's Gynecology. The President of the International Federation of Children's Gynecology, George Creatsas, opened the meeting yesterday in the Cuban capital. The federation is made up of over 50 member nations. CUBAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE MEETS BUSINESS DELEGATION FROM THE SPANISH CITY OF ALICANTE Havana, May 18(RHC)-- Members of Cuba's Chamber of Commerce have met with a business delegation from the Spanish city of Alicante. The Spanish delegation is visiting Cuba to get a first-hand look at business opportunities on the island. Representatives of food production, including wines, sweets, dried-fruits and spices make up the business delegation from Alicante. In other news, Cuba is taking part in the International Trade Fair in Triestre, Italy which got underway on Tuesday. Cuba has a stand at the fair, promoting the island's tourism sector and exports. The Trade Fair runs through May 27th. FOREST FIRE IN PINAR DEL RIO PROVINCE UNDER CONTROL Havana, May 18(RHC)-- The forest fire in San Juan and Martinez in western Pinar del Rio province is under control, but authorities in the region are keeping a close eye on the situation. While the flames are being put out, there are still two areas near Minas de Matahambre where the fire could flare up again. Preliminary reports reveal that some 4500 hectares of pine forests have been affected by the fire. A special commission has begun an evaluation of the area. Western Pinar Del Rio province has the largest forest reserves in Cuba, covering more than 418,000 hectares. CIEGO DE AVILA CARRIES OUT AN INTENSE CAMPAIGN AGAINST THE AEDES AEGYPTI MOSQUITO Ciego de Avila, May 18(RHC)-- The central province of Ciego de Avila is carrying out an intense campaign to eliminate the Aedes Aegypti mosquito. One year ago, health authorities detected the mosquito in the municipality of Ciego de Avila and measures have been taken to eliminate the disease-carrying insect with the support of all institutions in the area. More than 400 men and women, including health personnel and volunteers, have directly worked in the fight against the Aedes Aegypti mosquito. [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-6937 1999-May-18 21:08:41