ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, April 16, 1997 TAG: 9704160065
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-6 EDITION: METRO
Cubans plan 1st congress since 1991
MEXICO CITY - Cuba's ruling Communist Party announced plans Tuesday to hold its first major gathering since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.
Party congresses decide major policies of Fidel Castro's government and set out guidelines for the the country's future. The last congress occurred six years ago, when Cuba saw most of its socialist allies in Europe collapse.
The loss of the trading partners sent Cuba's economy into a tailspin. It hit bottom in 1993 and has gradually begun to recover, aided by once-unthinkable policies: investment from foreign capitalists, expansion of small-scale private business and a slashing of the state sector. The new congress is likely to discuss those reforms.
-ASSOCIATED PRESS
U.S. to send food aid to North Korean children
WASHINGTON - Responding to an emergency U.N. appeal, the United States announced Tuesday it will ship $15 million worth of corn to North Korea to assist children affected by severe food shortages.
State Department spokesman Nicholas Burns said the decision was not linked to a North Korean announcement, expected today, on whether to accept a U.S.-South Korean proposal to begin peace talks.
The United States plans to channel the food aid through the U.N. World Food Program, which on April 3 asked for 100,000 tons of food relief on top of an earlier request for 100,000 tons. The food should arrive in early May.
-ASSOCIATED PRESS
Iran claims to have built its first fighter jet
CAIRO, Egypt - Iran claimed Monday to have designed and built its first fighter aircraft.
Iranian radio quoted armed forces officials as saying that the aircraft was built with Iranian expertise and that it had passed its tests.
Iran developed a large arms industry during its 1980-88 war with Iraq, when it was forced to rely on its own production.
-ASSOCIATED PRESS
LENGTH: Short : 46 linesby CNB