>Via NY Transfer News * All the News That Doesn't Fit
>
>
>PRENSA LATINA - DIRECT FROM CUBA - July 6, 2000
>
>
>CUBAN YOUTH ORGANIZE CELEBRATION OF ELIAN GONZALEZ' RETURN
>
>HAVANA, Jul 5 (PL) Cuba's Young Communist League (UJC) will hold a gala to
>publicly recognize those who decisively contributed to Elian Gonzalez'
>return, a UJC source told press today.
>
>The political-cultural fete will be in Havana's Miramar neighborhood at the
>Carlos Marx Theater, and will be attended by Juan Miguel Gonzalez and other
>of Elian's closest relatives.
>
>There will be a special recognition to Elian's father for his strong
>resistant spirit in enduring all the legal obstacles that kept Elian in the
>US over a month.
>
>A note released today by Granma daily reports that Juan Miguel Gonzalez,
>Elian's father, will be decorated with the order of Carlos Manuel de
>Cespedes in a ceremony attended by top Cuban Communist Party and Cuban
>government officials.
>
>That will be in "recognition of his extraordinary behavior in the difficult
>fight for Elian's return," Granma daily added.
>
>Currently, Elian Gonzalez lives in a school-home in Playa municipality,
>Havana, where he will remain two more weeks to complete his academic and
>psychological rehabilitation.
>
>Elian will then have one month of vacation with his closest relatives in a
>place near his coastal home in Cardenas, 140 km west of Havana.
>
>Elian and his closest relatives visited Cardenas yesterday and Elian visited
>his Marcelo Salado Primary School.
>
>The child survived the shipwreck of 14 Cuban illegal immigrants, in which 11
>drowned, including his mother, Elizabeth Brotons.
>
>A short summary of that story was released today in Cuba in a 32 pages
>special journal sold in newspaper shops for one Cuban peso (US$ 1 in
>official exchange).
>
>The text has been presented as "an historic re-count of the seven months
>Elian Gonzalez was vilely sequestered in the US."
>
>LPL/CCS
>
> .
>
>CUBAN FISHING INDUSTRY CONTRIBUTES 500 MILLION IN INCOME
>
>BY ROBERTO SALOMON
>
>HAVANA, Jul 5 (PL) The Cuban fishing industry, one of the most affected by
>the special period (economic crisis), now contributes some 500 million
>dollars in income from 150,000 tons caught annually an official source
>confirmed on Tuesday.
>
>In statements to Prensa Latina, this sector's minister Orlando Rodriguez
>Romay declared they have been working to duplicate both contribution and
>catch, as well as increase consolidation. Before 1959, Cuban fishing was
>totally dispersed and less than 20,000 tons were caught.
>
>Although the sector saw some improvement at the end of the '80s, some
>entities, excluding lobsters, began reporting losses during the difficulties
>created by the special period.
>
>For the 1990-94 period, the fishing contribution was less than 40 million
>dollars, but because of the changes in the last five years; some 500 million
>dollars now go to the state's central treasury.
>
>When addressing Cuban small farmers during a plenum of the National
>Association of Small Farmers (ANAP), Minister Romay highlighted
>aqua-culture's super-intensive development as one of the main ways to
>increase production, and encouraged participants to develop this in ponds
>and dams.
>
>At present using qui-culture, farmers and state associations of farmers
>garner some 2,000 tons of fish for self-consumption, and plan to
>substantially increase those levels to all state associations of farmers.
>
>The minister stated that the merchant fleet, which used to receive a
>considerable amount in the last decade, is now self-financing with a
>load-capacity of 1,200,000 tons, and hopes to reach one million and a half
>by the year 2005.
>
>This fleet is being modernized, using foreign capital.
>
>Next week the Fishing Industry Ministry will present a management report to
>the Cuban Parliament.
>
>DIG/CCS
>
> .
>
>CUBA OPENS DOORS TO MARITIME TRADE
>
>CIENFUEGOS, CUBA, Jul 5 (PL) Today Cuba made its first steps in the
>commercial maritime business as it opened doors to the International Fair
>"Amigos del Mar" (FIMAR 2000) in the central province of Cienfuegos, with
>representatives of 26 sector companies.
>
>"FIMAR is one of the faces on the prism of Cuba's economic recovery
>process," said Foreign Trade Assistant Minister Estrella Madrigal after
>inaugurating the fair in Cienfuegos -250 kilometers east of Havana.
>
>Sponsored by the Cuban Chamber of Commerce and supported by the Foreign
>Trade Ministry, the fair assumed the challenge of initiating a unique,
>highly professional commercial event in the maritime field.
>
>The fair takes place in an aura of promotion and business that goes beyond
>the capital, expressed in the recently concluded ExpoCaribe fair held in
>Santiago de Cuba, where 900 companies from 43 countries participated.
>
>Events like this are possible during a productive season marked by the
>presence of 450 international economic associations in 34 sectors, with
>another 150 business projects the official said.
