CUBANEWS FROM RADIO HAVANA CUBA January 25, 1998 E-mail: rhc@radiohc.org http://www.radiohc.org The following items are taken from Radio Havana Cuba's English language service for Sunday, January 25th, 1998. Today's stories: 1.- CUBAN PRESIDENT FIDEL CASTRO SEES OFF POPE JOHN PAUL II AT HAVANA'S JOSE MARTI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT 2.- NEARLY 500 THOUSAND ATTEND LAST MASS OF POPE JOHN PAUL II IN HAVANA'S REVOLUTION SQUARE 3.- PRESIDENT FIDEL CASTRO MEETS WITH VISITING U.S. LAWMAKERS 4.- CUBAN NATIONAL BALLET COMPANY TOURS THE UNITED STATES CUBAN PRESIDENT FIDEL CASTRO SEES OFF POPE JOHN PAUL II AT HAVANA'S JOSE MARTI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT Havana, January 25(RHC)-- Cuban President Fidel Castro headed the farewell ceremony today to see off Pope John Paul II at Havana's "Jose Marti" international airport. In his farewell speech, the Cuban leader said there were many who said the Pope was coming to the last bastion of communism, and that his visit would produce an upheaval on the island. But, he said, what the Pontiff found were an exemplary welcome and salutations during his 5-day visit. President Castro again made reference to Washington's almost 40 years of efforts to starve out the Cuban people, saying that Cuba's resistance is comparable to the biblical resistance of David against Goliath. The leader of the Cuban revolution said the Pope's visit to Cuba reminded him of the persecuted Christians during the Roman empire, as well as the 6 million Jews killed and the 4 million Vietnamese who lost their lives. He said being a Christian, a Jew or a Communist does not justify those crimes. President Fidel Castro said that millions around the world hear all the Pontiff's words, including the millions of Cubans who saw all of the different moments of the visit transmitted live on national TV. He said perhaps no country has been the subject of so much news and so many opinions in so brief a time -- and that Cuba has nothing to hide. The Cuban leader said that if the Pope's vision of a world of globalized solidarity and an equal distribution of wealth were to come true, that world would not be in contradiction with the evangelical precepts of the Church. The Cuban president wrapped up his farewell speech thanking Pope John Paul II for all his words, even those that he could disagree with.... The Pope, in his farewell address, said that he had lived many emotion-packed moments during his visit to Cuba that have left a deep impression. He thanked the Cuban government and people for their cordiality and warmth, for their cooperation in the success of the visit and for having allowed him to share so much during these 5 days. Pope John Paul II again called for an end in efforts to isolate Cuba, saying that particularly Latin America can play an important role in that direction. And in reference to the US blockade of Cuba, the Pontiff said that all restrictive measures imposed on Cuba from abroad are unjust and ethically unacceptable. Finally, improvising at the end of his speech, His Holiness took note of today's rainfall following so much sun and heat. He said it could lead to intepret that Cuba's skies were crying because the Pope was leaving, but that drizzle, he said, was a sign of good luck. NEARLY 500 THOUSAND ATTEND LAST MASS OF POPE JOHN PAUL II IN HAVANA'S REVOLUTION SQUARE Havana, January 25(RHC)-- Pope John Paul II presented his fourth and final mass in Havana's Revolution Square Sunday morning. President Fidel Castro and other leaders of the Cuban government attended the mass along with hundreds of thousands of Cubans from all walks of life. The Pontiff, who concluded his pastoral visit to the island Sunday and returned to Vatican City, harshly criticized neoliberal economic policies which -- in his words -- "places development at the will of blind market forces." Receiving what some news agencies described as the longest and strongest applause, the head of the Catholic Church went on to say that the powerful have placed unbearable conditions on countries least able to withstand the pressure -- imposing intolerable economic programs as a condition for receiving additional aid. And Pope John Paul II underscored that the world is seeing the exaggerated wealth of a few at the cost of the growing impoverishment of many. During his homily in Havana's Revolution Square, the Vatican chief said that God has truly blessed the Cuban people -- giving them what he called "true creators of national consciousness," among them Father Felix Varela and Jose Marti. And he called on the Holy Spirit to light the way for Cuba's leaders, saying that he wishes the people of Cuba peace, progress and happiness. Prior to his departure, Pope John Paul II attended a liturgy at the Cathedral of Havana with priests, deacons, seminary students and lay members of the church. PRESIDENT FIDEL CASTRO MEETS WITH VISITING U.S. LAWMAKERS Havana, January 25(RHC)-- Cuban President Fidel Castro met Saturday with four U.S. congressional representatives currently visiting Havana. Representatives Charles Rangel from New York, and Joe Moakley, Richard Neal and Joseph McGovern from Massachussets, were present at a reception, hosted by the President of the Cuban Parliament Ricardo Alarcon. The foreign guests talked with the Cuban leader for nearly two hours and discussed the U.S. economic blockade against the island and Pope John Paul II's visit to Cuba. The U.S. lawmakers have clearly stated their opposition to Washington's blockade against Cuba and are sponsoring legislation in Congress which calls for the lifting of the measure with respect to food and medicine. In recent weeks, numerous outstanding personalities from the business, political, non-governmental, academic and religious communities in the United States have joined in a coalition, calling the White House and Congress to change their Cuba policy. CUBAN NATIONAL BALLET COMPANY TOURS THE UNITED STATES Los Angeles, February 25(RHC)-- The Cuban National Ballet Company, currently touring the United States, is being acclaimed by audiences and critics alike. The company's version of Cinderella, performed at the Orange County Center, was enthusiasticly welcomed by more than 2000 people that jammed the center. The company, led by legendary Prima Ballerina Assoluta Alicia Alonso, is making its final performance in Los Angeles on Sunday. It will then be flying to New York City, performing until February 1st. [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