Mike
8/19/2006 2:15:00 PM
Raul Castro rips U.S. in first remarks
Published August 19, 2006
>From combined dispatches
HAVANA -- Cuba's publicity-averse president, Raul Castro, made his
first public comments since brother Fidel was hospitalized, telling how
he immediately mobilized tens of thousands of troops to defend the
island against a U.S. "invasion."
"We could not rule out the risk of somebody going crazy, or even
crazier, within the U.S. government," he said in the interview
published in the Communist Party newspaper Granma, in which he also
blasted President Bush's plans for a post-Castro Cuba.
Washington, which has called talk of an invasion absurd, yesterday
dismissed Raul Castro's remarks as the musings of "Fidel light."
"Wow. Gee. I guess you're asking me what we think of remarks by
Fidel's baby brother?," State Department spokesman Tom Casey told
reporters. "And what do we think of them?
"We're not particularly fond, as you know, of the government of
Cuba as run by Fidel. I can't say that we're particularly enamored of
the first words we've heard from 'Fidel light,' " Mr. Casey said.
Raul Castro, 75, also said his brother's improvement had been
"progressive," since he underwent a complicated surgical procedure last
month.
Fidel Castro's physical and mental strength have helped his
"satisfactory and gradual recovery," his brother said. "Absolute
tranquillity is reigning in the country."
Cuba announced on July 31 that Fidel Castro, who turned 80 on
Sunday, underwent surgery for intestinal bleeding and had delegated the
presidency provisionally to Raul, the defense minister and designated
successor.
Raul Castro said there had been an outpouring of support from
Cubans for the government. "It has been a clear demonstration of the
people's unbeatable unity and revolutionary conscience, essential
pillars of our country."
His appointment sparked speculation that Fidel Castro's 47-year
rule in one of the world's last communist bastions might be ending.
Rumors were fueled when neither Raul nor Fidel Castro appeared in
public until pictures and video were released two weeks later.
"As a matter of fact, I am not used to making frequent appearances
in public, except at times when it is required," Raul Castro told
Granma from his office at the Ministry of Defense.
He said many of his activities as defense minister were best kept
out of the public light, adding, "Moreover, I have always been
discreet, that is my way, and in passing let me clarify that I plan to
continue that way."
He said Cuba has been and will continue to be open to talks with
the United States to try to improve relations that were formally ended
in 1961. That, however, required respect for Cuban sovereignty as a
precondition, he said.
Raul Castro said U.S. efforts to speed up a transition to democracy
in Cuba would get nowhere and warned that "millions and millions" of
Cubans were prepared to defend their country against U.S. intervention
"rifle in hand."
"So far the attacks have only been rhetorical, with the exception
of the substantial increase in subversive radio and television
broadcasts against Cuba," he said.
Raul Castro said Washington was wasting millions of dollars in
taxpayer money. Few people in Cuba appear to get TV or Radio Marti
because of government jamming.