Direct from Cuba-Newsbriefs-18 April 2000 Wed, 19 Apr 2000 04:56:30 -0400 Via NY Transfer News * All the News That Doesn't Fit Prensa Latina - Havana, Cuba DIRECT FROM CUBA Tuesday, April 18, 2000 International: -US GAINS ANOTHER PYRRHIC VICTORY IN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION -CUBA DENOUNCES TWO-FACED US IN GENEVA -US ACCUSED OF VIOLATING HUMAN RIGHTS IN CUBA -THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE DEMONSTRATE AT CZECH EMBASSY -CUBAN AND LAOS DELEGATIONS HOLD OFFICIAL TALKS Cuba: -VICTORY OVER MIAMI MERCENARIES REMEMBERED IN CUBA -CUBA READY FOR SUNDAY ELECTIONS -GROWING CUBAN GNP WILL BE 4.5 PER CENT FOR 2000 -CUBA EXPECTS WIDE INTERNATIONAL ATTENDANCE AT CONSTRUCTION FAIR 2000 -CUBAN POPULAR MUSIC IN MOURNING FOR BERNARDO CHOVEN' DEATH Region: -VENEZUELAN RESERVES CONTINUE INCREASING -NICARAGUA-HONDURAS CONFLICT INVOKES CENTRAL AMERICAN SUMMIT -DIVIDED OPINIONS ON DOMINICAN GOVERNMENT -ARGENTINA: DE LA RUA DENIES IMF PRESSURE -ARCHBISHOP TRIES TO REDUCE TENSION WITH VENEZUELA GOVERNMENT -VICENTE FOX PROPOSES ECONOMIC CONTINUITY IN MEXICO -FOX CONSIDERS US POLICY AGAINST CUBA WRONG -ATTEMPT AGAINST DEPUTY IN MEXICAN MINISTER CASE CONDEMNED International: US GAINS ANOTHER PYRRHIC VICTORY IN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION BY RUBEN G. ABELENDA, SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT GENEVA, SWITZERLAND, Apr 18 (PL) By only three votes, the US obtained another pyrrhic victory in the UN Human Rights Commission (HRC) resolution against Cuba. Cuban delegation sources in the UN united in denouncing the US government and its large delegation that constantly exerted all kinds of pressure and blackmail on the 53 HRC member-countries for another resolution against the Caribbean nation for alleged human rights violations. They emphasized that Cuba will not accept either the resolution by the HRC today, considered unfair, manipulated and partial. Despite the pressure, the project presented by the Czech Republic and Poland, at the US behest, was adopted by 21 votes in favor, 18 against and 14 abstentions. This voting again demonstrated that Washington's pressures were not enough to force the majority of Human Rights Commission members to submit in favor of the resolution. Cuba won another moral triumph again facing the most powerful nation in the world and repeatedly accusing the US as the greatest violator of human rights, said the same sources. They stated the Cuban people will continue defending their sovereignty and independence, and will never give up before the threats, unjust laws and blockade imposed by the United States for four decades. Everyone in the HRC knows this repeated resolution is a Washington aggression against Cuba, where a Revolution in 1959 defended all Cubans' human rights. AJS/CCS CUBA DENOUNCES TWO-FACED US IN GENEVA BY RUBEN G. ABELENDA, SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT GENEVA, SWITZERLAND, Apr 18 (PL) Cuba affirmed today that while forcing other countries in the UN Human Rights Commission (HRC) to impose a resolution against the Island, the US government is not capable of applying the law in its own territory. Cuban Ambassador at HRC headquarters, Carlos Amat, denounced at the HRC 56th Period of Sessions, the two-faced Washington administration with the cruel and prolonged retention in Miami, Florida, of Cuban boy Elian Gonzalez. Amat said despite the time the boy has been illegally retained and Washington official recognition that Elian should be returned to his native country, the White House has not carried out effective actions. He highlighted that the United States, the country where a Cuban boy has been retained since November against all international laws and violating human rights, is the same country forcing and blackmailing other HRC member states to pass a bill condemning Cuba. To do this, it used for the second consecutive time the Czech Republic, which abjectly presented the anti-Cuban project, repeated Amat before the vote on this document. Amat asserted that Cuba is proud of its history in human rights, its people's elevated values, solid unity and capacity for resistance. It is also proud, he concluded, of its solidarity and firm decision to defend its Revolution, which on January 1st, 1959 gave the Island its independence, social justice and national dignity. OM/CCS US ACCUSED OF VIOLATING HUMAN RIGHTS IN CUBA BY RUBEN G. ABELENDA, SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT