Radio Havana Cuba-5 May 2000 Via NY Transfer News * All the News That Doesn't Fit Radio Havana Cuba - News Update - 5 May 2000 -FIDEL CONGRATULATES HAVANA RESIDENTS FOR IMPRESSIVE MAY DAY RALLY AND MARCH -CUBAN PARLIAMENT PRESIDENT SAYS WASHINGTON MUST RETURN ELIAN GONZALEZ -ANOTHER CONGRESSIONAL EFFORT TO EASE SALE OF FOOD AND MEDICINE TO CUBA -PROTESTERS SAY CUBAN-AMERICANS HAVE CONVERTED MIAMI INTO A BANANA REPUBLIC -ELIAN'S GRANDPARENTS RECEIVE SUPPORT AND SOLIDARITY FROM SPECIAL VISITORS -ALICIA ALONSO INVITED TO 60th ANNIVERSARY OF AMERICAN BALLET THEATER IN NY0 -10th INTERNATIONAL THEATER AND DANCE FESTIVAL KICKS OFF IN HAVANA ON SUNDAY -INTERNATIONAL TOURISM CONVENTION BEGINS TUESDAY IN THE CUBAN CAPITAL -HAVANA'S INDUSTRIALES TIE PINAR DEL RIO 2-2 IN NATIONAL BASEBALL PLAYOFFS CUBAN PRESIDENT FIDEL CASTRO CONGRATULATES HAVANA RESIDENTS FOR IMPRESSIVE MAY DAY RALLY AND MARCH Havana, May 5 (RHC)-- Cuban President Fidel Castro congratulated Havana residents for their participation in May Day activities, in which the Cuban people reaffirmed their support of the Revolution. In an open letter published in Friday's edition of Granma newspaper, the Cuban leader expressed his appreciation for last Monday's march and rally commemorating International Worker's Day. Fidel Castro stated that the impressive scene of more than one million Havana residents on May 1st was a reminder of the Victory of the Bay of Pigs and the days of the October Missile Crisis. The Cuban leader's message added that Havana residents are like invincible soldiers who continue to advance in the beautiful and prolonged struggle for the return of six-year-old Elian Gonzalez and in defense of the Cuban Revolution. CUBAN PARLIAMENT PRESIDENT SAYS WASHINGTON MUST RETURN ELIAN GONZALEZ Havana, May 5 (RHC)-- Cuban Parliament President Ricardo Alarcon affirmed that the government of the United States has the obligation to return six-year-old Elian Gonzalez to Cuba, despite the final ruling of an Atlanta appeals court next week. Ricardo Alarcon spoke during a roundtable discussion broadcast live on Cuban radio and television Thursday evening. The program was also aired on the international frequencies of Radio Havana Cuba. The leader of the Cuban Parliament stated that a six-year-old child cannot fully comprehend what political asylum is, let alone understand the forms that he allegedly signed. Alarcon pointed out that U.S. courts should be charging those in Miami with kidnapping and child abuse, adding that it is incredible that the first public kidnapping in history -- with wide coverage by the U.S. and international media -- should go unpunished. ANOTHER CONGRESSIONAL MOVE TO EASE RESTRICTIONS ON SALE OF FOOD AND MEDICINE TO CUBA Washington, May 5 (RHC)-- Another move is underway in the U.S. Congress to lift restrictions on the sale of food and medicine to Cuba. On Thursday, the House Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee added an amendment to an agricultural spending bill that would do away with unilateral sanctions on the sale of food and medicine, including those currently in place against Cuba. The measure would also prohibit the president from including food and medicine in future embargoes of other countries without congressional approval. The proposed legislation was approved by a voice vote of the subcommittee of the Republican-controlled House Appropriations Committee. The Senate overwhelmingly approved a similar Cuba measure last year, but it was later killed after right wing Cuban-Americans put pressure on House Republican leaders. The administration lifted sanctions last year on exports of food and medicine to three other countries Washington has listed as so-called "terrorist states" -- Iran, Libya and Sudan -- but Cuba was left out. Another serious effort to carve out Cuba is expected in the full Appropriations Committee, which is scheduled to meet on May 10th. A supporter of the bill, Representative Rosa DeLauro -- a Democrat from Connecticut -- said it was unfair to block sales of food to Cuba when Congress is considering permanent normal trade relations with China, which the U.S. Congress also criticizes in the arena of human rights. PROTESTERS SAY CUBAN-AMERICANS HAVE CONVERTED MIAMI INTO A BANANA REPUBLIC Miami, May 5 (RHC)-- Protesters in Miami are accusing Cuban-Americans of converting the city into a banana republic. In what is being called a unique form of protest, a number of Miami residents threw bunches of bananas at the main entrance of the offices of Mayor Joe Carollo, while placing a large banner with the words "Banana Republic" on a downtown boulevard. The protest took place on Thursday, during a special meeting where Mayor Carollo demanded clarification of a judicial order suspending his firing of City Manager Donald Warshaw, who afterwards accused the controversial mayor of ordering him to commit criminal acts. According to the Warshaw, Carollo ordered him to investigate and spy on the editor of the Miami Herald and four city commissioners. According to the Miami Herald, the firing of Warshaw and the resignation of Police