Direct from Cuba-27 April 2000 Fri, 28 Apr 2000 05:30:45 -0400 Via NY Transfer News * All the News That Doesn't Fit Prensa Latina DIRECT FROM CUBA April 27, 2000 Cuba: -CUBANS READY FOR SECOND ROUND OF PARTIAL ELECTIONS -CELEBRATION OF INTERNATIONAL WORKERS' DAY PLANNED -CUBAN GOVERNMENT AND TRADE UNIONS ANALYZE EMPLOYMENT -US FARMERS URGE TIES WITH CUBA -CUBANS CONTINUE AWAITING ELIAN AND DEMANDING HIS RETURN -ELIAN: A PICTURE IS WORTH MORE THAN A THOUSAND WORDS Science & Technology: -OZONE USE IN PEDIATRIC DISEASES CORROBORATED -CUBAN RESEARCHERS DEVELOP NEW DIETARY SUPPLEMENT -PROPOSED CREATION OF LATIN AMERICAN CYBERNETICS MOVEMENT -"AVANCES MEDICOS DE CUBA" ISSUE DEDICATED TO PEDIATRICS -INTERNATIONAL MEETING WILL EXAMINE CUBAN SCIENTIFIC ACHIEVEMENTS -RESEARCH AIDS CUBAN PINE RESIN PRODUCTION Region: -COLOMBIA:FARC ANNOUNCES PEACE TAX -COLOMBIAN TOP PEACE COMMISSIONER QUITS -PERUVIAN EXPERTS CONSIDER US STATEMENT AN ULTIMATUM -VENEZUELAN STATE BANK PLANS TO SUE US OVER UNDERCOVER OPERATION -ALLEGED DIRTY DOMINICAN CAMPAIGN EXAMINED CUBANS READY FOR SECOND ROUND OF PARTIAL ELECTIONS HAVANA, Apr 27 (PL) Cuban members of some 833 districts will return to polling places April 30 for second-round elections national radio reported. Radio station Radio Rebelde said 833 delegate elections are still undecided because in the April 23 elections none of the candidates obtained the majority of valid votes in their respective districts. The first electoral round was satisfactory, when 7,913,112 citizens voted, 98.06 per cent of those able to vote, according to the latest official report. The process was characterized by "transparency, order and discipline, and no negative incidents were reported," Roberto Sotolongo -Justice Minister and president of the National Electoral Commission- told press Monday. Sotolongo underscored that the elections constituted simply another sign of voters' support to the political (socialist) system that the people themselves chose. In Cuba, we practice direct and secret votes; however, nobody is forced to vote. All those over 16 years of age with full mental and legal faculties can vote. Out of the total number of ballots, 2.82 per cent were blank, while 3.05 per cent were annulled for various reasons. The number is less than that registered in the partial elections in 1997. Delegates-elect will represent 169 municipal assemblies of the People's Power and Parliament for two and a half years. These assemblies contribute 50 per cent of potential members of the Provincial Assemblies of the People's Power and Parliament. GM/CCS CELEBRATION OF INTERNATIONAL WORKERS' DAY PLANNED HAVANA, Apr 27 (PL) Cubans are getting ready to celebrate International Workers' Day with mass events in all Cuban cities, that this year will be tribunes to continue demanding Elian Gonzalez' return to the Island. In Havana's Revolution Square the "open tribune" will be different from the traditional parades which every year gathers hundreds of thousands of people. Granma daily stated today that this time there is a call for Cubans to demonstrate their willingness in the "fight of ideas": cessation of the Adjustment Act, considered the main reason for illegal immigration to the US and cause of tragedies like Elian's. The participants will also demand the removal of Helms-Burton, Torricelli and all the Acts which have contributed to worsen the policy of US blockade over 40 years, and they will also denounce the maneuvers to condemn Cuba for supposed human rights violations. Events will begin at 08:30 local time and according to Granma, young people and workers will show the "resistance, union, love and solidarity with all the countries of the world in the face of neoliberal policies." There will be more than 1,500 dignitaries at the event, including outstanding workers in all production and service areas and many invited foreign guests, of whom over 400 are already here. A huge chorus, military bands, other artistic groups, soloists and a large orchestra will perform at the Revolution Square event. LPL/CCS CUBAN GOVERNMENT AND TRADE UNIONS ANALYZE EMPLOYMENT HAVANA, Apr 27 (PL) Cuban vice president, Carlos Lage, and National Organization of Cuban Trade Union (CTC) general secretary, Pedro Ross, yesterday chaired a meeting to analyze employment, health and protection of workers. Participants at the six-hour meeting included ministers from the economic sector and CTC office, as well as Jose Ramon Machado Ventura, member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Central Committee, confirmed the National News Agency. Participants decided it would be necessary to hold similar meetings before the 18th CTC Congress next year, and agreed not to make any restructuring, cost-effectiveness programs or any kind of movement of workers, not previously approved by the trade union. They agreed to protect employment in Cuba's western provinces, support future work force training and to control work, health, and protection