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Fidel Castro gives cautious nod to efforts at restoring diplomatic ties with Washington Fidel Castro gives cautious nod to efforts to restore diplomatic ties with Washington
(about 2 hours later)
HAVANA — Fidel Castro broke a long and speculation-inducing public silence over his country’s steps to mend ties with the United States, saying he still distrusts Washington but offering a qualified endorsement of the landmark diplomatic outreach.HAVANA — Fidel Castro broke a long and speculation-inducing public silence over his country’s steps to mend ties with the United States, saying he still distrusts Washington but offering a qualified endorsement of the landmark diplomatic outreach.
“I don’t trust the policy of the United States, nor have I exchanged a word with them, but this does not mean I reject a peaceful solution to conflicts or the dangers of war,” he wrote in a letter published late Monday by state-run media.“I don’t trust the policy of the United States, nor have I exchanged a word with them, but this does not mean I reject a peaceful solution to conflicts or the dangers of war,” he wrote in a letter published late Monday by state-run media.
Cuba’s 88-year-old former ruler hasn’t been seen in public in a year, but he periodically weighs in on matters of major importance through letters and written statements.Cuba’s 88-year-old former ruler hasn’t been seen in public in a year, but he periodically weighs in on matters of major importance through letters and written statements.
He had not made public comments since the Dec. 17 announcement that Cuba and the United States would chart a path toward renewing diplomatic relations after more than five decades of tensions. The silence has fanned rumors about his failing health, or a political rift with his brother, President Raul Castro, 83.He had not made public comments since the Dec. 17 announcement that Cuba and the United States would chart a path toward renewing diplomatic relations after more than five decades of tensions. The silence has fanned rumors about his failing health, or a political rift with his brother, President Raul Castro, 83.
Last week, the highest-ranking U.S. delegation in decades was in Havana for talks on the restoration of diplomatic ties broken off by Washington in 1961. Neither Castro played a role in the talks.Last week, the highest-ranking U.S. delegation in decades was in Havana for talks on the restoration of diplomatic ties broken off by Washington in 1961. Neither Castro played a role in the talks.
Referring to him not by name but as “the president of Cuba,” Fidel wrote that his brother had taken “the pertinent steps in accordance with his prerogatives and the powers given to him by the National Assembly the Communist Party of Cuba.” Referring to him not by name but as “the president of Cuba,” Fidel wrote that his brother had taken “the pertinent steps in accordance with his prerogatives and the powers given to him by the National Assembly and the Communist Party of Cuba.”
After a near-fatal illness forced him to step down in 2006 after 47 years in power, Castro has gradually receded from public life, and has often gone months without publishing a word. His letters typically do not opine on domestic Cuban affairs, sticking instead to global topics and historical matters such as his long standoff with the United States. After a near-fatal illness forced him to step down in 2006 after 47 years in power, Castro has gradually receded from public life, and he has often gone months without publishing a word. His letters typically do not opine on domestic Cuban affairs, sticking instead to global topics and historical matters such as his long standoff with the United States.
Over the years, the writings have been less frequent, and less lengthy too. Each one is dutifully reprinted across Cuba’s state-controlled media. Over the years, the writings have been less frequent, and less lengthy, too. Each one is dutifully reprinted across Cuba’s state-controlled media.
At more than 1,200 words, the letter published Monday was composed in Castro’s signature style, spanning from the labor practices of ancient Greece to the revolutionary inspirations of Vladimir Lenin and Mao Zedong and his decision to intervene in the Angolan conflict during the Cold War.At more than 1,200 words, the letter published Monday was composed in Castro’s signature style, spanning from the labor practices of ancient Greece to the revolutionary inspirations of Vladimir Lenin and Mao Zedong and his decision to intervene in the Angolan conflict during the Cold War.
The letter was formally addressed to Cuba’s Student Federation, on the eve of the group’s annual march commemorating national hero Jose Marti, and the passages about relations with the United States came only in the last few paragraphs. The letter was formally addressed to Cuba’s Student Federation, on the eve of the group’s annual march commemorating national hero José Martí, and the passages about relations with the United States came only in the last few paragraphs.
One noticeable absence in the letter was any mention of the return of the three remaining Cuban agents who were part of the “Cuban Five,” and freed in a prisoner swap as part of the deal with the United States. One noticeable absence in the letter was any mention of the return of the three remaining Cuban agents who were part of the “Cuban Five” and were freed in a prisoner swap as part of the deal with the United States.
Having sent the men on the mission to infiltrate Miami anti-Castro groups 20 years earlier, Castro had campaigned endlessly on their behalf ever since. Having sent the men on the mission to infiltrate Miami anti-Castro groups 20 years earlier, Castro had campaigned endlessly on their behalf since their arrest in 1998.
Instead, the letter jumped across several decades and continents, bringing him to the United States only toward the end when he noted that the late Nelson Mandela, with whom he maintained a long relationship, was also a friend of President Obama.Instead, the letter jumped across several decades and continents, bringing him to the United States only toward the end when he noted that the late Nelson Mandela, with whom he maintained a long relationship, was also a friend of President Obama.
“Any peaceful or negotiated solution to the problems between the United States and the peoples or any people of Latin America that doesn’t imply force or the use of force should be treated in accordance with international norms and principles,” Castro wrote.“Any peaceful or negotiated solution to the problems between the United States and the peoples or any people of Latin America that doesn’t imply force or the use of force should be treated in accordance with international norms and principles,” Castro wrote.
“We will always defend cooperation and friendship with all the people of the world, including with our political adversaries,” he continued.“We will always defend cooperation and friendship with all the people of the world, including with our political adversaries,” he continued.
Earlier this month, Castro also sent a letter to Argentine soccer icon Diego Maradona, a longtime friend, during the latest wave of rumors about his death.Earlier this month, Castro also sent a letter to Argentine soccer icon Diego Maradona, a longtime friend, during the latest wave of rumors about his death.
“The grave dangers that confront humanity today will have to yield to rules that are compatible with human dignity. No country is exempt from that,” Castro wrote in conclusion.“The grave dangers that confront humanity today will have to yield to rules that are compatible with human dignity. No country is exempt from that,” Castro wrote in conclusion.
“That is the spirit in which I have fought and will continue fighting until the last breath.”“That is the spirit in which I have fought and will continue fighting until the last breath.”