Radio Havana Cuba-24 October 2000 Via NY Transfer News * All the News That Doesn't Fit Radio Havana Cuba - News Update - 24 October 2000 . *SOUTH AFRICAN VICE PRESIDENT VISITS CUBA *VENEZUELAN GOVERNOR THANKS CUBAN DOCTORS FOR THEIR ASSISTANCE *CUBA'S YOUNG COMMUNIST LEAGUE CONVENES 2nd CUBA-US YOUTH MEETING *CUBAN AND CANADIAN EXPERTS WORK TOGETHER TO DEVELOP TOURISM *INTERNATIONAL ARTERIOSCLEROSIS CONGRESS BEGINS IN HAVANA *SPORTS DELEGATION FROM ECUADOR ARRIVES IN HAVANA *IBERO AMERICAN FESTIVAL OF CULTURE BEGINS IN EASTERN HOLGUIN *ART EXHIBITIONS ACROSS THE ISLAND PROMOTE CULTURE PROGRAM *Viewpoint: HAVANA HANGS UP ON MIAMI TERRORISTS . *SOUTH AFRICAN VICE PRESIDENT VISITS CUBA Havana, October 24 (RHC)-On Tuesday, in Revolution Square, Havana, South African Vice President Jacob G. Zuma placed a floral wreath at the monument of Jose Marti, Cuba's National Hero. Vice President Zuma arrived on Monday at Jose Marti International Airport at the invitation of Cuba's Communist Party. During his stay on the island, the Vice President, who is also Vice President of the African National Congress, ANC, will visit the Latin American School of Medicine, and the scientific complex located in the Cuban capital. He will also meet with Cuban government and Party officials. *VENEZUELAN GOVERNOR THANKS CUBAN DOCTORS FOR THEIR ASSISTANCE Caracas, October 24 (RHC)-- The Cuba-Venezuela Friendship week ended with a cultural gala at the La Guaira Plaza in Caracas, where the Governor of the state of Vargas, Antonio Rodriguez thanked the Cuban medical personnel for their dedicated work in the country's most remote areas where they dispensed medical services free of charge. The head of the Cuban medical mission, Dr. Luis Acao received the "El Libertador" statue in recognition of the group's work in offering their medical services to the Venezuelan population. The Cuban delegation in Venezuela is made up of school children, artists, and representatives from the island's grass roots organization. *CUBA'S YOUNG COMMUNIST LEAGUE CONVENES 2nd CUBA-US YOUTH MEETING Havana, October 23 (RHC)-- Cuba's Young Communist League will convene the 2nd Cuba-US Youth Meeting during the World Solidarity with Cuba meeting to be held next month in the Cuban capital. The head of the UJC's International Relations Committee, Juan Carlos Marzon, said that the delegates will get a first hand look at the island over ten days, which will include direct contacts with students, workers and the rest of the population. He added that the American youths would receive information on scientific and technical development and the island's economy in an attempt to counter the lies promoted by the ultra right wing mafia in Miami. The first Cuba-US meeting was held in 1996 in Havana with the participation of over 300 representatives from the United States. *CUBAN AND CANADIAN EXPERTS WORK TOGETHER TO DEVELOP TOURISM Havana, October 24 (RHC)-- Cuban and Canadian experts are studying the feasibility of including keys, like Cayo Paredon Grande, north of the central province of Ciego de Avila, in the Jardines del Rey tourism complex. The first phase of the work will wind up next December and will include market research and an environmental evaluation in the region. With almost 12 square kilometers of clean beaches, as well as a variety of well-conserved flora and fauna, Cayo Paredon Grande could host almost 4 thousand hotel rooms and other tourist attractions. *INTERNATIONAL ARTERIOSCLEROSIS CONGRESS BEGINS IN HAVANA Havana, October 24 (RHC)-- The 2nd International Arteriosclerosis congress began on Monday in Havana with the participation of national and foreign scientists who will discuss issues related to the illness. During the event, the delegates will participate in discussions about risk factors and its biological consequences. The Congress is organized by the Cuban Arteriosclerosis Society with the support of the Latin American and Ibero American societies. *SPORTS DELEGATION FROM ECUADOR ARRIVES IN HAVANA Havana, October 24 (RHC)--On Monday, The President of Cuba's Sports Institute, Humberto Rodriguez welcomed a delegation to Havana headed by the first Vice President of Ecuador's National Sports Federation, Julio Ramirez. Both officials will discuss issues related to sports cooperation between the two countries. The delegation will also meet with the President of the Cuban Olympic Committee, Jose