>from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >Date: Wed, 16 Aug 2000 From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >Subject: Radio Havana Cuba-15 August 2000 23:45 > >Radio Havana Cuba-15 August 2000 23:45 > Via NY Transfer News * All the News That Doesn't Fit > Radio Havana Cuba - News Update - 16 August 2000 01:00 > > >*CRIMINAL ACTIVITY IN THE SPORTS WORLD: > RICH NATIONS BUY ATHLETES FROM POOR COUNTRIES > >*GAMBIAN SECRETARY OF STATE FOR HEALTH ON CUBA'S MEDICAL ASSISTANCE > >*RELATIONS BETWEEN CUBA AND THE POPULAR REPUBLIC OF CONGO > >*HELICOPTER PILOT FLYING SOLO AROUND THE WORLD VISITS HAVANA > >*UN WOMEN'S FUND ANNOUNCECS ITALIAN DONATION TO CUBA: > $600,000 FOR DEVELOPMENT > >*ALICIA ALONSO FOUNDATION OPENS HIGHER INSTITUTE OF DANCE IN SPAIN > >*Viewpoint: IT'S PAST TIME TO TAKE ACTION TO SAVE THE WORLD > > >*CRIMINAL ACTIVITY IN THE SPORTS WORLD: > RICH NATIONS BUY ATHLETES FROM POOR COUNTRIES > >Havana, August 15 (RHC)-- A roundtable discussion was broadcast live >on Cuban radio and television Tuesday evening, examining the issue of >Third World athletes who are recruited by rich nations. Panelists >agreed that the practice of buying athletes from poor countries has >been an ongoing practice for many years -- calling such activity >nothing short of criminal. > >One of the panelists, Alberto Juantorena -- Cuba's Olympic runner >from the 1970's -- pointed to the case of Niurka Montalvo, a Cuban >high jumper who recently changed her nationality and now wants to >compete in the Olympics for Spain. Juantorena referred to her case, >and those of others like her, as "treasonous" -- emphasizing that the >ability of wealthy nations to buy and sell people has been turned >into a political case. He also mentioned that a number of athletes >from African countries have been recruited by European nations and >that news about these human purchases have not gotten the same >attention that Cuban athletes receive. > >Sports officials and other experts participating in Tuesday >evening's roundtable discussion stressed the importance of working >for an end to the lure of big money -- highlighting the patriotic >commitment of the vast majority of the island's athletes. > >The roundtable discussion was aired on Cuban radio and television, as >well as the international shortwave frequencies of Radio Havana Cuba. > > >*GAMBIAN SECRETARY OF STATE FOR HEALTH ON CUBA'S MEDICAL ASSISTANCE > >Havana, August 15 (RHC)-- Gambia's Secretary of State for Health, >Abdouli Momdou Salaj, told reporters in Havana that his country is >interested in extending the stay of Cuban health personnel as well as >increasing their numbers in that African country. The Gambian >official made the announcement after characterizing Cuba's health >cooperation with his country as "extremely successful." Momdou Salaj >met in the Cuban capital with the island's health minister, Dr. >Carlos Dotres. The Cuban official expressed his pleasure that the >visit coincided with Sunday's graduation ceremony in Havana of 4000 >new Cuban doctors. Dr. Dotres noted that Gambia, which has never >graduated one single doctor, currently has 25 students >studying medicine thanks to Cuban cooperation. > >The Gambian health official underscored the impact Cuban doctors have >made throughout the African country and the people's access to >medical attention thanks to the Cuban health professionals. > > >*RELATIONS BETWEEN CUBA AND THE POPULAR REPUBLIC OF CONGO > >Havana, August 15 (RHC)-- Speaking at a news conference in the >Cuban capital, the Ambassador of the Popular Republic of the Congo, >Pascal Onguemby, stated that relations between the two countries are, >and will always be, excellent. > >The Congolese diplomat recalled that over 1600 professionals from >his country earned their degrees in Cuba and announced that the >health minister of the African country will soon visit Havana to >discuss new projects to further develop the Congo's public health >sector. > >During the news conference, given on the 40th anniversary of >the independence of the Popular Republic of Congo, the African >diplomat condemned Washington's blockade against Cuba as well as the >Helms-Burton Law, charging that the U.S. legislation violates >international law. > > >*HELICOPTER PILOT, FLYING SOLO AROUND THE WORLD, VISITS HAVANA > >Havana, August 15 (RHC)-- British helicopter pilot Jennifer Murray, >who is attempting a solo flight around the world, told reporters in >Havana that she is happy to make a stopover in the Cuban capital. > >Murray is attempting to break the Guinness Book of World Records in >time and number of cities visited in a helicopter. > >After spending a little over 30 hours in Cuba, Murray explained that >it was a dream came true when she arrived in beautiful Havana. >Before leaving the Cuban capital on her way to the Bahamas, the >British adventurer said that the objective of her trip is to raise >money to fund a team of surgeons who will travel to different >countries to operate on children with facial