Post by RedFlag32 on Jan 10, 2008 20:32:54 GMT
Brazil to invest in Cuba, Castro-Lula meet unsure
BRASILIA, Jan 10 (Reuters) - Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da
Silva will visit Cuba next week offering investments, but Fidel
Castro's health makes a meeting between the two uncertain, Lula's
spokesman said on Thursday.
Castro has only appeared in videos and photographs since undergoing
emergency stomach surgery in July 2006, when he handed power to his
brother, Raul.
With Fidel Castro's full condition a state secret, it is unclear
whether the 81-year-old will resume office.
Both leaders intend to meet, but because of Castro's health the
encounter could not be confirmed, Marcelo Baumbach, presidential
spokesman, told a news conference.
"It is very likely that the meeting will happen, everybody wants it
to happen ... but at this moment it's necessary to hear the opinion
of the physicians," Baumbach said.
He described Lula is a close friend of Castro.
Some of Lula's closest allies were exiled in Cuba during Brazil's
1964-1985 military dictatorship.
The Brazilian government wants to increase credit lines to Cuba for
food imports as well as investments in industrial, agriculture and
infrastructure projects, including the modernization of its hotel
industry.
Also on the agenda is a framework agreement for cooperation with
Brazil's state-controlled oil company Petrobras , including the
construction of a lubricants plant and oil drilling in the Gulf of
Mexico, Baumbach said.
Petrobras is expected to train Cuban personnel and offer aid in
refining and research.
Lula, who will be accompanied by several ministers as well as the
head of Petrobras, is due to arrive on Monday and spend 24 hours on
the Caribbean island.
He will also meet with acting President Raul Castro and National
Assembly President Ricardo Alarcon.
Lula will participate in the swearing-in ceremony of Guatemalan
President Alvaro Colom on Monday. (Reporting by Raymond Colitt)
BRASILIA, Jan 10 (Reuters) - Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da
Silva will visit Cuba next week offering investments, but Fidel
Castro's health makes a meeting between the two uncertain, Lula's
spokesman said on Thursday.
Castro has only appeared in videos and photographs since undergoing
emergency stomach surgery in July 2006, when he handed power to his
brother, Raul.
With Fidel Castro's full condition a state secret, it is unclear
whether the 81-year-old will resume office.
Both leaders intend to meet, but because of Castro's health the
encounter could not be confirmed, Marcelo Baumbach, presidential
spokesman, told a news conference.
"It is very likely that the meeting will happen, everybody wants it
to happen ... but at this moment it's necessary to hear the opinion
of the physicians," Baumbach said.
He described Lula is a close friend of Castro.
Some of Lula's closest allies were exiled in Cuba during Brazil's
1964-1985 military dictatorship.
The Brazilian government wants to increase credit lines to Cuba for
food imports as well as investments in industrial, agriculture and
infrastructure projects, including the modernization of its hotel
industry.
Also on the agenda is a framework agreement for cooperation with
Brazil's state-controlled oil company Petrobras , including the
construction of a lubricants plant and oil drilling in the Gulf of
Mexico, Baumbach said.
Petrobras is expected to train Cuban personnel and offer aid in
refining and research.
Lula, who will be accompanied by several ministers as well as the
head of Petrobras, is due to arrive on Monday and spend 24 hours on
the Caribbean island.
He will also meet with acting President Raul Castro and National
Assembly President Ricardo Alarcon.
Lula will participate in the swearing-in ceremony of Guatemalan
President Alvaro Colom on Monday. (Reporting by Raymond Colitt)