Castro spoke out in an essay published in local media a day before U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry makes a historic visit to Cuba to reopen the U.S. Embassy as part of the countries’ restoration of diplomatic relations.
The trade embargo that the United States slapped on communist Cuba in 1962, three years after Castro seized power by ousting a U.S.-backed regime, remains in effect despite the thawing.
President Barack Obama wants Congress to lift it, although U.S. officials say this will take time and is not an automatic part of the restoration of ties as it requires congressional action.
Many Republicans, who control both chambers of the legislature, oppose the idea, insisting Cuba has to improve its human rights record and make other democratic reforms.
“Cuba is owed compensation equivalent to damages, which total many millions of dollars, as our country has stated with irrefutable arguments and data in all of its speeches at the United Nations,” Castro wrote.
He did not go into detail on precisely how much money he reckons Washington owes Havana. The Americans are also claiming compensation for U.S.-owned property, such as real estate, that was confiscated when Castro took power.
Castro made no mention either of Kerry’s visit to reopen the embassy, a step that comes eight months after Obama and Castro’s successor and brother Raul announced plans to restore relations. It officially took effect July 20.
Fidel Castro ceded power to his brother in 2006, stepping down because of poor health.
Over the years, Fidel Castro has been a frequent contributor of essays to the communist party newspaper Granma and other media. “Writing is a way to be useful, if you keep in mind that we poor humans must be more and better educated in the face of the incredible ignorance that surrounds us all, except for researchers who use science to seek a satisfactory answer,” Castro wrote.
Castro’s 89th birthday is being celebrated with a wide array of events. In town to take part is Bolivia’s populist President Evo Morales, who often refers to Castro as his “wise grandfather.”
A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Daily Star on August 14, 2015, on page 11.
AFP
dailystar.com.lb
13/4/15
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Fidel Castro chides US ahead of embassy reopening...
ReplyDeleteFormer Cuban leader Fidel Castro has published an open letter to the nation in which he makes no mention of the historic reopening of the US embassy.
Mr Castro instead criticises American foreign and economic policies since World War Two and accuses the US of owing Cuba millions of dollars.
The letter was published to mark Mr Castro's 89th birthday.
The US embassy will be reopened in Havana on Friday, with US Secretary of State John Kerry attending.
Mr Castro said the US owed Cuba money because of the trade embargo the US imposed on the communist-run island in 1960.
Cuba says the embargo - which it calls a blockade - is hugely damaging to its economy.................http://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-33919484
14/8/15