Fidel Castro: Cuba doesn't fear dialogue with US

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Associated Press

Posted on Monday, 04.06.09
Fidel Castro: Cuba doesn't fear dialogue with US

By WILL WEISSERT
Associated Press Writer

HAVANA -- Fidel Castro said Monday that Cuba is not afraid to talk to the United States and that the communist government does not thrive on confrontation as its detractors claim.

In a column published in state-controlled newspapers, the 82-year-old former president also praised U.S. Sen. Richard Lugar, saying the top Republican on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee "is walking on solid ground" with a proposal to appoint a special envoy to reshape U.S.-Cuba relations.

Castro wrote that "those capable of serenely analyzing the events, as is the case of the senator from Indiana, use an irrefutable argument: The measures of the United States against Cuba, over almost half a century, are a total failure."

And he repeated Cuba's willingness to talk with Washington, saying direct negotiation "is the only way to secure friendship and peace among peoples."

Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/news/americas/story/986770.html

[cobalt1999]

1. Shouldn't his brother be sending this message?

Or is Fidel still really in charge?

[Judi Lynn]

2. What he said was taken from the column he writes regularly. n/t

[Mika]

4. Fidel is echoing the message of the Cuban people, who have always sought dialog & peace w/us.

And who better to enunciate it than Fidel?

[Vidar]

3. If Obama can be as diplomatic in this matter as Fidel, we have a chance.

[Javaman]

5. Like Fidel or not, he's a very interesting guy.

I really hope we stop this foolishness and open travel and a solid dialog with Cuba.

[harun]

6. The Obama administration should quit dragging their feet on this and get it done.