Radio Havana Cuba, Octuber 27, 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 27, 1999. Today's stories: 1.- ILLINOIS GOVERNOR GEORGE RYAN WRAPS UP FIVE-DAY VISIT TO CUBA FOLLOWING MEETING WITH CUBAN PRESIDENT FIDEL CASTRO 2.- MEXICAN LEGISLATORS ARRIVE IN HAVANA 3.- RUSSIA SET TO MAKE BIG SPLASH AT HAVANA TRADE FAIR 4.- RELATIONS BETWEEN CANADA AND CUBA ARE EXCELLENT AND CONTINUE TO GROW 5.- CUBAN FOREIGN INVESTMENT AND ECONOMIC COOPERATION MINISTER ATTENDS LATIN AMERICAN ECONOMIC SYSTEM MEETING 6.- INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON NUCLEAR ENERGY UNDERWAY IN HAVANA ILLINOIS GOVERNOR GEORGE RYAN WRAPS UP FIVE-DAY VISIT TO CUBA FOLLOWING MEETING WITH CUBAN PRESIDENT FIDEL CASTRO Havana, October 27(RHC)-- Illinois Governor George Ryan wrapped up a five-day visit to Cuba on Wednesday, following an extended gathering with Cuban President Fidel Castro. At a news conference late Tuesday evening, following a nearly eight-hour encounter with the Cuban leader, Ryan stated that he and the Cuban president discussed numerous issues -- particularly related to Washington's blockade of the island and its impact on daily life in Cuba. The Illinois governor said that he was "in the Cuban leader's home, sitting at his table," and that he had not come to Cuba to criticize the island's system of government. He said that although he and the Cuban leader differ concerning philosophical questions regarding forms of government, U.S. political leaders also differ with numerous other countries on this issue. The House minority leader of the Illinois state legislature, Republican Representative Lee Daniels, termed the encounter as "historic." Daniels added that although there are deep-seated differences between the two countries, "Cuba's destiny must be determined by its own people, and not by impositions from Washington." In one of their last activities Wednesday, Governor Ryan and his delegation visited Havana's Abraham Lincoln Elementary School, where they presented a humanitarian donation of educational supplies. Members of the delegation publicly came out against Washington's blockade of Cuba on several occasions during their five-day visit. Observers pointed out that the Illinois state legislature earlier this year unanimously adopted a resolution condemning the blockade. MEXICAN LEGISLATORS ARRIVE IN HAVANA Havana, October 27(RHC)-- A delegation of Mexican legislators arrived in Havana on Wednesday to participate in the 3rd Cuba-Mexico Inter-Parliamentary Meeting, slated to begin on Friday. Local sources said that the meeting will serve to reinforce parliamentary relations between both countries and allow the opportunity to analyze aspects related to the evolution and work of Cuban and Mexican institutions. Delegates to the meeting will visit places of interest and meet with Cuban government officials. A joint declaration is also scheduled to be signed on Saturday, the closing day of the event. RUSSIA SET TO MAKE BIG SPLASH AT HAVANA TRADE FAIR Havana, October 27(RHC)-- Russian companies are gearing up for Havana's 10th International Trade Fair, scheduled to begin Sunday, October 31st. Speaking with reporters in the Cuban capital, Leg Padlock, Russia's commercial representative, stated that his country hopes to re-establish and develop historical ties with Cuba. Padlock announced that more than 60 Russian companies currently have ties with Cuba and added that during the upcoming trade fair, there will be a display of new GAZETA cars as well as modern tractors. Havana's International Trade Fair is Cuba's most important exhibition with more than 500 national and foreign exhibits. Among the countries represented: Spain, Italy, Canada, Mexico, Holland, Panama, Vietnam and Zimbabwe. RELATIONS BETWEEN CANADA AND CUBA ARE EXCELLENT AND CONTINUE TO GROW Havana, October 27(RHC)-- Canada's ambassador in Cuba, Keith Christie, affirmed that relations between both countries are growing and will continue to improve. Christie said that one example of this is the signing on Tuesday of six new joint venture contracts in the field of tourism. Referring to the Cuban tourism industry, the Canadian ambassador to Cuba told reporters that his country provides the largest number of tourists to the Caribbean island -- with a total of 215,000 in 1998. He said that number is expected to reach 250,000 by the end of this year. The Canadian diplomat also pointed out that bilateral trade so far this year has been between 450 and 470 million dollars. Cuba exports nickel, tobacco, lobster and textiles, while Canada exports food, machinery and other products to Cuba. CUBAN FOREIGN INVESTMENT AND ECONOMIC COOPERATION MINISTER ATTENDS LATIN AMERICAN ECONOMIC SYSTEM MEETING Caracas, October 27(RHC)-- Cuban Foreign Investment and Economic Cooperation Minister Marta Lomas is heading the island's delegation to the 25th Ordinary Meeting of the Latin American Economic System (SELA), which began on Tuesday in the Venezuelan capital. According to Prensa Latina News Agency, Lomas stated that the objective of the meeting is to analyze SELA's program for the year 2000, as well as elect a new permanent secretary. The Cuban official added that other issues related to the economic situation and problems in the region will also be analyzed. INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON NUCLEAR ENERGY UNDERWAY IN HAVANA Havana, October 27(RHC)-- The peaceful use of nuclear energy was the center of debates during the Second International Symposium on the issue. The symposium got underway yesterday in the Cuban capital with the participation of national and foreign delegates. A representative of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Dr. Roberto Danessi, inaugurated the Havana meeting on Wednesday. The event will include debates on the application of nuclear energy in scientific programs developed by nearly 100 specialists from Argentina, Austria, Brazil, Belgium, Mexico, India, Sudan, Russia, the United States, Italy and Spain. [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-31112 1999-Oct-27 23:54:31