Cuban President Fidel Castro called on Monday for a massive march against US interference in his island nation which he said was aimed at destroying his socialist revolution.
Castro called a "giant march" for early Wednesday in Havana. Other marches will be held throughout Cuba in support of constitutional reforms proposed by pro-government groups which appear to be a response to dissident proposals backed by the United States seeking political freedoms.
"I propose the following: let's call a march on Wednesday to support the document presented here," Castro told a meeting of leaders of pro-government worker, student and farmer organizations.
The meeting followed rallies Castro has led for three Saturdays in a row to reject calls by President Bush that Cuba allow freedom of speech and open elections.
In policy speeches on Cuba on May 20, Bush called Cuba a "tyranny" and vowed to maintain a four-decade-old trade embargo against Cuba until its one-party state undertook reforms. Bush also announced increased aid for independent groups in Cuba, including grants for the children of political prisoners.
Speaking to 780 leaders of social groups, who chanted "Fidel, Fidel" and revolutionary slogans, Castro said Bush's speeches to anti-Castro exiles in Washington and Miami were "insulting and threatening."
( June 11, 2002)
