Radio Havana Cuba-12 September 2000 22:00 Via NY Transfer News * All the News That Doesn't Fit Radio Havana Cuba - News Update - 12 September 2000 22:00 *INDUSTRIALIZED NATIONS HAVE MORAL OBLIGATION TO THIRD WORLD DEVELOPMENT--PEREZ ROQUE *ALARCON DEPLORES U.S. VISA RESTRICTIONS, LACK OF INTEREST IN MIGRATORY ISSUES *PRESIDENT OF YEMEN ARRIVES IN CUBA FOR TWO-DAY OFFICIAL VISIT *WINSTON CHURCHILL'S GRANDAUGHTER IN HAVANA FOR HOTEL NACIONAL's 70th ANNIVERSARY *CUBAN MUSICIAN "PELLO EL AFROKAN" DIES AT THE AGE OF 67 *CUBAN PSYCHOLOGIST NOMINATED FOR INTERNATIONAL MAN OF THE YEAR AWARD *IBERO-AMERICAN SONG FESTIVAL UNDERWAY IN HAVANA *IBERO-AMERICAN CONGRESS OF NEUROLOGY NURSES TO BEGIN IN CUBAN CAPITAL *CUBAN OLYMPIC DELEGATION WILL BE COMPLETE IN 24 HOURS *VIEWPOINT: RISING OIL PRICES - ANOTHER UNSUSTAINABLE BURDEN FOR THE THIRD WORLD *INDUSTRIALIZED NATIONS HAVE MORAL OBLIGATION TO THIRD WORLD DEVELOPMENT--PEREZ ROQUE Havana, September 12 (RHC)-- Leading up to Tuesday's opening of the United Nations' 55th General Assembly, Cuban Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque asserted that industrialized nations have a moral obligation to decisively contribute to Third World development. In a speech before the UN Development Program, on the occasion of this agency's 30th anniversary, Perez Roque said that almost without exception, the development of the industrialized north was based on the resources, sweat and blood of the countries of the South. The Cuban foreign minister pointed to the reduction in some rich nations of the development aid earmarked for the Third World, taking the United States as a prime example. He said that in 1987, the U.S. contributed 185 million dollars to development aid and that each year that amount has been reduced -- now standing at only 50 million -- despite the growth of the U.S. economy and the growing needs of the Third World. Perez Roque also reiterated Cuba's offer to place Cuban medical personnel at the disposition of the United Nations for health programs in Africa. UN Secretary General Kofi Annan today inaugurated the world body's 55th General Assembly session, calling on those present to put into practice the commitments made at the recently-held Millennium Summit regarding poverty, injustice, disease and the destruction of our environment. *ALARCON DEPLORES U.S. VISA RESTRICTIONS, LACK OF INTEREST IN MIGRATORY ISSUES New York, September 12 (RHC)-- Cuban Parliament President Ricardo Alarcon has deplored Washington's visa restrictions and the U.S. government's lack of interest in discussing bilateral migratory issues. In statements to reporters at the United Nations, Alarcon confirmed Washington's refusal to allow him to travel to Washington, DC at the invitation of the Congressional Black Caucus. Alarcon stated that he had also hoped to meet with members of the Inter-American Dialogue Studies Center and with Democratic and Republican congressional representatives. In New York, after participating in the United Nations Millennium Summit, the head of Cuba's National Assembly of People's Power noted that this is the second time in two weeks that Washington has denied him a visa. The U.S. government refused to allow him to travel to New York several weeks ago for the UN-sponsored Inter-Parliamentary Union gathering. Ricardo Alarcon called on Washington to demonstrate a certain level of political maturity regarding the Cuba-U.S. migratory accords. He said that if Washington doesn't establish a date for the next bilateral meeting on migratory issues, the U.S. government's recent charge that Cuba is unwilling to hold the gathering will be seen as the bluff it was. Last December, Cuba suggested that the two countries gather again in January, but Washington took six months to respond. When U.S. authorities finally agreed to meet in June, Cuba declined -- arguing that the conflict over Elian Gonzalez still hadn't been resolved at that time. Insisting that the bilateral migratory accords are in danger due to Washington's systematic violations of those agreements, Alarcon said all Washington has to do is establish a date for the gathering. The president of the Cuban Parliament recalled that numerous Latin American immigrants in the United States are demanding the same treatment given granted to undocumented Cubans -- in reference to the Cuban Adjustment Act which allows illegal Cuban immigrants residency and immediate work permits. *PRESIDENT OF YEMEN ARRIVES IN CUBA FOR TWO-DAY OFFICIAL VISIT Havana, September 12 (RHC)-- The President of the Republic of Yemen, Ali Abdullah Saleh, has arrived in Cuba for a two-day official visit at the invitation of Cuban President Fidel Castro. During the visit, the Cuban government will award the foreign dignitary with the island's highest distinction -- the Jose Marti Order. A career soldier since 1958, following the reunification of Yemen in 1990, Ali Abdullah Saleh was designated President of the Presidential Council and re-elected to that post in 1993 and 1997. During the first direct presidential elections held in October 1999, he was elected President of the Republic with more than 96 percent of the vote. *WINSTON CHURCHILL'S GRANDAUGHTER IN HAVANA FOR HOTEL NACIONAL's 70th ANNIVERSARY Havana, September 12 (RHC)-- Celia Sandys, granddaughter of the late British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, toured Havana on Monday after her arrival to participate in celebrations for the 70th anniversary of the Hotel Nacional, which will run until December. Local sources recalled that Churchill was among the most famous clients hosted by the luxurious Havana hotel, together with U.S. boxer Mohammed Ali, model Naomi Campbell, singer Nat King Cole, Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretian, and many others. Hotel Nacional Executive Manager Carmen Casals told reporters that Winston Churchill represents a legend and recalled that the British Prime Minister visited the island for the first time in 1895 and paid Havana a second visit in 1946, when he stayed at the Hotel Nacional. *CUBAN MUSICIAN "PELLO EL AFROKAN" DIES AT THE AGE OF 67 Havana, September 12 (RHC)-- Cuban musician Pedro Izquierdo, popularly known as "Pello El Afrokan, has died in Havana