U.S. DOLLAR UNCHANGED AGAINST PESO- Republic of Cuba government-operated
Cajas de Cambio S.A. (CADECA) sold the Convertible Peso, equal to US$1.00,
for 21 Pesos and purchased the U.S. Dollar for 22 Pesos, as it has since
26 November 1998. CADECA purchased the U.S. Dollar for 21 Pesos and
sold the U.S. Dollar for 21 Pesos from 15 July 1998 through 25 November
1998. CADECA purchased the U.S. Dollar for 19 Pesos and sold the
U.S. Dollar for 21 Pesos from 1 April 1998 to 14 July 1998. CADECA
purchased the U.S. Dollar for 20 Pesos and sold the U.S. Dollar for 22
Pesos from 12 March 1998 to 31 March 1998. CADECA purchased the U.S.
Dollar for 21 Pesos and sold the U.S. Dollar for 23 Pesos from 11 February
1998 to 11 March 1998. CADECA purchased and sold the U.S. Dollar
for 23 Pesos from August 1997 through 10 February 1998. CADECA purchased
the U.S. Dollar for 24 Pesos and sold the U.S. Dollar for 24 Pesos in August
1996. The official international exchange rate of one Peso to one
U.S. Dollar, in effect for more than thirty years, remained unchanged.
The government maintains a fixed exchange rate for its international dealings
and a more flexible exchange rate for domestic use. The government
does not fluctuate the value of the Peso for commercial transactions regardless
of any fluctuation with the value of the U.S. Dollar or other currencies
on the international market. The Peso and the U.S. Dollar circulate
freely in the Republic of Cuba.
CHARLES SCHWAB & CO. PURCHASING TWO CANADIAN BROKERAGES
WITH CUBA ACTIVITIES- San Francisco, California-based Charles Schwab
& Co., Inc., a subsidiary of San Francisco, California-based The Charles
Schwab Corporation (assets exceed US$13 billion), is purchasing Toronto,
Canada-based Priority Brokerage, Inc., and Toronto, Canada-based Porthmeor
Securities, Inc., for approximately US$5 million to US$6.5 million.
The two Canada-based companies, which are already affiliated and have a
combined US$120 million under management, will be merged to create Charles
Schwab Canada. Charles Schwab & Co., Inc., has US$460 billion
under management on behalf of 5.4 million customers and has offices in
the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, and in the Cayman Islands. Executives
of Charles Schwab & Co., Inc., and of Priority Brokerage, Inc., confirm
that individuals not subject to United States law (existing customers and
future customers) are not expected to be precluded from using the services
of newly-established Charles Schwab Canada to purchase shares in publicly-listed
(Toronto Stock Exchange and other exchanges), Canada-based companies which
have commercial activities within the Republic of Cuba, including Toronto,
Canada-based Sherritt International Corporation, the second-largest provider
of direct foreign investment (mining, agriculture, tourism, energy, telecommunications)
within the Republic of Cuba. Priority Brokerage confirms that it
has and currently executes trades on behalf of customers for shares in
Sherritt International Corporation and other companies with commercial
activities within the Republic of Cuba. In June 1998, New York City-based
Merrill Lynch & Company, Inc., with assets of US$147 billion, announced
that it would purchase Toronto, Canada-based Midland Walwyn Capital, Inc.,
one of the last major independent brokerages in Canada. Midland Walwyn
Capital, with a market value of approximately US$700 million, has
1,800 employees distributed amongst 170 branches throughout Canada and
other countries. Information provided by Midland Walwyn Capital is
distributed within the United States by a subsidiary, Midland Walwyn Capital
Corporation. Midland Walwyn Capital reports that it has “undertaken
an underwriting liability or has provided advice for a fee with respect
to the securities of” Toronto, Canada-based Sherritt International Corporation,
the second-largest foreign investor in the Republic of Cuba. Midland
Walwyn Capital reports that “its directors and/or employees may from time
to time have a position in the securities” of Sherritt International Corporation.
