Cuba, Venezuela Increase Economic Ties

Cuba, Venezuela Increase Economic Ties
Tuesday October 16, 9:33 am ET
By Anita Snow, Associated Press Writer
Cuba, Venezuela Sign New Economic Partnership Agreements

HAVANA (AP) -- Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and Cuba's interim
leader Raul Castro oversaw the signing Monday of economic partnerships
in areas ranging from oil production to tourism as the nations moved to
further integrate their economies.

Cuba and Venezuela, Washington's two strongest critics in Latin America,
are strengthening their ties under the Boliviarian Alternative for the
Americas regional trade pact, said the 76-year-old Castro, who has led
Cuba during his 81-year-old brother Fidel's extended illness.

Venezuela and Cuba "can form a confederation of republics, two republics
in one, two countries in one," said Chavez, whose visit included a
meeting with his friend and ally Fidel Castro and an hourlong chat
Sunday while hosting his weekly live television and radio show.

Chavez has championed his Bolivarian trade agreement, which counts Cuba,
Bolivia and Nicaragua as signatories, as an alternative to U.S. free
trade pacts.

Castro appeared somewhat frail, but alert and in good spirits in a
videotape released of the Saturday meeting. Castro sounded animated
during his telephone chat with Chavez on his "Alo, Presidente!" program,
marking the first time the ailing Cuban leader had spoken live in a
broadcast on the island since falling ill.

U.S. State Department spokesman Tom Casey on Monday commented
sarcastically that he was "delighted that Fidel Castro has had an
opportunity to discuss things with his good friend President Chavez.
It's too bad that in almost half a century of misrule in Cuba, he's
never had the same conversation with his own people."

Among other agreements, Cuba and Venezuela also agreed to explore
creating joint cement and mortar production plants, mining and other
energy projects and even a five-star hotel.

Trade between the two nations has burgeoned in recent years under the
close alliance formed by Chavez and the elder Castro.

http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/071016/cuba_venezuela.html?.v=1