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, June 10, 1998. Today's stories: 1.- CUBAN PRESIDENT FIDEL CASTRO RECEIVES VISITING ITALIAN FOREIGN MINISTER LAMBERTO DINI 2.- GENERAL SECRETARY OF RUSSIA'S COMMUNIST PARTY CONTINUES VISIT TO CUBA 3.- CUBA'S SCOLA CANTORUM CORALINA CHORUS PERFORMS IN ST. PETER'S SQUARE 4.- PORTUGUESE SOLIDARITY CARAVAN CONDEMNS WASHINGTON'S BLOCKADE AGAINST CUBA 5.- HAVANA AND SAN SALVADOR ARE NAMED SISTER CITIES 6.- INTERNATIONAL RICE MEETING TAKING PLACE IN THE CUBAN CAPITAL 7.- FOREST FESTIVAL IN CUBA'S NATIONAL BOTANICAL GARDENS 8.- CUBAN OFFICIAL LEAVES FOR THE PHILIPPINES TO CELEBRATE THAT NATION'S INDEPENDENCE FROM SPAIN CUBAN PRESIDENT FIDEL CASTRO RECEIVES VISITING ITALIAN FOREIGN MINISTER LAMBERTO DINI Havana, June 10(RHC)-- Cuban President Fidel Castro met with visiting Italian Foreign Minister Lamberto Dini Tuesday evening in the Cuban capital. President Castro also attended the lecture delivered today by the visiting dignitary at the University of Havana. With the lecture, entitled "Europe and Latin America in the Epoch of the Global Economy," Dini wrapped up his three-day official visit to Cuba -- the first ever of an Italian Foreign Minister. On Tuesday, Dini signed with his Cuban counterpart, Roberto Robaina, an accord on penal sentencing, which allows Cuban and Italian citizens sentenced in one or the other country to complete their prison terms in their respective nations. Robaina pointed out that this accord joins others signed between Italy and Cuba, including one on the promotion and protection of investments and another on bilateral cooperation in the struggle against international drug trafficking. GENERAL SECRETARY OF RUSSIA'S COMMUNIST PARTY CONTINUES VISIT TO CUBA Havana, June 10(RHC)-- The General Secretary of Russia's Communist Party, Guennadi Ziuganov, has reiterated his condemnation of Washington's blockade against Cuba. The Russian official is currently visiting Varadero to get a first-hand look at the island's tourism industry. On Monday, Ziuganov was received by Cuban President Fidel Castro. Ziuganov, who is also a member of Russia's parliament, met with the President of Cuba's Parliament Ricardo Alarcon and discussed international affairs as well as parliamentary issues. CUBA'S SCOLA CANTORUM CORALINA CHORUS PERFORMS IN ST. PETER'S SQUARE Vatican City, June 10(RHC)-- Cuba's Scola Cantorum Coralina Chorus performed in St. Peter's Square as Pope John Paul II offered his traditional Wednesday Mass. The chorus sang Cuban religious songs, many of which they performed during Pope John Paul II's Mass at Havana's Plaza de la Revolucion last January. The presence of the Cuban Scola Cantorum Coralina Chorus coincides with a visit to the Vatican of Cuban bishops, led by Havana Cardinal Jaime Ortega. The Cuban bishops met on Wednesday with Rome's religious leaders. On Thursday, the bishops plan to take part in a solemn Mass to celebrate the Feast of Corpus Christi. PORTUGUESE SOLIDARITY CARAVAN CONDEMNS WASHINGTON'S BLOCKADE AGAINST CUBA Lisbon, June 10(RHC)-- Members of a Portuguese solidarity caravan currently touring that nation to collect donations for Cuba have strongly condemned the U.S. blockade against the island. In a statement issued on Wednesday in Lisbon, numerous Portuguese friendship with Cuba groups characterized Washington's anti-Cuba policy as "inhumane." The statement points out that the Cuban people are resisting continued U.S. aggressions, "becoming an example for the rest of the world." Aside from sending material donations to the island, the caravan hopes to send a message of solidarity and friendship to the Cuban people. The Portuguese solidarity caravan has collected food and clothing, as well as computers, office supplies and equipment for day care centers and schools. This is the third friendship caravan that has been organized by Portuguese solidarity organizations. HAVANA AND SAN SALVADOR ARE NAMED SISTER CITIES Havana, June 10(RHC)-- Municipal authorities have signed a proclamation naming Havana and San Salvador Sister Cities -- despite the fact that Cuba and El Salvador do not have diplomatic relations. On Monday, the Salvadoran government refused to give an entry visa to Havana's Mayor, Conrado Martinez Corona, who was invited to attend the signing ceremony. Havana's Provincial Assembly plans to carry out several technical support projects in San Salvador in the fields of health, education and sports as part of a collaboration plan that includes the voluntary participation of Cuban experts. INTERNATIONAL RICE MEETING TAKING PLACE IN THE CUBAN CAPITAL Havana, June 10(RHC)-- The First International Rice Meeting began on Tuesday in Havana with the participation of some 250 Cuban and foreign experts. The participants are discussing nutritional benefits, varieties of rice and other topics related to rice production. Cuba's Deputy Agriculture Minister Alfredo Gutierrez recognized that the island has received important international support and research despite Washington's blockade against Cuba. The President of the Administrative Committee of the Latin American and Caribbean Rice Fund, Miguel Valdivia, said that the region's research institutions have introduced nearly 2500 new varieties of rice, allowing an increase in rice production over the past several decades. FOREST FESTIVAL IN CUBA'S NATIONAL BOTANICAL GARDENS Havana, June 10(RHC)-- On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the creation of the National Botanical Gardens and as part of the promotion of environmental education, the institution has organized a Forest Festival that will run until June 21st. The event's objective is to get children and teenagers involved in activities that protect our environment as well as provide recreational activities during the summer vacation. The Festival's program includes an art and literature contest entitled: "Love, Learn and Take Care of Nature." There will also be games, cultural galas and educational videos. CUBAN OFFICIAL LEAVES FOR THE PHILIPPINES TO CELEBRATE THAT NATION'S INDEPENDENCE FROM SPAIN Havana, June 10(RHC)-- The Director of the Office of the Jose Marti Program, Armando Hart Davalos, has left for the Philippines where he will participate in activities commemorating the 100th anniversary of the end of Spanish colonialism in this Asian nation. The Cuban official will represent Cuban President Fidel Castro at the celebrations. Armando Hart, speaking to reporters at Jose Marti International Airport, said that the Philippines, Puerto Rico and Cuba are united historically, as these three nations were all former Spanish colonies. [c] 1998, Radio Habana Cuba All rights reserved Articles cannot be reproduced, reprinted or published in any system without the consent of RHC. 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