BY GABRIEL MOLINA

                   FORMER U.S. President Jimmy Carter was able to satisfy his
                   desire to meet young Cubans when he visited the Social
                   Workers Training College, and was able communicate well
                   with them.

                   On the second day of his visit to the island, Carter arrived at
                   the school — situated on the coast some five kilometers east
                   of Havana, in the Pedagogical Conference Center, Cojímar
                   municipality — with his wife Rosalynn and members of his
                   entourage.

                   His hosts were youth leader Otto Rivero, Finlay Institute
                   Director Concepción Campa, and various leaders in education
                   and science.

                   Rivero, general secretary of the Young Communist League
                   (UJC), gave a detailed explanation of the cultural and social
                   programs that his organization has carried out over the past
                   few years. He mentioned the schools that have been created
                   as part of that plan; the necessary building repair work; the
                   computers and television sets installed in all the nation’s
                   schools, even in the most remote places; the inauguration of
                   an educational channel that began broadcasting on that very
                   day; the Book Fair held in the country’s main cities and
                   attended by two million people; and other aspects including
                   the reform of school class size to no more than 15 pupils.

                   The first course of the training college was inaugurated by
                   President Fidel Castro on September 10, 2000. Each school
                   term lasts six months and some 500 recent high school
                   graduates are enrolled. At the moment there are 1,907
                   students. The graduates work in communities where social
                   problems have been found, and especially with young people
                   who neither study nor work.

                   During the inauguration 16 months ago, Fidel urged the
                   students — 80% of whom are women — to study hard so they
                   can prepare themselves fully for social work.

                   Rivero invited Carter to say a few words, and the former
                   president did so in Spanish, noting that he had learned the
                   language 50 years ago at school but did not have many
                   opportunities to speak it. But he made himself perfectly
                   understood, saying that the students had a good opportunity
                   to serve other Cuban citizens, and that he would answer
                   questions in English.

                   The first of the students, Juan Ramos, asked Carter about his
                   impression of Cuba’s cultural and social program and the
                   ideas behind it. The ex-president said that he was impressed
                   with the reception he had been given by everyone in the
                   country, and particularly by Fidel Castro, and at the
                   opportunity to speak directly to the people of the island. He
                   noted that he is the first former U.S. president to visit Cuba,
                   and the U.S. media has described it as historic.

                   He explained that he had come not as a member of
                   government, but representing The Carter Center, in which he
                   and his wife have worked since he left the White House, to
                   express genuine friendship and to find out as much as he
                   could about the island.

                   He mentioned that he had met with the president, vice
                   president and various ministers, as well as with religious
                   leaders and human rights activists.

                   Carter affirmed that he had discovered here an absence of
                   illiteracy and high levels of education and medical care
                   equaled by few countries, and how that level is shared with
                   other peoples, adding that he hoped such cooperation would
                   be effected between the United States and Cuba in the
                   future.

                   He announced that he would be speaking in Spanish at the
                   university on Tuesday, May 14, and that his speech is to be
                   transmitted on television, and hopefully radio as well, and
                   that he would answer students’ questions. That would be
                   followed by attending an all-star baseball game on Tuesday
                   night, which would be very interesting given his passion for
                   baseball, adding that the two nations share a love of good
                   music and good baseball.

                   Responding to student Elizabeth Bazán’s question about his
                   tour of Old Havana, he said that everywhere he went, on the
                   street or riding in vehicles, he had received impressive signs
                   of sincere appreciation and affection.

                   The most intimate communication came with a speech by
                   young Miriam Tápanes, who talked of her school and how
                   much the experiment of 15 pupils per classroom and one
                   teacher for all subjects is appreciated, given that the staff is
                   composed of newly graduated teachers aged 18, so close to
                   them in age that it facilitates communication and is improving
                   academic ratings due to the level of confidence established.

                   Carter gazed at the speaker with an unmistakable expression
                   of affection, curiosity and admiration. The former president
                   suggested that for the next visit to the school, she should be
                   the one to explain everything, as she ratified the importance
                   of that system, which is a marvelous opportunity for a full
                   life, and a contribution to the country’s future and the
                   well-being of its citizens.

                   Finally, Marlene César, a student at the Cojímar College,
                   expressed all the students’ appreciation for Carter’s visit and
                   invited him to come back.

                   The former president gave an explanation of the workings of
                   The Carter Center for the promotion of peace, democracy and
                   human rights, and the protection of the environment, as well
                   as public health and the productivity of small farms in various
                   underdeveloped countries. Before leaving, the distinguished
                   visitor listened with pleasure to the choir conducted by Digna
                   Guerra, singing "Toma Chocolate" (Have Some Chocolate) and
                   "I Love Music," and was bade farewell with applause from the
                   students congregated in the college’s central courtyard.