> >from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >subject: Cuba press releases 49,50,50a > For all Cuban Missions >HAVANA Saturday, March, 25, 2000 PP > >HAVANA.- 6TH Cuban University Students Federation (FEU) Congress >plenary sessions began with the presence of Cuban President Fidel >Castro, who was unable to remain just for a little while in the >meeting due "to obvious reasons, because the case of child Elian >Gonzalez. > > HAVANA.- Cuban President Fidel Castro yesterday attended a third >information round table in which reporters, lawyers and psychologists >analyzed the last events related to the illegal retention of child >Elian Gonzalez. Opinion polls carried out on the Internet demonstrate >that the majority of U.S. citizens are in favor of the prompt return >to Cuba of Elian, said Cuban panelists Fernando Remirez de Estenoz, >Cuban Interests Section head in Washington interviewed over the phone >at the closing of a round table discussion, said a growing number of >signatures and letters sent to this office support Elian Gonzalez' >return > > HAVANA.- Over 50,000 Cubans are planning to carry out today Saturday >a new massive demonstration to demand child Elian Gonzalez' return in >Sagua la Grande city, Villa Clara province. > > WASHINGTON.- U.S. government gives a term up to yesterday afternoon >to Elian's distant relatives, who have retained the child in Miami to >begin a "rapid appeal" process aimed at retaining the child. >According to Washington Post daily, the "rapid process" would allow >to "prompt" elucidate the destiny of the six year old boy that should >have returned to Cuba and to his father, since it was determined by >the INS authorities in January. > > WASHINGTON.- U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) >rejected the proposal of Elian's distant relatives for the >establishment of a "neutral" board to decide the child's political >asylum or return to Cuba. > > WASHINGTON.- Community and Civic leaders will carry out today in New >York City a symposium on efforts for the return to Cuba of child >Elian Gonzalez with the participation of Congressman Jose Serrano and >former Attorney General Ramsey Clark. The meeting, sponsored by the >Elian's Return to Cuba to His Father Committee, will also count with >the presence of Lucius Walker, Pastors for Peace executive director >and Rafael Daussa, Cuban Acting Ambassador to the UN. > > WASHINGTON.- Yesterday, a Miami daily which habitually attacks >Cuban Revolution admitted that the alleged Cuban spy Mariano Faget >could not be so at all. According to newspaper "El Nuevo Herald", >"the U.S. government does not seem to have any solid evidence >pointing at Mariano Faget as a Cuban spy." > > WASHINGTON.- The U.S. House of Representatives included Cuba on a >list of countries for which unilateral blockade will be lessened, >said a Congress source. The project will be passed to the Senate >where it will be finally approved amid hopes of those who consider >the U.S. hostility against Cuba as a outdated policy far from the >interests of business people interested in investing in Cuba. > > OPORTO, PORTUGAL.- Cuban Vice President Carlos Lage began in Oporto >a three day official visit to Portugal, during which he will be >received by this country's top ranking officials. Lage will meet >business people and then he will continue his travel to Lisbon to be >received by Prime Minister Antonio Guterres and Parliament President >Antonio Almeida Santos on Monday. > > ABUJA.- In this capital, Cuban and Nigerian Foreign Affairs >Ministers Felipe Perez Roque and Alhaji Sule Lamido began official >talks to encourage bilateral relations and deal with other themes of >international interest. Perez Roque and his delegation were received >by Lamido at the Foreign Affairs Ministry headquarters in Abuja and >they immediately signed a letter of intent to establish a mechanism >of regular consultations. > > HAVANA.- Belgium Trade State Secretary Pierre Chevalier, who will >arrive in Havana on Sunday, will carry out from Monday a wide work >program which includes meetings with Ministers of government. > > HAVANA.- Cuban and Italian authorities signed in Havana an economic >and social collaboration project for the development of five >Havana's municipalities, whose bilateral investment amount reaches >US$ 3 million. > > HAVANA.- Cuban Foreign Trade Minister, Ricardo Cabrisas said the >need of reforming the World Trade Organization (WTO) to make it >democratic and be able to fulfill objectives for which it was >created. > > SANCTI SPIRITUS, CUBA.