Radio Havana Cuba, Sunday, November 14, 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 Sunday, November 14, 1999. Today's stories: 1.- DRAFT OF FINAL DECLARATION OF 9th IBERO-AMERICAN SUMMIT APPROVED 2.- HEADS OF STATE AND GOVERNMENT ARRIVE IN THE CUBAN CAPITAL FOR TOMORROW'S OPENING OF THE SUMMIT 3.- FESTIVE ATMOSPHERE IN HAVANA FOR THE IBERO-AMERICAN SUMMIT 4.- CUBA IS THE MODEL OF SOCIETY FOR THE THIRD WORLD 5.- MASSIVE DEMONSTRATION IN SPAIN BLASTS U.S. BLOCKADE OF CUBA DRAFT OF FINAL DECLARATION OF 9th IBERO-AMERICAN SUMMIT APPROVED Havana, November 14(RHC)-- The first draft of the Final Declaration of the 9th Ibero-American Summit of Heads of State and Governments was approved by unanimous consensus on Sunday. During a meeting of deputy foreign ministers of Ibero-American countries, the draft will be presented to the foreign ministers of Latin America, Spain and Portugal tomorrow, Monday, for their consideration and approval. According to Cuban Deputy Foreign Minister Jorge Bolanos, who also serves as the Secretary Pro-Tem of the 9th Summit, the Final Declaration deals with the principles of respect for diversity, the right to self-determination and rejection of the threat or use of force and extraterritorial laws -- with a clear reference to the U.S. legislation known as the Helms-Burton Law. The draft Final Declaration of Havana also includes a very objective diagnosis of the financial situation and its impact on the economies of Ibero-American countries. The Cuban deputy foreign minister pointed out that the economies of Latin America had a negative growth rate in 1998, added to an unprecedented increase in the foreign debt over the past nine years. Jorge Bolanos stated that the debt payments of some countries has reached up to 95 percent of their Gross National Products. Although at past summits, Ibero-American heads of state have promised to resolve the problems of inequality between rich and poor before the year 2000, the secretary pro tem of the 9th Summit noted that, unfortunately, next year will be marked by even greater inequalities. According to reports made available to Radio Havana Cuba, the 9th Ibero-American Summit will set the pace for a greater flow of investments among countries of the community. Amendments to the draft Final Declaration, made by representatives of Colombia, urge Ibero-American governments to begin negotiations for the signing of an Ibero-American Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement. According to observers, such an agreement should facilitate more sound and safer economic relations among Ibero-American countries. Although Cuba has a different political and economic system than the rest of the Ibero-American countries, Havana has already signed 11 such accords with member-states of the regional community. HEADS OF STATE AND GOVERNMENT ARRIVE IN THE CUBAN CAPITAL FOR TOMORROW'S OPENING OF THE SUMMIT Havana, November 14(RHC)-- Cuban President Fidel Castro received numerous heads of state today at Havana's Jose Marti International Airport. At noon local time, the President of Uruguay Julio Maria Sanguinetti arrived in the Cuban capital to attend the 9th Ibero- American Summit, which gets underway tomorrow, Monday. Paraguayan President Luis Gonzalez Macchi arrived at 3 p.m. local time and was also greeted by the leader of the Cuban Revolution. Earlier in the day, Portuguese President Jorge Sampaio, Haitian President Rene Preval and Peruvian President Alberto Fujimori arrived in the Cuban capital. Later, the President of the Dominican Republic, Leonel Fernandez, arrived at Jose Marti International Airport and was also warmly welcomed by the Cuban president. Accompanying the Dominican president is a high-level delegation made up of government representatives and other personalities. President Fernandez begins an official visit to Cuba today and will also attend the 9th Ibero-American Summit. This is an historic visit for the president of the Dominican Republic -- as this marks the first time in 40 years that a president from the island neighbor has visited Cuba. According to press releases, the agenda of the Dominican president includes official talks with his Cuban counterpart, Fidel Castro, and the signing of two cooperation agreements -- one on mutual protection of investments and another on bilateral efforts to fight drug- trafficking. President Leonel Fernandez is also expected to meet with some 150 Dominican students currently studying at the Latin American School of Medicine, whose inauguration will mark the official