Radio Havana Cuba, Monday, March 15, 1999 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 Monday, March 15, 1999. Today's stories: 1.- TRIAL PROCEEDINGS BEGIN AGAINST SECOND SALVADORAN ACCUSED OF TERRORISM 2.- PRISON SENTENCES ISSUED AGAINST FOUR CUBANS CHARGED WITH SEDITION 3.- SEVENTH CONGRESS OF UNION OF CUBAN JOURNALISTS CONTINUES IN HAVANA 4.- CUBAN MINISTER OF FOREIGN INVESTMENT AND ECONOMIC COOPERATION VISITS CANADA 5.- PREPARATIONS FOR MAY DAY CELEBRATIONS IN CUBA 6.- INVESTMENTS IN CUBA INCREASE DESPITE HELMS-BURTON LAW 7.- POPULAR CUBAN MUSICIANS ON U.S. TOUR TRIAL PROCEEDINGS BEGIN AGAINST SECOND SALVADORAN ACCUSED OF TERRORISM Havana, March 15(RHC)-- Trial proceedings began today against Salvadoran citizen Otto Rene Rodriguez Llerena, who pleaded guilty to two counts of terrorism. Rodriguez Llerena is accused of placing an explosive device in the lobby of the Melia-Cohiba Hotel in Havana on August 3, 1997 and of attempting to smuggle explosives into Cuba on June 10, 1998, when he was captured. In an opening statement, the accused begged forgiveness from the Cuban people and admitted that he was directly recruited by Cuban-American terrorist Luis Posada Carriles. Posada Carriles was involved in the sabotage of a Cuban civilian airliner in 1976, which blew-up shortly after take-off from Barbados, killing all 73 passengers aboard. During last week's trial against Raul Ernesto Cruz Leon, the prosecution presented abundant evidence concerning the involvement of Posada Carriles and the Miami-based Cuban- American National Foundation in a terrorist campaign against the island. Prosecutors are requesting a 30 year prison sentence against Rodriguez Llerena. Another three Guatemalans were also arrested in Havana and accused of forming part of a Central American terrorist network that was responsible for a wave of bomb attacks against Cuban tourist facilities in 1997. On Saturday, Cuban national television transmitted nearly ten hours of the final day of court proceedings against Cruz Leon, who faces a possible death penalty. PRISON SENTENCES ISSUED AGAINST FOUR CUBANS CHARGED WITH SEDITION Havana, March 15(RHC)-- Judicial authorities in Cuba have issued prison sentences against four Cubans recently tried on charges of sedition. Earlier this month, prosecutors presented evidence demonstrating that Vladimiro Roca Antunez, Feliz Bonne Carcasses, Beatriz Roque Cabello and Rene Gomez Manzano worked hand-in-hand with the enemies of the Cuban Revolution in efforts to destablize the nation, at the same time that Washington's anti-Cuba campaign was intensified against the island. Facing a possible six years in prison, Vladimiro Roca received a five year sentence. Felix Bonne and Rene Gomez were each given four years in prison and Beatriz Roque received three and a half years. During the trial, evidence pointed to the relationship of the accused not only with the head of the U.S. Interests Section in Havana and with those who support the anti-Cuba Torricelli and Helms-Burton Laws, but also with Cuban-Americans who have engaged in terrorist actions against the Cuban Revolution. SEVENTH CONGRESS OF UNION OF CUBAN JOURNALISTS CONTINUES IN HAVANA Havana, March 15(RHC)-- The 7th Congress of the Union of Cuban Journalists has extended its sessions until Tuesday in the Cuban capital. The meeting was slated to wrap up Sunday night, but participants asked that the sessions continue for another two days in order to leave no stone unturned in the effort to bring Cuban media in line with current technology and make it better fit to weather the ideological war waged by Washington against the island. More than 200 delegates representing the Union of Cuban Journalists island-wide have been debating ways to make the press and electronic media more effective amid the complex situation in which Cuba has to strive to overcome its economic crisis and continue its quest to build a better society. Sunday's session was dedicated to debates on how to improve journalist training centers on the island. Top on Monday's agenda: editorial policies, relations with media sources and the need to bring news reporting closer to the needs of the people. Delegates argued that the dissemination of truth should be pursued with creativity, in depth reporting and an acceptable and attractive fashion. Cuban President Fidel Castro, the President of the Cuban Parliament Ricardo Alarcon, government ministers, trade union leaders and other personalities are attending the Cuban Union of Journalists 7th Congress. They have paid close attention to delegates' statements and pitched in their ideas and suggestions to enrich the debates. CUBAN MINISTER OF FOREIGN INVESTMENT AND ECONOMIC COOPERATION VISITS CANADA Ottawa, March 15(RHC)-- Cuba's Minister of Foreign Investment and Economic Cooperation, Ibrahim Ferradaz, is currently in Canada as part of a tour of several cities. The objective of the visit is to strengthen business contacts and promote investment on the island. The Cuban delegation will participate in conferences and seminars on business opportunities in Cuba, including trade and investments, which will be held in Ottawa, Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal. PREPARATIONS FOR MAY DAY CELEBRATIONS IN CUBA Havana, March 15(RHC)-- At least one million Cuban workers, students, campesinos, housewives and children will take part in International Workers Day celebrations May 1st at Havana's Plaza de la Revolucion. The announcement was made by Lena Margarita Sarda, General Secretary of the Cuban Workers Confederation in Havana, during its first preparatory meeting in the Cuban capital. The Cuban official pointed out that this May Day will be dedicated to the 60th anniversary of the Cuban Workers Confederation and the 40th anniversary of the Cuban Revolution as well as the signing of the first Agrarian Reform Law, in May 1959. INVESTMENTS IN CUBA INCREASE DESPITE HELMS-BURTON LAW Havana, March 15(RHC)-- According to a specialist on U.S. Affairs from Cuba's Parliament, Miguel Alvarez, three years after the approval of the anti-Cuba Helms-Burton Law, the island's economy is slowly recovering in all sectors, including foreign investment. While the Cuban official stressed that this process is not exempt from difficulties, 40 percent of the foreign investment on the island has been achieved after the approval of the Helms-Burton Law in March 1996. Miguel Alvarez pointed out that the extraterritorial law has provoked international condemnation against Washington's policies toward Cuba. Official statistics indicate that despite the Helms-Burton Law, 364 economic associations have been created with foreign capital and there are currently promotion and protection agreements with 36 countries. POPULAR CUBAN MUSICIANS ON U.S. TOUR New York, March 15(RHC)-- Washington's blockade against Cuba and its intention to tighten that blockade with the Helms-Burton Law has not stopped Cuban musicians from successfully performing in New York and other U.S. cities, as in the case of groups like Barbarito Torres and Adalberto Alvarez. According to reports from New York City, both musical groups attracted thousands during their first performance at Hostos Community College in the Bronx -- part of a series of concerts called "Cuba Popular" which began last week in the United States. The renowned Cuban musicians have been invited to attend a private Oscar Awards party in Los Angeles and will later travel to Miami and Puerto Rico for concert engagements.  [c] 1999, Radio Habana Cuba All rights reserved Articles cannot be reproduced, reprinted or published in any system without the consent of RHC. 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