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CNN Live Today
Carter to Address Cuban People
Aired May 14, 2002 - 14:29 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.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: In Cuba, former President Jimmy Carter moving ahead with his diplomatic mission, which tonight includes a live broadcast to the Cuban people, to be broadcast on radio and television.
John Zarrella in Havana with more on the historic trip, and a preview of what we may anticipate later tonight.
Not a whole lot known about that speech, is it John?
JOHN ZARRELLA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Boy, there sure isn't, Bill.
They're holding it very close to the vest, as they say.
But as you said, yes, live broadcast in about 3-1/2 hours from now, 6:00 PM Eastern time, the former President goes on television and radio here, from the University of Havana, broadcasting to 11 million plus people here on the island, who will no doubt be listening very intently to what he has to say.
More than likely, although we're just guessing, he probably will discuss the United States trade embargo and relations between the United States and Cuba. But he will be, as you said, talking directly to the people of Cuba.
And even the Castro government apparently has not gotten an advanced copy of the former president's remarks.
So everyone, including the government here, will be listening intently to what former president Jimmy Carter has to say.
He's already had a full day here on the island. He started this morning with a visit ot the Los Pocos (ph) Sanitorium, where AIDS patients are treated. And during his visit to the sanitorium, he -- that's the former president there, heading over to the agricultural co-op here on the island, where he actually met with some of the farmers who have a co-op together here.
What they do is, they grow food stuffs and they grow livestock, and they sell that livestock and the food to the government, and they are paid for their products, and they share the profits amongst themselves. It has been, the Cuban government says, a very successful venture here. Before he went there, to the agricultural co-op, he did go to the sanitorium, where he spoke with a woman and her daughter, and he asked them how they were being treated, if they were getting the kinds of medicines they needed, and they said everything was fine.
And he also at one point spoke with the young daughter of this woman, who came up, and who was born with AIDS, her mother, of course, infected HIV positive. And they hugged and embraced and took some pictures with the former president, and then the young girl read a statement of thanks to former President Jimmy Carter.
So a very big day here on the island for the former president, continuing today, and perhaps the pinnacle, the high point of his five-day visit here, Bill, will be this live broadcast speech to the people of Havana -- the people of Cuba.
He says it will be very brief, because he and his wife want to get over to the Latin American Stadium this evening to watch an all- star baseball game -- Bill.
HEMMER: John, two questions: do you know, or are there any reports right now, about how many Cubans will actually take time to listen in? Our lead in, we said that people would be watching it on television, but the fact of the matter is, there are many Cubans, not necessarily in Havana, but other parts of that island nation, that do not have television. Radio is the primary conduit for communication.
On both those points, what do you have?
ZARRELLA: Well, certainly on television, you're absolutely right. A lot of people do not have access to television here on the island. But most of them do have access -- if they don't have it, a friend has it, a neighbor -- has a radio in their home, and there is a very good likelihood that a large majority of the population will hear the president's speech.
And certainly in Havana, and some of the larger cities in Cuba, they do have access to television and certainly to radio. So, they expect here on the island that a large number -- now, who knows exactly what that number will be -- but a large number of people who will be able to listen or watch the former president -- Bill.
HEMMER: And they do know he is there, that is for sure. John, thank you.
ZARELLA: Yes, they do.
HEMMER: John Zarrella reporting live in Havana.
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