Radio Havana Cuba, October 6, 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, October 6, 1999. Today's stories: 1.- GUATEMALAN PRESIDENT ALVARO ARZU WRAPS UP OFFICIAL VISIT TO CUBA 2.- GUATEMALAN AGRICULTURE MINISTER PRAISES CUBAN TRADE 3.- U.S. MAYORS CONTINUE THEIR VISIT TO THE ISLAND 4.- CUBA HOSTS IBERO-AMERICAN JUSTICE MINISTERS MEETING NEXT YEAR 5.- INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE INFO '99 CONTINUES IN HAVANA 6.- MEXICAN DELEGATION FROM MERIDA ARRIVES IN THE CUBAN CAPITAL 7.- 6th FESTIVAL OF CUBAN CULTURE TO BE HELD IN BAYAMO GUATEMALAN PRESIDENT ALVARO ARZU WRAPS UP OFFICIAL VISIT TO CUBA Havana, October 6(RHC)-- Guatemalan President Alvaro Arzu wrapped up a three-day official visit to Cuba today, reiterating his country's gratitude for Cuba's medical assistance following the devastation of Hurricane Mitch. During a news conference before heading home, the Guatemalan president also announced his intention to participate in Havana's upcoming Ibero-American Summit. He said that Guatemala, like other countries, is affected by international monetary speculation and that only Latin American unity can enhance the capacity of the region's countries to face the challenges of globalization. Tuesday evening, President Arzu delivered a lecture at the University of Havana -- attended by Cuban President Fidel Castro -- concerning his country's rebel-government peace process. He said that the peace process and the success of a functional democracy must be based on citizen participation and better living conditions for the people. The Guatemalan president said that the greatest threat to change and progress is poverty and the precarious means available to provide services and infrastructure to all. During the Guatemalan delegation's visit to Havana, the two countries signed four new bilateral cooperation accords, bringing the number of agreements between Cuba and Guatemala to 16. Bilateral trade currently stands at 10 million dollars annually, when in 1993, that amount was merely 20,000 dollars. According to Cuba's Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jorge Bolanos, never has so much been done in such a short time in relations between Cuba and one of its Latin American neighbors. GUATEMALAN AGRICULTURE MINISTER PRAISES CUBAN TRADE Havana, October 6(RHC)-- Guatemalan Agriculture Minister Mariano Ventura -- who just wrapped up a visit to Cuba -- said he will study the island's advanced technologies which can be used in his country. The Guatemalan official reported that BIORAT, the Cuban-made biological rat poison currently being used in agricultural areas in northern Guatemala, has had positive results. Mariano Ventura said he will analyze a number of other Cuban-manufactured products that could be beneficial for the Central American country. Guatemala's agriculture minister was a member of the delegation led by President Alvaro Arzu, which just finished its visit to Cuba. U.S. MAYORS CONTINUE THEIR VISIT TO THE ISLAND Havana, October 6(RHC)-- Three mayors from U.S. cities are currently visiting the island and taking part in a seminar on colonial architecture. Mayor Kurt Schmoke from Baltimore, Maryland; Mayor Joseph Riley from Charleston, South Carolina and Mayor Victor Ashe from Knoxville, Tennessee told reporters that they were impressed with their stay and particularly a tour of Old Havana. The three visiting mayors stressed the importance of preserving the colonial architecture of Old Havana, declared the Cultural Patrimony of Humanity by UNESCO. The mayors of Baltimore, Charleston and Knoxville committed themselves to broadening ties with Cuba in various areas. Baltimore Mayor Kurt Schmoke pointed to the example of his city's major league baseball team -- the Baltimore Orioles -- which played in Cuba and invited a Cuban team to play in the U.S. CUBA HOSTS IBERO-AMERICAN JUSTICE MINISTERS MEETING NEXT YEAR Havana, October 6(RHC)-- The National Preparatory Committee for the 12th Conference of Ibero-American Justice Ministers -- slated for next year in the Cuban capital -- was established Tuesday. The committee will be chaired by Cuban Minister of Justice Roberto Diaz Sotolongo. The general secretary of the conference, Marcelino Cabanas, stated that among the agenda items will be legal administration, the fight against drug-trafficking and corruption as well as international criminology operations. Meetings of the Ibero-American Justice Ministers began in 1970 with the objective of examining a basis for effective cooperation in legal matters. Cuba has been a participating member since 1978 and has, on a number of occasions, served as its vice president. During the previous meeting held in Portugal, Cuba was elected to host the congress in the year 2000. INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE INFO '99 CONTINUES IN HAVANA Havana, October 6(RHC)-- The International Conference INFO '99 continues its sessions at Havana's Convention Center with the participation of over 700 specialists from 26 countries. Participants at INFO '99 discussed issues related to telecommunications and preparations for a seminar regarding the next millenium. Cuban and foreign delegates at the conference also analyzed the role of libraries, with the objective of encouraging young people to read more. MEXICAN DELEGATION FROM MERIDA ARRIVES IN THE CUBAN CAPITAL Havana, October 6(RHC)-- A Mexican delegation, headed by the president the municipality of Merida in the state of Yucatan, is in Havana to carry out a program of exchange with government leaders and grassroots organizations. The agenda of the Mexican delegation includes a visit to the central province of Camaguey, where a sister city agreement will be signed between Havana and the city of Merida. 6th FESTIVAL OF CUBAN CULTURE TO BE HELD IN BAYAMO Granma, October 6(RHC)-- The 6th Festival of Cuban Culture will be held in the eastern city of Bayamo from October 20th through the 25th. The festival is aimed at recovering the spirit and richness of the Cuban nation. Intellectuals and artists taking part in the event will discuss diverse issues of Cuban culture at the end of the century. Participants at the Festival of Cuban Culture will visit historical sites like the National Anthem Park, the Nico Lopez Museum-Park and other places related to the Cuban independence struggle against Spanish colonialism. [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-28118 1999-Oct-06 19:04:30