deformations. > > . >*UN WOMEN'S FUND ANNOUNCECS ITALIAN DONATION TO CUBA: $600,000 FOR >DEVELOPMENT > >Havana, August 15 (RHC)-- The United Nations Women's Fund has >announced that Italy donated 600,000 dollars to develop different >projects for Cuban women in three of the island's provinces. > >The Italian donation, which will re-enforce the work of the >Federation of Cuban Women and the National Statistics Office, has >been earmarked for thirteen municipalities in the provinces of >Havana, Pinar del Rio and Granma. > >*ALICIA ALONSO FOUNDATION OPENS HIGHER INSTITUTE OF DANCE IN SPAIN > >Madrid, August 15 (RHC)-- The Alicia Alonso Foundation has >officially created the Higher Institute of Dance in Spain, which also >uses the name of the prestigious Cuban ballet star. The center >offers classes in ballet interpretation, choreography and teaching. > >Meanwhile, Cuba's prima ballerina Alicia Alonso will direct the >8th International Dance Competition, which will be held in the Madrid >region of San Lorenzo del Escorial with the participation of >outstanding ballet teachers. > > >*Viewpoint: IT'S PAST TIME TO TAKE ACTION TO SAVE THE WORLD > >At the United Nations Social Summit held in 1995 in Copenhagen, non- >governmental agencies voiced concern over the direction that the >world economy was taking -- with the ever-increasing concentration of >economic, political, technological and institutional power in the >hands of the wealthy few. Concern was also expressed regarding the >fact that giant transnational corporations have come to control the >production and distribution of food, medicine and other basic >resources. > >During that meeting five years ago, Cuba stated that the economic >problems are the logical consequence of the globalization of the neo- >liberal model, in which social programs are gutted and one's fate is >cast to the winds of the capitalist market. > >The aim of neo-liberal economic theory is to globalize political >power and place it above national sovereignty, promoting the >unbridled drive for profit rather than for the well-being of the >people. The results have been obvious: an unprecedented explosion of >poverty, unemployment and a disgraceful lack of education and medical >care -- all fundamental human rights. This downward spiral is >accompanied by the rapid deterioration of the environment; the >logical outcome of a policy whose objective is to extract wealth >without regard for nature. > >Currently, 20 percent of the world's inhabitants consume 82 percent >of its resources, while 60 percent enjoy a mere five percent. >Regarding the environment, the rate of the extinction of species is >five times greater today than it was during the last century. > >As far as dealing with such life and death problems, it isn't more >summits and meetings that are needed, but rather concrete actions to >put into effect the documents and agreements already in existence. >Each minute counts. We no longer have the time to continue going >around in circles, mouthing empty phrases. It is past time to take >action... before it is too late. > > (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: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >============== >nytcari-08.16.00-01:05:05-27088 " JC > > ************ > >from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >subject: Havana Radio news/views Aug 16 >Delivered-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >Date: Wed, 16 Aug 2000 From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >Subject: Radio Havana Cuba-16 August 2000 22:45 > >Radio Havana Cuba-16 August 2000 22:45 > Via NY Transfer News * All the News That Doesn't Fit > Radio Havana Cuba - News Update - 16 August 2000 22:45 > > >*CUBA ACCUSES RICH COUNTRIES OF PROMOTING SPORTS TALENT DRAIN >*INS AWARDS AGENTS WHO RESCUED ELIAN GONZALEZ >*KHOURI INSTITUTE FIGHTING TROPICAL DISEASES >*TEST RESULTS ENCOURAGING FOR VACCINE AGAINST PROSTATE CANCER >*LATIN AMERICAN MEDICAL STUDENTS OBSERVE ECUADORAN ANNIVERSARY >*HANOVER FAIR 2000--CUBAN PAVILION IS A HIT >*CLEANING UP GUACANAYABO GULF >*Viewpoint: > THE THEFT OF ATHLETES IN AN INCREASINGLY COMMERCIALIZED WORLD > > >*CUBA ACCUSES RICH COUNTRIES OF PROMOTING SPORTS TALENT DRAIN > >Havana, August 16 (RHC)-- Cuba has accused rich countries of >promoting a sports talent drain from Third World nations and came out >once again in support of its right to abide by International Olympic >Committee (IOC) rulings. Cuban sports officials defended the >island's right to deny permission for long jumper Niurka Montalvo to >compete under the Spanish flag. She received Spanish citizenship in >1999 and therefore does not comply with the three years stipulated by >the IOC for an athlete who acquires a new citizenship to compete for >a new country. > >During a televised roundtable Tuesday, the president of the Cuban >Olympic Committee, Jose Ramon Fernandez, said an agreement between >Cuba and Spain regarding this case is not possible. He stated that >the Spanish media are trying to present Montalvo's