Posted on 06/27/2002 3:10:26 AM PDT by Cincinatus' Wife
HAVANA - Fidel Castro has warned that limited Cuba-U.S. relations could be cut further and the American mission here could be closed if U.S. diplomats persist in "violations of our sovereignty."
Migration agreements between the two countries also were being put at risk by American diplomats "who go around the country as they like, organizing networks and conspiracies," the Cuban president said Wednesday.
Castro's warning comes as Washington steps up programs it says are aimed at bringing democracy to the communist island, such as distributing radios here so Cubans can tune in to U.S. government programming and increasing funding for dissident support groups in the United States.
"We are not willing to permit violations of our sovereignty, nor the humiliating disregard of norms ruling the conduct of diplomats," Castro told lawmakers gathered for a special session examining a constitutional change declaring Cuba's economic, political and social systems "untouchable."
Castro's speech was aimed in large part at the growing advocacy role by the U.S. Interests Section in Havana.
Under mission chief Vicky Huddleston, the Interests Section last year distributed hundreds of small shortwave radios that can be used for listening to the U.S. government's Radio Marti, which is run by Cuban exiles opposing Castro.
The Cuban Foreign Ministry formally complained to the United States about that distribution.
Cuba views the broadcasts from the United States as enemy attacks and has jammed them in the past. The broadcasts began in 1985 during the administration of then-President Reagan.
"The contraband of merchandise in diplomatic pouches also is not admissible," Castro said, apparently referring to transporting the radios into Cuba.
He said it will be the United States' responsibility if these practices cause the annulment of migration accords signed in 1994 and 1995 - and discussed every six months - or even the withdrawal of the Interests Section.
Castro said a further cut in ties "would mean an unfortunate step back in the few advances" in the countries' relationship.
Huddleston's office did not immediately answer requests for comment. The State Department had no reaction, a spokeswoman in Washington said.
Castro also took issue with President George W. Bush's mention in a May 20 speech of a scholarship program for Cuban students and professionals. U.S. officials say the program is designed to teach skills that Cubans could use later if the island embarks on a democratic path.
But Castro said that money instead should focus on low-income American blacks, Indians and Hispanics who cannot afford a university education.
"He shouldn't imagine that we would cooperate with such a tendentious plan," Castro said.
He said Washington's idea was to "form subversive and destabilizing agents at the service of their interjectionist and imperialist plans."
Cuban President Fidel Castro, left, votes in favor of amending the country's constitution as his brother and Defense Minister Raul Castro, looks on at right, in Havana Wednesday, June 26, 2002. The parliament voted unanimously to consecrate its 41-year-old socialist system in the constitution as "irrevocable" and declare that "capitalism will never return again." (AP Photo/Cristobal Herrera)
Just die, already....
Whoa! I was beat to the punch. Must the the ESP, huh?
I take issue with your gross insult of Larry the Cucumber. How could you or anyone else slander Larry like that?
Larry is a patriot in the truest Freeper sense of the word Can anyone forget how he slammed that door in the face of the IRS agent after welcoming into his house "Crafty Bank Robber" and "A Savage Norseman"?
And BTW, Larry doesn't have a green suit; that is his natural peel color, you antivegite!
That was my thought when I read this description of the vote.
Lawmakers Preserve Cuba's Socialism*** Deputies grew emotional and almost giddy during the tally, eventually applauding loudly after each vote. When the final vote had been declared unanimous, the deputies first stood stoically at attention for the Cuban national anthem, then held hands and swayed back in forth as they sang the socialist anthem, ``Internationale.''***
Now why would you want to discredit a fine, wholesome character as Larry the Cucumber with a remark like that?
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