Fidel vs. Fox

The big news in Mexico and Cuba has been the telephone conversation between Fidel Castro and Vicente Fox concerning Fidel's participation in the Monterrey UN conference on poverty. Fidel agreed that the conversation was confidential, but then he publicized it on Cuban TV. It was replayed on Mexican TV. I heard it several times. Carlos Lopez has sent me the transcription (in Spanish, of course). Fidel broke his promise not to publicize the conversation because of Mexico's vote in the UN Human Rights Committee in favor of sending a commission to Cuba to investigate human rights violations. The vote was 23-21. Had Mexico voted against, as it would have in the past, there would have been a tie and no action. Now a commission will go. While Castro broke his promise, Fox clearly wanted Castro to leave Monterrey as soon as he had given his speech so as to avoid a confrontation with President Bush, i.e. he was equivocating when he denied that. He even offered to have Castro sit at his side at a meal to persuade him. Castro did indeed leave early, without giving a clear explanation. Both men lost. The UN resolution had been introduced by Uruguay, and was consequently insulted by Castro as a lackey of the US, like Fox. Uruguay broke relations with Cuba. The Fox government said Mexico would not.

Ronald Hilton - 4/24/02