Radio Havana Cuba-03 August 2000 22:00 Via NY Transfer News * All the News That Doesn't Fit Radio Havana Cuba - News Update - 03 August 2000 22:00 *AFRO-CARIB-PACIFIC DELEGATION REITERATES SOLIDARITY WITH CUBA *WORLD REACTION TO SOTOMAYOR SANCTION DECISION *PEREZ ROQUE CALLS ON CUBAN ATHLETES TO SPURN DOLLARS FOR DIGNITY *JAMAICAN FOREIGN TRADE MINISTER CONCLUDES VISIT TO CUBA *UNION ACTIVISTS FROM GERMANY VISIT THE ISLAND *CARIBBEAN ECONOMISTS PREPARE FOR UPCOMING MEETING IN CUBA *CUBA CONTINUES TO PROMOTE FOREIGN INVESTMENT IN ECONOMY *CUBA ATTENDS MEETING OF PUGWASH GROUP *MYTHS OF THE CARIBBEAN FESTIVAL OPENS NEXT WEEK *Viewpoint: MESSAGE TO BUSH-GORE -- CUBA IS A SEASONED FIGHTER *AFRO-CARIB-PACIFIC DELEGATION REITERATES SOLIDARITY WITH CUBA Havana, August 3 (RHC) -- In Havana, a visiting delegation of the Group of African, Caribbean and Pacific nations -- the ACP -- has reiterated the organization's total solidarity with Cuba. The head of the delegation, Anicet-Georges Dologuele -- Prime Minister of the Central African Republic and president of the ACP's Council of Ministers -- gathered today with Cuban Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque. The Cuban Foreign Minister said Cuba is determined to continue its relations with ACP member-nations and maintains its aspiration to become a full member itself. Upon arriving in Havana Wednesday, the visiting dignitary said Cuba has been very sensitive to the problems of underdeveloped countries, and has supported them in diverse areas, which, he added, is why his organization wants Cuba as a full partner. Since May, 1998, Cuba participates in ACP activities as an observer, but has the support of all its 77 member-nations to become a full- fledged adherent. But Cuba withdrew from negotiations for a new ACP- European Union Accord signed last June 23rd, withdrawing its candidacy for full membership after some countries of the European Union supported Washington's anti-Cuba campaign in the United Nations Human Rights Commission. Cuba also accused the European Union of attempting to place political conditions on the island's acceptance as a full ACP member and therefore as a full part of the ACP-EU accords. The agreements between the EU and the ACP -- previously known as the Lome Convention, and now known as the Cotonou Convention -- provide these mostly former European colonies with trade preferences, financing and cooperation projects from the Old Continent. *WORLD REACTION TO SOTOMAYOR SANCTION DECISION Havana, August 3 (RHC) -- The reduction of the doping sanction against Cuban high jumper Javier Sotomayor, which will allow him to participate in the Sydney Olympics, has had worldwide repercussion. Looking at just a few of the many reactions, in Argentina the prominent news daily Clarin devoted half a page to the news including the latest picture of Sotomayor jumping over the 2.30 meter mark taken in Havana last week. The article describes Sotomayor as the greatest high jumper in history, recalling his world supremacy of 2.45 meters, his olympic title, six world championships and three panamerican crowns. Argentina's La Nacion daily referred to the athlete's charisma and the way in which Sotomayor attracts fans. He will always be Sotomayor, says the article, even though he is 32 years old. Sotomayor's participation at the Sydney games was also headline news in all Argentinian radio and TV sports segments. According to Mexico's Notimex news agency, the president of the International Olympic Committee, Juan Antonio Samaranch, has expressed his satisfaction over the sentence reduction. Samaranch said Sydney will be honored with the presence of such a prestigious athlete who is a sure candidate for the gold medal in men's high jump. In Mexico the Reforma newspaper welcomed the decision while highlighting the athlete's career. And Mexico's La Jornada news dialy wrote that Sotomayor cleared the most difficult height: a sanction that seemed to be more of a political nature. In Nicaragua, the news was also a headline story. La Prensa's columnist Edgardo Tijerino said that Sotomayor does not need to use any performance- enhancing drug to win. He pointed out that at age 16, Sotomayor jumped over 2.24 meters -- at that time considered an amazing feat -- and that at age 32 he owns all the important marks in the world arena. Several local Nicaraguan radio stations also announced the news. Sotomayor's attendance at the games is, of course, major headline news in Cuba. However, the Cuban Olympic Committee -- though it expressed its satisfaction -- has also voiced its disagreement. Cuban Olympic Committee president Jose Ramon Fernandez pointed out that there has only been a reduction in the sanction from two to one