Gore Vidal Slams U.S. Policy on Cuba

Gore Vidal Slams U.S. Policy on Cuba
By ANITA SNOW
The Associated Press
Sunday, December 10, 2006; 10:51 PM

HAVANA -- Celebrated American writer Gore Vidal slammed the
four-decade-long U.S. trade embargo against Cuba on Sunday, saying
during a visit to the island that he hopes recent changes in U.S.
politics will help end the sanctions.

"I've never been here before and it's a fascinating country," Vidal
said, touring Old Havana. He arrived late Sunday and is scheduled to
return to the United States on Thursday.

Vidal said the United States is "undergoing tremendous political
change," referring to growing opposition to the war in Iraq and the
Democratic Party's return to control of both houses of Congress in
November midterm elections.

"After more than 40 years, the embargo is ridiculous," said Vidal, who
himself ran for Congress and who regularly raises funds for Democratic
candidates.

The United States imposed economic and commercial sanctions against Cuba
in 1961 after the CIA-backed assault at the Bay of Pigs was defeated.
Last month, for the 15th straight year, the United Nations voted
overwhelmingly to urge Washington to lift the embargo.

Vidal is to visit museums, a ballet school and other cultural centers
during his stay. He also will meet with Culture Minister Abel Prieto and
Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque, among other officials.

American filmmaker Saul Landau, who has produced four documentaries
about Cuban President Fidel Castro, was among those in Vidal's small
delegation.

Landau said it was unlikely that the group would meet with the ailing
80-year-old leader who ceded power to his brother, Defense Minister Raul
Castro, earlier this year while he recovers from intestinal surgery.

Vidal, also 80, published his first novel at the age of 21 and has had a
prolific career as a playwright, essayist, scriptwriter and novelist.

He recently published his memoirs, "Point to Point Navigation," and a
paperback book called "Dreaming War: Blood for Oil and the Cheney-Bush
Junta."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/12/10/AR2006121001149.html