CUBANEWS FROM RADIO HAVANA CUBA January 23, 1998 E-mail: rhc@radiohc.org http://www.radiohc.org The following items are taken from Radio Havana Cuba's news service for Friday, January 23, 1998. Today's stories: 1.- POPE JOHN PAUL II MEETS WITH INTELLECTUALS, PROFESSORS AND CULTURAL LEADERS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HAVANA 2.- THE PONTIFF ADDRESSES HIS SECOND MASS IN CAMAGUEY AS THOUSANDS OF CUBANS OVERFLOW THE IGNACIO AGRAMONTE PLAZA 3.- VISIT OF POPE GIVES THE WORLD A CHANCE TO SEE CUBA 4.- CUBA AND VENEZUELA STUDY AGREEMENT TO EXCHANGE PRISONERS 5.- CUBA CELEBRATES THE CENTENNIAL OF THE ARRIVAL OF JAPANESE IMMIGRANTS TO THE ISLAND 6.- TOP CUBAN SINGER PABLO MILANES VISITS CHILE AFTER 25 YEARS 7.- CUBAN THERMO-ELECTRIC PLANTS TO BE MODERNIZED POPE JOHN PAUL II MEETS WITH INTELLECTUALS, PROFESSORS AND CULTURAL LEADERS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HAVANA Havana, January 23(RHC)-- Pope John Paul II spoke at the University of Havana's Master Lecture Hall Friday evening, delivering an address to some 300 intellectuals, university professors, artists and cultural leaders gathered for the occasion. Arriving at the University in the Cuban capital a little past 6:30 in the evening, local time, the Pontiff was greeted by Cuban President Fidel Castro and other leaders of the Cuban government as he entered the Master Lecture Hall. Pausing before the remains of Father Felix Varela, Pope John Paul II said a prayer for the Cuban priest who was an activist for the island's independence from Spain in the last century. The Rector of the University of Havana welcomed the first Pontiff to visit the island. In his greetings to the Pope, Dr. Juan Vela Valdes said that "the Cuban Revolution was and is the historic event that sums up, articulates and puts into practice a body of ideas whose aim is full and genuine freedom and equality for the individual and society." The Rector of the University of Havana added that the Cuban Revolution "constituted, in truth, the integration of social sectors and groups that had been marginalized up until then, by offering complete dignity to all. The Revolution made real the dream of social justice of those who forged our national identity and of several generations of Cubans who struggled tirelessly to obtain it." Welcoming Pope John Paul II, Rector Vela Valdes said that "we are sure that today will remain deeply and definitively inscribed in the academic, scientific and cultural history of the University of Havana and of our country." Addressing his audience at the University of Havana's Master Lecture Hall, Pope John Paul II said that "Father Felix Varela was considered by many to be the foundation-stone of the Cuban national identity." He added that Father Varela was "an exemplary priest of Havana and an undeniable patriot" and was "the first to speak of independence in these lands." Pope John Paul II said in his address Friday evening at the University of Havana that "in Cuba, one can speak of a fruitful cultural dialogue which ensures a more harmonious growth and continuing development of the creative initiatives of civil society. In this country, most of those of shape culture -- Catholic and non-Catholic, believers and non- believers -- are people of dialogue, prepared to speak and to listen." The Pontiff concluded his address by saying that "the Cuban Church and the cultural institutions of the nation need to meet in dialogue and work together to develop the island's culture." THE PONTIFF ADDRESSES HIS SECOND MASS IN CAMAGUEY AS THOUSANDS OF CUBANS OVERFLOW THE IGNACIO AGRAMONTE PLAZA Havana, January 23(RHC)-- Tens of thousands of enthusiastic Cubans participated today in the second mass presided over by Pope John Paul II in Camaguey, dedicated to youth. Many of the religious songs during the homily were accompanied by the lively rhythms of Cuban music. The gathering in Camaguey took place at the public square named after 19th century independence hero Ignacio Agramonte, who the Pontiff recalled was a person who -- moved by his Christian faith -- opposed slavery in the name of human dignity. In a written message to the youth of Camaguey, the Pope said that the worldwide crisis of values also threatens the new generations of Cubans, calling on those generations to "reject a life without meaning and the false deities of consumer societies." The Pope urged Cuban youth to be kind so that virtuous young people "can make the country great" -- saying the future depends on the youth. He said a true commitment to the homeland is the compliance with duties and obligations in the family, in