Radio Havana Cuba,November 13, 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 These are Radio Havana Cuba's top stories for this Saturday November 13, 1999: 1.- EVERYTHING SET FOR THE 9TH IBERO AMERICAN SUMMIT OF HEADS OF STATE AND GOVERNMENT 2.- CUBAN PRESIDENT ATTENDS THE CLOSING OF THE 8TH CONGRESS OF THE LATIN AMERICAN JOURNALISTS FEDERATION 3.- BRAZILIAN PRESIDENT IS HEADING A DELEGATION TO CUBA 4.- SPANISH MEDIA TO TRANSMIT LIVE FROM HAVANA THE 9TH IBERO AMERICAN SUMMIT 5.- VENEZUELAN BASEBALL TEAM HEADED BY ITS PRESIDENT READY TO PLAY AGAINST ITS CUBAN COUNTERPARTS IN A FRIENDLY GAME 6.-CUBAN PRESIDENT FIDEL CASTRO SENDS LETTER OF CONDOLENCE TO VIETNAM 7.-VI IBEROAMERICAN ENCOUNTER OF JOURNALISTS UNDERWAY IN CUBA 8.- BOLIVIAN PRESIDENT HUGO BANZER CONDEMNS WASHINGTON'S GENOCIDAL BLOCKADE OF CUBA 9.- OVER ONE THOUSAND PEOPLE MARCH IN MADRID IN SUPPORT OF HAVANA'S IBERO-AMERICAN SUMMIT AND TO REJECT WASHINGTON'S BLOCKADE OF CUBA 10.- UNITED NATIONS CHILDREN'S FUND REPRESENTATIVE IN CUBA PRAISES CUBA'S ACHIEVEMENTS IN THE SECTOR 11.- CUBAN HEALTH MINISTER CARLOS DOTRES PRAISES HIGH HEALTH INDEX EVERYTHING SET FOR THE 9TH IBERO AMERICAN SUMMIT OF HEADS OF STATE AND GOVERNMENT Havana, November 13 (RHC)--On Saturday, 2 days before the official Monday opening in the Cuban capital of the 9th Ibero-American Summit, Summit activities are in full swing. The wire services are humming day and night reporting arrivals and projected arrival times of Heads of State and Government, Foreign Ministers and other high-ranking officials, experts and advisors from Latin America, Spain and Portugal who began pouring into Havana this week along with some 1,300 foreign journalists who will cover the two-day Summit. Cuba has planned a miriad of cultural and educational activities as well, both to salute the 9th Ibero-American Summit and to encourage the Ibero-American leaders and press to get aquatinted with Cuba. The Summit coincides with the 480th anniversary of the City of Havana, which is traditionally celebrated with a cultural gala and other performances and activities. Concerts, book launchings, art exhibits and theater and dance performances have been going on since the beginning of the month in honor of the Summit and Havana's birthday. Cuba is especially looking forward to hosting the King and Queen of Spain, who will be arriving on Sunday and will visiting the island for the first time. On hand to greet the royal couple in Havana will be Spanish President, Jose Maria Aznar who along with his wife will stay in the Havana Melia Hotel in a show of support for the Spanish Hotel Chain, Sol Melia, which is currently under attack by the United States for doing business in Cuba. The visit of the President of Panama, Mireya Moscoso, will also be important since Panama is to host the 10th Ibero-Summit next year. Officials sources say the Panamanian President intends to propose a social agenda and to decide on the Summit's theme. President Moscoso will be accompanied by her Foreign Minister, Jose Miguel Aleman among other officials. Meanwhile, national coordinators and those in charge of cooperation continued Saturday working on the drafts of the conference's final documents. The encounter which began one day earlier than scheduled, was officially opened Saturday morning by Cuban First Deputy Foreign Ministers, Jorge Bolanos, Secretary Pro Tem of the Summit. Bolanos voiced his satisfaction over the progress reported in preparations of the documents and he highlighted the fact that the 9th Summit will make an important contribution to the region's integration with the creation of the Cooperation Secretariat. Observers point out that the preparations have resulted in a greater consensus on what the Havana Declaration will contain, when the Heads of State and Government during the November 15th and 16th meeting sign it. After the coordinators come up with a final product it will be approved by the Foreign Ministers. The document is the product of more than 20 conferences including 11 ministerial meetings, a Foreign Ministers and advance group meeting and five seminars and forum on various aspects with the participation of more than a thousand experts. The Declaration of Havana focuses on Ibero-America's position on the international financial situation in a globalized economy, which is the Summit's principal theme. In addition, a statement is expected on the Panama Canal, which will be turned over to the Panamanian people at the end of this year. Another document will deal with the need for reconstruction of Central America, which was hit hard by Hurricane Mitch last year. CUBAN PRESIDENT ATTENDS THE CLOSING OF THE 8TH CONGRESS OF THE LATIN AMERICAN JOURNALISTS FEDERATION Havana, November 13 (RHC)--Cuban President Fidel Castro participated Friday night at the closing of the 8th Congress of the Latin American Journalists Federation and the inauguration of the 4th Ibero American Meeting of the Press which officially began on Saturday in Havana. The journalists present at the Aula Magna of the University of Havana, agreed that the best weapons of the journalists are their words, which must be, used daily. Referring to the final document agreed on by the Latin American journalists, Cuban President Fidel Castro commented: "I beleive that if we want and if you intend to, this organization could be the important instrument that is needed each day. I