Radio Havana Cuba-15 December 2000 Via NY Transfer News * All the News That Doesn't Fit Radio Havana Cuba - News Update - 15 December 2000 . *MEMBERSHIP IN THE ACP AN IMPORTANT STEP *AGRICULTURAL SPECIALISTS FROM NORTH CAROLINA CONTINUE THEIR CUBAN VISIT *CUBAN, U.S. STUDENTS URGE NORMALIZATION OF RELATIONS *CARLOS LAGE EXPECTS CUBAN ECONOMY TO GROW 5.6 PERCENT THIS YEAR *BOOK ON CUBA'S PRIMA BALLERINA TO BE LAUNCHED DECEMBER 26TH *22ND FESTIVAL OF NEW LATIN AMERICAN CINEMA ANNOUNCES WINNERS *Viewpoint: THE FIGHT AGAINST INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM . *MEMBERSHIP IN THE ACP AN IMPORTANT STEP Havana, December 15 (RHC)--Cuba has characterized as a very important step its membership in the Africa, Caribbean and Pacific Group, ACP. Cuban Minister without Porfolio, Ricardo Cabrisas explained that the announcement in Brussels that the island had been accepted to join the organization on Thursday, had not been a surprise due to the fact that the Caribbean nations had been working together to have Cuba accepted into the ACP group for a long time. The Cuban official said that the changes made in the organization are aimed so that the work and focus of the ACP group is not exclusively limited to its relation with the European Union, but more towards a North-South relationship. Cabrisas recalled that Cuba is part of the Caribbean with the region's nations maintaining good ties with Havana, the development of which, said the Cuban Minister, is the island's priority. He stressed that the Caribbean nations have reiterated their condemnation of Washington's blockade against the island and defend Cuba as part of the Caribbean family. Ricardo Cabrisas pointed out that Cuba will also continue to strengthen its ties with African and Pacific nations. The Africa, Caribbean and Pacific Group is made up of former European colonies. *AGRICULTURAL SPECIALISTS FROM NORTH CAROLINA CONTINUE THEIR CUBAN VISIT Havana, December 15 (RHC)-Agricultural specialists from the U.S. state of North Carolina currently visiting the island, met with members of Cuba's Chamber of Commerce and local members of the Ministry of Tourism on Thursday in the western province of Matanzas to explore trade possibilities. The Cuban authorities offered first hand information on investment in the island to the 25 tobacco, pork, poultry and sweet potatoes producers from North Carolina. State Senator Allen Wellons who heads the delegation praised the excellent tourist conditions at the province's Varadero Beach Resort where the group spent some time. *CUBAN, U.S. STUDENTS URGE NORMALIZATION OF RELATIONS Havana, December 15 (RHC)-- Cuban and US students urged on Thursday in Havana for the normalization of relations between their two countries. The participants of the Second Exchange Meeting between Cuban and U.S. students discussed the U.S. blockade and referred to the issue of the U.S. Naval base in eastern Guantanamo. John Tredway, professor and director of an exchange project between Cuban and U.S. students from Oregon, said that the group's objective is to promote dialogue between the two countries leading to bilateral peace and friendship. *CARLOS LAGE EXPECTS CUBAN ECONOMY TO GROW 5.6 PERCENT THIS YEAR Havana, December 15 (RHC)-- Cuba's Vice President Carlos Lage announced on Friday that the island's economy will expand by 5.6 percent this year despite the hike in oil prices and the fall of sugar prices on the international market. Speaking before the Fifth Congress of the Association of Cuban Economists, Lage explained that this has been a difficult and complex year. He pointed out that despite the difficulties, the main economic figures have not deteriorated. The island's industries are working more efficiently, showing a marked decrease in energy consumption in important sectors of the economy such as nickel. Carlos Lage said that with the steady growth of the island's GDP there is exists a general optimism in the country's development. *BOOK ON CUBA'S PRIMA BALLERINA TO BE LAUNCHED DECEMBER 26TH Havana, December 15 (RHC)--A book entitled "Alicia Alonso, Reality and Myth" by writer Miguel Cabrera will be launched on December 26th at the Melia Varadero Hotel, in Varadero Beach resort. The book covers the artistic life of the General Director of Cuba's National Ballet Company, Alicia Alonso. The book will also includes excerpts of pieces dedicated to Cuba's prima ballerina by some of the island's top writers such as Dulce Maria Loynaz, Lezama Lima, Alejo Carpentier, Juan Marinello and Nicolas Guillen. At the time of the launching, Cuba's National Ballet Company will announce the schedule of their performances in Varadero Beach resort. *22ND FESTIVAL OF NEW LATIN AMERICAN CINEMA ANNOUNCES WINNERS Havana, 15 Dec (RHC)--The juries of the 22nd Festival of New Latin American Cinema announced their category winners at a Press conference this morning in Havana. The main awards are as follows: The prize for best festival movie went to "Yo, Tu, Ellos" (Me, You, Them), a Brazilian film directed by Andrucha Waddington. It was followed by the Argentine film "Nueces Para el Amor" (Nuts for Love) in 2nd place. Francisco Lombardi came in as best director for his work "Tinta Roja," whose main actor was also voted best actor in the festival. Best Actress award went to Spanish actress, Ariadne Gil, for her role in "Nueces Para el Amor." The Critic's Jury decided on ''Asi es la Vida" (Such is Life) for their special prize. The award for best script was won by Juan Carlos Tabio, Arturo Arango and Senal Paz for their Cuban film, "Lista de Espera." The awards will be presented Friday night at the Karl Marx Theatre in Havana. *Viewpoint: THE FIGHT AGAINST INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM A few days ago, the United Nations almost unanimously approved a resolution that calls on all countries to fight against every form of terrorism. It appears that there may finally be the necessary political willingness and action to bring about a concerted international effort at dealing with terrorism in all its forms. Cuba was quick to sign the agreement since the Cuban Revolution has always opposed any kind of terrorism even during the liberation struggle and particularly after the final victory of the Revolution almost 42 years ago. The United Nations has finally begun to take steps to fight organized crime through international action. Some 14 heads of state and government as well as justice ministers from 121 countries are meeting in Palermo, Sicily, where they signed on Friday the Convention of Palermo also known as the Convention against International Organized Crime. The document includes the signatories' commitment to fight corruption, money laundering, drug trafficking and the obstruction of justice. The world particularly awaits an important contribution by the United States in this anti-terrorist struggle, as it and its citizens have always been one of the main targets of terrorist attacks. It is the most powerful nation on earth and the one with more resources to wage this battle against organized crime. However, the United States also happens to be one of the countries where many terrorist organizations are based. Anti-Cuba Miami-based terrorist organizations have emerged and developed with the consent and support of ten consecutive US administrations. Elements of these terrorist organizations contributed with their Florida money and corruption to the electoral crisis that has affected the US for the last 36 days, and which concluded with a Supreme Court decision that left many people unsatisfied, convince the election had been stolen from the people. Be that as it may, these organized criminal groups should be investigated, judged and condemned not only for the enormous physical damage they have done to Cuba and its people but also the moral damage inflicted upon the USA itself. (c) 2000 Radio Habana Cuba, NY Transfer News. All rights reserved. ================================================================= NY Transfer News Collective * A Service of Blythe Systems Since 1985 - Information for the Rest of Us 339 Lafayette St., New York, NY 10012 http://www.blythe.org e-mail: nyt@blythe.org ================================================================= rhc-eng-21672 2000-Dec-16 03:33:56