- Cuban Domestic Trade Minister, Barbara >Castillo said this sector wants to increase to 40 percent national >currency services. INFORMATION DEPT. MINREX " JC > > ************* >from: [EMAIL PROTECTED]> >subject: Cuba press release 50,50a > FOR ALL DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS HAVANA, THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 2000 > >HAVANA.- In depth analysis on the decision by Miami based federal >judge Michael Moore, regarding the Elian Gonzalez' right to return to >Cuba, was discussed yesterday during a round table broadcast on >national television. Elian was taken to the U.S. after the vessel in >which he and 13 other people were illegally trying to reach the >coasts of Florida sank. 11 people died in the accident, including >Elian's mother. The child's return to Cuba has been the theme of a >long and complicated lawsuit due to opposition by the minor's distant >relatives who claim the right to retain Elian in Miami. > >HAVANA.- The majority of U.S. citizens and Congress politicians favor >Elian Gonzalez' return to his father, said Cuban Interests Section in >Washington head, Fernando Ramirez. The Cuban diplomat recalled that >polls in Miami coincide with this opinion, whilst El Nuevo Herald >daily, a paper aimed at hispanic readers, yesterday said that 48 >percent were in favor of Elian's return to Cuba. In the english >language Miami Herald, 72 percent of those interviewed favored the >decision. During an interview broadcast by Cuban television, Remirez >said Elian Gonzalez' case, in which a federal judge rejected the >political asylum request brought by distant relatives who >are illegally retaining the minor in Miami, has taught us important >lessons. > >HAVANA.- Participants in a round table discussion held in Havana >denounced new anti Cuban ultra right-wing mafia actions which attempt >to prevent the INS decision on Elian Gonzalez' return to Cuba. Those >participating commented on the efforts to delay the case's solution, >and the presence of Cuban American National Foundation (CANF) members >in the press, such as El Nuevo Herald daily, who are trying to >manipulate public opinion. > >HAVANA.- The possibility that Elian Gonzalez' case will continue by >long legal entanglements awakens doubt amongst Cubans regarding the >true interest of U.S. authorities to definitively and rapidly find a >solution. During a round table on the theme yesterday in Havana, and >broadcast by Cuban radio and television, the program's host, Randy >Alonso questioned "where is the U.S. government's will" to solve the >case. > >WASHINGTON.- The New York Times daily says the decision by judge >Michael Moore to reject the political asylum request for Cuban child >Elian Gonzalez, still illegally held in the U.S., implies the >immediate minor's return to Cuba. The verdict must be seen as a >ratification that Elian's father is the only one who has legal >authority to represent him in migration affairs, says the influential >paper, concerning the political asylum request brought by the child's >distant relatives in a Miami court. On Tuesday, Judge Moore rejected >the request, and supported the INS January decision to return >the minor to his father and grandparents in Cuba. > >WASHINGTON.- An editorial on judge Michael Moore's decision in favor >of Elian Gonzalez' return to Cuba to his father was highlighted by >U.S. daily The New York Times as one of the most important news >events of this week. The newspaper makes a periodic analysis of >current topics, highlighting those with the most impact on society. >Referring to the case of the Cuban child illegally retained in Miami, >the Palladium item from Richmond, Indiana, comments that Moore's >decision was made "following common sense" so that Elian may live >with his father. > >BERLIN.- Cuban Vice President Carlos Lage attended the constituent >act of a group of companies from the German federal state of Saxony- >Anhalt, in order to intensify cooperation and economic and trade ties >with Cuba. In the act held in Magdeburg, 140 km from Berlin, Lage >praised the creation of the group, formed by more than ten >enterprises from different industrial sectors in Saxony-Anhalt. The >region formerly belonged to the ex Democratic Republic of Germany. > >PRETORIA. - South Africa president Thabo Mbeki, confirmed he would >attend the Group-77 summit, to be held in April in Havana, adding >that participants in the forum should discuss the necessity of south- >south integration. Mbeki received Cuban Foreign minister Felipe Perez >Roque and his delegation in an official meeting at Union Buildings, >the government headquarters in this administrative capital. During >the meeting, both sides reviewed the state of bilateral links. > >HAVANA.