Radio Havana Cuba, September 28, 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 Tuesday, September 28, 1999. Today's stories: 1.- PRESIDENT FIDEL CASTRO HEADS MASSIVE RECEPTION TO WELCOME HOME CUBAN DELEGATION TO UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY 2.- CUBANS CELEBRATE 39th ANNIVERSARY OF THE COMMITTEES FOR THE DEFENSE OF THE REVOLUTION 3.- MORE THAN 25,000 CUBAN-AMERICANS TRAVELED FROM MIAMI TO HAVANA DURING JULY AND AUGUST 4.- 75th ANNIVERSARY OF THE PAN-AMERICAN HEALTH CODE TO BE CELEBRATED IN HAVANA 5.- CUBA'S TOURIST INDUSTRY: AN IMPORTANT ACHIEVEMENT PRESIDENT FIDEL CASTRO HEADS MASSIVE RECEPTION TO WELCOME HOME CUBAN DELEGATION TO UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY Havana, September 28(RHC)-- Cuban President Fidel Castro headed a massive street reception Monday evening -- welcoming back the delegation that represented the country at the 54th Session of the United Nations General Assembly. Thousands flocked to the front steps of the University of Havana last night, shortly after the delegation's plane arrived in Havana from New York City. The Cuban leader praised the work of the delegation headed by Cuban Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque, which included student and religious leaders. During their stay in New York, the delegation explained to diverse sectors of U.S. society the situation on the island and the consequences of Washington's genocidal blockade against Cuba. The leader of the Cuban Revolution also had words of praise for the speech delivered by the Cuban foreign minister before the General Assembly session last Friday -- calling the speech "brilliant." He said the words and actions of the Cuban delegation brought closer the moment when that blockade will be lifted, but added that Cuba is not impatient. The Cuban president said the nation "is willing to struggle another 40 years if necessary." Foreign Minister Perez Roque also spoke at the welcoming ceremony, stating that Cuba's sacrifice and efforts over the years have not been in vain. He affirmed that the Third World admires Cuba's unity and resistance, and that opposition to the blockade is growing inside the United States. He said the delegation's presence in New York once again demonstrated that Cuba is neither alone nor isolated. Cuban President Fidel Castro proposed a televised round table with members of the delegation in order to discuss their activities and impressions during the one-week stay in New York. The Cuban president arrived at the University of Havana after personally receiving visiting Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov at Havana's Jose Marti International Airport. Ivanov began official talks today with President Fidel Castro and with his Cuban counterpart, Felipe Perez Roque. CUBANS CELEBRATE THE 39th ANNIVERSARY OF THE COMMITTEES FOR THE DEFENSE OF THE REVOLUTION Havana, September 28(RHC)-- Today marks the 39th anniversary of the creation of the Committees for the Defense of the Revolution, the CDRs. On September 28th, 1960, Fidel Castro called on the Cuban people to form neighborhood committees to defend their Revolution from attacks. Block parties were held in neighborhoods throughout the country last night with a traditional soup called "caldosa," rum and Cuban music. People poured into the streets to celebrate another anniversary of the CDRs after watching the ceremony for the Cuban delegation that returned from the 54th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, televised live Monday night. The neighborhood parties went into the night and at the stroke of 12, cheers and applause rose from the crowds. Children also celebrated another anniversary of their neighborhood organization with cake, candy and soft-drinks. The main ceremony to celebrate the 39th anniversary of the CDRs was held Tuesday afternoon in Guantanamo. Cuban Defense Minister Raul Castro presided over the ceremony. MORE THAN 25,000 CUBAN-AMERICANS TRAVELED FROM MIAMI TO HAVANA DURING JULY AND AUGUST Miami, September 28(RHC)-- More than 25,000 Cuban-Americans traveled from Miami to Havana during the months of July and August, representing a dramatic increase in family visits. According to Monday's edition of The Miami Herald, airlines authorized to travel to Cuba made over 100 roundtrips during that period due to an increase in the number of charter flights leaving from Miami. Direct flights from Miami were suspended by the U.S. government in 1996, but were resumed in July this year. 75th ANNIVERSARY OF THE PAN-AMERICAN HEALTH CODE TO BE CELEBRATED IN HAVANA San Juan, September 28(RHC)-- The General Director of the Pan American Health Organization, George Alleyne, called on all of the region's health ministers to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Pan-American Health Code in Havana on October 20th. The call was made during the 41st Meeting of the Executive Council of the Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO), held in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Cuban Health Minister Carlos Dotres is attending the meeting. The current Health Code was signed in 1924 at Havana's Academy of Sciences with the objective of uniting the region's health care systems. The celebration of the 75th anniversary of the Pan-American Health Code will be held in Havana following the Ibero-American Health Minister's Meeting, slated for October 18th and 19th in the Cuban capital. CUBA'S TOURIST INDUSTRY: AN IMPORTANT ACHIEVEMENT Montevideo, September 28(RHC)-- Uruguayan Tourism Minister Benito Stern praised Cuba's achievements in turning tourism into a way to solve the island's economic crisis. The statements of the Uruguayan tourism minister was made on the occasion of World Tourism Day. Stern told journalists in Montevideo that despite its economic difficulties, Cuba has given tourism an important role in improving the island's economy. He added that Cuba has obtained important economic results in the field and has distributed the resources throughout society. [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-28279 1999-Sep-28 21:34:04