>
>In 1999, Cuba's commercial exchange surpassed five billion dollars and
>covered some 3,000 foreign firms from 150 nations, incorporating new,
>important sectors such as food, fishing, iron and steel industry,
>agriculture and biotechnology.
>
>When asked by Prensa Latina, the Foreign Trade assistant minister responded
>that Latin America and the Caribbean would continue to be an important
>destination as it represented more than 35 per cent of trade in 1999.
>
>In this respect, she highlighted Cuba's active participation in the
>Association of Caribbean States and CARICOM, with whom the Island has
>negotiated an agreement to foster multilateral trade.
>
>GM/CCS
>
> .
>
>LATIN AMERICA-BANKS/SECURITY
>
>INTERNAL AUDITS AND PERSONNEL CONTROL TO CONFRONT BANK CRIME
>
>HAVANA, Jul 5 (PL) American and European specialists in banking security
>affirmed yesterday that the best methods to fight financial crime is through
>internal audits and strict control of personnel and customers.
>
>Holland Bank ING Barings security president Bert Ravesting urged that as
>criminal behavior cannot be predicted, it is necessary to study
>counterfeiters' abilities and guarantee a "control at all levels of the
>institutions." Ravenstijn was one of the main speakers at the 15th Banking
>Security Latin American Congress.
>
>Bankers from France, Spain, Holland and Canada met at Melia Habana hotel
>along with the over one hundred experts from 20 Latin American countries.
>
>According to International police (Interpol), international criminal
>organizations launder $360 billion every year.
>
>Only some $3 billion has been confiscated by anti money-laundering
>authorities in the last 20 years.
>
>Agents consider that from the total money laundered - called Gross Criminal
>Product (GCP), 90 per cent comes from banks, chiefly the giant firms of high
>reputation with off-shore branches, and that 80 per cent belongs to drug
>operations.
>
>Latin American Banking Security Committee president (CLSB) Miguel Montalvo
>stressed that banks all over the world are not only attacked by ordinary
>criminals, but are also under dangerous and ubiquitous threats from the
>"cyber-criminals" and suit and tie money launderers.
>
>"Bankers usually think more about business than in prevention. In my
>opinion, security will always be the best banking investment," said the CLSB
>president.
>
>ING Barings delegate explained that current criminals use sophisticated
>technology, false passports, holographs and variable optic inks for the
>falsification of official documents in their illegal activities.
>
>According to the banker, the best way to fight this is to maintain a strict
>file of bank workers and customers (mainly those who are temporary), and
>make regular internal audits.
>
>Cuban Trade and Credit Bank experts highlighted the importance of improving
>internal audits and control measures to guarantee banking operations'
>security and prevent illegal banking operations and computer technology
>frauds.
>
>Bandec technicians considered that internal control is the priority to prove
>that banking operations are efficient and ensure confidence in computer
>technology.
>
>AJS/CCS
>
> .
>
>AN ELIAN GONZALEZ JOURNAL ON SALE
>
>HAVANA, Jul 5 (PL) A 32-page journal, about child Elian Gonzalez'
>seven-month retention in the US, will be on sale in Cuba, the national
>television news reported.
>
>According to the source, the material entitled "Elian en la Patria" (Elian
>in his Homeland) also includes coverage of Cardenas where the child lives
>140 kilometers east of Havana, and his primary school "Marcelo Salado."
>
>On sale beginning tomorrow, it will include comments on Juan Miguel
>Gonzalez, Elian's father, and the boy's maternal and paternal grandmothers'
>visit to the US last January.
>
>The publication will contain an interview with Cuban Parliament President
>Ricardo Alarcon, Juan Miguel's consultant, as well as with diplomat Jose
>Imperatori, whom US authorities tried to unjustly accuse of espionage, said
>the commentator of TV news, Noticias.
>
>A message from Cuban President Fidel Castro was read on Saturday during the
>popular demonstration at eastern Manzanillo province, and that is also part
>of the journal.
>
>In the text, the statesman highlights that after Elian's return to the
>country, "the fight is renewed vigorously, with neither truce nor rest, and
>enters a new and prolonged phase." DIG/CCS
>
> .
>
>IBERO-AMERICAN MAYORS "MEETING AT THE FAIR"
>
>SANTIAGO DE CUBA, Jul 5 (PL) As part of the celebrations for this eastern
>Cuban city's 485th anniversary, mayors from a dozen Ibero-American cities
>had a friendly meeting today in the seat of local government.
>
>During the 20th International Caribbean Festival, the visitors held their
>meeting at City Hall to discuss issues such as the historic center
>restoration and urban development of the city, as well as tourist and
>commercial interchange and development.
>
>Mayors and their delegations put floral wreaths at the tombs of Cuban
>National Hero Jose Marti and Santiago's first republican representative and
>walked around the quiet waters of Santiago Bay and visited San Pedro del
>Morro fortress, a World Heritage Patrimony.
>
>Representatives from sister-cities, mayors from Namibia, Nigeria, Congo and
>South Africa among them, will participate in the opening parade of the
>Snake, at 17:00 (local time), which will go through main streets. The 20th
>International Caribbean Festival delegates will participate by wearing their
>national costumes.