conditions in the areas of new investment. The Ministry of Work must supervise work agreements and complete the study of workers' income. These kinds of meetings have been held since 1986 to concentrate on and find solutions to workers' necessities and concerns. AJS/CCS US FARMERS URGE TIES WITH CUBA HAVANA, Apr 27 (PL) A US delegation of twenty Texas farmers yesterday concluded a three-day visit to Cuba to stimulate bilateral dialog and get acquainted with Cuban farming and animal husbandry. The group, led by Donald Patman, Texas Farm Bureau president and Charles Stenholm, US Congressional representative, met authorities from Cuba's Foreign Trade Ministry and Central Bank, Farming and Animal Husbandry Cooperatives and farmer associations. US farmers declared themselves against the blockade the US has made against Cuba since 1962, "at least the logical first step would be [to lift the blockade] for medicine and food," they stated. Cuba is a potential market of some billion dollars "we do not want to ignore," Patman commented yesterday at a press conference an hour before departing for the US. "We have rice, wheat, cereals, and many products that would have a good impact on consumption in Cuba," he said. Stenholm considers this is an ideal time to lobby in Washington to end the blockade on food and medicines. To lift these barriers would be just and beneficial for everyone. "This is an election year in the US, anything might happen, but we should take the first steps looking for a solution to the economic blockade," the congressman commented. "I have always favored Elian's meeting with his father," the Texas Democrat said in relation to the boy's case. "Using food and medicine as weapons is a sad story that rarely works. Texas farmers believe it is better to use our considerable foodstuffs as peace and cooperative instruments among nations," proclaimed a US Farm Bureau report. Other US farmer groups have been trying to get Clinton's government and Congress to end sanctions on sales to Cuba. US farmers must let their voices be heard, if they want the blockade removed, said Susan Keith, National Corn Cultivator Association public policy director last July in Boston. Texas Farm Bureau is part of a cereal group created by the US congress; it sent another mission to Cuba in 1999. DIG/CCS CUBANS CONTINUE AWAITING ELIAN AND DEMANDING HIS RETURN BY RAFAEL CALCINES HAVANA, Apr 27 (PL) Although Cuban people are calmer since Elian Gonzalez was reunited with his father on Saturday, they do not miss a detail of anything related to the child and his family and continue demanding his return to the Island. As has became usual, at five o'clock in the afternoon most Cuban TV sets are turned on so people can watch for two hours the latest developments of the case as reported by journalists with many images from international TV networks. With a huge audience, these roundtables, characterized by a reflective tone, have become, with the more agitated "open tribunes" the major ways millions of people have shown rejection of the illegal retention of the child in Miami and are demanding his return. The first demonstration was December 5, 1999, when thousands of youth organization members marched in front of the US Interests Section in Havana, and it hasn't stopped since then. Although Elian is with his father now, he remains in the US until an Atlanta Appeals Court gives its verdict on the suit for political asylum presented by his distant Miami relatives. These political maneuvers continue being rejected by the Island and the new kidnappers' attempts to retain the child by any method, even to forcing the father to stay in the US. Televised roundtable debates have been announced for today, tomorrow and Sunday, while Saturday there is an open tribune called by youth organizations in Ciego de Avila, 448 kilometers east of Havana at 17.30 local time. In this event, more than 100,000 people are expected to attend who will demand not only Elian's return but the derogation of all those measures which for over 40 years have characterized US policy against Cuba. Special emphasis will be made on the Cuban Adjustment Act, which since its approval in the mid'60s has been the main reason for illegal immigration to the US, as it gives special privileges to Cuban people who reach that nation in this way. May 1st, International Workers Day, always hugely celebrated in Cuba with parades, this year will have "open tribunes" in all Cuban cities, so that millions of people can protest against the four-decade blockade. Evidently, for Cubans the tragic case of Elian was the last straw, but it is only one episode in a battle that, often with blood and fire, has now become a "battle of ideas" that in the long-run has as its main objective the end of the blockade and pressures. LPL/CCS ELIAN: A PICTURE IS WORTH MORE THAN A THOUSAND WORDS BY HECTOR IGARZA Photojournalists tend to value their work over that of their reporter-colleagues, claiming an image