GENEVA, SWITZERLAND, April 18 (PL) Cuba accused the United States today of being the true and only abuser of Cuban people's human rights by imposing a dirty war that has been prolonged for more than four decades. Cuban Ambassador to the UN, Carlos Amat, made the accusation against the US government shortly before the vote on a new Washington resolution against Cuba presented by the Czech Republic in the 56th session of the Human Rights Commission (HRC). Amat asserted that the United States has continuously violated Cuban people's human rights with its known mercenary invasions, terrorism and aggressions of all kinds. He affirmed that the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by US government on the Island more than 40 years ago is the greatest abuse of Cubans' human rights. While referring to the new bill, destined to condemn Cuba in the HRC, Amat said that even when the terms of the text seem to be conciliatory, it implies an accusation that his country would never accept, as it is unjust and partial. He underscored that the UN forum has been manipulated again, making it a hostage of US hegemonic intentions and the selectivity and double rules applied against Cuba. Amat highlighted that what the US really seeks with such an adverse resolution against his country on alleged human rights violations, is to justify continuing its dirty war and blockade policy. He pointed out that US officials cannot forgive that Cuba has its own voice, defends southern developing nations' interests, and at the same time builds a society based on equality and social justice. Cuba will continue defending its sovereignty, and the right to life, food, health and development of its people, he said. Amat denounced once more the pressures and blackmail publicly carried out by the huge US delegation to pass the anti-Cuban resolution at any price. OM/CCS THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE DEMONSTRATE AT CZECH EMBASSY HAVANA, Apr 18 (PL) About 100,000 mostly young people marched today in front of the Czech embassy in Havana to denounce what is considered here a servile attitude to the United States. Cuban youth and student organizations called the demonstration to protest a bill presented by the Czech delegation at the Human Rights Commission in Geneva, Switzerland, to condemn Cuba for alleged violations. The call to march was made yesterday afternoon and thousands of people started gathering at 26th Avenue very early in the morning, breaking up the traditional quiet in the Nuevo Vedado neighborhood, where the diplomatic headquarters is located. The march started at 10:00 am, led by top leaders of Cuban youth organizations, including Otto Rivero, First Secretary of the Communist Youth League (UJC), and Hassan Perez, President of the University Students Federation (FEU). The crowd carried flags and chorused slogans toward the Czech government, such as "Servant" and "Traitor", and demanded respect toward Cuba's right to decide its own future. Many demonstrators wore a white T-shirt with the image of Elian Gonzalez, who has been illegally kept in the United States for five months. For Cubans, this constitutes a real violation of human rights, committed with the consent of US authorities. Many Cubans consider the US government is losing authority as they do not demonstrate enough political will to make the kidnappers obey the law. Likewise, they believe Washington's permanent attempts to condemn Cuba at the UN Human Rights Commission for alleged violations, is just another sign of hostility, and to achieve their goal, they must petition governments who play their game or exert strong diplomatic pressure on others. GM/CCS CUBAN AND LAOS DELEGATIONS HOLD OFFICIAL TALKS HAVANA, Apr 18 (PL) Chaired by President Fidel Castro and Prime Minister Sisavath Keobounphanh, the Cuban and Laos delegations held official talks at the Revolution Palace yesterday. In addition to the two presidents, Laos officials and Vice-president Carlos Lage, Foreign Affairs Minister Felipe Perez Roque and other Cuban officials took part in the talks. Keobounphanh was received at Plaza de las Banderas (Flags) by the Cuban president shortly before the meeting, where he received honors and greetings from the diplomatic staff accredited in Cuba. Laos' president laid a wreath at the Jose Marti Monument Monday, in the last working day of his official visit, and reviewed Cuban history in the Revolution Square museum. The president led his country's delegation the