In December 1996, Sherritt International Corporation issued approximately
US$486 million of convertible debentures, which were reported to be over-subscribed
at the time. The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC)
of the United States Department of the Treasury in Washington, D.C. authorizes
companies subject to United States law to have non-controlling investments
in third country companies that have commercial activities within the Republic
of Cuba provided that the investments do not result in control in fact
of the third country company and provided that a majority of the revenues
of the third country company are not produced from commercial activities
within the Republic of Cuba. [OFAC 4 March 1994]. In a transaction
that could have significance to the Merrill Lynch & Company purchase
of Midland Walwyn, New York City-based Citibank N.A., recently purchased
the 250-branch Monterrey, Mexico-based Banco Confia. Citibank N.A.
reports that Mexican nationals who hold Visa credit cards and Mastercard
credit cards issued by Banco Confia will not be precluded from using those
products for transactions within the Republic of Cuba. The Office
of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the United States Department of the
Treasury in Washington, D.C., has permitted individuals not subject to
United States law to use Visa credit cards and Mastercard credit cards
for transactions within the Republic of Cuba provided that the Visa credit
cards and Mastercard credit cards are not issued by United States-based
financial institutions. While Banco Confia is not a United States-based
financial institution, Banco Confia is now 100% owned by a United States-based
financial institution. According to published reports, San Francisco,
California-based BankAmerica Corporation is discussing the purchase of
Monterrey, Mexico-based Grupo Financiero Banorte S.A., which also issues
Visa credit cards and Mastercard credit cards.
BXA ISSUES FIRST LICENSE FOR TESTING IN CUBA OF A UNITED STATES MEDICAL PRODUCT- The Bureau of Export Administration (BXA) of the United States Department of Commerce in Washington, D.C., has issued the first license to a United States-based company to conduct a clinical test within the Republic of Cuba of a product produced within the United States. The U.S.-Cuba Trade and Economic Council had first communicated in June 1998 the interest by United States-based healthcare companies to conduct such clinical testing (laboratory and patient). The United States Department of Commerce in Washington, D.C., then confirmed that United States-based healthcare companies could, upon receipt of a license from the BXA, export healthcare products to the Republic of Cuba for the purpose of clinical testing (laboratory and patient). The recipient of the first BXA license to conduct a clinical test within the Republic of Cuba is Denver, Colorado-based Genesis Medical Technologies, Inc. The product to be clinically tested is a needle-free vaccine injector which uses “a needle spring to drive a piston through a small vial of vaccine. The vaccine is pushed through the skin at approximately 500 mph. Each injector can deliver up to 2,000 injections. The clinical test is to be supervised by the Republic of Cuba government-operated Pedro Kouri Institute of Tropical Medicine and is being conducted on approximately 6,000 Republic of Cuba nationals during the next three months. The vaccine to be used is tetanus. Upon completion of the clinical test, Genesis Medical Technologies will return to the United States any unused equipment as required by the BXA. The company also received a temporary sojourn license from the BXA for the use of general aviation aircraft to transport company representatives and medical equipment to the Republic of Cuba. The company, through its Nassau, Bahamas, affiliate, retained an individual not subject to United States law who resides in the Republic of Cuba to assist with obtaining the necessary approvals for the clinical testing from the Ministry of Public Health of the Republic of Cuba. Genesis Medical Tecnologies reports that a license from the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the United States Department of the Treasury in Washington, D.C., was not required for Genesis Medical Technologies to pay consulting fees to an individual not subject to United States law who resides in the Republic of Cuba. The company also received OFAC licenses authorizing its representatives to travel to the Republic of Cuba for the purpose of identifying export (sales) opportunities for various healthcare products. United States-based health care product companies were assisted in their efforts to import to the United States Republic of Cuba-produced and/or Republic of Cuba-developed health care products for clinical testing (laboratory and patient) because the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (known as the CDC) within the United States Public Health Service under the United States Department of Health and Human Services in Washington, D.C., reviewed one dengue testing kit developed within the Republic of Cuba. The review was conducted at the CDC office in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico, which is designated as a World Health Organization (WHO) Reference Laboratory for Dengue. The dengue testing kit (one kit can conduct the test on 100 samples) was obtained without compensation from Cypress, California-based MRL Pharmaceutical, one of the largest diagnostic testing facilities within the United States. Dengue is estimated to annually effect thousands of individuals