is more valuable than thousands of words. In this case, they are right. The photo of Elian's reunion with his father says it all. How different from the shots taken when the child was with his distant Miami relatives, and especially from the video were he is manipulated to say he was not willing to come back to Cuba with his dad. The family reunion has a message: Elian does not seek asylum in the United States. Elian's distant relatives in Miami insist on condemning US authorities' rescue of the child from his sequester, and deny it was the only possible alternative because of disobedience and disregard of the law. More than five ultimatums for them to commit to abide by the Atlanta Court of Appeals decision and their refusal to comply with the order of transfer for the child to his father, led to the organization and development of the operation. Under strict orders of Justice Secretary Janet Reno, the federal agents entered the house of Elian's great-uncle Lazaro Gonzalez and rescued the child without harming the boy, the residents or the rescue team members. Despite the US government's patience and attitude, the Miami relatives insist that Elian stay in the United States in the asylum that his father -the only one authorized to speak in his name- has not requested. In the United States, whose State Department usually assists -even financially- US parents facing litigation in a foreign country for international custody of their children, the laws are clear and grant the living parent the unique power to represent his/her children. Hence, the US government, often personified by Reno or Doris Meissner - Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) commissioner- insists on defending its laws and decision to deny Elian an asylum hearing as he is only a child. After the federal operation last Saturday, the asylum request for Elian and demand to hold a meeting with Juan Miguel Gonzalez have become the new maneuvers by the Miami family to hinder the child's return to Cuba. While requesting the Atlanta Appeals Court dismiss a Federal Court decision supporting the INS determination -Elian's return to Cuba- the great-uncle repeats that the child has asked not to return to the Island. He maintains the US government violated its own regulations when it refused to consider the request based on political asylum. The Atlanta's Court of Appeals will hold a hearing May 11, where the Miami claimants and the US government will express themselves. In arguments sent Sunday by the State Department to the Atlanta Court of Appeals, the US government reiterates there is no evidence that Elian Gonzalez is able to understand anything about a political asylum request - allegedly signed by him. According to the US government official document, "there is no evidence it has the requisites to grant political asylum nor valid reasons for the Miami great-uncle's point of view to prevail over that of Elian's father." At the same time, the Justice Department added, "there is no basis for the Court to conclude that Attorney General Janet Reno and the INS violated the law or established norms when they dismissed considering a political asylum request." In this sense, the 85-page document presented to Atlanta's Court of Appeals "calls to dismiss the political asylum request by the great-uncle Lazaro Gonzalez for Elian." Everybody assumes that the child's Miami relatives will continue lobbying and maneuvering -even within Congress- to try to perpetuate the little boy's retention in the United States. But photos of Elian with his father, his six-month-old brother and his dad's wife, whom he calls "mom," convey the clear message that the child wants to live with his real family. GM/CCS Science & Technology: OZONE USE IN PEDIATRIC DISEASES CORROBORATED HAVANA, Apr 27 (PL) Children with secondary immunodeficiency infections show clinically tested benefits when treated with ozone, according to a Cuban medical magazine (Avances Medicos de Cuba). In the report, Doctor Reinaldo Puga, Assistant director of Centro Habana Pediatric Hospital referred to ozone use in children suffering recurrent respiratory infections. The study revealed that ozone therapy improved cellular and humoral immunity (quantity of immunoglobulin), which was previously deficient in the patients. Over two-thirds of treated children had no relapse to the infectious diseases. Therapy consisted of 45-50 ozone micrograms per milliliter rectally applied for 15 sessions during the first and second months of treatment, and weekly during the third. Puga explained that the most common humoral immunodeficiency in any population, including Cuba's, is the selective deficit of immune-globulin A (IgA). These patients should not be treated with gamma globulin, because they could develop anti-IgA antibodies, causing serious problems to the patients. For this reason, the Cuban pediatrician said they used the ozone-therapy alternative that in adequate doses and concentration seems to be