Havana Group of 77 South Summit April 10-14, at which 122 delegations attended. He told Prensa Latina the forum constitutes an historic event for underdeveloped nations that face the challenge of a Uni-polar world. He said the Summit would also have a positive effect in Cuba's struggle against US blockade. Laos' president extended his stay in response to an invitation by the Revolution leader. Over the weekend, he visited Boca de Jaruco natural gas plant, a pharmaceutical lab and the Latin American Medical School, as well as a private home in Santa Cruz del Norte. He also visited the historic part of the capital and Casa de Asia, the Templete building and la Plaza de Armas (Weapons). IFF/CCS Cuba: VICTORY OVER MIAMI MERCENARIES REMEMBERED IN CUBA HAVANA, Apr 18 (PL) Attempts to retain Cuban child Elian Gonzalez in Miami are called here "another disgusting chapter of an attempted revenge they have not been able to complete for 39 years, referring to the anniversary of the victory of Playa Giron. The official daily Granma points out that some of those marching in front of the Miami house of Elian's retainers, recall a history that still pains them. Granma remembers the ridiculous spectacle made by 2506 Brigade members when were received in Miami's Orange Bowl Stadium by President John F. Kennedy after they were tried in Cuba and exchanged for food and medicine. Many of that group were as absurd then as those who today, in the name of freedom, try to keep a child a prisoner, separating him from his father. Jose Miro Torra, Doctor Jose Miro Cardona's son, then called "President of Cuban Revolutionary Council in Exile", an organization supported by the US government, enlisted with the mercenaries to clear his father's name and make his own history. Jose Alfredo Perez San Ramon, continues Granma, had his baptism of fire as Batista's lieutenant. After the triumph of the 1959 revolution he was put in jail and later released, he fled from Cuba and was one of the first to present himself at the CIA recruiting bases. According to the article, the most "illustrious" of the three leaders was Manuel Artime Buesa, selected by CIA to unite the Florida groups, as Secretary of the CounterRevolutionary Recuperation Movement (MRR). The newspaper points out that after the battle we heard the most unbelievable stories. Felix Perez Tamayo ex official under Batista said at his trial he had come to Cuba "to work and earn some money", and Juan Montalvo's declared he wanted to recover his family's farms in Cienaga de Zapata. Granma said judging by the declarations of the prisoners, 2506 Brigade was the best-fed mercenary force in the world, for the high number of "cooks" who disembarked in Playa Giron. The daily points out that "the living fossils", from that army defeated 39 years ago, are among those now supporting the people sequestering Elian Gonzalez and organizing vigils, as a "sad way to remember a shameful defeat in the sands of Giron". JCT/CCS CUBA READY FOR SUNDAY ELECTIONS HAVANA, Apr 18 (PL) Cuba is ready for partial elections Sunday after the results of the "dynamic tests" in the country to guarantee the electoral process reported Granma daily. Cuban Minister of Justice and president of the National Electoral Commission (NEC), Roberto Diaz Sotolongo, told Granma the country has a favorable situation for election of more than 14,000 delegates of the People's Power districts. After the test, the NEC estimated that more than 95% of the 35,021 voting booths in the country are ready for the elections reported the source. None of the detected problems could put endanger the elections, asserted Sotolongo, but electoral officials in the neighborhood of every municipality are on alert and should solve them as soon as possible. He explained that only 5 per cent of voting places visited last Sunday had any material or human difficulties, such as a delayed opening, interruption of telephone communications, absence of a electoral commission member, lack of transportation, etc. Diaz Sotolongo reiterated to press the most important thing is the quality of elections. "The best voting place isn't the first to close, but the one guaranteeing the necessary conditions to vote". Delegates are government representatives, elected in the neighborhood districts by direct and secret ballot every two and a half years. Delegates to government administration municipal councils are elected by the same procedure. In order to be appointed, the candidates, proposed by their