case as a story of >romance, after having married a Spanish citizen, and that Cuba is >playing the role of an inhuman monster. Fernandez revealed that she >left the island's official team in 1997 without requesting official >permission, went to Spain and got married two years later. > >The president of the Cuban Olympic Committee called on the IOC to >take measures to prevent national federations from stealing sports >talents. He reiterated that Cuba's position is not against the >Spanish government or its people, expressing concern with the way >that the Spanish Track and Field Federation has been handling the >case -- describing its attitude as "insulting, aggressive and >arrogant." The Cuban veto over the Montalvo case sparked indignation >among Spanish sports officials, who announced they will re-examine >their relations with Cuba's track and field movement. > >During the televised roundtable discussion Tuesday evening, the >opening of the international school for the promotion of physical >education instructors and sports was announced as well as that of an >anti-doping lab. > >Meanwhile, media reports coming from Spain indicate that the >president of the Cuban Track and Field Federation, Alberto >Juantorena, will offer a news conference in Madrid tomorrow at the >Cuban embassy. > >In related news, Cuba's Sports Institute president Humberto >Rodriguez, currently in Europe, said that the island will not allow >water polo expert Ivan Perez to represent Spain at the upcoming >Olympic games. Perez, also married to a Spanish citizen, does not >comply with the time period requested by the IOC and, therefore, his >country of origin has the right to deny permission for competing >under a different flag. > > *INS AWARDS AGENTS WHO RESCUED ELIAN GONZALEZ > >Atlanta, August 16 (RHC)-- INS agents who rescued Elian Gonzalez from >his kidnappers in Miami last April received recognition for their >bravery and sacrifice during a special ceremony held in Atlanta on >Tuesday. > >The director of the Immigration and Naturalization Service, Doris >Meissner, awarded nearly 140 agents who took part in the April 22nd >raid on the Miami house where the six-year-old was being held. > >The INS director stated that her agents conducted themselves >professionally, pointing out that no one was injured during the >rescue operation. Meissner emphasized that the Immigration and >Naturalization Service was proud of those who participated in the >raid to free Elian from his kidnappers and, if faced with a similar >situation, the agency would act in the same way. > >Just hours after the rescue operation, Elian Gonzalez was reunited >with his father and friends who were waiting in Washington, DC. >Following numerous legal maneuvers by his kidnappers and right wing >elements in the Cuban-American community and on Capitol Hill, the >six-year-old boy was finally allowed to return home to Cuba two >months later. > > *KHOURI INSTITUTE, FIGHTING TROPICAL DISEASE IN THIRD WORLD > >Havana, August 16 (RHC)-- The General Director of the Pedro Kouri >Tropical Medicine Institute, Gustavo Kouri, told reporters that >Cuba's aid to fight tropical diseases in Third World countries >constitutes one of the most important tasks for the Institute. > >Kouri told journalists in Havana that September 21st will be the >100th anniversary of the birth of his father -- the founder of the >Tropical Medicine Institute. > >Founded in 1957, the Pedro Kouri Tropical Medicine Institute >has significantly grown since its creation and now has 128 full >time researchers. The Institute is in charge of evaluating all >vaccines that are produced in Cuba. > > *TEST RESULTS ENCOURAGING FOR VACCINE AGAINST PROSTATE CANCER > >Havana, August 16 (RHC)-- Cuban scientists say that the results of >clinical tests for a vaccine against prostate cancer are very >encouraging. > >Researchers from the Biotechnology Center in eastern Camaguey >province say that if the vaccine is a success, it would be the first >of its type on the island. > >In statements to journalists, the director of Camaguey's >Biotechnology Center, Roberto Basulto, said that the vaccine has been >known to halt the advancement of prostate cancer. According to the >Cuban scientist, the product should improve the quality of life and >life expectancy for patients that suffer from prostate cancer, which >causes over 1000 deaths each year on the island. > > *LATIN AMERICAN MEDICAL STUDENTS OBSERVE ECUADORAN ANNIVERSARY > >Havana, August 16 (RHC)-- The 190th anniversary of Ecuador's >independence was commemorated on Tuesday with an activity at Havana's >Latin American School of Medicine. > >With the presence of foreign students and professors, Ecuador's >ambassador to Havana, Eduardo Tobar Fierro, thanked the Cuban >government for its generosity and human spirit in receiving hundreds >of Ecuadorian students to study medicine on the island as part of a >Cuban government scholarship program. > >During the activity, the President of the Cuban Institute of >Friendship with the