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Fidel Castro Says President Obama 'Misinterpreted' Brother Raul's Remarks, Says Obama 'Showed Signs of Smugness'
April 22, 2009 2:59 PM
Writing in his newspaper column "Reflections of Fidel" (Spanish version here), Fidel Castro says that President Obama "misinterpreted" the comments made by his brother, Cuban President Raul Castro.
"Obama’s advisors posted on the Internet their English version of the president of the United States’ interview with journalists in Port of Spain," Castro writes.
He then quotes from the president's press conference, quoting extensively from an exchange when President Obama didn't-quite-answer my question about what changed his position from his 2004 stance against the embargo against Cuba and now supports it as leverage.*
Discussing his vision of U.S.-Cuban relations, President Obama said, "I think that as a starting point, it's important for us not to think that completely ignoring Cuba is somehow going to change policy, and the fact that you had Raul Castro say he's willing to have his government discuss with ours not just issues of lifting the embargo, but issues of human rights, political prisoners, that's a sign of progress.
"And so we're going to explore and see if we can make some further steps. There are some things that the Cuban government could do. They could release political prisoners. They could reduce charges on remittances to match up with the policies that we have put in place to allow Cuban merican families to send remittances. It turns out that Cuba charges an awful lot, they take a lot off the top. That would be an example of cooperation where both governments are working to help Cuban families and raise standards of living in Cuba.
"So there are going to be some ways that the Cuban government I think can send some signals that they're serious about pursuing change. And I'm hopeful that over time the overwhelming trend in the hemisphere will occur in Cuba, as well. And I think that all of the governments here were encouraged by the fact that we had taken some first steps. Many of them want us to go further, but they at least see that we are not dug in into policies that were formulated before I was born."
Writes Fidel: "Without any doubt, the president misinterpreted Raúl’s statement.
"On affirming that Cuba is prepared to discuss any issue with the president of the United States, the president of Cuba stated that he has no fear of approaching any issue whatsoever. That is a demonstration of courage and confidence in the principles of the Revolution. It should not come as a surprise to anybody that he spoke of pardoning those sentenced in March 2003 and sending them all to the United States, if that country would be prepared to release the five Cuban anti-terrorist heroes. The former individuals, as was the case with the Bay of Pigs mercenaries, are in the service of a foreign power that is threatening and blockading our homeland.
"On the other hand, the statement that Cuba charges an 'awful lot' and 'takes a lot off the top' [of remittances] is an attempt on the part of his advisors to cause a rift and divide Cubans. Every country charges certain sums for hard currency transfers. If they are dollars there is all the more reason to do so, because it is the currency of the state that is blockading us. Not all Cubans have families abroad who send remittances. Redistributing a relatively small part to the benefit of those most in need of food, medicine and other goods is absolutely fair. Our homeland does not have the privilege of converting into hard currency the bills that leave state printers, what the Chinese have frequently called "junk dollars," as I have repeated on various occasions, and which has been one of the causes of the current economic crisis. With what money is the United States saving its banks and multinationals, in its turn indebting future generations of U.S. citizens? Would Obama be disposed to discuss those issues?"
Fidel writes that during "the press conference and the final meetings of the Summit, Obama showed signs of smugness... When he stated, responding to Jake, that today, 2004 seemed like eons ago, that was superficial. Do we have to wait that many years for him to suspend his blockade? He didn’t invent it, but he has made it his just like the other 10 presidents of the United States. Going down that road a definite failure can be augured for him, like that of all his predecessors. That was not the dream of Martin Luther King, whose role in the struggle for human rights will more and more illuminate the way of the U.S. people."
Castro then concludes with this odd note: "We are living in new times. Changes are inevitable. Leaders pass, the peoples remain. We will not have to wait for thousands of years, just eight will be enough, until –- in a more heavily armored car, a more modern helicopter and a more sophisticated aircraft –- another president of the United States, doubtless less intelligent, promising and admired in the world than Barack Obama, occupies that inglorious office."
-- jpt
* (Castro identifies me as "Periodista Jake," or "Journalist Jake")
April 22, 2009 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (51)
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Wow, is this all you non-supporters do?? Just sit on here all day and argue back and forth??
If you don't like what's going on in our country, get off your lazy buns and think of creative ways to solve the problems.
And I think its funny how you guys are embarrassed or surprised that Fidel can see his smugness -- I'm confused, who said Fidel was right?? You?? Because you think Obama is smug too?? He can't do anything right can he conservatives??
Go volunteer to make a country better instead of complaining.
Posted by: DeAnns | Apr 28, 2009 6:02:20 PM
Wow! So even an oppressive Commie dictator notices The One's arrogance...too bad millions of Americans couldn't see through the smoke and mirrors.
Posted by: RR GOP | Apr 24, 2009 1:33:06 AM
Che' and Fidel have always known our country.. better than we!!
Posted by: DontGet818OnMeNow | Apr 23, 2009 7:42:38 AM
More proof that President Obama's
foreign policy AKA Blah, Blah, Blah is
Not Working!
Joe Biden was right.
The Presidency of the United States
of America is no place for
"on the job training"!
Posted by: reaganfan | Apr 22, 2009 11:58:33 PM
I may be naiive.
I know we won't make a serious move until we know our investments will be safe in Cuba.
Will lifting the embargo,really give the regime 'credit'? Is it an acknowledgement of failure? Hell, the President and his Sec of State have already said so in effect (i.e., 'hasn't worked')...mission accomplished, as they say.
