Via NY Transfer News Collective * All the News that Doesn't Fit CUBANEWS FROM RADIO HAVANA CUBA E-mail: rhc@radiohc.org http://www.radiohc.org The following items are taken from Radio Havana Cuba's news service for Wednesday, December 30, 1998. Today's stories: 1.- REMAINS OF "TANIA THE GUERRILLA" AND NINE OTHER INTERNATIONALIST COMBATANTS IN BOLIVIA LAID TO REST 2.- CUBA RECEIVES NUMEROUS MESSAGES OF CONGRATULATIONS ON OCCASION OF 40th ANNIVERSARY OF CUBAN REVOLUTION 3.- CUBA HAS GREAT EXPECTATIONS FOR THE EURO CURRENCY 4.- CUBANA AIRLINES GEARS UP TO CELEBRATE 70th ANNIVERSARY 5.- MILK PRODUCTION UP DURING 1998 6.- RADIO TRINIDAD GOES ON THE AIR 7.- WORLD SCIENCE CONFERENCE SLATED FOR NEXT YEAR IN HUNGARY REMAINS OF "TANIA THE GUERRILLA" AND NINE OTHER INTERNATIONALIST COMBATANTS IN BOLIVIA LAID TO REST Santa Clara, December 30(RHC)-- The remains of "Tania the Guerrilla" and nine other internationalist combatants who fought alongside Che Guevara in Bolivia were laid to rest today during a solemn ceremony, just hours before the 40th anniversary of the triumph of the Cuban Revolution. Tens of thousands converged on Ernesto Che Guevara Plaza in Santa Clara, a city in which Che achieved his most important military victory on December 30, 1958 -- 40 years ago today -- during the struggle against the Batista dictatorship. The ceremony was presided over by Cuban Defense Minister Raul Castro, with Comandante Ramiro Valdez delivering the keynote speech, in which he called the remains of the ten internationalist combatants "a detachment of reinforcements in the struggle against Washington's hostility and in favor of socialism." Present at the military and political ceremony were a chorus of 120 students from the Provincial School of Art and one of the founders of the New Song Movement, Sara Gonzalez, who interpreted her song dedicated to Che entitled "Su Nombre Es Pueblo." Also on hand were members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces, Cuba's Territorial Troop Militias and veteran internationalist combatants who have served in Africa and other regions. "Tania the Guerrilla" -- Argentinean-born Tamara Bunke -- and her nine comrades joined Che and six other internationalists killed in Bolivia in 1967 while attempting to fan the flames of revolution throughout Latin America. Also buried today at the special Che Guevara Memorial were Bolivians Mario Gutierrez Ardaya, Aniceto Reinaga, Jaime Arana, Francisco Huanca, Roberto Peredo and Julio Luis Mendez; Peruvian Lucio Edilberto Galvan; and Cubans Manuel Hernandez and Octavio de la Concepcion. CUBA RECEIVES NUMEROUS MESSAGES OF CONGRATULATIONS ON OCCASION OF 40th ANNIVERSARY OF CUBAN REVOLUTION Havana, December 30(RHC)-- Cubans picked up this morning's edition of the daily Granma and read several of the many messages from abroad, congratulating the Cuban government and people on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the Cuban Revolution. The newspaper published seven of those messages due to what it called their international, political or spiritual significance, and their human and moral value. Pope John Paul II expressed his appreciation for the Cuban government's decision to restore Christmas Day as a national holiday. The Pope said he hoped that -- in his words -- "this noble country, always present in my heart, is able to consolidate its path towards a more prosperous, just and fraternal society." The President of China, Jiang Zemin, congratulated Cuba for its new and on-going successes in the struggle to defend the country's independence and sovereignty and maintain its socialist course. The Prime Minister of India, Atal Behari Vajpayee, spoke of the warm and friendly relations between his country and Cuba -- expressing confidence that those relations "will further develop in the coming years." Russian President Boris Yeltsin wished Cuba "peace and prosperity on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the Cuban Revolution," while French President Jacques Chirac expressed his country's desire to continue its open dialogue with Cuba, and France's support of Cuba's full integration into the international community. The President of Ghana, Jerry John Rawlings, said the significant political, social and economic transformations in Cuba since the triumph of its Revolution, Cuba's steadfast defense of its self-determination and its consistent policy of militant internationalism have been a source of inspiration for the Third World, for Africa and for Ghana in particular. Finally, the Cuban medical brigade assisting the victims of Hurricane Mitch in Guatemala told Cuban President Fidel Castro that they