Hey, Fidel, Don't Forget the Cigars

0 Comments | Insight on the News, Oct 18, 1999 | by John Elvin

Rep. Jim McDermott, a Democrat from Washington state, has joined the Seattle City Council to extend a special invitation to Cuban President Fidel Castro to visit Seattle during the meeting of the World Trade Organization, or WTO, in November. The gesture is over and above the normal invitation extended to officials of countries participating in the WTO.

As a member of the House Progressive Caucus, McDermott is linked closely to the Democratic Socialist USA group (see "Extremism in Defense of Virtue," Feb. 22) which in part is responsible for the flood of protesters expected in Seattle for the WTO event. Their pitch -- echoed by national leaders such as Democratic Sen. Paul Wellstone of Minnesota, consumer activist Ralph Nader, labor leader Jim Hoffa and Pat Buchanan -- is that WTO is "a disaster for democracy, workers and the environment."

Press reports indicate there may be as many protesters as delegates and journalists (5,000 to 7,000). Should Castro accept the invitation, the number of protesters might swell. The Seattle Times said speculation is favoring a visit as two top Cuban officials dropped into town recently to scope out the situation. "A Castro visit would certainly heighten security concerns," the newspaper noted. But McDermott assured Castro that he would "be received respectfully, graciously and warmly," adding, "I am also hopeful that your visit will give us an opportunity to educate the American public about Cuba."

What's to know? Well, writing in the Wall Street Journal recently, Carlos Alberto Montaner made a few points about the climate in Cuba regarding international investing. Foreign investment is overseen by the interior ministry, whose function is described as "political police." Investors have little recourse in filing claims against the government in the event of disputes. And, Montaner notes, even Castro seems a little wary of the local business environment -- he reportedly keeps his money in overseas banks.