subject to United States law, but few are treated specifically for dengue due to an unfamiliarity by physicians with symptoms of the disease or their knowledge that testing kits are available from various United States-based companies. Dengue is contracted through mosquitos, much like lyme disease is transmitted. Symptoms of dengue are similar to a cold. Dengue can be fatal in some cases. The CDC’s review the one dengue testing kit developed within the Republic of Cuba is reportedly consistent with a multi-year study of dengue both within the United States and in other countries, particularly developing countries, which is a fundamental aspect of the mandate of the CDC. In 1997, the CDC exchanged dengue samples with dengue samples from citizens of Colombia; some of the samples provided by Colombia had been tested using with Republic of Cuba-developed dengue testing kits. Representatives of the CDC have visited the Republic of Cuba, during which 40 serums from individuals were delivered to the Republic of Cuba for testing purposes. Reportedly, the Republic of Cuba-developed dengue testing kits perform well, but mixed results have been reported in Argentina and Colombia. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania-based SmithKline Beecham, a subsidiary of Brentford, United Kingdom-based SmithKline Beecham plc, has requested the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the United States Department of the Treasury in Washington, D.C., to authorize a laboratory in Belgium owned by a United States-based subsidiary of SmithKline Beecham plc to test, and, perhaps, eventually develop and distribute within the United States and other countries a Meningitis B vaccine developed by the Republic of Cuba government-operated Finlay Institute. The Clinton Administration is expected soon to permit, with restrictions, SmithKline Beecham’s request. Reportedly, the government of the Republic of Cuba could eventually receive US$10 million to US$20 million from SmithKline Beecham for a five-year exclusive right to market the vaccine. Compensation could be made in the form of products. Approximately 1,000 United States citizens contract Meningitis B each year, of which 120 die. Writing to the Clinton Administration in support of the request by SmithKline Beecham were from the United States Senate: The Honorable Christopher Dodd (D-Connecticut), The Honorable Richard Lugar (R-Indiana), and The Honorable Arlen Specter (R-Pennsylvania) among others; and from the United States House of Representatives: The Honorable Tom DeLay (R-Texas), The Honorable Sonny Callahan (R-Alabama), The Honorable Joseph McDade (R-Pennsylvania), The Honorable James Greenwood (R-Pennsylvania), The Honorable Nancy Pelosi (D-California), The Honorable Henry Waxman (D-California), and The Honorable Howard Berman (D-California) among others. A Canada-based company has asked the OFAC for permission to market a Republic of Cuba-produced, United States-patented, healthcare product in the United States. An increasing number of United States-based healthcare product companies are evaluating Republic of Cuba-produced healthcare products for potential distribution within the United States. The June 1998 inquiry by the U.S.-Cuba Trade and Economic Council to the United States Department of Commerce was initiated on behalf of member companies whose representatives have traveled to the Republic of Cuba under license from the OFAC for the purpose of identifying export (sales) opportunities for healthcare products, the first three such licenses from the OFAC having been issued to members of the U.S.-Cuba Trade and Economic Council. Company representatives reported that physicians within the Republic of Cuba had asked to conduct clinical tests on some products in advance of possible purchases. Such testing would, according to the physicians, 1) determine if the products meet Republic of Cuba public health safety standards and 2) assist with building brand awareness and brand preference for the products. Successful clinical testing of a product, the physicians said, will enable them to more forcefully recommend that hospital administrators and the managers of purchasing departments within the Ministry of Public Health (MINSAP) of the Republic of Cuba allocate resources for the purchase of products produced by United States-based healthcare companies.
BXA ISSUES LICENSE TO EXPORT US$250,000.00 WORTH OF BASEBALL EQUIPMENT- The Bureau of Export Administration (BXA) of the United States Department of Commerce in Washington, D.C., has issued a license to permit the export of US$250,000.00 worth of “various baseballs, bats, gloves, bases, pitching machines, uniforms, and coaching equipment” to the Republic of Cuba. The license is valid from 21 November 1998 to 30 November 2000. The conditions of the license, which was issued in conjunction with the United States Department of State-developed “Support For The Cuban People” Program, are: 1) The items are to be used only for the use and benefit of the Cuban people. 2) The items are to be distributed to the Cuban people free of charge, although a small handling fee incident to the import of the items is permissible. 3) The items may not be re-exported without prior authorization of the United States government. The license application request (submitted on 16 October 1998) was made by Mr. Robert M. Weinstein, President of Chatsworth, California-based Minor League Sports, Inc. For additional information, including sponsorship opportunities, contact telephone (818) 349-1592 or facsimile telephone number (818) 886-7224 and E-mail mlsprt@aol.com.
