The Unknown Candidate: Castro, Others Blast US Policy

Monday, September 18, 2006

Castro, Others Blast US Policy

After acknowledging his brother's illness, Raúl Castro condemned neoliberalism and globalization for endemic poverty and environmental degradation while denouncing the United States' pre-eminence in world affairs and Israel's role in the Middle East at the 14th Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement in Havana where more than 50 heads of state are meeting.

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"Let us reject the dangerous U S doctrine of the preemptive use of nuclear weapons, even against countries that don't have them and against supposed terrorist groups," Raúl Castro told representatives from the 116-nation group.

"Let us denounce the hypocrisy of the U S government, which while supporting Israel's bid to increase their nuclear store, is threatening Iran in an attempt to prevent the peaceful use of nuclear strategy," he said.

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Among yesterday's speakers were Iranian President Mahmoud Ahamadinejad, who accused the United States of using its influence to try to block Iran's ``legitimate right" to develop nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.
But it was Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez who dominated the proceedings, with a pair of speeches denouncing the U S government while also proposing that the non aligned movement create a new commission to recommend ways to unite and assist member nations.

"North American imperialism continues to develop plans and launch conspiracies against the governments of Cuba and Venezuela, and I have the impression other governments, too," he said.

"To be radical is not to be insane, like some want to label us," Chávez said.

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"The U S is turning the Security Council into a base for imposing its politics," Ahmadinejad said, according to the official translation of his speech in Farsi.

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Photo credit: Cuba's acting President Raul Castro, right, gestures as Bruno Rodriguez, a Cuban Foreign Minister official listens during a session of the 14th Nonaligned Summit in Havana, Cuba, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2006. (AP Photo/Brennan Linsley)