Radio Havana Cuba-12 October 2000 Via NY Transfer News * All the News That Doesn't Fit Radio Havana Cuba - News Update - 12 October 2000 . *CUBA REJECTS US LEGISLATION ALLEGED TO "EASE" BLOCKADE *CUBA'S MODERN CARDIAC REHABILLITATION CENTER *CUBAN DOCTORS AIDING HONDURAS IN THE FIGHT AGAINST DENGUE *4000 DELEGATES EXPECTED AT WORLD CONFERENCE IN SOLIDARITY WITH CUBA *TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO'S INDUSTRY AND TRADE MINISTER ARRIVES IN CUBA *MORE THAN A MILLION TOURISTS COUNTED AT JARDINES DEL REY COMPLEX *CUBAN-UKRAINIAN JOINT INTERGOVERNMENTAL COMMISSION MEETS IN HAVANA *Viewpoint: RIGHT-WINGERS IN US CONGRESS BLOCK ANY REAL CHANGE TO BLOCKADE . *CUBA REJECTS US LEGISLATION ALLEGED TO "EASE" BLOCKADE Havana, October 12 (RHC)-- Cuba has reiterated its rejection of U.S. legislation allegedly easing restrictions on Washington's blockade of the island. The bill was passed in the House of Representatives on Wednesday. During a televised roundtable discussion Wednesday evening in Havana, Miguel Alvarez -- an advisor to the presidency of the Cuban Parliament -- stated that the U.S. media is falsely reporting that this is the first easing of restrictions on the blockade in 40 years. Alvarez said that the blockade has actually been reinforced by converting into law Washington's ban on travel to Cuba, eliminating the possibility of the White House to lift that restriction without congressional approval. In this way, the initiative blocks projects on cultural, academic, sports and scientific exchanges that Cuba and the United States have been carrying out in recent years. In a telephone interview, the head of the Cuban Interests Section in Washington, DC -- Fernando Remirez -- affirmed that the blockade has been tightened, taking note of the special permission needed for any and all transations with Cuba, the prohibition on public or private financing for food and medicine sales to the island, as well as the prohibition on air and maritime transportation between Cuba and the United States. The legislation was passed by the House of Representatives with 340 votes in favor and 75 against. It will now go before the Senate. Despite expressing ojections to the initiative -- particularly with respect to converting into law Washington's travel ban -- President Bill Clinton has indicated that he will sign it into law. Havana recently stated that it will not carry out any transactions with U.S. firms under the conditions imposed, calling those conditions discriminatory and humiliating. *CUBA'S MODERN CARDIAC REHABILITATION CENTER Havana, October 12 (RHC)-- Cuba has a modern Cardiac Rehabilitation Center that treats some 200 heart patients each day. The announcement was made by the head of the rehabilitation group, Dr. Lien Baros Garcia, who pointed out that patients at the Center receive rehabilitation and counseling on the prevention of heart disease. Garcia explained that the rehabilitation process has three phases: hospitalization, recovery and prevention. The specialist added that patients also do relaxation exercises, receive nutritional treatment and psychological counseling. He stressed that patients who have had heart attacks or other heart problems reintegrate themselves into social life and participate in recreational activities outside of the rehabilitation center. *CUBAN DOCTORS AIDING HONDURAS IN THE FIGHT AGAINST DENGUE Tegucigalpa, October 12 (RHC)-- At least 14 Cuban doctors are in Honduras to help in the fight against the dengue epidemic. According to the Honduran Health Ministry, that Central American country now has at least 51 cases of dengue fever. The Cuban medical brigade has been in Honduras since an emergency appeal was issued after Hurricane Mitch hit the country nearly two years ago. Cuban doctors have been offering medical services free-of-charge since 1998 in the country's most remote areas. *4000 DELEGATES EXPECTED AT WORLD CONFERENCE IN SOLIDARITY WITH CUBA Havana, October 12 (RHC)-- The President of Cuban Institute of Friendship Among the Peoples (ICAP), Sergio Corrieri, said on Wednesday in Havana that attendence at the Second World Conference in Solidarity with Cuba will surpass its previous number of participants. The event is scheduled to run from November 10th through the 14th in the Cuban capital with some 4000 delegates. Issues to be discussed will include Washington's blockade against the island, information and disinformation about Cuba, improvements in the Cuban economy and the impact of tourism on the island. Foreign participants will also have the opportunity to exchange experiences and ideas with the Cuban delegates. *TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO'S INDUSTRY AND TRADE MINISTER ARRIVES IN CUBA Havana, October 12 (RHC)-- An exhibition of manufactured products from some 18 different companies based in Trinidad and Tobago was inaugurated on Wednesday at Havana's Palco Hotel. On hand for the opening of the exhibit was that Caribbean island's Minister of Industry and Trade, Marvin Assan. The official from Trinidad and Tobago arrived in Cuba on Monday, heading an important business delegation. The exhibition includes office materials, food, chemical products, women's clothing and shoes. *MORE THAN A MILLION TOURISTS COUNTED AT JARDINES DEL REY COMPLEX Havana, October 12 (RHC)-- Over one million tourists have visited the northern Cuban keys of Jardines del Rey since its creation in 1995. The region includes Cayo Coco and Guillermo, which are managed by foreign hotel chains, among them the Spanish Sol Melia as well as Cubanacan and Gran Caribe. According to the Cuban Tourism Ministry, visitors touring Jardines del Rey have included Canadian, Italian and German vacationers. *CUBAN-UKRAINIAN JOINT INTERGOVERNMENTAL COMMISSION MEETS IN HAVANA Havana, October 12 (RHC)-- The 4th Cuban-Ukrainian Joint Intergovernmental Commission continues in Havana with the objective of adopting a cooperation program and increasing exchanges in the sugar, construction and commercial sectors. Cuban Health Minister Carlos Dotres praised the friendship ties with the Ukraine and added that commercial relations correspond with the principles that unite both countries. Ukrainian Health Minister Vitaly Moskalenko reiterated that Cuba was among the first countries to offer medical aid to Ukrainians who were affected by the Chernobyl nuclear accident. Viewpoint: *RIGHT-WINGERS IN US CONGRESS BLOCK ANY REAL CHANGE TO BLOCKADE An important initiative proposed by a group of U.S. Democratic and Republican legislators -- designed to lift the blockade against the sale of food and medicine to Cuba -- has been sabotaged by right-wing members of the U.S. Congress. These representatives are determined to block any moves to ease or lift the U.S. blockade against Cuba. What was appoved by the House of Representative late Wednesday and will surely be approved by the Senate in the next few days is a document which is the complete opposite of its intent. The conditions placed on this legislation are clearly directed at worsening the effects of the blockade. U.S. President Bill Clinton has publicly admitted that the measure is totally ineffective and does not change the political situation as it stands. He also hinted at the possibility of a presidential veto, but political observers expect Clinton will sign the initiative into law anyway. The legislation is of special interest for the U.S. farming industry because it expects to receive upwards of 80 billion dollars from the U.S. Treasury Department in the coming financial period. To oppose the anti-Cuba measure would amount to a frustrating postponement of the approval of the estimated budget. The bipartisan Conference Committee has been manipulated by the Republican ultra-right and congressional members of Cuban origin, who continue exerting the most negative influence on Washington's Cuba policy. They have managed to outwit the true wishes of many of the lawmakers on Capitol Hill who have come out in favor of positive changes for both the United States and Cuba. (c) 2000 Radio Habana Cuba, NY Transfer News. 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