BASEBALL CLINICS SCHEDULED FOR FEBRUARY 1999- Mr. Robert M. Weinstein, President of Chatsworth, California-based Minor League Sports, Inc., announced that his company has applied to the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the United States Department of the Treasury in Washington, D.C., for a license to authorize three baseball clinics to be held in the city of Havana, Republic of Cuba, 19 February 1999 to 21 February 1999. Each clinic will be two days in duration. The first day for coaches and aspiring coaches. The second day will be for children of various age groups. For additional information, including sponsorship opportunities, contact telephone (818) 349-1592 or facsimile telephone number (818) 886-7224 and E-mail mlsprt@aol.com.
HAVANA JAZZ FESTIVAL HONORS UNITED STATES ARTIST- The annual Havana Jazz Festival being held in the Republic of Cuba from 17 December 1998 to 20 December 1998 is being dedicated to Mr. Max Roach, a drummer who, although 80 years of age, is attending the event along with the musician Mr. Roy Hargrove.
2,237 BRAND NAMES REGISTERED THROUGH 15 DECEMBER 1998- The Department of Industrial Brands (DIB) within the Office of Industrial Property Registration of the Republic of Cuba reported that it had received 2,237 brand name registration requests from 1 January 1998 through 15 December 1998, an increase of 222 from the same period in 1997, and a new annual record. For the first time in recent years, brand name registration requests from United States-based companies were surpassed by Switzerland-based companies. The majority of all brand name registration requests were from pharmaceutical companies. The DIB is automating the processing procedures for brand name registration processing to make approvals and renewals more timely. In August 1998, the DIB reported that a total of 30,000 brand names were registered within in the Republic of Cuba, of which the majority were from the United States. The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the United States Department of the Treasury in Washington, D.C., authorizes United States-based companies to register their names, trademarks, and patents within the Republic of Cuba. Annual costs for the registration of a trademark or patent within the Republic of Cuba ranges from US$300.00 to US$600.00 per name. The Republic of Cuba is a member of the World Trade Organization (1995), General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (1947), World International Property Organization (1970), Paris Convention for Protection of Industrial Property (1905), Madrid Agreements for the Repression of False or Deceptive Indications of Source of Goods (1964), Lisbon Agreement for the Protection of Appellations of Origin (1966), and Madrid Agreement concerning the International Registration of Marks (1989). Republic of Cuba Registration Classifications are: Patents of Invention, Inventor’s Certificate, Scientific Discoveries, Industrial Models, Trademarks, Commercial Names, Signs of Establishments, Commercial Slogans, Denominations of Origin, and Indications of Origin.
FRANCE’S SEITA TO PURCHASE UNITED STATES DISTRIBUTION OF MONTECRISTO AMONG OTHERS- Paris, France-based Seita S.A. announced the purchase of Fort Lauderdale, Florida-based Consolidated Cigar Holdings Inc., a move that positioned the company to become an influential distributor within the United States of three of the most prestigious Republic of Cuba-recognized cigar brands: Montecristo, H. Upmann, and Por Larranaga. Once the transaction is completed, according to sources within the Republic of Cuba and within France, Seita S.A. is expected to enter into an agreement with Republic of Cuba government-operated Habanos, S.A., the exclusive distributor of Republic of Cuba-produced cigars, for the United States distribution rights to Republic of Cuba-produced brands Montecristo, H. Upmann, and Por Larranaga. Seita S.A., France’s largest tobacco company, is the Republic of Cuba’s second-largest importer of Republic of Cuba-produced cigars and the second-largest source of financing for the Republic of Cuba’s tobacco crop. Sieta S.A. imported 12 million “Habanos” in 1997, in addition to tobacco leaf, and provides an estimated US$10 million in credits annually to finance the tobacco crop. Seita S.A. has long held the exclusive rights to Republic of Cuba cigar distribution in France. Consolidated Cigar Holdings Inc., currently controls 24% of the United States cigar market, the largest in the world. The merged company will be the largest cigar company in the world and in an ideal position, due to its commercial relationships with Republic of Cuba government-operated companies, to gain a significant share of the United States marketing rights for “Made In Cuba” cigars. Habanos, S.A., reported that 160 million units will be exported in 1998, compared to 101 million cigars exported in 1997. Habanos S.A. plans to export 200 million cigars in the year 2000.
