Cuban vice-president arrives in Addis Ababa
December 17, 2007

Addis Ababa, December 17, 2007 (Addis Ababa) - Cuban Vice President, Esteban Lazo Hernandez arrived in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia late on Sunday.

Senior government officials including Minister of Defense, Kuma Demeksa, and Cuban diplomatic mission in Addis Ababa welcomed the Vice President upon his arrival at the Addis Ababa Bole International Airport.

Kuma said on the occasion Ethiopia will never forget the martyrs of the Cuban nationals during the Ethio-Somalia war in 1977. The Ethio-Cuban bilateral cooperation was cemented with flesh and blood, the minister said.

Hernandez , who is also Secretary of the Ministers� Council Executive Committee, on his part said he feels proud and honored to realize that Cuban martyrs is well remembered by the Ethiopian government and its people.

Cuba is always desirous to bolster bilateral ties with Ethiopia to a higher level, he said.

The Vice President is to inaugurate the �Ethiopian and Cuban Friendship Monument and Park� which is constructed to commemorate the sacrifices of Cuban soldiers for the sovereignty of Ethiopia.

He is also expected to meet and confer with President Girma Woldegiorgis, Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, and other senior government officials on bilateral issues.

The Vice President is scheduled to have fist-hand information on Ethiopia�s ongoing development activities.

Cuba: Politburo Member Esteban Lazo in Ethiopia
Unattributed report: "Cuban Vice President Esteban Lazo in Ethiopia"
Granma
Monday, December 17, 2007

ADDIS ABABA, December 16.-- Cuban Vice President Esteban Lazo and his delegation arrived Sunday to the Ethiopian capital for an official visit.

Lazo was welcomed at the Addis Ababa Airport by Defense Minister Kuma Demeksa, reported Prensa Latina.

Lazo will be on hand for the inauguration of a park-monument dedicated to the Cubans who died serving in Ethiopia.

The Cubans will also hold talks with top authorities of the country and visit places of historic interest.

Upon his arrival, Lazo said that it was an honor to visit Ethiopia and participate at the inauguration of the monument, which he called a lasting symbol of the friendship between the two peoples.

"It's a gesture that reaches the heart of every Cuban," said Lazo when thanking the Ethiopian government and people.

Defense Minister Demeksa recalled that Lazo had placed the first stone of the monument at the beginning of its construction.

The official said the site is not only dedicated to the Cuban combatants who died, but also seeks to build ties of eternal friendship among the new generations with feelings of patriotism, and sweat and blood.

(Description of Source: Havana Granma in English -- Official daily of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba. Internet: http://www.granma.cubaweb.cu/)
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