an effective therapeutic alternative to conventional gamma globulin treatments. In spite of prejudices against use of the gas in human treatment, ozone is used with success for treating many infections, chiefly those of viral and bacterial etiology, as well as non-infectious diseases. DIG/CCS CUBAN RESEARCHERS DEVELOP NEW DIETARY SUPPLEMENT CAMAGUEY, CUBA, Apr 27 (PL) Cuban researchers developed a new dietary and energizing supplement for treating nutritional problems, lack of appetite and anemia -lack of iron, it was reported here. Cesar Garcia, from Camaguey Biological and Pharmaceutical Labs (LABIOFARM), explained to press that the product called Ferrical is made from Cuban raw materials. Production of Ferrical will substitute for similar medicines that requires foreign active products, according to Garcia. This advantage is particularly important for the Cuban health system affected as it is in medicine production due to the economic crisis. Because of its high content of proteins, iron, minerals, energy-producing carbohydrates and lack of negative side effects, Ferrical is a competitive therapeutic, said the LABIOFARM expert. Besides its positive effect in anemia treatment of pregnant women, children with low weight-height ratio and the elderly, Ferrical can be used for those who exercise a lot, like athletes. Garcia considered the medicine could represent a profitable alternative for Third World countries, due to its low production cost and its positive therapeutic results, so LABIOFARM is offering its collaboration to other countries. IFF/CCS PROPOSED CREATION OF LATIN AMERICAN CYBERNETICS MOVEMENT SANCTI SPIRITUS, CUBA, Apr 27 (PL) Cuba will propose the creation of a Latin American Cybernetics Movement at the International Conference: Data Processing and Young People, May 24-26 in Havana. Delegates from various countries will attend this event, sponsored by Ecuador's Loja University and other regional institutions reported Pedro Martinez Pinon, Computer and Electronics Youth Club national director. The Conference will study cybernetic effects on young people and development as well as computerization of Cuban and internationally. National Youth Club Movement is indigenous and there is nothing similar in the world, he said. Sancti Spiritus central province has become the paradigm of research in Cuban Computer Youth Clubs. Its successes include historic and technical-scientific topics, as well as the creation of programs related to value formation in children and young people. In its almost 13 years, the Youth Computer Clubs have trained over 270 thousand persons, including children, young people, adults and disabled persons, the expert concluded. DIG/CCS "AVANCES MEDICOS DE CUBA" ISSUE DEDICATED TO PEDIATRICS HAVANA, Apr 27 (PL) Over 1,760 newborn children have been studied in Cuba by means of the use of Ultramicroanalytical System (SUMA), a high quality diagnostic technique designed by Cuban scientists, announced "Avances Medicos" (AM) medical magazine. In its 23rd issue, dedicated to pediatrics, AM reports a decade's use of SUMA permitted diagnosis of over 549 hypothyroid newborns that would have suffered irreversible brain damage if they were not diagnosed on time. Included is a study on breast-feeding benefits for children operated on for congenital malformations. Another study reported was an investigation of hyaline membrane disease. This is a respiratory disease affecting newborn children which has decreased in Cuba, thanks to Surfacen, a natural medicine obtained from pigs' lungs. Cuba is a signatory to the Children's Convention and has been complying for years with the health accords in the Health for All in the Year 2000. Cuba every day increases efforts so that every child on the Island has free access to a Health Care System characterized by universality and equality, said AM in an editorial note. The magazine also includes articles on stress from oxidants, aging, preventive medicine and health promotion efforts to those affected by VIH/AIDS, and arthroscopic techniques. IFF/CCS INTERNATIONAL MEETING WILL EXAMINE CUBAN SCIENTIFIC ACHIEVEMENTS HAVANA, Apr 27 (PL) Cuba's experience and results in scientific knowledge and technological innovation in the '90s will be discussed May 9-11 during CITESA Habana 2000 international symposium. According to a press conference by Public Health Ministry's director of Science and Technology, Eric Martinez, the Health Science and Technology event will also reveal the biotechnology impact on Cuba in this period. Reported achievements by the Medical-Pharmaceutical Industry (vaccines, medicines, medical and diagnostic equipment), as well as the country's scientific program until 2005, will be expounded at the meeting. According to Martinez, contacts, agreements and activities among researchers, scientific institutions, consultants and executives will be encouraged to further development of collaboration. Cuba will present a detailed file of 250 planned