SPAIN’S TABACALERA TO CONSTRUCT CIGAR FACTORY IN CUBA- A subsidiary of Madrid, Spain-based Tabacalera S.A., Spain, Cannery Islands-based CITA, Republic of Cuba government-operated Habanos S.A., and the Republic of Cuba government-operated Union of Agricultural Companies, have established a joint venture (50% owned by CITA and 50% owned by the Republic of Cuba-based companies) to construct and to operate a factory within the Republic of Cuba to produce 10 million mini-cigars (3 gram weight). CITA will reportedly invest US$2 million in the venture that will begin production within the next seven months. Tabacalera S.A. is the largest importer of Republic of Cuba-produced cigars and provides the majority of the financing for the production of the Republic of Cuba tobacco crop. Habanos S.A. reported that additional and similar ventures would be established during the next few months, and the combined total annual production of all of the ventures would eventually be 60 million mini-cigars.
CIVIL AVIATION OPERATIONS UPDATE- Republic of Cuba government-operated Corporacion de la Aviation Civil S.A. (ECASA) reported 1998 gross profits of US$70 million, compared to gross profits of US$34.1 million in 1997, and gross profits of approximately US$24 million in 1996. ECASA operates the Republic of Cuba’s airports, four airlines, in-flight catering operations, ground handling operations, and other service companies. ECASA gross profits, and, specifically those of Republic of Cuba government-operated Cubana Airlines, are expected to be significantly reduced as the company begins paying the U.S. Dollar operating costs of two recently-leased Blangnac, Cedex, France-based Airbus Industrie-produced A-320 aircraft. Cubana Airlines already operates two leased DC-10 aircraft (reportedly leased through a Mexico-based company) and operated through a partnership with Paris, France-based AOM Airlines; four Paris, France-based Aerospatiale-built ATR-42-300's (which were reportedly, at one time, before being returned, operated by Dallas Fort Worth Airport, Texas-based American Airlines); and six F-27 Fokker turbo-prop aircraft from the former (now ceased operating) Schiphol, The Netherlands-based Fokker Aircraft. Additional turbo-jet aircraft, jet aircraft, and turbo-prop aircraft produced by Airbus; Montreal, Canada-based Bombardier; and Suresnes, France-based Dassault Aviation Group; among others, may also be purchased (leased) by ECASA in 1999 as all U.S.S.R.-built aircraft are eliminated due to passenger safety concerns. H.E. General Rogelio Acevedo, President of ECASA, and Minister of Civil Aviation of the Republic of Cuba, said that overall gross revenues were a combined 480.2 million U.S. Dollar and Pesos, but provided no separation of the revenues obtained from each currency. He said that costs per U.S. Dollar earned decreased to US$.76 in 1998, compared to US$.84 in 1997. General Acevedo said that Republic of Cuba government-operated Cubana Airlines and Republic of Cuba government-operated AeroCaribbean Airlines carried a combined 810,000 international passengers; and, along with Republic of Cuba government-operated AeroTaxi and Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces (MINFAR) of the Republic of Cuba’s subsidiary AeroGaviota, 759,000 combined domestic passengers of which 25% were tourists. He said that ECASA provided US$18 million in subsidies to various Republic of Cuba government-operated activities such as agriculture-related flights (freight and pesticide delivery) and every Republic of Cuba national paying Pesos for a domestic flight cost ECASA US$11.00 in operating costs. Republic of Cuba airports currently service 54 airlines from 28 countries flying to the Republic of Cuba, an increase of 12 airlines from 1997.
WHEAT IMPORT UPDATE- The Republic of Cuba imported a reported 27,600 tons of wheat from the port of Rouen, France, for the period 1 December 1998 to 9 December 1998.
FRESH WATER FISH PRODUCTION REPORTEDLY INCREASES 17%- The Ministry of Fishing of the Republic of Cuba reported that 1998 fresh water production would exceed 70,000 tons in 1998, compared to 60,000 tons in 1997, and approximately 45,000 tons in 1996. The production represented approximately 40% of the fish consumed by the population (11 million) of the Republic of Cuba. 1999 production is expected to exceed 80,000 tons. Production is expected to be 100,000 tons by 2001. In 1998, reportedly for the first time, fresh water fish products were exported, including lobster, eel, and select fish fillets. Semi-intensive tanks averaged a one ton per hector, and intensive tanks averaged 6.5 tons per hector. Yields are expected to increase with the introduction of genetically-produced Tilapia (African perch) in 1999, whose modified hormones double growth, reportedly without affecting protein content or flavor.
