Tanzanian Newspaper Asks Obama to Free the Cuban Five

HAVANA, Cuba.The Tanzanian English newspaper, The African, published an article on the case of the five Cubans unfairly imprisoned in the US.

The author of the article, Philbert Kawezi, gives an overview of the tangled judicial process against the Five in Miami and argues that every just person should demand a new trial outside of Florida and call for the immediate and unconditional releases of these five men.

The article asks US President Barak Obama to grant a fair trial for the Cuban Five and makes a call to the international community to support the cause.

Internationally known as the Cuban Five or the Miami Five, Antonio Guerrero, Fernando Gonzalez, Gerardo Hernandez, Ramon Labañino and Rene Gonzalez have been imprisoned for more than 10 years now after they warned their country about terrorist actions being organized and carried out by anti-Cuban groups in Florida.

Kawezi says the Five, like so many other Cuban soldiers, doctors, teachers, builders and consultants who have helped Africa, are a part of Africa: "We can not ignore the call of our liberators."

(Piden en Tanzania a Barack Obama que libere a los Cinco)

Cuba-Guinea Bissau Joint Commission Meeting Concludes in Bissau

HAVANA, Cuba. Guinea Bissau Foreign Minister Maria Adiatu Nandigna spoke at the closing of the 14th Cuba-Guinea Bissau Joint Commission meeting that took place at the Foreign Ministry in the African nation.

Maria Adiatu Nandigna highlighted the achievements of the previous commission and reaffirmed the political will of both countries to extend cooperation to other spheres.

During her speech before members of the government and representatives from the press, the minister was categorical in reaffirming her country's condemnation to the US blockade against Cuba and its demand for the immediate release of the five Cuban antiterrorists unjustly incarcerated in US jails.

Maria Adiatu Nandigna repeated her government's unconditional support of Cuba and promised to continue seeking bilateral, trilateral and multilateral formulas that allow for the fulfilment of commitments agreed on during this meeting.

She sent greetings to Cuban president Raúl Castro and wished long life to revolutionary leader Fidel Castro.

Cuban Vice Minister Ramón Ripoll said that despite its financial limitations Cuba continues to be ready to support Guinea Bissau in its development program.

Ripoll thanked the government of Guinea Bissau for its political stance, in support of Cuba in its struggle against the US blockade and in favor of the release of the five Cuban antiterrorist fighters unjustly imprisoned in US jails since 1998.

Also attending the meeting were Cuban Ambassador Pedro Doña and Guinea Bissau Ambassador Abel Coehlo.


(Concluye Comisión Mixta Cuba-Guinea Bissau)

Edwin Colon Zayas Receives Cubadisco Special Prize

HAVANA, Cuba. Puerto Rican musician Edwin Colon Zayas said the greatest recognition of his career has been the Cubadisco Special Prize for his album Reafirmación presented on Saturday at the Cuban recording industry's annual awards ceremony in Havana.

Edwin Colon Zayas, accompanied by the Cuban National Symphonic Orchestra, performed a special concert of Concierto Criollo composed by Puerto Rican Ernesto Cordero.

"I always feel very good in Cuba where I can share with friends and musicians who feel the musical roots of our people in the same way I do," Edwin Colon Zayas told the press.

Edwin Colon Zayas has recorded several albums and is considered one of the greatest purveyor's of Puerto Rico's national instrument, the cuatro , which owes its name to the four-string original version of the guitar-like instrument.

Reafirmación, on the Colon Zayas label, is a good example of traditional Puerto Rican music with genres that run from the mazurka and pasillo to the guaracha jibara.

During his stay in Havana, Edwin Colon Zayas will share the stage with Cuban tres player Pancho Amat and his Cabildo del Son band. He will also take part in a workshop on Monday with Cuban children's theater company La Colmentia and traditional Cuban singer Alexis Díaz Pimient.

(Intérprete puertorriqueño elogia valores del folclor de Cuba)