Reply #6: 'Castro asked how Cuba could help Obama in his efforts to change the course of U.S. foreign policy.'

[seafan]

This has just been an amazing week.


More from the Miami Herald:


Fidel Castro meets with 3 visiting US lawmakers

April 7, 2009

HAVANA -- Signaling its willingness to discuss improved relations with the Obama administration, Cuba on Tuesday granted three visiting members of the Congressional Black Caucus the first meeting with Fidel Castro by American officials since he fell ill in 2006.
The surprise meeting came a day after the full delegation of six representatives spent more than four hours talking privately with Cuban President Raul Castro, his first encounter with U.S. officials since formally replacing his brother as head of state nearly 14 months ago

.....

Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Calif., current head of the 42-member caucus, said at a news conference in Washington after the group's return that lawmakers met for nearly two hours with Fidel Castro and found him "very healthy, very energetic, very clear thinking."

She said they went to Fidel's home, where they were greeted by his wife.

"We believe it is time to open dialogue and discussion with Cuba," Lee said, noting that the group would present its findings to White House officials, Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D.-Calif., and State Department officials.

"Cubans do want dialogue. They do want talks. They do want normal relations."

Rep. Laura Richardson, D-Calif., who also met Fidel with Rep. Bobby Rush, D-Ill., said Castro "looked directly into our eyes" and asked how Cuba could help Obama in his efforts to change the course of U.S. foreign policy. Richardson said she had the impression that 82-year-old Fidel wants to see changes in U.S.-Cuba relations in his lifetime.

.....

Tremendous news, indeed.




Something else we want to see in our lifetime is justice for the war criminals who waltzed out of the White House on January 20, 2009.