RHC Weekend-19 May 2001 Via NY Transfer News * All the News That Doesn't Fit Radio Havana Cuba - News Update - 19 May 2001 . *NOTHING NEW ABOUT US EFFORTS TO BUY SUBVERSION IN CUBA *DOS RIOS RALLY MARKS 106th ANNIVERSARY OF JOSE MARTI'S DEATH *FOREIGN STUDENTS CONDEMN SLANDER CAMPAIGN AGAINST CUBA *INTERNATIONAL DISCO FAIR PAYS HOMAGE TO CUBAN TROUBADOURS *LARGE CUBAN DELEGATION TO ATTEND EUROPEAN TRADE FAIR IN MAY *ORTEGA TOPS OPINION POLLS IN NICARAGUA'S NOVEMBER ELECTION Viewpoint: *JOSE MARTI'S IDEALS LIVE ON IN THE CUBAN REVOLUTION . *NOTHING NEW ABOUT US EFFORTS TO BUY SUBVERSION IN CUBA Havana, May 19 (RHC)--In reference to the new U.S. congressional move to provide one hundred million dollars to so-called "dissidents" in Cuba, Parliament President Ricardo Alarcon has recalled that for years Washington has spent that much and more in efforts to destroy the Cuban Revolution. In the closing speech Friday evening at a forum in Havana sponsored by the Cuban United Nations Association, Alarcon said the promoters of this illegitimate legislation aimed at subverting the internal order of a sovereign nation are apparently seeking greater publicity in order to further bind the U.S. government to its anti-Cuba policies. Pointing to Radio and TV Marti, the millions of dollars earmarked for so-called "dissidents" in the anti-Cuba Helms-Burton Law, the Bay of Pigs invasion and other efforts to undermine the Cuban Revolution, the Cuban Parliament president said Washington has consistently spent U.S. taxpayers' money in its anti-Cuba crusade. *DOS RIOS RALLY MARKS 106th ANNIVERSARY OF JOSE MARTI'S DEATH Dios Rios, May 19 (RHC)--More than 20,000 residents of Granma province participated Saturday morning in a patriotic activity in the municipality of Dos Rios, the same site where Cuban National Hero Jose Marti fell in combat while fighting Spanish colonialism exactly 106 years ago. Armando Hart, former Minister of Culture and the current President of the National Program on Jose Marti, highlighted Marti's ideals to link culture and politics. Hart said that Marti's ideals are valid today in the confrontation against neo-liberal globalization. Giving continuity to the anti-imperialist ideals of Jose Marti, participants condemned Washington's anti-Cuba laws, including the so-called Cuban Adjustment Act and the brutal blockade that Washington has unsuccessfully used to try to destroy the Cuban Revolution. Cuban children at Saturday morning's activity reaffirmed their strong determination to follow the example set by Jose Marti to defend their country and the Revolution until their last drop of blood. As part of the activities to pay homage to Jose Marti on the 106th anniversary of his death, the people of eastern Santiago de Cuba province laid floral wreaths at the Santa Ifigenia Cemetery, where Marti was finally buried in 1951. Pioneer children also served as an honor guard around the coffin that holds the remains of Cuba's national hero. Other activities to mark the date included the presentation of the book "Piedras Inperecederas" by Omar Lopez and Aida Morales. The book deals with Marti's many burials. A group of Cuban youth also followed the route of Marti's body from Dos Rios to the Santa Infigenia cemetery, visiting all the sites where his remains were previously kept. *FOREIGN STUDENTS CONDEMN SLANDER CAMPAIGN AGAINST CUBA Santa Clara, May 19 (RHC)--Foreign students on scholarships here in Cuba have issued a statement condemning the slander campaign against Cuba launched by the U.S. government and ultra right-wing groups in Miami for alleged violations of human rights on the island. During an activity at the offices of the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples (ICAP) in central Santa Clara province, members of the Ernesto Che Guevara Solidarity Brigade expressed their unconditional support for the Cuban people and their Revolution. Matiu Le Blanc, a student here in Cuba and the coordinator of the solidarity brigades, told reporters that the aim of his organization is to support Cuba and to work toward Third World unity. The Ernesto Che Guevara Solidarity Brigade, created in 1991, is made up of more than 250 students from 62 nations who are studying here on scholarships granted by the Cuban government. The scholarships are part of a program to help train young people from other Third World nations as professionals in various fields. The Dominican student said that Cuba is an example for the world, which encourages the new generations to fight for a better, more just society in their respective nations. *INTERNATIONAL DISCO FAIR PAYS HOMAGE TO CUBAN TROUBADOURS Havana, May 19 (RHC)--Catalan composer and singer Joan Manuel Serrat was the main artist during a concert to celebrate Cuban troubadours, in the person of Silvio Rodriguez, on Friday. The activity was in the framework of an international record fair (Cuba Disco 2001). Havana's Pabexpo Exhibition Hall, site of the event, was the venue for the event honoring the two musicians, both exponents of the committed art of their respective countries and times. Cuba Disco 2001 was dedicated to the Cuban troubadour movement in recognition of the cultural, musical and literary legacy of its most talented artists, among them Silvio Rodriguez, Pablo Milanes, Carlos Puebla and many others, especially during the 1960's. For many years, these Cuban poets and songwriters