. December 2, 2006 SouthAmerica: Here is a great opportunity for the United States to normalize their diplomatic and economic relations with Cuba. ******* China View -Cn Xinhua â December 3, 2006 âCuba proposes negotiations with U.S.â HAVANA, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- Cuban Defense Minister Raul Castro offered on Saturday to negotiate with the United States to normalize their relations. Raul Castro, who is the younger brother of Cuban leader Fidel Castro, made the gesture while addressing a military parade in Havana to mark Fidel's 80th birthday. "Of course, that is, as long as they accept that we are a country that does not tolerate any reduction of its independence, and based on the principles of equality, reciprocity, non interference and mutual respect," said Raul Castro in a half-hour speech. "Until that happens, after almost half a century, we are prepared to wait patiently for the moment when common sense takes root in the halls of power in Washington," he added. Fidel, who has been ill for months, did not attend the parade, which capped five days of birthday celebrations for him. The parade was presided over by Raul and also attended by Latin American leaders and dignitaries including Bolivian President Evo Morales and Haitian President Rene Preval. Fidel underwent an operation for intestinal bleedings two weeks before he turned 80 on Aug. 13. As a result, his birthday celebrations were delayed. On July 31, Fidel Castro handed power to Raul Castro temporarily, for the first time since he became leader in the country's 1959 revolution. Around 300,000 workers and students participated in the military parade held in Havana's Revolution Square, which is the country's first in a decade. The United States has since 1962 imposed a full economic embargo on Cuba, an island state in the Caribbean. .
. June 30, 2010 SouthAmerica: Here is a copy of the article about Fidel Castro and nuclear war, and there is also a similar story published by the Russian newspaper Pravda. ***** âFidel Castro warns of imminent nuclear catastropheâ Peopleâs Daily Online June 29, 2010 The escalating tensions between Iran and the United States could lead to a new worldwide nuclear catastrophe, former Cuban leader Fidel Castro warned on Monday. If the United States and its allies try to inspect Iranian ships, "they will receive the proper answer," local media quoted an article written by Castro as saying. "I have no doubt that as soon as U.S. and Israeli warships try to inspect the first Iranian cargo ship ... it will be the exact moment when the terrible war will begin," Castro said in the article, dubbed "Knowing the truth in time." "A disaster" is coming "quickly" and a war would start even before the quarter-final of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, he added. The UN Security Council adopted a resolution earlier this month imposing new sanctions against Iran over its controversial nuclear program, including restrictions on its shipping and air cargo operations. Castro handed over power to his brother Raul due to health problems in 2006 and has since devoted himself to editorials on major world issues. Source: Xinhua http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/90001/90777/90852/7044675.html .
This what our oligarchs want with Cuba. If not for artificially imposed embargos Cuba might thrive, our oligarchs don't want that. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fulgencio_Batista