Radio Havana Cuba, Septembre 13, 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 Monday, September 13, 1999. Today's stories: 1.- CUBAN PRESIDENT FIDEL CASTRO ATTENDS OPENING PARLIAMENT SESSION 2.- PRIME MINISTER OF GUINEA-BISSAU MEETS WITH INTERNATIONALISTS 3.- SLOVAKIAN SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE ECONOMY ARRIVES IN CUBA 4.- CUBAN FILM TO BE SHOWN IN THE U.S. CAPITAL 5.- UNESCO PRESENTS ORCHESTRA ARAGON WITH PABLO PICASSO AWARD CUBAN PRESIDENT FIDEL CASTRO ATTENDS OPENING PARLIAMENT SESSION Havana, September 13(RHC)-- Cuban President Fidel Castro attended this morning's opening of the Third Session of the Fifth Legislature of the Cuban Parliament. The session began with the reading of a six-point draft proclamation by Parliament President Ricardo Alarcon. The statement condemns the continued blockade against the island by the United States, calling it "an act of genocide." Alarcon said that the United Nations Convention for the Protection of Civilians -- approved in 1949 and signed by 188 nations -- prohibits countries from preventing food and medicine from reaching another nation even during times of war. The statement calls the actions of the United States tantamount to genocide, given the number of Cuban citizens that have died as a direct or indirect result of Washington's economic blockade against the island. PRIME MINISTER OF GUINEA-BISSAU MEETS WITH INTERNATIONALISTS Havana, September 13(RHC)-- Guinea-Bissau's Prime Minister Francisco Jose Fadul met with Cuban internationalists who participated in the liberation of that African country -- calling their help "timely and magnificent." The encounter, which was called "a meeting between old friends" was held at the offices of the Organization of Solidarity with the Peoples of Africa, Asia and Latin America (OSPAAAL) in the Cuban capital. The African leader said that his visit to Cuba was important because previous governments had not adequately expressed appreciation for Cuba's assistance. The prime minister of Guinea-Bissau said that Cuba was forgotten and now his country wanted to correct what he called "an historical error." The prime minister of Guinea-Bissau praised the spirit of solidarity among the Cuban people, saying that Cuba will always have a special place in the hearts of his people. The African leader also referred to the renewal of cooperation in the field of health with the aid of 15 Cuban health professionals to improve the Medical School of Guinea-Bissau. The African delegation arrived in Havana last Friday at the invitation of Cuban President Fidel Castro. Over the weekend, they met with Cuban government officials and carried out an intense program. SLOVAKIAN SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE ECONOMY ARRIVES IN CUBA Havana, September 13(RHC)-- The visiting Slovakian Secretary of State for the Economy, Piter Berno, has expressed his interest in reactivating old ties between his country and Cuba. Berno is in Havana to chair the Cuba-Slovakia Intergovernmental Commission for Economic, Commercial and Technical Cooperation. In statements to Prensa Latina News Agency, the Slovakian official pointed out that transportation, industry and energy sectors will be prioritized during the Commission's meetings. The Slovakian secretary of state for the economy told reporters that the meetings will help create new cooperation projects between both countries. CUBAN FILM TO BE SHOWN IN THE U.S. CAPITAL Washington, September 13(RHC)-- The Cuban film "Life Is Whistling" by Fernando Perez will be shown at the Latin American Film Festival in Washington D.C. on Tuesday. Organizers said that this year's film festival will offer the U.S. public a broader vision of Latin America -- contrasting with Hollywood's stereotype of Latinos. The film festival is sponsored by the American Film Institute, the Association of Ibero-American Culture and other institutions and non-governmental organizations. UNESCO PRESENTS ORCHESTRA ARAGON WITH PABLO PICASSO AWARD Cienfuegos, September 13(RHC)-- The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has presented the legendary Aragon Orchestra with the Pablo Picasso Award for 60 years of cultural enrichment. The Director of UNESCO's regional office, Gloria Lopez Morales, made the announcement on behalf of UNESCO's General Director Federico Mayor Zaragoza during the Benny More International Festival of Popular Music which wound up on Sunday in the central city of Cienfuegos. [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-22410 1999-Sep-13 19:46:21