JAMAICA: KINGSTON: CUBAN PRESIDENT FIDEL CASTRO VISIT

Описание: (1 Aug 1998) Spanish/Eng/Nat

Cuban President Fidel Castro used his visit to Jamaica to crusade for an end to the American embargo against Cuba which he claims is crippling his country.

The Communist dictator was overwhelmed with support as cheering crowds followed his every step during his three day tour of the Caribbean nation.

During his last day in Jamaica, Castro was given the key to the city of Kingston and visited the grave of his friend, former Jamaican Prime Minister Michael Manley.

Amid cheers from masses of adoring fans, Fidel Castro's motorcade swept through the streets of the Jamaican capital, Kingston - the Cuban president savouring every moment of his immense popularity.

Throughout his three-day visit, the Cuban president was treated with sympathy and enthusiasm by the Jamaican people - many of whom regard Castro as a hero.

He's made himself a champion of the economically vulnerable Caribbean, saying U-S policies have caused factories to leave the area, cost thousands of jobs and threatened the region's limited trade.

At a ceremony at Kingston's Mandela's Park late on Thursday, Castro was welcomed by an enthusiastic crowd of supporters.

On behalf of the Jamaican people he was given the keys to the city.

Jamaican Prime Minister, P.J. Patterson then pledged his country's support to help Cuba regain its position in the international community.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"Jamaica will continue to give fullest support in ensuring Cuba's full reintegration within the hemispheric system"
SUPER CAPTION: P.J. Patterson, Jamaican Prime Minister

Castro took advantage of the supportive crowd to, once again, make a plea for a lifting of international sanctions which he claims is crippling his country.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"The Carribean nations in a meeting with the President of the United States, (I think it was in St Lucia right?), they forcefully protested against the cruel blockade imposed on our country which is trying to kill our people by starving - by starvation and diseases."
SUPER CAPTION: Fidel Castro, Cuban President

On Friday, Castro made a trip to the grave of good friend and former Jamaican Prime Minister, Michael Manley.

As a sign of respect he swapped his traditional army greens for a dark business suit.

He laid a wreath and stood in meditation - obviously overwhelmed with emotion as he remembered his long-time friend.

Manley's flirtation with socialism nearly bankrupted the Jamaican economy in the 1970s.

When the conservative Edward Seaga came to power, he cut off relations with Cuba.

Outside the cemetery a crowd of people had gathered carrying homemade signs welcoming Castro.

From the cemetery, Castro moved on to the state War Memorial where he paid his respects to war dead.

Castro flew to Barbados late on Friday, where he will honour the 73 victims of the 1976 bombing of a Cuban jetliner.

On Sunday, he will head to his third and last stop of his Carribean tour, Grenada.

All three islands on Castro's unprecedented tour once shunned the Communist leader but now are leading a campaign to soften the U-S position on Cuba - a reflection of
general bitterness about Washington's economic policy in the region.

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