FRANCE: PARIS: CUBAN PRESIDENT FIDEL CASTRO VISIT

Описание: (14 Mar 1995) French/Span/Nat

Savouring his first trip to Paris, Fidel Castro admired the Mona Lisa and Napoleon's tomb today (Tuesday).

But the warm official welcome for the Cuban leader drew criticism, and one presidential candidate called it a scandal.

Back in his customary green fatigues Cuban President Fidel Castro toured the Louvre Museum, accompanied by his former minister of culture.

He lingered at some of the most famous works there, including the Mona Lisa, the Venus de Milo and Winged Victory.

According to museum officials, Castro was curious and very friendly and he showed more interest in the works and the artists than the building and its history.

Even though some French government officials conducted the Cuban president round the capital's principal sights, his visit drew criticism from others, including a presidential candidate who called it a scandal.

Premier Edouard Balladur, one of the two leading conservative presidential candidates, decided not to receive Castro at his office.

Philippe de Villiers, a staunch conservative who ranks fifth in the presidential polls, said he was ashamed for France and called Castro's visit scandalous.

Although in France on a private visit, Castro was greeted with a trumpet-and-drum fanfare as he arrived Monday for lunch with Socialist President Francois Mitterrand at the presidential palace.

Later today (Tuesday) Castro hosted a banquet at the Cuban embassy. He talked to journalists about his assessment of his visit to France.

SOUNDBITE: (Spanish)
"I'm very impressed. It's been extraordinary. Everything I've seen is marvellous. I feel very happy and satisfied. I'm thankful for having being able to travel to this extraordinary country and meet its people."
SUPER CAPTION: President Fidel Castro

Castro also talked about the outcome of his meeting at UNESCO, where he discussed the unfairness of the U-S embargo.

SOUNDBITE: (Spanish)
"I've spent many years struggling and we're making progress. There are new elements and there's an increasing number of people in the United States who are creating awareness of the unfairness of the embargo."
SUPER CAPTION: President Fidel Castro

When asked about his plans to visit the U-S, Castro said it wasn't on his agenda.

SOUNDBITE: (Spanish)
"I don't have any plans at the moment. We'll have to wait for favourable conditions."
SUPER CAPTION: President Fidel Castro

This is Castro's third visit to Western Europe since he won power in Cuba. He visited Spain in 1984 and 1992.

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