Cuba and Senegal to Strengthen Cooperation in Sports

HAVANA, Cuba, Dec 7 - Senegalese Sports Minister Faustin Diatta arrived in Cuba with the purpose of signing the first bilateral cooperation agreement in this sphere.

The visitor was welcomed at Havana’s José Marti International Airport by the Vice- president of Cuba’s Sports Institute (INDER), Alberto Juantorena.

During his stay, which will end on Wednesday, Diatta will hold talks with leaders of the Institute and of the National Committee of the Young Communists League, and will visit sports schools and institutions.

A young Senegalese is studying at the International School for Physical Education and Sports located in the municipality of San José de las Lajas, on the outskirts of Havana, from where another three have graduated; and a Cuban trainer of athletics is currently offering his services in Senegal.

Senegal is located in West Africa. It’s bounded by Mauritania to the north, Mali to the east, Guinea and Guinea- Bissau to the south, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west.(acn)

Literacy Campaign Advances in Angola with Cuba’s Help

HAVANA, Cuba, Dec 7 - Cuba’s support for the teaching of basic literacy to thousands of Angolans was highlighted during a meeting in Luanda between leaders of the South African country and a Cuban delegation.

The Secretary for Political and Social Affairs of the Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) in that capital expressed his appreciation for the gesture of the Caribbean island of sending advisers to carry out this task, the Prensa Latina news agency reported.

Joana Quintas, first secretary of the MPLA in Ingombota, referred to the educational experiences they have acquired, and informed that, in two years, 108,000 adults of this municipality will learn how to read and write by way of the Cuban method Yes I Can.

Participating in the meeting were ambassador Pedro Ross; the third secretary of the diplomatic mission, Rosa Fonseca; and deputy Luis Ramirez, representing Cuba.

Ross expressed that the fruit of the literacy campaign are the best tribute to the internationalists that died in defense of Angola’s independence.

On this date of 1989, the mortal remains of Cubans who fell in combat in Angola, Ethiopia and other African nations were buried in pantheons built in their municipalities of origin, in ceremonies held simultaneously throughout the island.

The national mourning ceremony took place at the mausoleum of El Cacahual, where Commander in Chief Fidel Castro and Angolan President Jose Eduardo dos Santos addressed participants.(acn)

South Africa Increases Financial Links with Cuba

HAVANA. Cuba, Dec 7- South African President Jacob Zuma announced on Tuesday the granting of a new credit line of 220 million rands (30 million dollars) to Cuba, a country he described as an ally of the entire African continent.

While closing the Cuba-South Africa Business Forum, held for two days at Havana’s Hotel Nacional, Zuma also announced the extension of credit guarantees to the value of 70 million rands, which will back South African exports to the island.

In addition, he also announced South Africa’s willingness to support Cuba with 14 million rands worth of seeds and fertilizers, in order to contribute to the island’s agricultural development.

The head of state said he was pleased because the main business organizations of his country were represented in the forum, to talk about and explore possibilities of trade between the two countries, in a way that bilateral economic bonds can be strengthened.

He expressed the gratitude of his government and people for the support given by the islandin the offering of essential services to the South African people, by way of programs in the fields of health, social development, housing and public infrastructure.

He also expressed his appreciation for the presence of over 400 Cuban professionals, among them architects, engineers and physicians, who’re now offering their services in communitiesof that African country.

Ricardo Cabrisas, Vice-president of the Council of Ministers, stated that those working inthe economic sphere in the two countries are responsible for creating favorable conditions to materialize the objectives agreed in this meeting.

Cabrisas highlighted the absolute willingness of the Cuban party to progress in the deepening, strengthening and diversification of economic bonds between Cuba and South Africa.

Also participating in the ceremony were Estrella Madrigal, president of the Chamber of Commerce of the Republic of Cuba; Rodrigo Malmierca, Minister for Foreign Trade and Investment, and Robert Davis, South Africa’s Minister of Commerce and Industry. (acn)

Ricardo Alarcon Ends Fruitful Visit to France

HAVANA, Cuba. Dec 7- Cuban Parliament President Ricardo Alarcón ended on Tuesday a fruitful visit to France, after carrying out a series of activities on his long agenda, which included a meeting with the president of the Senate, Gerard Larcher.

His last activity in Paris was a meeting with a dozen senators of different political affiliation, in which members of the Upper House of the ruling Union for a Popular Movement (UMP), the Socialist Party (PS), the Communist Party (PCF) and the Left Party (PG), as well as non-attached legislators, participated.

Alarcon spoke animatedly with the legislators, who were headed by socialist Senator Bernard Piras, president of the France-Caribbean Friendship Group, the Prensa Latina news agency reported.

The two parties welcomed with great enthusiasm the resumption of cooperation relations by way of an agreement recently signed in Havana, and expressed ideas to boost bonds at parliamentary level and between the peoples of the two countries.

The Cuban Parliament President updated his interlocutors on the situation of Washington’s blockade against the island, and gave a detailed explanation on the case of the five Cuban antiterrorist heroes incarcerated in the US for 12 years now.