had the priveledge in participating in the congress of Cuban journalists six months ago. Cuban journalists truely discussed all types of probems and I understand how hard it is to be a journalist in a socialist country, in our own country." The Cuban leader, participating in the closing of the Congress of the Latin American Journalists Federation went on to talk about the role of the press in a socialist country and gave Cuba as an example: "It has been 40 years of Revolution, with necessary expriences, special period and an ideological battle, it has been necessary to fall into the so called globalized world, disinformation and lies, maybe like never before we can understay the importance of our mass media when almost every one else in the world they are at the service of capitalism and imperialism." . During the two day event, delegates from 17 countries discussed issues like the value of the information in a globalized world, the reality and perspectives of the professionals of the press facing the neoliberal model and the international financial crisis and its impact in the region. BRAZILIAN PRESIDENT IS HEADING A DELEGATION TO CUBA Havana, November 13 (RHC)--Brazilian President Fernando Henrique Cardoso is the first of the Ibero American Presidents to arrive in Cuba heading a large delegation which include Ministers and other high ranking government officials. The main objective of the Brazilian President's visit to Cuba is to participate in the 9th Ibero American Summit of Heads of State and Government slated for Monday November 15th. During the Brazilian leaders working visit, hee will met with Cuban government officials and visit places of historic, cultural and social interest. The Brazilian delegation's visit to Cuba has been characterized as the willingness of both sides to broaden and strengthen the historical ties of friendship and cooperatioin between Cuba and Brazil. SPANISH MEDIA TO TRANSMIT LIVE FROM HAVANA THE 9TH IBERO AMERICAN SUMMIT Spain's government run channel, Spanish Television (TVE) and private channels Antena 3 TV and Telecinco will transmit extensively from Havana on the 9th Ibero American Summit slated to run Monday and Tuesday in the Cuban Capital. TVE services has sent a large number professionals and the first and second editions of the Telediarios news cast will be broadcast from Havana during the two day regional event. TVE will transmit live some of the most important activities as well as the visits of Spanish President Jose Maria Aznar and King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia and their participatin in different political, social and cultural activities on the island. VENEZUELAN BASEBALL TEAM HEADED BY ITS PRESIDENT READY TO PLAY AGAINST ITS CUBAN COUNTERPARTS IN A FRIENDLY GAME Havana, November 13 (RHC)-- A Venezuelan baseball team which is scheduled to face a Cuban baseball squad in a friendly match next Thursday November 18th in Havana, is expected to arrive on Sunday. The Venezuelan players, mainly veteran major league players or from the country's triple A teams, will play an exibition game with the participation of their President Hugo Chavez. Chavez confirmed to Presnsa Latina News Agency during a workout with the Venezuelan team in Caracas, that he will play in the game against Cuba . In practice , the Venezuelan President has played first base, although there is a possibility that he will be the opening pitcher for the South American team against the Cuban squad which will be managed by President Fidel Castro. The Venezuelan team will include 6 pitchers, although President Chavez said he is confident in the offense of their batters as well against the Cuban squad. . They claim they will whip us ,said Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez, but we will se what happens on the field. He added that in any case, the Havana baseball game will be a fraternal and friendly encounter. CUBAN PRESIDENT FIDEL CASTRO SENDS LETTER OF CONDOLENCE TO VIETNAM Hanoi, November 13(RHC)-- Cuba's President Fidel Castro has sent a letter of condolence to Vietnamese authorities on the occasion of the human and material losses caused by torrential rains and floods over the last two weeks in the south central region of the Asian nation. The Saturday edition of the Vietnamese news daily Nhan Dan -official newspaper of the Vitenamese Communist Party- front-paged the full text of the Cuban president's message sent in the name of the Cuban Communist Party, the island's government and its people. In his missive, addressed to Vietnam's President Tran Duc Luong, the General Secretary of the Vietnamese Communist Party Le Lha Phieu, and the country's Prime Minister Phan Van Khai, the Cuban leader expressed the island's solidarity with the sister Asian nation. In related news, the Saturday edition of the Vietnamese newspaper also highlighted the Cuban President's dennounciation of maneuvers by Washington and the Miami-based Cuban-American mafia to sabotage the upcoming 9th Ibero-American Summit of Heads of State and Government to be held November 15 and 16 in the Cuban capital. VI IBEROAMERICAN ENCOUNTER OF JOURNALISTS UNDERWAY IN CUBA Havana, November 13(RHC)-- The Six Iberoamerican Encounter of Journalists got underway on Saturday in the Cuban capital with the theme "Journalism and the International Financial Situation". The two-day meeting is attended by Cuban Minister of Planning