neighbors in a public assembly must obtain 50 plus 1 per cent of the votes. In case of a tie, or less than a majority, there will be a second round. More than 7,900,000 Cubans are registered in the primary registers, which have been exhibited in public places since the middle of March to correct any possible mistake. According to the Electoral Law, all Cuban citizens, as soon as they reach 16 years of age, except those with mental handicaps or sentenced to jail, have the right to vote. OM/CCS GROWING CUBAN GNP WILL BE 4.5 PER CENT FOR 2000 MEXICO, Apr 18 (PL) Cuban Economy Minister, Jose Luis Rodriguez, reiterated that Cuba's Gross National Product (GNP) will be 4.5 per cent this year, a Mexican newspaper reported. In an interview with El Financiero daily, Rodriguez explained that Cuba is fully recovering from over 67 billion-dollar damages caused by Washington's 40-year blockade. The country has signed 370 association agreements, receives about four billion dollars annually from foreign investments, and trades with over three thousand world enterprises, he stated. The Vice-president of the Counsel of Ministers made clear this does not mean putting national sovereignty at risk or placing Cuba in a "casino economy", at the disposal of speculative capital. Neoliberalism has proven not to be the solution to developing countries' structural problems. "The time has come to analyze their own structural problems", the Cuban specialist advised. Harmful neoliberal politics, regressive wealth distribution, and above all, a road to total loss of sovereignty have dominated the world. Cuba is initiating an orderly and careful process to enter the world economy, in order to avoid harmful effects penetrating the domestic economy. The country is progressing, not without difficulties, but without risks or destructive results, he stated. He emphasized the Caribbean island attracts foreign capital for its natural resources, mining and oil production boom and highly qualified labor force, amid the growing economic recovery. DIG/CCS CUBA EXPECTS WIDE INTERNATIONAL ATTENDANCE AT CONSTRUCTION FAIR 2000 BY JORGE V. JAIME HAVANA, Apr 18 (PL) Cuban authorities expect some 20 countries to participate at Construction Fair FECONS-2000, which will include the analysis of advanced projects on "smart buildings" and designs of software applied to the sector. History of Cuban architecture and engineering will be the 3rd International Fair FECONS-2000 theme, which will give a touch of professionalism and experience to the construction world, a Cuban Construction Ministry (MICONS) spokesperson explained to Prensa Latina. Organizing Committee official Minerva Mebil said, to date, specialists and organizations from 22 countries and over 300 foreign and Cuban firms are participating. Among the countries with the highest number of trade representatives, apart from the host nation -Cuba with 80 companies, Spain is sending 39, Italy 12, Canada 7 and Panama 6, he said. Cuba opened offices in early 2000 to make contacts about FECONS in some 10 Latin American and European countries, including Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Spain, France, Italy, Mexico, Peru and Venezuela. FECONS will open with a 5,346 square meter exhibit area. The exhibition agenda and product launches, conferences and business roundtables will take place in PABEXPO, Havana, April 25-29. Structural and Pre-building Construction Technologies, Mini- Mechanization, and the Use of Chemical Products, Cybernetics, Software applied to Construction, Programming System and Execution Control, and Smart Buildings with protection and Security Systems are some of the topics the meeting will examine. All Cuban construction fairs -from the embryonic ECONSTRUR'96 and premiering in FECONS'98- have been an exceptional occasion for sector experts interested in sharing experiences, presenting new products or building technologies, the source stated. These events, according to MICONS, have propitiated the promotion of trade opportunities offered by the Cuban construction market. Since the fairs were first initiated, 16 countries have traditionally been represented by their construction firms or similar companies. The Organizing Committee, run by MICONS, also includes the Foreign Trade Ministry, Cuban Chamber of Commerce, Havana Convention Center, and the National Union of Architectures and Construction Engineers (UNAICC). Some 21 countries, including Cuba, and 347 firms, including 189 foreign companies, which