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CNN Live At Daybreak

Jimmy Carter Beginning First Full Day of Historic Visit to Cuba

Aired May 13, 2002 - 06:33   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Jimmy Carter is beginning the first full day of his historic visit to Cuba. CNN's Ed Lavandera joins us from Havana with a look at the former president's plans.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ED LAVANDERA, CNN CORRESPONDENT (on camera): Later this morning, Jimmy Carter will visit Cuba's Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, an interesting stop since the Bush administration is now accusing Cuba of making biological weapons. Jimmy Carter hasn't talked specifically about these tough issue yet as he prepares for his second day in Havana.

(voice-over): Jimmy Carter arrives for a private dinner with Fidel Castro at the Palace of the Revolution. Since Castro came to power in 1959, no U.S. president has walked on this island. Forty- three years of bitter international rivalry must make for interesting table talk. Patriotic fanfare celebrated Carter's arrival, Cuba's national anthem, the "Star Spangled Banner."

As the flags whipped in the winds side by side, Castro leaned toward Carter to say this is something the world hasn't seen in a long time. Castro assured Carter the entire country would be open to him.

FIDEL CASTRO, CUBA (through translator): We will not feel offended at all for any contact that you may wish to establish, including with those that do not share our struggles.

LAVANDERA: President Carter toured the crumbling colonial streets of old Havana, a symbol of this country's economic struggle. In Spanish, Carter said he is in Cuba to help ease a strange relationship.

JIMMY CARTER, FORMER U.S. PRESIDENT (through translator): We realize that we have differences on some of these issues, but we welcome the opportunity to try to identify some points in common and some areas of cooperation.

LAVANDERA: Looming over this historic visit, however, is another reminder of the distrust between the U.S. and Cuba. The Bush administration accuses Cuba of engineering biological weapons. Castro calls it a lie. COLIN POWELL, SECRETARY OF STATE: We know that Cuba has been doing some research with respect to biological offensive weapons possibly, and so we think it is appropriate for us to point out this kind of activity.

LAVANDERA (on camera): Jimmy Carter has long supported ending U.S.'s economic embargo against Cuba, but President Bush doesn't agree. We have learned that he is planning a major speech on Cuban policy next week, where he will say that lifting the embargo will only help Castro remain in power.

I am Ed Lavandera reporting from Havana, Cuba -- now back to you.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COSTELLO: All right, Ed, thanks.

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