-DATE- 19890202 -YEAR- 1989 -DOCUMENT_TYPE- INTERVIEW -AUTHOR- F.CASTRO -HEADLINE- INTERVIEW BY NAROLBA JIMENEZ & OTHERS -PLACE- CARACAS HILTON HOTEL -SOURCE- CARACAS VENEZOLANA DE TV -REPORT_NBR- FBIS -REPORT_DATE- 19890203 -TEXT- Cuba's Castro Interviewed PA0302021289 Caracas Venezolana de Television Canal 8 in Spanish 2348 GMT 2 Feb 89 [Interview with Cuban President Fidel Castro by Noralba Jimenez and other reporters at the Caracas Hilton Hotel--live] [Text] [Reporter] After your meeting with President Carlos Andres Perez this morning, do you believe diplomatic relations between Venezuela and Cuba could be resumed? [Castro] Goodness, we did not even talk about the matter as we both believe this is a fact. We spoke about other matters that are presently causing all of us concern: economic problems, foreign debt problems, our need for unity, and other matters of interest. We did not talk about resuming relations. [Reporter] So you believe that the resumption of relations is possible? [Castro] I believe it is a fact. [Reporter] So it is a fact that Venezuela and Cuba... [Castro, interrupting] The only problem we could encounter is a financial one. [Reporters laugh] Housing in Caracas is so expensive that we will have to find money and a good ambassador. There are some candidates, but we still have not chosen the ambassador. [Words indistinct] in case we open an embassy here. [Words indistinct] Could you find me a place here? [Reporters say "no" in unison and laugh] [Reporter] Commander, you had an office here that was located in Chuao. [Castro] I sold it. [Reporter] Hernandez Cordelo was the Cuban ambassador. He was a well-known ambassador.... [Castro, interrupting] [Words indistinct] It was an investment that did not yield any dividends. That is why we had to sell it, and now we have top buy a place. Do you think someone will give us credit? [Reporters say "yes" and laugh] [Reporter] I suppose you and President Perez talked about the foreign debt and Central America because they are the most critical problems at present in Latin America. [Castro] I will explain. We got here early and first met with Carlos Andres Perez' aides. They gave me ample information about his recent overseas tour, the results of the trip, the efforts made with the oil-exporting countries, and other matters. Many of these topics, were mentioned by Carlos Andres Perez in his speech. When I spoke with President Perez, however, I did not ask for more information because I knew that he had to attend the inauguration. We met around 0715 or 0720. I asked him about his health, how he felt, about his trips, if he had slept well, and other things. We did not touch on certain subjects, but he did tell me about his trip, the efforts made during his trip, and his talks with different leaders. We also talked about the Nonaligned Movement and some of our plans. I was mainly interested in his frame of mind. He was very optimistic and enthused with the work he wants to accomplish. I did not want to take up all his time as I knew he had a tight schedule today. That is why I proposed that we end the conversation, and I let him go. [Reporter] Will you meet again? [Castro] Well, we will have to see one another. I cannot move from here. How can I move? I do not know what to do. I do not know how to cross my legs. [laughter] [Reporter] Taking advantage of the presence of so many heads of state, do you think that here in Caracas you can pace the way to create a common policy toward the creditors? [Fidel] I think that we can pave the way for a common policy with regard to many problems, not just the debt, although the debt problem is one of the most important, I think that the meeting here in Caracas of so many world leaders, especially those of Latin America, has great value. It is a great symbol, which is more important than what is discussed here. In an event of this nature--where a president is sworn in, is the host, has to rally his people's support, has to take charge of the government, and has to take care of a series of immediate problems--it is not possible to hold meetings to thoroughly discuss problems. I believe that the most important aspects of this kind of event, with the presence of so many political leaders, is the expression of unity. It shows an awareness of the need to coordinate our efforts, come together, and work jointly to solve the great problems of our peoples and hemisphere and to participate more actively in today's world. According to what I read in news reports, Carlos Andres Perez has been very active in the past few weeks. The description he gave in this morning's speech of his recent talks gives you an idea of the tremendous activity in which he was involved. This is very intelligent on his part, because the main problem is to try to lead OPEC to agreement and discipline. The truth is that discipline has been lost in OPEC. The consequences of this are evident. There was the attempt by the industrialized countries, especially the United States, to destroy OPEC. OPEC is a Third World organization. The Third World supported it. This does not mean that OPEC always had the best policy. It did not always have the best policy. I always said that OPEC, which requested and got the support of the Third World countries, should have a policy of cooperation with the Third World. Everyone knows that much of the oil profits went to banks in Europe, the United States, and other places, while we always advocated a policy of greater cooperation. However, the Third World supported OPEC out of a sense of solidarity, even though the increase in oil prices meant an increase in the difficulties of oil-importing countries--in other words, the Third World countries--which have fewer ways to defend themselves. Nevertheless, these countries supported the OPEC countries. The countries that want to destroy OPEC are those with the largest oil consumption in the world. They are those that benefit the most from the privilege of having a modern, developed country and a consumer-oriented society. When oil prices rose, they were in a better position that the Third World countries to search for ways to save fuel. At the same time, they looked for other energy sources to replace oil. For example, the French made extraordinary developments in nuclear energy. Other European countries did the same. Consequently, they have made considerable fuel savings. They looked for more efficient airplanes, machines, and automobiles. But Carlos Andres...[changes thought] The countries that benefit the most from the Third World's raw material--and we view oil as a Third World raw material, and we want the same benefits obtained from oil to be obtained from other raw materials... [changes thought] However, the lack of discipline by OPEC members has much to do with this considerable drop in oil prices that is affecting the OPEC countries. It is affecting Venezuela very much. There is a big difference between $32 and $13 per barrel--I am not talking about $40 per barrel, which was once the price of oil--and there is a big difference between revenues of $20 billion and revenues of $7 of $8 billion. Carlos Andres Perez understands this. Before taking office, he toured the OPEC world trying to achieve unity. It is a very intelligent move from the standpoint of that group of countries and of Venezuela. He is aware of the problems he has to face. He said they are not fighting for excessive but stable prices. They want prices that guarantee supply and the development of oil production. Therefore, I think this is a very intelligent move. -END-