Roundup: Carter Receives Highest-Level Reception in Cuba

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Tuesday, May 14, 2002

Roundup: Carter Receives Highest-Level Reception in Cuba

Former US President Jimmy Carter has received the highest-level reception in Cuba since his landmark six-day visit to the Caribbean island nation started on Monday.

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Former US President Jimmy Carter has received the highest-level reception in Cuba since his landmark six-day visit to the Caribbean island nation started on Monday.

Carter, the U.S. president who made more progress than any other in easing tensions with Cuba, is the first former or sitting U.S. head of state to come to the island since the success of Fidel Castro's revolution in 1959.

When the U.S. delegation arrived, Cuban President Castro went to Havana's international airport to meet his U.S. guest and his entourage. He escorted Carter and his wife Rosalynn to a wooden podium where flags from the two nations flew side by side, while both national anthems were played. They both made brief statementsat a welcoming ceremony.

Castro promised him "complete access" to any Cuban biotechnology labs and contact with any people, including religious figures.

Carter's visit has come one week after U.S. Undersecretary of state John Bolton said that Cuba is seeking to develop biological weapons. Castro rejected those claims as "lies" in a speech Fridayand challenged the United States to provide evidence. After Cartervisited a major laboratory Monday, the Center of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology on the outskirts of Havana, he assured that Cuba is no involved in bio-terrorism and it "only hasan impresive and wonderful compromise with scientific development."

Castro said Carter, who oversaw the re-establishment of diplomatic exchanges between the two countries and made it possible, for a short time, for Americans to travel to Cuba freelyduring his presidency in 1977-1981, had proved his sincerity in the past.

"A man who, in the middle of the Cold War and from the depth ofan ocean of prejudice, misinformation and distrust ... dared to try to improve relations between both countries deserves respect,"Castro said.

"You can express yourself freely whether or not we agree with part of what you say or with everything you say. You will have free access to every place you want to go. We shall not take offense at any contact you may wish to make," he added.

After the arrival ceremony, Castro joined the Carters in a black Soviet-made Zil limousine donated to Cuba by Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev in the mid-1970s. The vehicle is used only for themost distinguished guests.

On Sunday night, Castro, who is often dressed in his olive green uniform, wore a dark suit when playing host to Carter and his delegation at talks and a dinner in the Palace of the Revolution.

Speaking in Spanish at the airport, Carter said there were "differences on some of these issues" with Cuban leaders, "but we welcome the opportunity to try to identify some points in common and some areas of cooperation."

He said: "We come here as friends of the Cuban people and we hope to meet many Cubans from all walks of life."

Carter, an opponent to the U.S. blockade policy towards Cuba, has emphasized that his visit is private and that he will not be negotiating with the Cuban government. He said earlier that he came not to change the Cuban government or its policy, but to explore common points that both countries are interested in and seek improvement of bilateral relations.

Ties have remained cool as a 43-year U.S. trade embargo is still in effect and visits to the island by Americans are tightly limited.

But analysts here say that Carter's visit would be of great significance in promoting bilateral exchanges and visits by Americans to Cuba, though it is hard to detect substantial improvements in political relationships in the short term.

During his stay in Cuba, Carter has met with Castro and ForeignMinister Felipe Perez Roque for talks. He is to make a televised address Tuesday at Havana University and meet with religious figures on Thursday.

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