Fidel Castro says U.S faces widespread opposition to a war against Iraq

yahoo.com ^ | January 21, 2003 | MAR ROMAN, AP

[Cincinatus' Wife]

HAVANA - Cuban President Fidel Castro warned that the U.S. government faces widespread disapproval and risks harming the world economy if it launches a military attack on Iraq.

"The vast majority of the world's public opinion opposes this already announced war," Castro told a packed audience of foreign visitors at Havana's convention center in a Wednesday night speech broadcast live on state-controlled television.

"The threat of a war in Iraq has been looming considerably over the world economy, which is currently affected by a serious and deep crisis," said Castro.

The Cuban president said Venezuela's current political turmoil had already affected world oil prices, pushing them to intolerable levels, especially for poor nations.

"It's a general opinion that the aim of the war against Iraq is to take possession of the world's third oil reserve, which worries Europe as it imports 80 percent of the energy. On the contrary, the United States imports between 20 and 50 percent," Castro said.

Castro, wearing an elegant black suit and tie, spoke at the end of an international academic conference dedicated to independence hero Jose Marti on the 150th anniversary of his birth.

The Cuban leader was responding to U.S. President George W. Bush's State of the Union speech Tuesday night, in which he pledged to use the "full force and might of the U.S. military" if needed to disarm Iraq.

Bush's statements are especially dangerous, said Castro, because "they are not pronounced by a mad man from a dark corner in a mental hospital," but a leader with access to nuclear weapons.

Among those in the audience were former French first lady Danielle Mitterrand; ex-Mexican President Miguel de la Madrid; Aleida Guevara, daughter of the late revolutionary Ernesto "Che" Guevara, and Elian Gonzalez, the boy at the center of an international custody battle three years ago.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Students of Cuban military academies light their torches to participate in the March of the Torches, which started at the university of Havana, in honor of the birthday of Jose Marti, National Hero of Cuba, in Havana, on Monday, Jan. 27, 2003. This year is the 150th anniversary of Marti's birth. (AP Photo/Cristobal Herrera)

A group of dancers perform in front of a statue of Cuban national hero Jose Marti, at the Plaza de la Revolucion, during the inauguration of the Cuban Olympics in this Nov. 27, 2002 file photo, in Havana, Cuba. Tuesday Cubans will commemorate the 150th anniversary of Marti's birth. Born Jan. 28, 1853, Marti was an essayist and poet who dedicated most of his life to Cuba's independence from Spain. (AP Photo/Cristobal Herrera, File)

Fidel Castro

[f.Christian]

" .. .. .. .. .. pronounced by a mad man from a dark corner in a mental hospital," ...

.. .. .. still talks big for a sattelite that has been grounded // crashed ! ! !

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Cuban President Fidel Castro speaks to well wishers after casting his vote in the city of Santiago de Cuba during general elections January 19, 2003. Cubans voted in one-party general elections on Sunday, with President Fidel Castro saying the election showed defiance against U.S. efforts to destroy's the country's communist revolution REUTERS/Rafael Perez

[f.Christian]

Why doesn't the UN go after these communist dictators ?

Is it a communist organization ? ?

[f.Christian]

``I was a communist for 30 years and I listened to so much of this demagoguery that now, with my democratic views .. .. .. I can no longer (( link )) -- -- -- stand it,''

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Why doesn't the UN go after these communist dictators ? Is it a communist organization ? ?

I do believe you've hit on a truth. Besides that, they help spread terrorism. Look how U.N. schools turn out good little Arafat terrorists. But then I guess communism and terrorism go hand in hand.

[piasa]

Among those in the audience were former French first lady Danielle Mitterrand; ex-Mexican President Miguel de la Madrid; Aleida Guevara, daughter of the late revolutionary Ernesto "Che" Guevara, and Elian Gonzalez, the boy at the center of an international custody battle three years ago.

Gotta wonder if ol' Castro keeps a little boy with him at all times for personal gratification, and not just for a political score.

[f.Christian]

We should tell the UN to pay for the trade towers for all of their 3rd world hate rhetoric !

Move the whole complex to ground zero !

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Put them on the top 20 floors. Talk about terrorist insurance!

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Commies always "do it for the children."

Elian Gonzales, center, attends a ceremony in which Cuban children put flowers on the monument of Cuban National Hero Jose Marti, in Revolutionary Square to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Marti's birth, Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2003 in Havana, Cuba. (AP Photo/Cristobal Herrera)

[f.Christian]

"Those who hold America in contempt for its lack of refinement (this writer always has held the term "American culture" to be an oxymoron) should think carefully about this conclusion. From their founding on Christmas Day 800 AD, when Charlemagne accepted the crown of the revived Roman Empire, the institutions of the West have been formed in response to external threat. The Holy Roman Empire of the High Middle Ages, Tolkien's conscious model for the Kingdom of Gondor, arose in response to the incursions of Arabs in the south, Vikings in the north, and Magyars in the West. Boorish and gruff as the new American Empire might seem, it is an . . . anti-empire - - - populated by reluctant heroes who want nothing more than to till their fields and mind their homes, much like Tolkien's Hobbits. Under pressure, though, it will respond with a fierceness and cohesion that will surprise its adversaries."

" // "Orcs of the world: Take . . . note (( orig article // site )) - - - and beware." // "

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[cardinal4]

More wisdom from the Leader of the most successful country in Latin America. Everyone one has a car, a job, can do whatever,say whatever they want to, plenty of food, an economic superpower whose political model is the envy of all.....NOT!

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Cuba, where self-enrichment is prohibited.

[WOSG]

"UN ... Is it a communist organization ? ?"

Let us see: Set up by a Communist (Alger Hiss, who spied on US for USSR). Has always had at least one Communist country with security council veto power (China, still). The UN Secty Gen'l has often been a Communist, socialist or sympathizer - Kofi Annan certainly seems in that mold.

And likely there are Communist infiltrators in the bureaucratic ranks. If not Communist, at least "compromised" by links and Commie influence.

[cardinal4]

My Mom and Dad used to live in Havana. They have some great stories. But they met some great people they say.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Bump!

[f.Christian]

Thanks to Asia Times Online readers [letters below] who elaborated on the mythical pre-history of Middle-earth. My summary was truncated, and Tolkien enthusiasts might fairly raise objections. I note with pleasure that no Wagnerians yet have written to complain, validating the observation that Tolkien has taken back the Ring on behalf of the forces of light. If you prefer Wagner to Tolkien .. .. .. you might be an Orc (( FR thread )) - - - and you should seek professional help. Regarding the story itself, it is true that Galadriel et al were exiles in Middle-earth due to their rebellion against the Valar. But as Galadriel explains to Frodo (in the chapter "Galadriel's Mirror" in The Fellowship of the Ring), the Elves love their works in Middle-earth and depart from them only with extreme reluctance. Their return to the undying West is a tragedy, not a triumph. Although Tolkien's mythology is more complex than my summary suggested, the point of my argument remains unchanged. Namaarie! Spengler (Jan 14, '03)

[Chi-townChief]

Any idea what f.Christian is talking about in his reply to you?

[tet68]

Torch lit parades, mass spectacle, Hmmmmmm that seems
familiar.

Why, state controlled press, dictator for life........Yes, it's Adolf Hitler!

The only thing surprising about this is that Jimy Cartar wasn't there.

[tet68]

Boy, now there are some "Happy" children!
(/Sarcasm)