year, which is not a recognition of Sotomayor's innocence. Fernandez said the charge was unfair amd that the sanction for having alledgedly tested positve for the use of cocaine remains in place. He said the arguments and evidence presented by Cuba should have led to his total exoneration. The Cuban sports official said Cuba will continue efforts to totally redeem Sotomayor's image. The first 12 months of Sotomayor's sanction expired on Sunday. and he is ready to compete for another gold. Speaking at Havana's Karl Marx Theather last night where the Cuban olympic delegation received the Cuban national flag that will lead the athletes in the Sydney games, Sotomayor thanked the IAAF authorities for allowing him to compete. However, he went on to say that he believed it should not have been necessary to take this dispute so far -- reiterating the irreuglarities that occurred during and after the doping test. But, said Sotomayor, most important has been the support he's received from his country and the Cuban people. *PEREZ ROQUE CALLS ON CUBAN ATHLETES TO SPURN DOLLARS FOR DIGNITY Havana, August 3 (RHC) -- Cuban Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque has called on Cuban Olympics athletes to place honor and dignity above any multi-million dollar offers to defect at the upcoming Sydney Games. During Wednesday evening's ceremony to turn over the national flag to be carried by the standard-bearer of Cuba's Olympics delegation, Perez Roque said Cuban authorities believe that the ultra-right wing Cuban-American mafia in Miami is planning to take revenge for their fiasco in the Elian Gonzalez case. He told them to remember the aggressions, harrassment, and attempts at blackmail and bribery during the 1999 Winnipeg Pan Am Games, as well as the underhanded and insidious treatment that Cuba's delegation received at the recent amateur boxing competition in Houston, Texas. *JAMAICAN FOREIGN TRADE MINISTER CONCLUDES VISIT TO CUBA Havana, August 3(RHC)-- Jamaica's Foreign Trade Minister, Anthony Hilton, wrapped up an official visit to Cuba on Thursday. The purpose of the visit was to review the current state of bilateral relations, as well as explore possibilities for strengthened economic and trade ties between the two nations. Shortly before his departure from Havana, Hilton offered a news conference. The distinguish visitor referred to the good relations that exist between Jamaica and Cuba. Anthony Hilton: "Cuba and Jamaica enjoy excellent bilateral relations. We have a number of formal agreements and institutions in place in several spheres of activities -the most notable being in tourism, sports and the bilateral joint commissions, as well as the activities under the CARICOM-Cuba Joint Commission." During his stay in Cuba, the Jamaican official met with authorities in the Ministries of Basic Industry, Foreign Trade and Tourism, in addition to Cuba's Central Bank. *UNION ACTIVISTS FROM GERMANY VISIT THE ISLAND Havana, August 3(RHC)-- A delegation of German trade union activists met on Thursday with their counterparts in the Cuban Construction Ministry. The visitors arrived in Cuba late last month to do volunteer work in the construction sector, as a way of demonstrating their solidarity with the Cuban people and their revolution. During their stay, the European trade union leaders have been repairing different public facilities, including a day-care center and a primary school. On Thursday, the German labor activists visited Old Havana, the Cuban Ministry of Science, Technology and the Environment and the National Museum of Fine Arts. *CARIBBEAN ECONOMISTS PREPARE FOR UPCOMING MEETING IN CUBA Santa Clara, August 3(RHC)-- A representative of the Association of Caribbean Economists, Michael Witter, has wound up a visit to Cuba. The ACE official reviewed preparations for the organization's upcoming meeting, set for September in the central Cuban city of Santa Clara. During his stay in Santa Clara, provincial capital of Villa Clara, Michael Witter held talks with authorities from the National Council of the Association of Cuban Economists. Following the meeting, officials told reporters that the talks were fruitful, leading to increased bilateral cooperation between the two organizations. The visitor's agenda also included a tour of centers of historical and socio-economic interest, particularly those places related to the life and work of legendary guerrilla fighter Ernesto Che Guevara. The official from the Association of Caribbean Economists expressed satisfaction with what he witnessed in Cuba, and assured that the island is ready to host the September meeting. *CUBA CONTINUES TO PROMOTE FOREIGN INVESTMENT IN ECONOMY Santi Spiritus, August 3(RHC)- Cuban Minister