Argentine leader says he'll go to Cuba

Monday, January 19, 2004

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (UPI): Argentina's president said Sunday he intends to visit Cuba despite disapproval expressed by the United States.

Nestor Kirchner also rejected recent accusations emanating from Washington that Argentina was part of an emerging leftist axis comprised of Brazil, Cuba, Venezuela and Argentina.

"The only axis that we have is with Brazil, with whom we have a political alliance," said Kirchner.

The Argentine leader's conviction that he will travel to Cuba contradicts statements made last week when he said he had no immediate plans to go there. He did say, however, that if he wanted to travel to Cuba, U.S. condemnation would not stand in his way.

Kirchner is particularly sensitive on the subject of Cuba these days following comments earlier this month coming the U.S. State Department criticizing Argentina's relationship with the Caribbean communist nation.

U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs Roger Noriega said Jan. 7 that in addition to Argentina being steered to the left under Kirchner, the United States was disappointed by Argentina's seemingly close relationship with Cuba. 

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