We are extremely worried about getting to Cuba first when Castro dies. Will more troops be brought in to await this transition? Also the Chinese have a listening post on Cuba I am sure we would like to get rid of as soon as possible.
He did not mince his words, arguing that the United States must be prepared to intervene within hours of Castro's death to prevent his compinches — his accomplices — from cementing their hold on power. #msg-2991903
"China appears to be interested in doing business in this hemisphere but there is no economy in Cuba to speak of," said the official, who asked not to be identified. "Our guess is that the Chinese, too, appear to be positioning themselves for the inevitable transition. One would be a fool to invest in Cuba for any other reason."#msg-4891967
A new committee headed by Secretary of State Colin Powell to prepare the United States for a post-Castro Cuba is likely to recommend additional initiatives by May that officials said aim to "hasten transition" to a democratic society.
"Everything is on the table" except for military action, said a State Department official who asked to remain anonymous. "We're thinking right now about ways that we can hasten transition. And that means helping the people and not the regime. Or even helping the people and hurting the regime."#msg-2740981
I do not know if cyanide is the only ‘wmd’ that can be made by the chemicals Iran is shipping to Cuba. I saw Iran, chemicals and Cuba in one text and thought where can you go with this?
Here is a more definite text.
After reading this if Iran has wmds so does Cuba. Cuba may have even given some to Iran. Biotechnology is involved in this alliance so the list of potentially lethal agents has lengthened. You can probably see the horror better than I.
-Am
Iran grants Cuba 20-million euro credit • Plant under construction in that Asian country to manufacture a Hepatitis B vaccine, Interferon, Streptokinase and human Erythpoyetine with Cuban technology • Cooperation with Cuba to be diversified and extended starting this year, as the Iranian ambassador in Cuba informs this weekly
BY RAISA PAGES—Granma International staff writer—
WHILE a plant is under construction in Iran to produce vaccines and medicines with Cuban technology, the island is very interested in that Asian country’s experiences in the rational use of water, among other contributions via the established cooperation between the two nations.
"There is no doubt that Iran is determined to strengthen its economic relations with Cuba and there are many interesting areas in which to cooperate," affirmed Mr. Ahmad Edrisan, ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran .
He confirmed that economic cooperation between the two nations is to be diversified and extended to a notable degree starting this year. The Iranian ambassador conceded an interview to Granma International on the 10th Cuba-Iran Joint Commission.
"In discussions between the delegations we have made concrete the most propitious areas for economic cooperation and strengthened banking relations," he noted.
"The Central Bank of Cuba already has agreements with the Iran Development Bank, which will facilitate trade between the two countries.
Iran is to give Cuba a credit of 20 million euros, which could be increased with projects and cooperation.
The ambassador stated that his country has announced its disposition to help Cuba in oil pumping developments now that new reserves of this resource have been found.
Although economic cooperation currently covers agriculture, water usage, medicines, biotechnology and sports, this exchange is to be much expanded..
Mr. Ahmad Edrisan reviewed bilateral relations, which he qualified as excellent, and recalled President Fidel Castro’s visit to Iran in 2001.
There were many delegation exchanges between the two nations in 2004, which provided a better knowledge of realities on both sides.
"We consider that the 10th Cuba-Iran Joint Commission is complementary to that process of exchanging delegations to date and now we would like those areas of cooperation to be made concrete," he added.
The Iranian agricultural minister is heading the 25-person delegation from different agencies and ministries in that country currently in Cuba for the joint commission.
The volume of trade between Cuba and Iran in recent years has oscillated between $20 and $30 million but there is much capacity between the two nations to raise that," he observed.
Given its scientific developments in biotechnology, Cuba is supplying Iran with vaccines against Hepatitis B and other successful medicines like Interferon and Erythropoyetine, at a cost of $15 million per year.
A plant is currently under construction in that country for the manufacture there with Cuban technology of the Hepatitis B vaccine, Interferon, Streptokinase (utilized in the treatment of heart attacks) and human recombinant Erithropoyetine, used for the treatment of kidney failure, among other pathologies.
Exchanges of professors and students of medicine are part of an existing cooperation agreement with the Ministry of Higher Education, which also includes grants for students on both sides.
Last year a new agreement was signed in the field of sports to give continuity to cooperation in this activity, the ambassador commented. Trainers and athletes in volleyball, basketball and boxing from both nations are assimilating their experiences.
The recent visit by José Ramón Fernández to Iran will help to implement this sports agreement, the ambassador affirmed. The Asian nation is also to produce sports equipment that the island can acquire.
Both countries are exchanging information in the area of agriculture. Iran has benefited from Cuban experiences in sugarcane cultivation and in its turn is facilitating information on the production of rice and other foodstuffs.
Geographically located in a very dry area, Iran has an annual rainfall of only 250 millimeters. However, it is a large agricultural producer and food exporter. Iran is interested in the island’s experience of tropical fruits.
USE OF WATER
"Iran can help Cuba in the more efficient use of water, above all in agriculture," the ambassador stated.
He also noted that they could cooperate in transportation systems and the long-distance diverting of hydraulic resources. The Asian country could supply technology for the construction of aqueducts in the eastern region of Cuba.
Another area of cooperation with the island is in the construction of thermoelectric plants. Ambassador Edrisian explained that Iran manufactures large turbines down to systems for transforming energy into electricity.
Iranian entrepreneurs are interested in developing the textile, footwear and plastics industries and spare parts for sugar mills, he stressed. "In transportation, we could contribute engines, wagons and rail tracks, as well as other personal and collective vehicles, he confirmed.
The potential for the investment of Iranian capital in Cuba or the establishing of joint enterprises is one of the subjects for discussion in the commission. The delegation that traveled to Cuba for this joint session includes private-sector representatives from the footwear and plastics industries.
"Iran is capable of contributing everything that Cuba needs in terms of industrial development," he affirmed. "We are two revolutionary countries and establish our relations within the principles of South-South cooperation."
THE UNITED STATES SHOULD REVIEW ITS POLICY
With the US invasion and occupation of Iraq world security has been reduced and terrorism has developed even further, the ambassador observed.
"If the United States does not review its Middle East policy we are not going to see any improvement in the situation in that region," he stated.
"By invading Iraq the United States has strained international relations and endangered world security.
"The US government must end the invasion of Iraq as soon as possible. This country, under international supervision, has to attain its autonomy, its government, and for that reason we are in agreement with the elections, because that would be the first step toward the sovereignty of that people.
"The unilateral nature of US policy in international relations should be ended. That country should stop violating international law and should respect the national sovereignty of the peoples," ambassador Edrisian concluded.
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