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 Friday, March 27, 1998. Today's stories: 1.- AS LONG AS THE U.S. BLOCKADE STANDS, CUBA WILL NOT ACCEPT HUMANITARIAN AID FROM WASHINGTON THROUGH RELIGIOUS GROUPS 2.- SOUTH AFRICAN PRESIDENT NELSON MANDELA REMINDS VISITING U.S. PRESIDENT CLINTON THAT FIDEL CASTRO WAS THERE FIRST 3.- THERE CAN BE NO HOPE FOR CHANGE AT UNITED NATIONS UNTIL WASHINGTON'S ARROGANCE IS CURBED 4.- ARGENTINA PLEDGES SUPPORT TO HELP CUBA REJOIN ORGANIZATION OF AMERICAN STATES 5.- UPCOMING SUMMER WILL BE BUSY FOR CUBA SOLIDARITY ACTIVITIES 6.- U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES APPROVES NEW, HOSTILE MEASURES AGAINST CUBA 7.- ANGOLAN SCIENTIFIC DELEGATION VISITS THE ISLAND 8.- GEOLOGY AND MINING CONGRESS WINDS UP IN HAVANA 9.- NEW DOMINICAN CONSUL ARRIVES IN THE CUBAN CAPITAL AS LONG AS THE U.S. BLOCKADE STANDS, CUBA WILL NOT ACCEPT HUMANITARIAN AID FROM WASHINGTON THROUGH RELIGIOUS GROUPS Rome, March 27(RHC)-- Cuban Foreign Minister Roberto Robaina was received by Pope John Paul II on Friday at the Vatican. The private audience with the Pope lasted 20 minutes and afterwards the Cuban foreign minister spoke with the Vatican's Secretary of State Cardinal Angelo Sodano. Following the meetings, Cuba's top diplomat told reporters that he thanked the Pope for his recent, successful visit to Cuba. Robaina said that Pope John Paul II was extremely cordial and expressed his special appreciation for Cuban President Fidel Castro's kind attention during his visit. Regarding the issue of humanitarian aid, the Cuban foreign minister stated that as long as the U.S. blockade against the island stands, Cuba will not accept humanitarian aid from Washington funneled through religious organizations. Roberto Robaina stated that when the blockade is ended, there would be no need for humanitarian aid to Cuba. The Cuban foreign minister also commented on recent press reports that U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright supposedly gave the Pope a list of prisoners that Washington wanted released. The U.S. official met with the Pope on Tuesday. Robaina stated that he was not shown the alleged list and further asserted that Cuba and the Vatican do not need intermediaries. Rejecting what he called "an attempt to interfere in the good relations between Cuba and the Vatican," the Cuban foreign minister said that Cuba has not sought mediation by the Vatican, although he was not sure if others had requested it. SOUTH AFRICAN PRESIDENT NELSON MANDELA REMINDS VISITING U.S. PRESIDENT CLINTON THAT FIDEL CASTRO WAS THERE FIRST Capetown, March 27(RHC)-- South African President Nelson Mandela met Friday in Capetown with visiting U.S. President Bill Clinton. The two leaders visited Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela spent more than 18 of the 27 years he was imprisoned during the apartheid regime. During a joint news conference with Clinton, the South African president strongly defended his country's ties with Libya, Iran and Cuba -- considered enemies of the United States. Nelson Mandela referred to the assistance given by Cuba and other countries during the struggle against apartheid. He also reminded Clinton that one of the first leaders he invited to South Africa after becoming president was Fidel Castro. Addressing the South African parliament earlier in the day, the U.S. president recognized that his country had differences with South Africa, but fell short of admitting that the United States was on the wrong side during the struggle against apartheid. Shortly before Clinton's arrival, African Vice President Thabo Mbeki rejected the so-called "trade for aid" policy that Washington is promoting. At the same time, the South African Communist Party, staunch allies of the ruling African National Congress, stated that the U.S. should recognize its past mistakes with regard to Washington's support of the apartheid regime. THERE CAN BE NO HOPE FOR CHANGE AT UNITED NATIONS UNTIL WASHINGTON'S ARROGANCE IS CURBED Geneva, March 27(RHC)-- The United Nations Human Rights Commission will never be able to progress toward a new spirit of accomplishment while the United States continues in its self-proclaimed role of supreme ideological authority. According to the head of Cuba's delegation to the U.N. commission in Geneva, Carlos Amat, Washington feels free to punish smaller nations or hand-out so-called `certifications' to those countries with which it has differences. Amat, speaking at the 54th session of the U.N. Human Rights Commission, said that recent declarations about Cuba by Washington's representative -- Bill Richardson -- were made "just like a judge passing sentence against a condemned criminal." The head of the Cuban delegation affirmed that until U.S. arrogance is curbed, there can be no hope for positive change in the United Nations. ARGENTINA PLEDGES SUPPORT TO HELP CUBA REJOIN ORGANIZATION OF AMERICAN STATES Buenos Aires, March 27(RHC)-- Argentina will support Cuba's re-incorporation into the Organization of American States (OAS). In an interview granted to the Buenos Aires daily "El Clarin," Argentina's Ambassador to the OAS Alicia Martinez Rios stated that the issue of Cuba will probably be raised during the upcoming meeting scheduled to take place in Venezuela in June. She affirmed that Cuba's re-entry into the regional body -- in her words -- "is in the air and could be brought up at any time." Martinez Rios admitted that before the January visit