Radio Havana Cuba, Wednesday, May 26, 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, May 26, 1999. Today's stories: 1.- VISITING TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO FOREIGN MINISTER SIGNS FOUR BILATERAL COOPERATION ACCORDS WITH CUBA 2.- BALTIMORE MEDICAL DELEGATION VISITS THE ISLAND 3.- THE REAL HAVANA CLUB BEGINS USING A SEAL OF AUTHENTICITY 4.- CUBA MAY SURPASS PREDICTED ECONOMIC GROWTH RATE 5.- 36th ANNIVERSARY OF THE ORGANIZATION OF AFRICAN UNITY COMMEMORATED IN CUBA 6.- CUBA INCREASES BUDGET FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION VISITING TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO FOREIGN MINISTER SIGNS FOUR BILATERAL COOPERATION ACCORDS WITH CUBA Havana, May 26(RHC)-- Bilateral relations between Cuba and Trinidad and Tobago received a boost on Wednesday with the signing of four cooperation accords in the Cuban capital. Trinidad and Tobago Foreign Minister Ralph Maraj and his Cuban counterpart Roberto Robaina signed the agreements in Havana, covering the promotion and protection of investments, the fight against drug-trafficking, cooperation in agriculture and a memorandum of understanding for technical cooperation in the fields of forestry and fisheries. Following the signing ceremony, Cuban Foreign Minister Roberto Robaina expressed satisfaction on behalf of his government for the official visit and the warm ties of friendship that have prevailed in bilateral relations since diplomatic relations were established in 1972. For his part, the Trinitarian foreign minister said that his visit has been "historic" and that cooperation between his country and Havana "would be deepened in all fields -- from trade, investment, agriculture and tourism." During his three-day official visit that is slated to wind up tomorrow, Thursday, the visiting foreign minister has also held talks with the Cuban ministers of cooperation and foreign investment, foreign trade and has met with other high-ranking officials. Cuba currently imports oil from Trinidad and Tobago. Port of Spain enjoys a more favorable balance of trade with Cuba and both Caribbean island-nations have expressed their commitment to level the balance. BALTIMORE MEDICAL DELEGATION VISITS THE ISLAND Havana, May 26(RHC)-- Members of a visiting U.S. medical delegation from the city of Baltimore exchanged experiences in Havana with their Cuban counterparts on Tuesday. The health delegation, which includes ophthalmologists, psychiatrists and doctors of other specialties, is headed by Ynnette W. Young of the Baltimore Mayor's Office. She told reporters that the aim of the visit is to share information in the areas of prevention, immunization and education. Cuban Deputy Health Minister Luis Cordoba offered the visitors a wide range of information on the island's health system. The Baltimore health delegation's itinerary includes tours of the Pando Ferrer Ophthalmologist Hospital and Havana's Psychiatric Hospital, as well as the recently inaugurated Latin American School of Medicine and the Cuban capital's Biotechnology Center. THE REAL HAVANA CLUB BEGINS USING A SEAL OF AUTHENTICITY Mexico City, May 26(RHC)-- Havana Club -- the leader of Cuban rums -- has become a member of the exclusive club of the top 100 trademarks in the world: with 100 million boxes sold annually. But to protect itself from imitations, Havana Club has begun using a seal of authenticity. The official seal, which will guarantee that the rum is authentically Cuban, was presented on Tuesday in Mexico City by Cuba's ambassador to that country, Abelardo Curbelo, and the General Director of the Pernod Ricard Company, Christian Barre, which has been associated with Cuban rum over the past five years. Ambassador Curbelo explained the importance of the seal of authenticity, which distinguishes rums produced on the island with raw materials 100 percent Cuban and is backed by over 150 years of tradition. The Cuban ambassador to Mexico added that Havana Club is famous for being the best in the world due to the careful selection of its raw materials, sugarcane, the exceptional climatic conditions on the island, the quality of Cuba's soil and the experience of distilling rum. CUBA MAY SURPASS PREDICTED ECONOMIC GROWTH RATE Havana, May 26(RHC)-- Cuba's Economy and Planning Minister, Jose Luis Rodriguez, stated Tuesday that this year's expected 2.5 percent growth rate could actually be higher considering the economic results of the first four months of 1999. The Cuban official spoke with journalists prior to a session of the National Assembly's Economic Affairs Commission. He revealed that for the first time since 1990, Cuba has surpassed its goals in sugar and agriculture production. The economy and planning minister praised the increase in construction and the rational use of the island's energy. Referring to the island's foreign debt, the Cuban official said that the country was able to re-negotiate part of its foreign debt last year, primarily with Japan. 36th ANNIVERSARY OF THE ORGANIZATION OF AFRICAN UNITY COMMEMORATED IN CUBA Camaguey, May 26(RHC)-- Cuba's Institute of Friendship with the Peoples (ICAP) sponsored an artistic gala on Tuesday in the central province of Camaguey, dedicated to the 36th anniversary of the Organization of African Unity, the OAU. Scholarship students from Latin America, the Caribbean, the Middle East and Africa were on hand for the activity marking Africa Day (also known as African Liberation Day), celebrated every May 25th. Students received a special recognition for their outstanding participation in the activities promoted by ICAP, especially international work brigades. In related news, Leonel Gonzalez, a member of the Cuban Workers Confederation, the CTC, outlined the ties that unite the island with Africa. In an activity held in Havana on the occasion of the 36th anniversary of the Organization of African Unity, the Cuban union leader praised the leaders of the institution. The closing statements at the Havana activity were made by the Burkina Faso Ambassador in Havana, Salif Nebi. CUBA INCREASES BUDGET FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION Havana, May 26(RHC)-- The island's budget for environmental protection has been increased and, so far this year, 215 million pesos and 125 million dollars have been invested in the recovery of Cuba's water basins. Among the projects being prioritized on the island in search of sustainable development is the decontamination of its waters, reforestation and soil conservation measures. Over the past year, one of the main accomplishments has been the implementation of the National Environmental Strategy in the provinces. The main activity for World Environment Day -- June 5th -- will be held in Camaguey province, selected for its outstanding work in environmental protection. [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-16731 1999-May-26 20:12:34