and the Economy Jose Luis Rodriguez and Ignacio Ramonet, Director of the French newspaper Le Monde Diplomatic. The encounter's final document will be submitted for approval during the 9th Ibero-American Summit of Heads of State and Government next Monday and Tuesday in the Cuban capital. BOLIVIAN PRESIDENT HUGO BANZER CONDEMNS WASHINGTON'S GENOCIDAL BLOCKADE OF CUBA La Paz, November 13(RHC)-- Bolivian President Hugo Banzer has reiterated his government's opposition to Washington's blockade against Cuba. Shortly before departing for Cuba to participate in the 9th Ibero-American Summit of Heads of State anf Government, Banzer told journalists in La Paz, the Bolivian capital, that he will take the opportunity of his visit to Cuba to reiterate his government's position that the blockade should be lifted immediately. The Bolivian president pointed to the good relations he maintains with Cuban president Fidel Castro, based on mutual respect and consideration. The Bolivian dignatary also assured that his country's long-standing claim of a sea-coast won't interfere with the unfolding of the Havana summit, which will deal with the international financial situation in a globalized economy. OVER ONE THOUSAND PEOPLE MARCH IN MADRID IN SUPPORT OF HAVANA'S IBERO-AMERICAN SUMMIT AND TO REJECT WASHINGTON'S BLOCKADE OF CUBA Madrid, November 13(RHC)-- Over one thousand people marched on Saturday in Madrid, the Spanish capital, in support of the upcoming 9th Ibero-American Summit of Heads of State and Government to be held next Monday and Tuesday in the Cuban capital and to express their strong opposition to Washington's 40-year blockade against the Caribbean island. Summoned by Spain-Cuba solidarity associations, as well as other political, trade union and youth organizations, the demonstration included a march from Madrid's Atocha square to the headquarters of Spain's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as the reading of a document in support of the Cuban Revolution and against manuevers by Washington and the Miami-based Cuban-American mafia to damage the island's image abroad and sabotage the Havana summit. A similar demonstration has been scheduled for Sunday in Barcelona. UNITED NATIONS CHILDREN'S FUND REPRESENTATIVE IN CUBA PRAISES CUBA'S ACHIEVEMENTS IN THE SECTOR Havana, November 13(RHC)-- According to the United Nations Children's Fund representative in Cuba, Alfredo Missair, Cuba has among the best indicators on the continent regarding attention to children and adolescents. Missair, who will attend the 9th Ibero-American Summit of Heads of State and Government, participated Friday and Saturday in a meeting of Ibero-American officials in charge of cooperation which was held at Havana's International Convention Center. The UNICEF representative said he was sure that the topic of childhood and adolescence will be key in the 10th Ibero-American Summit to be held next year in Panama. He added that there is much good will and sensibility because it's a topic that is important for everyone and he noted that there are many worthwhile experiences to relate. In this regard, the UNICEF official stated that Cuba's work in this sector is an important resource for other nations in efforts to improve the living standards of the region's children. On the other hand, Missair understood that UNICEF considers childhood and adolescence to be key to human development in the next century in the face of globalization. The representative in Cuba of UNICEF pointed out that the international financial crisis has hit the sector hard and he referred to the paradox of the reduction of mortality indicators while poverty increases. CUBAN HEALTH MINISTER CARLOS DOTRES PRAISES HIGH HEALTH INDICES Havana, November 13(RHC)-- Cuban Health Minister, Carlos Dotres, says the island's infant mortality rate will be less that seven for every one thousand live-births by the end of this year. Speaking with journalists in Havana, the Cuban top health official indicated that there are seven Cuban provinces which currently register an infant mortality rate of less than 6, including Villa Clara with 4.8, Granma with 5.1 and 5.7 in Santiago de Cuba. Dotres underscored that in these last four decades Cuba has structured a free-of-charge national health system which is universal and accessible to all. He added that over the last 15 years family medicine has developed through the comprehensive development of services for the population. The island has 65 800 doctors, said Dotres, 30 000 community doctors and 84 000 nurses, with a total figure of 115 000 health care personnel. Dotres listed as top priorities the infant-maternal program, attention to children and the control and prevention of transmitable diseases. The Cuban health minister also stressed the importance of international solidarity work and the human approach in the sector. Cuban health professionals have offeredntheir services in 83 countries and recently the island sent some 221 doctors to 8 Central American and Caribbean nations. Some 1 992 young people from 17 nations are studying free-of-charge in Havana's new Latin American School of Medicine. The school's official inauguration will be celebrated during the 9th Ibero-American Summit of Heads of State and Government that will take place November 15 and 16 in the Cuban capital. [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-22604 1999-Nov-13 17:46:26