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Yahoo! December
12, 2002.
European lawmakers pessimistic about Cuban entry to Cotonou accord
HAVANA, 10 (AP) - Visiting European parliamentarians said they were happy
with Cuba's decision to renew its application for a European aid program but
skeptical that agreement would be reached.
"We are enchanted, because the ball is now in the European camp for
acceptance," said Miguel Angel Martinez of Spain, who heads a group for
solidarity with Cuba in the European Parliament. He and other deputies met
Tuesday with Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque.
Cuban President Fidel Castro announced over the weekend that Cuba would
renew its request to join the Cotonou Agreement signed between the European
Union and developing nations in 2000.
Cuba withdrew its request in 2000 because of the way European officials were
trying to apply conditions on human rights, in part by stressing multiparty
systems.
"The situation has changed in part," Castro said Sunday.
But Martinez said, "I hope that (European) position is reformed, that
there is a necessary revision. I am not optimistic in that respect."
Under the agreement signed in the Benin capital of Cotonou in 2000, the
European Union promised 13.5 billion euros, or about US$ 12.7 billion, in aid
over five years and concessionary trade terms to the 78-member African,
Caribbean and Pacific Group of States.
The delegation visiting Cuba includes legislators from Spain, Portugal,
Austria and the Netherlands.
Cuban Pitcher Contreras Seeks Free Agency!
NEW YORK, 11 (AP) - Cuban pitcher Jose Contreras asked the commissioner's
office to declare him a free agent, saying he had established residency in
Mexico.
Contreras, who defected in October while the Cuban national team was in
Mexico, said he had obtained a visa from Nicaragua to come to the United States,
according to papers faxed to the commissioner's office by his agent, Jaime
Torres.
At first, Contreras came to the United States, where he would be subject to
the amateur draft. As a resident of Mexico, he would be a free agent.
"We received his papers, and we're reviewing them," Frank
Coonelly, a lawyer for the commissioner's office, said Thursday.
Torres did not return a telephone call seeking comment.
Contreras, a right-hander who turns 31 this month, was considered by many
major league scouts as the best pitcher in Cuba.
Cuban Boxing Champ Adapts to Coaching
By Anne-Marie Garcia, Associated Press Writer Wed Dec 11.
HAVANA, 11 (AP) - The big man at the corner shouts at his boxer, leaning
forward and punching his hands as if he were in the ring himself.
"It's very difficult for me, but there's no option," said Felix
Savon, the 6-foot-6 Cuban legend who retired from the ring after the 2000 Summer
Olympics in Sydney and has since turned his attention to training other Cuban
boxers.
"When I see the boxers in the ring I feel great nostalgia and a lot of
sadness. I miss boxing so much," the 35-year-old said. International boxing
rules stipulate that a fighter cannot compete in the Olympics or world
championships after 34.
"I get very tense when I see a man fighting, but I have to control
myself because I transmit my tension and that isn't good," the six-time
world amateur champion and three-time Olympic gold medalist said during Cuba's "National
Olympic Games ," which ended over the weekend. "What a way to suffer!
More than when I was active! I hope that eases with time."
Savon's two pupils include one of the few men to ever knock him out, Noel
Perez, who beat Savon during a national tournament.
"Perez put me out of the fight because of my carelessness," he
said. "I tell Perez to keep boxing with the determination he used to beat
me once because that is the secret of his successes. In sports, you should never
give up and even if Perez beat me once, he has the ability to keep improving."
Perez didn't compete in the national festival. Savon's other boxer, Carlos
Duartes, lost a decision in the 156-pound final to World Cup winner Yohanson
Martinez. Savon got so involved in Duartes' match that he began throwing punches
in the air from ringside to show his young boxer what to do.
"Savon is a very demanding trainer," Duartes said. "I have to
be very disciplined, listen to his advice and, well, it's a big challenge for me
because I think that I have to equal what he did." | 
