BBC News Online.
Wednesday, 13 December, 2000, 12:58 GMT
Russian President Vladimir Putin will shortly begin a visit to Cuba, where
he is hoping to forge a new relationship with the communist island.
Mr Putin, the first Russian president to visit Cuba since the collapse of
the Soviet Union a decade ago, is expected to discuss trade and ways to settle
the island's debt with Russia.
He is scheduled to meet President Fidel Castro, who is said to be planning a
grand reception.
Earlier this week, the Russian president described Cuba as "an old
friend and faithful partner", and lamented that the two countries were not
as close as they once were.
He also emphasised that his interest was in seeking practical business
deals, rather than an ideological agenda.
Soviet projects
"Unfortunately for us, in the years when our economic contacts
collapsed, many important aspects of our mutual activity where squandered,"
Mr Putin told Russian and Cuban reporters.
"And the position of Russian enterprises were taken by foreign
competitors," he added.
Russian trade with Cuba is estimated at just under $1bn per year, less than
a third of what it was at the time of the Soviet collapse.
Among other business deals, Mr Putin is expected to promote his country's
participation in completing the construction of Soviet-era projects, such as the
Las Camariocas nickel plant and the Cienfuegos oil refinery.
Another issue believed to be on the agenda is Cuba's estimated $11bn debt
with Moscow.
Spy visit
Presidents Putin and Castro are scheduled to meet on Thursday morning.
Mr Putin is later expected to meet other officials before a ceremony at
Cuba's monument to the Unknown Soviet Soldier.
Some reports suggest the Russian head of state will also visit a Russian
electronic station outside Havana which is used to spy on the United States.
Mr Putin will spend the weekend at the beach resort of Varadero on a private
break, before travelling on to Canada. | 