Thursday, April 23, 2009

Fidel's Words Cool US-Cuba Hopes

BBC: Former Cuban leader Fidel Castro says President Barack Obama misinterpreted recent comments by his brother Raul about a possible thaw in US-Cuba ties.

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Fidel Castro makes frequent comments about current affairs. Photo courtesy of the BBC

President Raul Castro said last week Cuba was ready to discuss "everything".

Mr Obama responded by saying the US sought new ties with Cuba but linked progress to advances in human rights and the freeing of political prisoners.

In an essay on a government website, Fidel Castro suggested it was up to the US not Cuba to change to improve ties.

"Without doubt, President [Obama] misinterpreted Raul's declaration," Fidel Castro wrote in an article on the CubaDebate website.

Raul Castro's offer "to broach any subject", the article said, was meant to show "courage and confidence in the principles of the revolution".

Correspondents say Fidel Castro appears to be trying to dampen expectations of a possible improvement in ties, by suggesting that too much has been read into Raul's offer to discuss everything. >>> | Wednesday, April 22, 2009