Canadian Offical Begins Cuba Visit

Canadian Foreign Minister Lloyd Axworthy began a visit to Havana that underscored Ottowa’s difference with Washington over Cuba policy. Axworthy’s trip, which has been criticized by the U.S., is the highest-level visit to the island by a Canadian official in two decades. Canadian officials have stressed that Ottawa seeks to encourage change in Cuba through dialogue rather than isolation, as Washington has done. This difference in approach has been highlighted since Washington toughened its 35-year-old economic embargo on Havana last year and indicated it would punish some third-country firms doing business with Cuba. Ottawa has been a leading opponent of this tack. Axworthy is expected to work on a joint declaration for cooperation in areas that include human rights and governance.