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From: John Clancy <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
from: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
subject: Havana Radio news/views Jan 6. Vicente visit crucial
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.
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rhc-eng-13458 2001-Jan-07 04:44:24 " JC
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