Ramon Fernandez and will visit the Latin American School of Medicine and various sports complexes in the Cuban capital. On his part, Ecuador's Consul in Havana, Eduardo Durn Cousin expressed his satisfaction at the outcome of the Cuban athletes that had trained in his country's high altitude regions. Cuban athletes that won seven of the ten Gold medals during the Sydney Olympics trained in Ecuador. *IBERO AMERICAN FESTIVAL OF CULTURE BEGINS IN EASTERN HOLGUIN Havana, October 24 (RHC)-- The 8th Ibero American Festival of Culture kicked off in the eastern province of Holguin dedicated to Brazil, Portugal, and the Spanish region of Tenerife in the Canary Islands. During the meeting, participants will analyze the promotion of historic and cultural roots. The meeting will also include a march of the flags of American nations, an art exhibition entitled "Canaries and Jose Marti" and a conference entitled, "100 Years of Imperialism." Representatives from the United States and Venezuela are amongst the attendance. *ART EXHIBITIONS ACROSS THE ISLAND PROMOTE CULTURE PROGRAM Havana, October 24 (RHC)-- The best of Cuban art is being exhibited in different art galleries in the eastern province of Sancti Spiritus thanks to the initiative of Cuban President Fidel Castro. The collection of renowned Cuban artists like Amelia Pelaez, Carlos Henrique, Wilfredo Lam and Ren, Portocarrero, will help people to develop a national identity through visual arts. Other provinces will also exhibit similar art displays as part of Cuban Culture week that ends on Saturday. *Viewpoint: HAVANA HANGS UP ON MIAMI TERRORISTS During these days when we hear so much about the so-called "easing" of the U.S. blockade of Cuba, we have been pointing out that Washington's economic war has actually been taken to new heights with the recent passage of legislation in the U.S. Congress. The legislation in question deals with an alleged lifting of the blockade on food and medicine -- thus, on paper, allowing the sale of agricultural and pharmaceutical products to the island. But the inability to secure public or private financing for these purchases (the legislation makes it illegal to offer loans or credits) makes it impossible for Havana to buy anything from the United States. In addition -- and perhaps even more importantly -- the conditions placed on this legislation are an insult to Cuba's dignity and sovereignty. Among the amendments attached to recent legislation in the House of Representatives is a directive that takes Cuba's frozen funds and hands them over to terrorist groups in Miami. Millions of dollars -- frozen in U.S. banks -- were earmarked for long-distance calls between the United States and Cuba. This money will now be given to the families of terrorist pilots whose planes were shot down after violating Cuba's territorial airspace in February 1996. One thing is clear: if we want to address the issue of compensation for damages, then we must look at the case of Washington's aggressions against the Cuban people. Over the past 40 years, the U.S. has waged an economic war against the island -- a war also characterized by military and paramilitary attacks. Not one family member of the more than 3000 killed by Washington's genocidal war have been given one cent. And you can add to these victims some 11 million Cubans who are also the victims of U.S. anti-Cuba policies. Despite warnings by Havana that the stealing of Cuban funds is a violation of international law, Washington has decided to go ahead with its manuever. Cuba affirms that this congressional action -- soon to become law with the signing of the bill by the U.S. president -- is completely unjustifiable. As announced on Monday, the newly passed Decree 213 -- approved by the Cuban Council of State -- provides for the application of a special ten percent tax on phone calls between Cuba and the United States. This is seen as a completely necessary and understandable move -- to protect the island's interests from these arbitrary measures. Decree 213 also warns that if the United States government continues to support this congressional measure and funds earmarked for the island's telephone company are not paid, communications between Cuba and the U.S. could be seriously affected. As U.S. authorities should know, if you don't pay your bill, your service may be discontinued. 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