May 7, 1997

CUBA NEWS/ BPIC

PSYCHOLOGIST ON A HUNGER STRIKE IS IN A DELICATE STATE OF HEALTH

Havana, April 22, 1997

In spite of not having lost his consciousness,the state of health of the Cuban psychologist, Guillermo Farinas Hernandez could be considered grave. This is in accordance with comments from medical sources received yesterday, April 21, in the hospital Hermanos Almejeiras, where he is interned since April 8th.

Farinas Hernandez, has been 50 days on a hunger strike as a civic protest against administrative corruption detected by him in the children's hospital,Pedro Borras, of this capital. He denounced these occurrences for which he suffered harassment, detention and prison, conditions which have led to his actual state. The young psychologist, a resident of Havana, remains interned in room 14, floor 21 of the Almejeiras hospital. He is guarded 24 hours a day, and is under the attention of Dr.Negrin, chief of intensive therapy of this cited hospital. REPORT Mercedes Moreno

SIGNATURES OF WORKERS FALSIFIED

Havana, April 22,1997,BPIC

The signatures of those workers who refused or were absent at the time, to support the 162nd declaration of the so-called,"Mambises del Siglo Veinte",had their signatures falsified. The declaration was from the National Enterprise of Agricultural and Livestock Projectsklocated at kilometer one and one-half of Rancho Boyeros in the Cuban capital.

The enterprise called a meeting in April of all its workers, on a work day so that they would support the cited declaration. But when the signatures in the open book of the union were checked,only 41 of the 219 workers signed the desired statement of support.This occurrence caused the general secretary of the union, Mr.Duquesne,to order the administrative chiefs of the various departments of this agricultural firm,that they sign in place of those who refused to sign or where absent.

The government of the Island, by means of the declaration of the ,"Mambises del Siglo Veinte",looks for popular support against the law,Helms-Burton and its project for a democratic transition in Cuba, sponsored by the United States.

REPORT:Omar Rodriguez Saludes