Via NY Transfer News Collective * All the News that Doesn't Fit 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, March 25, 1998. Today's stories: 1.- CUBAN PRESIDENT FIDEL CASTRO OFFICIALLY WELCOMES VISITING PRIME MINISTER OF ST. CHRISTOPHER AND NEVIS 2.- THE CUBAN REVOLUTION WILL NEVER ACCEPT CONDITIONAL AID 3.- WASHINGTON'S RECENT MEASURES DO NOTHING TO LIFT BLOCKADE 4.- EASTERN PROVINCES GETTING BACK TO NORMAL AFTER HEAVY RAINS 5.- NATIONAL UNESCO COMMITTEE OPENS IN THE CUBAN CAPITAL 6.- GOOD PROSPECTS FOR DEVELOPMENT OF GEOLOGY AND MINING 7.- CUBAN FOREIGN TRADE MINISTER VISITS TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO 8.- SOLIDARITY WITH CUBA MEETING TO TAKE PLACE IN DENMARK CUBAN PRESIDENT FIDEL CASTRO OFFICIALLY WELCOMES VISITING PRIME MINISTER OF ST. CHRISTOPHER AND NEVIS Havana, March 25(RHC)-- Cuban President Fidel Castro officially welcomed Prime Minister Denzil Douglas of St. Christopher and Nevis Wednesday morning. Following a ceremony held in Havana at the Palace of the Revolution and attended by members of the Cuban Communist Party's Political Bureau, the Cuban leader met with the visiting prime minister and began formal talks on bilateral issues. During his visit to the island -- which will extend through next Tuesday, the 31st -- Prime Minister Douglas will visit places of interest in the areas of health, tourism and agricultural production. Cuba and the Federation of St. Christopher and Nevis established diplomatic relations in May 1995. With the visit of the Prime Minister of St. Christopher and Nevis, Cuba is moving ever closer to its Caribbean neighbors. One of the first Caribbean heads of state to visit Havana was the Grenadian Prime Minister Keith Mitchell who signed several bilateral agreements with Cuban authorities during his visit last year. Soon to follow were the prime ministers of Jamaica, Percival Patterson; St. Vincent and the Grenadines, James Mitchell; and Barbados, Owen Arthur. In addition, over the past several months, the foreign ministers of Guyana, Haiti and Barbados have visited their neighboring Caribbean island. Regional analysts pointed to the fact that Cuba also re-established consular relations with the Dominican Republic within the last year -- following nearly 30 years without any formal relations. THE CUBAN REVOLUTION WILL NEVER ACCEPT CONDITIONAL AID Moscow, March 25(RHC)-- Cuban Foreign Minister Roberto Robaina, currently visiting Russia, stated that the Cuban Revolution will never accept conditional aid. Referring to the recent announcement by Washington that the U.S. would suspend several measures imposed against Cuba, Robaina said it is important to make a thorough analysis of the statement. The Cuban foreign minister told reporters in Moscow that if the White House decision helps to reduce tensions between the two countries, one could consider them as positive. But he emphasized that Cuba will study the measures carefully before making an official declaration. The Cuban foreign minister stressed that what is needed is the total lifting of the U.S. economic blockade against the island and not the so-called `easing' of restrictions. Robaina said that under no circumstances would the Cuban people accept conditions imposed upon them by Washington, pointing out that U.S. authorities themselves have clearly stated that their policy remains unchanged with regard to Cuba. WASHINGTON'S RECENT MEASURES DO NOTHING TO LIFT BLOCKADE Geneva, March 25(RHC)-- Cuba has denounced the U.S. government for adopting extraterritorial measures in an effort to tighten its economic blockade against the island. During the 54th session of the United Nations Human Rights Commission in Geneva, Cuba's Ambassador before the international body -- Carlos Amat -- emphasized that the recent measures announced by Washington to supposedly ease the blockade do nothing to lift the blockade or normalize relations between the two countries. The Cuban ambassador before the U.N. Human Rights Commission recalled that the General Assembly called on the U.S. to end its blockade of Cuba in 1992 -- and that similar resolutions have been passed by an overwhelming majority of member states for six consecutive years. Carlos Amat stressed that when Cuba refers to Washington's aggressions against the island, it is not talking in the abstract. He said that the U.S. economic war against Cuba has provoked damages amounting to more than 60 billion dollars over the past 36 years, affecting all aspects of life on the island. EASTERN PROVINCES GETTING BACK TO NORMAL AFTER HEAVY RAINS Santiago de Cuba, March 25(RHC)-- A