research for health products, innovations and services. Primary health care, reproductive health, aging, transmissible and chronic non-transmissible illness, traditional medicine, quality of life, and food and nutrition, among others, are the work themes to be debated, he added. MINSAP's executive pointed out 250 Cuban and 90 foreign delegates are expected mainly from North America, Europe and Asia. This is the first such meeting at which they will also discuss financial opportunities for health investigation. IFF/CCS RESEARCH AIDS CUBAN PINE RESIN PRODUCTION PINAR DEL RIO, CUBA, Apr. 27 (PL) Over 1,000 tons of pine resin is expected to be processed this year in Pinar del Rio, westernmost Cuban province, as a national alternative to obtain better value from the wood, it was reported here. Pine resin is a solid translucent substance that flows in this tall coniferous tree, and it is used to obtain resin oil, basic substances for paper production, pigments and materials for the chemical industry. Prensa Latina learned yesterday of the Pinar del Rio industrial plant, where a ton of crude resin has a market value of US$ 350, triple if it is distilled. Cuban specialists participating in the forestry symposium on sustainable management said this production is increasing because research efforts have been directed to this Cuban export area. Part of the technology for extraction of resin in Pinar del Rio is technology improvement, particularly with stimulants that increase the resin-output per tree and more production per hectare. Resin improvement in Cuban pine trees is a program that dates from 1995 in Cajalbana and Vinales nature areas, important forestry locations in the westernmost province. According to scientific studies, Pinar del Rio forestry biomass is 318,000 hectares, predominantly coniferous (more than 70 per cent) and produces 90 per cent of resin in the country. IFF/CCS Region: COLOMBIA: FARC ANNOUNCES PEACE TAX SAN VICENTE DEL CAGUAN, COLOMBIA, Apr 27 (PL) Colombia's Revolutionary Armed Forces (FARC) announced a tax for peace on citizens with incomes over one million dollars. Commander Jorge Briceno made the announcement yesterday in a press statement in this region, capital of the demilitarized southern zone, after the decision adopted in guerrilla headquarters' recent joint assembly. The tax, stipulated by Law 002, will be obligatory for everyone with such income, and represents over one billion 900 million Colombian pesos. The FARC declaration warned that failure to pay the levy on time would lead to interest, while those who refuse to pay will be retained until they pay. Guerrilla movement decision was backed by President Andres Pastrana decision of the Colombia Plan and the delivery of over one billion 300 million dollars to support war. FARC release considers it necessary to obtain income to strengthen reconciliation forces and military capacity to face US intervention. DIG/CCS COLOMBIAN TOP PEACE COMMISSIONER QUITS BOGOTA, Apr 27 (PL) Colombian top peace commissioner, Victor Ricardo, quit after a year and a half of constant threats against his life and criticism by top-ranking military officials. Colombian president, Andres Pastrana, confirmed Ricardo's resignation yesterday and his replacement by his private secretary and member of the negotiating committee for peace, Camilo Gomez. According to the head of state, the former top peace commissioner did an excellent job pushing talks with Colombian revolutionary armed forces and with the design of a unique agenda and beginning of employment and economic growth debates. Pastrana thanked the former executive for his effort and made a moral recognition of his achievements in negotiation and his personal sacrifice under difficult conditions. In a short statement to press when reading his resignation letter, Ricardo preferred not to include his reasons, limiting himself to having fulfilled the work period with the mistakes and good ideas typical of a human being. The resigning peace commissioner has been warned of serious ultra rightwing plans to kill him with the pretext of blaming the rebels. Similar statements were always present in public speeches of generals and top-ranking Army officials. President Pastrana carefully managed this division. AJS/CCS PERUVIAN EXPERTS CONSIDER US STATEMENT AN ULTIMATUM LIMA, Apr 27 (PL) Influential politicians and lawyers warn that US congressional Resolution 43 signed by President William Clinton is almost an ultimatum, despite Alberto Fujimori's government considers it an exhortation. The document, signed Tuesday, asked the Peruvian government to hold a second round in the electoral process in a fair, democratic and transparent way or the White House will analyze and change political, economic and military relations with Peru. According to Peruvian lawyer Javier Valle Riestra, former Prime minister of Fujimori' administration, the resolution practically contains an ultimatum, if elections are not considered free