From: NY Transfer News <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Date: Sun, 13 May 2001 16:13:22 -0400 (EDT)
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: [CubaNews] Fidel Arrives in Qatar
Via NY Transfer News * All the News That Doesn't Fit
[This writer manages to imply that Fidel's visit was not only accompanied
by high security, but that it was also somehow kept a big secret, although
it was covered by the international mainstream press before the trip began,
and even though Cuban Flags and "Welcome Fidel" signs were put up the day
before Castro arrived! The really interesting aspect of this part of Fidel's
foreign trip is not that his arrival wasn't greeted with a 21-gun salute,
but that he was invited at all to Qatar, whose government is in such a
tight embrace with Uncle Sam. -- NY Transfer.]
Sunday May 13 8:48 AM ET (via Yahoo)
Castro Arrives in Qatar
By ANWAR FARUQI, Associated Press Writer
DOHA, Qatar (AP)--Fidel Castro arrived Sunday in Qatar, the Cuban leader's
last stop on a four-nation tour to bolster relations with countries in the
Arab world and Asia.
The three-day visit, the first to a Gulf nation by the communist leader,
will cover bilateral relations, especially in economic, health, athletic and
scientific fields, according to diplomats.
Unlike his reception in Algeria, Iran and Malaysia, Castro's arrival in
Qatar was without much fanfare, and amid the tightest security seen on this
tour.
Qatar is a staunch ally of the United States, which maintains a small
military base in this tiny but wealthy Gulf nation. There have been several
assassination attempts on Castro during his 42-year rule, for which Cuba
blames the United States.
The Cuban leader's travel schedule rarely is announced in advance because of
security reasons. The only sign that he was due in Qatar were welcome boards
in Arabic and Spanish. Cuban and Qatari flags went up Saturday in the
capital's main streets, including a five-mile stretch of Doha's seaside
boulevard.
Hours before Castro's arrival, police patrols began roaming the street from
the airport to the city, not allowing cars to park. Foreign journalists were
not allowed at the airport or the palace where Castro and his delegation
were to be welcomed.
For at least part of his visit, Castro will be without his host, Qatar's
emir Sheik Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, who will be attending a one-day
regional summit of the Gulf Cooperation Council in nearby Bahrain.
Castro is expected to hold his first round of talks with Sheik Hamad early
Monday, then visit the giant Ras Laffan gas complex. Qatar has one of the
world's largest reserves of natural gas.
Castro has chosen countries with strategic importance for his visit: Iran,
Algeria and Qatar are rich in energy reserves, and Malaysia's Petronas is a
leading regional player in oil-industry technology.
Access to energy is a leading economic and domestic issue for Cuba, which
once relied heavily on the former Soviet ally for fossil fuels. In recent
years, Cuba has increased its oil and gas production for domestic
consumption, but it remains dependent on fuel imports.
In addition, Iran currently heads the G-77, a grouping of developing
countries, and Qatar heads the Organization of the Islamic Conference.
Castro, 74, is bolstering relations with old and new allies in the Arab
world and Asia, part of his drive to form political and financial
partnerships with developing nations since the 1991 fall of the Soviet
Union.
Qatar and Cuba established diplomatic relations in 1994. Cuba opened its
embassy in Doha the same year; the officials said Qatar is planning to do so
in Havana in two to three months. Qatar's emir visited Cuba in September.
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