CUBANEWS FROM RADIO HAVANA CUBA January 14, 1998 rhc@radiohc.org http://www.radiohc.org The following items are taken from Radio Havana Cuba's English Language Service for Wednesday, January 14, 1998. Today's stories: 1.- CARDINAL JAIME ORTEGA ADDRESSES CUBAN PEOPLE ON NATIONAL TV 2.- FINAL PREPARATIONS FOR POPE JOHN PAUL II's ARRIVAL NEXT WEEK 3.- U.S. DAILY WASHINGTON POST TAKES NOTE OF NEW "AMERICANS FOR HUMANITARIAN TRADE WITH CUBA" COALITION 4.- FOREIGN MINISTER OF SURINAM ERROL GLEN SNIJDERS WRAPS UP OFFICIAL VISIT TO CUBA 5.- PRESIDENT OF MALAWI'S NATIONAL ASSEMBLY CONCLUDES VISIT TO CUBA 6.- PRESIDENT OF ZIMBABWE'S PARLIAMENT VISITS THE ISLAND 7.- SOUTHERN CROSS BRIGADE ARRIVES IN SANCTI-SPIRITUS 8.- CUBAN MINISTER OF DOMESTIC TRADE ARRIVES IN CHINA 9.- SPANIARDS LIKE TO TAKE THEIR VACATIONS IN CUBA CARDINAL JAIME ORTEGA ADDRESSES CUBAN PEOPLE ON NATIONAL TV Havana, January 14(RHC)-- In a local TV appearance late Tuesday evening, the Archbishop of Havana, Cardinal Jaime Ortega, recalled that Pope John Paul II has come out against the U.S. blockade of Cuba on numerous occasions. In a 30- minute appearance on Cuban state television, Cardinal Ortega said that Pope John Paul II believes that the defense of life goes hand-in-hand with the right to education, health, food security and culture. The Archbishop of Havana also recalled that the Pope has spoken of the poverty affecting a significant portion of humanity, and that for the Vatican chief, this poverty is top on the list of injustices. Meanwhile, the President of Cuba's Parliament Ricardo Alarcon said that Cuba has no problem with the message of equality, social justice and human solidarity insisted on by Pope John Paul II. Alarcon said these are the principles with which Cuba identifies as the essence of socialism. In related news, the United States government has warned that action will be taken against any ship or plane carrying U.S. flags that attempt to approach Cuban territorial airspace or waters. The U.S. Coast Guard has reportedly reinforced vigilance of aircraft and vessels that could attempt to do so. FINAL PREPARATIONS FOR POPE JOHN PAUL II's ARRIVAL NEXT WEEK Havana, January 14(RHC)-- Workers at Havana's Jose Marti International Airport are putting the final touches on preparations to welcome Pope John Paul II. The Pope is scheduled to arrive on board an Alitalia flight from Rome on Wednesday, January 21st. The director of the Havana airport, Luis Isidro Ibanez, said that his workers are striving to make sure all services for the distinguished guest will be ready, adding that the areas to be used for the Pope's welcome have already been prepared, including special markings on the runway and the parking areas. U.S. DAILY WASHINGTON POST TAKES NOTE OF NEW "AMERICANS FOR HUMANITARIAN TRADE WITH CUBA" COALITION Havana, January 14(RHC)-- The influential U.S. news daily The Washington Post took note today of the recent formation of a new coalition -- "Americans For Humanitarian Trade With Cuba." Staff writer Thomas W. Lippman called the group "an unusual coalition of business groups, corporate executives, religious organizations, lobbyists, members of Congress and prominent former U.S. officials. Lippman wrote that the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which organized the group, timed Tuesday's news conference to take advantage of the attention focused on Cuba by the visit next week of Pope John Paul II. The Washington Post article also stressed that the coalition came together with different motives. Some, said the article, want to do business with Cuba, some believe the entire U.S. embargo is bad policy and some seek only to moderate what they say is the suffering of innocent Cubans deprived of food and medicine. The U.S. daily reported that to support its campaign, the Chamber of Commerce rolled out "an all-star cast of business and political figures, including former House Ways and Means Committee chairman Sam Gibbons -- a Democrat from Florida -- former Senator Malcolm Wallop -- Republican from Wyoming -- and retired Marine Corps General John J. Sheehan, former NATO Supreme Commander. In other news, The Washington Post also editorialized today on the U.S. government's need to change its Cuba policy in light of the upcoming visit to Cuba of Pope John Paul II. Although coming out in support of a so-called `democratic opening' in Cuba, the U.S. daily asserted that Washington should do away with its policy of trying to isolate Cuba, and should normalize relations with its island-neighbor to the south. The Washington Post argued that with the collapse of the Soviet Union, Cuba no longer represents a threat to U.S national security. FOREIGN MINISTER OF SURINAM ERROL GLEN SNIJDERS WRAPS UP OFFICIAL VISIT TO CUBA Havana, January 14(RHC)-- The Foreign Minister of Surinam Errol Glenn Snijders wrapped up a three-day official visit to Cuba today, which he described as "another step in the reactivation of ties between two member nations of the Association of Caribbean States." During the Surinamese foreign minister's meetings with high- level Cuban government officials -- including his Cuban counterpart Roberto Robaina -- top on the agenda were plans to set up a mixed commission for bilateral cooperation in fields like health, education, sports and culture. Snijders said he would return to Cuba next year. Surinam's foreign minister reiterated the Caribbean Community's rejection of Washington's blockade of Cuba, while Cuba thanked Surinam for its support of the island's anti-blockade resolution which was overwhelmingly adopted at the United Nations General Assembly in November. PRESIDENT OF MALAWI'S NATIONAL ASSEMBLY CONCLUDES VISIT TO CUBA Havana, January 14(RHC)-- The President of Malawi's National Assembly, Rodwel Munyenbembe, concludes his visit to Cuba on Wednesday. During his stay, the Malawi official met with Dr. Carlos Dotres, Cuban Minister of Public Health, and Jose Ramon Balaguer, head of the Cuban Communist Party's Department of International Relations. Munyenbembe, who travelled to the largest of the Antilles island invited by the Cuban Parliament, also met with Jorge Lezcano, head of the Cuban National Assembly's International Relations. PRESIDENT OF ZIMBABWE'S PARLIAMENT VISITS THE ISLAND Havana, January 14(RHC)-- The President of Zimbabwe's Parliament, Cyril Ndebele, said in Havana he was happy to be on the island at this historical moment, since his visit coincided with elections. The results of the elections, added Ndebele, "showed the Cuban people's support of socialism." The African delegation headed by Ndebele toured places of economic and social interest in Havana on Tuesday, where he took a first hand look at advances and efforts of the Cuban people, despite Washington's nearly 40 year economic blockade. The Zimbabwean parliamentarian also said that by seeing the problems Cuba is facing as a result of this blockade, he will be better able to defend Cuba before the international community. SOUTHERN CROSS BRIGADE ARRIVES IN SANCTI-SPIRITUS Sancti-Spiritus, January 14(RHC)-- Australia's Southern Cross Brigade, made up of 20 members, arrived in the island's central province of Sancti-Spiritus on Tuesday, where the brigadistas were received by the province's authorities. The solidarity brigade, created 15 years ago, has also worked to increase bilateral relations between Cuba and Australia, from where the island receives medicines, equipment for the sugar industry and spare parts for machines -- in exchange for tobacco and other products. The brigadistas have been in Cuba since December and have taken part in agricultural work on the outskirts of Havana. CUBAN MINISTER OF DOMESTIC TRADE ARRIVES IN CHINA Beijing, January 14(RHC)-- Chinese Deputy Prime Minister Li Langing received Cuban Minister of Domestic Trade Barbara Castillo, who is in China for an official 10-day visit. Li Langing stressed the high level of relations between China and Cuba, and said that the two countries would work on new ways of bilateral cooperation. The Chinese leader made reference to Cuba's economic potential and pointed out that his country should encourage local entrepreneurs to invest more on the island. SPANIARDS LIKE TO TAKE THEIR VACATIONS IN CUBA Havana, January 14(RHC)-- Cuba continues to be among Spain's tourist preferences, according to Carmen Martinez Teran, representative of the Spanish Politours tour operator. Spaniards continue to prefer the Caribbean island as a tour destination, primarily for its beautiful landscape, nature, climate, and the peoples' hospitality. Spain ranks third among the countries that send the most vacationers to Cuba. 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