>from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >subject: Havana World Trade Centre. >� Copyright GRANMA INTERNATIONAL DIGITAL EDITION. La Havana. Cuba > Havana World Trade Center broadens its horizons > > BY MARELYS VALENCIA ALMEIDA (Granma International staff writer) > >AFTER more than a decade since its establishment in Cuba, the World Trade >Center in Havana, one of the first to be >opened in Latin America, has taken the necessary steps toward becoming a >dynamic element in the country's Chamber of >Commerce. > >At least that was what Professor Nelson Pilosof, regional coordinator of >the World Trade Center Association, Inc. (WTCA), >stated in conversation with the press during his second visit to Cuba. He >underlined the importance of everyone opening up >to the world and finding the effective mechanisms to do so. > >"In 1996, during my first trip to this country, this project could not have >been set up even if we had wanted to," he said. The >professor continued, "Without that trip, this visit would not have been >productive; now we are ready to develop international >trade and tourism programs, which have already been included among the >interests of the Chamber of Commerce, and a >new area, culture." > >In his opinion, the cultural identity forums which the Association has been >promoting for some time now are of particular >importance. "Gastronomy, traditions, are factors of considerable >attraction. The worst that could happen is the erosion of a >nation's cultural identity," said Professor Pilosof, who is also president >of the WTCA's Committee for Cultural and Tourism >Exchange. He viewed as essential the renovation of historic areas of >Santiago de Cuba, Camag�ey and Old Havana, with >the aim of preserving national heritage and history. > >He announced, "We are in touch with all that is being done within the >country, with the result that we have currently acquired >a much more multifaceted vision and more projects have emerged." > >A wide-ranging program is planned for Cuba in 2000. Pilosof explained, "The >WTCA will be at all business administration >events and exchanges in which Cuba wishes to participate. There are several >important events this year: one in April, in >Trieste, Italy; and another in Boston, United States. In August, the >Regional Meeting will take place in Nassau." > >Pilosof, remarking how vital the development of infrastructure and >conditions are to ensure that tourists do not miss their >home country, made a number of observations on this world which he knows so >well. "When one is on a business trip, it is >important to get to know the country, the people, the ins and outs of life >and society, starting from the airport upon arrival, >transport to the hotel, and even how the schedule for the visit was >prepared. All this influences the decision to got on a plane >and invest in the country," he added. > >With reference to the new Trade Center, under construction in the Miramar >neighborhood of the capital, he stated, "It is a >beautiful place, a future complex which will be distinguished by its >international character, if multiple functions are valued >and it is done well. Experience with regard to the construction of these >types of centers has to be taken into account. In any >event, I believe it will give personality and esteem to the country, a >major international achievement." > >The WTCA is a synergistic organization, according to Pilosof. It interacts >at the local and international levels with different >trade centers. It was set up in the United States in 1970 to promote >cooperation, services and contacts among small and >medium-sized businesses which on their own do not have the resources that >would allow them to do this. There are >currently World Trade Centers in 98 countries, with notable influence on >trade relations in those areas where they are >located. > ********** > > � Copyright GRANMA INTERNATIONAL DIGITAL EDITION. La Havana. Cuba > >BY MARELYS VALENCIA ALMEIDA (Granma International staff writer) > >A U.S. specialist in acupuncture recently traveled to Cuba and visited a >number of health centers. Her name is Didi Pershouse, and after returning >to the United States she published a letter about her experience here. Some >excerpts are published here: "Why some people feel it is okay to take a >child (who just lost his mother) away from his only surviving parent and >give him to someone else -just because they say they can provide him with a >"better life" -is a mystery to me, with grave implications. My husband and >I just traveled to Cuba, with our 3 and a half year old son in tow, in >order to research Cuba's public health system, established after the 1959 >socialist revolution. And for those who feel that the Cuban boy Eli�n >Gonz�lez would necessarily have a better life here, I have some interesting >facts." > >Didi mentions some of Cuba's achievements in the field of public >health,such as the fact that life