CUBAN DELEGATES TO SPEAK AT COMMUNITY FORUM IN RICHMOND

RICHMOND WELCOMES CUBAN DELEGATES ON FIRST OFFICIAL VISIT TO CALIFORNIA Signing of Sister City Agreement Heralds New Era In People to People Diplomacy Diplomatic history will be made in Richmond, California with the arrival of the first official delegation from its Sister City Regla, Cuba for an eight-day, city-to-city visit. The delegation includes Mr. Francisco Hernandez Barcelo, the Mayor of Regla, and Dr. Raul Genaro Gil Sanchez who will be joined by Mr. Jose Luis Noa, an official from the Cuban Interest Section in Washington, D.C. Never before has an official delegation from a Cuban city visited a city in California or on the West Coast for official business. "This visit heralds a new era in people to people diplomacy," said Richmond's new mayor, Irma L. Anderson. "We are truly breaking new ground in friendship and cooperation between our peoples." ------------------------------------------- Community Forum, Monday 12/10 Date: Tue, 4 Dec 2001 From: Juan Reardon December 4, 2001 RELEASE IMMEDIATELY CONTACT: Linda Harris, City of Richmond, (510) 620-6515 Tarnel Abbott, Richmond Public Library (510) 620-6562 CUBAN DELEGATES TO SPEAK AT COMMUNITY FORUM IN RICHMOND Delegates from Richmond's Sister City in Cuba to address community at the Richmond Public Library. The Richmond-Regla Frindship Committee invites the public to a free COMMUNITY FORUM with Cuban delegates from Richmond's Sister City, Regla on Monday, December 10, 2001, from 7:30-9:30 pm at the Richmond Public Library, Madeline F. Whittlessey Community Room, 325 Civic Center Plaza, in Richmond. Speakers will include Mr. Francisco Hernandez Barcelo, the Mayor of Regla, and Dr. Raul Genaro Gil Sanchez . Mr. Jose Luis Noa, an official from the Cuban Interest Section in Washington, D.C. will also be in attendance. This is an opportunity for the community to dialogue with the members of the Cuban delegation. The community Forum is in addition to the formal reception and signing of the Sister City Agreement on Tuesday, December 11, 2001 from 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm in the Richmond Memorial Auditorium Lobby, 403 Civic Center Plaza, followed by a welcome ceremony at the Richmond City Council meeting at 7:00 p.m., City Council Chambers, 2600 Barrett Ave, 3rd. floor. The Richmond-Regla Friendship Committee has worked to gather funds through donations from private citizens, and musical/cultural benefits to cover the travel and other expenses of the Cuban delegation. For further information visit the groups's website at http://www.richmondregla.org. Contact Linda Harris, City of Richmond at (510) 620-6515 or Tarnel Abbott, Richmond Public Library (510) 620-6561.