CRUDE OIL PRODUCTION INCREASE REPORTED- Republic of Cuba crude oil production is expected to be a record 1.65 million tons in 1998, a 15% increase from 1997. The previous record of 1.46 million tons was established in 1996. Crude oil production is expected to exceed 1.7 million tons in 1999. Approximately 90% of the crude oil produced within the Republic of Cuba is of high sulfur content, used only in modified power and cement plants. The Republic of Cuba imported approximately 85% of its crude oil in 1997, with total consumption in 1997 reported at 8.23 million tons. Consumption in 1998 is expected to be similar to 1997. Approximately 30% of domestic crude oil production is from wells where non-Republic of Cuba-based companies contributed technology and financing. Ten non-Republic of Cuba-based companies are reported to be exploring for crude oil within in the Republic of Cuba, and/or, in some cases, providing technology and financing to Republic of Cuba government-operated Cuba Petroleum (CUPET). According to CUPET, a combined approximately US$300 million has been invested in exploration within the Republic of Cuba by CUPET and its non-Republic of Cuba-based companies since 1993, resulting in an increase in heavy crude oil production. Republic of Cuba oil production was as follows in tons:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NICKEL PRODUCTION INCREASE REPORTED- Sources within the government
of the Republic of Cuba report that nickel plus cobalt production will
be 68,000 tons in 1998, compared to 61,500 tons in 1997. The sources
said that plans are to produce 73,000 tons in 1999, if, however,
already depressed world commodity prices do not decrease further.
The Ministry of Basic Industry of the Republic of Cuba reported one year
ago that nickel production would be 70,000 tons in 1998, 78,000 tons to
80,000 tons in 1999, and 100,000 tons in 2000. The Republic of Cuba
nickel industry is concentrated in Holguin Province, 850 kilometers east
of Havana, where three plants are in operation: one a joint venture with
Toronto, Canada-based Sherritt International Corporation (the second-largest
direct investor within the Republic of Cuba), and two wholly-owned Republic
of Cuba government-operated plants. Reports of nickel production
decreases have circulated since July 1998, and H.E. Dr. Fidel Castro Ruz,
President of the Republic of Cuba, mentioned the possibility of nickel
production decreases in September 1998. Sources report that a debate
has raged for months within the highest levels of the government of the
Republic of Cuba with respect to the possible closure of one of the three
plants, the Republic of Cuba government-operated Rene Ramos Latour (Nicaro)
nickel works, which is already operating at a loss. The sources report
that the two other plants, Moa Nickel S.A., a 50%-50% joint venture with
Sherritt International Corporation, and the Republic of Cuba government-operated
Che Guevara (Punta Gorda) works, remained barely profitable. The
sources reportedly that, for the time being, the two barely profitable
plants would continue to operate at full capacity (55,000 tons to 60,000
tons), while the Nicaro works would remain open, but produce at approximately
50% of capacity. The sources said that the decision not to close
Nicaro was based upon a number of international and domestic factors, but
could change if international commodity prices decrease further.
Meanwhile, sources within the Ministry of Basic
Industry of the Republic of Cuba report that a plan to place a fourth
plant into operation and to construct at least two additional plants and
a refinery are being reviewed. Republic of Cuba nickel plus cobalt
production in thousands of tons was as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
DOLPHINS RETURN TO CIENFUEGOS BAY DUE TO LESS POLLUTION- Dolphins, once plentiful in Cienfuegos Bay, 250 kilometers southeast of the city of Havana, have begun to return and can be seen from the city’s seaside drive. The dolphins and other marine life all but vanished from the once ecologically-rich bay twenty years ago. The Ministry of Science, Technology, and the Environment of the Republic of Cuba credited efforts to clean up the bay and eliminate sources of industrial pollution.
PRESIDENT OF COLOMBIA TO VISIT- His Excellency Andres Pastrana,
President of Colombia, is scheduled to visit the Republic of Cuba during
the second half of January 1999.