CUBANEWS FROM RADIO HAVANA CUBA

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The following items are taken from Radio Havana Cuba's news
service for Tuesday, March 17, 1998.   Today's stories:

1.- CUBAN AND U.S. SCIENTISTS DISCOVER PALEONTOLOGICAL SITE IN
    MATANZAS PROVINCE

2.- NATIONAL FESTIVAL TO COLLECT RECYCLABLE MATERIALS 

3.- UNITED NATIONS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM OFFERS NEW ECONOMIC     
    PROGRAM FOR CUBA

4.- RELATIONS BETWEEN CUBA AND MEXICO CONTINUE TO EXPAND

5.- CUBAN AND PANAMANIAN COMMERCIAL EXCHANGE INCREASES


CUBAN AND U.S. SCIENTISTS DISCOVER PALEONTOLOGICAL SITE IN
MATANZAS PROVINCE

Matanzas, March 17(RHC)-- Cuban and U.S. scientists have
discovered a paleontological site in Matanzas province,
considered the only one of its kind in the Caribbean.
According to AIN News Agency, the site is located some 100
kilometers east of Havana and is made up of an old asphalt
spring with an abundance of fossil remains.  

The discovery was made by specialists of Havana's National
Museum of Natural History and New York's American Museum of
Natural History.

Drs. Manuel Iturralde-Vinent and Ross McCoy, who headed the
search, discovered fossil remains of wood, insects, a number
of mammal bones, rats, reptiles and birds -- all larger than
normal.  Iturralde-Vinent said that this is the first time
that fossils of insects have been found in Cuba, opening new
prospects for the further study of animals that once lived on
the island.

NATIONAL FESTIVAL TO COLLECT RECYCLABLE MATERIALS 

Havana, March 17(RHC)-- A national festival to collect
recyclable materials will take place around the island on
Saturday, the 21st.  According to the coordinator, Victor
Rodriguez, the event is in honor of the upcoming Fifth
Congress of the Committees for the Defense of the Revolution,
the CDRs.

The festival will take place Saturday morning throughout the
island's 169 municipalities.  In the capital, the main
activities will take place at Havana's Latin American Stadium. 
Havana residents can take their cardboard boxes, glass and
plastic bottles, cans and other recyclable material to the
stadium's parking lot.  

Those that contribute the most material will receive a prize
and there will also be competitions, sports activities and a
food fair.  Afterwards, the renowned musical groups Los Van
Van and Los Zafiros will offer a concert for the participants.

UNITED NATIONS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM OFFERS NEW ECONOMIC PROGRAM
FOR CUBA

Havana, March 17(RHC)-- The United Nations Development Program
(UNDP) and the Cuban government have created a new program for
macroeconomic reforms in the areas of budget planning, social
security and banking.

According to a UNDP report, personnel will be hired to manage
various key State institutions, among them the Central Bank
and the Ministry of Economy and Planning.  

The UNDP will offer 1.15 million dollars in funds and Norway
will donate 300,000 dollars.  Under the plan, Brazil, Mexico
and Chile will send economic experts to the island.

RELATIONS BETWEEN CUBA AND MEXICO CONTINUE TO EXPAND

Havana, March 17(RHC)-- Mexico's Ambassador to Cuba, Claude
Heller, has characterized his country's relations with the
island as "excellent."  Heller reiterated Mexico's opposition
to Washington's nearly 40 year-old blockade against the
island.  He added that Mexico approved legislation that would
defend its businesses from any action that Washington might
take against them for doing business with Cuba. 

The Mexican diplomat pointed out that during the current 
administration of President Ernesto Zedillo, relations with
Cuba have intensified and accords have been signed in the
fields of economy, education, culture and sports.  Heller
stressed that trade has increased between both nations,
placing the figure at some 350 million dollars.  

CUBAN AND PANAMANIAN COMMERCIAL EXCHANGE INCREASES

Havana, March 17(RHC)-- Commercial exchange between Cuba and
Panama grew during 1997 -- reaching nearly 200 million
dollars.  This makes Cuba rank sixth among the largest buyers
in the Colon Free Trade Zone.  

According to the Vice President of Panama's Chamber of
Commerce, Gassam Salama, business representatives from the
free trade zone have increased their visits to Cuba,
strengthening commercial ties with the island and openly
challenging the Helms-Burton Law.  The Panamanian official
stated that despite the anti-Cuba law, the island offers the
region's best guarantees.

Cuba's commercial representative in Panama, David Paulovivich,
said that Panamanian exports to Cuba this year will easily
surpass last year's figures.


           [c] 1998, Radio Habana Cuba
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