>
>At the same time as the celebration, Santiago de Cuba is also hosting the
>First Poetry World Congress' second day, with debates on the Poet's
>Function, 21st Century poetry, and Poetry, Society and Globalization.
>
>"The Caribbean Unites Us," the Festival's seminar, had roundtables on
>"Africa and the Caribbean," Angola in African Culture's context, and
>Cultural Liberation.
>
>All day, one hears the omnipresent music from bands of participant countries
>at various city parks, streets, sales-stands and cultural institutions.
>
>The successful Caribbean Gala celebrated last night at Heredia Convention
>Center here, 900 km from Havana, was a major topic of conversation today by
>the 20th International Caribbean Festival delegates.
>
>FVS/CCS
>
> .
>
>SOLAS GOES FROM DOCUMENTARY TO FICTION IN IMMIGRATION MOVIE
>
>BY ANIA MARTI
>
>HAVANA, Jul 5 (PL) Cuban filmmaker Humberto Solas, defying heights from a
>flat roof, has everything ready to film one of the most dramatic scenes for
>Miel para Ochun (Honey for Ochun), a movie making a come-back after eight
>years of absence.
>
>Three weeks ago, the director of such classics as Manuela (1966) and Lucia
>(1968) started to work on a script written in 1993 by his sister Elia Solas
>together with one of her nephews, Sergio Benvenuto, who is also first film
>assistant.
>
>It is a kind of family movie, and maybe this is the reason for Solas'
>happiness, not usual when he is shooting a film.
>
>His contagious euphoria is also due to the good rhythm of the movie shot
>with digital techniques, allowing him to retake part of the documentary with
>which he started his professional career over 35 years ago.
>
>Miel para Ochun, deals with immigration using the story of a four-year-old
>(Rolando - actor Jorge Perugorria), taken to the US by his father without
>the knowledge of the child's mother. Rolando returns to his native country
>twenty years later to search for her.
>
>Solas, surrounded by journalists, not common in a movie shoot, told press
>that the film includes national idiosyncrasies such as racial, ethnic and
>religious syncretism, present in all his work.
>
>According to Solas, religion, social context, ideology and politics are
>closely tied in the script.
>
>Developing this theme, the director of "El Siglo de las Luces" explained
>that an ordinary person tells Rolando (Perrugorria) that he will find the
>person he is looking for where Ochun's waters meet those of Yemaya.
>
>The prediction comes to Rolando at a time when all his clues seem uncertain.
>The plot changes then when one of the main characters, a religious person,
>makes it their goal to find the place.
>
>The environment, says Solas, influences the characters' state of being and
>spirituality. "We can see it everywhere. It is a backdrop, it sends
>contextual messages in a subtle way.
>
>I am simply reviving things Glauber Rocha, Miguel Littin, some Soviet
>directors and I have done. We did not invent anything, we have only enriched
>and dynamically joined documentary and fiction.
>
>The director, in sun glasses and wearing white and beige to lessen the
>effects of the hot summer sun, pointed out that the digital format allows
>the use of a handheld camera, lighter than the 35 mm camera.
>
>This does not mean, he added laughing, that my next film will not be an epic
>drama, in 70 mm and with infinite dollies.
>
>Humberto Solas has many reasons to feel satisfied. A cast that he considers
>a luxury: Jorge Perugorria ("Fresa y chocolate"), Isabel Santos
>("Clandestinos," "La Vida es Silbar") and Mario Limonta, well-known for his
>TV roles. The three stars of Miel para Ochun are working together with
>Spain's El Paso de Producciones.
>
>Directors of photography Spanish Tote Trenas and Porfirio Enriquez, both
>with great experience in Solas' films, and his traditional film editor
>Nelson Rodriguez are working with him.
>
>Trauma and drama due to family separation are an inevitable and common fact
>in Latin America and the Cuban filmmaker is confident Miel Para Ochun will
>contribute to a better understanding of the immigration topic.
>
>AJS/CCS
>
> .
>
>ONE DAY CUBA WILL HOST OLYMPIC GAMES
>
>BY FAUSTO TRIANA
>
>HAVANA, Jul 5 (PL) If choosing the host of the Olympic games depends on the
>efforts of a country to develop sports, the Cuban aspiration to sponsor in
>2008 is very realistic.
>
>With this idea and full of optimism, Jose Ramon Fernandez, president of the
>Cuban Olympic Committee (COC), told Prensa Latina in an exclusive interview
>of his "firm conviction" that the Caribbean Island will have the honor of
>being the stage for Olympic games in the near future.
>
>"I don't really know when it's going to happen. We have presented all the
>required documentation on time, maps of Havana, infrastructure and
>conditions for our hopes of welcoming the world meeting of 2008," he
>explained.
>
>Fernandez declared that Cuba has enough merit to achieve such a goal. "I
>would not want to make comparisons, but our country has the physical
>education and sports at the reach of everyone and has made those activities
>a right for all the people" The COC President said Cuba has a team of
>referees well valued and respected worldwide and a great number of sports
>
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