CUBANEWS FROM RADIO HAVANA CUBA April 29, 1997 E-mail: rhc@radiohc.org The following items are taken from RADIO HAVANA CUBA's International Shortwave Service in English for Tuesday, April 29, 1997. Today's stories: 1.- NEW CHAPTER IN RELATIONS BETWEEN CUBA AND LAOS 2.- CUBA AND JAMAICA AT THE NEGOTIATING TABLE 3.- CUBA'S FOREIGN INVESTMENT AND COOPERATION MINISTER ENDS FRUITFUL VISIT TO GERMANY AND FRANCE 4.- IBEROAMERICAN CULTURAL PERSONALITIES WILL ANALYZE THE LIFE AND WORK OF CUBAN POET AND NOVELIST DULCE MARIA LOYNAZ 5.- GUATEMALA CITY AND HAVANA WILL SOON BE LINKED BY AIR 6.- THE PRESIDENT OF THE IRISH SENATE EXPECTED FRIDAY IN HAVANA NEW CHAPTER IN RELATIONS BETWEEN CUBA AND LAOS Havana, April 29 (RHC)-- Political observers here in Havana are referring to a new chapter in relations between Cuba and Laos, following the visit of Laotian Prime Minister Khamtay Siphondone to the Caribbean island. Cuban President Fidel Castro saw the Laotian prime minister off at Jose Marti International Airport last night. During the Asian leader's three-day official visit to Cuba, he and his delegation toured important scientific and economic sites. Bilateral agreements were signed between Cuba and Laos in the areas of health, education and culture, as well as the fight against drug trafficking. An investment promotion and protection agreement was also endorsed between the two countries. Also during his visit to Cuba, Laotian Prime Minister Khamtay Siphondone was awarded the Jose Marti Order -- the highest distinction granted by Cuba's Council of State. CUBA AND JAMAICA AT THE NEGOTIATING TABLE Havana, April 29(RHC)-- Cubans and Jamaicans have begun the first joint commission for development in Havana. High on the agenda is the broadening of bilateral cooperation. The commission is divided into six working groups that will deal with fishing, agriculture, construction, welfare, culture and health. Jamaica's Foreign Minister, Benjamin Cler, -in Havana since this past Saturday- heads his nation's delegation to the gathering. Jamaica and Cuba are to sign the cooperation protocol on Tuesday. CUBA'S FOREIGN INVESTMENT AND COOPERATION MINISTER ENDS FRUITFUL VISIT TO GERMANY AND FRANCE Havana, April 29(RHC)-- Cuba's Foreign Investment and Cooperation Minister, Ibrahim Ferradaz, says he is satisfied with the results of his tour of Germany and France. During his six-day stay in Germany, Ferradaz briefed businesspeople on investment possibilities on the island, particularly in tourism and the light, steel and food industries. Meanwhile in France, Cuba's Foreign Investment and Cooperation Minister signed an investment promotion and protection agreement providing more security for some ten French joint ventures in Cuba. IBEROAMERICAN CULTURAL PERSONALITIES WILL ANALYZE THE LIFE AND WORK OF CUBAN POET AND NOVELIST DULCE MARIA LOYNAZ Havana, April 29(RHC)-- The life and work of Cuban writer, Dulce Maria Loynaz, who died recently in Havana, will gather together Iberoamerican cultural personalities in Havana next December. The 3rd Iberoamerican Encounter on Loynaz will be the first to be held after her death Sunday at the age of 94 in Havana. Dulce Maria Loynaz was one of the most important of among Iberoamerica's poets and novelists. In 1959, she was elected as a member of the Cuban Spanish Language Academy. In 1992 she was awarded the Cervantes Prize -the highest literary award presented to Spanish speaking writers. In related news, the press in Venezuelan and Colombian paid tribute to poet Dulce Maria Loynaz. In Colombia, the daily newspaper "El Espectador" said that Dulce Maria kept alive the tradition of female writers like Gabriela Mistral, Edelmira Agustini, Juana Ibarburu and Alfonsina Estorni. GUATEMALA CITY AND HAVANA WILL SOON BE LINKED BY AIR Havana, April 29(RHC)-- Guatemala's AVIATECA airline will begin flights to Cuba in June. The announcement came from the Havana representative of Costa Rican's LACSA airlines, Lisandro Otero, who is also in charge of AVIATECA's operations in Cuba. Otero said that AVIATECA will fly twice a week to Havana. Arrivals from Guatemala City will be Thursdays and Sundays and with departures on Fridays. LACSA, which began service to Cuba in l993, was the first Central American airline to fly to the island. COPA and AVIATECA bring to three the number of Central American air companies flying to Havana. THE PRESIDENT OF THE IRISH SENATE EXPECTED FRIDAY IN HAVANA Havana, April 29(RHC)-- Ireland and Cuba will discuss legislative bilateral relations. The president of the Irish Senate, Liam Causegrave, will arrive Friday on the island for a four-day visit. During his stay in Cuba, Causegrave will meet with the president of Cuba's National Assembly, Ricardo Alarcon, and other government officials. The Irish Senator will also visit tourism facilities and oil enterprises. For the complete RADIO HAVANA CUBA NEWSCAST and other features, please write for our daily broadcast schedule. We welcome your comments and suggestions. Postal Address: Radio Havana Cuba, P.O.Box 6240 Havana, Cuba E-mail: rhc@radiohc.org Telephone: (53) (7) 791053 Fax: (53) (7) 795007