by world public opinion. Valle Riestra considers the most serious part of the document that which states the US will work with other Latin American countries to restore democracy in Peru. The lawyer said a fair second round in elections cannot be held if the first one had serious deficiencies. He added that the process has a genetic problem, stemming from the 1996 Authentic Interpretation Law), which allowed Fujimori's privileged candidature for a third mandate, despite the Magna Carta (Constitution) that only permits two continuous periods in power. According to Andean Attorneys Commission president, Diego Garcia Sayan, Peruvian diplomats in Washington tried to prevent Clinton from signing the document. Former Secretary General of the United Nations, Javier Perez de Cuellar, recommended that Peru's government consider the US position. Perez de Cuellar said this warning is based on Peru's negative image in electoral processes in the current decade. Referring to mediation by the Catholic Church and People Defense Councils for a second election round, the former secretary considered it necessary because it will give credibility to the electoral process and its results. The diplomat ratified his support for opposition candidate Alejandro Toledo, Peru Possible Party, and stated his hope for Toledo's victory. The meeting of the National Elections Jury (JNE) called yesterday to end the counting process and proclaim the results of April 9 general elections. All indications are that a second electoral round would be held the end of May. AJS/CCS VENEZUELAN STATE BANK PLANS TO SUE US OVER UNDERCOVER OPERATIN CARACAS, Apr 27 (PL) Venezuela's State Industrial Bank will sue the US government for material and prestige damages caused by a US customs officers undercover operation, it was announced yesterday. The so-called Casablanca Operation was created in 1997, when these agents entered Venezuela with false passports to persuade different bank officers to participate in money-laundering operations. The alleged objective was to identify financial institutions involved in this illicit activity, but as a result of the operation, the Industrial Bank was wrongly accused and four million dollars were attached. A court decision proved the accusation false and US courts were ordered to return the attached money. Apart from the damage demand, interests resulting from the money unfairly taken would add another 400 thousand dollars and will be requested, said Fernando Alvarez Paz, Industrial Bank president. Meanwhile, the trial against persons involved in the events will remain open, it was informed. DIG/CCS ALLEGED DIRTY DOMINICAN CAMPAIGN EXAMINED SANTO DOMINGO, Apr 27 (PL) Dominican Republic's Central Electoral Board (JCE) is currently investigating the denouncement made by the opposition Dominican Revolutionary Party (PRD), claiming that a dirty campaign has been carried out against PRD presidential candidate Hipolito Mejia. PRD delegates before the JCE requested the suspension of a TV advertisement using Mejia's statements to various press agencies, selecting and highlighting phrases that present him as an unstable man who is not well-prepared to rule a country. Leonor Sanchez and Virgilio Bello asserted the propaganda creates confusion and distortion and violates the Inter-American Convention on Human Rights and national laws on expression of thought. Representative of the official Partido de la Liberacion Dominicana (PLD), Reinaldo Pared, said one article of the Electoral Law prohibits candidates to speak against the decency of another aspirant. He made it clear that the PLD has only reproduced Mejia's statements that offended PLD candidate Danilo Medina, Dominican President Leonel Fernandez, as well as other top PLD leaders. Pared said the JCE has no right to suspend the propaganda as it is not supported by law to do so. Spokesman for the electoral board, Wilfredo Alemany, said the judges will study the denouncement and will soon make a decision. The JCE has the right to prohibit broadcasting any advertising that violates the established laws, Alemany stated. Not involved in the PRD protest, journalists Juan Bolivar Diaz and Fausto Rosario Adames demanded the immediate withdrawal of the announcements in which they appear interviewing Mejia on a TV program. A letter sent to Mejia reads that, as regards his professional image, they have never willingly participated in any political or commercial promotion. In this case, no one asked for authorization either from them nor from the channel for whom they work. PLD Press Secretary Rafael Perez Modesto said they would study the request by Diaz and Rosario although they are not the main figures. They were included in the commercials to make them more credible, he affirmed. GM/CCS (c) 2000 Prensa Latina, S.A. (PL). 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: nyt@blythe.org ================================================================= nytcari-04.28.00-05:30:46-6327