recovery phase has been declared in Cuba's eastern province of Santiago de Cuba, following three days of heavy rains. According to Provincial President Luis Estruch Rancano, schools were reopened on Wednesday and work was begun to re-establish electricity in many Santiago neighborhoods. Drinking water has also been delivered to affected areas. Santiago de Cuba's reservoirs are currently at 92 percent capacity, which is beneficial for the province. In the provinces of Granma, Holguin and Guantanamo as well as Santiago de Cuba, the sugarcane harvest had to be suspended due to the heavy downpours. Communications and telephone lines were also affected. One person died, two are missing and over 700 homes have been severely damaged as a result of the torrential rains. Hundreds of people were evacuated in the eastern provinces. Cuba's Meteorological Institute predicts more rain for the eastern part of the island, although not as intense as in previous days. NATIONAL UNESCO COMMITTEE OPENS IN THE CUBAN CAPITAL Havana, March 25(RHC)-- On the occasion of World Water Day, a National Committee of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has been created for the International Hydrological Program, including Cuban representatives in the field. The institution administers a joint action program in decision-making on the issue of water, which is a fundamental resource for socio-economic development and the preservation of ecosystems. The President of UNESCO'S National Commission, Juana Silveira Nunez, underscored that water is life and urged the world to preserve it so that it will continue being a source of life for our children and grandchildren. Also attending the ceremony was the Director of UNICEF in Cuba, Francisco Rojas, the President of the National Institute of Hydraulic Resources and Deputy Foreign Minister Mary Florez, among others. GOOD PROSPECTS FOR CUBA'S DEVELOPMENT OF GEOLOGY AND MINING Havana, March 25(RHC)-- Cuba has excellent possibilities for the development of geology and mining, thanks to advanced technologies and the talents of over 5000 professionals and technicians in the field. The Minister of Cuba's Basic Industry Marcos Portal addressed the inauguration of the 3rd Cuban Congress of Geology and Mining, underway at Havana's International Convention Center. Some 400 delegates from 15 nations are attending the congress. Portal said that after the island's opening to foreign investment, Cuba achieved the recovery and expansion of nickel production. He pointed out that the development of new projects places Cuba among the top producers of nickel and cobalt in the world. The Minister of Basic Industry said that Cuba has signed 40 economic association contracts with foreign oil companies, covering 70 percent of what the island has offered to investors. During a workshop offered at the congress, Cuban experts presented a report on the island's exploration of gold, silver, cooper and zinc. Among the congress participants is Jesus Francisco de Albear, considered to be the dean of Cuban geologists and Antonio Nunez Jimenez, president of the island's Man and Nature Foundation. CUBAN FOREIGN TRADE MINISTER VISITS TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO Port of Spain, March 25(RHC)--Cuban Foreign Trade Minister Ricardo Cabrisas was welcomed in Trinidad and Tobago by the General Secretary of the Association of Caribbean States, Simon Molina. Diplomatic sources in Port of Spain said that Cabrisas' visit reaffirms the island's willingness to participate in regional integration. Observers recalled that Havana has diplomatic relations with all nations of the Caribbean and occupies a seat in the Association's Vice Presidency. The Association of Caribbean States is made up of 25 of the region's nations. SOLIDARITY WITH CUBA MEETING TO TAKE PLACE IN DENMARK Havana, March 25(RHC)-- Over 100 representatives from 40 European solidarity with Cuba organizations are expected to meet in Copenhagen on the 28th and 29th of this month to coordinate and strengthen support with the Cuban Revolution. A Cuban delegation headed by the President of the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples (ICAP), Sergio Corrieri, will participate in the activity. Among the meeting's objectives is an exchange between European friendship organizations with Cuba. The solidarity meeting in Copenhagen will include three commissions that will analyze activities protesting the U.S. blockade against the island and the Helms-Burton Law. [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. 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