Former Cuban leader known for rambling speeches names Canada's PM in
mini-manifesto
By David Common, CBC News
Last Updated: Apr 10, 2012 10:34 AM ET
On the surface, you'd be forgiven for thinking it's the ramblings of mad
man. And frankly, it just might be.
The latest missive from Fidel Castro takes aim at Canada. Entitled
"Stephen Harper's Illusions," it covers everything from the Falkland
Islands to Pierre Trudeau and the oilsands.
But there's not much talk of Canada's prime minister. Odd, given the title.
The former Cuban leader is known for his never-ending speeches in
Havana's Revolution Square. Thankfully for the reader, this
mini-manifesto runs just two pages.
"I think — and I do not intend to offend anyone — that this is how the
Prime Minister of Canada is called," he begins, in apparent reference to
his title naming Harper. Point then for Castro, getting the name of
Canada's prime minister right. If Cuba were to lift all its restrictions
on internet traffic, a simple Google search could have confirmed this.
Former Cuban leader Fidel Castro gestures during a meeting with writers
invited to the XXI International Havana Book Fair in this picture
released by Cuban website Cubadebate in Havana in February. Former Cuban
leader Fidel Castro gestures during a meeting with writers invited to
the XXI International Havana Book Fair in this picture released by Cuban
website Cubadebate in Havana in February. (Roberto Chile/Cubadebate/Reuters)
The leader of Cuba's revolution of 1959 then credits Canada for not
"interfer(ing) in the Internal Affairs of our State," since they "were
not accomplices in the economic blockade" that has been so destructive
to Cuba's economy.
He also credits Canada's policy of investing in Cuba and particularly
the late Trudeau — "a brilliant and courageous politician who died
prematurely" — for being respectful to Cuba.
And then to his favourite topic: Evil USA.
"I knew about the damage caused by the Yankees to the people of Canada.
They forced the country to look for oil by extracting it from huge
extensions of sand that are impregnated with that fluid, thus causing
irreparable damage to the environment," Castro writes.
From mining to meetings
But then, Castro switches to Evil Canada, for its mining operations in
Latin America which have caused "incredible damage … by the Canadian
companies specialized in the mining of gold, precious metals and
radioactive materials."
The essay was released through Cuba's Mission to the United Nations, the
latest in weekly, though barely intelligible, reflections on world affairs.
Ah, but I digress. And so does Fidel. Finally, back to Canada's prime
minister … and only in the last word of his letter!
The topic, it seems, is the upcoming Summit of the Americas that Cuba
has evidently not been invited to.
"Who could hold back from laughing?" Castro poses, "We must hurry up and
tell Harper."
Tell him what exactly?
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/story/2012/04/09/f-analysis-common-castro-harper.html
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