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Cuba after Castro ***The Boons of Communism-- Although the exile community in Miami includes rightwing hardliners who'll vehemently oppose any form of Socialism. These groups will never negotiate with Castro. But there are also more moderate elements within the younger generation who seek a dialogue with dissidents on the island. These contacts are essential to attempts to reform Cuban society, emphasises Raul Rivero. Like many other Cubans, he also has relatives who live in the US, "They have a right to return, Cuba is their country, too," says Mr Rivero. All Cubans agree on one thing; there must be no repetition of what happened in the former Soviet Union, where communism was replaced by crime and corruption and a wide gap between the rich and the poor. Cubans would hate to lose the positive achievements of the revolution - social justice, free health care and free education - achievements that Che Guevarra fought for.***

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Freedom isn't free. Either they're free or they remain slaves, begging for crumbs.

May 10, 2001- Castro Ends Visit to Iran***In Iran, Castro is admired for his 40-year struggle against the United States. Both countries are under U.S. sanctions and, year after year, both appear on Washington's list of countries that sponsor terrorism.

In a joint statement Thursday, the two countries condemned terrorism as well as the sanctions. They also called for establishment of an independent Palestinian state and the return of all Palestinian refugees to their homeland. The statement called for cooperation at the United Nations as well as in the Group of 77 countries and the Non-Aligned Movement. Iran currently heads the G-77, an association of developing countries. They agreed also to continue cooperation in pharmaceuticals and medical training.

Before departing Iran, Castro stopped off at the north Tehran home of the late Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, father of the Iranian revolution. He was shown a short film on Khomeini's life and visited his library before heading on to the airport. Earlier in his visit, Castro had laid a wreath at Khomeini's grave.

U.S. sanctions have been in place against Iran since the revolution. Washington severed ties and imposed sanctions after Muslim militants stormed the U.S. embassy in Tehran and held 52 Americans hostage for 444 days.

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March 17, 2001- Cuba's Castro Says Venezuelan Chavez Speaks for Him *** Hailing the Venezuelan leader's "spirit and enthusiasm", the veteran Cuban president said Chavez would address the U.N. conference in Mexico as president of the Group of 77, which represents more than 130 developing countries. "No other voice could be better than yours to defend the interests of the (Group of) 77. ... You will have the possibility of putting forward the point of view of the progressive people of the world," Castro added.

Chavez, hosting a special 100th edition of his "Hello President" show lasting nearly seven hours, also received calls of congratulation from Guatemalan President Alfonso Portillo and the Dominican Republic's president, Hipolito Mejia. The Cuban leader's public praise for Chavez was certain to infuriate political opponents of the Venezuelan leader and his self-proclaimed "Bolivarian Revolution". ***