Cuba on CNN

[Sid Shniad <shniad@xxxxxx>]

CNN, the Only U.S.-Based News Organization In Cuba, to Air First
Special from Havana Rare and Exclusive Interviews Highlight Half-Hour
Special "Cuba: The Struggling Revolution" Airs Wednesday, Oct. 8, 6:30-
7 p.m. (ET)
	CNN, the only U.S.-based news organization with a bureau in
Cuba, will air its first special from that country on Oct. 8. Havana bureau
chief and the network's senior Latin American correspondent Lucia
Newman will anchor the half-hour special, "Cuba: The Struggling
Revolution," beginning at 6:30 p.m. (all times Eastern) which airs on
the day Cuba's long ruling Communist Party convenes.
	The special looks at the state of Cuba today as the country
struggles with its identity and survival. Included in the special is a
rare interview with Cuban Vice President Carlos Lage and the
first-ever television interview with Manuel Pineiro, alias "Red
Beard," who was instrumental in Cuba's support for revolutionary
groups around the world. Pineiro talks for the first time about his
comrade in arms and revolutionary icon Che Guevara.
	In addition to Newman, Miami bureau chief John Zarrella and
national correspondent Larry Woods contribute reports to the special.
	In addition to the Lage and Pineiro interviews, other reports in
the program will include:
	* The revolution: Newman takes an in-depth look at the state of the
revolution with a look at the history of the revolution including the
involvement of Che Guevara and a present-day look at Cuban President
Fidel Castro.
	* Cuba's economy: Newman reports on the country's attempt to
develop a new economy designed to deal with the many challenges facing
the island nation today.
	* U.S. embargo: Newman looks at the effect the U.S. embargo is
having on Cubans getting medical supplies and food stuffs.
	* Passion and politics: From daily conversations held with
Cuban-Americans, Zarrella explains how a small but influential lobby
group is largely responsible for shaping much of Washington's foreign
policy toward Cuba.
	* From the heartland: Woods travels to small towns in central Cuba
to see if people there believe the revolution is living up to its
promises.
	CNN was granted permission by both the U.S. and the Cuban
governments to operate a bureau in Havana earlier this year. CNN
opened its bureau there on March 11.
	Newman has been the Havana bureau chief since March. Prior to
her responsibilities there, Newman served as the CNN bureau chief in
Mexico City since 1993. She has also been CNN bureau chief in
Santiago, Chile (1989-1993), Managua, Nicaragua (1985-1989) and
Panama City (1987).
	Woods traveled to Cuba in 1996 with baseball great Hank Aaron to
report on Cuba's unparalleled passion for baseball which aired as part
of CNN Presents...CUBA's BOYS OF SUMMER.
	Zarrella has reported from Cuba numerous times, most recently in
July where he filed several reports from that country.
	CNN International (CNNI) will also air "Cuba: The Struggling
Revolution," at 10:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. on Oct. 8. It will also
replay the special on Thursday, Oct. 9 at 12:30 a.m.