Chief William O'Brien -- resulting from the Elian Gonzalez rescue operation -- have generated unrest in the white, Black and non-Cuban Hispanic communities. The Miami news daily asserted that there is an unprecedented movement underway against Mayor Carollo and the Cuban-American exile community. And what is being called a "War of the Flags" is reportedly underway. Displaying a Cuban flag is said to be against Elian's repatriation to Cuba and the policies of the U.S. government, while carrying the American flag represents sending him back. Tensions have risen to the point where security has been stepped up at the Miami residence of Attorney General Janet Reno, who has reportedly received threats from members of the extremist Cuban-American community. Mayor Carollo, meanwhile, has vowed to appoint another city manager next week, despite the order issued by a Miami judge. ELIAN'S GRANDPARENTS RECEIVE SUPPORT AND SOLIDARITY FROM SPECIAL VISITORS Havana, May 5 (RHC)-- The grandparents of six-year-old Elian Gonzalez met Thursday at the offices of the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples (ICAP) with a group of U.S. grandparents that support the return of their grandson to the island. Timothy Harding told reporters that he has seven grandchildren and easily identified with the Elian case. Harding said the group traveled to the island to express their solidarity with Elian's family, especially the boy's grandmothers. The U.S. grandfather characterized the situation as a crime, adding that the appeals process does not make any sense, especially now when Elian is happy with his father and both want to return to Cuba. Elian's paternal grandmother, Mariela Quintana, thanked the visiting grandparents and expressed her appreciation to all who have supported the return of her six-year-old grandson to his home. Elian's paternal grandfather, Juan Gonzalez, presented the guests with a set of recent photographs of Elian with his father, Juan Miguel, as a gesture of his appreciation. PRIMA BALLERINA ALICIA ALONSO INVITED TO 60th ANNIVERSARY OF THE AMERICAN BALLET THEATER IN NEW YORK Havana, May 5 (RHC)-- Prima Ballerina Alicia Alonso as been invited as a guest of honor on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the American Ballet Theater in New York City. The American Ballet Theater, created in 1940, offered its first performance in New York's Radio City Center. Alicia Alonso was one of the theater's founding members. The Cuban Prima Ballerina debuted at the American Ballet Theater with Gisselle in 1943, replacing Alicia Markova in the Metropolitan Opera House. Other guests of the special gala performance on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the American Ballet Theater are Argentinean Julio Bocca, Russian Nina Ananiashvili, Cuban Jose Manuel Carreno and Argentinean Paloma Herrera. 10th INTERNATIONAL THEATER AND DANCE FESTIVAL KICKS OFF IN HAVANA ON SUNDAY Havana, May 5 (RHC)-- The 10th International Theater and Dance Festival will be held in Havana next week with the participation of delegates from five countries. The event gets underway on Sunday, May 7th, and runs through Saturday, the 13th. The festival's main focus will be art designed for children. The event is sponsored by the Cuban Fine Arts Institute (ISA). Workshops and conferences on theater and dance will also be held during the festival. INTERNATIONAL TOURISM CONVENTION BEGINS TUESDAY IN THE CUBAN CAPITAL Havana, May 5 (RHC)-- The 21st International Tourism Convention -- "One Caribbean for Tourism" -- is scheduled to get underway in Havana on Tuesday, May 9th, with the participation of representatives from 27 countries. The president of the organizing committee, Mirabel Riquenes, said that the event will be an expression of integration -- a priority of the tourism sector. During the convention, Cuba will show-off not only its beauty and its hotels and beaches but also its people, culture, sports and scientific achievements. The Tourism Convention, which will be transmitted live via satellite, will be covered by over 100 journalists and attended by tourism promoters, as well as national and international travel agents. HAVANA'S INDUSTRIALES TIE PINAR DEL RIO 2-2 IN NATIONAL BASEBALL PLAYOFFS Havana, May 5 (RHC)-- The local Industriales and Pinar del Rio baseball teams are tied at two in the National Baseball Series Playoffs. With more than 40,000 Havana baseball fans cheering them on, the Industriales won an important game Thursday night, defeating Pinar del Rio 4 to one. Industriales Javier Mendez hit two doubles -- decisive against the tough Pinar del Rio pitcher, Pedro Luis Lazo. Before last night's game, Lazo had not lost a single game against the Havana team since 1996. Pedro Luis Lazo struck out ten Industriales batters. Veteran relief pitcher Lazaro Valle got the victory for Industriales. Now both teams go back to Pinar del Rio and face each other on Saturday. The winner will go to the finals and face the defending and favorite Santiago de Cuba team. (c) 2000 Radio Havana Cuba. 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