Cuba calls Obama visit 'an attack' as Communists defend ideology

Cuba calls Obama visit 'an attack' as Communists defend ideology
Reuters
April 18, 2016

HAVANA (Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama's visit to Communist-led
Cuba was an "attack" on its history and culture aimed at misleading a
new business class, Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez said on Monday, the
latest sign of blow-back after the ground-breaking trip last month.

"In this visit, there was a deep attack on our ideas, our history, our
culture and our symbols," Rodriguez said at the Communist Party congress.

Cuban leaders have hardened language against the United States since
Obama became the first U.S. president to visit the island in 88 years,
with Fidel Castro accusing him of sweet-talking the people.

President Raul Castro referred to the United States as "the enemy" in
the opening speech of the party congress over the weekend and told
Cubans to be alert to U.S. attempts to weaken the revolution.

The congress, held every five years, must make decisions about the
future of Cuba's elderly leadership and the progress of market-style
economic reforms adopted in 2011 that allowed more small businesses.

The measures have been only partially implemented, amid resistance from
hard-liners who distrust market economics and fear detente with the
United States at a time when Cubans are increasingly vocal about their
needs.

"The harsh rhetorical push-back by the ideological wing of the Communist
Party suggests their heightened sense of vulnerability," said Richard
Feinberg, a former national security adviser to U.S. President Bill Clinton.

Rodriguez accused Obama of coming to "dazzle" the private sector,
highlighting concern U.S. promises to empower Cuban entrepreneurs were
aimed at building opposition to the single-party system in office since
1959.

"Socialism and the Cuban revolution are the guarantees that there can be
a non-state sector that is not that of big North American companies," he
told state television.

Cuba has struck deals with U.S. companies such as hotel chain Starwood
and is in talks with others including Google-parent Alphabet . On May 1,
Carnival is to become the first U.S. cruise company to sail to Cuba, but
the trip is in doubt over a ban on Cuban-Americans sailing.

Cuba believes "the interest in the country of 11.3 million and its
tourism potential will overshadow any political decisions," said John
Kavulich, head of the U.S.-Cuba Trade and Economic Council, a New
York-based non-profit organization.

The United States and Cuba re-established diplomatic relations after
Castro and Obama announced in December 2014 the two countries were
seeking to normalize ties.

Despite the rhetoric, U.S. musicians Smokey Robinson, Usher and Dave
Matthews were in Havana on Monday as part of a delegations representing
Obama's arts and humanities committee. A group of U.S. architects also
visited on Monday.

(Reporting by Frank Jack Daniel and Nelson Acosta; Editing by Dan
Grebler and Steve Orlofsky)

Source: Cuba calls Obama visit 'an attack' as Communists defend ideology
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https://www.yahoo.com/news/cuba-minister-calls-obama-visit-attack-communists-defend-174532222--finance.html?ref=gs