school, in the factory, in the countryside and in the world of culture and sports. Pope John Paul II warned of what he called the moral relativism and the idealization of things foreign that lead to a loss of one's roots alienation, seeking refuge in a false world. The Pontiff also mentioned economic embargoes as one component of the crisis of values, saying that "embargoes should always be condemned since they harm the most needy." This second mass was also aired live on national Cuban television. Though somewhat more tired than yesterday, Pope John Paul II was visibly moved by the warm and enthusiastic expressions of affection for him. VISIT OF POPE GIVES THE WORLD A CHANCE TO SEE CUBA Havana, January 23(RHC)-- Greek Orthodox priest Father Michael, from the Orthodox Church in Haiti, told Radio Havana Cuba that the visit of Pope John Paul II to Cuba is very important because, in his words, "it gives the world the chance to set its eyes on the island, on the possibilities of Cuban society." The visiting priest also said the Cuban people have food, water, education and electricity, adding that anyone can walk down the streets without fear. According to Father Michael, this is not so in Haiti. The Greek Orthodox priest has visited Cuba on numerous occasions. He said he did not want to miss being on the island during the Pope's visit, an event he considers historical. Pope John Paul II is currently in Cuba for a five-day pastoral visit. The Pontiff's departure is scheduled for Sunday, January 25th. CUBA AND VENEZUELA STUDY AGREEMENT TO EXCHANGE PRISONERS Havana, January 23(RHC)-- The Cuban and Venezuelan Ministers of Justice, Roberto Diaz and Hilarion Cardoso, have ratified their interest in signing an accord to exchange prisoners -- allowing prisoners to serve their terms in their respective countries. The agreement is being studied by both sides at the moment. The Venezuelan minister of justice is currently in the Cuban capital on a private visit, on the occasion of the visit to the island of Pope John Paul II. CUBA CELEBRATES THE CENTENNIAL OF THE ARRIVAL OF JAPANESE IMMIGRANTS TO THE ISLAND Tokyo, January 23(RHC)-- As part of activities to celebrate the centennial of the arrival of Japanese immigrants to Cuba, Cuban artists Sandra Ramos and Elsa Mora are exhibiting some of their art pieces in Tokyo. The display has been called "Cuban Girl Dreamers" and are on display at the Japanese capital's Space 21 Gallery. The exhibit will be open to the public through February 7th. Present at the exhibition's opening ceremony were representatives of the Cuban Embassy in Japan, as well as artists, art critics and other cultural personalities from the Asian nation. TOP CUBAN SINGER PABLO MILANES VISITS CHILE AFTER 25 YEARS Santiago de Chile, January 23(RHC)-- Top Cuban singer and songwriter Pablo Milanes will perform in Chile again -- returning after 25 years. Pablo's last visit to Chile was in 1972 during the Popular Unity government of President Salvador Allende. After the bloody military coup of September 1973, he promised to return only after dictator General Augusto Pinochet was out of power. The former dictator will retire from miliary life in March and Pablo will perform in five Chilean cities in April. Pablo will present songs from his latest CD "A Despertar" in Santiago de Chile on April 9th, then at Vina del Mar, Concepcion and Iquique. The Cuban musician will end his tour in Antofagasta. He will also perform songs of late Chilean singer Violeta Parra. Before going to Chile, Pablo Milanes will tour Mexico during February. CUBAN THERMO-ELECTRIC PLANTS TO BE MODERNIZED Havana, January 23(RHC)-- Cuban power plants are being modernized and refurbished throughout the island, with the aim of increasing electrical power generation. The head of Havana's Planning and Engineering Enterprise, Maritza Diaz, told Radio Havana Cuba that the projects include four power plants, located in Havana and Santiago de Cuba provinces. She also said that more than 1000 workers of her enterprise are in charge of sub-stations throughout the country. Maritza Diaz said that the Engineering Enterprise is also responsible for the analysis of laboratory tests to closely observe the performance of the power plants as well as of power regulation. The enterprise carries out studies and makes suggestions to tourist resorts and other institutions on how to reduce the use of electricity. The enterprise currently receives cooperation from Canada, France and Australia for its program aimed at increasing electrical power generation in Cuba. 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