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CNN Live At Daybreak

Jimmy Carter Scheduled to Visit Biotechnology Lab Outside of Havana

Aired May 13, 2002 - 05:08   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: Turning our attention now to Jimmy Carter's trip to Cuba. The former president is scheduled to visit a biotechnology lab outside of Havana today. The visit comes after a top U.S. official accused Cuba of trying to develop biological weapons.

As CNN's Lucia Newman reports, the Carter visit began on an unusual note.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

LUCIA NEWMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It was an almost surreal moment as former President Jimmy Carter and Cuba's communist leader Fidel Castro stood side by side to salute the American National Anthem on Cuban soil. Abandoning his usual olive green uniform for a plain gray suit, President Castro welcomed Jimmy Carter with words of praise and the promise to let him do what he wants during his five day visit.

FIDEL CASTRO, PRESIDENT, CUBA: You'll have free access to every place you want to go and we will not take offense for any contact you may wish to make, even with those who do not share our endeavor.

NEWMAN: Former President Carter made it clear he planned to do just that in his nationally broadcast remarks, made in Spanish.

PRES. JIMMY CARTER: We come here as friends of the Cuban people and we hope to meet many Cubans from different walks of life. We realize that we have differences, but we welcome the opportunity to try to identify some points in common and some areas of cooperation. Mr. Carter began with a tour of Old Havana, where he had a chance to greet ordinary Cuban citizens. Carter's visit, which comes at a time of renewed tensions between Washington and Havana, aims to try and contribute to bringing both nations closer together. A group of Americans here on a special Treasury Department license gathered outside Carter's hotel to wish him luck.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And maybe physicians like us can come without so much red tape after he's finished with his tour here.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's a start for human rights and to just improve relationships. NEWMAN: The former U.S. president, who opposes the decades old U.S. economic embargo against Cuba, will be meeting not only with Cuban officials, but also with dissidents and human rights activists. Which is why Cubans of all political persuasions are welcoming him with guarded optimism.

(on camera): Neither the Cuban government nor its opponents expect miracles from this visit. But the hope at least is that it will help open a door to change.

Lucia Newman, CNN, Havana.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COSTELLO: And for more on the Carter trip, join us tonight for "Live from Havana" with Kate Snow. That airs at 8:00 p.m. Eastern time right here on CNN.

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