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Chile head in landmark Cuba trip | |
(about 14 hours later) | |
President Michelle Bachelet of Chile has met Cuban president, Raul Castro during the first visit to Cuba by a Chilean leader in almost four decades. | |
At a meeting in Havana, the two presidents signed bilateral accords to improve trade ties and co-operation in science and technology. | |
The last Chilean leader to visit the communist island was Salvador Allende 37 years ago. | |
He was a close friend and political ally of former leader Fidel Castro. | He was a close friend and political ally of former leader Fidel Castro. |
Cuba renamed one of Havana's main streets after him following his death during the 1973 coup headed by General Pinochet. | Cuba renamed one of Havana's main streets after him following his death during the 1973 coup headed by General Pinochet. |
There was no word on whether President Bachelet would meet Fidel Castro, who is recuperating from major surgery at an undisclosed location. | |
Cuba under Raul Castro has placed an emphasis on reintegrating the island into Latin America, says the BBC's Michael Voss in Havana. | Cuba under Raul Castro has placed an emphasis on reintegrating the island into Latin America, says the BBC's Michael Voss in Havana. |
His first overseas visit after he took over from his brother was to Brazil for a summit of regional leaders. | His first overseas visit after he took over from his brother was to Brazil for a summit of regional leaders. |
Since then several heads of state have visited - most recently Argentina's President Cristina Kirchner. | Since then several heads of state have visited - most recently Argentina's President Cristina Kirchner. |
President Bachelet, who is being accompanied by a delegation of some 100 lawmakers, aides, business leaders and artists, praised Cuba's achievements in bio-technology and health care. | |
Ahead of her visit, she had expressed hope that it would help "deepen regional integration (and) political dialogue." | |
However, Cuban dissidents have said they are disappointed by the decision of President Bachelet, who was once a political prisoner in her own country, not to meet them. | |
"Bachelet's visit is frustrating, because we expect solidarity from her given the dictatorship her own country has been through," dissident Vladimiro Rocas quoted as saying by the AFP news agency. | |
oidews |
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