I hate the way Cuba is run now...wouldn't I give anything to be taking rich capitalists out on my boat bonefishing down there.
More important, I do want to see Cubans live freely. The fact is, doing nothing gives them another 4 yrs to sit it out.
I realize they are broke...so is Haiti.
I realize they believe they have more to gain in the short and long term.
I'm not so sure, but I doubt this President will get it right.
Posted by: J House | Apr 22, 2009 8:19:06 PM
Jake, you missed the best part. Castro quotes Daniel Ortega talking to Carter, who says that Nicaragua should change:
"Nicaragua does not need to change; you are the ones that need to change. Nicaragua has never invaded the United States. Nicaragua has never mined the US ports. Nicaragua has never launched a single stone against the American nation. Nicaragua has not imposed any government on the United States. You are the ones that need to change, not the Nicaraguans."
Castro's reference to change that you find so odd is pointing back to the section of the letter that you left out - maybe that's why it seems so odd to you.
Posted by: Flash Override | Apr 22, 2009 8:11:49 PM
JHouse, you are very naive,
The communist-led island could be near insolvency. Cuban State companies were ordered to stop all imports... And people think lifting the embargo and giving the regime credit is the answer? Cuba is already a severely indebted country. All that debt is the burden of the future generations while the current administration enjoys the luxuries of the west.
Posted by: humdee1 | Apr 22, 2009 8:01:12 PM
Let's not take our eyes off the ball here."
That's right you were lying about the size of the Obama deficits while excusing the Bush ones.
Should I save myself the trouble and just listen to Rush vs his parrot?
Posted by: Ryan C | Apr 22, 2009 6:05:14 PM
Posted by: Ryan C | Apr 22, 2009 5:48:44 PM
OK, 623,000 it is!
INFLATION, Ryan.
DEFICITS.
Let's not take our eyes off the ball here.
Posted by: drjohn | Apr 22, 2009 6:01:34 PM
"The banks that Obama won't let pay back the TARP money, Ryan."
Seven banks have repaid funds they received under the Troubled Asset Relief Program, Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner said this week.
Goldman Sachs is planning to begin repayment right after the stress test is completed.
Posted by: Ryan C | Apr 22, 2009 5:52:04 PM
"550,000 nationwide."
ROFLMAO!
If you're going to report made up numbers, go for the gold!
The estimated number of participants in yesterday’s tea parties — sent in by citizen journalists who signed up to the site to enter attendance data from the event they participated in — currently stands at more than 623,000.
Posted by: Ryan C | Apr 22, 2009 5:48:44 PM
"Please name that bank drjohn."
The banks that Obama won't let pay back the TARP money, Ryan.
Didn't you ever wonder why he won't let them pay it back? It's like having a mortgage and not letting you pay it back.
Posted by: drjohn | Apr 22, 2009 5:46:48 PM
Why do you hate America?
I love my country. Obama is tanking my country. Obama represents everything opposite of what made this country great.
This country promised equal opportunity, but Obama wants to promise equal outcome regardless of effort.
That's no American. It's Marxist.
Posted by: drjohn | Apr 22, 2009 5:43:49 PM
"BTW almost as many people showed up in Denver (one of the largest tea parties) for a pot protest that had zero media promotion as did for the FoxNews concert."
550,000 nationwide.
One Cindy Sheehan in Crawford got 1000 media personnel. But it's not likke there's no bias.
Posted by: drjohn | Apr 22, 2009 5:40:38 PM
"The CBO’s latest analysis, released Friday, showed that the president’s proposed budget will increase the deficit to $1.8 trillion in 2009; $1.4 trillion in 2010; and $970 billion in 2011 -- falling to $658 billion in 2012 before rising again to $1.2 trillion in 2019."
That makes you feel better? Are you nuts?
And this is based on a static analysis.
Hello?
Posted by: drjohn | Apr 22, 2009 5:38:53 PM
"Dissent is no longer patriotic. It was only patriotic when it was anti-Bush."
Why do you hate America?
BTW almost as many people showed up in Denver (one of the largest tea parties) for a pot protest that had zero media promotion as did for the FoxNews concert.
Posted by: Ryan C | Apr 22, 2009 5:37:14 PM
"It'll begin with Obama backdoor nationalizing the banks. No one in his right mind will put money in such a bank. Shareholders will be completely beholden to Obama. He's not letting them pay the money back now."
Please name that bank drjohn.
And yes I know you can't because its a bs made up story by a right winger.
Posted by: Ryan C | Apr 22, 2009 5:32:17 PM
Harman said today that she 'had a written agreement' to be intel committee leader...then later got the boot to DHS.
She did something to make her 'radioactive' to Nancy P.
Wonder what?
Apparently, Harman was the only one of the 'gang of 8' to write a letter in protest of the interrogation program.
Did Nancy think she would peel off when it all hit the fan?
Posted by: J House | Apr 22, 2009 5:26:06 PM
Yep, leaking that info was a crime...thank god it wasn't about Valerie Plame...they wouldn't shut up about it, right?
Posted by: J House | Apr 22, 2009 5:22:10 PM
Has anyone heard a Democratic leader call for an investigation into who leaked the Harman wiretap?
Anyone?
Bueller?
Bueller?
Posted by: drjohn | Apr 22, 2009 5:21:38 PM
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