CUBANEWS FROM RADIO HAVANA CUBA

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The following items are taken from Radio Havana Cuba's news
service for Monday, March 2, 1998.   Today's stories:

1.- CUBAN PRESIDENT FIDEL CASTRO MEETS WITH THE GENERAL    
    SECRETARY OF SPAIN'S SOCIALIST WORKERS PARTY

2.- MEXICAN SOLIDARITY MEETING CONDEMNS U.S. BLOCKADE      
    AGAINST CUBA

3.- CUBA WILL EXPAND ITS PRODUCTION OF HEPATITIS VACCINE

4.- CUBA INCREASES FISHING EXPORTS TO THE EUROPEAN UNION

5.- RENOWNED CUBAN SINGER SAYS GRAMMY IS A RECOGNITION OF  
    THE ISLAND'S MUSIC 


CUBAN PRESIDENT FIDEL CASTRO MEETS WITH THE GENERAL
SECRETARY OF SPAIN'S SOCIALIST WORKERS PARTY

Havana, March 2(RHC)-- Just before ending a five-day visit
to the island, members of a delegation from Spain's
Socialist Workers Party met with Cuban President Fidel
Castro.  Alfredo Perez, spokesman for Spain's opposition
party, said that his delegation -- headed by General
Secretary Joaquin Almunia -- agrees with the Cuban president
that the two countries must overcome their differences and
improve diplomatic relations.

During their stay on the island, the representatives of the
Spanish Socialist Workers Party also met with Cuba's Foreign
Minister Roberto Robaina and Parliament President Ricardo
Alarcon.  

MEXICAN SOLIDARITY MEETING CONDEMNS U.S. BLOCKADE AGAINST
CUBA

Mexico City, March 2(RHC)-- Over 200 delegates from 75
Mexican solidarity organizations have condemned the almost
40 year old U.S. blockade against Cuba.

The final declaration of the two-day Mexico-Cuba solidarity
meeting stated that "Washington's sick and obsessive anti-
Cuba policy is stimulated by the ultra right-wing sector in
the U.S. Congress."  

Sponsored by Mexican political parties and social
organizations, the meeting took place in Mexico City over
the weekend with the participation of representatives from
the U.S. religious/solidarity organization Pastors for
Peace.  It was also attended by Cuban Economy and Planning
Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez.  

Conference participants stressed the efforts of the Cuban
people to resist and overcome the obstacles imposed by
Washington and emphasized the need to intensify their work
in support of the Cuban Revolution.

CUBA WILL EXPAND ITS PRODUCTION OF HEPATITIS VACCINE

Havana, March 2(RHC)-- With the installation of new systems
in Havana's National Bioformula Center, production of the
Hepatitis type B vaccine will increase.  The vaccine is
designed to protect those under the age of 20 from
contracting hepatitis.   The new, modern system will allow
for the control of sterilization operations as well as
reduce possible operational errors.  

This new system will also cut the cost of producing the
Cuban vaccine, comparable to that of developed nations.  As
part of the Cuban health care system, it is expected that
some two million Cubans will be vaccinated against Hepatitis
B by the end of this year.  

CUBA INCREASES FISHING EXPORTS TO THE EUROPEAN UNION

Havana, March 2(RHC)-- Cuba will increase its fishing
exports to the European Union.  According to Fishing Minster
Orlando Rodriguez Romay, Cuba expects to export some 100
million dollars worth of fish to the European continent. 

In the last four years, the Cuban fishing industry has
nearly tripled its income -- from 80 million dollars in 1993
to more than 200 million last year, making the industry one
of the main sources of income for the country.

RENOWNED CUBAN SINGER SAYS GRAMMY IS A RECOGNITION OF THE
ISLAND'S MUSIC 

Bogota, March 2(RHC)-- Cuban singer Omara Portuondo said
that the Grammy for the best Tropical music CD given to the
Buena Vista Social Club "is a recognition of Cuban music
teachers on the island."

Speaking with journalists in Bogota, Portuondo added that
the award is not only praise for her, but for the veteran
composers and musicians that participated in the CD and
which are making history for the country in the field of art
and culture.

The CD, stated the Cuban singer, is an example of the
recognition of Cuban music. Portuondo, on a Latin American
tour, has recently performed in several Colombian cities.


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