at the age of 67. The popular musician became famous in the 1960's. Among some of his most successful international performances was the Olympia Theater in Paris, France. He will be remembered as the inventor of a popular dance - "The Mozambique" -- which was the rage in Cuba in the 1960's. The renowned Cuban band leader and singer created his own group and received numerous awards, among them the National Culture Medal given by the island's Ministry of Culture. *CUBAN PSYCHOLOGIST NOMINATED FOR INTERNATIONAL MAN OF THE YEAR AWARD Havana, September 12 (RHC)-- The International Biographical Center in Cambridge, England, has nominated Cuban psychologist Alberto Cobian Mena for the International Man of the Year 2000 Prize -- awarded for his contribution to training health professionals. The nomination for the prestigious award came from the Editorial and Advisory Council of the International Biographical Center, which is made up of personalities from the international scientific community. The biographies of 10,000 prominent people were studied and a small group of semi-finalists chosen, from which the winner will be selected. The Cuban scientist is a Doctor of Medical Sciences and heads the Psychology Department of the Medical Sciences Higher Institute, located in eastern Santiago de Cuba. In addition, Dr. Alberto Cobian Mena is the president of a branch of the Caribbean Hypnosis Association and of the Cuban Psychology Society in Santiago de Cuba. He is also a member of the Academic Committee of Primary Care and Traditional Medicine. Dr. Cobian Mena is the author of a book entitled "I Believe in Hypnosis," a thesis on medicinal plants and has written various articles. *IBERO-AMERICAN SONG FESTIVAL UNDERWAY IN HAVANA Havana, September 12 (RHC)-- The Ibero-American Song Festival got underway Monday in Havana with the participation of singers and songwriters from ten countries. During a news conference at Havana's Casa de las Americas, the event's organizers announced that concerts will be held in a number of theaters throughout Havana. There will also be conferences, workshops and debates on various aspects of Ibero-American songs. The Ibero-American Song Festival is sponsored by Casa de las Americas cultural institution and will run through Saturday, the 16th. *IBERO-AMERICAN CONGRESS OF NEUROLOGY NURSES TO BEGIN IN CUBAN CAPITAL Havana, September 12 (RHC)-- The Third Ibero-American Congress on Nurses Specialized in Neurology will be held from the 19th to the 21st of this month in Havana. The forum, which will be held at the International Convention Center, will gather neuro-scientists to examine research, prevention and the treatment of neurological diseases, which are the third most common cause of death worldwide. *CUBAN OLYMPIC DELEGATION WILL BE COMPLETE IN 24 HOURS Sydney, September 12 (RHC)-- With the arrival of jumpers Ivan Pedroso, world champ in men's long jump, and Javier Sotomayor, world champ in men's high jump, along with runner Anier Garcia, the Cuban delegation to the Sydney games will be complete in 24 hours. The number of Cuban athletes is 239. Pedroso, Sotomayor and Garcia are coming from Japan where they attended a competition over the weekend. The Cuban news daily Granma reports today that Sotomayor landed in third place at the Yokohama track and field competition with a 2.28 meter jump. According to the news daily, although it is not the best result, Sotomayor's most powerful weapon is his decision to compete and give it his best. Sotomayor, after jumping over the 2.28 meters, declined the 2.31 meters, but then failed the 2.33. Charles Austin from the U.S. was second with 2.31. Viashelav Voronin was in first place with 2.33 meters. This competition corroborates what many specialists are predicting about men's high jump competitions in Sydney. They believe it is going to be a very tough competition, taking into consideration the latest results in which Russia's Voronin has the best jump of the season with 2.40 meters, but Austin and Sotomayor are closely following. The Cuban high jumper is back on the sports circuit after a one year suspension, and his lack of international training this year is what may be a hindrance for him. *VIEWPOINT: RISING OIL PRICES - ANOTHER UNSUSTAINABLE BURDEN FOR THE THIRD WORLD The current skyrocketing oil prices have hit 35 dollars per barrel on the international market, compared to less than 10 dollars just a few years ago. Fuel demand is high in developed nations, where it is essential to the functioning of big industry. However, those countries have the resources to face the costs. Wealthy nations have become a privileged elite among the world's nearly 200 countries. The juicy dividends that they receive from the interest payments on the Third World's foreign debt alone is enough to alleviate the undesirable burden of higher oil prices. Regarding the underdeveloped world, a new, unsustainable burden has now been hoisted upon its already exhausted shoulders. Home to the vast majority of the world's population, Third World nations are now forced to earmark most of their scarce resources, not just to service the annual payments on their never-ending foreign debt, but also to pay for the fuel they need to put their faltering industries to work. The problem has caused consternation, particularly in Asia, where there is a growing concern that the rise in oil prices will bring about galloping inflation, leading to another economic crisis. A substantial, acceptable reduction of prices to benefit both large and small consumers is unlikely. What is certain however, is that the vast majority of the world's population will be the most affected by this new dilemma, which has now been added to their already innumerable economic problems. The possibility of surviving in today's globalized world is ever more difficult for the Third World -- watching helplessly as the free market takes hold even of the power to determine a country's destiny. If the international community is to prevent a social cataclysm of unpredictable global proportions, quick action must be taken to put the world economy back on course. (c) 2000 Radio Habana Cuba, NY Transfer News. 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