American merchants flood Cuban capital

Fidel Castro admires buffalo calves from Minnesota

By Daniel Schweimler

A trade fair has opened in the Cuban capital, Havana, featuring the largest number of exhibitors from the United States since the two countries broke off diplomatic and trade relations 40 years ago.

Many of the American visitors are hoping the fair will put pressure on President George W Bush's administration to relax the US trade embargo, which was imposed to weaken President Fidel Castro's communist government.

Jesse Ventura: 'Cuba policy not working'

More than 280 companies from 33 states are showing off everything from chocolate bars to buffalo meat.

The Minnesota Governor, Jesse Ventura, said as he arrived in Havana for the fair that US policy towards Cuba had not worked for 40 years.

The Bush administration, however, says its policy will remain in place until it sees greater democracy and improved civil liberties on the island.

Cuban officials are hoping to sign several contracts at the five-day fair, taking advantage of a slight easing of the embargo agreed in Washington two years ago.

Most Cubans can't afford these goodies

But the top-ranking US diplomat in Havana, James Cason, warned potential investors that Cuba could not generate the cash to pay for its imports.

Out of reach

European diplomats have complained that Cuba is paying for its US imports in cash while it owes their countries tens of millions of dollars.

Since last December, Cuba has bought $140m worth of American grain, beans, chicken and apples. This was agreed by both countries after Hurricane Michelle devastated the island's agricultural industry.

But imports are sold only in hotels and shops that take US dollars.

While many at the trade fair will welcome the chance to get their hands, however briefly, on Milky Way chocolate bars, Kellogg's cornflakes and Sara Lee cakes, most will not be able to afford them when they are eventually sold in Cuba.