Peoples (ICAP), Sergio Corrieri, said that >Ecuadorians have long shown great solidarity with Cuba. > > *HANOVER FAIR 2000--CUBAN PAVILION IS A HIT > >Havana, August 16 (RHC)-- The Cuban Pavilion at the Hanover 2000 Fair >in Germany is one of the most visited since opening day last June >1st, according to the General Director of the Cuban delegation to the >Fair, Carlos Concepcion. He added that German television, as well as >newspapers, have highlighted Cuba's presence at the Hanover Fair and >many renowned personalities have visited the Cuban stand, including >Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder. > >The Cuban stand represents an 18th century, two-floor colonial >mansion with a fountain in the center and takes up 414 square meters. >It also includes information on the island's social, economic, >cultural and health achievements since the triumph of the Cuban >Revolution. > >The Hanover 2000 Fair includes the participation of 180 countries >under the slogan "Humanity, Nature and Technology" and will run >through October 31st. > > *CLEANING UP GUACANAYABO GULF > >Bayamo, August 16 (RHC)-- A group for the environmental improvement >of the Guacanayabo Gulf, located in the eastern part of the island, >is currently working with other institutions in the decontamination >of the area. > >The work includes projects for the year 2001, which involve an >increase in financing for the clean-up in order to solve the >environmental problem in that region. > >A representative from Cuba's Ministry of Science, Technology and >the Environment, Ruben Estrada Aliaga, said that work is being done >to avoid the dumping of toxic residues from the coastal industrial >complexes, along with the Manzanillo hospital. > >The project to improve the region's environment includes >decontamination, reforestation and a climatic evaluation with the >objective of preserving the flora and fauna of the Guacanayabo Gulf. > > *Viewpoint: > >THE THEFT OF ATHLETES IN AN INCREASINGLY COMMERCIALIZED WORLD > >In an overtly unethical move that ignores the good relations enjoyed >between Spain and Cuba, some Spanish sport officials who purchased >the services of Cuban long jumper Niurka Montalvo are attempting to >secure permission for her to perform for the Spanish team in the >upcoming Sydney Olympics. Niurka Montalvo defected to the European >nation two years ago while representing Cuba at a sports meet and was >granted Spanish nationality just one year ago. > >Article 46 of the Olympic Charter states that an athlete that has >been granted citizenship by another nation within the previous three >years must be authorized by their country of origin to be able to >participate in the Olympic Games. Niurka Montalvo, an accomplished >athlete in Cuba, became long jump champion while representing Spain >in Seville's World Championship after her defection. There was >evidently no appreciation of Olympic principles in this competition. > >Now the Spanish Sports Federation is trying to also use Montalvo for >the Olympic Games and Cuba has turned down the request. In a similar >case, Morocco has refused a petition from the French Sports >Federation to allow three Moroccan athletes with recently acquired >French nationality to represent Paris in Sydney. > >It is sad to witness the original, noble ideals of the Olympic Games >being tainted with corrupt commercialism. If Cuba accedes to the >Spanish Sports Federation demand, those proudly representing their >countries in the competition will no longer carry any meaning and >victory will depend on simple economic power. Sports talent has >always been a symbol of a nation's identity but more and more >athletes are being turned into representatives of trade interests >that buy and sell them as human merchandise. > >Through great sacrifice and dedication, Cuba has become a Third-World >sports power. The island is able to compete in almost every sports >discipline and has won gold medals in the most difficult competitions >and under the most trying circumstances. This success belongs, in the >first place, to the Cuban Revolution, which has allowed every >individual in the country to develop their ability and potential in >the most diverse spheres of human activity. This is why Cuba defends >and guards the prestige of its athletes so firmly. Such was the case >of high jumper Javier Sotomayor and the weight lifters that were >recently accused of doping at Winnipeg's Pan-American Games. > >Winning an Olympiad by buying athletes as if they were racehorses >is denigrating for both the athletes that accept such a trade and >their opportunist human negotiators. Cuba will not be a party to >such practices and regrets that other less-principled individuals and >organizations do not assume a similar attitude. > >(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: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >============== >nytcari-08.16.00-23:12:52-18269 " 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] ___________________________________
