Honduras Names Ambassador to Cuba

[Judi Lynn]

Honduras Names Ambassador to Cuba
Thursday March 1, 2007 5:46 AM

TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras (AP) - Honduras named its first ambassador to Cuba in 45 years on Wednesday, completing the restoration of diplomatic ties with communist-run island that were severed during the Cold War.

``Today, we have sealed our relationship with Cuba,'' said President Manuel Zelaya following a two-hour meeting with visiting Cuban Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque. Zelaya announced that Juan Ramon Elvir will be sent to Havana as Honduras' ambassador.

Honduras broke off diplomatic relations with Havana in 1962, when Cuba was expelled from the Organization of American States. It renewed formal relations with the island in January 2001, but did not name an ambassador until now.

In recent years, some ties between the two countries - like medical services - have increased. About 340 Cuban doctors have served in this Central American country, and around 500 Hondurans study medicine in Cuba.
(snip/)

http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,,-6448388,00.html

[John Q. Citizen]

1. Wow, this is amazing. Another brick in the wall crumbles.

From the link in the OP

``Today, we have sealed our relationship with Cuba,'' said President Manuel Zelaya following a two-hour meeting with visiting Cuban Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque. Zelaya announced that Juan Ramon Elvir will be sent to Havana as Honduras' ambassador.
- snip

[roody]

2. Hooray for Honduras.

Cuaba might send them something better than Negroponte.

[Judi Lynn]

4. Oh, yeah! Chances are, right? Right-wing Presidents have totally screwn U.S. foreign policy. n/t

[Judi Lynn]

3. Cuban foreign minister, in Honduras: Castro could return soon

Thursday, March 1, 2007
Story last updated at 5:15 p.m. on Thursday, March 1, 2007

Cuban foreign minister, in Honduras: Castro could return soon

By FREDDY CUEVAS
Associated Press Writer

TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras - Fidel Castro is recovering from his illness and "could return to work soon," Cuban Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque said Thursday.

Perez Roque and Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, a close friend of Castro who visited the communist leader recently in Cuba, have said repeatedly that Castro is improving after gastrointestinal surgery in July.

The foreign minister's comments follow a growing number of positive assessments about Castro's health from officials and family members.

National Assembly President Ricardo Alarcon also indicated recently that Castro could eventually return to some kind of public leadership role but without spending "so many hours making appearances and visits."

"We are optimistic because Fidel has won" the fight against his illness "and could return to work soon," Perez Roque told a news conference on Thursday, the second day of a two-day visit to Honduras aimed at strengthening bilateral relations and signing cooperation agreements for health and education.
(snipo/...)

http://www.jacksonville.com/apnews/stories/030107/D8NJKUHG0.shtml