- The Cuban State Council has released Alfredo Guevara from >his responsibilities as president of the Cuban Arts and Cinema >Institute (ICAIC), the organization which he founded. Granma daily >published today that "following a request by Alfredo Guevara, the >State Council President has relieved him of his duties as ICAIC >President. In a statement, the State Council added that "Guevara will >continue serving the country as President of the New Latin American >Cinema Festival Organizing Committee". He will be substituted by ex >ICAIC president Omar Gonzalez, former president of the Cuban Book >Institute. > >HAVANA.- Oil exploration in Cuba and its prospects are the subject >today of the Havana First National Geophysics Congress, attended by >specialists from 12 nations. Geofisica 2000, taking place in Havana's >Capitolio building from March 22-24 will evaluate the most important >experiences in this science. Cuban experts, plus those from >Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Venezuela, Mexico, Spain, France, Holland, >Italy, Russia and Sweden, will present their knowledge of geophysics >oil, gas and minerals exploration, internal earth physics and spatial >geophysics. > >HAVANA.- The Cuban care program for those affected by the >Chernobil electronuclear accident in the Ukraine, March 1986, has >benefited 18,000 children and adults. This was confirmed in a press >conference given by Julio Medina, director of the Tarara Hospital, >located at a former sea side recreation camp. The area was donated by >Cuban children at government request, in order to receive those >damaged by the accident. March 29 sees the 10th anniversary of the >first cases' arrival on the Island. Some 15,800 children have been >treated, some seriously ill, more than 100 with malign and benign >tumors, and 7 spinal cord transplants have been carried >out. DPTO.INFORMACION/MINREX > > *************** >from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >subject: Cuba press release 50a > FOR ALL DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS >HAVANA, FRIDAY, MARCH 24, 2000 > >WASHINGTON.- U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno reiterated that child >Elian Gonzalez should return "rapidly to Cuba with his father Juan >Miguel Gonzalez. "It is about time the minor met his father", said >Reno after meeting in Washington with Gregory Craig, lawyer of the >six year old boy's father, on Wednesday, according to press including >the Washington Post and the New York Times dailies. "The return >should be carried out in an ordered, just and rapidly way" said Reno >publicly for the second time since a Miami federal judge decided on >Tuesday to leave the case in the hands of the immigration >authorities. Judge K. Michael Moore decided against a political >asylum demand brought to the courts by the child's distant relatives >who maintain him illegally held in Miami against his father's will. > >SANTIAGO DE CHILE.- Chilean deputy Nelson Avila said the recent >decision by a U.S. federal judge in the case of Elian Gonzalez has >manage to place it above attempts to damage the legitimate right of a >father. Avila expressed he was very happy for the judge Kevin Michael >Moore's decision that the child, illegally held in the U.S. since >November, return to Cuba to his father and relatives, resident in >Cuba. "This is good for justice and the right who has any person to >demand the Parental Custody, a law which gives the father the >absolute custody and legal responsibility on all his sons", said >Party for the Democracy parliamentary. > >HAVANA.- Themes such as the study of the Cuban history, the academic >cheating and the Cuban University Students Federation (FEU) work were >discussed yesterday by the over 700 delegates to the 6th >organization's Congress. Distributed in 10 commissions, university >students -on behalf of the over 70,000 organization's members - will >also discuss topics such as culture and its promotion, students' >residences, sports and foreign affairs. Last night, the young >delegates enjoyed a cultural gala on the occasion of the 97th >Anniversary of Julio Antonio Mella's birthday, FEU's founder in >December 1922. Near 400 people are invited to the Congress, which >will conclude on Saturday. > >BERLIN.