HAVANA, Nov 2 (Reuters) -- Cuban President Fidel Castro opened an international trade fair on Sunday, and its organizers said foreign firms' increased presence showed U.S. attempts to isolate the island economically were not working.
The 71-year-old Cuban leader cut a ribbon to inaugurate the 15th annual Havana International Trade Fair, which drew representatives of more than 1,800 firms from 61 nations, organizers said. Castro did not make a speech.
Foreign Trade Minister Ricardo Cabrisas said in a brief opening speech that the week-long trade fair was the biggest ever held on the communist-ruled Caribbean island. He added that the growth of the event over the last 15 years mirrored the growth of Cuba's trade with the world.
Cabrisas, recalling the longstanding U.S. economic embargo against Cuba, said Washington was waging a ``real economic war'' against the island, most recently with the Helms-Burton law.
The 1996 law threatens penalties against foreign investors in Cuba judged to be ``trafficking'' in expropriated, formerly U.S.-owned property there.
Cabrisas stressed the increased participation of foreign businessmen in the Havana trade fair. ``This shows that the authors and actors of the Helms-Burton law are further than ever from achieving their objective,'' he said.
He said there were 294 associations and ventures involving foreign capital operating in Cuba. More than 600 foreign companies were represented on the island, which had trade links with 125 nations, he added.
The countries most heavily represented at the trade fair were Spain, Mexico, Italy, Canada and France. Some countries also sent senior trade officials.
21:48 11-02-97