[Dictator] Castro Defies Fox of Mexico as Once-Warm Ties Sour***While the tape played, Mr. Castro rolled his eyes, as if to mock the Mexican leader's comments. Mr. Fox, a conservative businessman, originally tried to say that Mr. Castro's late notice of attending the conference would not allow Mexico to provide enough security or attention. Ultimately, the two agreed that Mr. Castro would attend a Thursday morning session, make his six-minute presentation and then sit next to Mr. Fox at a lunch. But when Mr. Fox asked him not to "attack the United States or President Bush," Mr. Castro cut him off. "Listen Mr. President, I'm a person who has been in politics for about 43 years and I know what I should do and what I should not do," Mr. Castro said. "You don't need to have any doubts that I know how to tell the truth politely and with the proper elegance." Mr. Castro issued a seven-minute tirade against capitalism and globalization in Monterrey, before some 50 heads of state, and then left in a huff.***
As a matter of fact, two days before this conversation, Castro had told reporters he may not attend the conference and that Hugo Chavez could speak for him. ______________March 17, 2002 - Cuba's Castro Says Venezuelan Chavez Speaks for Him***"Even if I don't go, we, I, feel represented in your words," Castro told Chavez in a telephone call during a marathon live broadcast of the Venezuelan leader's weekly "Hello President" television and radio program. ***
Uruguay Breaks Ties With Cuba - Ambassador given 72 hours to leave*** MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay (AP) - Uruguay's president announced Tuesday that his country was breaking diplomatic ties with Cuba, days after Uruguay sponsored a U.N. human rights vote targeting Fidel Castro's government. The surprise announcement by President Jorge Batlle came as the Uruguayan leader charged Cuba with a series of insults against this South American nation. Cuban President Fidel Castro, who was speaking live on a government television program in Havana when the announcement was made, characterized Batlle as "a lackey."***