- Cuban Vice President Carlos Lage reiterated his satisfaction >by results of the five day official visit to Germany, which will >conclude today, during which he made contacts with the top German >authorities. Lage expressed that during his stay here, the Berlin's >authorities restarted cooperation with Cuba. He also confirmed that >there is the will to maintain a sincere and constructive talks >between both governments and countries, apart from the differences of >opinions. At the same time were established the bases for >renegotiation of the Cuban foreign debt. > >LAGOS.- After visiting other five African countries, Cuban Foreign >Affairs Minister Felipe Perez Roque yesterday arrived in Nigeria to >impulse political and economic bilateral relations and to promote the >South Summit to be held Havana. Since Monday 13, Perez Roque has >officially visited Angola, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Namibia and South Africa >where he has signed intention protocols or agreements to establish >mechanisms of regular consultations between foreign affairs >ministries on bilateral and multilateral themes. During his almost >two week tour, which concludes on Saturday in Lagos, Perez Roque >highlighted the good relation level in the political, cultural and >historic sectors. > >PRETORIA.- South Africa President Thabo Mbeki confirmed he would >attend the Group-77 summit, to be held in April in Havana, adding >that participants in the forum should discuss the necessity of south >integration. Mbeki received Cuban Foreign Affairs Minister Felipe >Perez Roque and his delegation in an official meeting at Union >Buildings, the government headquarters in this administrative >capital. During this meeting, both sides reviewed the state of >bilateral links. The South Africa head of state was interested in the >south summit preparations. > >HAVANA.- After passing the relator's inform, the South Business >people Forum work sessions ended. This meeting, which began on >Tuesday, representatives from 30 countries have discussed the ways to >improve enterprise competitiveness. Access to finance and technology >sources has been also analyzed in this meeting prior to the Group-77 >Summit of Heads of States and Governments, to be held in Havana in >April. The event have had an active participation of Group-77 Chamber >of Commerce and industry and Cuban Chamber of Commerce presidents >Boney M. Katatumba and Hector Perez Paez, respectively, and with the >attendance of the Caribbean Industry and Commerce Association >executive director Felipe Noguera. > >HAVANA.- Yesterday, Cuban Foreign Trade Minister Ricardo Cabrisas >said it is unpostponable a World Trade Organization (WTO) reform so >it will be more democratic and respond to its original objectives. >When closing the South Business People Forum, which took place for >three days in Havana's International Conference Center, the minister >said that Third World countries and especially the least developed >ones should be benefited with a part of the international trade >increase corresponding to their development needs. Cabrisas added >that it is unpostponable a revision of the WTO norms based on >reciprocity and an alleged equality of opportunities, not taking into >account the growing differences between the industrialized and the >underdeveloped world. > >HAVANA.- The new changes in the Industrial Property Cuban >legislation, its impact in the economic development and the >conditions in which that commercial activity is carried out, >characterized the 4th day's work on the subject celebrated in Havana. >Specialists from the Industrial Property Cuban Office (OCPI), >explained this institution's work, directed mainly to give legal >protection rights on the different types of industrial property >including that reffering to the information services in this matter. > >SANTIAGO DE CHILE.- Argentinean ex football player Armando Maradona >condemned the U.S. blockade maintained for more than 40 years against >Cuba, in an interview transmitted on Wednesday's night by Chile >National Television Network. In a program called "de Pe a Pa", >conducted by journalist Pedro Carcuro, Maradona declared that he was >friend and admirer of Cuban President, Fidel Castro. He also >denounced how the U.S. blockade provokes that many Cuban children >could die because of the lack of medicines. In the interview recorded >in Havana he declared that his "gratitude towards Fidel Castro is >double" because he opened up the doors and offered him "an >spectacular medicine. Not everyone has this luck". > >DPTO.INFORMACION/MINREX" 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] ___________________________________
