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Fidel Castro Welcomes Japanese Envoy
Cuban President Fidel Castro met Thursday in Havana with former Japanese Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto shortly after his arrival on the Caribbean island for a three-day visit.
During the meeting, Hashimoto, acting as a special envoy of the Japanese government, expressed his wish that the contacts between the two countries in the past few years could further contribute to the strengthening of bilateral ties.
The former Japanese executive chief (1996-98) said he has always wanted to visit Cuba and wished to personally thank Castro for his mediation in the raid of the Japanese embassy in Peru in 1997.
He said "it was a very difficult moment for my government" and President Castro offered his mediation, which "was seen as a gesture of great value."
Regarding the deadly September 11 terrorist attacks on the United States, the Japanese special envoy reiterated his solidarity with the families of the victims, saying that it was a painful experience because 20 Japanese nationals died in those strikes.
Hashimoto took advantage of the occasion to make it clear that his country is strongly opposed to every form of terrorism.
Meanwhile, Hashimoto expressed the interest of his country in continuing to strengthen relations with Cuba, not only in the area of economics, but also in politics, culture and sports.
Hashimoto was set to visit the old part of Havana and the Morro- Cabana tourist resort on Thursday.
On Friday, Hashimoto will meet with Vice President of Cuba's Council of State Carlos Lage, Cuban Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque, and the Minister of Government Ricardo Cabrisas, among other senior officials.
Cuba and Japan established diplomatic relations in the early 1900s and severed their ties during World War II, from 1941 to 1951.
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