Rosa E. Simeon, 61; on Cabinet in Cuba

HAVANA -- Rosa Elena Simeon, Cuba's minister of science, technology and environment, died Friday night after a prolonged illness, state television reported. She was 61.

Ms. Simeon was a ranking member of Cuba's political elite, serving on the Communist Party's ruling Central Committee and on the Council of State, the island government's executive body.

Mrs. Simeon also was a deputy in Cuba's National Assembly and sat on the national committee of the Federation of Cuban Women.

Holding doctorates in medicine and veterinary sciences, Ms. Simeon had served as Cuba's minister of science, technology, and environment since the Cabinet post was created in 1994.

Before that, she had headed Cuba's Academy of Sciences since 1985.

Among her chief concerns were environmental protection and educating Cubans to care about the land, water, and air.