NetNews Usenet Archive 1992 #26/NN_1992_26.iso/spool/misc/activism/progress/8310

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Via The NY Transfer News Service * All the News that Doesn't Fit

from El Diario La Prensa

11/6

ELECTIONS TO BE HELD ON DECEMBER 20

On December 20 Cubans will go to the polls to elect
delegates to the municipal assemblies, according to a notice
published in the Cuban newspaper Granma on Tuesday, November 3.
A second round of voting will be held on December 27 for contests
in which no one candidate received more than 50% of the votes.
Municipal elections are the first step in a process which will
eventually include provintial and national elections and which
should end by early 1993.

The Cuban parliament approved a law last week establishing
elections by direct and secret vote for single but open lists.
The lists will be elaborated by commissions made up of members of
the Cuban Workers Central and members of mass organizations
linked to the Communist Party.  Although it is virtually
impossible that an opposition candidate be put on the list, it is
possible for a person to register their discontent by abstaining
from voting.  According to parliamentary president Juan Escalona,
the elections will constitute a plebiscite on the support of the
people for the revolution. (EFE 11/4)

CUBA'S ECONOMIC HEAD JOINS COUNCIL OF MINISTERS

Carlos Lage, a 40 year old doctor who directs the economy of
Cuba, has become the Secretary of the Council of Ministers, a key
positionin the Cuban government.  Lage, one of the youngest
members of the Politburo, has also been one of the main promoters
of mixed (Socialist and on-socialist) business enterprises as an
tool for expanding Cuba's economy.  Lage replaced Osmany
Cienfuegos, a veteran of Cuba's leadership, who will devote
himself to developing tourism in Cuba. (EFE 11/4)


IVAN ABRANTES SEEKS ASYLUM IN SPAIN

Ivan Abrantes, son of a former Minister of the Interior
under Fidel Castro, Jose Abratnes, has asked for asylum in Spain.
Jose Abrantes was purged by Castro in 1989 when the former head
of Security was sentenced to 20 years in prison in connection
with charges of corruption and drug trafficking.  He died in his
cell in 1991 under "mysterious" cirumstances.  The son, Ivan,
arrived in Madrid on September 16 at the invitation of some
friends.  However, he was not allowed to remain, as he lacked the
$2,000 required by the Spanish government.  He returned on
Tursday, October 29, entering Spain through Barcelona.  A human
rights organization in Spain said they had news from Miani that
Abrantes would be arriving and asking for asylum. (AFP 11/6)


CUBAN TOBACCO INDUSTRY THRIVES

Despite the break-up of the eastern bloc countries, Cuba's
tobacco industry continues to show positive signs.  The island
continues to supply its traditional foreign customers with one of
its most important exports.  This information was given out at a
international conference which took place in Havana to
commemorate the 500th anniversary of the "discovery" of America
by Christopher Columbus, who also found tobacco when he arrived
in the "new wolrd." (AFP 11/6)


PEACE FRIENDSHIPMENT TO CUBA

Eyewitness report November 6, 7

FRIENDSHIPMENT CARAVAN LEAVES FOR CUBA Toby Mailman

     On Friday, November 6, the Friendshipment Caravan carrying
material aid and solidarity to Cuba.  New York and New Jersey
sent 16 drivers in 7 vehicles across the United States, to
Mexico, to the city of Tampico.  From Tampico, Mexico the
material aid will be sent on a Cuban ship to its destination.
Some of the participants in the caravan will accompany the aid on
the boat.  The remainder will fly to Havana for an 8-day stay in
Cuba.  A total of 45 vehicles from all over the United States are
participating in the caravan.

The purpose of the caravan is to raise consciousness of the
people around the United States about the reality of the US
embargo against Cuba.  The embargo, over thirty years old, has
been made even more strict by the recent Torricelli Law, which
prohibits foreign subsidiaries of US companies from trading with
Cuba.  Any ship which has entered Cuban ports may not enter US
ports for six months afterward.

The embargo has brought hardship to the Cuban people, who
are suffering shortages of fuel, food, medicines, and other
essentials. It is opposed by the majority of Cubans living in the
United States, even those who are not sympathetic with Fidel
Castro or the socialist system in Cuba.  The countries of the
international community have expressed their concern and, in some
cases, their intention to ignore the law, saying that it breaks
international law and infringes on other countries' soveriegnty.

The members of the caravan are planning to cross the Mexican
border on November 22.  They will be crossing back into the
United States across the Mexican border at Laredo on December
1st.  An emergency network is in place in case the United States
government attempts to stop them, place them under arrest, or
otherwise harrass them in some manner.  In New York the emergency
network is being run by Ellen Bernstein at the IFCO office, (212)
926-5757.


edlp 11/7

CARLOS LAGE SECOND IN COMMAND

Carlos Lage Davila, who, along with Fidel Castro, will
manage Cuba's new economic strategy, is known as the
"administrator of the crisis" in Cuba.  He has been designated by
the Council of State to be the next Secretary for the Counsel of
Ministers.  According to diplomatic sources, should Castro decide
to leave one of the five positions he currently holds, Lage would
be the next President of the Counsel of Ministers, the highest
administrative position in Cuba.  Castro currently holds that
position, as well as that of President of the Counsel of State,
Chief of the Revolutionary Armed Forces, First Secretary of the
Communist Party and a member of the Communist Party Politburo.

Lage is a former director of the Federation of University
Students and the Young Communists Union.  He is currently a
member of the Communist Party Politburo, a member of the Counsel
of State and now, Secretary to the Counsel of Ministers.  Lage,
Cuba's "Harvard man" is expected to make substantial changes in
Cuba's economy, increasing exportable funds, obtaining new and
ambitious trade agreements to open markets for export products,
and opening the doors to foreign investment in Cuba. (NOTIMEX
11/7)

translated by Toby Mailman, NY Transfer News


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