Radio Havana Cuba, September 30, 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 Thursday, September 30, 1999 . Today's stories: 1.- CUBAN PRESIDENT FIDEL CASTRO WELCOMES HOME DOCTORS WHO SERVED IN HONDURAS 2.- CUBAN PRESIDENT ADDRESSES CEREMONY TO COMMEMORATE 50th ANNIVERSARY OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA 3.- WASHINGTON CREATES OBSTACLES FOR THE CUBAN PEOPLE'S RIGHT TO USE NUCLEAR ENERGY 4.- GUATEMALAN PRESIDENT EXPRESSES SATISFACTION WITH TRADE RELATIONS WITH CUBA 5.- HAVANA'S CONTEMPORARY MUSIC FESTIVAL GETS UNDERWAY TOMORROW CUBAN PRESIDENT FIDEL CASTRO WELCOMES HOME DOCTORS WHO SERVED IN HONDURAS Havana, September 30(RHC)-- Cuban President Fidel Castro welcomed home a group of 108 Cuban health professionals who offered their services in Honduras. The health professionals arrived from Honduras Thursday afternoon and the Cuban president personally thanked each one of them for a job well-done. The Cuban leader explained that the island's medical mission in Honduras was intended to last for two years. But the return of the health professionals was moved up due to "unjustified, professional jealousy" and conflicts of interest raised by the Honduran Medical Association. Fidel Castro stated that the Cuban health programs were not intended for the Honduran capital, Tegucigalpa, nor any other major cities of the Central American nation. He said that the island's health programs were designed for remote regions of Honduras where, in many cases, there had never been a doctor before. The Cuban leader said the doctors did not go to Honduras to compete with anyone, but were part of a humanitarian mission to assist a people in need. Cuban President Fidel Castro emphasized that it was the Honduran Medical Association that placed a limit on the length of the Cuban doctors' stay in Honduras. In the wake of the devastation caused by Hurricane Mitch in Central America late last year, Cuba offered 2000 health professionals to work in remote areas of the region, free-of-charge and for as long as necessary. The Cuban president said that the greatest reward that the Cuban doctors can receive regarding their work in Honduras is the gratitude and appreciation of the Honduran people, who did not want them to leave. Also on hand at the airport today to greet the returning medical professionals were other high-ranking Cuban government officials, along with all the students of Havana's Latin American School of Medicine. During their 10-month stay in Honduras, the Cuban doctors visited 1300 villages and communities in the country's most remote areas and treated more than 800,000 Hondurans. The doctors performed more than 10,000 surgeries, more than half of which were major operations. The Cuban health professionals also taught thousands of training courses and encountered three outbreaks of cholera in the Mosquitia region which were successfully controlled thanks to the quick and efficient work of the entire medical brigade. Another Cuban medical brigade made up of 32 health specialists arrived in Honduras Thursday at the request of that country's government to cover the emergency needs caused by intense rains. The new medical brigade will stay in Honduras as long as the current emergency situation prevails. The governments of Cuba and Honduras have both expressed their willingness to sign bilateral agreements soon, establishing cooperation in the field of health. CUBAN PRESIDENT ADDRESSES CEREMONY TO COMMEMORATE 50th ANNIVERSARY OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA Havana, September 30(RHC)-- Cuban President Fidel Castro spoke at a ceremony Wednesday evening in the Cuban capital, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the People's Republic of China. Fidel Castro pointed out that the achievements of the Chinese Revolution over these past 50 years have been due to the application of Marxist-Leninist theory, the contributions of its leaders and, above all, the relentless work of the Chinese people. The leader of the Cuban Revolution also praised China's contribution to easing the impact of the current economic crisis in Southeast Asia. President Fidel Castro recalled the long struggle to have China -- the most populated country in the world -- admitted as a member of the United Nations, which was not accomplished until 1973. The Cuban leader also referred to the fight for China to become a member of the World Trade Organization. Beijing's ambassador to Havana, Wang Chengjia, also spoke during the ceremony commemorating the 50th anniversary of the People's Republic of China. He emphasized that his country and Cuba both have common challenges and opportunities, noting that relations between the two countries are stronger than ever. WASHINGTON CREATES OBSTACLES FOR THE CUBAN PEOPLE'S RIGHT TO USE NUCLEAR ENERGY Vienna, September 30(RHC)-- Cuba has accused the United States of setting up obstacles to prevent the island's legitimate right to use nuclear energy for its development. Addressing the General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna, Austria, Cuban representative Wenceslao Carrera used the Helms-Burton Law as an example. One of the sections of the U.S. legislation states that the operation of any nuclear installation in Cuba will be considered an act of aggression against the United States. The president of Cuba's Nuclear Energy Agency stated that Havana defends the peaceful use of nuclear energy as a legitimate right of the people. GUATEMALAN PRESIDENT EXPRESSES SATISFACTION WITH TRADE RELATIONS WITH CUBA Guatemala City, September 30(RHC)-- Guatemalan President Alvaro Arzu expressed his satisfaction for his country's interest in establishing commercial ties with Cuba, especially in the field of agriculture, crafts and tourism. The Guatemalan president met with Cuban business executives in Guatemala City in preparation for his official visit to Havana, which begins next Monday, October 4th. Meanwhile, Guatemalan Deputy Foreign Minister Gabriel Aguilera told reporters that Cuba and Guatemala will sign trade and health agreements as well as accords in the fight against drug trafficking. HAVANA'S CONTEMPORARY MUSIC FESTIVAL GETS UNDERWAY TOMORROW Havana, September 30(RHC)-- Havana's Contemporary Music Festival begins tomorrow, Friday, and will run through October 9th with daily concerts at the Amadeo Roldan Theater. Well-known musicians from England, France, Austria, Spain, Italy, Mexico and Panama have been invited to participate in this event, bringing classic and modern music composed and played in these nations as well as in Cuba. The National Symphonic Orchestra, which celebrates its 40th anniversary this month, will present a program on the works of Cuban composers, under the direction of Ivan del Prado. As part of the festival's program, on October 8th, Casa de las Americas will host a concert to pay tribute to the legendary guerrilla fighter Ernesto Che Guevara, marking the 32nd anniversary of his death in combat. [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-16860 1999-Sep-30 20:23:06