First Cuban cosmonaut receives award from Russian government

First Cuban cosmonaut receives award from Russian government
by Staff Writers
Havana, Cuba (XNA) Apr 29, 2011

The visiting vice leader of the Russian State Duma Wednesday conferred the "Russian Order of Friendship" on Arnaldo Tamayo Mendez, the first Cuban and Latin American cosmonaut.

The award, granted by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, "reflects the great contribution of Tamayo to the relations between both nations, as the first cosmonaut of the island-nation and as the president of the parliamentary group 'Cuba-Russia Friendship,'" said Ivan Melnikov, vice president of the Russian Duma.

The Russian parliamentary leader said both countries are closely linked by their historical friendship, highlighting the former Soviet Union's support for the Cuban Revolution.

Cuba and Russia are celebrating two important jubilees this year: the 50th anniversary of Yuri Gagarin's space flight, the first human being to journey into outer space, and the Cuban victory over the CIA invasion at the Bay of Pigs.

More:
http://www.space-travel.com/reports/First_Cuban_cosmonaut_receives_award_from_Russian_government_999.html

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http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=103x600511