Putin in Cuba: Three projects to revive

Putin arrived shortly before midnight Wednesday with ministers including Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov and Defence Minister Igor Sergeyev. They were welcomed at Havana's international airport by Fidel Castro, Cuba's head of state and Communist Party chief, as well as by Castro's brother and main deputy, Raul Castro.

The goal of the visit by Putin, which is to continue until Sunday, is to reestablish the close relations between Moscow and Havana that prevailed when they were fellows in the world communist movement. In a pre-departure interview, Putin termed Cuba "our traditional ally in the world and the primary one in Latin America".

Cuban press commentary has stressed both nations' desire for a "multipolar world", a term that means preventing the United States from dominating the world stage. Official declarations issued in connection with the visit speak of reviving three Soviet-era projects that were never completed.

These comprise Las Caramariocas, a nickel processing complex in eastern Cuba, the Cienfuegos refinery in the centre of the country and the Juragua nuclear power plant. Analysts say however that Cuba's first big nuclear reactor is unlikely to ever be completed. The cost of 550 million dollars is one obstacle and the other is the threat of sanctions from the United States against any western investor with connections to the project.

Putin was scheduled to meet on Thursday with Castro and other Cuban government officials. The two countries were also to sign several bilateral cooperation accords. In the early 1990s, as Russia turned its back on communism, the two governments cooled to one another, though trade, mainly Cuban sugar for Russian oil, has continued.

The Russian trade mission in Cuba valued bilateral trade last year at 880 million dollars, up from 600 million dollars the year before. Putin is being accompanied on the four-day visit by more than 80 business representatives. On Friday afternoon, Putin is to take part in a private programme at the invitation of Castro. Details of the programme were not released. On Sunday, Putin is scheduled to fly to Canada.

(la/dpa)