CUBANEWS FROM RADIO HAVANA CUBA January 24, 1998 E-mail: rhc@radiohc.org http://www.radiohc.org The following items are taken from Radio Havana Cuba's English language service for Saturday, January 24, 1998. Today's stories: 1.- POPE JOHN PAUL II DELIVERS THIRD MASS IN SANTIAGO DE CUBA, AND CROWNS ISLAND'S PATRON SAINT 2.- PONTIFF MEETS WITH THE SICK AND DISEASED AT EL RINCON SANCTUARY, ON OUTSKIRTS OF HAVANA 3.- OVER 100 ECONOMIC ASSOCIATION PROJECTS UNDER STUDY 4.- ACUICULTURE GETS A BOOST 5.- AGRICULTURE MINISTRY CONTINUES PROMOTING ORGANIC GARDENS IN URBAN AREAS POPE JOHN PAUL II DELIVERS THIRD MASS IN SANTIAGO DE CUBA AND CROWNS ISLAND'S PATRON SAINT Santiago de Cuba, January 24(RHC)-- As tens of thousands gathered in the Antonio Maceo Plaza in Santiago de Cuba Saturday, Pope John Paul II delivered mass--the third so far during his visit to the island. Acknowledging the presence of First Vice President and Minister of the Armed Forces Raul Castro and other government officials, the Pontiff said that "the welfare of the nation must be forged by its own citizens." Dedicating his homily to "The Homeland," Pope John Paul II recalled a number of distinguished figures who fought in the Cuban war of independence against Spain, among them: Antonio Maceo and Carlos Manuel de Cespedes, the Father of the Cuban Homeland. The head of the Catholic Church stated that many of the valiant Mambises who fought for their liberation wore religious symbols over their hearts, including the image of the Virgin of Charity, Cuba's Patron Saint. Following the homily and accompanied by a choir of more than 200 voices, Pope John Paul II crowned the Virgin of Charity del Cobre. Placing crowns on the heads of the Virgin and the Christ child she holds, the Pontiff also gave the figure a rosary made of gold. After Saturday's mass in Santiago de Cuba, Pope John Paul II announced the establishment of a new diocese in Guantanamo, located in eastern Cuba, bringing to 11 the number of diocesis in Cuba. Sunday, the Pontiff will deliver his fourth and last mass in Havana's Revolution Square before wrapping up his visit to Cuba. PONTIFF MEETS WITH THE SICK AND DISEASED AT EL RINCON SANCTUARY, ON OUTSKIRTS OF HAVANA Havana, Jan. 24, RHC -- After returning to Havana today, Pope John Paul II participated in an encounter called "the world of suffering", in the El Rincon sanctuary, some 30 kilometers outside the Cuban capital. The Pontiff met with AIDS patients and with the patients from a hospital for lepers located next to the sanctuary. His Holiness opened his remarks by saying that in visiting this noble land, he could not fail to meet with the sick ans suffering. He greeted the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul, who work in that center, as well as what he called the other consecrated members of various religious institutions who work lovingly in other parts of the island to alleviate the sufferings of whoever is in need. Pope John Paul II said he was aware of the great efforts made in Cuba in the field of health care, despite the economic constraints the country is enduring. The Pope called for solidarity with those who suffer not only physically, but also emotionally. Every December 17th, thousands of Cubans travel to El Rincon to pay tribute to the Shrine of Saint Lazarus, the protector of the sick. But for the majority of those Cubans, Saint Lazarus is also Babalu Aye, one of the gods from the pantheon of the Afrocuban Santeria religion. Many believers crawl or drag themseleves the entire distance from Havana to El Rincon, tie heavy weights to their extremities and inflict on themselves other types of physical sacrifices, usually to thank Saint Lazarus for having miraculously cured the disease or illness of a loved one. OVER 100 ECONOMIC ASSOCIATION PROJECTS UNDER STUDY Havana, January 24(RHC)--Cuba will continue encouraging foreign investment in 1998 with some 100 new economic association projects currently under study. The statement was made by Cuba's Minister of Foreign Investment Ibrahim Ferradaz who also pointed out that the Cuban state is considering further legislation regulating that economic activity. The Cuban official stressed that economic associations with foreign capital increased by more than 300 in 1997. Three duty-free zones began operations in Cuba last year, said ferradaz. Foreign investment has thus far occured in 34 economic sectors and new projects are being considered by the Cuban government. ACUICULTURE GETS A BOOST Havana (RHC)-- Cuban aquiculture has secured a place this year in the international market. The development and consolidation of this important economic activity is the result of an efficient application of scientific methods in fresh water fish cultivation. Cuban aquiculture increased production to 60 thousand tons of fish in 1997 and expects to reach 70 thousand tons this year. The sector's objective is to substitute fish imports, placing large ammounts of that product into the domestic market while meeting international demands of commercial species. This year, the island is ready to export 33 tons of fresh water lobster, over 15 tons of Eel, 56 tons of prawn and 6000 tons of tilapia fillets, of great international demand. A National Aquiculture Management Program has played a central role in the consolidation of this economic sector in Cuba. The strategy includes scheduled alternate fishing seasons in dams to guarantee intensive explotaion of resources, careful fishing cultivation, inoculation of hormones and other scientific methods. The island expects to reach 100 000 tons of fresh water fish at low production costs for the year 2000. AGRICULTURE MINISTRY CONTINUES PROMOTING ORGANIC GARDENS IN URBAN AREAS Havana, January 24(RHC)--Cuba is promoting the diversification and consumption of vegetables through the development of oganic agriculture. The program, led by the island's Agriculture Ministry, is aimed at reaching 3-square meters of cultivated land per inhabitant by the year 2000. The National Urban Agriculture commission says the strategy is based on the cultivation of vegetables in empty plots inside cities and on their outskirts. The Commision announced that its long-term goal is to reach 6 600 cultivated hectares across the island to daily make available some 300 grams of vegetable per person, as stipulated by the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization- FAO. [c] 1998, Radio Habana Cuba All rights reserved Articles cannot be reproduced, reprinted or published in any system without the consent of RHC. This prohibition includes the distribution of this material via Usenet News, "bulletin board" services, e-mail lists, print media, radio and television. For the complete RADIO HAVANA CUBA NEWSCAST and other features, please write for our daily broadcast schedule. We welcome your comments and suggestions. For further information, contact us at: Postal Address: Radio Havana Cuba P.O.Box 6240 Havana, Cuba Telephone: (53) (7) 791053 Fax: (53) (7) 795007 E-mail: rhc@radiohc.org WWW: http://www.radiohc.org