to Cuba by Pope John Paul II, Cuba's admission into the Organization of American States "would not have been viable." Although Argentina will now give its support to the proposal -- promoted by Mexico and Canada, as well as other member-states -- the issue will be the subject of debate due to strong opposition from Washington. UPCOMING SUMMER WILL BE BUSY FOR CUBA SOLIDARITY ACTIVITIES Havana, March 27(RHC)-- Major activities in solidarity with Cuba are being planned in the upcoming months by the Institute of Friendship with the Peoples (ICAP). During a news conference Thursday afternoon in Havana, it was announced that during July and August this summer, the Cuban capital will be the site of numerous conferences, seminars and meetings between activists from around the world. Representatives from solidarity groups in the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico will meet during the last part of July, coinciding with the arrival of the 8th U.S.-Cuba Friendshipment, sponsored by Pastors for Peace. The U.S. religious/solidarity organization is planning the largest ever humanitarian aid caravan and has already begun collecting donations. During the news conference yesterday, it was announced that the First U.S.-Cuba Friendship Conference will take place from July 28th through the 30th. The call for the solidarity conference was signed by many prominent U.S. personalities, including the Reverend Lucius Walker, head of Pastors for Peace; renowned writer Alice Walker; film director Francis Ford Coppola and former boxing champ Mohammed Ali. U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES APPROVES NEW, HOSTILE MEASURES AGAINST CUBA Washington, March 27(RHC)-- The House of Representatives approved new, hostile measures against Cuba Thursday evening. The new measures include extraterritorial threats against third countries that help in the construction of the Juragua nuclear power plant. According to the legislation, the United States would be prohibited to give aid to any country that provides credit or assists in the construction of the plant, located in the central province of Cienfuegos. The bill, promoted by right- wing forces in the U.S. Congress, specifically targets Russia. During the debate on Capitol Hill, one congressional representative -- Republican Dana Rohrabacher -- stated that all assistance to Moscow must be cut-off if Russia continues to help Cuba build the nuclear power plant. In addition, the legislation passed in the House of Representatives requires at the U.S. State Department provide an annual report to Congress listing those countries that provide assistance to Cuba. It also provides for a regular report on foreign companies that do business in Cuba and also have offices in the United States. According to backers of the legislation, this will compel the Clinton administration to fully enforce the Helms-Burton Law. ANGOLAN SCIENTIFIC DELEGATION VISITS THE ISLAND Havana, March 27(RHC)-- Angolan Science and Technology Minister Francisco Mbegai is in Havana for a four-day official visit. Mbegai, who is heading the Angolan delegation, said that his visit is aimed at strengthening relations with his Cuban counterparts. The Angolan delegation will also tour scientific and higher education facilities and continue work on joint projects. According to the Angolan official, Cuban professionals have great prestige internationally. GEOLOGY AND MINING CONGRESS WINDS UP IN HAVANA Havana, March 27(RHC)-- A mining law was approved during the 3rd Geology and Mining Congress which took place at Havana's International Convention Center. The workshop included the participation of the National Office of Mineral Resources of Cuba's Basic Industry Ministry and the island's Science, Technology and Environment Ministry. The participants discussed the advantages of the new law for the development of the mining industry on the island. This new mining law will guarantee the previous authorization for any mining projects to take place on the island in an attempt to avoid risks in the irrational exploitation of the island's mineral resources. Another interesting issue that was discussed during the Geology Congress was the environment which is contemplated in the new mining law. The participants reiterated the importance of studying the land and its resources for the protection of the environment. Over 400 delegates from 15 countries participated in the event. NEW DOMINICAN CONSUL ARRIVES IN THE CUBAN CAPITAL Havana, March 27(RHC)-- The Dominican Republic's new consul, Grecia Pichardo Polanco, has arrived in Havana to begin her official diplomatic functions. In statements to reporters, Pichardo Polanco said that she is honored to be the new Dominican consul in Havana. She said that her mission, has an historic significance for the Cuban and Dominican people. The Dominican diplomat said that diplomatic relations between both Caribbean nations were broken since 1959, but that informal ties in a number of fields always existed. The Dominican consul in Havana said that her first job will be to comply with the bilateral migratory accord signed between both nations and that she will work to strengthen the already existing relations in the fields of health, education, sports, culture and trade. The Cuban Consulate in Santo Domingo was inaugurated last December 23rd with its Consul Miguel Perez Cruz. [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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