SPECIAL REPORT FROM RADIO HAVANA CUBA Monday, March 9, 1998 E-mail: rhc@radiohc.org http://www.radiohc.org US EXECUTIVES CONCLUDE 1998 US-CUBA BUSINESS SUMMIT Radio Havana Cuba / English Language Service A group of some 50 business executives from the United States traveled to Cuba last Friday, March 6th, for the final stage of what organizers called the 1998 US-Cuba Business Summit. The visitors arrived in Havana from Cancun, Mexico, where they had spent a day of conversations and contacts with Cuban economic officials. In the Cuban capital, the group listened to presentations on the Island's reality by Parliament President, Ricardo Alarcon, Foreign Investment and Economic Cooperation Minister, Abraham Ferradaz, and Tourism Minister, Osmany Cienfuegos. The visit was organized by the Washington-based Alamar Associates, headed by Kirby Jones. During the debates in Havana, Kirby Jones asked Alarcon to comment on the claim that the least Cuba wanted was the lifting of the blockade. Part of the Jones-Alarcon exchange was as follows: Kirby Jones: "There is an argument in many circles in the United States, made by many people, that the Cuban government and Fidel Castro need the embargo, want the embargo, as an excuse for the "failures of the Cuban economy..." It might be useful, I think, if you could respond..." Ricardo Alarcon: "Thank you, Kirby, I really love that question..." Kirby Jones: "Makes me very happy, thank you..." Ricardo Alarcon: "Really, because I would be extremely happy if we could really turn the discussion about the embargo to that point, if we could convince the supporters of the embargo in the US, those trying not only to maintain it but to expand it. If we were able to convince them that the embargo may be in our interest, we could reach the point where your side would finally lift the embargo... Let's not quarrel about the hypothetical speculation as to what the real interests of the Cubans or the Americans are; let's try lifting it. If you have any doubts, please convince your people in Congress and in the Administration to try it." Alarcon challenged the US government to lift the embargo for just one year. He reflected, though, that lifting of the measure would create a sort of paradox. Ricardo Alarcon: "The lifting of the embargo would, on the one hand, facilitate Cuba's dealings with others. But at the same time, it would create the conditions to introduce the US as an economic force in the Cuban market. It's clear that although you have here the presence of other actors, the entrance of the US, for example, tourists... the tourism industry in Cuba has been developing with a lot of European, Canadian and Latin American visitors. It could be assumed that, if there were no interdiction, US tourists would be the largest group... It would be the same in my opinion in other economic areas." Former US Congressman Sam Gibbons also took the floor: Sam Gibbons: "My name is Sam Gibbons, and this lady sitting next to me here is my wife of 52 years. We live just about 300 kilometers from here, in Tampa, Florida, and this is our first visit to Cuba. Our parents used to come here; our friends used to come here; my constituents had much business here; and I never got here because I was to busy raising children and trying to make a living, until "Manana," and "Manana" was too late...I have followed the progress in Cuba... "When I landed out at Jose Marti Airport I was reminded of the fact that Jose Marti before my time used to come to my city and raise money for the Cuban revolution, and I think Castro came there, too, to do the same thing... But you know, sometimes in the past you've scared the hell out of us. In 1962, I lived very close to Tampa Bay, and I lived very close to MacDill Field, and the Russian missiles were here, and so you know our relation has been a little rocky... "I've been in the Congress for 34 years; I'm the only member of the Florida delegation that did not vote for Helms-Burton; I believe in engagement; I believe it's time for a change; I'm associated with Americans For Humanitarian Trade With Cuba." Former US Congressman Sam Gibbons also said he was ready to spend time trying to convince the White House and the Congress that it was time for a change toward Cuba. But, he said, Cuba should come up with some kind of overture to the US. To this, Ricardo Alarcon responded that Cuba being the victim should not be also subjected to conditions. Alarcon noted that the only way to settle US-Cuba differences was through respect for each nation's sovereignty and independence. Another member of the US business delegation that traveled to Havana Friday, March 6th, was William Lane, president of the organization USA Engage. William Lane: "First of all, on behalf of Caterpillar, and also on behalf of the USA Engage, we would like to thank you for your hospitality. USA Engage is a coalition of 670 American businesses that like you are very concerned about the proliferation of US unilateral sanctions and believe in engagement and multilateral action as a much more effective policy. "After this conference, after the conference in Cancun, it became very evident there's change in the air; we can all taste it. We are hopeful, especially after the editorial recently in the Miami Herald calling for a new policy toward Cuba. We are exited that the American business community is firmly opposed to the current policy of isolation and containment toward Cuba and ready to embrace a policy of engagement. We're encouraged by actions that have occurred prior and after the Pope's visit. We also realize that it is not just public opinion that brings about change--it takes leadership. "And we are looking for signs in Cuba but also in Washington that there could a dialogue at the highest level to promote change... We believe that as a first step, there should be an exchange of people, an exchange of tourists, students, an open dialogue." Most of the visitors' statements and questions to the Cuban side pointed to the growing sentiment of rejection of the US blockade against Cuba. They also showed the concern that exists among US business executives that they might be losing what some regretted to admit as unrecoverable ground in the Cuban market. Among the US companies that were represented in the delegation that travel to Cuba Friday was not only Caterpillar, but also Texaco, Mobil Oil and others. During a recess in the debates, RHC asked Kirby Jones, the president of Alamar Associates, and the organizer of the mission, what his impressions of the session in Cuba were: Kirby Jones: "It's been a terrific meeting." RHC: "How was the day in Mexico?" Kirby Jones: "We had a full day in Mexico, with presentations by Jose Luis Rodriguez, by Francisco Soberon, lots of questions and answers. And I think we covered a lot of good information." The crowd in Havana Friday included not only US businessmen but also US businesswomen. An elegantly dressed young executive representing a large US corporation asked that her name and that of her organization be withheld, and called the US blockade against Cuba a self-embargo: US businesswoman: "I think for many sectors in the United States economy it is unfortunate that they've been denied the opportunity to sell into the Cuban market, while their competitors in sectors in other countries have been free to do so for years. It is an embargo on US companies and US workers and the US economy." Cuban and US business representatives spent the early afternoon Friday in bilateral private encounters. Then, at five o'clock, they were treated to more Cuban hospitality, when they were the guests of an official farewell reception, which was also attended by President Fidel Castro. The US visitors left Cuba on the night of Friday, March 6th, the same day they had arrived on the Island. [c] 1998, Radio Habana Cuba All rights reserved Articles cannot be reproduced, reprinted or published in any system without the consent of RHC. This prohibition includes the distribution of this material via Usenet News, "bulletin board" services, e-mail lists, print media, radio and television. For the complete RADIO HAVANA CUBA NEWSCAST and other features, please write for our daily broadcast schedule. We welcome your comments and suggestions. 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