Carter Reaches Out to Cubans

Former US President Jimmy Carter visited AIDS patients and had a barbecue with farmers Tuesday, continuing his attempt to bridge decades of feuding between the US and Cuba.

As part of his visit, Carter toured the Los Cocos AIDS sanatorium where Cubans infected with HIV were once locked up. Doctors told Carter that patients are now allowed to leave the sanatorium, created in 1986, once they show they are no longer a risk to society.

"I am very impressed with the results obtained in Cuba," Carter said and asked whether the growing tourist trade had worsened the sexual transmission of the disease. He was told that it was a risk factor.

Cuban authorities say their country of 11 million people has the lowest rate of AIDS cases in Latin America -- 28 cases per 1 million inhabitants. The island has little intravenous drug use.

Carter's visit came as US business interests have been pushing for the lifting of trade sanctions imposed in 1962 and ending the ban on Americans traveling to the island.

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