Radio Havana Cuba-06 January 2001 Via NY Transfer News * All the News That Doesn't Fit Radio Havana Cuba - News Update - 06 January 2001 . *GRANMA CONDEMNS FALSE FOREIGN PRESS REPORTS ON NEW YEAR'S CELEBRATIONS *CUBA STILL HAS LOWEST INFANT MORTALITY RATE IN LATIN AMERICA *MILLIONS AROUND THE WORLD HAVE BENEFITED FROM CUBAN DOCTORS' HELP *MORE THAN 50,000 CUBANS FROM MAYARI ARRIBA PARTICIPATE IN OPEN TRIBUNE *42nd ANNIVERSARY OF THE CUBAN REVOLUTION CELEBRATED IN TURKEY *VISIT OF VICENTE FOX CRUCIAL TO FUTURE CUBA-MEXICO RELATIONS . *GRANMA CONDEMNS FALSE FOREIGN PRESS REPORTS ON NEW YEAR'S CELEBRATIONS Havana, Jan 6 (RHC)--The Cuban newspaper Granma ran an editorial on Saturday rejecting claims by some foreign journalists, that the massive New Year's celebrations held throughout the island were sparsely attended government sponsored propaganda meetings. The editorial entitled, "In Spite of the Cold," noted that despite the uncommonly cold weather that still continues to chill the Caribbean island, all the activities organized in the capital on the night of January 1st, and in the following days, were massively attended and heartily enjoyed and in one event alone, there were 30,000 people. The editorial says that Cubans ended the year and celebrated the 42nd anniversary of the triumph of the Revolution as one big family. However, explains Granma, some press outlets characterized the celebrations, in which the island's top salsa orchestras performed, as "street parties with a flood of official propaganda" and "public shows which were attended by small groups of Cubans." One of the most objectionable reports, says the editorial, was made by an anonymous reporter from the U.S. Associated Press agency. Whoever wrote the article obviously failed to walk the streets or even turn on the television which transmitted the dozens of events live. According to the newspaper, the journalist called the article "Fireworks and Concerts in the Cold Commemorate the Triumph of the Revolution in Cuba." Though millions of Cubans island wide danced until dawn to Cuba's most popular bands, the anonymous AP writer claimed that only small groups of Cubans participated. Saturday's Granma editorial asks, "How can more than a million Havana residents, celebrating in 94 spots around the city, be called small groups of Cubans?" Most danced the night away to the music of the island's most prestigious musicians including Pablo Milanes and Compay Segundo, or they attended performances by the National Ballet and National Symphonic Orchestra. On that incredibly cold night, more than 17,000 Habaneros crowded into local movie houses for movies and plays and musical performances. According to the Granma article, a Reuters Agency reporter called the giant fiesta "a landslide of official propaganda." The Granma editorial noted that the reporter is well known for his anti-Cuba sentiments and his close ties to the U.S. Interests Section in Havana. The editorial stresses that the reports on the festivities do not truly reflect the joy that characterized the parties and represent the joy and hopes of the Cuban people. And finally, Saturday's Granma editorial quotes Cubans who give their opinions about the activities saying that they were wonderful, and that it was wonderful to see Cubans enjoying themselves and that the children's events were very much appreciated and enjoyed. "In Spite of the Cold" concludes that "nothing can hold back the joy of a people in revolution." *CUBA STILL HAS LOWEST INFANT MORTALITY RATE IN LATIN AMERICA Havana, January 6 (RHC)- Cuba continues to maintain the lowest infant mortality rate in Latin America and the Caribbean with 7.2 per one thousand live births during the year 2000. The island is also listed among the top five countries in the world with its low infant mortality rate. The increase, compared to the 1999 figure of 6.4, was due to congenital malformations, mainly in eastern Santiago de Cuba and Havana. *MILLIONS AROUND THE WORLD HAVE BENEFITED FROM CUBAN DOCTORS' HELP Havana, January 6 (RHC)-Cuban doctors have offered free medical assistance to millions of people around the world, aimed at improving their living standards. According to a report released at the 13th National Forum of Science and Technology, currently