Radio Havana Cuba-18 December 2000 Via NY Transfer News * All the News That Doesn't Fit Radio Havana Cuba - News Update - 18 December 2000 . *FIDEL CASTRO OFFICIALLY INAUGURATES JOINT VENTURE ENERGAS PLANT *BURUNDI'S MINISTER FOR FOREIGN RELATIONS AND COOPERATION VISITS CUBA *WORKING COMMISSIONS WIND UP DISCUSSIONS PRIOR TO PARLIAMENTARY SESSIONS *WEB SITE ON THE 1961 BAY OF PIGS INVASION *SUSPICIOUS LEGAL MANEUVERS TO RELEASE TERRORISTS IN PANAMA . *FIDEL CASTRO OFFICIALLY INAUGURATES JOINT VENTURE ENERGAS PLANT Matanzas, December 18 (RHC)-- Cuban President Fidel Castro officially inaugurated the ENERGAS plant and the Cardenas-Matanzas oil pipelines on Sunday, located in Matanzas province. The Cuban leader stated that the installations are an example of what is currently being done to improve the island's economy. The plant -- which produces electricity, gas, sulfur and solvents -- is a Cuban-Canadian joint venture with high-level technology, all in compliance with environmental protection. Speaking to the workers of the ENERGAS plant about the island's energy situation, the Cuban leader pointed out that the country's oil production has already reached the figure of three million tons, adding that next year it will reach four million. President Fidel Castro added that the Cuban-Canadian plant is of great importance. He said it shows us the way we should go to continue producing electricity -- something that is decisive for the economic and social development of the country. The Cuban president also inaugurated the Cardenas-Matanzas oil pipelines -- with an extension of 75 kilometers and a capacity of up to two and a half million tons of heavy oil a year. *BURUNDI'S MINISTER FOR FOREIGN RELATIONS AND COOPERATION VISITS CUBA Havana, December 18 (RHC)-- Burundi's Minister for Foreign Relations and Cooperation, Severin Ntahomuvukiye, is currently visiting the island. On Monday, the Burundi official placed a floral wreath before the monument of Cuba's National Hero, Jose Marti.Cuban Deputy Foreign Minister Jose Guerra Menchero accompanied the African nation's foreign minister. The Burundi foreign minister arrived in Havana Sunday night. During his stay, he will meet with Cuban Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque and other government officials. *WORKING COMMISSIONS WIND UP DISCUSSIONS PRIOR TO PARLIAMENTARY SESSIONS Havana, December 18 (RHC)-- Ten working commissions of the Cuban Parliament will wind up two days of meetings and exchanges prior opening parliamentary sessions, scheduled to begin on Thursday in the Cuban capital. The working sessions included discussions about life on the island, the Cuban economy, press and communications. During Thursday's Parliamentary sessions at Havana's International Convention Center, parliamentarians will discuss and approve the guidelines for the 2001 economic and social budget. Cuban Deputy Foreign Minister Jorge Bolanos told reporters on Sunday that the island has diplomatic relations with 171 countries, with 101 missions abroad. Speaking before the Cuban Parliament's International Relations Commission, Bolanos emphasized the importance of the island's membership in the Africa, Caribbean and Pacific Group, the ACP -- which enjoys a privileged economic relationship with the European Union. Bolanos stressed this year's victory at the United Nations General Assembly when the U.S. blockade against the island was condemned by 157 of its member nations. The Cuban official said that this was a good example of the international community's condemnation of Washington's anti-Cuba policies. *WEB SITE ON THE 1961 BAY OF PIGS INVASION Havana, December 18 (RHC)-- An interactive Web site on the 1961 Bay of Pigs invasion has been inaugurated in Havana. The event was part of activities to commemorate the 40th anniversary of that crucial episode in the history of relations between the United States and Cuba. The Web site includes full information on the mercenary invasion and Cuba's defense operations, as well as videos, photos and interviews with some of those involved from both sides. It also includes a call on experts and officials in the United States and Cuba, who were involved in the historical circumstances that led to the Bay of Pigs invasion. They have been invited to participate in a scientific conference entitled "Giron: 40 Anos Despues" ("Bay of Pigs: 40 Years Later"), to be held March 20th through the 25th here in Havana. The Web site address is: www.playagiron.cu. Jose Ramon Fernandez, President of the Organizing Committee of Activities on the 40th Anniversary of the Bay of Pigs Invasion, explained that the interactive Web site is the result of the joint work of four Cuban institutions: Cuba's History Institute, the Center for Studies on the United States, the State Security Research Center and the Center for Studies on the Americas. Fernandez, who is also vice president of the Cuban Council of Ministers, stressed that press access during the special conference in March will depend entirely on the U.S. side, since Cuba has nothing to hide. Viewpoint: *SUSPICIOUS LEGAL MANEUVERS TO RELEASE TERRORISTS IN PANAMA Attorneys who have been hired by the ultra right-wing Cuban-American National Foundation -- the infamous terrorist organization based in the Miami -- are maneuvering to get the release of Luis Posada Carriles and his accomplices. The terrorists are still being held in Panama City, accused of plotting an attempt on the life of Cuban President Fidel Castro. The members of the terrorist commando were planning to use powerful C-4 explosives to blow up an auditorium at the University of Panama. It was there that Fidel Castro was scheduled to speak the next day. The leader of the Cuban Revolution was in Panama at the 10th Ibero-American Summit held on November 17th and 18th. The terrorists were arrested by Panamanian authorities shortly after the Cuban president revealed the plot against his life. Given the weight of evidence against Posada Carriles, it is questionable whether or not he and his accomplices will be released. He has admitted numerous terrorist actions against Cuba, as well as against Sandinista Nicaragua -- carried out during the administration of former U.S. President Ronald Reagan. No doubt Posada Carriles is expecting to get "a little help from his friends" in high places in Washington and Miami. He got some help back in 1985, when he walked away from the Venezuelan prison in which he was locked up. He had been imprisoned for being the mastermind behind the sabotage bombing of a Cuban airliner that caused the death of 73 people in 1976. It would not be very difficult for those who helped him escape from prison in Caracas to do a repeat performance in Panama. Posada Carriles' attorney, Rogelio Cruz, recently invented the ridiculous story that Cuban authorities had "set a trap" for this group of terrorists, with alleged information about an important Cuban security official who was trying to desert during the Ibero-American Summit. The "information," of course, was completely false. It is difficult to predict how this process will turn out. The future for Posada Carriles does not only depend on Panamanian authorities, in which we have total confidence. It also depends on the den of spies who are well-served by the United States for their clandestine operations. If the terrorists manage to escape from Panama, justice for those who were killed at the hands of the likes of Posada Carriles will once again be thwarted. (c) 2000 Radio Habana Cuba, NY Transfer News. 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