will remain at their posts for as long as necessary. The internationalist doctors and health workers said that they have been received with warmth and respect from both the people and government of Guatemala, and that no one will silently die due to a lack of medical attention that is within their ability to provide. CUBA HAS GREAT EXPECTATIONS FOR THE EURO CURRENCY Havana, December 30(RHC)-- The President of Cuba's Central Bank, Francisco Soberon, stated that Havana has "great expectations" for the European currency, the Euro. Soberon told reporters in the Cuban capital that by next July, the island will use the Euro exclusively in a number of different operations. The president of Cuba's Central Bank affirmed that the new European currency, scheduled to officially go into circulation on January 1st, threatens to affect the power of the U.S. dollar -- something which would be good for Cuba. Francisco Soberon pointed out that due to Washington's blockade, has limited access to U.S. dollars. In addition, more than half of the tourists visiting the island come from Europe and 44 percent of Cuba's trade is with European nations. Finally, the president of Cuba's Central Bank affirmed that with the introduction of a strong, new currency, the international monetary system will not be at the mercy of one powerful country which, up to now, as been the standard bearer for the world's financial institutions. CUBANA AIRLINES GEARS UP TO CELEBRATE 70th ANNIVERSARY Havana, December 30(RHC)-- Cubana de Aviacion, the island's flag-ship airlines, will celebrate it's 70th anniversary in 1999. The Director of Cubana, Marcos Reloba, told journalists in Havana that the airlines' most important achievements since 1929 have been made over the past four decades, following the triumph of the Cuban Revolution. Reloba emphasized that among the highlights of the Cuban airline's history include delivering humanitarian assistance to other countries, transporting delegations to international events and carrying internationalist personnel on missions to Africa, Asia and Latin America. As Cubana de Aviacion prepares to celebrate its 70th anniversary, the airlines is planning to modernize its fleet of aircraft -- continuing to serve not only the Cuban people and their Revolution, but also serving travellers around the world. MILK PRODUCTION UP DURING 1998 Las Tunas, December 30(RHC)-- Milk production in Cuba during the past year rose by two percent over 1997. According to Cuba's Minister of Agriculture Alfredo Jordan, the increase is further evidence of a gradual recuperation in the cattle industry. Jordan noted that beef production was up over the past year and that there were 37,000 more heads of cattle in 1998 than the previous year. Cuba's agriculture minister toured cattle-raising areas in the eastern province of Las Tunas and expressed optimism that the cattle industry will continue to show solid signs of improvement during the New Year. RADIO TRINIDAD GOES ON THE AIR Sancti Spiritus, December 30(RHC)-- Radio Trinidad, the first municipal radio station in the central province of Sancti Spiritus, has signed on the air. Commemorating the 40th anniversary of the liberation of Trinidad by the Rebel Army, the radio station will initially broadcast four hours daily, bringing news and information to this important region. Trinidad was one of the earliest colonial settlements in Cuba. Given its rich Spanish architecture and beautiful surroundings, the area is a popular tourist spot. The town was recently granted UNESCO's Cultural Patrimony of Humanity Award. With the appearance of Radio Trinidad on the AM dial, the number of radio stations in Cuba stands at 63 -- more than half of which are located outside of Havana. WORLD SCIENCE CONFERENCE SLATED FOR NEXT YEAR IN HUNGARY Havana, December 30(RHC)-- Cuba will take part in the World Science Conference in Budapest, Hungary in mid-1999. According to Dr. Ismael Clark, President of the Cuban Academy of Sciences, the event will be sponsored by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the International Science Council. During a news conference in the Cuban capital on Tuesday, Dr. Clark told reporters that participants at the conference -- to be held from June 26th through July 1st next year -- will discuss the challenges for science in a globalized world, ways to invest more resources into scientific investigations and use of the means of communications to promote scientific development. The conference will also provide a unique opportunity for scientists and researchers to exchange experiences and ideas. 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