for Foreign Investment and Economic Cooperation, Marta Lomas, affirmed that it is the policy of Cuban authorities to continue to attract foreign investment as a complement to the island's economic development. Lomas highlighted that despite Washington's economic war against Cuba, the Caribbean island nation is progressively advancing toward economic development. She pointed to the ever-growing number of foreign investors interested in doing business with Cuba. The Cuban minister explained that the island is now immersed in efforts to expand mixed enterprises to other economic areas. There are currently over 300 joint ventures operating with foreign capital in Cuba. *CUBA ATTENDS MEETING OF PUGWASH GROUP Havana, August 3(RHC)- The President of the Cuban Movement for Peace and Sovereignty, Orlando Fundora, is heading the island's delegation in a meeting of the Pugwash Group that began on Thursday in Britain. The Pugwash Group is made up of Scientists worldwide, promoting peace, disarmament and the protection of the environment. The Cuban delegation to the event, which runs through August 8th, will offer three lectures on the consequences of war, the culture of peace and international violence and its consequences. Cuba has participated in Pugwash Group conferences since 1992. *MYTHS OF THE CARIBBEAN FESTIVAL OPENS NEXT WEEK Havana, August 3(RHC)- Havana will be the site of an International festival called "Myths of the Caribbean," set for August 7th through the 11th. Some 34 artists from 10 Caribbean countries have already confirmed their participation, among them Puerto Rico, Trinidad and Tobago, Curacao, Haiti and the Dominican Republic. The event includes an international colloquium which will focus on the mixture of cultures and identities that converge in the region. Exhibitions of Caribbean visual arts, as well as concerts and theater performances, are slated to take place. The event, sponsored by the renowned Cuban institution Casa de las Americas, will delve into Caribbean aboriginal mythologies, Caribbean literature and myths on the contemporary playwright scene. The International Festival, "Myths of the Caribbean," has been brought about to acknowledge the Caribbean region not only as a symbol of sunlight, hot weather and beautiful beaches, but also as a scenario of dramatic events, struggles, rich culture and hope. *Viewpoint: MESSAGE TO BUSH-GORE -- CUBA IS A SEASONED FIGHTER Though thus far neither of the two major US presidential candidates in November's elections has made Cuba a central issue in their political campaigns, both have expressed hostile positions regarding their Caribbean neighbor. US Presidential campaign rhetoric aside, it is clear that there is increasing opposition to Washington's anti-Cuba policy both on Capitol Hill and in the homes of Americans. No doubt an important boost to the process was the Elian Gonzalez' case . For the first time, the average American citizen learned that the island 90 miles to the south of their country was inhabited by people who are like their friends and relatives, and that the vociferous Cuban American National Foundation, was out of step with reality. While the Cuba issue remains on the front burner in the United States, Cubans on the island are more united then ever. The struggle for the return of Elian, provided an extraordinary opportunity to renew the commitment to defend the island's independence and sovereignty. Cubans are aware of the growing efforts in the US Congress to change Washington's traditionally aggressive policy towards Cuba. Those forces include both Democratic and Republican lawmakers, many of whom have visited Cuba and taken a first hand look at what is really happening here and have seen the harsh effects of Washington's 40 year blockade against the Cuban people. These lawmakers have witnessed that despite the island's economic crisis, it has been able to achieve social gains that are unheard of in Third World countries. The miracle of Cuba's economic recovery, speaks well of the sound social and economic policies of the Cuban government, policies that have kept the Cuban people behind the Revolution. After more than 40 years of Revolution, resisting the hostile acts of the most powerful nation of the world, Cubans have become seasoned fighters. While we do appreciate efforts leading to normal relations with the United States, our principles will never be abandoned. These are realities that the next US administration cannot ignore if Washington truly wishes to rectify the many political and strategic errors committed over the past 40 years in its troubled relations with Cuba. (c) 2000 Radio Habana Cuba, NY Transfer News. 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