expectancy in 1959 was 55 years and is >now 76; infant mortality was 80 per 1000 live births 40 years ago and is >currently 6.4, lower than the U.S.rate and substantially lower than the >13.7 rate for African-American babies; the existence of one doctor per 270 >inhabitants; the development of vaccines such as the one to prevent >hepatitis B, and new therapies for cancer, as well as other illnesses. > >The correspondent also mentions some data on the level of schooling and >general access to education, for example, that prior to 1959 70% of the >rural population had no access to school and that 25% of the adult >population was illiterate. Todaythe percentage of literacy is 94.5%. > >She goes on to say, "All this has been achieved despite sometimes alarming >shortages of goods and medicines. These shortages are a direct consequence >of the United States' 40-year embargo against a country that historically >relied heavily on its closest neighbor. Yet as U.S. citizens, my family was >welcomed, literally, with hugs and kisses, by everyone we met." > >And further on she points out the U.S. citizens are not allowed the freedom >to travel to Cuba and asks, "What is it about this tiny country that we are >so afraid of?" > >DIFFERENCE OF OPINION > >A reader who does not give his name says that he is a decent Cuban, >naturalized in the United States,and makes the following observation: "In >your e-mail column, the only letters printed are those which share the same >point of view.... You don't let those of us who have a grievance, such as >myself, express our views with regard to the subject at hand." > >As a rule, I usually use a message in favor of a certain cause, as in the >case of Eli�n, and another against, as long as the >opinions included in this category are civilized and respectful. I suggest >that the correspondent read our column in previous editions. I don't think >it worthwhile to respond to or promote the offensive or disgraceful letters >we receive from time to time, >and I believe that papers throughout the world follow the same rule. >Sometimes we publish messages against the Cuban political system that are >not even signed. In your case, you do not say what it is you do not agree >with, or give your name. > >CUBA AND THE UNITED STATES > >Tony Moore, from the United States, sent us a long message on relations >between the two countries questioning why his government maintains a >hostile policy toward Cuba and saying what he thinks about it. He believes >that the reasons justifying it do not stand up to analysis, if they are >compared to the policy toward countries such as China, which has a >communist system. Nevertheless, Moore believes that Fidel Castro should >allow Cubans to have free elections. > >He writes, "However, in the light of this feeling, I believe we should >treat Cuba as a friend. The non-Cuban majority of Americans think of Cubans >as their friends and neighbors. We still have sadly enough of those in >power who are still hollering about Communists and the threat they pose to >us a nation. The majority of Americans believe also that Eli�n should be >returned to his father," he adds. > >In reference to this correspondent's opinion on the Cuban electoral system, >I must make something clear. In Cuba, more than 99% of the population of >voting age went to the polls during the last elections to the National >Assembly and around 92% of the ballots were valid. Voting is a right, not >an obligation, therefore those who do not wish to vote do not have to go to >the polls. If the rate of participation is so high, then why should one >think that Cubans do not agree with the electoral system? One might think >U.S. citizens are indifferent to their system if we take into account that >in the last presidential >elections, only 50% of those who eligible to vote went to the polls and 20% >of these voted for the president. > >RECEIVED WITH THANKS > >Jessie Clap of the United States asks for information on several aspects of >the economy and currency circulation in Cuba. I suggest that you visit >website [EMAIL PROTECTED] > >Mohammed G�mez, of Los Angeles, United States, says that he is Muslim and a >great admirer of the Cuban Revolution. He would like to have a T-shirt with >a photo of Eli�n, as gesture of solidarity, to protest in his country >against the retention of the child. > >Michael Lloyd says that website http://bbs.msnbc.com debates the question >of Eli�n. The majority of those participating, he >mentions, support the logical decision to return to boy to his country. " JC > > > > __________________________________ KOMINFORM P.O. Box 66 00841 Helsinki - Finland +358-40-7177941, fax +358-9-7591081 e-mail [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.kominf.pp.fi ___________________________________ [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe/unsubscribe messages mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] ___________________________________
