Clarksburg Exponent Telegram
NEWS
GUIDES
NIE
ADS
CIRC.
LINKS
HOME MAIL

TODAY'S
NEWS

LOCAL NEWS
SPORTS
BIRTHS
OBITUARIES
CALENDAR
OPINIONS
COLUMNS
LETTERS TO
THE EDITOR


News Search

WEB LINKS
FUN LINKS
Kid Stuff, Museums to visit, Games to play
NEWSPAPERS
IN EDUCATION

For Students and Teachers
NEWS LINKS
Newspapers, Politics, Space, Comics, Weather, Sports, Internet, Lottery
REFERENCE PAGE
Reference Starting Points, Dictionaries, U.S. Government Sources, Other Sites, Universities and Colleges, News
REVIEWS
Books and Music
WEST VIRGINIA LINKS

THIS SITE IS
BEST VIEWED
WITH THE
LATEST VERSION OF:
msexplorer
INTERNET EXPLORER

CORRECTIONS
AND ADDITIONS

Copyright ©
Clarksburg Publishing
Company 2000

Clarksburg
Publishing Company,
P.O. Box 2000,
Clarksburg, WV 26302
USA

CURRENT STORIES


Local businessman dicusses trade with Cuban diplomat

by Jennifer Biller

STAFF WRITER

Clarksburg businessman Joseph Oliverio is working to improve relations with Cuba and hopes that one day West Virginia products will be the first to make their way to Cuba's shore.

Cuban Diplomat Jose Luis Noa paid a visit to Oliverio at his home in Shinnston on Thursday, to discuss the future of trade and the economic advantages for West Virginia and Cuba that could result.

Noa and Oliverio met in Washington D.C., during Oliverio's campaign for governor and have been friends ever since. Oliverio ran unsuccessfully against Gov. Cecil Underwood in the Republican primary in May.

"I think this is a good idea," Noa said. "I wanted to come and meet with the wonderful people of West Virginia and improve the relationship between Cuba and America."

Oliverio and several other businessmen are planning a trip to Cuba in February to meet with agriculture, economic, arts, health and education executives. He plans to take a package of West Virginia products like apples, vegetables and beef to Cuba to show officials what the state has to offer.

"If the sanctions are someday lifted, I want them to consider buying West Virginia products first," Oliverio said.

Noa discussed Cuba's economic hardships with Oliverio and cited the 40-year American trade blockade, increasing financial tensions and unfavorable weather such as hurricanes and droughts as areas of concern.

Noa encourages Americans to not be too hasty when judging Cuba.

"I tell them to go there and see for yourself," he said. "I think when they come back they have a different opinion from meeting people on the street and seeing what we have to offer."

When Oliverio travels to Cuba in February, he hopes to raise public and governmental awareness of the economic possibilities.

"I hope to meet Fidel Castro and that people realize we should start trading with Cuba," he said

"I want to help the people of West Virginia. It doesn't matter that I'm not an elected official," he added. "I may have lost the race but I can still make a difference."

Staff writer Jennifer Biller can be reached at 626-1449 or jbiller@exponent-telegram.com.

SUBSCRIPTION
INFORMATION
(print version)

CLASSIFIED ADS

ADVERTISING
RATES
HARRISON COUNTY
RELOCATION GUIDE
News Search