contracted a 4,4000 square meter exhibit area, attended last year's event. According to official data, supply and service agreements were signed at FECONS'1999 for 13 million dollars, but some experts calculate a higher figure considering the intense business activity stimulated by Cuban construction development. Analysts stated the largest number of current works and those planned in this country are in the tourist sector, where Cuban contractors expect to reach and maintain a rhythm of over 8,000 rooms annually, corresponding to the sector's anticipated growth. In Cuba, the main trade fair is of a general character Havana International -Fair-, but specialized fairs have proliferated lately, including those of transportation and tourism, which are among the most important. GM/CCS CUBAN POPULAR MUSIC IN MOURNING FOR BERNARDO CHOVEN' DEATH SANTIAGO DE CUBA, Apr 18 (PL) Cuban pianist Bernardo Chauvin (Choven), famous Co director and founder of Chepin-Choven Orchestra, died Friday in this city, it was reported yesterday. The musician, born on February 25, 1910, died suddenly at the age of 90, according to a national press notice. He was connected to music from the time he was very young, chiefly popular music in which he gained fame with numbers like "El platanal de Bartolo" (Bartolo's banana plantation). Chepin Choven Orchestra reached the heights by its way of interpreting and creating music, its instrumental virtuosity and the Cuban taste that became a musical institution, a model for making good Cuban music, from the '30s until today. Bernardo Choven was active in the musical arts until the end. He was always a humane and honest artist, who earned the affection and admiration of his colleagues. The Ministry of Culture has recognized his work on several occasions. IFF/CCS Region: VENEZUELAN RESERVES CONTINUE INCREASING CARACAS, Apr 18 (PL) Venezuela's international reserves continued to increase last week, said the South American Central Bank yesterday. With a 222 million dollar increment, reserves passed 15 billion 560 million, including the 1 billion 700 million in the Macroeconomic Stabilization Fund. This Fund is fed with supplementary income from the oil price increase, higher than what had been proposed for the present year. In its audit of first trimester 2000 financial management, the Bank reported it had earning of more than 3 billion 400 million dollars, much higher than the second half of 1999. IFF/CCS NICARAGUA-HONDURAS CONFLICT INVOKES CENTRAL AMERICAN SUMMIT SAN SALVADOR, Apr 18 (PL) Francisco Flores, Salvadorian president, called for Central American presidents to meet the end of this month to analyze Nicaraguan-Honduran maritime conflict. The dispute stems from a November maritime agreement between Colombia and Honduras that, according to Nicaragua, reduces its territorial waters. Nicaragua ended commercial relations with Honduras in December, and started to apply 35 per cent tariffs to its products. Roberto Flores, Honduran minister, told press that Salvador's president is considering the possibility to also convoke regional business leaders, as the problems affect all equally. The diplomat believes both litigating countries should find seek an appropriate solution to an eminently commercial topic. DIG/CCS DIVIDED OPINIONS ON DOMINICAN GOVERNMENT SANTO DOMINGO, Apr 18 (PL) The adult Dominican population has divided very dissimilar opinions on the role played by Leonel Fernandez' administration, which ends August 16. A Beattie & Staff poll (Hamilton) reveals 49 per cent of people interviewed April 10 to 13 think the Dominican Liberation Party's work is bad, while 48 per cent considers it good. The negative opinion is divided between 27 per cent who consider the government bad and 22 per cent qualifying it as very bad. The government is supported by 12 of every 100 Dominicans who consider it excellent, and 36 per cent who think it good. A Hamilton poll in March revealed 50 per were in favor of Fernandez' administration and 47 per cent were against, considering it bad or very bad. The positive evaluation of the government's work contrasts with the low percentage of the Dominican Liberation Party (PLD) presidential candidate, Danilo Medina, who in polls prior to the May 16 elections, are always under 30 per cent. Medina was presidential secretary to Fernandez for three years and he has defended the administration's work during the campaign, but he does not benefit from its popular acceptance. Dominican Vice