Radio Havana Cuba-12 December 2000 Via NY Transfer News * All the News That Doesn't Fit Radio Havana Cuba - News Update - 12 December 2000 . *CENTRAL ISSUE FOR CUBA IN MIGRATORY TALKS REBUFFED BY WASHINGTON *NORTH CAROLINA SENATOR HEADS BUSINESS DELEGATION TO CUBA *FIDEL MEETS WITH VENEZUELAN MINISTER OF EDUCATION AND SPORTS *CUBA-CHINA INTER-GOVERNMENTAL COMMISSION FOR ECONOMIC RELATIONS UNDERWAY *CUBAN AND FOREIGN EXPERTS PLAN ENVIRONMENTAL MEETINGS FOR APRIL *POPULARITY POLL RESULTS FOR FAVORITE HAVANA FESTIVAL FILMS *Viewpoint: HAVANA AND MOSCOW - HISTORIC TIES . *CENTRAL ISSUE FOR CUBA IN MIGRATORY TALKS REBUFFED BY WASHINGTON Havana, December 12 (RHC)-- Cuba will continue to insist that the infamous Cuban Adjustment Act be repealed. At the conclusion of migratory talks on Monday between representatives of Havana and Washington, the head of the island's delegation, Ricardo Alarcon, said that the main issue raised during the meeting was rebuffed by the United States. Alarcon, the president of the Cuban Parliament, told reporters that the U.S. delegation refused to budge on the issue -- stating quite clearly that the Cuban Adjustment Act is the law of the land and cannot be changed except through congressional or judicial procedures. The two sides met Monday here in the Cuban capital to review the accords signed between both countries five years ago. The review normally takes place every six months and rotates between Havana and New York. This was the 12th round of talks since the agreements were signed in August 1994 and May 1995. The issue of the Cuban Adjustment Act has come up at many of the periodic reviews. The 1966 law offers special treatment to Cuban immigrants by granting residency and work permits to those who touch U.S. soil. Illegal immigrants intercepted on the open sea by U.S. Coast Guard authorities are supposed to be repatriated back to Cuba under the migratory accords. The U.S. delegation -- headed by William Brownfield, Under Secretary of State for Hemispheric Affairs -- insisted that the legislation is the law and will be enforced. Yet Alarcon pointed to the first paragraph of the first accord signed with the United States in August 1994 -- in which the U.S. agreed that Cuban immigrants will be treated the same as any other immigrant from that time forward. He asked why is it that that particular point is now null and void. The president of the Cuban Parliament and head of his country's delegation to the talks on Monday told reporters that Havana will continue to demand that the Cuban Adjustment Act be repealed. Ricardo Alarcon said that while meetings to review the accords will take place every six months, those talks will revolve around this important issue. Alarcon emphasized that Havana is committed to making sure that immigration between the two countries is safe and legal -- the clear objective of the migratory accords between Cuba and the United States. *NORTH CAROLINA SENATOR HEADS BUSINESS DELEGATION TO CUBA Havana, December 12 (RHC)-- Allen Wellons, U.S. Senator for the state of North Carolina, is in Havana leading a high ranking business delegation to Cuba in the agriculture and food sectors, with the objective of getting a first hand look at the island's economy and future business opportunities. Wellons told journalists in Havana that agriculture is important in his state of North Carolina and, when the time comes, farmers in the state want to do business with its closest neighbor. He added that he has no answer to the transportation and financial limitations due to Washington's blockade against the island and commented that this trip will help him see what are the real barriers to business with the island. The Senator from North Carolina stressed that he cannot change the laws, but if there is business with the U.S. they want North Carolina to play an important role. The business executive and agricultural representatives from North Carolina have a tight agenda that will run until Friday the 15th and will include visits to production centers and Varadero beach resort in the western province of Matanzas. *FIDEL MEETS WITH VENEZUELAN MINISTER OF EDUCATION AND SPORTS Havana, December 12 (RHC)-- Cuban President Fidel Castro met Monday with Venezuela's Minister of Education and Sports, Hector Navarro, who was here on a working visit. Navarro said he was very impressed with his meeting with the Cuban leader and characterized it as historic, because, said the Venezuelan official, Fidel Castro is a man with an impressive capacity of judgment and he always has something new to say. Navarro, who said his visit was very successful, added that there are very important sports agreements to be signed between the two countries. The Cuban sports cooperation includes technical assessment, trainers and the possibility of Venezuelan athletes coming to train on the island. *CUBA-CHINA INTER-GOVERNMENTAL COMMISSION FOR ECONOMIC RELATIONS UNDERWAY Havana, December 12 (RHC)-- The 10th Cuba-China Inter-Governmental Commission for Economic Relations is underway in Havana. Heading the Chinese delegation is the Minister for Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation, Shi Guangsheng and Cuba´s representative at the Commission is Minister without Portfolio, Ricardo Cabrisas. The Chinese delegation is scheduled to meet Cuban Vice President Carlos Lage and other government officials before finishing their visit on Wednesday. *CUBAN AND FOREIGN EXPERTS PLAN ENVIRONMENTAL MEETINGS FOR APRIL Havana, December 12 (RHC)-- Cuban and foreign experts will meet in Havana from April 24th to the 27th of 2001 to participate in the 2nd International Workshop entitled "Contamination and the Protection of the Environment. The delegates to the event will discuss ways of protecting the eco-systems and natural resources, as well as biodiversity, environmental impact and coastal management. *POPULARITY POLL RESULTS FOR FAVORITE HAVANA FESTIVAL FILMS Havana, December 12 (RHC)-- According to audience surveys done at all the cinemas participating in the 22nd Latin American Film Festival, Argentine film ´Ápariencias´is the most popular one followed by the festival opening movie, Nueces para el Amor by Argentine director, Alberto Lecchi. The survey is the result of polls taken up until 11th December. There are still four more days to go until the closing of the Festival on the 15th December. Every day there are new documentaries and films on show. The Festival judges are not giving anything away about their preferences but all will be revealed on Friday when the winners in the different categories will be announced. *Viewpoint: HAVANA AND MOSCOW - HISTORIC TIES In spite of the collapse of the former Soviet Union over a decade ago, Cuba still feels a deep gratitude and friendship for Russia, which has written so many pages of the world's history. The Soviet Union, along with the Eastern European block, was responsible for 85 percent of Cuba's total economic relations. These relations were based on mutual respect, emphasized by solidarity between the two countries -- which shared the same political ideals. The Russians provided Cuba with then state-of-the-art weaponry, required for the island's situation of imminent invasion from the US, and also taught Cuban soldiers combat technology. Several combat units were created, including battalions which protected the island against illegal landings. The island was also able to create an effective and powerful navy, which other larger forces learned not to underestimate. The Cuban air force was modernized and played an important role in the battles against the mercenary invasion of the Bay of Pigs in 1961. Along with this important defensive support, Cuba received from the former Eastern European block and the Soviet Union material resources, raw materials, technical experience as well as the necessary oil to alleviate its major economic problems. All this contributed to the social program carried out in Cuba over the past 41 years, which is now an example for other underdeveloped nations. Cuba has firmly resisted outside aggression because of its people's heroism, long-lasting patriotism and their willingness to defend its principles. The Cuban people have been well trained to become the vast human resource which has benefited thousands of people around the world. By the early '90s, some 200,000 Cuban young people had traveled to the former Soviet Union to receive training in different areas of science and technology. Today, Cuba takes its worthy work and experience to other peoples who fight for a better future, completing the circle of nation-to-nation friendship offered so generously by Moscow. (c) 2000 Radio Habana Cuba, NY Transfer News. 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