Castro to Penn: I'm open to Obama [two could meet in Guantanamo Bay......]

News.Com.Au ^

[Sub-Driver]

Castro to Penn: I'm open to Obama

By Patrick Markey in Havana

Reuters

November 27, 2008 08:45am

CUBAN President Raul Castro is open to meeting US President-elect Barack Obama on neutral ground to try to resolve the island's four-decade-old feud with Washington, according to an interview with a US magazine.

Havana's latest overture came in a rare interview for The Nation conducted by US actor Sean Penn, who traveled to Cuba after meeting Castro ally Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and before Mr Obama won the US presidential election on November 4.

"You asked if I would accept to meet with (Obama) in Washington. I would have to think about it. I would discuss it with all my comrades in the leadership," Castro tells Penn in the interview published on The Nation's website.

"I think it would not be fair that I be the first to visit, because it is always the Latin American presidents who go to the United States first. But it would also be unfair to expect the president of the United States to come to Cuba. We should meet in a neutral place."

He suggested the two could meet in Guantanamo Bay, where the United States maintains a naval base, which Cuba considers a violation of its sovereignty.

[johnthebaptistmoore]

There are also a lot of Cuban boxers who would do very well at the worldwide professional level, but there must also be close to five hundred present Cuban baseball players who would play in either the major leagues or in the minor leagues, if they are ever given the chance to do so.

[Daffynition]

[marron]

Whats the point of being a gazillionaire if you can’t smoke the best cigars made anywhere?

I’m sure he has or does.

That, or he owns half-equity in a Cuban-seed tobacco farm and cigar factory in Dominican Republic, or something. I think I would.

cheers