USA: SPANISH PRESIDENT JOSE MARIA AZNAR SAYS HE SUPPORTS INCREASED TRADE IN THE AMERICAS AND FREEDOM FOR CUBA

Record ID: 190490

  • Title: USA: SPANISH PRESIDENT JOSE MARIA AZNAR SAYS HE SUPPORTS INCREASED TRADE IN THE AMERICAS AND FREEDOM FOR CUBA
  • Date: 15th January 2004
  • Summary: (W8) WASHINGTON, D.C., UNITED STATES (JANUARY 13, 2004) (REUTERS) 1. MV SPANISH PRESIDENT JOSE MARIA AZNAR AND WIFE ANA BOTELLA WALKING; SLV U.S. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE EVENT 0.23 2. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) AZNAR SAYING "I'd like to say that Spain's trade authorities will shortly present an action plan for tourism, trade and economics. And this plan will set out all the measures we hope will help Spanish companies increase their presence in the United States. I'm fully confident that Spanish companies will know how to meet the challenge of being present in the U.S. successfully. And this will be done to the benefit of both our companies." 0.49 3. MV AUDIENCE LISTENING TO AZNAR 0.54 4. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) AZNAR SAYING: "My wish for Cuba is the same as my wish for Spain. It's the same as my wish for the United States, that they enjoy a stable democracy, that they be a peaceful, secure country where people have freedom of opportunities. Why should we wish for the Cubans anything different from what we wish for ourselves in our countries. What I hope is that we will soon see an end to the Castro regime in Cuba. And what we must always bear in mind is the Cuban people. The are suffering a great deal. They are experiencing many trials, and they require our support and our understanding." 1.41 5. MV AUDIENCE LISTENING TO AZNAR 1.48 6. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) AZNAR SAYING "Along with our American friends, we went into the situation in Iraq out of conviction. We believe that we have fought for a just cause, a very worthwhile cause and we must continue in that endeavour, side by side, until we complete the task." 2.11 7. SLV AZNAR SPEAKING AT EVENT 2.21 Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
  • Embargoed: 30th January 2004 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: WASHINGTON, D.C., UNITED STATES
  • City:
  • Country: USA
  • Reuters ID: LVA4KENLYH0XEOP0AI8YRVD5YPLD
  • Story Text: Spanish President Aznar says he supports increased
    trade in the Americas, and freedom for Cuba.

    Spanish President Jose Maria Aznar defended Spain's
    actions in Iraq, promoted expanded trade in the Americas
    and called for freedom in Cuba during a speech to U.S.

    business leaders in Washington on Tuesday (January 13, 2004).

    Aznar said that he would like to work with the United
    States to expand free trade and stability in the Americas
    as well as expand Spanish trade inside the United States.

    "I'd like to say that Spain's trade authorities will
    shortly present an action plan for tourism, trade and
    economics. And this plan will set out all the measures we
    hope will help Spanish companies increase their presence in
    the United States. I'm fully confident that Spanish
    companies will know how to meet the challenge of being
    present in the U.S. successfully. And this will be done to
    the benefit of both our companies," Aznar said.

    Asked specifically about Cuba, Aznar called Cuban
    President Fidel Castro a "tyrant" saying he looked forward
    to a relationship with the island nation after Castro's
    departure.

    "My wish for Cuba is the same as my wish for Spain.

    It's the same as my wish for the United States, that they
    enjoy a stable democracy, that they be a peaceful, secure
    country where people have freedom of opportunities. Why
    should we wish for the Cubans anything different from what
    we wish for ourselves in our countries. What I hope is that
    we will soon see an end to the Castro regime in Cuba. And
    what we must always bear in mind is the Cuban people. They
    are suffering a great deal. They are experiencing many
    trials, and they require our support and our
    understanding," Aznar said.

    Aznar defended Spain's actions to ally itself with the
    United States in the war with Iraq saying that Spain needed
    to remain engaged in Iraq until the situation there
    improved.

    "Along with our American friends, we went into the
    situation in Iraq out of conviction. We believe that we
    have fought for a just cause, a very worthwhile cause and
    we must continue in that endeavour, side by side, until we
    complete the task."
    Aznar is scheduled to meet with U.S. President George
    W. Bush on Wednesday (January 14).


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