[Cincinatus' Wife]

Well thought out post. It makes a lot of sense. Chavez is Casto's agent working to consolidate the countries in this hemisphere into an anti-American block.

[Shermy]

Castro may have "ideological" aims, but he has always been a whore for money. His "break" with America was in turn paid off by the Soviet Union. Now he may be doing the dirty work for OPEC.

Castro Ends Visit to Iran

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) - Cuban President Fidel Castro ended a three-day visit to Iran Thursday, saying he had found new friends and was optimistic about future relations between the two nations.

Dressed in his usual olive-green military fatigues, which he had swapped for suits during two days of meetings with Iranian officials, Castro received an official farewell at Tehran's Saadabad Palace from President Mohammad Khatami.

``I had friends in Iran, but with this visit I have found new friends,'' Castro said at the farewell ceremony. ``This was a memorable visit for me. ... I leave with optimism about future ties.'' ....