underway in Havana, the 2,185 health professionals abroad, have had to fight illnesses resulting from natural disasters, epidemics and wars. The report also says that Cuban technicians have directly contributed to the preservation of the Tawahka ethnic community in Honduras and the control of the dengue epidemic in El Salvador. A project is also being developed aimed at improving the health situation in Kosovo. The Forum, which has the participation of one thousand 500 delegates and guests, winds up on Sunday with the awards given for the best inventions. *MORE THAN 50,000 CUBANS FROM MAYARI ARRIBA PARTICIPATE IN OPEN TRIBUNE Havana, January 6 (RHC)-Over 50 thousand inhabitants from the eastern Cuban municipality of Mayari Arriba participated in Saturday's Open Tribune demanding an end to Washington's anti Cuba policy. Students from primary and secondary schools, as well as young workers, demanded the end to the US legislation Cuban Adjustment Act which provokes illegal departures from the island and the other US laws that tighten the almost 40 year blockade against the island. The participants also demanded the extradition of Cuban born terrorist Luis Posada Carriles and accomplices for their attempt to assassinate Cuban President Fidel Castro during last year's Ibero American Summit in Panama. *42nd ANNIVERSARY OF THE CUBAN REVOLUTION CELEBRATED IN TURKEY Havana, January 6 (RHC)-Turkish government authorities, parliamentarians and friends of Cuba, participated in a political-cultural activity to celebrate the 42nd anniversary of the Cuban Revolution. The solidarity event also served to inaugurate a web page, in Turkish, on Washington's blockade against Cuba that includes important documents revealing the aggressive US policy towards the island. The Cuban ambassador to Turkey, Miguel Lamazares, thanked the Turkish people for their solidarity with their Cuban counterparts who contributed to the creation of the Turkish web page. He also mentioned the good relations between Cuba and Turkey and its future development. . Viewpoint: *VISIT OF VICENTE FOX CRUCIAL TO FUTURE CUBA-MEXICO RELATIONS Cuban-Mexican relations have always been characterized as very friendly, especially after the triumph of the Cuban Revolution, when the Mexican government refused to break diplomatic links with the island under U.S. pressure. Traditionally, there has existed a close relationship between the two countries. Mexico has protected many Cuban patriots, persecuted by oppressive regimes and they have remained in Mexican territory to fight for a better future for their country. During the last few years, after Mexico was included in the Free Trade Agreement with Canada and the United States, Cuban-Mexican relations began to suffer a notable deterioration as a result of pressures coming from its most influential economic partner: The United States. In general, economic, diplomatic and political relations between Mexico and Cuba were considerably reduced, however it never reached crisis point. Now, with the arrival of Vicente Fox as the new president of Mexico, a revival of Cuban-Mexican relations have been generated, eventually leading to better comprehension and sympathy between both governments. Cuban President, Fidel Castro's attendance at the inauguration of the new Mexican leader, Vicente Fox was regarded as significant from a diplomatic and courtesy standpoint. There is hope and will to expand trade and commerce relations between the two governments, which makes Mexican President, Vincente Fox's forthcoming visit to Cuba crucial for both nations. According to the new Mexican ambassador in Havana, Ricardo Pacoe, a new Cuban-Mexican agreement for reciprocal business protection will be implemented in order to stimulate Mexican investment in Cuba. The Mexican ambassador acknowledged that the U.S economic blockade and other Anti-Cuba legislation continue to be an obstacle for the development of bilateral commercial and financial relations. The Mexican Congress has been one of the parliaments which recently expressed its rejection of the U.S policy towards Cuba. Without doubt, it will also support the new course of Cuban-Mexican bilateral relations. (c) 2001 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-13458 2001-Jan-07 04:44:24