opening of the 9th Ibero-American Summit tomorrow, Monday. On Saturday, Fidel Castro personally welcomed Brazilian President Fernando Henrique Cardoso, who arrived at the head of a large delegation from his country, as well as Mexican President Ernesto Zedillo. The General Secretary of the Organization of American States, Colombian Cesar Gaviria, also flew into Havana on Saturday to attend tomorrow's opening of the Ibero-American Summit. And this evening, the King and Queen of Spain -- Juan Carlos I and Sofia -- as well as Spanish President Jose Maria Aznar arrived in the Cuban capital. The Royal Couple were welcomed around 8 p.m. at Havana's Jose Marti International Airport by Cuban President Fidel Castro and his Spanish counterpart, Jose Maria Aznar, who arrived 40 minutes before the King and Queen. While in Havana, King Juan Carlos I will tour Old Havana -- the first time that a Spanish monarch visits what was one of his country's last colonies in the Western Hemisphere. FESTIVE ATMOSPHERE IN HAVANA FOR THE IBERO-AMERICAN SUMMIT Havana, November 14(RHC)-- The President of the Cuban Federation of University Students, Hassan Perez, referred to the festive atmosphere in Havana leading up the tomorrow's opening of the 9th Ibero-American Summit. Speaking with reporters in the Cuban capital on Sunday, the student leader said that there are many cultural and sporting events taking place in Havana to welcome the island's guests. Perez pointed to numerous events, including street concerts and a presentation by Cuba's National Circus near the well-known, outdoor ice cream parlor La Coppelia. The student leader told journalists that a huge concert and dance was held Sunday afternoon at Havana's Fountain of Youth. He stated that many presentations are taking place throughout Havana to commemorate International Student's Day, celebrated on Wednesday, November 17th. In addition to celebrating the 9th Ibero-American Summit of Heads of State and Government, youth and students are also commemorating the 480th anniversary of the founding of the City of Havana. CUBA IS THE MODEL OF SOCIETY FOR THE THIRD WORLD Managua, November 14(RHC)-According to a Nicaraguan legislator and former guerrilla leader, it is important that the Ibero-American Summit will be held in Cuba. Speaking with reporters in Managua on Sunday, Bayardo Arce affirmed that "Cuba is the model of society for the Third World." The former comandante of the Sandinista National Liberation Front, the FSLN, said that the 9th Summit in Havana will allow the media to get a first-hand look at Cuban society. Bayardo Arce said that this view of the workings of a socialist system has great meaning in today's world. Commenting on the decision by Nicaraguan President Arnoldo Aleman to stay away from the Summit, the FSLN legislator pointed out that Aleman was not only a right-wing, reactionary leader but also a politically backward man. According to Bayardo Arce, Aleman's position is closed to alternative systems, at the same time that the majority of the world's countries are looking for new ways to face today's serious challenges. The Nicaraguan legislator also stated that Aleman's decision not to attend the important summit in Havana runs contrary to the growing international movement against Washington's blockade against Cuba. Arce pointed out that the Nicaraguan president is in debt to the Miami-based Cuban American National Foundation for campaign contributions made during his bid for the presidency in 1996. He added that Aleman's actions are a dishonor to the Nicaraguan people, who respect and love Cuba for its endless solidarity with the Land of Augusto Cesar Sandino. MASSIVE DEMONSTRATION IN SPAIN BLASTS U.S. BLOCKADE OF CUBA Barcelona, November 14(RHC)-- Some 1500 demonstrators on Sunday marched in Barcelona against Washington's economic blockade of Cuba. The action, called by Spain's Alternative United Left Party, also demanded respect for Cuba's right to self-determination. Following the march, demonstrators gathered in front of the Cuban Consulate in Barcelona. Speakers during the rally blasted Washington's Helms-Burton Law, which they denounced as extraterritorial legislation that seeks to internationalize the U.S. blockade of the island. The demonstration in Barcelona takes place just one day before the opening of the 9th Summit of Heads of State and Government in Havana, with the participation of King Juan Carlos I and Spanish President Jose Maria Aznar. [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-2896 1999-Nov-14 22:51:06