Radio Havana Cuba-11 September 2000 (delayed) Via NY Transfer News * All the News That Doesn't Fit Radio Havana Cuba - News Update - 11 September 2000 (delayed) *CUBAN PRESIDENT FIDEL CASTRO INAUGURATES SOCIAL WORKERS' COURSE *STATUE OF SLAIN CHILEAN PRESIDENT SALVADOR ALLENDE UNVEILED IN HAVANA *PRESIDENT OF CUBA'S FOOD IMPORTING COMPANY VISITS TEXAS *BUSINESS EXECUTIVES FROM 14 CANADIAN COMPANIES TOUR CUBA *RECENT MEDICAL GRADS OFFER SERVICES IN REMOTE PARTS OF THE ISALDN *VIEWPOINT: CUBA GOES TO OLYMPICS WITH ITS LARGEST DELEGATION EVER *CUBAN PRESIDENT FIDEL CASTRO INAUGURATES SOCIAL WORKERS' COURSE Havana, September 11 (RHC)-- Cuban President Fidel Castro inaugurated on Sunday an important course for young social workers which gathers over 500 recent high school graduates. During his address, the Cuban leader stressed that 80 percent of the students are women, because of the special sense of responsibility and maternal spirit that is required in community work. Cuban President Fidel Castro urged the students to be disciplined and to dedicate time to their studies, noting that their work will be of great importance and will gain prestige on the island. The course lasts six months. *STATUE OF SLAIN CHILEAN PRESIDENT SALVADOR ALLENDE UNVEILED IN HAVANA Havana, September 11 (RHC)-- A statue of slain Chilean President Salvador Allende was unveiled in the Cuban capital on Monday -- the 27th anniversary of the military coup in Chile, in which the constitutionally-elected president was killed. On hand for the unveiling ceremony was the historian for Havana, Eusebio Leal, and Chile's Ambassador to Cuba, German Guerrero. The bust of Allende stands on a black marble pedestal. Behind the statue, white, red and blue flowers are planted, representing the Chilean flag. The bronze statue, which was donated by a community of Chileans living in Spain, is located in the Havana neighborhood of Vedado. It was designed by Chilean sculptor Monica Bunster. *PRESIDENT OF CUBA'S FOOD IMPORTING COMPANY VISITS TEXAS Houston, September 11 (RHC)-- The President of Cuba's food importing company, ALIMPORT, Pedro Alvarez, is visiting the U.S. state of Texas. Alvarez was invited by agricultural and political groups in Texas which, on numerous occasions, have pressured Washington to end commercial sanctions against the island. The President of the Agriculture Department of Texas, Donald Patman, told reporters that Washington's blockade against the island prevents Americans from taking advantage of Cuba's close geographical position and forces Cuba to purchase food from more distant countries. The Cuban delegation will meet with researchers and producers, as well as visit food processing facilities during their stay. Meanwhile, U.S. Democrats have charged that Republican sectors are maneuvering to kill a bill that would lift the prohibition on sales of medicine and food to Cuba. New York Democratic Representative Jose Serrano stated that the delay in the Congress is aimed at killing the bill. Representative Serrano insisted that debates should center on completely ending Washington's anti-Cuba policy. Senator Christopher Dodd from the State of Connecticut also supports the bill and has called for an end to Washington's nearly 40-year blockade against the island. *BUSINESS EXECUTIVES FROM 14 CANADIAN COMPANIES TOUR CUBA Havana, September 11 (RHC)-- Business executives from 14 Canadian companies are in Cuba to explore opportunities in diverse sectors of the Cuban economy, according to the island's Chamber of Commerce. The Canadian business executives represent the construction, textile, paper, steel, plastic, electronics and communications industries. *RECENT MEDICAL GRADS OFFER SERVICES IN REMOTE PARTS OF THE ISALDN Havana, September 11 (RHC)-- One hundred and twenty (120) Cuban doctors and dentists who recently graduated with honors are on their way to remote, eastern regions of the island to offer their services in improving the quality of life of area residents. During an official welcoming activity in the eastern province of Guantanamo, the 104 doctors and 16 dentists were received by local government officials and grassroots organizations. According to Cuban Health Ministry official, Dr. Ileana Morales Suarez, the health professionals will be briefed on the current health situation in that part of the island. The recently-graduated dentists will offer their services in eastern Guantanamo, Granma and Santiago de Cuba provinces. *VIEWPOINT: CUBA GOES TO OLYMPICS WITH ITS LARGEST DELEGATION EVER The 239 Cuban athletes making up the island's delegation to the 27th Olympic Games have already arrived in the Australian city of Sydney. This time, Cuba will participate with its largest delegation ever to any such competition. Being a poor, Third World nation -- submitted to the longest and most brutal blockade in history -- Cuba has been able to achieve a well-grounded position among the top ten countries that traditionally win Olympic titles. Cuba's outstanding performance in the world of sports is included among the main achievements of the Cuban Revolution. Before 1959, only a few, exceptional Cuban athletes won international recognition. That was the case of fencer Ramon Fonts, who won an Olympic title in 1900. Others were also able to participate, but with very modest results. This was due in great measure to the fact that in order to pay for their participation in competitions, they depended entirely on funds raised through public donations, which were often insufficient to even guarantee a good training. It was only after the triumph of the Cuban Revolution that the practice of sports was no longer a privilege of a wealthy elite, but rather a right of the entire Cuban people. Since 1959, Cuba has repeatedly amazed the world with its outstanding participation and results in the Olympics, as well as in championships held in the most diverse sports disciplines. Cuba has always defended the principle of amateur sports, firmly opposed to the eroding and corrupting influence of any interest other than the glory of international competition and the friendship ties that it creates among the peoples. Cuba believes that in professional sports, athletes and coaches are put up for sale to the highest bidder -- treated as mere pieces of merchandize. This growing phenomenon is known as the "theft of sports talents." Rich nations spend large sums of money so they don't have to train and prepare their own athletes; instead, they steal those already trained by Third World nations. Cuba's achievements in the area of sports over the past 40 years have not only benefited the Cuban people, but also other peoples around the world. As has occurred in many other social sectors, Cuba has demonstrated its solidarity with other countries in terms of sports, sending coaches and other specialists to foment the practice of sports disciplines. Cubans are looking forward to the Summer Olympics. They are gearing up for the marathon radio and television broadcasts that will originate in Australia. No time difference will be a hurdle for sports enthusiasts to monitor the Cuban delegation's performance night and day. As in any competition, there will be victories and setbacks. But, more than Olympic titles, Cubans will be proud to witness the dignity and patriotism of the island's athletes. (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-17940 2000-Sep-12 18:05:30