Castro Unswayed by Chretien’s Request to Free Four Dissidents

Fidel Castro on Tuesday rebuffed an appeal for political changes and prisoner releases made by Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien during a groundbreaking visit to Cuba.

Immediately after seeing Chretien off at the airport, Castro declared: “We are not going to change. We are going to continue defending our cause and our socialism.”

The Cuban leader made it clear to reporters that he will not bend to pressure for reforms.

“The [1959 Cuban] Revolution is the biggest change there’s been in history, and we’re not going to renounce that,” Castro said when asked about Chretien’s call for change.

Castro showed no sign of agreeing to Chretien’s personal appeal for the release of four jailed dissidents.

“We have not made any type of commitment in relation to that,” Castro said.

Chretien arrived in Cuba on Sunday wanting to stress both Ottawa’s independence from Washington’s policy of isolating Cuba and its belief that “constructive engagement” with the island’s government can bring change.

On the plane back to Ottawa on Tuesday afternoon, Chretien said there was a possibility the two leaders might have further talks in Geneva next month.

“I take one step at a time,” he said, assessing the success of his trip to Cuba and the value of ongoing dialogue.

Earlier, Chretien suggested that Washington might have a long wait if it hopes the 71-year-old Cuban leader will soon lose power.

“Will the Americans await the departure of Mr. Castro? I don’t know. He appeared to me [to be] in top form physically.”

Castro told reporters that his health is good.

“I hope to keep on fighting until the last day,” he said.

He has recently taken delight in scoffing at rumors about his supposed ill health, saying that his “enemies” even “kill me off” from time to time by reporting him dead.