WORLD IN BRIEF : CUBA : Government Opens Talks on Democracy

Cuba’s vice president said his government has opened a dialogue with moderate exile groups that seek a transition to democracy and the peaceful replacement of President Fidel Castro. Vice President Carlos Rafael Rodriguez, whose comments were aired on state radio, said Cuba shunned contacts with militant anti-Communist exiles in Miami. But he confirmed the government has opened talks with moderates, whom he did not identify. He said those exiles propose “to liquidate Fidel Castro (through) dialogue; they are offering talks,” the Miami Herald reported.