CUBANEWS FROM RADIO HAVANA CUBA

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The following items are taken from Radio Havana Cuba's news
service for Thursday, March 12, 1998.   Today's stories:

1.- COMANDANTE OF THE REVOLUTION MANUEL PINEIRO DIES IN CAR    
    ACCIDENT

2.- CUBAN ECONOMY ENTERS INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC COMPETITION

3.- CUBA AND MEXICO SIGN EXCHANGE PROGRAM IN EDUCATION AND     
    CULTURE

4.- BILATERAL COOPERATION ACCORDS BETWEEN CUBA AND LEBANON

5.- INTERNATIONAL SOLIDARITY DAY WITH THE PEOPLE OF SOUTHERN   
    LEBANON SET FOR SATURDAY IN HAVANA


COMANDANTE OF THE REVOLUTION MANUEL PINEIRO DIES IN CAR 
ACCIDENT

Havana, March 12(RHC)-- Comandante of the Cuban Revolution
Manuel Pineiro was killed in a car accident late Wednesday
night in Havana.  Pineiro was an outstanding rebel leader
during the war against the Batista dictatorship in the eastern
Sierra Maestra mountains.  

Known to his close friends as "Redbeard," Pineiro was named
chief of the Interior Ministry's Intelligence after the
triumph of the Revolution.  In 1975, he was the head of the
Americas Department of Cuban Communist Party's Central
Committee until his retirement.  Manuel Pineiro was 63 years
old.

CUBAN ECONOMY ENTERS INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC COMPETITION

Washington, March 12(RHC)-- The Cuban economy is learning to
enter into competition with the rest of the world.  According
to the head of the Cuban Interests Section in Washington DC,
Fernando Remirez, this includes U.S. businesses, although
Washington's policies currently prohibit investment in Cuba.  

Following a meeting with U.S. business representatives --
sponsored by the Washington International Trade Association --
the Cuban diplomat said that "we must learn things from all
over the world."   Remirez pointed to the country's economic
restructuring over the past several years as proof that Cuba
is serious about economic revitalization.  

Fernando Remirez stated that it is the United States that is
losing out in taking advantage of the Cuban market.  He added
that when the economic blockade is lifted, U.S. business
representatives can expect a warm reception from the Cuban
people, "who have nothing but friendship and goodwill for the
people of the United States."

CUBA AND MEXICO SIGN EXCHANGE PROGRAM IN EDUCATION AND CULTURE

Havana, March 12(RHC)-- Cuba and Mexico have signed a new
exchange program in education and culture for another three
years.  The program includes 86 projects and was adopted
during the XI Joint Commission Meeting of Education and
Culture which took place over two days in Mexico City. 

The Vice President of Cuba's Council of Ministers, Jose Ramon 
Fernandez, who is heading the delegation, told Prensa Latina
News Agency that this project is the largest that has ever
existed between the two countries.

BILATERAL COOPERATION ACCORDS BETWEEN CUBA AND LEBANON

Havana, March 12(RHC)--Cuba and Lebanon have signed
cooperation accords in the fields of economy, trade and
technology -- with the view toward strengthening bilateral
relations.

Cuba's Deputy Minister for Foreign Investment Noemi Benitez
met with the General Director of Lebanon's Health Ministry
Albert Youjadan to analyze the sale of Cuban medicines and
equipment.

During the visit, the Cuban official also met with the
president of Lebanon's Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Federation.  The Cuban official stressed the importance of
Lebanese business representatives on the island.

INTERNATIONAL SOLIDARITY DAY WITH THE PEOPLE OF SOUTHERN
LEBANON SET FOR SATURDAY IN HAVANA

Havana, March 12(RHC)-- An international day of solidarity
with the people of Southern Lebanon and the Bekaa Valley will
be celebrated in Havana this Saturday.

According to Lebanon's Ambassador to Cuba, Zaidan Alsaghir, 
the international community has become aware of the illegal
occupation of southern Lebanon by the Israeli army and urges
Israel to comply with U.N. Security Council Resolution 425
which demands Tel Aviv to withdraw from the Lebanon and
respect the its independence and integrity.

The Lebanese Ambassador added that the Israeli army has jailed
some 210 people in the illegally occupied security zone in
southern Lebanon and will not permit the International Red
Cross to visit those detained.


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