president, Jaime David Fernandez Mirabal, and PLD candidate for this position, Amilcar Romero, stated that Medina's candidature has not been well promoted, thus explaining the poor results. The candidate does not agree with these opinions and repeated, during a meeting in San Francisco de Marcoris, 143 kilometers north of Santo Domingo, that he will not change his campaigning because it is going well. AJS/CCS ARGENTINA: DE LA RUA DENIES IMF PRESSURE BUENOS AIRES, Apr 18 (PL) Fernando de la Rua, Argentinean president, denies International Monetary Fund (IMF) pressure on the government not to change its controversial labor reform project, national radio reported today. The executive will continue with its policies. IMF opinions on decisions taken here by us, have no basis, the leader said. Different Argentine dailies reported yesterday that IMF vice-president, Stanley Fischer, warned Argentine Economy Minister, Jose Luis Machinea, Sunday in Washington against changes in the labor reform proposal. The country's economic program was elaborated by government and not by the Fund, De la Rua insisted. The controversial labor law proposal was presented by government three months ago, and it is now awaiting Senate approval, previously and controversially approved by the House of Deputies. Disagreement on the initiative caused differences among General Work Confederation's (GWC) top representatives, now taking opposite positions. The main proposals are work agreements, salary guarantees, and the so-called test-period for persons aspiring to a job. US government support to Argentina in case of any international market instability, was made known yesterday. That support was reiterated by US Treasury Secretary Larry Summers to Machinea, who is also in Washington. DIG/CCS ARCHBISHOP TRIES TO REDUCE TENSION WITH VENEZUELA GOVERNMENT CARACAS Apr 18 (PL) Caracas' archbishop, Ignacio Velazco, in an attempt to reduce tensions with government and proclaim Catholic Church impartiality asserted the ecclesiastic hierarchy will not support candidates for the next elections. Velazco made the pronouncement this at the opening of Holy Week on Sunday in Venezuela, after Baltasar Porras, Episcopal Conference president, spoke against the government, forcing President Hugo Chavez to respond. The Archbishop asked the population to pray to be protected from "any kind of fatal division, fights, confrontations, and all sort of division causing bloodshed or tears". Velazco affirmed that the Church does not want to fight with anyone or to attack President Chavez, all it asks is justice, good treatment, attention to the poor and sick, and purity in the public administration. The Archbishop made the statement after the president criticized Porras and high church officials for their relations with prior governments and their traditional opposition to changes in the country. We all form part of the church, nobody can speak on behalf of all the church, Chavez said. Quinta Republica Movement leader, Juan Barreto, used stronger words, recalling the Catholic Church has historically served the most conservative political sectors. DIG/CCS VICENTE FOX PROPOSES ECONOMIC CONTINUITY IN MEXICO MEXICO, Apr 18 (PL) Rightist Alliance for Change candidate Vicente Fox said yesterday that if he becomes president on July 2, he would not change the present Mexican government's economic policy. Fox praised President Ernesto Zedillo's administrative success in an interview with Reforma newspaper, in respect to macroeconomy. Perhaps the only thing Zedillo said that is certain, is his economic discipline in macroeconomy, indispensable to generate riches which stabilize the economy, he stated. The National Action Party (PAN) and Mexican Green Ecologist Party coalition representative nevertheless said that one of the main affairs of the government is the struggle against corruption. In his opinion, "Neither the government nor the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) has been interested in treating and facing the problem". Fox told newspaper editorial writers and directors that when he becomes president, he would offer a multiparty government and a democratic transition coalition, to avoid an institutional crisis in the elected government. The Alliance for Change candidate said he would keep two of the current State secretaries in his planned cabinet. In some opinion polls Fox is leading, while others put him in second place behind PRI candidate Francisco Labastida. If Labastida