have dedicated their songs to social justice, internationalism, tolerance, love and peace. Spaniard Joan Manuel Serrat also presided, together with the renowned Cuban troubadour Carlos Varela, over the launch of the CD "Encuentros con la Habana," under the auspices of the Spanish General Author Society. Revenues obtained from the CD sale will be used to purchase musical instruments for art schools here in Cuba. The CD includes 10 songs by various artists. Among them are Spaniards Ketama, Victor Manuel, Ismael Serrano and Serrat himself, as well as Argentine Fito Paez and Cubans Pablo Milanes, Santiago Feliu, Carlos Varela, Polito Ibanez and Habana Abierta. *LARGE CUBAN DELEGATION TO ATTEND EUROPEAN TRADE FAIR IN MAY Havana, May 19 (RHC)--Cuba is planning a large delegation to take part in the European Incentive Business Trade Meetings Exhibition Fair (EIBTM), set for May 29th through the 31st in Geneva. Considered the second most important fair in the world, the EIBTM specializes in events and trips granted as special rewards. Held each year in the famous Palexpo exhibition hall in Geneva, the aim of the event is to create opportunities for negotiations between sites that offer those services and those interested in receiving them. Cuba's delegation will include business executives from the Sol Melia hotel chain and its tour operators, Sol Caribe Tours and the Cubanacan Travel Agency, as well as the groups Gran Caribe, Havanatur, Cubatur and Habaguanex S.A. Other Cuban tourist groups participating in the fair are the Plaza America Convention Center of Vardero, Rumbos Cuba, Amistur, Club Habana and Expocuba. Tourism executives from various countries have already expressed their interest in exploring the possibilities of Cuba as a convention site. Cuba has been represented at the EIBTM Fair since 1997, as part of a strategy set up by the Cuban Convention Board and its associates to turn the island into one of the most important tourist destinations in Latin America and the Caribbean. *ORTEGA TOPS THE OPINION POLLS FOR NICARAGUA'S NOVEMBER ELECTION Managua, May 19 (RHC)--Newspaper headlines in Nicaragua are highlighting Sandinista leader Daniel Ortega's record voter preference in the latest survey carried out. According to the independent Economic Advisory and Research Center, Daniel Ortega has nearly 42 percent of the voter preference in presidential elections next November. Behind him is ruling Liberal Constitutionalist Party candidate Enrique Bolanos, with close to 32 percent, followed by Conservative Party candidate Noel Vidaurre, with only 10 percent. Dionisio Marenco, a member of the Sandinista leadership, stated that in this new cycle of history "it's time for the Sandinistas to return to power." In related news, Ortega has blasted the administration of President Arnoldo Aleman for miring the government in corruption and plunging the Nicaraguan people even deeper into extreme poverty. At an event marking the birth of Nicaraguan independence leader General Augusto Cesar Sandino on Friday, Ortega made reference to recent denunciations by dissident ruling party legislators who accused Aleman of amassing a 250 million dollar fortune during the past four years of his mandate. The legislators said the amount is equivalent to the fortune accumulated by the Somoza family during the 45 years of their dictatorship dynasty. The Sandinista leader said the elimination of corruption and the fight against poverty will be the cornerstones of his government program if elected. . Viewpoint: *JOSE MARTI'S IDEALS LIVE ON IN THE CUBAN REVOLUTION On this date in 1895 -- exactly 106 years ago -- Jose Marti, Cuba's National Hero, gave his life for his people's independence. Up to the very last moment that he drew breath, Marti was clear that he was not only fighting Spanish colonialism, but also U.S. imperialism -- which was just beginning to raise its ugly head. Jose Marti wrote an indelible page in the history of Cuba and, indeed, all of Latin America. His ideals of dignity and national pride have never been lost over the years and are the guiding principles of the Cuban Revolution, which finally triumphed on January 1, 1959. Marti was not only known for his untiring patriotism, but also for his cultural knowledge. An accomplished author known for his children's stories, Cuba's national hero is held up as a model for young people the world over, but particularly here on this Caribbean island. Jose Marti fought with both his pen and his rifle -- firing away at colonialism and imperialism in all its forms. He fought for dignity, with freedom and sovereignty, and while he himself didn't live to see it, his people and their children are now enjoying the fruits of his work and the struggle of so many others like him. The opening salvo of the Cuban Revolution led by Fidel Castro was fired in the year of our national hero's Centennial: The attack on the Moncada Garrison on July 26, 1953 was carried out exactly one century after the birth of Jose Marti, born in 1853. The man who made the ultimate sacrifice more than 100 years ago today defended the highest values of his time, values that will never die. His example will live on in the coming generations of Cuban men and women, who will never surrender or sell out. Those words are not in Cuban dictionaries. (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-10461 2001-May-19 18:12:01