Havana, May 23, 2006. (ACN) St. Lucia's Prime Minister, Kenny D. Anthony, arrived to this capital at the invitation of Cuban President Fidel Castro. The Santa Lucia PM, who is accompanied by a large delegation, was welcomed at the "Jose Marti" International Airport by the Cuban Minister of Government Ricardo Cabrisas, reports Granma newspaper. He has a full agenda which includes visits to places of scientific, economic, cultural and social interest. In an exchange with the Cuban press, Anthony said that the people of St. Lucia are very moved by the tremendous support they have received from Cuba, especially by "Operacion Milagro", an eye surgery and treatment program known in the English-speaking Caribbean as "Vision Now." The program has permitted 14,000 people to receive treatment in his country and some 1,800 others have undergone eye surgery in Cuba, where there are also many young people studying at the island's educational centers. Anthony said that encouraging events are occurring in the Caribbean and Latin America adding that he will be exchanging on these and other issues with the Cuban President. He added that he will also discuss with Fidel Castro the two countries bilateral cooperation agreements and that he expected to further boost ties in health care and in sports. PM Anthony added that the PetroCaribe oil pact, initiated by Venezuela, is vital for St. Lucia. "If we were to operate with the current price hike in the oil market, that would be very tragic for a small country like ours. So we have to commend President Chavez for having included us. He did so out of generosity and because he understands the problems affecting the Caribbean countries," he said |