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Caribbean-Latin America
Raul Castro seeks negotiations with US
2006-12-03
HAVANA - Cuba’s communist interim leader Fidel-Lite Raul Castro, in a shift from the tack of his ailing brother Fidel Castro, on Saturday pushed for negotiations with the United States to end decades of tense ties. “Let me take this opportunity to express our willingness to settle the long US-Cuba disagreement at the negotiating table,” Raul Castro told troops at Cuba’s first military parade in a decade.

“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,” Raul Castro said, speaking before Communist Party and military leaders.
We don't respect you and you don't respect us, I suppose that is mutual.
“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,” added Raul Castro, who is also the defence minister.
We've been waiting patiently for your brother to kick off, and it won't be too many more years before you yourself join him at Himmler's permanent Monday night card game in Hell.
In Washington, the US response was firm. “The dialogue that needs to take place is one between the Cuban regime and the Cuban people about the democratic future of the island. As we have consistently stated, any deepening of our engagement with Cuba depends on that dialogue and the Cuban regime’s willingness to take concrete steps toward a political opening and a transition to democracy,” said Janelle Hironimus, a State Department spokeswoman.
Posted by:Steve White

#4  It sounds like Raul is feeling the full weight of leadership. Fidel must be dead or totally incapacitated.
Posted by: Dan Canaveral   2006-12-03 17:22  

#3  Probably some intramural stuff going on amongst the Cuba 'leadership'; Raul probably needs money to bribe the other players enough to consolidate.
Posted by: mhw   2006-12-03 13:39  

#2  It's time. This feels big. The bonefish are calling to me.
Posted by: Shipman   2006-12-03 08:04  

#1  "Well, is he dead?"

"I'll pop 'round and have another peek."

"And is he?"

"He's not at all well, coughing up blood and all that."

"You can let us know when he's dead."

"Look, can't we just start discussing cigar quotas and stuff?"

"Ummm ... no."

"I used to pitch second string for Havana U."

"Thank you."

"I nearly got in at Madison."

"Thank you."
Posted by: Zenster   2006-12-03 01:27  

00:00