[NYTr] Cuban Radar Newsbriefs - Oct 11, 2007
 
Date: Thu, 11 Oct 2007 20:54:49 -0500 (CDT)

Via NY Transfer News Collective  *  All the News that Doesn't Fit
 
Progreso Weekly - Ocy 11, 2007

Cuban Radar - Oxtober 11, 2007
A news service of Radio Progreso Alternativa's Havana bureau

* Cuba pays homage to Che
* Housing construction falls short in the capital
* Cardinal Bertone will visit Cuba

* Cuba pays homage to Che

With a number of ceremonies throughout the island, Cubans paid tribute
to Comandante Ernesto Che Guevara on the 40th anniversary of his murder
in Bolivia. 

The principal event was held Monday the 8th on Che Guevara Square in
Santa Clara, the city liberated by the forces of the mythical warrior
in December 1958. That action, which practically divided the island in
two, had a direct military bearing on the overthrow of dictator
Fulgencio Batista.

The act was presided by Cuba's acting President, Army Gen. RaC:l Castro
Ruz, and was attended by Che's relatives and leaders of the Communist
Party of Cuba and the Cuban government. 

On the same day, the national newspapers and media published a
reflection by the historical leader of the Cuban process, Fidel Castro
Ruz, in which he said: "I pause during the daily combat to bow my head,
with respect and gratitude, to the exceptional combatant ..." 

The keynote speech was delivered by Revolutionary Comandante and
Minister of Communications and Computer Sciences Ramiro ValdC)s MenC)ndez.

"Liberate the productive forces"

Referring to the debates that have begun throughout Cuban society,
Comandante ValdC)s said in Santa Clara that they are "what we expect ...
they help us to break away from inertia, dogmatism and the bureaucratic
style."

ValdC)s called on Cubans to "liberate the productive forces whenever
they are bogged down" and added that "Che and his practical,
antidogmatic sense will help us to continue seeking socialist
solutions, or [solutions] compatible with socialism, to spur the
production of foodstuffs..." 

During his important speech, ValdC)s warned against those who,
"consciously or unconsciously, stimulate discouragement, promote
bizarre theories for the solution of complex economic problems and,
worse yet, create the illusion that the historical conflict between
Cuba and the United States can be resolved by way of unilateral
concessions or the expectation of favors."

Comandante ValdC)s' entire speech can be found in "Liberate the
productive forces," Progreso Semanal blog, Oct. 9, 2007.

* Housing construction falls short in the capital

The news that the housing construction plan in Havana City is 60
percent complete was announced at a meeting of the People's Power of
Havana Province. That means it will be practically impossible to meet
the expected goal.

The reasons for the shortfall are the same that afflict the national
construction plan: a shortage of manual labor and problems with the
supply of materials. The national plan for this year envisioned the
construction of about 75,000 homes. That target will not be reached.

* Cardinal Bertone will visit Cuba

The Vatican's second-highest prelate and Secretary of State, Cardinal
Tarcisio Bertone, will visit the island soon. The news, initially
disclosed by an Italian newspaper, has been confirmed by Vatican
sources. In Havana, people close to the Roman Catholic Archdiocese do
not deny the report.

Although the dates have not been officially published, analysts believe
that the visit will coincide with the 10th anniversary of the visit
that the late Pope John Paul II made to Cuba in January 1998. According
to the Agence France-Presse, the visit will last from Jan. 21 to Jan.
26, 2008.

Speculation now focuses on whether Cardinal Bertone, 72, will be
received by Cuban leader Fidel Castro. "Very likely, yes," said a
diplomatic source who asked for anonymity.

The Roman Catholic Church and the Cuban state are going through a
period that lacks confrontation and abounds in the willingness to find
points of cooperation. 

                                 *
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