News Archives - Page 1213 of 1362

Raul Castro, Catholic Leaders Meet

Cuban President Raul Castro’s meeting with two representatives of the Catholic Church hierarchy represents a recognition of the latter’s role as an interlocutor in the discussion of the island’s present and future, affirmed Cardinal Jaime Ortega, Archbishop of Havana, in a press conference. Although the prelate admitted that there was no commitment on the government’s part to resolve questions such as the release of political prisoners, he described this first meeting and the following as “an open road with perspectives and hopes.”

Dissidence Proposes New Country Project

Representatives of the Cuban opposition presented in the island’s capital a “national refoundation” project under the name of Nuevo País (New Country), which will be proposed to the citizenry for its signing and later delivery to the National Assembly. The initiative, made known by Manuel Cuesta Morúa, of Arco Progresista, rests on pillars such as the defense of individual rights, pluralism, cultural and identity diversity, market economy, policies of distributive equity and social protection networks.

US-Cuba Collaborate to face Oil Slick

US and Cuban specialists are exchanging information in Havana on the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico with the aim of confronting this disaster’s possible consequences on the environment, informed Virginia Staab, spokesperson for the US State Department. She said that her government wants to maintain “a clear line of communication” on the matter with Havana.

Cuba’s New Ag Plan – Few Real Reforms

Cuba’s strategy to boost production and reduce imports of food is intended to untangle the bureaucratic knots that hinder privately-run farms, responsible for 70 percent of the food on the country’s dinner tables.

Cuba Campaign against Homophobia

The Week against Homophobia should extend the whole year, only in this way will homophobics get used to the idea of coexisting with diverse sexual orientations. And gradually true acceptance will come.

More Religious Faiths in Cuba

Interest in religion is on the upsurge in Cuba, indicated by the growth and variety of the faiths being practiced as well as by the ease with which people participate in more than one spiritual community at a time.

Struggle Against Homophobia Takes to the Streets

“Governments cannot wait for a social consensus in order to guarantee respect for people’s rights,” Mariela Castro, head of Cuba’s National Centre for Sex Education (CENESEX), told IPS on the occasion of the International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia in Cuba Monday.

Cuba’s Produce Market Maze (II)

Fifty one years after the Cuban Revolution the challenge of providing a sufficient amount of quality farm products for the island’s population has yet to be met. In this part two, and in a previous article, Cuba’s Produce Market Maze (1), a Havana Times contributor speaks with farmers and vendors to take a look at the current issues.

Gov. opens public trans to private initiative

The Cuban government handed over small public transportation buses in the capital to be managed by the persons who drive them, in another gesture of opening to the private sector in services, until now under State control, reported the accredited press in the island. The measure follows that of the creation of cooperatives in barbershops and beauty parlors, and taxi rental.

Cuba says Spain is “valid interlocutor”

Spain is a “valid interlocutor” in Cuba’s dialogue with the European Union, affirmed the island’s foreign minister, Bruno Rodríguez, in statements to the press in Madrid. Rodríguez also affirmed that his government “does not recognize the European Union any moral authority to deal with questions of human rights” in the Caribbean country.