Yahoo! April 13, 2001
China's Leader Begins Stay in Cuba
By Anita Snow, Associated Press Writer.
HAVANA, 13 (AP)- Embraced by Fidel Castro (news - web sites) upon his
arrival, Chinese President Jiang Zemin (news - web sites) started out on a warm
note during his visit to Cuba, Beijing's only communist ally in the Western
Hemisphere and a strong supporter during its diplomatic flap over a U.S. spy
plane.
President Castro greeted a smiling Jiang at the steps of the Air China jet
on Thursday afternoon. Neither president spoke with reporters before they left
in a Mercedes sedan for an official greeting ceremony.
A written statement by Jiang that was distributed later to journalists did
not mention the standoff that erupted between Beijing and Washington earlier
this month after an American spy plane and a Chinese fighter jet collided over
the South China Sea.
Instead, Jiang praised Cuba for being the first Latin American nation to
establish diplomatic relations with communist China 41 years ago.
"The Chinese government attaches importance to its ties with Cuba,
supports the just struggle of Cuba in maintaining state sovereignty and national
independence and opposing against outside interference and threat,'' the
presidential statement said.
Before leaving Brazil for Cuba on Thursday morning, Jiang made no comment on
the end of the standoff with the United States.
China on Wednesday released the U.S. plane's crew, 11 days after their plane
landed on Hainan island, but said it would hold the plane pending further talks.
China's state-run Xinhua news agency reported that while on a stop Wednesday
in Montevideo, Uruguay, Jiang said, "The incident has not been fully
settled.''
The visit to Cuba was Jiang's second since assuming power in 1993. Castro
last visited China in 1995.
Cuba, a former Soviet ally, began looking to China for help with its
struggling economy after the Soviet collapse a decade ago.
Castro's brother and designated successor, Gen. Raul Castro, Cuba's defense
minister, visited Beijing in 1997 and high-ranking Chinese military officials
visited Cuba in December.
Cuban Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque last week praised China's economic
success, saying its achievements "constitute proof of the potential and the
advantages of socialism.''
Trade between China and Cuba amounted to $314 million last year. Its most
visible signs are the thousands of Chinese bicycles that circulate on the
island.
Both nations are trying to line up support, especially in Latin America,
just days before the United Nations (news - web sites) Human Rights Commission
in Geneva is to vote on the rights records of China, Cuba and other countries.
In a statement on Jiang's visit to Cuba, the international group Human
Rights Watch charged both governments with rights abuses, including arbitrary
detentions and restrictions on freedom of expression.
Monaco Opens Consulate in Cuba
HAVANA, 12 (AP) - Prince Albert of Monaco on Thursday opened the tiny
principality's first consulate in Cuba, saying he hoped to help bolster foreign
investment by his citizens here and increase cultural relations between the
countries.
Albert arrived Monday for a five-day visit to discuss sports and other
programs between Monaco and Cuba.
His host for the visit has been Vice President Jose Ramon Fernandez,
president of Cuba's Olympics Committee. Albert heads the Olympics committee in
his country, is a delegate to the International Olympics Committee and has
competed in every Winter Olympics as a bobsledder since 1988.
Albert is next in line for the throne of Monaco, a five-square-mile
principality on France's Mediterranean Coast.
His father, Prince Rainier, has governed Monaco for half a century. His
mother was the late American actress Grace Kelly.
Monaco's new consul in Cuba will be Jean-Pierre Pastor, president of the
Monaco real estate firm here, Real Inmobilaria. | 