is defeated and Fox becomes president, he declared he would include in his working team Authentic Party of the Mexican Revolution candidate Porfirio Munoz Ledo and his rival Manuel Camacho, Convergence for Democracy that polls give one per cent of the votes. Ex governor of Guanajuato State, central Mexico, said if the triumph of other candidate is not clear, he will not concede. However, if he is convinced there was justice in the contest and he loses in the booths, "I'm not going to make waves. We are honest people and we will not provoke anything that is not good for the country". Some 58.5 million people are registered from Mexico's 100 million to choose the new Republic president from six candidates and renew the Federal Congress, 128 senators and 500 deputies in July. IFF/CCS MEXICO'S FOX CONSIDERS US POLICY AGAINST CUBA WRONG MEXICO, Apr 18 (PL) Mexican Alliance for Change Party presidential candidate Vicente Fox considered the 40-year economic blockade policy maintained by the US against Cuba as wrong. In declarations yesterday to Prensa Latina, he said Washington is losing out on the Cuban fiesta of economic growth and the possibility of investing in the Island "because of their nonsensical continuation of a restrictive policy". He praised Cuban investments by many countries including Germany, Canada and Spain and added they are very successful and the businesspeople -with whom he talked during his recent visit to Cuba- are satisfied and see a great future. Speaking about his tour in the Cuban territory, he said he noticed the "tourism promotion is going very well, growing with possibilities of 7 million visitors in a short time". I also found out, he said, there is a great advance in professional training and an educational level higher than that in Mexico and most of the Latin American countries. In Fox' opinion, there is much to learn from Cuba in health, education, sports and culture. As president, he said, I would bring to Guanajuato knowledge about the way of handle those four areas, in which Cuba is very advanced, he repeated. Finally, he spoke about the investments to recover the Historic Center of Havana. It is an example I would like to follow in this Mexican city because it is wonderful what they are doing there, he pointed out. The candidate leading the latest polls for the July 2 presidential elections spoke about his intention to maintain a close and enthusiastic relation with the Cuban government and people. JCT/CCS ATTEMPT AGAINST DEPUTY IN MEXICAN MINISTER CASE CONDEMNED MEXICO, Apr 18 (PL) The attempt against the life of Congress Deputy Juan Marcos Gutierrez, in charge of the case of Mexican Tourism Secretary (Minister) Oscar Espinosa, accused of stealing public funds, caused new political friction in the country. Gutierrez, currently hospitalized after last Sunday's alleged assault, is president of the Judicial Commission's Instruction Committee designated by the Senate to decide whether to prosecute the official. Federal District's Attorney's Office, run by leftwing Partido de la Revolucion Democratica (PRD), accused Espinosa of taking 420 million pesos (US$ 42.5 million) during his term as the capital's mayor (1995-97). The case is now again in congressional hands that appointed a Commission that could deprive Espinosa from his immunity to answer before the jury in case enough evidence is found. According to the Partido Accion Nacional (PAN) Board, this is an "attempt that must be investigated and cleared up immediately, while the Republic's Attorney General Office reported the Federal Justice completed all investigations on the alleged robbery attempt. PAN leader Luis Felipe Bravo Mena, showed "anxiety and concern" since the "aggression" against his partner's life could be tied to "his current political responsibility". Various groups of the PRD, PAN and the Partido Revolucionario Institucional (PRI) of the Legislative Assembly asked the Attorney General of the Federal District to deeply investigate the incident. However, Parliament PRI Vice Coordinator Fidel Herrera Beltran discarded the existence of links between the investigation of Espinosa and the attempt against the legislator's life. "This is a warning of the level of insecurity we face in the capital," Herrera said, while two other PRI members refused to believe the incident may obscure the political climate. This is an assault, they asserted. GM/CCS (c) 2000 Prensa Latina, Havana, Cuba. 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